108 | Making Community Acupuncture Financially Sustainable Without Burnout with Michelle Hamilton

Did you know that your repeat patients make up the majority of the revenue inyour acupuncture practice? If you’re spending most of your energy chasing new patients, you might be missing the easiest way to grow your practice. In this episode, I sit down with Ildi Arlette, founder of Results Continuum, who has spent over 24 years helping clinics across North America master the art of patient retention. We explore why 80% of your business focus should be on keeping current patients, the referral strategies that actually work today, and how to re-engage patients who’ve been absent for months or even years.We also dive into simple, cost-effective ways to make your patients feel valued so they keep choosing you, even when life gets busy and competition is fierce.What you'll learn:Why focusing on your existing acupuncture patients is more profitable than chasing new ones.How to create irresistible offers and events without exhausting yourself.The retention strategies that secure long-term loyalty (and revenue).Find it quickly:00:34 - Acupuncture Patient Retention Strategies05:44 - Clinic Transformations Program Overview12:51 - Holiday Events and Promotions27:01 - Understanding the Power of Event Energy27:51 - Managing Extra Income from Gift Cards29:10 - Acupuncture Patient Retention Strategies30:29 - The Importance of Patient Appreciation Offers31:31 - The Role of Discounts and Offers34:34 - Navigating Patient Cancellations and Retention40:43 - Effective Use of Social Media in Marketing44:38 - Strategic Event Planning for ClinicsMentioned in this episode:Jane - Use code ACUSCHOOL1MO for 1 Free Month Snack Size Marketing ClubConnect with Ildi:resultscontinuum.cominstagram.com/ildi_arletteText Ildi: 403-312-7510This episode is brought to you by Jane, a clinic management software that's here to make practice life a little easier. Ready to get started? Use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO for 1 free month at jane.app.Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

Is your acupuncture practice nourishing you or draining you? In this conversation, Dr. Michelle Hamilton shares how she built a $500K hybrid clinic, ditched the sliding scale, and created a business model that supports both access and sustainability.She breaks down the emotional and financial transformation behind her pricing structure, introduces the concept of the “Healer Martyr Matrix,” and offers real-world strategies for creating a practice that aligns with your values and pays the bills.You don't have to build your practice based on what others say you should do—it's time to create a business that supports you.What You'll LearnWhy she moved away from the sliding scale model and what she replaced it with.Innovative pricing strategies that allow for accessibility and provider sustainability.Why your practice should feel good to run and how to course-correct if it doesn’t.Mentioned in this EpisodeTOMA Skincare Microneedling ClassEpisode 84: Scaling a Hybrid Community Acupuncture Practice to $500k with Michelle HamiltonEpisode 61: Community Acupuncture School with Michelle HamiltonConnect with Dr. Michelle HamiltonMichelle Hamilton's WebsiteFollow Michelle on Instagram @dr_michellehamiltonFollow Michelle on FacebookFind It Quickly02:54 - Meet Dr. Michelle Hamilton05:09 - The Journey of Practice Evolution07:46 - The Healer Martyr Matrix: Uncovering Subconscious Beliefs12:03 - Changing the Sliding Scale: A Shift to Flat Rates16:23 - Balancing Accessibility and Sustainability in Acupuncture Practice19:29 - Shifting Mindset: Service vs. Work19:55 - Importance of Self-Care and Meal Prep21:24 - Setting an Example for Patients22:42 - Community Acupuncture Pricing25:34 - Scaling Back and Focusing on Personal Projects27:04 - Raising Rates and Scholarship Fund32:37 - Invitation to Help and Definition of SuccessThis episode is brought to you by TOMA Skincare, created by fellow acupuncturists Tori and Marla. TOMA Skincare is offering my listeners a free online microneedling course, normally $39, designed to help you confidently add microneedling to your practice. Use code MICHELLEFREE to grab the class for free.Enroll Now and Save $39 >>Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

AI is changing SEO for local businesses like acupuncture clinics. Are you ready?Darcy Sullivan, founder of Propel Your Company, joins us for a super actionable conversation about what local SEO looks like today for wellness businesses, especially acupuncture clinics. We cover updates to your Google Business profile, how AI is reshaping search behavior, and how to structure your acupuncture website to thrive for SEO.If you’ve been wondering how to get your clinic to show up in local search and how to avoid outdated or shady SEO tactics, this episode is for you.What you'll learn:What Google is really looking for in your Google Business profileHow AI-driven search is changing how acupuncture patients find you onlinePractical updates you can make now to your acupuncture clinic website and online listingsFind it quickly:03:05 - Google Business Profile Optimization Tips14:18 - SEO and AI: Navigating the Changes18:19 - Exploring Google AI Mode21:14 - Optimizing Your Acupuncture Website for AI Search23:42 - SEO Best Practices for Acupuncturists28:22 - Handling Multiple Location PagesMentioned in this episode:Jane - Use code ACUSCHOOL1MO for 1 Free Month Darcy's Free Webinar - How AI is Changing SEO for Local Wellness Businesses and How to AdaptDarcy's previous episode - Episode 75Connect with Darcy:propelyourcompany.cominstagram.com/PropelYourCompanyThis episode is brought to you by Jane, a clinic management software that's here to make practice life a little easier. Ready to get started? Use the code ACUSCHOOL1MO for 1 free month at jane.app.Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

Today I'm sharing what strategies work well to market my cosmetic acupuncture practice. Six years ago, I opened a new practice and took a leap - branding the practice with a focus on cosmetic acupuncture. Over the years, I've created a lot of content around cosmetic acupuncture and tried a ton of different marketing strategies to bring new cosmetic acupuncture patients in my doors. There's been a lot of trial and error and I've learned plenty along the way. These tips work well whether you're trying to grow a cosmetic-specific practice, or just want a few extra cosmetic acupuncture patients each quarter to boost revenue. Hope you find these strategies useful! SHOW NOTES:New! Cosmetic Acupuncture Email Templates - $40 off this week onlySupport the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Robin Valadares, a physical therapist and financial literacy educator with a passion for helping self-employed healthcare professionals—including acupuncturists—navigate their financial future.In this conversation, Robin shares:Actionable advice on debt strategies for acupuncturistsWhy it’s essential to start saving for retirement—even if the contributions are smallHis answer to the common debate: should you prioritize paying off debt or start saving for retirement first?Ideas for diversifying your income for securityHow to build a solid financial foundationAnd moreShow Notes:Robin’s Website: http://www.financiallyfulfilledphysio.comInstagram: @financiallyfulfilledphysioSubmit your financial info to be added to the database: Healthcare AnonymousRobin's email: [email protected]🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, a clinic management software built to help you focus on what matters most — your patients.Building rapport with your patients is important during appointments, and that can be challenging when you’re also trying to take timely and detailed documentation. That’s why Jane built AI Scribe – to help you document important information, without the manual note-taking.This feature transforms your session recordings into chart entries. All you have to do is  review your notes, sign the chart, and you’re done!And since security is a top priority at Jane, AI Scribe was built securely in-house to be fully HIPAA and PIPEDA-compliant.With a tool you can trust, Jane helps you spend more time on [patients/clients*] care.To learn more about how Jane can help change how you feel about documentation, head to meet.jane.app/documentation to book a demo or sign up.And if you’re ready to go, don’t forget to use my code ACUSCHOOL1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account.Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

Today I’m talking with Allie Joy, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist. She runs Creatively Clinical, where she helps other wellness providers incorporate creativity into their own practices. Allie also loves empowering providers to find ways to diversify their income so they can lead a more balanced life. In this episode, we talk about: How burnout led Allie to make space for creative projects Allie's Burnout Book Club for Wellness ProfessionalsHow she turned her passion for creating into an income stream Ideas for designs you can create that can then be applied to print-on-demand products The pros and cons of having physical products in addition to print-on-demand And more SHOW NOTES:Allie's website: creativelyclinical.comAllie's course: Make Passive Income Using Print on DemandInstagram: @creativelyclinicalJoin Allie's free Burnout Book Club for Wellness ProvidersShield of Sparrows, this month's book club selectionToday's sponsor: Handcraft Health - Free Clinic Account🧡 Today’s episode is sponsored by Handcraft Health. Drop shipping for TCM is here! Handcraft Health is an online platform that lets you send personalized product recommendations directly to your patients—from a catalog of over 20,000 products. This catalog includes a huge range of Chinese herbal medicine (patent formulas, custom granules, topicals, plasters, and more) along with supplements, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, and more. They handle all the packaging and shipping, so there’s no inventory to manage or extra admin tasks. You earn a percentage of each sale while offering outstanding care. I use Handcraft Health in my practice and love that it's simple. I can send patients a single link for everything they need—whether it’s a patent formula or everyday vitamins—and it gets delivered right to their door. Click here to create your free clinic account.If you have questions, email me at [email protected]. I’m happy to share my experience with you! Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

Today, I’m talking with Ildi Arlette, a business coach who specializes in helping healthcare clinics grow—without constantly chasing after the “next new thing.”In this conversation, we focus on how to make your clinic more profitable and in-demand by using what you already have.In today’s episode, we discuss:That you have more resources at your disposal than you realizePractical ways to leverage what’s already working in your businessSimple strategies like add-on services to increase revenue without extra workThe myth of the “missing piece” in business—and how to stop chasing itWhether you’re a solo practitioner or managing a team, this episode is packed with helpful ideas to make your clinic stronger and more profitable.I hope you enjoy this episode with Ildi!Show Notes:Ildi’s website: http://www.resultscontinuum.comIldi’s group coaching: Clinic TransformationsInstagram: @ildi_arletteLeave a review for the Acupuncture Marketing School PodcastToday’s Sponsor: Sign Up for Handcraft Health 🧡 Today’s episode is sponsored by Handcraft Health. 🧡If you’ve ever used Fullscript to prescribe supplements, think of Handcraft Health as Fullscript for TCM.You can send personalized recommendations from a huge catalog of over 20,000 products—including an extensive selection of Chinese herbs (they have everything), plus vitamins, supplements, Ayurvedic and homeopathic remedies, and more.Handcraft Health is an easy way to increase revenue and provide top-quality care, while earning a percentage of each product.I use Handcraft Health in my practice and love how simple it makes things. It’s so much easier to send one link for both Chinese herbs and everyday supplements. You can even order custom granule formulas and have them shipped directly to your patients. It’s truly a comprehensive library of TCM products.If you have questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]—I’m happy to share my experience.I hope you’ll explore Handcraft Health a bit. I really think you’ll like it.Click here to create your free clinic account. Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

This week I’m joined by Instagram expert Molly Cahill, who specializes in helping acupuncturists and chiropractors use Instagram in a way that feels natural, strategic, and actually brings in patients. Molly shares realistic, actionable strategies to grow your local audience—without burning out.In this episode, we cover: How to get more local followers on InstagramMolly's 4 pillars for using Instagram to grow your acupuncture practiceWhether going viral really helps your business (her answer may surprise you!)A clever “easy button” strategy for local reach using ReelsThe one type of post you should be doing at least once a monthAnd much moreWhether you’ve been showing up on Instagram for a while or you’re just getting started, you’ll walk away with clear, practical tips to get more patients from Instagram in 2025. SHOW NOTES:Holistic Marketing Hub: $200 off with discount code "AMS"  Molly's Free Instagram Engagement Checklist Instagram: @mollyacahillWebsite: https://mollycahill.com Holistic Marketing Simplified Podcast Faire Wholesale Signup 💚 Today's episode is sponsored by Faire Wholesale. 💚Increase your average per patient income with beautiful retail products that are aligned with your values and your business—without the upfront risk. Faire makes it easy to get started with over 100,000 independent brands and low or no order minimums. Even better? You get free returns for 60 days on the first order you place with any brand, so you can feel confident trying out new products online. Try new items in your clinic, and if something doesn’t sell, just send it back for a refund. Plus, you can filter by your values—like AAPI-owned, Black-owned, organic, handmade, or not sold on Amazon. Increase your income with curated retail offerings today. Click here to learn more about Faire.Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

Today I’m joined by Ajay Prasad, founder of Repugen—a reputation management company that helps healthcare providers like acupuncturists strengthen their digital presence by collecting and managing patient reviews.In this episode, Ajay and I explore how online reviews can help you build trust, attract more acupuncture patients, and even increase the value of your practice if you decide to sell later on.We cover lots of practical insights, including:The best time to ask for reviews—and how to ask in a way that feels naturalWhat to do about negative reviews (and whether they’re really as damaging as they seem)Why it’s so important for your online reputation to reflect the quality of care you actually provideWhat many practitioners get wrong about reputation managementAnd a reminder that most patients won’t leave a review unless they’re asked—but many are happy to say yes when promptedIf it’s been a while since you asked for reviews, this episode is your reminder. Social proof matters, and reviews are one of the most powerful ways to build it.So if you're in a country where healthcare providers can ask for reviews—because I know that’s not the case everywhere—then I hope this conversation encourages you to start asking regularly.SHOW NOTES:Digital reputation management: Repugen.comPatient acquisition and comprehensive digital marketing: GMRwebteam.com🩵 Today's episode is sponsored by AcuHub. 🩵AcuHub provides remote reception specifically for acupuncture practices. I use AcuHub in my practice and I love it!With AcuHub, you can rely on a dedicated  US-based, highly trained receptionist to answer your incoming calls and inquiries, schedule appointments on your EHR software, onboard new patients, and answer questions specific to your practice. They offer 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. Visit Acu-hub.com to learn more. If you have questions about AcuHub, you’re always welcome to email me about my experience at [email protected].  Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.

🎉 Welcome to Episode #100! Today I'm speaking with Dr. Nell Smircina, who wears many hats—acupuncturist, entrepreneur, advocate, and investor. In this conversation, she shares how her journey through private practice, getting an MBA, and national leadership roles shaped the way she approaches success in integrative healthcare. Whether you're just starting out or thinking about the long-term vision for your practice, this episode will encourage you to think bigger and more strategically about what’s possible. In this episode, we talk about: Nell’s evolution from private practice to business school and beyondHow she’s approaching Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) in integrative healthThe importance of advocacy and representation in the acupuncture professionRedefining success as an acupuncturist and business ownerAdvice for practitioners who want to think more strategically about growthWhy personal development is key to sustainable entrepreneurshipSHOW NOTES:DrNell.comEmail Nell at [email protected]'s LinkedIn profile Save $200 on Acupuncture Marketing School Live on Zoom (starts April 18)Save $200 Acupuncture Marketing School Self-Paced🩵 Today's episode is sponsored by Acupuncture Marketing School – the step-by-step training to help you get more patients, build a thriving practice, and finally feel confident about marketing. And, Acupuncture Marketing School is trusted by over 550 alumni and backed by more than 50 five-star reviews.Acupuncture Marketing School is currently $200 off through Thursday, April 17th. There are two options depending on your learning style: I’ll be teaching live version over six-weeks on Zoom, with real-time instruction, feedback, and a small group of classmates for accountability. That starts Friday, April 18th.If you prefer to go at your own pace, the self-paced version includes the same material in pre-recorded video format, and that’s also on sale.Both versions include the same content and guide you step-by-step how to create strong, effective marketing for your practice. I would absolutely love for you to join me. The live version on Zoom is going to be fantastic and I can’t wait to help you with your marketing. Please always feel free to email me any questions at [email protected]. I’m happy to chat with you. Support the showCurious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.