How Optometry Practices Can Use Modern Marketing to Attract New Patients

Bringing new patients into an optometry practice today requires more than a great clinical experience. Clinics that thrive are the ones that treat marketing, communication, and brand presence as extensions of patient care. When done right, these elements work together to build trust, simplify access, and differentiate your practice in a competitive market.

Below are practical strategies any optometry practice can use to strengthen its brand and attract new patients.

See how Dr. Chad Fleming of Wichita Optometry uses these principles to scale.

1. Prioritize Google Reviews

A strong presence on Google is one of the most influential drivers of new patient growth. Practices that appear at the top of local search results typically have three things in common:

• A steady flow of positive Google Reviews

• A complete and optimized Google Business Profile

• A modern, informative, mobile-friendly website

Ask patients for reviews consistently. Make it simple with automated texts that include direct review links, and reinforce the importance of feedback throughout the patient journey.

2. Automate Review Requests

Automated, post-appointment messages make review gathering effortless. Keep requests brief, polite, and convenient. Link directly to platforms like Google or Facebook to eliminate friction. Don’t fear the occasional negative review—thoughtful responses show you listen and care.

3. Set a precedent

Wichita Optometry doesn’t just ask for online reviews out of the blue. They help their patients appreciate their service by setting expectations. These expectations keep the entire staff in line with the values of the practice and ensure the majority of customers are happy with the clinic. This way, when patients get a review request, they’re more likely to post a review.

Patients are more likely to leave positive reviews when their experience matches (or exceeds) the expectations you’ve set. Keep communication clear and proactive:

• Send appointment reminders and confirmations

• Follow up with electronic surveys

• Communicate office policies and updates

• Respond quickly to questions

This consistency builds trust, improves satisfaction, and increases the likelihood of positive public feedback.

4. Offer an easy feedback path

Create opportunities for private feedback as well. Add a simple contact form or email option to your website so patients can share concerns or suggestions directly with your team. This allows you to address issues before they appear online and ensures patients feel heard.

5. Use paid social media ads

Social platforms remain powerful tools for reaching new patients—especially families and individuals researching eye health. Target ads by location, interests, and demographic needs (e.g., children’s vision, dry eye, medical eye care). Consistency matters, so assign someone to monitor channels, respond to messages, and maintain a cohesive brand tone.

6. Unify your communication

One of the greatest contributing factors to the success of Wichita Optometry’s marketing is their consolidated communication. You have to make it effortless for new patients to reach you. Unified communication—one phone number, one website, one email—reduces confusion and strengthens brand trust. Modern VoIP and messaging systems allow practices with multiple locations to maintain a single, seamless experience.

7. Explore alternative marketing

Brand visibility outside of your practice matters more than ever. Consider small but meaningful community-based ideas such as:

• Branded apparel for staff

• Sponsorships at school or community events

• Booths at health fairs

These efforts reinforce your practice’s presence and credibility within the community.

8. Don’t forget word-of-mouth

Despite all the other approaches to discovering new patients, Wichita Optometry still thinks word-of-mouth advertising is the single most effective way to bring in new clients.

The vision and values of the practice allow it to thrive. Your everyday interactions in how your team listens, how problems are resolved, and how patients feel walking out the door all become the stories patients tell others.

When patient experience becomes your brand promise, referrals happen organically.

9. Schedule appointments online

One of the ways Wichita Optometry improves its brand positioning is by making it easy for patients to communicate with their offices. Reality is, today’s patients expect convenience. Online scheduling reduces barriers and increases new bookings by allowing patients to choose their provider, location, and appointment time without calling the office. Promote the feature in emails, texts, and on your website to encourage usage.

10. Use scheduling reminders to reduce no-shows

Timely scheduling reminders, whether by text or email, play a major role in reducing no-shows and keeping patient schedules full. Reminders reinforce your commitment to patient care by helping busy individuals stay on track with upcoming appointments, annual exams, or specialty visits.

11. Share mass updates by text and email

When your practice has important updates like expanded hours or seasonal messages, use text and email instead of mass phone calls. These channels still feel personal, while also helping to reach more patients in a short amount of time.

12. Try two-way texting

Though some optometry practices have adopted business texting, plenty of others have yet to embrace this form of communication. Research shows that two-way texting has become one of the most effective communication methods for busy patients. It’s ideal for:

• Quick questions

• Insurance verification

• Order pickup notifications

• Contact lens and glasses updates

It builds trust early in the relationship and gives new patients a modern, efficient experience from the first interaction.

13. Invest in the right technology

Your brand extends into every touchpoint, including the tools your team uses. Invest in:

• A reliable EHR

• A modern communication system

• Payment and billing technology

• AI tools

• Digital intake and paperless forms

When your team is equipped with the right systems, the patient experience becomes smoother, faster, and more consistent.

Bringing It All Together

Attracting new patients doesn’t rely on a single marketing tactic—it’s the result of a connected ecosystem built on communication, convenience, visibility, and exceptional patient care. When your practice’s brand aligns with everyday experiences, marketing becomes a natural extension of what you already do well.