4 Ways a Roadside Attraction Can Benefit Your City or Town

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1. Attractions Create Buzz and Conversations That Increase Tourism
2. Attractions Create an Organic Social Media Tool for Your Town
3. Attractions Help Develop Your Town's Economy
4. Attractions Solidify Your Town's Identity and Boosts Community Pride
Video: Watch a giant landmark sculpture come to life!
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With the lasting effects of the pandemic on the tourism industry, it is more important than ever to find ways to attract visitors to your town. However, competing with big cities and their many venues of entertainment can make it difficult to keep up.

But what if there was a way to draw in tourists and locals alike? What if you could create something that would make people want to seek out your town? What if you could get on the map?

There is a way, and that is by creating and promoting a roadside attraction! Have you seen the movie National Lampoon’s Vacation? If you have, then you remember Chevy Chase promising his family that they will soon see the world’s second-largest ball of twine. The movie is fiction, but roadside attractions like that are real and do in fact increase tourism.

An attraction can be something like a “World’s Largest…”, a historic site, or a photo op for families to pose with.

By having a roadside attraction within your town, you are creating a focal point for your town’s marketing efforts. A roadside attraction can create buzz around your city, improve your online platform’s performance, develop your town’s economy, and solidify your town’s identity amongst the people.

4 Reasons Why You Should Have a Roadside Attraction in Your Town

1. Attractions Create Buzz and Conversations That Increase Tourism

Having a roadside attraction gives a reason for tourists to not miss your town.

With tourists already on the road and wanting to venture through the country, a roadside attraction can be another destination they’ll add to the list of places to stop. How often can one say they’ve seen a 40ft gorilla, a giant pierogi, or the “World’s Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe”? These are just a few examples of large-scale landmarks that can be found across America.

Giant pines cones at the center of town.

If you’re curious to see more examples of large-scale landmarks created by IDS, click here.

Hearing about these unique landmarks can create buzz and entice tourists to stop by your town. Not to mention that you are providing your tourists with a unique conversation starter that they can share with family, friends, or even other travelers on their journey. This word of mouth can create organic traffic for travelers to come to visit your town, and once they do, you’ll be able to showcase the local businesses and culture that your town is known for.

By having a roadside attraction, you are also giving opportunity for your town’s economy to grow, more on that later.

Bonus Tip: Get Listed in Directories

There are directories, from Wikipedia to travel websites, that list must-see attractions, including those places with “The World’s Largest” sculptures that make it easy for travelers to plan road trips. Making sure your community is listed on these directories is an easy way to get attention.

Nowadays, posting on social media is key to growing awareness for anything, whether it be businesses, people, cities, or towns. Having a unique landmark that can only be found in your area can provide a memorable photo opportunity for tourists to use and post on social media. This in turn can become an organic way for your town to market itself and grow its online presence. You can even encourage visitors to use a hashtag to help keep track of any photos posted on social media.

Think of the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building. You most likely didn’t have to google where you can find those landmarks because their symbol is so closely tied to that city. Especially with today’s social media climate, all it takes is one photo of your attraction to go viral and draw the attention of potential visitors.

If you’re really eager about how to maximize the photo potential of your roadside attraction, you can provide fun, personalized photos of your tourists when they come to visit your location – think of photos that they provide at theme parks, national parks, and gift shops.

Family posing in the grip of a giant gorilla photo opportunity character.

3. Attractions Help Develop Your Town’s Economy

As mentioned earlier, having a roadside attraction can help boost your town’s economy. An influx of tourism means an influx of money into your local economy.

A landmark acts as a stepping stone for your town. Drawing people into your community helps to share the spotlight from the attraction to local businesses. Hidden gems can be found in many communities and having an attraction can help uncover them. Travelers will be spending money on food, lodging, souvenirs, and attractions while they visit your town.

Check out this great example of photo op bench characters. This pair of dating dinosaurs in downtown Drumheller, Alberta (known as Gus and his girlfriend to locals) are located at 2 separate bus stops on opposite ends of the street, prompting visitors to take a stroll through the main street and see all the other stores and restaurants along the way.

Beyond increasing the activity at local businesses, the attraction itself can create job opportunities for local residents, from management and maintenance to customer service and sales positions.

If you want to take your town’s development one step further, you can provide memorabilia based around your landmark. Think of keychains, magnets, t-shirts, hats, and more. The possibilities are endless. Your landmark will be a feature that can’t be found anywhere else, tourists will love to take a little memento back home or to give to a loved one.

The world’s largest dinosaur has been an iconic feature of Alberta since 1999.

Seeing this landmark not only in its main location but throughout your town can help build and solidify your town’s identity.

4. Attractions Solidify Your Town’s Identity and Boosts Community Pride

We’ve talked a lot about the marketing and economic potential that having a roadside attraction can provide, but a roadside attraction can also benefit the individual members of your community as well. This is because your landmark can become a unifying symbol that represents your town.

It’s easy for people living in small towns or rural areas to feel disconnected from the rest of the world; having a unique piece of art or landmark can give them something tangible that they can point to with pride and say “This is ours!” As word spreads about your town’s one-of-a-kind creation, more and more locals may flock to check it out as well —especially if it’s free!

The local 4H club posing with their community’s attraction.

You may be worried about how to decide on a piece for your town, a simple solution would be to provide a public survey of what your citizens want to be represented with and go with the majority. Having a brand new attraction for your town can help jumpstart excitement within the community and become a talking point for social events and gatherings.

Are You Ready to Boost Your Tourism Power with a Roadside Attraction?

Roadside attractions have been around for decades but have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to attract tourists from near and far. Investing in one could potentially bring numerous benefits to your town including increased tourism, economic development, social media growth, and community pride.

Why not give people a reason to seek you out? Give them an adventure by creating a giant sculpture or artwork as a roadside attraction!

One of our Creative Consultants would love to help. Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started creating your special attraction.

If you thought this article was interesting, watch this incredible landmark whale sculpture come to life in Texas:

Want some more inspiration for promoting your town or business?

How Exterior Theming Can Draw Visitors to Your Tourist Attraction

6 Types of Roadside Attractions That Will Get You Noticed

How to Build a Giant Octopus

The Magic of Parade Floats: Types and Benefits

Playful Photo Op Inspiration

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your tourism experience from mundane to magical.

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Attract Families to Your Church with Decor for Kids

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Colorful Murals in Children’s Areas
Activity and Play Areas for Children
Theater and Presentation Areas
Custom Seating Made for Kids
Sculptures and Characters
What Do Successful Churches Have in Common?
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Churches today are competing for the attention of young families, so it is important that they create a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to children. The good news is that you can attract more families to your congregation by adding child-friendly decor that can turn your location into a destination.

Here’s how using child-friendly church decor like play areas, colorful murals, custom seating, and sculpted characters can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your congregation.

How to Attract Families to Your Church with Decor for Kids

Vibrant Church Murals – Adding Adventure to Children’s Worship Areas:

Vivid colors and cheerful images can instantly brighten up any church space. Consider adorning the walls of your church with colorful cartoons or murals depicting stories from the Bible or other religious teachings.

Not only will these images bring life to the rooms and hallways of your Sunday school or church nursery, but they’ll also provide children with an immersive learning experience as they explore each scene depicted in the artwork.

These murals can be placed within classrooms or hallways leading up to the sanctuary.

Have a large wall, windows, or fence outside your church? A large-scale mural with bright colors and uplifting messages can help set the tone for both old and new members when they enter your church.

An exterior window decal featuring a cartoon jungle scene with gorillas, monkeys, and tigers.

Creating Engaging Church Play Areas for Children of All Ages:

One way to attract families with young children is by providing an entertaining play area where kids can gather and be engaged in activities during services. You could set up toys, games, and kid-sized furniture for them to enjoy while their parents attend services or classes. This will help grow your children’s knowledge of faith while playfully entertaining them.

Sunday School classroom with woodland murals.

Pirate ship kids fort with a custom planked dividing wall accompanied by an underwater themed mural on interior walls — Sunken ship play area.

play tent with slide and medieval elephant guard in kids play area — Tent play area with a slide.

Additionally, if you have special services dedicated solely to children, having a play area can help make those times more enjoyable and memorable. Simple additions such as coloring books or puzzles can be effective when it comes to keeping kids entertained while they wait for service. This not only helps the kids but gives parents a piece of mind knowing that their kids are safe and having fun.

Innovative Church Theater and Presentation Spaces for Engaging Young Minds:

Detailed view of movie-watching kangaroo characters wearing 3D glasses and eating snacks. 2D wall mural blends with sculpted features.

Show families that you are dedicated to educating their children. A special space to watch informative videos (I still remember the excitement of watching Veggie Tales in my childhood) or listen to presenters is a great way to keep the attention of young children.

theater themed selfie stage in pediatric dentist office

Don’t just leave it up to the adults though! A theater or presentation area can be a space where children can express themselves creatively through drama, singing, dancing, and other performing arts. By participating in theater productions and presentations, children can build confidence and develop their public speaking skills, which can serve them well when they are sharing the Word with friends and families.

Cozy Church Seating – Custom Seating Made for Kids:

Custom seating specifically crafted for children can create comfy spots for them during services or classes. These seats don’t have to be expensive—even brightly colored bean bags or cushions would work perfectly!

By providing custom seating, your young patrons will feel included, comfortable, and secure knowing that they themselves have their own special spot during service.

Circular rock cladded stools with vinyl cushions.

These custom seats can be themed to match bible stories to give your kids a more immersive experience when they attend mass. These seats can also be placed around your church to surprise newcomers and share the family-friendly environment throughout.

Enchanting Sculptured Characters – Enhancing Your Church’s Child Appeal:

Sculpted characters are a surefire way to be whimsical in any space! Whether it’s characters from bible stories or even just friendly animals that reflect your local wildlife, placing sculptures around your church will help make it more inviting for younger members of your congregation.

Are they reading about Daniel and the lion’s den?

Even better, these characters can act as great social media photo ops, helping to spread awareness of your church online.

Photo op for customers to promote your business on social media. — Photo op to promote your inviting church environment on social media.

Have an open space or a plain parking lot? Consider having a large landmark sculpture outside your church. These large-scale features can draw attention to your church and become memorable.

Giant sculpted whale landmark character on roof of pediatric dental office. — Don’t get swallowed by this giant sculpted whale landmark character!

Key Elements of Successful Churches: Building a Child-Friendly Environment

All successful churches have something in common — they recognize that creating an atmosphere of comfort and familiarity is essential when trying to attract new members.

By adding child-friendly decor, you’ll make your church stand out and also provide a welcoming space for your children to feel excited about the important lessons presented in every church service. This kind of atmosphere makes all the difference when it comes to growing your congregation — so why not give it a try?

Want to learn more about transforming your church into a sanctuary for children? Click here.

Did you find this topic interesting? Here are some related articles on church decor for you to explore:

Tips for Adding Themed Decor to Your Church

Creating a Sense of Fun and Nostalgia for The Next Generation of Kids

5 Steps Churches Can Take to Create a Family-friendly Atmosphere

Church Decor Ideas for Kid Spaces

10 Exciting VBS Activity Ideas for Children’s Ministries

Benefits of Themed Decor for Kids, Your Business, and Staff

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your church into family-friendly sanctuary.

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The Secret to Attracting Young Families to Your Shopping Center

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Play Areas Ensure Your Mall Provides Entertainment for Shoppers of All Ages
Mall Play Areas Create Convenience for Your Shoppers
Indoor Play Areas Aren’t Weather Dependant
Mall Play Areas Increase Foot Traffic Throughout Your Shopping Center
Play Areas Opportunities for Family Events
Mall Play Areas Help Build Your Shopping Center’s Brand
Play Areas Create a Sense of Community
Play Areas Provide Educational Opportunities
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How do you attract families with children to your mall when online shopping and services like Skip the Dishes make it so easy to stay home? You need to make your mall a destination for young families! The secret ingredient to attracting families is adding a fun indoor play area to your mall.

Play areas are not just fun for kids; they have a number of benefits that can help extend the length of shopping trips, increase foot traffic into your mall, and enhance customer satisfaction. From boosting sales to drawing in new shoppers, the advantages of investing in play areas are clear.

Continue to read on and find out how this one addition can make an impact at your mall!

Play Areas Ensure Your Mall Provides Entertainment for Shoppers of All Ages

Not every kid loves going to the mall to buy new shoes for school or watch mom and dad look at new phone cases. Nothing will ruin a shopping trip faster than a grumpy, fussy child who wants to go home.

Adding a play area can help keep kids entertained during shopping trips, making for a more pleasant and stress-free shopping experience for the whole family. Play areas can range from simple activity rooms full of toys and books to indoor playgrounds featuring slides, tunnels, and mazes. Whether a family is looking for a quiet video game or an energy-burning run-around, they’re sure to find something enjoyable for their little ones.

Indoor children’s play area with jungle-themed decorations, including large green leaves, a mushroom, a beehive, and a cartoon character holding a “Welcome” sign. This bright and inviting mall play area is perfect for young adventurers. — A room filled with activities for children.

By creating welcoming spaces for children, families can spend more time in your establishment and potentially even make additional purchases. Furthermore, creating a positive experience for families can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth recommendations, ultimately boosting your business’s reputation and success. Incorporating a play area can transform an ordinary shopping trip into a fun-filled family outing that everyone can look forward to.

Kids will ask to come back again and stay longer!

Mall Play Areas Create Convenience for Your Shoppers

One of the most significant advantages of mall play areas is the convenience they offer to busy parents. By providing a one-stop shop for all their shopping needs, including clothing, food, toys, and entertainment for their kids, parents can easily tackle their to-do list without having to leave the mall.

Additionally, mall play areas provide an opportunity for families to capture precious memories with adorable photo ops of their happy children playing and having fun. This added convenience and entertainment can make a day out at the mall a memorable and enjoyable experience for the whole family.

A young girl in a colorful tutu and pink top stands triumphantly atop a large, red soft play train engine in the mall play area, with people seated in the background.

By creating a space that caters to the needs of busy families, businesses can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, which can lead to increased sales and success.

KNOW A BUSINESS THAT CAN
BENEFIT FROM A PLAY AREA?

LET’S TALK

Indoor Play Areas Aren’t Weather Dependant

Too cold to play outside? Too rainy and mucky to go to a playground? Too hot and muggy to run around? No problem!

Raindrops splash on the wet ground in the foreground, with a blurred play area structure in the background, surrounded by green trees.

When outdoor conditions are less than ideal, an indoor play area at the mall can be a savior for parents looking for a fun and safe place for their children to burn off some energy.

An indoor playground not only provides parents with a much-needed break from the confines of their homes during inclement weather, but it can also serve as a unique draw to attract families to your facility during times when they may not have initially planned to visit the mall. By offering an enjoyable and safe environment for children to play, businesses can entice families to spend more time and money at their facility while simultaneously providing a valuable service that addresses the needs of busy parents.

This added incentive can help increase foot traffic, generate buzz, and ultimately lead to increased customer loyalty and revenue. Speaking of foot traffic…

Mall Play Areas Increase Foot Traffic Throughout Your Shopping Center

Play areas in malls are becoming increasingly popular as a way to draw in more foot traffic, while also providing families with an enjoyable shopping experience. These exciting destinations can create lasting family memories as well as boost sales at the mall when parents decide to treat their children afterward.

With many large shopping centers focusing on creating cohesive entertainment districts, having play spaces is a great way to appeal to customers of all ages. Play areas are also a great solution for parents looking for ways to manage their children’s energy levels during long shopping trips.

With a fun place for kids to stretch their legs, the whole family can shop together in comfort and convenience. Play areas are thus beneficial for both malls and shoppers – providing an efficient way for malls to increase foot traffic and stimulate more sales.

Play Areas Opportunities for Family Events

A dedicated kids’ area in a mall presents a unique opportunity to create special family events centered around the space. From grand opening parties to special family day events featuring mascots and guest speakers, the possibilities for planning and promoting engaging family-friendly events are endless. By leveraging the appeal of the kids’ area, businesses can create a fun and welcoming atmosphere that encourages families to spend more time and money at their facility.

A young girl wearing holiday headbands smiles and waves excitedly at two women dressed as animated princesses in a mall play area, while adults stand nearby and watch the interaction. — Anna and Elsa are special guests in this woodland play area.

These special events can be a great way to build brand awareness, generate positive word-of-mouth, and foster a sense of community among shoppers. Ultimately, by incorporating special family day events into their marketing strategy, businesses can attract and retain loyal customers while providing an unforgettable experience for families.

Mall Play Areas Help Build Your Shopping Center’s Brand

Shopping centers could significantly enhance their positive branding by creating indoor play areas. Play areas, including special activity rooms with bead puzzle tables for toddlers and indoor playgrounds with slides for older kids, promote a safe, fun, family-friendly atmosphere. The presence of a child-centric play area can also attract businesses catering to families, who are more likely to rent space adjacent to such a facility. By offering a comprehensive and family-friendly shopping experience, malls with play areas can differentiate themselves from competitors and establish themselves as a go-to destination for families and like-minded businesses.

Not only this, but those adorable photos that parents take of their children playing and having a good time are amazing organic marketing on their own. Branded photo ops and mall signage included in play areas can appear across social media as parents share their day with family and friends.

Mother taking a photo of daughter in a divers suit themed photo opportunity.

Mall logo visible on an airplane play structure.

Play Areas Create a Sense of Community

Play areas in malls offer an optimistic way to build community and strengthen local relationships between shoppers. Parents, particularly those who work remotely or dedicate themselves to raising their children at home, may experience feelings of confinement due to isolation and a sense of being overwhelmed by the constant need to keep their children entertained.

Having a safe and reliable location where they can plan get-togethers with their friends to have a coffee while watching their kids play together can be a great escape from the routine. Play areas are great spaces for families and friends to connect and come together.

Furthermore, the presence of play areas within shopping centers can prove advantageous to mall management as it offers community members a desirable activity to anticipate while shopping, resulting in unparalleled engagement and patron loyalty. An essential element of stimulation can be incorporated into your guest experience beyond the conventional shopping experience, allowing for enhanced social interaction amidst the everyday commotion of retail consumerism.

Play Areas Provide Educational Opportunities

Play areas are not just a fun outing for families and their children, they can also be a great way to provide learning opportunities. Both the mall and parents can play a very important role in providing educational experiences within the safety of an indoor playground or activity room at a local shopping center.

Play areas can help children develop problem-solving strategies, develop social awareness and communication skills, recognize cause-and-effect relationships, build self-esteem and confidence, as well as learn conflict-resolution techniques. Not to mention the impact on physical development. Parents will love to take advantage of these educational opportunities to provide an engaging and fun experience for their children while taking part in family outings.

The Secret is Out

Whether it be by creating entertaining and educational experiences for young visitors or providing the opportunity to shop for both parents and businesses, having an indoor playground is a great way to attract families to your shopping center.

All patrons of your mall can reap the benefits of having a play area. Parents, business owners, mall investors, and many others all have the potential to have a positive experience simply by implementing an indoor play environment.

Interested in building a play area for your space? Click here to take your first step toward a great decision.

Want some more inspiration for creating a play area in your shopping center?

Check out this great list with tips for building the perfect indoor play area.

Playful Photo Op Inspiration

Play Areas & Kids Clubs

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your facility from a mundane to a magical guest experience.

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Unique Design and Decor Ideas for Children’s Libraries

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Use Sculpted Trees to Create Interest
Themed Reception and Desks
Fun Photo Opportunities
Unique Seating in Library Reading Areas
Bright Colors to Make Your Library Pop
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Libraries are important places where children and their families can come to learn and explore.

As libraries struggle to remain a competitive alternative to various forms of digital entertainment, the need to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages exploration and learning grows every day. With clever decor ideas, you can create a space that is both inviting and unique. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can add fun decor to your library to make it more appealing to families and children.

Plus, you can use this opportunity to create eye-catching presentation areas for guest speakers and photo opportunities that promote your library on social media.

Decor Ideas to Help Transform Your Library into a Family-friendly Destination

Sculpted Trees in Libraries Bring Nature Indoors for Engaging Spaces

When I was little, my local library had a sculpture of a tree growing up the spiral staircase going between floors. The weekly visit to the library was a magical memorable childhood experience as I loved running up the stairs and looking at the tree. Even now as an adult when I return home for family gatherings, I will revisit that library to remember the delight I had as a child.

Trees are a symbol of wisdom, which is why they are so often associated with libraries (that and the fact that books are of course made out of trees). Using this imagery and adding sculpted trees to your space is another great way to spruce up your library. Choose trees that are native to your area or ones that represent something special about your community such as state symbols or local landmarks.

A children’s play area sculpted to look like a famous cypress tree in Louisiana, known as “The Castle” by locals.

A sculpted tree can become a backdrop to a presentation area or bench seating can be added to make it functional.

Use them as a focal point for a presentation area or have them *grow* throughout your space.

Bench seating built into the base makes this tree multifunctional.

These trees will help create an atmosphere of adventure and exploration while also providing a place for people to sit, read, or just relax in nature’s beauty without having to leave the library.

KNOW A LIBRARY THAT CAN
BENEFIT FROM THEMED DECOR?

LET’S TALK

Themed Reception and Check-out Desks for Modern Libraries

A library’s information desk is often the first thing that patrons see when they enter the building, so it’s important to make it as welcoming and visually appealing as possible. One way to do this is to create an eye-catching, themed desk that reflects the library’s mission or the interests of its patrons.

For example, if the library serves a community with a strong interest in nature and the outdoors, a desk with a nature-themed design could be particularly appealing.

A desk can show guests that books will take them on a journey, whether it’s around the world or an escape into a fantasy world.

An eye-catching, themed check-out desk can help to create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere in the library, and it can also be a great conversation starter. Patrons who are drawn in by the unique design of the check-out desk may be more likely to engage with library staff and ask about the library’s services and resources.

Ultimately, a well-designed, themed check-out desk can be integral to creating a welcoming and engaging environment for patrons, and it can help to support the library’s overall mission of serving and supporting its community.

Exciting Photo Opportunities in Libraries Create Memorable Moments

One particularly effective way to engage with your patrons (plus create user-generated content for your socials) is to set up a photo op at the library. This can be as simple as setting up a backdrop or props related to a particular theme and then inviting patrons to take photos and share them on social media using a designated hashtag.

Consider creating a mascot for your library. This is a great way to brand your library as a child-friendly place. Mascots create major benefits for marketing potential and for making your business appeal to children.

This library in a fossil-rich area uses a prehistoric mastodon as their mascot.

Fun characters are begging to be photographed, and parents are always looking for an opportunity to show off the great time they are having on an outing with their family.

5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Office Photo Op

Innovative Seating Solutions for Comfortable Library Reading Areas

Custom seating is a great way to make your library stand out from others. You can choose from cozy chairs with colorful cushions or opt for more stylish couches and ottomans. This will make it easier for people to find the perfect spot to sit with their favorite book or get comfortable while they work on their laptops.

For children’s libraries, consider adding bean bags or soft floor pillows in bright colors to encourage kids to curl up on the floor with their favorite books.

Go further and add themed benches or stools for a magical touch that will truly appeal to children. Themed seating allows you to transform your atmosphere without taking away space that can be used for books.

You can also add themed seating to areas used as a presentation or reading space for guest speakers to create a special place that stands out from the rest of the library.

Vibrant Colors and Murals Revitalize Your Library’s Interior Design

Using vibrant colors throughout your library is one of the best ways to bring life into the space. Add color via paint, murals, fabrics, furniture pieces, sculptures, and more!

Murals are an amazing way to transform the look of a room, especially in a children’s reading area. Create a mural theme around a genre of book, like a children’s area themed around old fairy tales.

Brightly colored walls or ceilings are also a great way to surprise visitors when they enter your library!

Library Design & Decor is Important for Enhancing Patron Experience

Creating unique decor ideas for libraries is not only possible but easy when you think outside of the box!

By adding custom seating options with colorful cushions as well as sculpted trees and fun colors throughout walls and furniture pieces you can create an inviting atmosphere that encourages exploration and learning in any library setting. Additionally, creating presentation areas with creative backdrops provides guest speakers with a platform they won’t soon forget while providing you with photo opportunities perfect for promoting your business on social media!

With just a few simple touches you can transform any drab library into an inspiring place full of possibilities! Start brainstorming some ideas today – your patrons will thank you later!

Check out these related resources for making your library decor unique:

4 Ways Social Media Can Help Promote Your Library

Tips for Creating a Presentation Area in Your Children’s Library

Say Cheese! Playful Photo Op Inspiration

The Benefits of Themed Decor for Kids

Explore Examples of Children’s Library Decor

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your library into a place that captures everyone’s attention!

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7 Tips for Designing the Ultimate Dental Office Playground

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Tip 1: Create elements for active play in your dental practice.
Tip 2: Cater your dental play area to different ages.
Tip 3: Think safety when building your dental playground.
Tip 4: Pick a theme that carries through your office environment.
Tip 5: Consider opportunities for quiet play elements.
Tip 6: Keep it bright, colorful, and inviting!
Tip 7: Make it comfortable for parents.
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I’m sure that over the years, many bosses have found ample reason to shout, “This is a business, not a playground!!!”

But in the world of pediatric dentistry, turning your business into a dental playground is precisely what your customers are demanding!

It not only creates a unique and memorable experience that can set your practice apart from your competitors. Creating a fun, playful pre-appointment environment can go a long way to reducing a child’s fear of visiting the dentist.

Reduce anxiety to help fill pediatric dental chairs

A recent research paper (How Can We Reduce Dental Fear in Children? The Importance of the First Dental Visit.) cited that 9% of children and adolescents in Canada, the US, and Europe suffer from dental anxiety.

The researchers found that early exposure to the dentist (before age two when the first tooth erupts) and frequent visits after that are shown to reduce dental fear.

“Our results reveal that the age at which children first go to the dentist and the frequency of visits are key factors in preventing dental fear because they predict 44.4% of dental fear.”

The researchers identified three important consequences of dental anxiety in children that impact both your patient and your practice:

Pediatric patients will go to the dentist less often than necessary.
They may not be able to receive the necessary treatments due to fear.
They may be uncooperative with dental treatment staff.

Investing in a dental playground in your lobby can go a long way to alleviating anxiety in young children. By making a trip to the dentist something a child looks forward to, you will encourage more frequent visits and a higher quality of care.

So, what do you need to consider when building a play area in your lobby?

Tip 1: Create elements for active play in your dental practice.

Just like a traditional playground, your dental practice playspace should encourage kids to be active so that they can burn off energy and anxiety. This helps the worry disappear.

When we talk about active play, we’re describing lobby features like small slides, forts, climbing & balance structures… even places to jump and dance. Like a park playground, but at a much smaller scale.

Child-sized forts are a place where imagination can take control.

Yellow and grey camper themed kids play house.

Slides will have kids up and down and burning off energy. A slide can be a part of a bigger activity fort as well, with video games and play panels.

Or they can be small stand-alone structures.

Yellow slide on a pirate ship themed play structure

Active play can help children release energy and reduce stress which is good for priming children for their appointments, but it can improve their overall well-being as well. You’re in the business of kids’ wellness, so helping kids benefit from visiting your office in numerous ways is just good practice.

Tip 2: Cater your dental play area to different ages.

Your practice caters to children of different ages. Your play area should too. One recommendation is to have a separate play area for toddlers, where the bigger kids won’t bump into them. It may simply be a padded play area with a smaller slide, safe soft foam play structures, and easy hands-on games.

Soft play foam sculpture slide with a goat sitting on a mountain side. — Soft play foam sculpture slide with a goat sitting on a mountainside.

Woodland rock game wall with Keebee play boards and video games.

Structures should be a little more advanced for children aged 5-10. For older kids, video games and electronic devices are more age-appropriate. You may want to section off your game area so pre-teen patients have some privacy.

Kids playing on wall mounted gaming tablets.

Tip 3: Think safety when building your dental playground.

Just like kids have dental anxiety, parents have safety worries!

It’s always a smart idea to install a cushioned floor if you want to go the extra mile to avoid a child flopping on the floor too hard. There are a variety of options from mall play area grade flooring…

to the snap-together flooring that you have probably seen parents can add to their at-home playrooms.

But don’t worry too much when it comes to professionally made play options for kids. Most manufacturers put incredible thought and care into the design of their play elements – avoiding sharp corners and tripping hazards. Many structures and climbable components are built with highly durable materials to keep up with active kids.

Tip 4: Pick a theme that carries through your office environment.

Coming up with a great theme for your dental playground makes it more memorable and provides a creative thread to tie everything together. Jungle theme. Dinosaur theme. Underwater theme. The sky’s the limit. (Yes, flying themes are a thing too).

By extending your theme from the front lobby to the clinical area and treatment rooms, you maintain the magic from one space to the next. This helps put young minds at ease throughout their visit.

A sunk ship play fort is a great distraction in the reception area.

Contemporary silhouette underwater themed wall mural in a dental treatment bay. — Murals in the open bay treatment area tie it together with the play area.

Just about any space in your office can be tailored to your theme – the front desk, front door, walls, ceilings, and floors. Durable 3D characters are not only decorative; they can be used as a fun way to provide task-oriented signage. Plus, they make for a good photo opportunity (which increases your chances of getting shared on social media for free advertising).

Tip 5: Consider opportunities for quiet play elements.

We talked about active play earlier. Well, every playground needs a quiet area too. It’s a good idea to designate space for patients who would rather sit with a book or play quietly.

Interactive play elements provide a chance for kids to use their growing minds. Examples of interactive play elements include an activity wall designed to test budding motor skills, foam building blocks, legos… the list goes on.

Tip 6: Keep it bright, colorful, and inviting!

Enough said! Let kids know an area is for them with bright primary colors to liven your children’s play area.

Candyland themed kid's play area with colorful wall murals and sculpted gingerbread house play structure with slide. — Candyland themed kid’s play area with colorful wall murals and sculpted gingerbread house play structure with slide.

Tip 7: Make it comfortable for parents.

Like any lobby, seating should be comfy for parents and guardians. It should also be situated so that it’s easy for them to keep an eye on their littles.

Speaking of comfort, indoor dental playgrounds can get noisy with squeals of joy. Investing in sound baffling solutions can reduce the decibel levels for parents and staff alike to provide a more enjoyable experience. A private room with walls, acoustic felt wall panels, plush beanbag chairs, or carpeted floors can all help absorb sound.

And one final tip… have fun designing your playground!

Working with an established creative design and fabrication partner that really loves what they do will make your renovation process a treat every step of the way!

Don’t know where to start with creating your dental playground? One of our Creative Consultants would love to help. Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to a magical patient experience.

Check out these related resources for making your waiting room a fun place to spend some time:

Top 7 Interactive Waiting Room Ideas

Tips to Make Your Dental Practice More Inviting for Pediatric Patients

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6 Types of Roadside Attractions That Will Get You Noticed

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1. Giant Statues and Sculptures
2. Natural Wonders
3. Historical Sites
4. Museums and Curiosities
5. Amusement Parks and Activities
6. Art Installations or Murals
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Having unique roadside attractions and landmarks can be a simple solution to support your town’s marketing efforts, but how does one decide what to create as their main piece? After all, with the investment going into this project, you want to make sure it’s not only a unique piece that stands out but one that resonates with your community.

Luckily, there are lots of different types of attractions to pick from to help inspire your decision. From giant sculptures to highlighting natural wonders, this list can help show the benefits of each type and make you one step closer to getting your town on the map.

Let’s check out the varying types of attractions that your town may be interested in creating.

1. Giant Statues and Sculptures

Giant, larger-than-life statues can be an eye-catching and noticeable choice to attract tourists to visit your community. These sculptures can be anything from animals to people to plants and objects that are related to or can be found within your community.

Giant pines cones at the center of a town.

Creating a giant sculpture that represents your community can enhance its identity and provide a focal point for its values. Whether your town has a strong connection to an industry such as mining or forestry, local flora & fauna, cultural heritage, or historical figure, a sculpture that embodies these elements can promote local pride and draw visitors to explore your town’s unique character.

For example, imagine creating a larger-than-life sculpture of the majestic Bald Eagle, which is the national bird of the United States and can be found in many states. This iconic bird of prey symbolizes freedom, strength, and independence, making it a perfect inspiration for a landmark sculpture that embodies a town’s spirit. The landmark sculpture could be designed to be educational as well. Visitors could learn about the history and significance of the Bald Eagle, as well as the importance of preserving its habitat and the natural environment.

Large, exterior walrus sculpture on the roof top of a pediatric dental office. — Large, exterior walrus sculpture.

They are a great boost for local businesses as well. For example, dinosaurs have become a beloved symbol that captures our fascination with prehistoric times, and are an obvious choice for a giant landmark owing to their larger-than-life stature. Any region that is rich in prehistoric features can leverage this popular attraction by installing a giant dinosaur landmark that is sure to captivate tourists, leading them to explore local museums, fossil shops, and dino-themed restaurants.

Exterior shot of business with a giant red and blue dinosaur landmark character on the roof.

Having a giant version of an item you least expect can be a unique way to entice travelers to take a rest stop in your town. A simple “Have you seen the giant potato peeler?” can be an easy and simple conversation starter that can lead back to you and your community.

Overall, a giant sculpture that represents the local community can be an excellent way to amplify and grow the town’s identity while serving as a focal point for the community’s values and history. By highlighting the unique aspects of the town or region, it can also help to attract visitors who are interested in learning more about the area’s culture, heritage, and industry.

2. Natural Wonders

Naturally occurring roadside attractions can be a fascinating sight for travelers and tourists alike. These attractions are often created by natural forces over thousands or even millions of years, and can provide a glimpse into the history and geology of the surrounding area.

Some of the most popular naturally occurring roadside attractions include giant redwood trees, impressive rock formations, and stunning waterfalls. These natural wonders can provide a unique and memorable experience for visitors, and can even inspire a sense of awe and wonder.

Perhaps you have a natural wonder close to your community and you want to emphasize its importance in a more interactive way. Having a 3D sculpture that pays homage to your natural surrounding can be a great way to provide the bigger picture in a single space. This can make for great photo ops for family and friends when they come to visit your location.

3. Historical Sites

Many roadside attractions are dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of a particular area or topic. These attractions can range from small, local museums to larger historical sites that draw visitors from across the country. Some examples of these types of attractions include historic battlefields, pioneer settlements, and museums that focus on local industries or cultural traditions.

The World’s Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe is located in the Fort Assiniboine National Historic Site.

Similar to natural wonders, using giant sculptures can help emphasize the meaning behind historical sites and build on the importance of that site. Oftentimes, historical sites utilize past images to showcase the events of that era. These photos can often be small or only provide a small portion of the actual event.

Using a large-scale sculpture can help immerse your visitors to see the intensity of the many details that history may have. Perhaps your location is next to a well-known historic battle, you could use large-scale sculptures to create a 3D landscape of what that battle may have entailed. Maybe your historical site involves a prominent figure that made a difference within your community or within history, having a large-scale sculpture of that figure can help focus the importance of that historical person.

All these ideas give your visitors a unique and memorable experience that they’ll be able to share with future visitors for years to come.

4. Museums and Curiosities

Museums can be historical in nature, but can also focus on science, art, or just a day of discovery.

Exterior shot of the Hollywood Wax Museum. — Hollywood Wax Museum featuring the World’s Largest Gorilla at 40ft tall.

If your business is out of the ordinary and takes its guests through a journey outside of the box of regular life, using a roadside attraction can be a great way to gauge curiosity towards your business. Museums, optical illusion exhibits, science centers, and other outside-the-box businesses can benefit from outside-the-box attractions. An upscale exterior design can entice or give visitors a hint at what your business is all about.

A great example of this is the business WonderWorks, in which its building is literally flipped on its head.

Exterior shop of Wonderworks Musuem themed and cladded to look like an upside-down building. — Wonderworks Museum with entertainment center focused on science exhibits.

WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park that combines both education and entertainment through its exhibits. Having a unique exterior design both turns heads and causes curiosity as to what hidden treasures that building may contain. WonderWorks also knows that its exterior generates curiosity and that they’ve gone “big” to build a story about its unique origin. By doing this, they build on the customer experience and branding for its company.

5. Amusement Parks and Activities

Many roadside attractions include rides and games, such as go-karts, mini golf, and bumper boats.

Offering a small activity like a mini-golf course is a good way to encourage travelers to take a break and relax for a bit. It can even increase the length of time that tourists stay in the town. Instead of just passing through, they may choose to spend a night to play and to explore the other attractions in the town.

Sculpted open-mouthed hippo character for outdoor mini golf course.

6. Art Installations or Murals

Art installations and murals can be a unique way to create both a sense of community and create engagement from visitors. Having a large-scale art piece along a busy roadway can quickly enhance what your town or city is all about and give a focal point for guests to see and instantly relate to. These pieces can also showcase multiple aspects of your town and flow together into one captivating piece that can educate your visitors.

Have you heard of Graffiti Alley in Toronto, Canada? This unique section within the Greater Toronto Area stretches 1000 feet and showcases large-scale graffiti pieces that have become an iconic photo opportunity for models and photographers. These sets of murals also help encapsulate the alley’s history and curiosity about how the piece came to be.

On top of this, it has created an organic focus point for tourists to visit and venture into closeby businesses. The alley can be found within the heart of the GTA and closeby to Queens Street West which has local cafes, restaurants, and stores.

Although graffiti may not be the art style that you’d prefer for your community, a large-scale art piece designed to represent your town can create opportunities to highlight your location.

What Attraction is Right for You?

Whether it’s a statue of an iconic figure, an out-of-the-ordinary exterior design, or a large-scale art piece for photo ops, having a unique roadside attraction can be to drive visitors to learn more about your community. These six different ideas will help you start the conversation and jumpstart your ideas.

Regardless of what your community decides to go with, creating an iconic landmark can become a unique staple of your community piece for years to come.

Want some more inspiration for promoting your town or business?

How Exterior Theming Can Draw Visitors to Your Tourist Attraction

4 Ways a Roadside Attraction Can Benefit Your City or Town

How to Build a Giant Elephant

Playful Photo Op Inspiration

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your tourism experience from mundane to magical.

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Transform Your Daycare with Fun and Colorful Decor

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Plan Your Them
Set the Mood with Colorful Murals
Utilize Signs and Wayfinding that Children Can Understand
Use Creative Activity Areas
Use Creative Welcome Desk Design
Incorporate Themed Storage Solutions
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Looking for ways to make your daycare or childcare center more appealing? Perhaps you’re tired of your drabby walls and want to bring some life into your space? Custom theming may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

By having themed decor, you are not only creating a fun and engaging space for children, but you’re also giving them opportunities to learn and exercise while doing it.

Let’s dive into how theming can be a smart decision for your daycare or childcare center!

HOW TO Transform Your Daycare with Fun and Colorful Decor

Plan Your Theme

Start by selecting a theme that is both enjoyable and educational. Themes like outer space, jungle safari, underwater adventure, or fairy tale wonderland can captivate children’s imaginations while offering opportunities for learning through play.

Incorporating local flora, fauna, and landmarks into your daycare’s theme is an excellent strategy for branding your center with unique and meaningful theming.

Set the Mood with Colorful Murals

Murals are an excellent way to inject excitement into any space.

When choosing a mural for your daycare center, consider the age group of your students as well as their interests. This will help ensure that the design is age-appropriate and engaging. For example, if you have younger children in your care, you may want to opt for simpler shapes and brighter colors that will encourage their imaginations. Older children may enjoy more detailed designs featuring characters going on adventures.

Church nursery nap room with night time woodland mural. — Simple colors and shapes in a nursery nap room

Consider the benefits of wall murals when deciding where to play them in your daycare.

Increases creativity: Colorful wall murals can inspire children to use their imaginations and be more creative.
Encourages exploration: Wall murals can encourage children to explore and discover new things, which can help foster curiosity and a sense of adventure.
Increases enjoyment: Wall murals can make children’s spaces more enjoyable and engaging, which can help make learning and play more fun.

Exterior Privacy Windows

Employing murals on exterior windows not only serves as an effective advertisement, signaling to passersby that your establishment is a lively and welcoming space for children, but it also provides an additional advantage by acting as a privacy screen from the bustling street outside.

Storefront windows display a colorful jungle mural featuring gorillas, monkeys, tigers, leopards, birds, and lush green plants, with a mountain.

Decorative window panels with a colorful underwater scene show fish, seaweed, and coral against a blue background in a modern indoor setting.

Utilize Signs and Wayfinding that Children Can Understand

Crafting vibrant and visually engaging wayfinding signs for children who are unable to read serves as a valuable asset, particularly for those who may feel apprehensive in new environments.

Colorful graphic signs engage children with visuals, making navigation intuitive and accessible. By relying on images, symbols, and icons instead of text, these signs empower children to explore independently and reduce confusion and anxiety in unfamiliar environments.

Church classroom signs with animal themed rooms.

Door wayfinding sign. A sculpture of a raccoon sitting on a tree branch, reaching out to touch a blue ring stacked on top of red and yellow rings over a stick, with green leaves around them and a ceiling above.

Door wayfinding sign. A cheerful fox statue sits on a branch above a doorway, holding a blue marker and a drawing of a fox face. Artificial green leaves surround the fox, and the ceiling is visible above.

Mermaid and Merman themed washroom signs.

Furthermore, they serve as educational tools, reinforcing learning concepts while guiding children throughout the daycare. This inclusive design promotes accessibility for children with diverse needs and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the environment.

Parents also appreciate the professionalism and attention to detail conveyed by clear and visually appealing signage, instilling confidence in the daycare’s organization and safety measures.

Ultimately, colorful and graphic wayfinding signs create a welcoming and stimulating atmosphere that fosters children’s development and exploration.

Use Creative Activity Areas in Your Childcare Center

Include Active Play Areas with Slides

Having a slide indoors is excellent for daycares in colder climates where outdoor play might not be possible during certain times of the year. A slide adds excitement and fun to any room while encouraging physical activity as well as imaginative playtime.

Mountain themed climbable soft play slide

Slides come in all shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that fits the size of your space.

Include Calming and Quiet Theater Areas

Movie theaters within daycare settings offer valuable moments of quiet time for children amidst their busy schedules. Theming out your theater space for kids enhances their movie-watching experience by immersing them in a magical and engaging environment that sparks imagination and excitement. By immersing themselves in a movie, children can unwind and relax, providing a peaceful respite from the day’s activities. This quiet time not only allows children to recharge but also promotes mindfulness and self-regulation as they focus on the film’s storyline and visuals.

Be sure to provide comfortable seating options tailored to children’s size, such as small chairs or bean bags. Place low tables or tray tables near seating areas to hold snacks, drinks, or small personal items. These tables should be at an appropriate height for children to access easily without disrupting the movie. These options allow kids to relax and enjoy the movie comfortably.

By watching age-appropriate films, children have the opportunity to explore different cultures, themes, and stories, fostering their creativity and expanding their perspectives.

Use Creative Welcome Desk Designs

A welcoming reception desk is essential when it comes to creating a warm atmosphere in your childcare center or daycare facility. You want parents to feel comfortable leaving their children in your care, so having an inviting entryway is key!

The reception area should be well-lit with plenty of seating available for visitors. Choose comfortable chairs that are easy to move around so parents can sit down while they wait to be seen by staff members. Carpeting is another great option if you have the budget; it adds texture and warmth to the space while providing a cushiony surface for kids who may be more interested in playing on the floor than sitting in someone’s lap.

You could also feature images of previous projects or activities completed by students on display near the reception desk to show parents what their children have been enjoying throughout their time at your center!

Incorporate Themed Storage Solutions

Every childcare center needs plenty of storage solutions like cubbies and shelves where toys can be stored away when not in use. Theming your storage solutions is an easy way to add themed decor, while keeping it functional. Murals on cabinets blend your furnishings in with your theme. Sculpted trees with carved shelves provide versatile storage solutions, accommodating a variety of items with like toys, books, and more.

Cupboard with waterfall graphic and 3D sculpted fish peeking through water.

Make sure the storage solutions fit comfortably within your space without taking up too much room; you don’t want them blocking paths or walkways between rooms.

Adding Themed Decor to Your Childcare Center is Easy

Creating an inviting space in your childcare or daycare center doesn’t have to be difficult! With just a few simple changes such as adding murals, slides indoors, reception desks with plenty of seating options, and storage containers with labels — you can easily transform your space into one that is both fun and functional! With these ideas in mind, you’ll be able to create an environment that both parents and children enjoy spending time in!

Interested in learning more? Check out these related resources on themed environments and their benefits:

Whether Your Office is Big or Small, We Have Options to Theme It All

Pediatric Therapy Facility Decor Inspiration

Keep Guests on Track with 7 Types of Fun Wayfinding Signage for Pediatric Healthcare Spaces

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Recession-proofing Your Dental Marketing Strategy in 2023

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1. Focus on improving your web content so you rank higher in online search.
2. Encourage patients to post online reviews.
3. Invest in memorable patient experiences that set your practice apart.
4. Turn down the pressure and focus on prevention vs. treatment.
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There’s an assumption that dental practices, like grocery stores, are immune to recessions. After all, people need to eat. And they still need to take care of basic health issues.

Yet a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association confirmed what dental professionals who have been through economic downturns already know: patients put off dental appointments and oral care treatments in recessionary times.

An analysis of dental visits in the US between 2003 and 2015 by Albert Guay and Andrew Blatz revealed a noticeable decline in dentist visits during the Great Recession (December 2007- June 2009). Only 38.4% of the American population during this time visited a dentist, a remarkable decline. Visits to orthodontists among working adults aged 19+ dropped from 1.1% in 2008 to 0.7% in 2010 as the recession was ending.

With rumblings of a possible downturn on the horizon, the question is, what can dentists and orthodontists do to recession-proof their business?

Marketing is one area where there are strategic opportunities to set a practice up to succeed… through good times and bad.

We spoke with Dan Bergeron, President of Everbrave Branding Group. As an authority on dental marketing, Dan shares four suggestions for dental practice owners.

1. Focus on improving your web content so you rank higher in online search.

“In today’s digital age, no matter your business, you can be sure that your target customers will be doing their research online.”

According to Bergeron, a recession is an excellent time to pursue low-cost/ high-return strategies that increase your odds of being found online.

He shares a few easy wins that will improve your content – and help increase your website’s search rankings.

a. Expand your web page content:

Does your website have pages with just a paragraph of text? Did you know that web pages rank higher when they have more information than less?

The more educational information and helpful advice you share, the more Google will consider you a subject authority, which helps improve your Google ranking,” Bergeron says. It’s also important to avoid reusing or copying content from other sources. Website content should be uniquely written for your website, or at a minimum, edited to be in your brand’s tone of voice.

Dan’s Pro Tip: “I recommend web pages have a minimum word count of 500+ words. Break longer text into shorter, easily digestible sections.

b. Add a Q&A section to your website:

When people use search engines, they’re seeking answers to their questions. Q&A sections are a smart way to draw traffic to your website. If you can provide the solutions, you’ll increase the chances of coming up in their search queries.

c. Keep new content coming:

Search engines reward sites that regularly post new information. Blogs provide a great way to achieve this. There are endless topics to choose from (like an article answering FAQs). Just be sure to keep it simple for patients to understand.

Want more tips for marketing your office? Download the free guide to learn more tips for helping with your online presence.

2. Encourage patients to post online reviews.

“For years, the bulk of new business has come from patient referrals. But today, people aren’t simply asking friends and neighbors. They’re seeking recommendations from credible sources like Google Reviews,” Bergeron reveals.

“The more patients you can convince to give you a glowing review on these platforms, the better. Many of your best patients will be glad to share their positive experiences. If you want to show appreciation and encourage patients to participate, you might consider giving a small incentive… like a $5 coffee gift card.”

3. Invest in memorable patient experiences that set your practice apart.

“Whether it’s a vacation or visit to the mall, people are looking for experiences,” Bergeron says. “Businesses that do things to set themselves apart tend to thrive.”

In the dental world, he gives the example of pediatric practices that invest in creating cool, interactive spaces that put smiles on the faces of young patients.

“A lobby that creates an immersive underwater world with mermaids, pirates, and sea creatures really stands out and gets talked about. They’re good for business and a fantastic way to put patients at ease. Nowadays, we’re even seeing this approach extend into adult practices as well.”

A colorful underwater-themed waiting room showcases a vibrant children’s decor. A playful seal statue with goggles and a map sits on a blue bench next to a window, surrounded by coral, fish, dolphins, and turtles.

While this approach involves a more considerable investment, Bergeron says it can provide invaluable exposure and measurable ROI. This is most often realized through a higher rate of patient referrals as well as improved retention.

While investing in a renovation may seem like a good idea when the economy is booming, Bergeron points out that when the market cools, construction costs tend to go down – contractors have less demand for their work, and materials drop in prices, making a recession is a good time to renovate and build.

“If you have available capital, a downturn is a good time to invest in the future.”

4. Turn down the pressure and focus on prevention vs. treatment.

As a dentist, you’ve worked hard to build relationships with your patients. But according to Bergeron, dentists and orthodontists should show empathy and understanding in uncertain economic times.

“People are anxious. Money is tight. If a patient feels unduly pressured into a treatment that an insurer doesn’t cover, you may risk scaring them off,” Bergeron says.

Instead, Bergeron recommends turning the conversation toward prevention strategies and sharing tips to stop the problem from getting worse.

“It shows patients that their health is your top priority and that you understand their reality. Consider it an investment in your long-term relationship – and a recession-smart business strategy for your dental practice.”

Recession-proofing a dental business involves regular brushing!

Bergeron says that recession-proofing a dental practice through enhanced marketing efforts doesn’t start with the first forecast of an economic downturn. It requires a consistent and persistent effort at every stage of your patient relationship.

“The more work you put into growing and delighting your patient base, the harder it will be for them to leave you. And the better shape you’ll be in to weather a financial storm.”

Check out these related resources for improving your marketing efforts:

Why You Should Have a Blog on Your Dental Website

How to Get Online Reviews for Your Dental Office

The Importance of a Website for Promoting Your Dental Practice

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.

Want more tips for marketing your office? Download the free guide to learn more tips for helping with your online presence.

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Considerations When Creating Your Dental Office Marketing Budget

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Where are marketers investing in 2023?
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Wow, that year went by quickly. It’s hard to believe that 2023 is here. A new year means it’s time to start setting your marketing priorities and building out your marketing budget. But what are those with an ear-to-the-ground saying about developing a dental practice marketing budget for 2023?

Growth-driven dentists should maintain or boost marketing budgets in 2023.

In a recent article in Dentistry Today Xaña Winans, CEO and founder of Golden Proportions Marketing, suggested pressure on household budgets may result in reduced demand for elective procedures.

Yet her advice is to maintain marketing budgets and double down on ensuring patients come in for routine and restorative care. She says this will put you at an advantage – particularly if your competitors ignore this approach and instead reduce their marketing dollars.

Where are marketers investing in 2023?

Neil Patel, best-selling author and head of NP Digital, surveyed 8,032 marketers to see where they are spending their money and why. His data backs what Winans is advocating.

Here is a high-level look at some of Patel’s findings along with our take on the relevance to dental practices.

68% of marketers surveyed plan to increase their SEO budget.

Why: Patel says search engine optimization provides higher ROI than paid advertising, but does take longer to see results.

Our take: Smart thinking. More patients are searching for dentists online. The higher you rank on page 1 of search results, the more likely you are to be on their call list.

Importance of a Website for Promoting Your Dental Practice

83% are increasing their content production budget.

Why: To create user content that can generate leads in multiple formats (video, print, etc.). Customers are using several channels. Marketers are following suit.

Additionally, many of those surveyed are investing in AI writing tools to help with content creation. You’re busy enough taking care of your patients, let platforms such as AISEO, Rytr, Jasper, or ChatGPT do the writing for you. AI is expected to play a larger role in marketing in general, allowing teams to create more content, faster.

Our take: Providing high-quality content that answers patient questions helps establish your domain authority. Which means you’ll rank higher in organic search. Content creation can be time-intensive but will pay off if strategically managed and well-written. Investing in AI writing tools can help reduce the workload, but AI can require serious editing and be quite simplistic.

Why You Should Have a Blog on Your Dental Website

56% will spend more on email marketing, while 38% will hold firm.

Why: Patel says increased expenditures likely account for the costs to manage growing databases, ensure privacy compliance and cover investments in email automation platforms. Those maintaining current spending are focusing on existing customers.

Our take: If inflation does lead patients to put off high-value elective procedures, it will be important to maximize checkup, hygiene, and restorative care visits. Email campaigns and automated reminders will be valuable for engaging existing customers. It can also be a valuable way to follow up with new prospects engaging with your website.

How to Create a Dental Newsletter That Deepens Patient Relationships (and Their Trust)

84% are increasing their community building budget.

Why: Marketers said they want to “feel in control of their destiny instead of being beholden to algorithms they can’t control.”

Our take: We strongly agree, especially for community-based dental practices. After years of being cooped up due to Covid-19, family-focused community events are returning in full force. As a dentist, sponsorships are a great opportunity to promote your local practice and show you’re engaged in the community you serve. It’s especially valuable if your dental practice’s brand and office space convey that same sense of fun and amusement.

59% will buy more Google ads, and 47% are boosting Bing.

Why: Marketers felt these channels provide high ROI compared to others.

Our take: This is a proven strategy to rank at the top of a localized search (eg. Best dentist near (your community). However, costs can add up. Keep a close eye on revenue that can be directly attributed to your ad-spend using the Google ads goal tracking features or other systems like HubSpot that tie ad-spend to revenue.

Social spending is a toss-up.

Why: There were mixed findings in the survey. Respondents said their social spending will be static or drop on most social channels. Many marketers are reducing their social spend in response to Apple’s new privacy policy. The notable B2C exception is Tik Tok, where 84% plan to increase their presence.

Our take: Social is still a great way to reach patients (especially moms of pediatric patients), so take this one with a grain of salt. Target your social channels based on your customer demographics. If you can create quirky, engaging posts, TikTok may be worth exploring.

If you put focus on social media, video content has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is expected to continue to be an important marketing tool.

Look beyond the market experts and at your competition.

What are other dental practices in your area doing to market themselves? Understanding your competition can help you allocate your budget in a way that sets you apart. As we said before, some businesses pull back on marketing and reduce their spend during uneasy economic times, but that can make them fade into the background. This could be your chance to come out ahead.

To recap, social is hitting some road bumps but is still a wealth of opportunity. Email marketing and search engine optimization are expected to continue to be important for reaching and engaging with customers. Artificial intelligence is expected to play a larger role in marketing, allowing businesses to streamline their marketing efforts. Focusing on content marketing and providing valuable, informative content can help build trust and credibility with potential customers and is likely to remain a popular marketing strategy. And getting back out into the community, meeting people face to face and creating real connections, is going to lead the way as Covid continues to become less of a concern.

If you’re unsure, talk to a dental marketing specialist.

Putting together a marketing budget can be challenging, especially in an uncertain economy (to learn more, read: How to recession-proof your practice). The consensus among marketers is to invest rather than cut back. To ensure you get it right, work with an experienced dental marketing professional. Establish priorities and set S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive).

We hope 2023 is good for you and your practice.

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Interview with Dr. Joe Yale

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Read the Interview
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Tune in to an interview with Dr. Joe Yale, owner, and dentist at Yale Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Yale and his team work passionately to ensure their young patients view going to the dentist as a safe and enjoyable place for them to visit and set them up with the skills to successfully manage their oral health.

Together with Dr. Yale, we created a space for them to achieve this goal with each and every patient.

Tour a Stunning Bayou Themed Dental Office

Behind the Scene’s at Dr. Yale’s Bayou Themed Dental Office

IDS: Is this your first IDS office?

Dr. Joe Yale: Yes, this is my first IDS office.

I always tell parents that their child is going to have teeth their whole life and hopefully go to the dentist their whole life so let’s start this thing off right. That is certainly at the heart of our mission. To introduce children to dentistry in a non-threatening atmosphere and I very much so wanted to be a mission-driven group.

That being said, we decided to go all out with theming our office to really accomplish that mission that a child walks in here and doesn’t think that a dental office is scary, and think this is a place I want to be.

IDS: Has your IDS theming helped you expand faster?

Dr. Joe Yale: I would say that the IDS theming has helped me expand faster, it’s a very inviting atmosphere that we can provide. It is certainly something that can be a part of our web presence, can be on all of our logos, and our mail-out materials, and just in terms of an external marketing standpoint, I feel like it packs a lot of punch. When the patients come here it’s certainly more amazing than they could have imagined.

IDS: What’s your favorite part of your office?

Dr. Joe Yale: My favorite part of my IDS theming is by far our treehouse in the reception area. I think it is in the perfect location as you walk in the door. It’s so big, there is a boat in front of it, there are primary characters that basically greet you as walk in, and it looks so realistic. It’s definitely the wow factor that we were going for.

IDS: Have your patients or their parents commented on your theming? If so, what have they said?

Dr. Joe Yale: I would say every single day patients and many parents comment on the office. Whether it’s the first time they’ve been here, or they’ve been here multiple times, they want to catch me and say “this is the coolest office I’ve ever been to” or “my child woke up this morning and said ‘can we go to the dentist today?’” I’m not really exaggerating that either, I think that’s a really cool thing for a kid to say and I realize it has to do with this space and all of the things for them to see and do, not necessarily me, haha, but that’s a part of it. But I would honestly say every day someone gives an encouraging compliment in terms of what we’ve done for this office for their child’s experience.

I think our all-out Louisiana theme provides a visual manifestation of how committed we are to giving the best level of customer service in a sense, but also the best level of experience that a child could have. This is all about the people, parents, and children that we take care of.

Kid posing with Cubby the photo op tiger. — Cubby the Mascot.

IDS: How did you like working with IDS and what do you think about them?

Dr. Joe Yale: I worked with IDS for probably 2 years while I was working on architectural plans for the office and the site of the office and it was such a fun process. We started together in the conceptualization stage of the theme and all the little things came together. We really wanted to embody the whole Louisiana culture and we would have phone meetings, we met in person, we would have computer-linked meetings where the creators would send these sketches of ideas that I had, and we would just kind of play off of that. So, it was so fun doing something that was that creative and something that is really a new vision for your practice.

IDS: What are the benefits of office theming?

Dr. Joe Yale: I think there are many benefits to office theming. First is just the warm and inviting environment that it creates for the child. When they walk in the door and they see that you’ve gone all out to make this place very appealing to a kid they can automatically feel at home, we want them to feel at home. When the visuals and the activities aren’t there, it’s hard to really translate that. So I think it’s the comfort level that the child can have when they walk in the door.

I also think it makes a very recognizable kind of brand in terms of we do have a theme that has some continuity. It’s the Louisiana culture, and then there are these primary characters that we really play up and talk up to the kids and to the parents, and that’s reflected on our logos and website, and that’s something that IDS was able to provide in terms of the whole package that is your branding so to speak.

IDS: Would you recommend IDS office theming to your friends?

Dr. Joe Yale: I would recommend IDS office theming to anybody in the pediatric dentistry or orthodontic world. There’s no question that the translation from what you’re going for to what the parent and child see, is flawless. I think it is just an investment that is so well worth it in terms of you know, creating this overall experience for your patients, that you’re wanting to go create anyway but it just really shows your commitment to them having an incredible dental experience.

IDS: Did your employees get into the theme and have they enjoyed their work environment since the new IDS office?

Dr. Joe Yale: I would say for sure our team has really gotten into this theming thing. As I said the development of the theme took some time, so every time I would get a sketch from the IDS creators I would show it to my staff and we would get excited about the fact that we had this one character and this is what it would look like and we would brainstorm about it.

Bayou themed mural in a dental treatment bay.

Then when it all came together and we saw the finished product it was way more amazing than we could have even imagined. And we had this opportunity to have this kind of storyline with the theme in terms of our mascot, cubby, and the other characters that really are these primary roles that every day as the assistants are taking care of a child they can really discuss the benefits of oral hygiene with them and they can incorporate our story we are trying to create into that discussion so it is really cool.

IDS: How do you feel about the quality of the IDS products?

Dr. Joe Yale: I can’t imagine the quality of the product that IDS delivered being any better. I felt like I knew what I was getting into in terms of the level of customer service, the level of quality in terms of how the murals would look, and in terms of how the characters would be built. But the way I describe it is just that it’s a world-class type of workmanship.

IDS: Do you get good value for your money?

Dr. Joe Yale: I truly think IDS theming provides amazing value for your money. Any time you build out space and you build a ground-up dental facility, there are a lot of costs associated with building that kind of specialty facility. And then to provide the environment that you are going for any way in terms of it just being an amazing visual experience for your patients, I don’t see anything you can do better to give more value to your goal of providing this and just making this amazing dental experience for your patients.

IDS: If you could get IDS to make you anything for your office and money didn’t matter because the sky was the limit, what would it be?

Dr. Joe Yale: I felt that working with IDS there were no limits, the sky was the limit in terms of what they could create for me.

That’s really the perspective I felt like we were working from. When we said let’s make this reception area look like a bayou with a treehouse, a boat, and the floor made to look like you’re on a lake, they did it.

So anything you can imagine, don’t think too small.

Dr. Joe Yale is board-certified by and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is dedicated to providing each youngster with a positive experience and excellent care, to establish lasting oral health and comfort in the dental environment.

See the full bayou office theme here.

Interested in learning more about themed environments? Check out these related resources on IDS customers:

See more examples of bayou theming here.

Hear more great stories of happy IDS customers here.

Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience. Or download our inspiring look book and start imagining the possibilities in your office.

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4 Reasons Why You Should Have a Roadside Attraction in Your Town

1. Attractions Create Buzz and Conversations That Increase Tourism

Bonus Tip: Get Listed in Directories

2. Attractions Create an Organic Social Media Tool for Your Town

3. Attractions Help Develop Your Town’s Economy

4. Attractions Solidify Your Town’s Identity and Boosts Community Pride

Are You Ready to Boost Your Tourism Power with a Roadside Attraction?

Want some more inspiration for promoting your town or business?

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How to Attract Families to Your Church with Decor for Kids

Vibrant Church Murals – Adding Adventure to Children’s Worship Areas:

Creating Engaging Church Play Areas for Children of All Ages:

Innovative Church Theater and Presentation Spaces for Engaging Young Minds:

Cozy Church Seating – Custom Seating Made for Kids:

Enchanting Sculptured Characters – Enhancing Your Church’s Child Appeal:

Key Elements of Successful Churches: Building a Child-Friendly Environment

Did you find this topic interesting? Here are some related articles on church decor for you to explore:

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Play Areas Ensure Your Mall Provides Entertainment for Shoppers of All Ages

Mall Play Areas Create Convenience for Your Shoppers

KNOW A BUSINESS THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM A PLAY AREA?

Indoor Play Areas Aren’t Weather Dependant

Mall Play Areas Increase Foot Traffic Throughout Your Shopping Center

Play Areas Opportunities for Family Events

Mall Play Areas Help Build Your Shopping Center’s Brand

Play Areas Create a Sense of Community

Play Areas Provide Educational Opportunities

The Secret is Out

Want some more inspiration for creating a play area in your shopping center?

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Decor Ideas to Help Transform Your Library into a Family-friendly Destination

Sculpted Trees in Libraries Bring Nature Indoors for Engaging Spaces

KNOW A LIBRARY THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM THEMED DECOR?

Themed Reception and Check-out Desks for Modern Libraries

Exciting Photo Opportunities in Libraries Create Memorable Moments

Innovative Seating Solutions for Comfortable Library Reading Areas

Vibrant Colors and Murals Revitalize Your Library’s Interior Design

Library Design & Decor is Important for Enhancing Patron Experience

Check out these related resources for making your library decor unique:

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Reduce anxiety to help fill pediatric dental chairs

Tip 1: Create elements for active play in your dental practice.

Tip 2: Cater your dental play area to different ages.

Tip 3: Think safety when building your dental playground.

Tip 4: Pick a theme that carries through your office environment.

Tip 5: Consider opportunities for quiet play elements.

Tip 6: Keep it bright, colorful, and inviting!

Tip 7: Make it comfortable for parents.

And one final tip… have fun designing your playground!

Check out these related resources for making your waiting room a fun place to spend some time:

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1. Giant Statues and Sculptures

2. Natural Wonders

3. Historical Sites

4. Museums and Curiosities

5. Amusement Parks and Activities

6. Art Installations or Murals

What Attraction is Right for You?

Want some more inspiration for promoting your town or business?

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HOW TO Transform Your Daycare with Fun and Colorful Decor

Plan Your Theme

Set the Mood with Colorful Murals

Exterior Privacy Windows

Utilize Signs and Wayfinding that Children Can Understand

Use Creative Activity Areas in Your Childcare Center

Include Active Play Areas with Slides

Include Calming and Quiet Theater Areas

Use Creative Welcome Desk Designs

Incorporate Themed Storage Solutions

Adding Themed Decor to Your Childcare Center is Easy

Interested in learning more? Check out these related resources on themed environments and their benefits:

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1. Focus on improving your web content so you rank higher in online search.

a. Expand your web page content:

b. Add a Q&A section to your website:

c. Keep new content coming:

2. Encourage patients to post online reviews.

3. Invest in memorable patient experiences that set your practice apart.

KNOW A BUSINESS THAT CAN
BENEFIT FROM A PLAY AREA?

KNOW A LIBRARY THAT CAN
BENEFIT FROM THEMED DECOR?