Explore every episode of Acupuncture Marketing School
Dive into the complete episode list for Acupuncture Marketing School. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 98
Pub. Date
Title
Duration
15 Feb 2022
33 | Three Tips to Make Your Email Marketing More Effective
00:23:52
Last week, my Year of Email Marketing Templates for Acupuncturists was on sale and as a result, I got LOTS of questions.
Not just about the sale but about email marketing in general.
So today I want to talk about a few things that hold us back from email marketing, and all of the reasons why we really should lean into email marketing as acupuncturists, as small business owners in general.
I always recommend sending two emails a month.
I know the idea of two emails a month can be a little intimidating, not just writing that much content, but also the fear that you’ll be annoying your audience by sending two emails a month.
So I want to talk about this a little bit – why I recommend two emails a month, and why this is NOT too many emails.
Email marketing is a very effective, low-cost and low-pressure marketing avenue. But so few acupuncturists are doing consistently, and that's shame.
Today I share my philosophy on email marketing as well as my top three tips for making your email marketing more effective.
I hope this episode eliminates all the reasons you might be procrastinating your email newsletter - Let's dive in!
34 | Four Categories of Facebook Ads for Acupuncturists
00:29:28
Ever wanted to try Facebook ads for your acupuncture practice but had no idea where to start?
This week we’re covering some Facebook ad basics to help make your ads more effective and get a better return on your investment.
We'll be talking about:
Four categories of Facebook ads that I usually identify for acupuncturists
How knowing your marketing goal helps you decide which category of ad to create
The difference between creating a Facebook ad from scratch and hitting the “Boost Post” button
Why my Facebook ads coach always used to say that hitting the “Boost Post” button is like throwing your money away
Ohhh, controversial. We’re going dig into that.
And before we dive in, a quick PSA:
If you’ve ever wanted to pick my brain about marketing, one-on-one, now is the time!
The price for my 60-Minute Marketing Strategy Session is going up at midnight on March 14th.
Currently the price is $197 and the price will be going up to $247. Plus I’m limiting this to the first ten people who sign up at the current price of $197.
What can you use a 1:1 Marketing Strategy Session for?
You can use it for ANY marketing discussion that you’d like to have, but it’s often used for:
Creating an effective marketing strategy that’s the best use of your strengths and your time
If you have marketing questions and need clarity before taking action
Reviewing your current marketing (website and/or social media) and providing tips and suggestions
Help with content planning/brainstorming content creation
You can also use this session for questions about marketing or creating online courses, programs or services:
Guidance on creating an online course, like what to include or how to put it together
Help with the tech side of things, such as: course platforms, connecting your email marketing platform, etc.
Help with increasing sales if you already created and launched a course, but don’t make sales very often
Re-launching an online course or program to bring in revenue
Reviewing your sales page, launch emails, or other marketing
I’ve been selling online courses, eBooks, programs, coaching (you name it!) since 2016 and helping other acupuncturists with this is REALLY something I enjoy.
In fact, online courses and programs provide half my income, so I’m happy to work with you!
In a nutshell, if you need help with ANY kind of marketing, for your brick-and-mortar clinic or your online course or program, I'm happy to help you in a Marketing strategy Session!
35 | Springtime Marketing Ideas for Your Acupuncture Practice
00:27:32
It's not too late for spring-themed marketing at your acupuncture practice!
Today I'm sharing eight spring marketing ideas to help you get visible in your community and get more patients on your schedule.
Of course, this time of year I encourage you to incorporate themes like revitalization, the opportunity for a reset or a fresh start, spring cleaning, and even tax season (!) into your marketing.
I hope you put one of these light, cheerful marketing ideas into action at your office.
36 | My Marketing Budget for My Acupuncture Practice in 2021
00:24:07
This week we’re talking all about marketing budgets for your acupuncture practice.
A few weeks ago, I gave a guest lecture at the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine all about digital marketing.
After the class, one of the students asked a fantastic question: “What is your average monthly marketing budget?”
And my really quick answer to that student was that I try not to spend too much money on marketing in terms of advertising. I really prefer organic marketing and the long-term marketing approaches that tend to be free but take more time and effort.
Basically, I made it sound like I don’t spend any money on marketing. 😳Which is incorrect!
And that’s what inspired this episode.
It was a quick and dirty answer, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s a little misleading. Plus I think it’s really helpful to know: What exactly do I spend money on for marketing my practice?
So today I'm sharing a detailed review of my marketing budget from 2021.
Everything I spent to get my practice more visible last year.
I'll be sharing the numbers, including my total annual spend and what that works out to on a monthly basis.
I know Ethics PDAs can by dry and boring, so I tried really hard to make this a fun class! 💃
We cover some totally different things that I bet you haven’t heard discussed in an Ethics PDA class yet, including:
Ethical testimonial collection
Ethical email marketing
Examples of really terrible unethical marketing
And more
We even watch a super short Monty Python video in the chapter about Ethics of Email Marketing. 🤩
Click here to save $15 (over 30%) before the sale ends at midnight on Tuesday, April 19th.
The discount code is already applied on the checkout page. Easy peasy!
Recently a Marketing Strategy client asked me how I do it all – run a practice and an online business teaching marketing, plus have a life, and keep all those balls in the air.
Spoiler alert - I don’t think I do it all well, all the time. But I'm always improving. Managing a business is a constant learning process!
Like everyone, I try really hard not to let those small details fall through the cracks. I'm happy to share what I've learned in my years as a business owner that helps keep me organized and on track.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the administrative or marketing tasks that it takes to keep your small business running, know that you're not alone.
I think everyone asks this question, “How can I do it all?” at some point in their practice.
I think of this struggle like growing pains - it's a positive sign that you're at a tipping point in your business. You're busy, congrats!
Now it's time to step up and create new systems to support you so you can reach new levels of success and income in your practice.
Let's dive into the four things I recommend to help you through this phase, to move through what are essentially growing pains in your practice.
If you're a regular podcast listener, you know I always encourage you to think about your marketing as an experiment. And I love to think of my own marketing efforts this way.
With any experiment, there's an understanding that it might not work out the way we want. It's just a fact of life.
Maybe it will work really well, maybe it won't. But we'll learn something in the process.
This perspective gives you the space and the freedom to get creative and try new things with your marketing.
It allows you to put yourself and your practice out there with less pressure.
It also allows you not to take the outcome of your marketing personally.
For example, if you have a marketing campaign that's a flop, that does NOT mean that you can't learn marketing.
Instead, recognize that the outcome of any marketing campaign is simply data. Information that you can use to create better and better marketing in the future.
💡 With that in mind, I'm trying something new at my practice this month!
We'll be accepting applications from Monday, May 9th through Thursday, May 12th.
If you want a chance to win a FREE seat in Acupuncture Marketing School, stay tuned. I'll be releasing details on exactly how to submit your application on Monday morning (4/9).
Each year we give away one seat to a practicing acupuncturist and one to an acupuncture student. Everyone is welcome to apply.
Every year I offer two full scholarships to Acupuncture Marketing School, one to a practicing acupuncturist and one to an acupuncture student.
Acupuncture Marketing School it is a step-by-step marketing program to help you grow a meaningful and thriving practice. Of course, meaningful is based on your own definition of success what that looks like to you. No matter what kind of practice you want to build or what kind of patients you’re trying to reach, the course can help you.
My goal is to help you set up a strong brand and marketing structure so that you can build your dream business - one that serves you and your community.
If you’ve been waiting, now is the time to jump in and join me.
This is my marketing course for beginners. 🙌 So if you feel like you didn’t get enough marketing education in acupuncture school, or any at all, this is for you.
It’s also for you if you feel overwhelmed by marketing and have no idea where to start, or if you’ve tried some marketing in the past but not had any results.
Inside Acupuncture Marketing School, I walk you through the process of understanding the rules of marketing and how to apply them to creating a real marketing strategy for your practice, from start to finish.
The discount code SHOULD be applied already on the checkout page, but in case there's a tech glitch, you can use the code PATIENTBOOST to get $200 off.
And if you enroll this week, you also get access to the Patient Boost Bonus for FREE. This bonus training walks you through my exact strategy, my emails, etc. that helped me increased revenue by 33% last year from July to August.
41 | Six New Networking Tips for Fellow Introverts
00:20:44
Today we’re talking about a few of my best networking tips for introverts, or really anybody who doesn't love networking events.
As an introvert myself, networking meetings are probably my least favorite kind of marketing, but I make myself go because I really do think they’re effective, and we’ll talk about why in just a moment.
By and large I think that most acupuncturists - not all but most - consider themselves introverts.
Originally I came up with these tips to put into practice for myself.
Because I know that networking is an incredibly effective marketing avenue, and I do think it's worth my time and my energy, but I am the queen of responding “yes” to a networking event invitation, and then thinking up flimsy reasons not to attend them at the last moment. 😬
And in the seven years that I’ve been teaching marketing to other acupuncturists, many of my students and 1:1 clients have also let me know that they often feel the same way, AND that these tips are very effective.
Today I want to share a few new ways of thinking about marketing to remove some of the pressure and negative energy that we often apply to it, as well as give you fresh new perspectives.
Sometimes shifting our viewpoint about marketing and seeing it through a new lens can make a huge difference in our enthusiasm and commitment to it.
I find that these ideas are especially helpful if you're in a marketing rut and need some inspiration!
Tired of scouring the internet looking for acupuncture images, or spending time creating graphics (over and over, every week) for your social media marketing?
Let me save you A TON of time with 45+ gorgeous templates created just for acupuncturists, plus quick Canva design & branding tutorials!
This episode is an invitation to embrace creativity in your marketing.
Why? I hope this perspective helps you:
- Enjoy your marketing more - Feel like it’s an interesting and thoughtful process instead of required drudgery that you have to get over with
How do you put this into practice, the idea of injecting creativity and new ideas into your marketing?
I've got practical tips and ideas for you, as well as some homework this week!
Let's dive in.
Show Notes: - Qiological podcast (My interview comes out in the fall, stay tuned!) - Have an inspiring acupuncturist or marketer you'd like me to interview on the podcast? Someone who's brain you've always wanted to pick about how they do what they do? I'm making a list of potential people to interview! Send me their name >> michelle@michellegrasek.com
45 | Why I Teach Marketing and - That Patient Who Didn't Want to Pay Me
00:18:32
Welcome back! I've been on a bit of a hiatus, as you know, but interviews with fellow acupuncturists and marketing experts are on their way in November! Stay tuned.
This week I'm sharing why I teach marketing, about the person who taught and inspired me, whether I have any formal education in marketing, and more.
I say it all the time - I love marketing, and I love teaching it to fellow acupuncturists. BUT I don't often talk about the background behind it.
I'm also sharing a story about one patient who didn't want to pay me for continued acupuncture treatments, but offered me a deal on something else instead.
The discount code expires at midnight on Monday, Oct. 31st.
SHOW NOTES: - Acupuncture Marketing School [15 NCCAOM PDA credits] - Use code PATIENTBOOST to save $200 this week - The Patient Boost Bonus - Free enrollment if you sign up for Acu Marketing School this week! - Jason Stein's acupuncture practice management podcast, Wellness Renegades
46 | Building a Business That Supports Your Life with Kali Edwards of June Mango Design
00:35:17
Welcome back!
Today I'm excited to interview website designer and marketing expert Kali Edwards.
Kali is the founder of June Mango Design, a creative studio that works with healers and holistic brands. Her own experience with acupuncture led her to work with wellness entrepreneurs.
I think you'll like her because she has a lot of perspectives that resonate with East Asian medicine, including the power of rest, flowing with the seasons in your business and your life, and more.
She also offers a pretty unique service in which she builds and launches your website in just five days - the Go Live in 5!
In this episode, we talk about:
- How to avoid the comparison trap in your marketing (especially social) and in your business - What patients are really looking for the moment they land on your website - To niche down or not niche down? - How to create a business that supports the season of life you're in - What success means for Kali and why it should be fluid over time - And much more
It's not too late to start marketing your practice for the holiday season.
There are still simple things you can do to get in front of your audience this month that don’t require a ton of planning in advance, including sending short and sweet email newsletters.
Today I'm sharing the emails I'll be sending to my email subscribers for the month of December.
I'll be sending one email per week for four weeks, between US Thanksgiving and the final week of December.
I hope this inspires you to send your own emails and helps make the process streamlined and easy for you!
In this goal-setting and business-planning live workshop, we’ll be reviewing your 2022 – what worked well, what didn’t, what were your big and small successes.
Then you’ll be setting your BIG goals for 2023 and walking through a 90-day planning workbook to outline your next steps to achieve those goals.
When you walk away from this event you’ll have your first steps lined up, and lots of fresh new motivation, to pursue all the amazing things that you want for your work and your life in 2023.
I’d love for you to join me. It’s a 2-hour workshop and it’s $47.
Come together with other acupuncturists and experience a little bit of community.
There will be lots of quiet journaling time, some fun surprise giveaways, and overall really nice energy.
If you can’t attend live, no problem. There will be a replay available for 30 days for anyone who registers.
48 | How to Get More Acupuncture Patient Referrals from MDs with Elie Cole
00:34:52
Happy Holidays! Today I'm talking with Ellie Cole, an acupuncturist in Oregon, about how to get more patient referrals from not just MDs, but all by biomedical professionals.
This is the third time I’ve interviewed Elie, and I'm always so grateful for how generous she is with her advice and suggestions on this topic.
We really dig in deep in this episode and talk about:
How to get in front of more MDs
What kind of questions are they're likely to ask once you have the opportunity to speak with them
How to answer those questions in a way that makes the MD decide that they want to send their acupuncture referrals to YOU
Elie has an online class, Chinese Medicine Explained, which is a wonderful, very thorough, step-by-step class that walks you through her process of getting in front of MDs, knowing how to speak to them and getting regular referrals.
And just for listeners of the Acupuncture Marketing School podcast she's offering a discount code for 15% off the class if you decide you’d like to join her!
The code is NEWYEAR15 and it expires at midnight on December 31st.
At the end of the interview, Elie offers her contact info in case you have any questions at all for her.
All right, let’s get started! Without further ado, Elie Cole.
SHOW NOTES: - Elie's online course, Chinese Medicine Explained (5 NCCAOM PDAs) - Discount code for 15% off is NEWYEAR15 (Expires midnight Dec. 31, 2022) - Contact Elie via text or email: (503) 860-8998 or elie@nourishingmedicine.com
49 | Clarity, Confidence and Advocacy in Your Acupuncture Career with Nell Smircina
00:40:38
Welcome back! Today I'm speaking with Nell Smircina, DAOM, an acupuncturist and advocate whose goal is to transform our industry.
Dr. Nell is an advocate, practitioner and consultant. She's built and scaled her practice and is passionate about sharing lessons learned (and continued learning!). She's currently completing her Executive MBA, with the objective of continuing forward movement for our medicine in the healthcare delivery system.
She's a columnist for Acupuncture Today, the Vice Chair of Public Policy for the American Society of Acupuncturists, and the Director of Development for the American Acupuncture Council.
Dr. Nell and I have been internet friends for a long time, although we've never met in person! I'm happy to invite you to our conversation about taking your acupuncture career in the direction that's calling to you.
We've both had unconventional paths after acupuncture school, and we talk about how there are so many opportunities in this profession - not just full-time practice.
We invite you to think of all the incredible ways you might contribute to our industry. Whatever you feel called to do, we're here to embrace it and encourage you to pursue it.
In this interview we talk about:
The Zone of Excellence versus the Zone of Genius in your career
How we can each be an advocate for our profession, with a special nod towards introverts
Confidence in clinic as a responsibility - and how confidence can be built on purpose
Considering not only the value you give, but also the value you receive from your work
Pursuing the path less traveled and releasing expectations in order to build a career you love
50 | Consistency and Authenticity on Instagram with Godfrey Fayne
00:26:37
Today I’m talking with acupuncturist Godfrey Fayne all about Instagram.
Godfrey recently graduated from the Pacific College of Health Sciences in California with his doctorate (congrats!) and in the last year of school, he decided to really lean into content creation for his Instagram account (@gtheapprentice), which is how I discovered his account.
He shares fun and helpful Reels about Chinese medicine that resonate with patients and practitioners alike.
Godfrey really shines in his ability to create video content consistently and to show up as himself in his videos, and I’m excited to talk to him about that today.
If you’re on my email list, you know it was on sale last week BUT it’s honestly been a rough few weeks and I’m behind in producing Godfrey’s episode. So for my podcast listeners, I’m extending the discount code for one more week.
The discount code is EMAILMAGIC and you’ll save $40 on email templates.
These are real remails that I send to my patients. You can literally copy and paste them, make a few edits for your own practice, and either hit send or schedule them for the future.
My goal with these is to make your email marketing MUCH easier.
The emails are focused on pain, anxiety, and digestion, primarily, so if you like treating those things, they are likely a pretty good fit for your practice.
This week I'm chatting with acupuncturist and practice growth strategist Mandy Grazter, who's based in sunny Australia.
This is our THIRD attempt at recording this episode, and I'm thrilled it worked out. Our first two interviews were disrupted by an impossibly bad internet connection and a serious house flood, so it's a relief and a pleasure to finally bring you Mandy!
Mandy helps new acupuncturists in particular get set up to run and market their practices with confidence.
In this episode, we talk about:
Letting your personality and passion for this medicine shine in your social media
Setting your prices - Take the emotion out of that decision
Feeling comfortable raising your rates
Building a retirement as a small business owner
The cost of acupuncture school in Australia and their unique loan repayment approach
52 | How to Use Reels for More Patients with Lindsey Thompson
00:37:39
Welcome back!
Today I’m talking to acupuncturist Lindsey Thompson about making Instagram reels an effective and manageable marketing approach for your practice.
I’ve been following Lindsey and her content creation online for a LONG time. At least 5 or 6 years.
She runs multiple businesses, including a very successful private practice and an online nutrition program teaching patients how to integrate TCM dietary therapy into their lives.
What I really like about Lindsey’s approach to Instagram reels is that she subscribes to the idea of “done is better than perfect." I think we can all use more of that in our marketing!
This class focuses on how to teach your audience what they need to know, using very brief Reels, so they decide to make an appointment with you.
In this class for beginners, you’ll learn how to…
Create quick, easy reels from start to finish
Know what to say or share that interests your ideal patients
Connect with your audience in an authentic way
Move followers along the pathway to becoming paying patients
53 | Building a Legacy-Leaving Business with Maika Endo
00:31:01
Welcome back! This week I’m talking with Maika Endo, business coach and former owner of an award-winning spa in Beijing, which she managed remotely from 4,000 miles away.
Maika has so much experience as a small business owner and a unique approach to building a business that sustains you while healing others.
Born in Japan, Maika is currently based in Turkey and has lived all over the world including China, France, and the US.
Her goal is to help wellness entrepreneurs create businesses that leave a legacy and allow them to have a life of meaning and impact.
Maika shares how overwork led to exhaustion and illness many years ago, and how that experience informs the way she leads others & coaches wellness entrepreneurs.
Why getting clear on your personal values is essential to running a business
The various ways you can leave a legacy with your business, and why it matters
How social media is like a fast-paced highway, and long-form content (podcasts, blogs) are like a slow walk in the sunshine
The importance of focusing on your own goals instead of drowning in the “shoulds” and chasing after other people’s dreams
And much more
Donations for Turkey Earthquake Survivors and Programs:
Maika lives in Istanbul, Turkey. Though she is not at the epicenter of the recent earthquakes (which were in southern & central Turkey and Syria), she says the entire country felt the tremors.
Maika and her husband have been dedicated to relief efforts in the past month, and she's shared a few link to reputable nonprofits & fundraisers that are helping the nation recover from this tragedy.
If you’re inclined to donate, please consider these nonprofits to help support Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquakes:
54 | Use Your Unique Strengths to Grow Your Acupuncture Practice with Clara Cohen
01:00:01
Welcome! Today I’m thrilled to be talking with Clara Cohen, the founder of AcuPro Academy. You may be familiar with her – with a combined 300 thousand social media followers across multiple platforms, Clara is a proliferative and very dedicated content creator. But more than that, she’s both effervescent and inspiring.
In her early 20s, Clara moved from France to Western Canada on her own, speaking little English. She was in the fitness industry for over a decade before her career change to Chinese medicine, and she's never looked back.
She brings so much energy and enthusiasm to everything she does. Talking with her is always a delight.
Clara’s been a licensed acupuncturist for 20 years in Canada, has been teaching future practitioners for 14 years, and is the sole creator of everything you see at AcuPro Academy for the past 7 years.
She's also the author of 3 TCM books.
Her mission is to support acupuncture students and practitioners all over the world, with easy to grasp and fun to learn Chinese medicine content!
In this episode, we talk about:
How Clara moved from France to Western Canada and learned English by herself
Her transition from the fitness industry to acupuncture school in her late 30s
Clara’s experience with Marie Forleo’s B-School
What one thing transformed her business and increased her patients from 20 to 55 in six months
How your unique strengths are the key to growing your acupuncture practice
The fact that despite being prolific and very visible on social media, Clara is an introvert and what this means for the rest of us introverts (good news)
Why no one cares what you look like on video
And much more
I hope you really enjoy this conversation with Clara. Let’s dive in!
55 | Is a Virtual Receptionist a Good Fit for Your Practice? Interview with Jenn Collins
00:28:41
This week I'm talking with Jenn Collins, founder of Acu Hub Virtual Receptionist services for acupuncturists. *Sorry for the sound quality on this one! I'm editing the episodes myself and this was a little beyond my means to fix... but I didn't want you to miss on some great insights from Jenn!*
If you're not familiar, having a virtual receptionist means that phone calls to your office are forwarded to your virtual receptionist in their home office. They have access to your cloud-based online schedule so they can set up or reschedule appointments, answer questions about your office, etc.
In this episode we talk about my experience with Acu Hub. I've known Jenn a long time but I just recently started using the service.
Jen also runs a clinic with three acupuncturists and we talk about what's working for marketing her practice right now, what brought her to acupuncture, and much more.
Hope you enjoy it!
In this episode, we discuss:
How Jenn came up with the idea for virtual receptionist services for acupuncturists
My experience with Acu Hub at my practice
When a virtual receptionist is a good fit vs. an in-person employee
Google ads and print ads for growing a practice
Why you shouldn't use your personal phone number as your business phone number
Thinking outside the box about what kind of support you need at your clinic, and why that might look different for everyone
56 | Design Your Acupuncture Practice on Your Own Terms with Jason Stein
00:36:55
Welcome! This week I'm talking with my friend, acupuncturist and business coach, Jason Stein.
Jason runs a private practice in Joseph, Oregon, and has a wide range of business and coaching experience in the last 25 years.
Shortly after acupuncture school, he helped set up one of the first integrative medicine clinics in a Western hospital. He taught business classes at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine for over a decade. And he's offered both group and one-on-one coaching for many years.
Jason's goal is to help fellow acupuncturists grow their practices while thinking outside the box about what that might look like and how to achieve it.
I always appreciate that he gently challenges his clients to get honest about what they want, so that they can build a practice that supports that vision.
Jason also has tons of practical marketing ideas to help you get visible in your community.
I hope this fun conversation makes you think about what you need your acupuncture practice and marketing to look like in order to help you feel aligned, low-stress, and still meet your goals!
In this episode, we talk about:
How to optimize your Google Business profile to rank higher in a Google search
Jason’s decision to build a wellness center from the group up during the pandemic while living in a tiny house with his family
Tips to avoid burnout in your practice
Tips for introverts to feel comfortable and welcome at networking events
This week we’re talking about new perspectives on marketing to help you approach your marketing with enthusiasm and consistency so you can get more visible in your community and help more patients.
If you have trouble putting yourself or your business out there with marketing, then this episode is for you.
I hope that one or more of these perspectives really resonates with you, feels energizing and provides new motivation for getting visible with your business!
And this week, Acupuncture Marketing School is on sale, with quite a few free bonuses included for a total value of $1,632:
Acupuncture Marketing School, including 15 PDA credits ($697)
4 Bonus Lessons [Email List Building, SEO, and more] ($688)
60-Minute One-on-One Marketing Strategy Session with me ($247)
All for $497 when you use the discount code PATIENTBOOST.
58 | YouTube Marketing, Imposter Syndrome, and Japanese Acupuncture with Maya Suzuki
01:00:40
This week I'm chatting with Maya Suzuki, acupuncturist, translator, and founder of the online program, ShinKyu University.
Maya trained in acupuncture in Japan and lived there for many years before returning home to the U.S. to open a private practice. She’s licensed to practice acupuncture in both Japan and the U.S.
Inside SkinKyu University, Maya teaches fellow acupuncturists to improve their technical skills and clinical results through Japanese-style needling and moxibustion.
In this episode, we have a lot of fun talking about a wide range of topics, including:
What's it like to study acupuncture in Japan
Why YouTube is an outstanding marketing strategy for online courses or brick-and-mortar businesses
Imposter syndrome and online visibility
The importance of know your audience (i.e., your ideal patients) before creating a ton of marketing content
59 | What if You Could Go On Vacation and Still Get Paid? With Joanna Sapir
00:52:19
This week I'm talking with business strategist Joanna Sapir.
Joanna works with holistic entrepreneurs (including plenty of acupuncturists) to help them set up structures and programs in their business that create more freedom for you, the practitioner.
In this episode we dig in and talk about her unique way of helping wellness providers set up treatment programs that not only better support their patients, but also generate regular monthly income and stability.
It's much more than creating a package or a membership. Joanna walks me through her process and we have a great time discussing the details.
This conversation gave me some really helpful insights about the way I run my cosmetic acupuncture packages at my office, and how I could change it to improve patient retention and compliance - and probably charge more!
I'm in for that!
We also discuss how solo practitioners can use this approach to go on vacation and still make income while they're away, and much more.
Buckle up for this fun interview and some radical new ideas!
60 | Give Your Practice a TCM Treatment with Business Coach Julie Bear Don't Walk
00:31:21
This week I'm chatting with acupuncturist and business coach, Julie Bear Don't Walk.
Julie has been a business coach in our industry for many years, as well as a successful practice owner.
I really enjoy her approach to coaching - it's all about building a practice that fits your life. She focuses on systems, capacity, and scaling while avoiding burnout.
Whether you're a solo practitioner looking to increase patient numbers, or you're ready to scale and hire more practitioners, Julie has great advice to share.
In this episode, we talk about: - How she grew her practice from a one-person show seeing 35 patients a week to a staff of eight helping over 150 patients a week - How her approach to business coaching is like applying a TCM treatment to your practice - Why internal systems are essential before applying marketing to your practice - How you can increase your capacity for seeing more patients without feeling burnt out - And much more.
Enjoy this conversation with Julie!
SHOW NOTES: - Life Flow Consulting Website: https://www.lifeflowconsulting.com/ - Julie's acupuncture practice website: https://www.juliebeardontwalk.com/ - Follow @lifeflow.consulting on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeflow.consulting/
61 | Community Acupuncture School with Michelle Hamilton
00:36:46
This week I’m talking with Michelle Hamilton, founder of the online program, Community Acupuncture School.
Michelle and I talk about how she opened her very first community acupuncture clinic outside on a patio, despite people’s advice not to do it, and how it was one of the best decisions she ever made.
We also talk about:
How Michelle built that patio clinic into a successful multi-practitioner hybrid acupuncture practice with community acupuncture and one-on-one treatments that sees over 150 patients a week
How seeing multiple patients per hour in community style practice actually supports Michelle’s introverted nature
All the reasons community acupuncture is great for patient retention
Her sliding scale and membership options
And much more
If you’d like to launch a community clinic, or grow the one you already have, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode.
62 | The Natural Ups and Downs of Business and Building a Skincare Brand with Acupuncturists Tori Paide and Marla Peoples
00:37:28
This week on the Acupuncture Marketing School podcast I'm talking with acupuncturists Tori Paide and Marla Peoples, who co-founded the clean skincare brand, TOMA Skin Therapies.
They've opened multiple practice locations and currently run the Stillpoint, a wellness center that offers acupuncture, massage, and skincare.
And they teach fellow acupuncturists how to do facial gua sha and microneedling, both online and in-person. These classes are usually free and worth several NCCAOM PDA credits each, by the way. Check them out here.
As you’ll hear in the interview, I discovered Tori and Marla by taking their free microneedling class last year and have since integrated it into my practice. And I use their skincare line because I’m always searching for products with clean ingredients (without hormone disruptors), fair labor practices, sustainable packaging, etc.
We dig in and talk about everything. I think you’ll enjoy this one!
In this episode we talk about:
How both Tori and Marla left corporate careers to become acupuncturists
The struggle behind their decision to add skincare services into their acupuncture clinics
The reason they felt compelled to create their own clean skincare brand
Their transition to teaching skincare PDA classes to other acupuncturists, and why they love it so much
What Kenny Rogers has to teach us about entrepreneurship
63 | Marketing Ethics, Informed Consent, and Google Ads with Liane Wood
00:41:11
Today I’m speaking with Liane Wood, a psychotherapist practicing in Ontario, Canada, and the founder of Psychotherapy Mastermind, which is an organization dedicated to helping therapists navigate entrepreneurship and learn to build successful practices.
Liane’s first career was in insurance, so she has a unique perspective on helping practitioners navigate risk as healthcare providers.
In this episode we talk about some unique ideas, including what makes ethical marketing, what counts as informed consent, and much more.
Liane also runs a successful multipractitioner practice, and we discuss what marketing is working for her right now.
This episode is sponsored by Jane. Jane is an all-in-one practice management software designed to help you streamline your Acupuncture practice.
With helpful features like online booking, electronic charting, insurance billing, and much more, Jane works hard to keep up with your busy practice.
If you’re interested in learning more, head to jane.app/acupuncture-us. Or use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at sign-up for a one-month grace period inside Jane.
64 | Clarify Your Marketing By Defining Your Lighthouse with East Phillips
00:59:20
Today I’m joined by Dr. East Phillips. East is an acupuncturist, business coach, and former long-time professor at Pacific College of Health Sciences.
She’s committed to helping others actualize their greatest potential and live with passion and enthusiasm.
In her business coaching, East helps fellow acupuncturists build practices that are aligned with their goals and that bring them joy instead of burnout.
She also loves to help acupuncturists create online classes and other alternate streams of income so they can have more freedom in their business.
I hope you enjoy this conversation with East!
Don’t forget, Acupuncture Marketing School, the online class, is on sale now for $200 off. Bonus: Anyone who signs up this week gets a FREE 1:1 Marketing Strategy Session with me!
This special sale ends on November 6th at midnight Pacific Time.
This episode is sponsored by Jane. Jane is an all-in-one practice management software designed to help you streamline your Acupuncture practice. I use Jane in my practice and I love it! 💙
With helpful features like online booking, electronic charting, insurance billing, and much more, Jane works hard to keep up with your busy practice.
65 | It's Never the Wrong Choice to Take Care of Yourself with Danielle Angela
00:36:35
This week I’m talking with Danielle Angela, a successful chiropractor, podcaster and business coach.
With over 15 years of experience with the ups and downs of running businesses and pivoting multiple times, she helps fellow wellness entrepreneurs build practices that are aligned with their values.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that the topic of alignment and preventing burnout has been coming up a ton lately with my guests, so let’s lean in!
In this episode we talk about:
How it’s never the wrong choice to take care of yourself
Why the number of patients you’re seeing each week may not be a good measure of the health of your practice or of your health as a practitioner
How practicing what you teach your patients can change your practice and your life
A reminder that setting boundaries and creating structure in your practice helps prevent burnout so you can enjoy a long career in this medicine
What does “making it” mean and how to release the expectations that society and our professions may place on us
And much more
Plus, all of my PDA classes, marketing templates and marketing coaching options are 30% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday!
Use code GRATITUDE30 or GRATEFUL30 at checkout to save 30% on:
(Apologies, in this episode I mentioned both discount codes accidentally... it was supposed to be GRATITUDE30 but I have now set it up so that GRATEFUL30 works as well!)
67 | Surviving Slow Seasons, TV Appearances, and the Necessity of Community with Roxanne Francis
00:41:37
This week I'm chatting with Roxanne Francis, award-winning psychotherapist, business coach and owner of a busy group therapy practice in Toronto.
Roxanne is also the founder of the Therapists' Lounge, a conference providing community and support for solo practitioners. And she's frequently featured in local and national media outlets, including Canada's well-known Breakfast Television.
In this episode, we discuss the similarities between building an acupuncture practice and building a therapy practice, which includes very little marketing education in school, as well as the feeling that you're left to "figure it out on your own" when you graduate.
Roxanne shares great advice and perspectives to remind us all that we don't have to be alone on this journey.
In this episode, we talk about:
How therapists and acupuncturists building their practices can benefit from community and support.
How Roxanne landed TV appearances that have helped build her therapy practice.
Roxanne's specific advice for pitching to TV producers.
Overcoming nervousness in public speaking.
How to plan for slow seasons in your practice.
Consistency on social media vs. being on social "constantly" and why they are not the same thing.
And much more.
Hope you enjoy this gem of an episode with Roxanne!
AcuHub provides remote receptionists specifically for acupuncture practices. I use AcuHub in my practice and I love it! 💙
With AcuHub, you can rely on a dedicated one or two US-based, highly trained receptionists to answer incoming calls and inquiries, schedule appointments on your EHR software, onboard new patients, and answer questions specific to your practice.
AcuHub offers month-to-month services with no contracts or termination fees, with rates between just $5-$8 per hour depending on the size of your practice.
Save time and money with your own dedicated Acuhub receptionist.
68 | Passive Income Streams for Wellness Practitioners with Kayla Das
00:35:04
Welcome back! This week I’m interviewing therapist and business coach, Kayla Das.
Have you always wanted to create an online course or other online revenue stream, but had no idea where to start? If that’s you, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation with Kayla!
I’m also a huge fan of both passive and active online income. I think harnessing the power of the internet to help supplement your brick-and-mortar revenue is always a great idea.
In this episode, we talk about:
Earned income vs. passive income, and the concept of the income glass ceiling
Why passive income is not technically passive – but still worth the effort
How passive income requires more up-front work and faith, for a potentially larger payoff in the long run
Why choosing your passive income stream based on your personality type is critical for long-term sustainability and enjoyment
And much more
I hope you enjoy this fun conversation with Kayla!
Jane is an all-in-one practice management software designed to help you streamline your Acupuncture practice. I use Jane in my practice and I love it! 💙
With helpful features like online booking, electronic charting, insurance billing, and much more, Jane works hard to keep up with your busy practice.
69 | $200K in Her First Year in Practice with Gudrun Snyder
00:32:13
Today I’m talking with Gudrun Snyder, owner of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture in Chicago.
She initially opened her doors in 2020 and made over $200,000 in her first year of practice. Yes, in a pandemic.
She has been featured on Business Insider, which is where I discovered her, as well as Forbes, Instyle, NBC Chicago, WGN Chicago, Web MD, Shape, Bustle, CBS Radio, Real Simple, and more.
In this episode, we talk about:
Gudrun’s journey of opening and expanding her acupuncture practice in Chicago
How a membership model has helped build her practice
Creating a supportive work environment and allowing team members to practice in a way that suits their strengths
The challenges of marketing and generating patients for multiple locations
Investing in public relations and social media management and bargaining for these services if you can’t afford them
What marketing has worked to build her practices, and what fell flat
And much more
Gudrun is making waves and not afraid to get visible on a local and national level to shine a positive light on our profession.
She shares so many insights today about leadership and building a brand. I hope you enjoy this episode!
Many of you are familiar with the name, but if it’s new to you, Jane is a HIPAA-compliant all-in-one practice management software and the sponsor of our show today.
The team at Jane know your time is valuable and they’ve designed Online Intake Forms to help you reduce admin work and so that you can take back your treatment time.
Whether you need to collect patient data, insurance policy information, health history, or consents, Jane’s Online Intake Forms offer a safe and secure way to gather everything you need before your patients walk through your door.
You can also collect payment details securely through your intake form, via Jane’s PCI-compliant payment solution, saving your patients time at checkout.
To learn more about how Jane’s intake forms can help, head to jane.app/guide to book a 1-on-1 demo with a member of their team. If you’re ready to get started, you can use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up to get a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
70 | Improve Your Local SEO to Get More Patients with Lex Lancaster
00:46:02
This week I'm talking with Lex Lancaster, physical therapist turned digital strategy expert for health and wellness entrepreneurs.
We talk in detail about search engine optimization for local wellness businesses.
I love SEO and I learned so much in this conversation. I even made some updates to my website based on advice that Lex shares. 🙌 Hope you find it equally useful!
In this episode, we discuss:
How to decide on keywords for your local business
Do local businesses need a blog for great SEO?
What is a "queen" page on your website and why is it good for SEO?
Why Google is like a brain sitting in the dark until we take certain actions... 🤯
How long does SEO take before it starts working?
What to add to your website to help reduce the doubts and fear of potential patients
71 | Get Creative: More Revenue for Less Effort with Jason Stein
00:48:19
Today I’m speaking with Jason Stein, an acupuncturist and business coach who's been in the coaching industry for over 25 years.
He works with acupuncturists and other wellness professionals to help them move the needle and build businesses that are aligned with their values and goals.
This is the FIFTH (!) time I’ve interviewed Jason in the last ten years, and he always shares practical ideas that you can implement right away.
In this episode, Jason and I talk about:
Generating more revenue but NOT adding to your workload
Hosting retreats as a way to increase revenue without breaking the bank
How to boost your rank in a Google search
What to focus on instead of social media
Donation clinics as a way to give back to the community while maintaining a cash-pay business model
Tips for optimizing your Google Business Profile for SEO
And much more
Hope you enjoy this episode with Jason!
Today's episode is sponsored by Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course (worth 15 NCCAOM PDA credits).
This week there's a special discount code just for podcast listeners. The code is PODCAST to save $100 and get a free 1:1 marketing strategy session with me.
Acupuncture Marketing School is a pre-recorded, video-based training that focuses on effective marketing strategies for acupuncturists who want more patients and more impact in their communities. It's a step-by-step marketing strategy to help you grow a meaningful, thriving practice.
It’s perfect for marketing beginners and anyone who feels like their marketing efforts are scattered and just not getting results.
Learn more about Acupuncture Marketing School (15 NCCAOM PDAs) here and don't forget to use code PODCAST to save $100 and get a free 1:1 Marketing Strategy Session with me.
Today I’m joined by Mandy Gratzer, an acupuncturist and business coach in Australia. Mandy is the host of the Acupuncturists Biz Hub Podcast as well as the host of the Business of Practice conference, a marketing and practice management conference just for acupuncturists being held in person in Melbourne Australia this year.
In this episode we discuss:
How to think about marketing if you’re afraid you’ll have to talk too much about yourself
What marketing is working for Mandy’s marketing students?
Where do Mandy’s patients primarily come from at her practice?
Why Mandy advocates a multi-channel approach to marketing
Why scaring certain people away with your marketing is a good thing
Why you MUST collect data from your marketing efforts
And much more
Hope you enjoy this episode with Mandy!
This episode is sponsored by the Business of Practice conference, which, as I just mentioned is a marketing conference for acupuncturists, and is being held on September 7 & 8th in Melbourne, Australia.
This conference speakers are all acupuncturists and marketing or business experts, so you’ll get to learn from people in our industry.
Topics include everything from optimizing your website to social media, to email marketing and more.
As you’ll hear in the upcoming interview, I’m excited to be one of the speakers at the conference.
Super Early bird conference tickets are just $600 Australian, which is a savings of $400, and this price ends on April 30th.
If you love a destination CEU weekend, then I really hope you’ll join us for this one of a kind event focused on growing your acupuncture practice!
74 | Graphic Design, Content Creation, and Overcoming Fear of Marketing with Jeffrey Grossman
00:49:42
Today I'm speaking with the founder of Acupuncture Media Works, Jeffrey Grossman.
Jeffrey first started creating content 20 years ago, way before it was trendy or a household phrase. You're probably familiar with Acupuncture Media Works, which began by providing print marketing materials for your acupuncture practice.
This episode is sponsored by Jane, an all-in-one practice management software.
The team at Jane recognizes how hard you work to support your patients and they aim to do the same for you.
That’s why Jane offers unlimited phone, email, and live chat support with every subscription.
Jane even offers a free data import, an Account Setup Consultation, and online training tools to help set you up for success. This is one of the things that sold me on Jane - that I would not have import that data myself.
To get started, head over to jane.app/start. Their team would love to connect with you to see how Jane could help you and your practice. You can also use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
75 | Boost Your Local SEO and Your Google Business Profile with Darcy Sullivan
00:53:44
Join me and Darcy Sullivan of the digital marketing firm, Propel Marketing and Design, as we discuss search engine optimization for local service-based businesses.
In this episode, Darcy and I talk about:
Why SEO is just like an Oreo cookie
Why target market matters SO MUCH for great SEO
How to choose keywords for your website
An easy tip for quickly improving location keyword density on your website
Lots of specific tips for optimizing your Google Business Profile
Unique ideas for repurposing content and using Chat GPT to make marketing simpler and faster
How SEO is about appeasing Google and learning to play its game
And much more
Hope you enjoy this episode. It’s jam-packed with useful tips you can put into your practice right away!
AcuHub provides remote receptionists specifically for acupuncture practices. I use AcuHub in my practice and I love it! 💙
With AcuHub, you can rely on a dedicated one or two US-based, highly trained receptionists to answer incoming calls and inquiries, schedule appointments on your EHR software, onboard new patients, and answer questions specific to your practice.
AcuHub offers month-to-month services with no contracts or termination fees, with rates between just $5-$8 per hour depending on the size of your practice.
Save time and money with your own dedicated Acuhub receptionist.
76 | Curiosity and Acts of Service as Marketing with Kenton Sefcik
00:43:31
Today I’m speaking with Kenton Sefcik, an acupuncturist in Nova Scotia and the creator of TCM Graduate TV. TCM Graduate TV is a YouTube channel focused on helping newer acupuncturists gain confidence in their clinical and diagnostic, communication with patients, building a practice, and more.
In this episode, we talk about why he considers himself anti-marketing, what that means, how he approaches marketing at his practice.
This includes considering acts of service as marketing, generosity as marketing, relationship building as marketing, curiosity as marketing, and much more.
I think you’ll enjoy this conversation with Kenton! Don’t forget, Acupuncture Marketing School, the online class, is on sale now for $200 off. Bonus: Anyone who signs up this week gets a FREE 1:1 Marketing Strategy Session with me!
This special sale ends on May 27th at midnight Pacific Time.
💙 Today’s episode is sponsored by Jane, your all-in-one, HIPAA-compliant patient management software.
The team at Jane recognizes how hard you work to support your patients and they aim to do the same for you.
That’s why Jane offers unlimited phone, email, and live chat support with every subscription.
I recommend booking a personalized 1-on-1 demo with a member of their team. It's a great way to make sure Jane will be the right fit for you and your practice and to see Jane's features in action.
And Jane even offers a free data import, an Account Setup Consultation, and online training tools to help set you up for success. This is one of the things that sold me on Jane - that I would not have import all that data myself.
To get started, head over to jane.app/start. Their team would love to connect with you to see how Jane could help you and your practice. You can also use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
77 | How to Turn Website Visitors into Patients with Kali Edwards
00:49:05
This week I’m talking with Kali Edwards, web designer and founder of June Mango Design Studio. She works on websites for wellness entrepreneurs and has built many acupuncturist websites, so I’m excited to talk with her about what makes websites for acupuncturists more effective in turning visitors into patients.
In this episode, we discuss:
The ideal website layout to get the attention of potential patients
How knowing your target market is essential for an effective website
What is a branding hierarchy?
One thing that’s a waste of space on your website
What is a positioning statement and where does it belong on your website?
When writing less text is more beneficial on your site
This episode is sponsored by Jane, a clinic management software and EMR.
The team at Jane understands that clocking out from the clinic doesn’t always mean you’re clocking out for the day. Instead, it’s often the start of charting long into the evening.
With time-saving charting features, like custom smart narratives, chart duplication, and dictation, Jane helps you finish charting your patient or client notes during work hours, not after hours.
And, to save you even more time, you have access to Jane’s Chart Template Library that’s fully stocked with pre-made templates that have been generously shared by practitioners in the community. You can even customize them further with charting tools, like side-by-side photos, checkboxes, and range scales.
To see how Jane can help you free up your evenings from admin tasks, head to the jane.app/more-time to book a personalized demo.
If you’re ready to get started, you can use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
78 | Starting a Practice from Scratch in Cyprus with Dimitri Boules
00:48:02
This week I’m talking with Dimitri Boules, an acupuncturist who built, scaled, and then sold a super successful clinic with his wife in New York City to relocate his family and their clinic to the island of Cyprus in 2021.
We talk about:
What sparked their decision to leave everything behind and move across the world
How they’re building their new practice from the ground up with no contacts or family in the country
What marketing has been working really well to bring in new patients
What’s different building a practicing in Cyprus, which has socialized medicine
Dimitri’s specialty and his online class on orthopedic acupuncture, the Oak Point Method
Prioritizing family and health over traditional measures of success
I hope you find this episode as fun and fascinating as I did, and feel inspired to pursue your biggest dreams, no matter how impossible they might seem at first.
This episode is sponsored by The Business of Practice Conference, hosted this year in Melbourne, Australia.
I know Australia is quite a big trip for those of us in the US but I hope you’ll consider joining us. I’m honored to be the international keynote speaker, and I’m joined by eight other practicing acupuncturists who are experts in business growth, social media, practice management, building a brand, and much more.
It’s going to be an energizing weekend and the goal is for you to leave feeling inspired and prepared to build a practice that’s aligned with your own definition of success.
The early bird ticket price of $800 Australian ends on June 30th. With the current exchange rate that’s about $530 US. Grab your reduced-price ticket while you can.
Plus I’ll be staying an extra half day the Monday after the conference to teach Acupuncture Marketing School in person. It’s the first time I’m teaching this coursework in person and it’s going to be a small group, so you’ll get plenty of time to ask questions and get feedback. I am really looking forward to it.
Come and join us and your like-minded colleagues for a great weekend of learning, expansion and networking!
The link is in the show notes to sign up and to view the lecture topics and everything else that’s included in this fabulous event.
79 | Tips for Switching to a New EMR and Why I Switched to Jane
00:28:32
Welcome back! In this solo episode, I share my top five tips to make switching EHRs smooth and easy. I also share (finally!) why I decided to switch to Jane.
I switched to Jane a year ago and I've been meaning to share this episode for ages. At first I wanted to spend some time in Jane, maybe four months, to get used to it, before creating this episode.
Times flies and suddenly it's been a year! So this episode is long overdue from me. By now I'm very comfortable in Jane and I have lots of thoughts for you.
The team at Jane understands that clocking out from the clinic doesn’t always mean you’re clocking out for the day. Instead, it’s often the start of charting long into the evening.
With time-saving charting features, like custom smart narratives, chart duplication, and dictation (dictation, you guys!), Jane helps you finish charting your patient or client notes during work hours, not after hours.
And, to save you even more time, you have access to Jane’s Chart Template Library that’s fully stocked with pre-made templates that have been generously shared by practitioners in the community. You can even customize them further with charting tools, like side-by-side photos, checkboxes, and range scales.
To see how Jane can help you free up your evenings from admin tasks, head to meet.jane.app/more-time to book a personalized demo. But, if you’re ready to get started, you can use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
80 | The Key to Getting Established Patients to Stay on Their Treatment Plan with Jessica Jones
00:44:02
Welcome! Today I’m talking with Jessica Jones, a business coach for medical professionals helping them scale their practices whether they’re solopreneurs or in group practices.
Jessica is a born entrepreneur and has built and sold 15 successful medical practices. She won awards for her work in advertising and specializes in helping businesses bring in new leads and set up structures so they know how to turn more leads into paying patients.
In this episode we talk about:
How it’s normal for business to be slower in the summer, across all industries
Taking time off to have mental space for strategic business planning and goal setting
Quickly launching a summer marketing campaign
The key to getting established patients to stay on their treatment plan
Why growing yourself is an important part of growing your business
I’m excited to share these with you. There are 24 done-for-you emails on topics like acupuncture for menstrual health, PMS, fertility, postpartum, hot flashes, and more.
They're easy to use: Simply copy the text, paste into your email provider (for example, MailChimp) edit to match your clinic, and hit send.
If you want more women’s health patients, these emails are a great choice because education is a huge part of marketing for us as acupuncturists.
That's the goal of these emails – educating and then converting people into patients.
I put a sample email on the landing page so you can see my writing style, how I reference research, the way I talk about acupuncture, etc., so you can decide if these are a good fit for you and your patients.
81 | Get Local Media Exposure to Boost Your Business with PR Expert Mickie Kennedy
00:28:00
Hi there, so glad you’re here. Today I’m talking all things public relations with expert Mickie Kennedy. Mickie is the CEO of Ereleases, a company that helps small businesses, startups, and authors gain credibility and authority through public relations.
I was thrilled to talk with Mickie because PR is not something we’re taught in school, but it can be a cornerstone of your marketing efforts if you know how to use it. I had a LOT of nitty-gritty questions for Mickie and I learned so much in our conversation; I hope you do, too.
In this episode, Mickie and I talk about:
How to build a pitch to get your idea, and your business, in the media
How to find contact info for journalists and producers of local TV shows so you can send them a pitch
What kinds of pitch topics get the best results
How often to submit pitches
Why local media is an easy win for local businesses
And much more
You're invited! I’ll be doing a free Marketing Q&A for Wellness Practitioners on Thursday, August 29th at 12 pm Eastern Time, hosted by Marla and Tori, the founders of TOMA Skin Therapies. This fun chat will be live on Zoom.
Register here for free. Of course, if you can’t make it live, a replay will be available afterwards.
You might already be familiar with the name, but if it’s new to you, Jane is a HIPAA-compliant clinic management software and EMR.
Chasing down patients or clients for important information isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, especially when there are forms to be filled, payments to be processed, and consents to be collected.
That’s why Jane has designed user-friendly online intake forms, so you can gather all the information you need ahead of the appointment — whether that’s health history, insurance details, or a credit card on file.
Jane will even send a friendly reminder 24 hours before a patient’s appointment if they haven’t completed their intake form yet — saving you from having to manually follow up.
To see Jane in action, click here to book a personalized demo. Or, if you’re ready to get started, you can use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
82 | Instagram Insights from Amrit Singh's Journey to 44k Followers
00:32:34
Today I’m talking with Amrit Singh, cosmetic acupuncturist and creator of 6BabeBeauty, with a combined 90,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.
I’ve been following her on Instagram for years, watching her social media channels grow, and she’s one of my favorite TCM content creators.
In this episode, we talk about:
What kind of content Amrit has focused on to grow her following
How committing to her brand and her message has helped her get media exposure
Why creating video for social media feels like so much work, and how you can reduce the barriers and distractions to get better and faster at it
What marketing efforts bring the most patients to Amrit’s practice
How marketing for acupuncture is different from other industries
How to manage the inconsistency of entrepreneurship
And more
I hope you enjoy this episode with Amrit!
And don’t forget, I’ll be doing a free Marketing Q&A for Wellness Practitioners on Thursday, August 29th at 12 pm Eastern Time, hosted by Marla and Tori, acupuncturists and the founders of TOMA Skin Therapies.
This fun chat will be live on Zoom. You can submit your marketing questions in advance and hopefully we’ll see you there live. Of course, if you can’t make it live, a replay will be available afterwards. Click here to register for free.
83 | Finding Your Unique Path: Sustainable Success with Melissa Longo
00:48:12
This week I’m talking with Melissa Longo, a multi-passionate chiropractor with 22 years of experience and a business coach who helps wellness entrepreneurs build sustainable practices, have fun while they do it, and avoid burnout.
In this episode, we talk about:
Knowing yourself to build a business that’s meaningful and sustainable to you
Letting go of other people’s definitions of success
What marketing is working for Melissa right now in her practice
How she rebuilt her practice after separating from her partner
Melissa’s podcasting tips after launching 5 podcasts
Thinking about content creation as a library of your knowledge, a resource for your current and potential patients
💙 Today’s episode is sponsored by Jane, a clinic management software and EMR.
Your evenings and weekends should be spent with loved ones, not chasing down your patients and clients for payment. That’s why Jane has designed a secure payment solution that helps reduce the amount of time you spend manually following up with patients.
Patients can save their credit card details and insurance policy information securely through your intake form, which can then be conveniently processed after your time together.
And, if they’ve got an outstanding balance, you can send a payment request email or SMS that allows your patients to pay off their balance online from the comfort of their homes.
To see how Jane can help you reclaim your after-work hours, click here to book a personalized demo. Or, if you’re ready to get started, you can use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
Michelle will be teaching about how to get started setting up a community acupuncture clinic, what you need to have in place, what equipment she recommends, how to market a community acupuncture clinic, and more.
In this episode, we talk about:
Michelle’s journey of building a very successful hybrid community practice that generates half a million dollars annually in revenue, where she sees 100 patients a week
What motivated her to shift into the community clinic model
How providing a menu for patients helps with patient education and referrals
The benefits of subscription-based models of treatment
What you need to have in place to make the subscription model successful
And much more.
Before we get into today’s episode, I have a quick request for you.
Thank you! I can’t wait to work with you in real-time over Zoom. I think this class is really going to be special.
Show Notes:
Register for the Free PDA Class: Community Acupuncture 101: bit.ly/CommunityAcuSchool101 (Live on Weds., Oct. 9th at 12 pm Eastern Time. A replay will be available if you can't make it.)
85 | Selling a 7-Figure Therapy Practice and Healing from Burnout with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani
00:45:46
Join me and Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, a business consultant and former therapist who helps business owners scale sustainably without burning out.
Gabrielle shares how she rapidly scaled her therapy practice to 15 employees in just four years, as well as how burnout played a role in deciding to sell the practice.
In recovering from burnout, she discovered polyvagal therapy, a way to regulate the nervous system. We discuss acupuncture and other polyvagal therapies, and Gabrielle shares how gratitude fits into the picture of burnout recovery.
Plus we discuss tips for selling a practice (including one big thing to avoid), as well as facing your fears as a business owner in order to make progress, and more.
Learn how to increase the visibility of your practice, attract more patients, and build your marketing confidence.
Classes will be held on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm Eastern Time starting this week, Oct. 25th, and running through Friday, Dec. 6th. We’ll be skipping the week of US thanksgiving.
This live class includes all the same content as the self-paced, video-based version of Acupuncture Marketing School, and I’m excited to teach it live so that we can work through your marketing together.
You’ll have the opportunity to get your questions answered in real time during classes, as well as support, accountability, and motivation.
Prefer self-paced classes that you can complete on your own schedule?
86 | Pay Your Clinic Rent with Retail Income: Retail Tips from Acupuncturists Tori and Marla of TOMA Skincare
00:28:14
Today I’m talking all things wholesale and retail with Tori Paide and Marla Peoples, acupuncturists and founders of the clean skincare line, TOMA Skincare.
Tori and Marla are business partners who both left corporate careers to become acupuncturists. They met in acupuncture school and after going their separate ways after graduation, eventually decided to work together to build multiple practice locations.
Today they run The Stillpoint, a wildly successful clinic in Maryland with a huge retail income offering cosmetic acupuncture, microneedling, massage and more.
87 | Market Your Acupuncture Practice Smarter, Not Harder with Kate Matheson
00:50:52
Today I’m talking with Kate Matheson, a business strategist and coach for health and wellness entrepreneurs.
Kate helps practice owners fill their schedules and create a waitlist using business systems and marketing approaches that are productive, genuine, and self-sustaining.
After her own experience with intense burnout that required her to close two businesses in order to get surgery and recover, her focus is on helping wellness practitioners work smarter, not harder, so we can protect our energy while we focus on doing what we love – helping more people.
In this episode, Kate and I talk about:
How burnout was brutal but made her priorities crystal clear
Her experience living in China
Ideas for getting patients from MDs
Why any marketing strategy should be reverse-engineered from the outcome you ultimately want to achieve
Her four levels of social media strategy
Why she doesn’t think social media is for everyone
Why getting visible in the established communities of other business owners is a great way to get new patients
This episode is sponsored by Clinic Transformations, the ultimate program for clinic owners ready to reclaim their time, boost profitability, and build a thriving team culture.
If you’re an acupuncture practice owner feeling stretched thin, Clinic Transformations is here to help.
Created by industry expert Ildi Arlette, this program goes beyond the basics. We’re talking a complete roadmap tailored to help you run your practice whether you have a team or work as a solo practitioner. Imagine stepping away from daily chaos and instead leading with purpose, growing your clinic’s revenue, and finally achieving work-life balance.
Clinic Transformations offers coaching, interactive resources, a learning portal with in-depth video training, and templates to fast-track your success. Plus, you’ll join a mastermind community of like-minded clinic owners all on the same journey.
Whether you need guidance on knowing your numbers, considering your first hire, retaining your patients, finding new ones or setting up systems that keep things smooth, Clinic Transformations is where you want to be.
Plus Ildi is offering promotional code VIP200USD to save $200 on your enrollment.
If you’re ready to transform your clinic and actually enjoy the process, connect with Ildi and her team at Clinic Transformations:
88 | Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas with Ildi Arlette
00:52:00
Today I’m talking with award-winning business consultant Ildi Arlette.
Idli has helped hundreds of clinic owners focus on profitability, growth, and building a positive company culture in the past 23 years.
She’s also a former clinic owner, a combined medical aesthetics and surgery clinic in a 7000-foot space, which she sold in 2019.
With industry experience, she has a unique perspective on the inner workings of different types of clinics, and the buying habits of consumers, across North America.
Today she shares her advice for bringing in more revenue with a Black Friday or holiday event at your practice – whether that "event" is in person at your practice, or a sale on gift certificates that you promote solely through email.
In this episode, we talk about:
How events are a signal for our patients, and how to use them
Why you should focus your efforts on your existing patients, as opposed to spending a ton of time and money on acquiring new patients
Why it’s important to keep sales or special offers very SIMPLE
What is a universal offer, and why it’s the best choice if your goal is revenue
Whether December or January is a better month for promotions at our acupuncture practices
🩵 Today’s episode is sponsored by Jane — a clinic management software and EMR. 🩵
We all know that choosing the right EMR can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. You’re trying to juggle both your practice needs and your budget, and that’s not always the easiest combination.
That’s why Jane came up with the new Balance Plan. It includes the essential features you need to keep things running smoothly in your clinic, without the extra stuff you don’t. 1:1 telehealth, unlimited support, email reminders, and more are included, no matter which plan you choose.
So if you’re looking for an EMR that helps you focus on your patients, not your costs, Jane is here for you — just like a part-time assistant.
Plans start as low as $39 a month in the US. Visit jane.app to learn more — and if you’re ready to get started, use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO at sign-up for a 1-month grace period on your new account.
89 | Optimize Your Website for More Patients with Aurelie Martin
00:40:27
Today I’m talking with Aurelie Martin, web designer and the founder of Imagi Web Design studios. Aurelie's specialty is helping health and wellness professionals attract patients by optimizing or building their web presence, with an emphasis on creating both beautiful and high converting websites.
In this episode, we talk about:
Making calls-to-action a priority on your website and what types of calls-to-action to use
Content ideas to boost your SEO and improve engagement on your website
Why an organized website that tells people what do is key for building trust
A reminder to look at your website on mobile and desktop regularly to make sure everything is functioning as expected
Change is a normal part of clinic life — maybe you’re expanding your team, introducing new offerings, or growing your [patient]* list. As your clinic evolves, it’s important to have an EMR that not only supports those changes but also grows with you.
Jane’s new Balance, Practice, and Thrive pricing plans offer flexibility, allowing you to easily switch from one plan to another depending on your current and future needs.
There’s no long-term commitment, either — just simple month-to-month payments that let you focus on running your clinic. And with every plan, you get features like 1:1 telehealth, email appointment reminders, and unlimited support.
Visit jane.app/pricing to find a plan that fits your needs, starting at $39 a month in the US. And when you’re ready to get started, use my code ACUSCHOOL1MO at sign-up for a 1-month grace period on your new account.
90 | Leadership, Boundaries, and Sustainable Income with Joanna Sapir
00:59:00
Today on the podcast, I’m excited to speak with Joanna Sapir, a wellness business coach who helps practitioners streamline their businesses to achieve predictable income.
Joanna’s expertise is rooted in decades of experience, including founding and selling a successful brick-and-mortar fitness business and her background as a teacher.
She’s passionate about helping practitioners step into leadership, implement sustainable systems, and make a bigger impact in their communities.
In today’s episode, we talk about:
Building your ideal work schedule around your personal life and not the other way around
Accepting leadership of your business even if you’re a solopreneur
A reminder that you can shape your business any way you like
Boundaries and codependency as healthcare providers
The difference between marketing and sales
A really helpful tip for more effective networking
Today’s episode is sponsored by Faire, the online marketplace dedicated to empowering small businesses.
Faire believes the future is local. As more consumers choose to shop small and support their communities, Faire connects small business owners with the best products from over 100,000 unique brands, making it easy to stock your clinic with high-quality, curated products your patients will love—like wellness gifts, skincare, and more.
With millions of products sold each year, Faire gives you access to bestselling products that complement your services and boost your income.
Plus, Faire’s product database is searchable based on what matters most to you, allowing you to find items that are, for instance, not available on Amazon, eco-friendly, handmade, organic, and more.
This ensures the retail products you offer align seamlessly with your business philosophy and values.
91 | What Marketing Worked Well to Grow My Acupuncture Practice this Year
00:31:04
This week on the Acupuncture Marketing School Podcast, I’m sharing the details about what worked well in marketing my practice in 2024—and what I learned along the way.
As a disclaimer, remember that I LOVE marketing, so I do a LOT of it. You do not have to do all these things. But I hope at least one idea that I explored this year inspires your marketing for 2025!
Here’s a look at what I cover in today's episode:
How AcuYoga classes brought in new patients while getting paid to market my practice
Lessons learned from hosting two open houses—and what made the second one much more successful
Why email newsletters are still one of the most effective ways to connect with patients (and get them back on the schedule)
The power of in-person networking and how I’ve made it work as an introvert.
I also share how I focused my marketing efforts to fill another practitioner’s schedule at my clinic—and the small tweaks that made a big difference.
As an acupuncturist, your main priority is caring for your patients, not worrying about rising EMR costs. That’s why Jane has come up with the new Balance Plan, which includes the essential features you need to run your clinic, without any of the extra stuff you don’t.
With the Balance Plan, you’ll get really helpful features like 1:1 telehealth, email appointment reminders, and unlimited customer support. It’s a great fit for new or growing practitioners who are booking up to 20 appointments a month. And the best part is that Jane pays for itself with the cost of just one appointment.
Dr. Couture specializes in teaching acupuncturists how to effectively treat pelvic pain and dysfunction through both online and in-person classes.
Did you know that 32% of women and 16% of men experience pelvic pain or dysfunction? Unfortunately, many are only offered pharmaceutical solutions that mask symptoms without addressing the root cause.
As an acupuncturist, your expertise lies in identifying the source of dysfunction and crafting a treatment plan that brings true, holistic healing—not just symptom relief.
In 2025, she’s hosting five in-person training weekends. And if travel isn’t an option, there are over a dozen online classes available, so you can start offering pelvic care acupuncture in your practice right away.
93 | Practice Growth, Patient Retention, and Purpose with Gen Drummond
00:35:09
In this episode, I sit down with Gen Drummond, CEO and founder of Hummingbird Clinical Consulting.
Gen brings over a decade of experience helping medical clinics improve accessibility of care, enhance patient outcomes, boost retention (for both patients and staff), and combat clinician burnout.
Before becoming a consultant, Gen worked as a registered nutritionist and served as the clinical director of the practice she co-ran with her father, a medical doctor.
Today, she’s known for her deep-dive approach to helping clinics align their business strategies with their core values, so they can grow sustainably, stay purpose-driven, and ultimately help more patients.
In this conversation, we cover:
Strategies to prevent no-shows and improve patient retention
Building trust with patients before they step into your office
Conducting a practice audit to make better decisions for 2025
Why authenticity and sharing your story are still crucial in marketing
How to start building a legacy for your practice today
Visit our sponsor, AcuHub, to learn more about virtual receptionist services specifically for acupuncturists
Today's episode is sponsored by AcuHub.
AcuHub provides remote receptionists specifically for acupuncture practices. I use AcuHub in my practice and I absolutely love it. 💙
With AcuHub, you can rely on a dedicated one or two US-based, highly trained receptionists to answer incoming calls and inquiries, schedule appointments on your EHR software, onboard new patients, and answer questions specific to your practice.
AcuHub offers month-to-month services with no contracts or termination fees, with rates between just $5-$8 per hour depending on the size of your practice.
Save time and money with your own dedicated Acuhub receptionist. If you have questions, you're more than welcome to email me about my experience with AcuHub at michelle@michellegrasek.com.
94 | Find the Marketing that Aligns with Your Energy with Krystal Couture, The Pelvic Acu
00:34:20
Welcome back! Today I’m talking with Dr. Krystal Couture, licensed acupuncturist and doctor of physical therapy.
Krystal is known as The Pelvic Acu and she teaches pelvic health acupuncture through her online classes, as well as in person for her advanced certificate program.
Her goal is to spread awareness of how powerful acupuncture can be for pelvic health, so that more of us can help this underserved population of patients.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why acupuncturists are the perfect practitioners to help with pelvic floor concerns
What marketing helped Krystal grow her own practice, especially after relocating her office
Being willing to try different marketing strategies to see what’s a good fit
Adjusting your marketing message until it really hits home with your target audience
This is his only live training of 2025, designed to help you gain full competence and mastery of the most effective and reliable Tung points for clinical success.
Dr. Whisnant treats 100+ patients a week, has authored eight books, and has taught over 100 seminars worldwide.
95 | The Soul and Science of Money with Shaneh Woods
00:42:14
In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Shayna Woods, the CEO of the bookkeeping and accounting firm, Prosperity First.
Shayna is unique in the accounting industry because she brings a holistic view to financial strategy and business growth. She blends traditional accounting practices with mindset coaching and emphasizes joy and ease to help entrepreneurs thrive.
In this episode, we talk about:
How mindsets can impact our progress in the real world
How to balance a respect for the numbers with an awareness of your personal needs and goals
Why prioritizing yourself first as a business owner leads to greater success
How accountants often let the scarcity inherent in their training color their advice to their clients
Change is a normal part of clinic life — maybe you’re expanding your team, introducing new offerings, or growing your patient list. As your clinic evolves, it’s important to have an EMR that not only supports those changes but also grows with you.
Jane’s new Balance, Practice, and Thrive pricing plans offer flexibility, allowing you to easily switch from one plan to another depending on your current and future needs.
There’s no long-term commitment, either — just simple month-to-month payments that let you focus on running your clinic. And with every plan, you get features like 1:1 telehealth, email appointment reminders, and unlimited support.
Visit jane.app/pricing to find a plan that fits your needs, starting at $39 a month in the US. And when you’re ready to get started, use my code ACUSCHOOL1MO at sign-up for a 1-month grace period on your new account.
96 | How to Stand Out Online as an Acupuncturist with Clara Cohen of AcuPro Academy
00:53:06
Welcome! I’m thrilled to have Clara Cohen with us, a seasoned acupuncturist, educator, and the founder of AcuPro Academy, where she creates East Asian Medicine and acupuncture content for practitioners worldwide.
With over 10 years of experience teaching online, and a combined 700,000 social media followers, Clara’s passion for empowering acupuncturists shines through in her courses, books, and free resources.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why success requires business skills, not just clinical expertise
Why standard office procedures (SOPSs) are key to success
How to make marketing and social media work for you
This strategy is one of the few marketing methods that pays you to promote your practice while getting in front of warm leads. You’ll learn how to:
✔️ Increase your visibility in your community ✔️ Build trust naturally with people who are already interested in health and wellness ✔️ Seamlessly transition attendees into paying patients and ✔️ Form valuable partnerships with local yoga studios
This is a warm, community-centered marketing strategy that benefits everyone involved. Yoga studios love it because it offers a unique class experience for their students—so they’re likely to say YES to collaborating with you!
The course includes a complete step-by-step strategy and marketing templates to bring in new patients from AcuYoga classes.
And right now, it’s just $39 until Feb. 25th. The discount code is already applied on the checkout page.
97 | Google Ads for Acupuncturists with Brett Chikowski and Conner O'Rourke of Middle Way Marketing
00:52:35
Welcome! Today, I’m joined by Brett Chikowski and Conner O’Rourke, cofounders of Middle Way Marketing, a digital marketing agency specializing in healthcare practices. They help businesses with Google Ads, social media advertising, website design, and much more.
I asked Brett and Conner to share their insights on running effective Google Ads and we also ended up having a really helpful discussion on website design—what works, what doesn’t, and what you need in place before running ads.
In this episode, we cover:
The must-haves before running Google Ads to ensure success
Website dos and don’ts, whether or not you plan to advertise
A surprising place they recommend putting contact forms on your site
How to choose the right keywords for Google Ads
Average monthly ad budgets and cost per click in our industry
Why customer lifetime value matters when calculating ROI
How long it typically takes to optimize Google ads
And more
I hope you enjoy this conversation with Conner and Brett!
We all know that choosing the right EMR can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. You’re trying to juggle both your practice needs and your budget, and that’s not always the easiest combination.
That’s why Jane came up with the new Balance Plan. It includes the essential features you need to keep things running smoothly in your clinic, without the extra stuff you don’t. 1:1 telehealth, unlimited support, email reminders, and more are included, no matter which plan you choose.
So, if you’re looking for an EMR that helps you focus on your patients, not your costs, Jane is here for you — just like a part-time assistant.
Plans start as low as $39 a month in the US. Visit jane.app/pricing to learn more — and if you’re ready to get started, use my code ACUSCHOOL1MO at sign-up for a 1-month grace period on your new account.
98 | Cut the Noise: Smarter Marketing & Flow State Productivity with Screws & Stilettos
00:38:56
Today I’m joined by Courtney Hurley and Kelly Evans, the powerhouse sisters behind Screws and Stilettos, a marketing consulting firm that helps businesses refine what’s working, cut out what’s not, and streamline their marketing for better results.
And beyond strategy, they’re also experts in flow states—teaching their clients how to tap into peak focus to work more efficiently, avoid burnout, and make time for what matters.
In other words, if you want to get your marketing done faster? It’s all about entering a flow state and making it a weekly habit.
In this episode, we dive into:
• Why simplifying your digital marketing to one platform can be a game-changer • What’s working best in email marketing right now—image-heavy vs. text-based emails • Why you’re leaving money on the table if you’re not doing email marketing • The science of flow states and how they impact productivity • How to get into a flow state to get more done in less time • Why productivity can increase by up to 500% in a flow state
Hope you enjoy this conversation with Kelly and Courtney!
This live training will be packed with simple, effective website and social media strategies to help you attract more patients.
Plus, we’re doing something extra special—a live website and social media review for a few lucky attendees!
Clara has a combined 700,000 social media followers and has been creating content online for over a decade, so she brings incredible insights to the table.
1 | Three Ways to Make Your Acupuncture Marketing More Effective This Week
00:22:38
Welcome to the first episode of the Acupuncture Marketing School Podcast!
I'm thrilled that you're joining me today. Today we'll be talking about three things you can do this week to really improve the effectiveness of your marketing. Because I think that we all want to spend less time marketing, more time treating patients, and of course, making more money.
2 | Honestly, Why Target Market Really Matters for Your Marketing
00:16:29
Target market and its companion, ideal patient avatar, get a bad reputation for being theoretical concepts with no place in "real-life" marketing.
But guess what? They're actually super effective when you apply them correctly and make your marketing less work overall. Better results for less time spent marketing - that's the dream!
3 | Use These Marketing "Rules" to Make Your Marketing More Effective
00:14:44
These are core marketing concepts that everyone should know before they start marketing.
In a perfect world I wish that every acupuncture school had space in the curriculum to dedicate one or two entire semester classes to marketing and practice building. However, we know that's not the way that the world works and so most of us never learned these basic concepts.
But that's okay, that's what you have me for! These concepts will make your life easier and your marketing more effective. Let's dive right into this episode.
4 | The Number One Thing Your Email Marketing is Missing to Help You Get More Patients
00:24:00
Today on the podcast we're talking about one of my favorite topics: Email marketing! Specifically, lead magnets.
Are you familiar with lead magnets?
A lead magnet is usually a free PDF download from someone's website that you get in exchange for giving them your email.
Typically lead magnets are educational in nature - they teach you something, answer a question, solve a problem you have, or relieve a frustration.
You've probably downloaded a ton of these - they're super popular because they really work!
The primary goal of a lead magnet is to grow your email list faster, so that you have the opportunity to turn those subscribers into patients with further email marketing.
In addition, lead magnets also build the know-like-trust factor with your audience, and help establish your expertise in a certain area of practice.
Plus a REALLY good lead magnet will not only build your list quicker, but it will also help fill your email list with your ideal patients.
But figuring out how to create a lead magnet (what to say in your lead magnet, and how to design it, etc.) is a big stumbling block for most small business owners. They don't know where to begin, so they never create one. Such a missed opportunity!
In this episode I explain some of my best lead magnet tips, including my technique for creating a lead magnet that attracts your ideal patients.
🎙️ And, the Acupuncture Marketing School Podcast is now available on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify! Click to subscribe:
6 | Five Ways to Turn More Website Visitors into Acupuncture Patients - Part 1
00:25:03
If your website needs a refresh but have no idea where to begin, this episode is for you!
I feel really strongly that the most important part of your website is the message you share and how you communicate it.
It's about making a few essential tweaks to what you're sharing, to ensure it grabs the attention of your ideal audience and resonates with them.
So that's the focus of today's episode - strategic changes that help more of your visitors realize how much you can help them, so they make an appointment.
I hope you make some of these updates right away so you can change more of the people who visit your website into real-life patients!
7 | Five Ways to Turn More Website Visitors into Acupuncture Patients - Part 2
00:26:40
Hey there, welcome back!
Today we’re continuing last episode’s discussion of how to optimize your website to get more acupuncture patients. I put together a list of 5 things you can do to get better conversions from your website, and last week we actually talked about most of them, tips 1-4, in depth. So if you missed that, definitely go back and listen in, it’s episode number six.
The goal for today is to optimize your marketing message on your website. You want your marketing message to be purposeful. It should provide two things: clarity and direction for your audience.
By clarity I mean, when a person lands on your website, your message should let them know that they’re in the right place immediately. That you can help them specifically.
As for providing direction with your marketing message, this is basically giving people easy-to-follow instructions. Make it super clear for the website visitor: what is the next step they should take to work with you.
In this episode we'll be talking about:
- How to position your marketing message on your website so that it resonates with your ideal patient (which means a higher conversion rate) - A few marketing messages to add to your homepage - A few messages to remove from your homepage (removing clutter)
Let's make the most of your website and get you more patients!
Show Notes:
- Episode #6: Five Ways to Optimize Your Website for More Patients, Part 1 - Episode #2: Target Market and Ideal Patient Avatar - Building a Story Brand book by Donald Miller
8 | How Often to Send Your Email Newsletter & What the Heck to Write About
00:20:45
Let's talk about how to make your email newsletters more effective, so you can get more patients on your schedule each time you send one.
The two most common questions I get from my marketing students are:
How often should I send my email newsletter?
What am I supposed to keep writing about in each email?
I know that a lot of people are worried they're going to be annoying people if they send emails too often. But I find that most acupuncturists aren't sending nearly enough emails to their subscribers as they could be, to get the most benefit out of this type of marketing.
Like all marketing, email marketing requires consistency to be as effective as possible. And don't worry - consistently sending an email newsletter DOES NOT mean being spammy. We'll talk about the difference.
And I'll share my favorite easy hack for finding what to write about in your next email newsletter.
9 | You Are Not Annoying People with Your Marketing
00:15:41
It's time to talk about a really common misconception about marketing: the worry that you’re annoying people with your marketing.
I’ve been teaching marketing to other acupuncturists for almost seven years, and in that time I’ve taught almost 2500 acupuncturists, and I’ve discovered that there’s one thing that unites almost all of us – that we’re often afraid to annoy people by being visible with our marketing, which is holding us back from marketing to the best of our ability.
And this is really a shame, to let this fear prevent you from marketing and getting out there in your community. But it’s a really pervasive mindset, so we need to talk about it.
In this episode we cover:
- Why you're not actually annoying people with your marketing - Why you need to keep showing up consistently and repeating your marketing message, and how you are not "too much" - Why marketing requires repetition to be effective - And more!
Tune in for a fresh perspective on marketing this week.
Acupuncture is such a powerful medicine that has ability to change lives. It's time to get out there and share you message, so you can impact more people in your community!
10 | How to Cultivate Your Ideal Patients Through Your Marketing
00:21:34
Are ideal patients found, or made? I've got to say, I think it's the latter!
Let's talk about how to get patients who are already committed to acupuncture, before they even become your patients.
Those elusive, “ideal” patients who don’t require convincing about acupuncture. Patients who are ready to commit to a course of treatment, to invest in their health, and to make an effort and do their part in achieving their wellness goals.
So how the heck do you cultivate this kind of patient? Where do they come from?
The number one way I’ve found to do this is to constantly educate your audience about how acupuncture works in your marketing.
When I say "how it works," I mean everything that you find yourself repeating to your new patients on a regular basis. So this would include, primarily, treatment frequency, i.e., the fact that acupuncture is cumulative, as well as how you practice and what your unique expectations are of your patients.
In this episode I talk about how I've seen this play out in my own clinic marketing, and two marketing examples that made this really clear to me.
When I spend time teaching people about treatment frequency and what to expect at my office in my marketing, then I get patients who are already "on board" with how acupuncture works and they're much more likely to commit to a series of treatments. They don't have to be convinced.
Let's dig in deep, as I compare patients from Google Ads vs. those who follow me on Instagram, and their readiness to become long-term patients. Not that I have anything against Google ads - this comparison simply made this concept crystal clear for me.
At the end I leave with you my best suggestions for what to talk about in your marketing to cultivate patients who are on board with acupuncture AND the unique way that you practice - aka, your ideal patients!
12 | How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Practice
00:17:37
Ever wonder how the acupuncturist down the street has so many darn Google reviews, while you have only three?
The secret to getting more Google reviews for your acupuncture practice is actually super simple, and I'm begging you to add this easy routine to your regular marketing calendar.
There are only two steps for getting more Google reviews, and I can't wait to share them with you.
This is information that I usually only teach inside Acupuncture Marketing School. It's Chapter 8, all about Google Reviews and Testimonials.
I wanted to share this easy and very effective marketing tactic with you today because I really want to support your practice and help you get new patients. Let's make it easy for new patients to choose YOU over the competition.
1) Quick and easy to complete! 2) Interesting and fun, with info that we don't usually learn in an Ethics class.
I know Ethics PDAs can be pretty dry, so I did my best to inject some fun into this one! We even watch a short Monty Python skit in the "Ethics of Email Marketing" chapter.
This is a pre-recorded online course, so you can go through it at your own pace.
If you need to get your Ethics PDAs out of the way, this is a great choice!
-------
Let's talk networking.
If you're an introvert like me, you probably don't LOVE networking events.
But there ARE steps you can take to make them easier, more comfortable, and more productive. And that's what I want to share with you today.
I've noticed that, at least where I'm located, in-person events are slowly making a comeback.
My local Chamber of Commerce hosted an in-person networking event this month, for the first time in over a year.
But my marketing students who identify as introverts have let me know that they're not exactly prepared to dive back into networking events - they're out of practice!
I'll be honest - I feel the same. It doesn't matter how long I've been in business or how long I've been teaching marketing, networking isn't my strength.
So I use these five tips myself to make networking more comfortable and help me get visible in my community.
14 | How to Repurpose Content to Make Marketing Easier & More Effective
00:17:14
Welcome back!
This week we're talking about repurposing content: what it is, why it's so helpful, and how to get started.
If you're already familiar with repurposing content to streamline your digital marketing, high five! I hope this episode gives you some ideas for new ways to repurpose content.
Repurposing content is basically taking something that you created for one digital platform (for example, a blog post) and copy-pasting it and editing it slightly for a different platform (for example, an Instagram post).
You can repurpose content for different platforms (like the example above, blog post to Instagram post) or you can repurpose content into different formats (like re-sharing the message from a written post as a video or an IG Reel, for example).
The beautiful thing about repurposing content is that it makes your marketing much more efficient. Trust me when I say that you've already created a ton of valuable content - there's no need to keep reinventing the wheel!
And this works well for pretty much every digital platform or format - social media, email marketing, blogging, podcasting, creating video for any purpose (like IGTV or a YouTube channel), etc.
Take the educational content you've already spent time and energy creating, and get it in front of new audiences by repurposing it. Let's dive in!
15 | How to Get More Local Followers on Your Acupuncture Instagram Account
00:24:12
The number one question I get from my marketing students is, "How can get more local followers for my Instagram account?"
A lot of people ask this because their followers are primarily their family, friends from acupuncture school, or people from the other side of the country. In other words, people who are unlikely to become paying patients.
If this is you, you're not alone! I hear this ALL THE TIME from my students.
Luckily there are quite a few ways to get your Instagram account in front of real people in your community and get them to decide to follow you.
Today we're talking about seven ways you can do just that.
And remember: Getting more followers is NOT a vanity metric. It's not about the number. It's about getting in front of new local people so you have the opportunity to teach them about acupuncture and how much it can help them.
The more followers you have, the more people you can reach with your message, the wider pool of potential patients you have. It's that simple.
Let's get into the episode and talk about these seven simple and effective methods!
16 |How to Get Out of Your Own Way with Your Marketing
00:26:08
This week we’re talking about mindset and how it impacts our marketing.
Why do we get in our own way with our marketing?
I’ve seen it over and over again. I bet that right now, you know what to do for your marketing. You have great ideas that would work...
If only you put them into practice.
So why do we do that – hold back from taking actions we know would help grow our businesses?
Today we’re focusing on three specific patterns of thinking that allow us to get in our own way, and some new ways of thinking about ourselves and about marketing to help challenge those thought patterns.
I want to help you get visible in your community so you can help more people with acupuncture. Let's move through some common limiting beliefs so you have confidence in your marketing and can reach more patients!
Why do we always feel like we have to grit our teeth and push through marketing that we hate?
Great news! You do NOT have to do marketing you don't like.
There are a million ways to get visible in your community, build trust and educate your audience.
Out of a million methods, you only need to find what works for you.
And trust me, there is a marketing avenue out there that is a good fit for you. One that doesn't create friction with your personality or make you feel like some kind of sellout.
This matters because building a business is a long term game.
I talk about this every episode, but consistency is central to success in marketing.
Consistency of your message, of your brand, of showing up and getting visible over and over again.
So it’s essential to choose marketing that you enjoy, or can at least tolerate, for the foreseeable future.
Marketing that you hate isn't sustainable in the long term; it will likely burn you out and make you miserable.
Instead, let go of the marketing you hate, in favor of finding out what actually works for you.
It's time to lean into the marketing that you can actually imagine doing for the long game.
Let's dig in to the details on how to actually make this happen. Listen to episode #17 now.
19 | The Simple Marketing Campaign That Made August My Highest Revenue Month of 2021
00:41:19
This July, I launched a marketing campaign for 8 days that ended up increasing my monthly patient numbers by one forth and increased my revenue by a third.
I don't know about you, but August is usually the slowest month at my clinic. Patients are taking time to be with their families before school starts again, and appointments are not at the top of their priority list.
So this year, I wanted to do something boost August patient numbers, and this sales campaign was a smash success.
The beauty of this marketing campaign, aside from the results?
It only cost $50 and I focused on repurposing content a TON. This means I wrote the marketing copy one time, and used that to create emails and social media posts. This is a super efficient method for marketing that I explain in the episode, and I think you're going to love it.
Join me for this detailed episode as I walk you through the exact process I used to make August my highest revenue month of 2021!
I hope this nitty-gritty explanation of my process helps you to recreate this marketing campaign, or at least the parts that work for you, in your own practice.
20 | Four Fall Marketing Ideas for Your Acupuncture Practice
00:20:59
It’s officially fall and today I’m sharing four fall-themed ideas to boost your marketing this season.
Fall is refreshing for so many reasons – the start of school, the shift in weather, upcoming holidays, my birthday. 😉
It’s a great opportunity to roll out some new marketing to grab the attention of your community and increase patient numbers.
Plus it’s also the perfect time to prep your audience for holiday sales and special events.
I'm sharing four marketing ideas for fall marketing and I hope at least one inspires you so you can get more visibility in your community and more patients!
21 | Three Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Marketing Before Graduating Acupuncture School
00:16:00
Do you have anything you wish someone had told you before graduating acupuncture school? I bet you do! Today I'm sharing three big marketing concepts I wish I'd known before being dumped into the real world and starting my own business. 😆
Before we dive in, an exciting announcement! The scholarship competition for Acupuncture Marketing School is open. This week we'll be awarding three free seats inside Acupuncture Marketing School.
Typically at this time of year we offer two seats - one to an acupuncturist and one to an acupuncture student. But this year, Unified Practice (the acupuncture EHR) is sponsoring an extra seat. So your chances to win are better than ever!
What is Acupuncture Marketing School? AKA, what could you win?
I know there's a little confusion because the podcast is called Acupuncture Marketing School... so what are we talking about winning, exactly?
My foundations of marketing course is also called Acupuncture Marketing School. (Are we sensing a theme here?)
Acupuncture Marketing School is a pre-recorded, video-based training that focuses on effective marketing strategies for acupuncturists who want more patients and more impact in their communities.
It's your step-by-step marketing strategy to grow a meaningful, thriving practice.
Let’s build your dream business – one that serves you and your community, and allows you to connect to your higher purpose.
Alright, let's dive in and talk about three things I wish someone had told me about marketing and building a business before graduating acupuncture school!
22 | How to Create a Marketing Strategy for Your Acupuncture Practice
00:22:32
Follow these easy steps to outline your marketing strategy for your practice.
A marketing strategy the repeatable big picture that you can refer to whenever you need it.
If you feel lost in the social media scroll or don't know what on earth to write about in your email newsletter, look back at your marketing strategy for instructions.
I'm walking you through the process of creating it in this episode - join me!
And two announcements before we get started:
1) We selected our scholarship winners! As of the recording of this episode, we haven't yet heard back from one of the winners, so today I'll be sharing two out of three.
Our winners are Tara, a 4th-year student at Daoist Traditions in Asheville, and Sophie, owner of Heal Acupuncture in East London. Congrats! Listen to the episode for a few more details on both winners.
2) Acupuncture Marketing School is on sale this week only for $200 off! Use the code PUMPKINSPICE to save before the discount code ends on Friday.
I've had a few questions about the program already, and there's some confusion because both this podcast and the online course are named Acupuncture Marketing School. Are we sensing a theme here? 😆
Acupuncture Marketing School is a video-based online training that walks you through exactly how to create an effective marketing strategy for your practice.
The goal is to help you get visible in your community so that you can help more patients and build a business that you love.
By the end of the course you’ve created a marketing strategy for your unique practice, community and patients. And the lessons walk you through strong marketing foundations so you know why you’re doing each part of the strategy.
I get this next question a lot, so I also wanted to share that the training is pre-recorded and you can go through it at your own pace. It is not live.
All right! Dive into the episode here and let's outline your marketing strategy.
23 | Behind the Scenes of My Instagram Marketing Strategy for the Rest of 2021
00:25:53
Wondering how to structure your marketing for the last two months of the year? Are you ready for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and the holidays? If not, this episode is for you!
I'm going to walk you through my Instagram marketing strategy for the rest of 2021.
I have some very specific goals and I’m going to be posting every day on Instagram to help me achieve them.
I’ll also be touching base on how this marketing strategy worked in January 2022 with the usual feedback – what worked, what didn’t, what would I do differently, and of course, did I achieve my specific goals with this marketing strategy?
I hope you find it helpful to hear how I think about the process of creating a marketing strategy, specifically for Instagram. Hopefully it will give you some ideas that you can use in your own practice.
Much of what I’ll be talking about in this episode is geared towards Small Business Saturday, so I just want to say that if you’re thinking about hosting some kind of sale or special event for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or any of the winter holidays, now is the time to create your marketing strategy for those sales or events.
You really need some lead up time to start talking about whatever you’re offering in advance, to warm up your audience before the sale or event occurs. There’s no time to lose because these events and special days are going to be here before we know it.
To create this marketing strategy, I used the five-step method that I talked about in the last episode (#22). We're going to walk through that as well, so you can do the same thing for your own marketing goals for the remainder of 2021.
Let's finish the year strong! Listen in now.
Show Notes:
Follow along as I post every day on my clinic Instagram account through the end of 2021: @acupunctureglow
24 | How to Escape To-Do List Overwhelm: Practical Tips
00:23:15
Today we're talking about how to manage your to do list, especially if you are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed.
If you’re one of those people whose to do list always seems to get longer by the end of day instead of shorter, this episode is for you. I feel you because I’m typically this kind of person as well!
I'll be sharing some practical tips for making your to do list feel manageable and not like a stressful burden. This topic has been coming up a lot lately in my conversations with my students who are enrolled in Acupuncture Marketing School and in the Q&A portion of guest lectures.
And as we head into the holiday season, everyone's schedules go a little crazy and this conversation feels even more necessary.
I don’t know about you but all of a sudden there are more things to do on my to do list, and way less time to do everything because of the holidays, making time for family, prioritizing cookie baking, etc.
Let's dig into this topic and relieve some of that stress!
25 | Year in Review: Marketing Failures for My Acupuncture Practice in 2021
00:27:53
This week I'm sharing the marketing mistakes I made for my practice in 2021.
These are all the marketing strategies I tried that just did NOT work out. All the flops.
And perhaps not surprisingly, I’m really looking forward to talking about all of this with you.
One of my goals is to help you become an even better, more confident marketer, and I think sharing my mistakes can be really helpful, so that you don’t have to waste your time, energy or money in the same ways I did.
In other words, I’m happy to make mistakes and mess things up, so you don’t have to.
And before we get to it, I want to remind you that the Acu Biz Planathon is this coming Sunday, December 5th, at 11:00 am Eastern Time.
In this goal-setting and business-planning live workshop, we’ll be reviewing your 2021 – what worked well, what didn’t, what were your big and small successes. Then you’ll be setting your BIG goals for 2022 and walking through a 90-day planning workbook to outline your next steps to achieve those goals.
So when you walk away from this event you’ll have your first steps lined up, and lots of fresh new motivation to pursue all the amazing things that you want for your work and your life in 2022.
I’d love for you to join me. It’s a 90-minute workshop and it’s $47. There are going to be some giveaways, YAY.
If you can’t attend live, no problem. There will be a replay available for 30 days for anyone who registers.
26 | The Marketing That Actually Worked to Grow My Acupuncture Practice in 2021
00:27:00
Welcome to the final episode of 2021!
This week we're talking about the marketing strategies that were most effective in bringing new patients to my acupuncture practice in the past year.
With each strategy I discuss why it was effective AND how I could improve upon it next year. Hopefully you feel inspired to adopt some of these for your own practice!
If you missed it, definitely listen to the previous episode as well - all the marketing strategies that did NOT work in 2021.
Coming up in the next few weeks, I'll be re-releasing the top episodes of the Acupuncture Marketing School podcast. So even though I'm taking some time off for the holidays, the podcast will still be here with fresh inspiration for you.
And a big thank you to everyone who joined me for the live Acu Biz Planathon on Sunday, Dec. 5th!
It was an absolutely pleasure to spend a weekend morning with you, discussing your wins from 2021 and all the amazing plans you're setting in motion for 2022. I had a blast, and I hope you did, too!
If you didn't register for the Planathon earlier but you're feeling the planning and goal-setting vibes at this point in the year, you're welcome to watch the replay. Even though it's not live, I think you'll still feel really inspired and like part of the community from hearing everyone else's successes, struggles, and amazing plans for the future.
Being a small business owner can feel a little isolating sometimes and I think the Planathon will help reunite you with how wonderful it is to be part of the acupuncture community.
I hope you enjoy this final episode of 2021! Thank you for being here. This podcast wouldn't exist with you, and I can't wait to see you again in 2022!
27 | Best of 2021: Hiring A Virtual Assistant for Your Acupuncture Office
00:21:04
Hey there, you're listening to the best of 2021. I’ve compiled some of the top episodes and I’m bringing them back. Whether you missed them the first time around, or you heard them and you need to hear them again, these are the most downloaded episodes for a reason. Enjoy.
Today I'm answering all your questions about virtual assistants:
28 | Best of 2021: The July Marketing Campaign that Made August My Highest Revenue Month at My Acupuncture Practice
00:41:38
Hey there, you're listening to the best of 2021. I’ve compiled some of the top episodes and I’m bringing them back. Whether you missed them the first time around, or you heard them and you need to hear them again, these are the most downloaded episodes for a reason. Enjoy.
This July, I launched a marketing campaign for eight days that ended up increasing my monthly patient numbers by one forth and increased my revenue by a third.
I don’t know about you, but August is usually the slowest month at my clinic. This year, I wanted to do something to boost August patient numbers, and this sales campaign was a smash success.
The beauty of this marketing campaign, aside from the results?
It only cost $50 and I focused on repurposing content a TON. This means I wrote the marketing copy one time, and used that to create emails and social media posts. This is a super efficient method for marketing that I explain in the episode, and I think you’re going to love it.
Join me for this detailed episode as I walk you through the exact process I used to make August my highest revenue month of 2021!
29 | Best of 2021: How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Acupuncture Practice
00:17:55
Hey there, you're listening to the best of 2021. I’ve compiled some of the top episodes and I’m bringing them back. Whether you missed them the first time around, or you heard them and you need to hear them again, these are the most downloaded episodes for a reason. Enjoy.
Ever wonder how the acupuncturist down the street has so many Google reviews?
Getting more Google reviews for your acupuncture practice is actually very simple, and I’m begging you to add this easy routine to your regular marketing calendar.
There are only two steps for getting more Google reviews, and I can’t wait to share them with you. I think you’ll start seeing results right away.
More reviews = better authority and trust online + higher Google rank = more patients!
This is info that I usually only teach inside Acupuncture Marketing School. It has it's own chapter, all about Google Reviews and Testimonials.
I wanted to share this easy and very effective marketing tactic with you today because I really want to support your practice and help you get new patients!
Let’s make it easy for new patients to choose YOU over the other local acupuncturists. Show Notes:
30 | Best of 2021: How to Get More Local Followers on Your Instagram Account
00:24:30
Hey there, you're listening to the best of 2021. I’ve compiled some of the top episodes and I’m bringing them back. Whether you missed them the first time around, or you heard them and you need to hear them again, these are the most downloaded episodes for a reason. Enjoy.
Do you ever feel like your only followers on Instagram are your mom, your friends from acupuncture school, or people from the other side of the country?
In other words, people who are unlikely to become paying patients?
If this is you, you’re not alone! I hear this ALL THE TIME from my students.
There are many ways to get your Instagram account in front of real people in your community and get them to decide to follow you.
Today we’re talking about seven ways you can do just that.
And remember: Getting more followers is NOT a vanity metric. It’s not about the number. It’s about getting in front of new local people so you have the opportunity to teach them about acupuncture and how much it can help them.
The more followers you have, the more people you can reach with your message, and the wider pool of potential patients you have. It’s that simple.
Let’s get into the episode and talk about these seven simple and effective methods!
Today we’re talking about something that’s been coming up a lot lately for my marketing students, coaching clients, and in my own practice. It’s about setting priorities in your business.
I recently turned down a really good opportunity because it wasn’t in alignment with my number one priority for my practice, and that was tough.
Of course this time of year, goal-setting and priority-setting is top of mind for a lot of people, so we’re going to dig in deep to discuss the importance of defining a single priority for your business and how it can serve you better in the long run than dividing your time between multiple goals and resolutions.
Over the holiday I listened to the book, Essential, by Greg McKeown, on Audible. This got me thinking pretty deeply about my priorities in my business and my life.
In the past, I have enjoyed saying yes to everything. However, last year in 2021, it hit me that I just don’t have the mental or physical energy to say yes to everything anymore, and that is actually okay.
I’m finding that a lot of people feel the same way right now. How about you?
Let's dive in and discuss the idea of prioritizing just one thing in your business in 2022, for greater clarity, creativity, efficiency AND effectiveness!
How do you know whether you should raise your rates at your acupuncture practice?
Today I'm answering a listener question: "I raised my rates by $10 recently. I now charge $100 per treatment. How do I know I made the right choice?"
This episode covers four things to consider to help you make this decision.
Honestly, if you're already asking yourself this question, it's probably time to raise your rates!
And if you're worried about potentially losing people when you raise your rates, don't worry, we talk about that, too. It probably won't be nearly as many people as you're imagining!
Raising your rates has all kinds of benefits - listen in!
Enhance your understanding of Acupuncture Marketing School with My Podcast Data
At My Podcast Data, we strive to provide in-depth, data-driven insights into the world of podcasts. Whether you're an avid listener, a podcast creator, or a researcher, the detailed statistics and analyses we offer can help you better understand the performance and trends of Acupuncture Marketing School. From episode frequency and shared links to RSS feed health, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to stay informed and make the most of your podcasting experience. Explore more shows and discover the data that drives the podcast industry.
