Acupuncture Marketing School
Ready to build a thriving, meaningful business? Learn how to market your acupuncture practice with confidence, serve more patients, and increase your income. Hosted by Michelle Grasek, practicing acupuncturist and marketing coach, this podcast delivers practical marketing ideas to help you increase your visibility in your community and change more lives with the incredible power of acupuncture. Visit michellegrasek.com for free marketing checklists and workbooks, and follow Michelle on Instagram @michellegrasek for even more marketing insights and ideas.
138 | What Makes an Acupuncture Practice Worth Buying? With Ruth Mannschreck
Preparing your acupuncture practice for sale might not be on your radar right now, but it's never too early to start thinking about it!
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ruth Mannschreck, a dentist who has spent nearly two decades coaching private practice owners. Ruth shares how to make your practice more valuable and attractive to potential buyers, while also making it easier to run today.
We also discuss why even solo practitioners have options when it comes to selling their businesses. Yes, really.
In this episode, we cover:<...
Why I Completely Redesigned Acupuncture Marketing School (And What's New!)
I've spent the past few months redesigning Acupuncture Marketing School to keep up with the changing marketing landscape, and I'm so excited to share what's new with you.
In this short bonus episode, I'm sharing some new perspectives on marketing in the age of AI that I hope will really help shift the way you approach marketing.Â
And good news, this not all about catering to AI. It's about how your marketing can be built for humans but also be useful for Google and AI tools at the same time.Â
I'm al...
137 | Acupuncture School Didn't Prepare You for Business. Now What? With Amy Abelar
Welcome back! Today we're talking about some of the challenges facing the acupuncture profession, particularly building and running a successful practice.
Most acupuncturists graduate feeling unprepared for the business side of practice, and with the current economy, it's understandable that many practitioners are feeling discouraged.
These challenges are real, and today my guest Amy and I are talking about how to move forward despite them. How can we acknowledge what's unfair while focusing our energy on what we can control, so we can make proactive choices that help our practices succeed?
Amy Abelar...
136 | How to Make Meta Ads Work for Your Acupuncture Practice with Jen Peterson
Have you thought about running Facebook or Instagram ads for your acupuncture or chiropractic practice? If you’ve ever opened Meta Ads Manager and immediately felt overwhelmed, this episode is for you.
Today I’m talking with Jen Peterson, founder of Slay Social, about how wellness providers can use organic social media and paid ads together to reach more of the right people, without spending all day creating content.
Jen has a really practical approach to marketing, and we get into:
How much you should be prepared to spend on Meta ads if y...135 | TikTok for Acupuncturists: How to Reach More Local Patients with Britt Cunningham
Today I’m talking with Britt Cunningham, founder of Brit Social Media, about whether TikTok actually is worth your time as a local, brick-and-mortar business.
Britt works with service-based businesses, including acupuncturists and other wellness entrepreneurs, to manage their social media strategy and content.Â
The last time she was on the podcast, we talked mostly about Instagram, but she mentioned that TikTok has some unique advantages when it comes to reaching a local audience. That caught my attention, and since then, I’ve actually started experimenting with TikTok for my own acupuncture practice.
In...
134 | AI Watermarks, Authenticity & Using AI With Integrity with Sarah Cook
Today I’m talking with Sarah Cook, a copywriter and former naturopathic doctor who helps health and wellness practitioners create marketing that sounds like them, without burning themselves out in the process.
And we’re diving into a conversation that is on everyone’s minds in the past few weeks, including:Â
The recent panic over AI watermarks, including what’s happening with Claude, what these watermarks actually mean, and whether to change the way you’re using AI in your marketing.How to decide where your own line is with AI, based on your val...133 | How to Use PR to Get Found by AI and Attract More Acupuncture Patients with Larissa Banting
Today I’m talking with Larissa Banting, an accredited publicist who helps entrepreneurs use publicity to build credibility, authority, and visibility online.
One of the biggest concepts we talk about today is how PR is becoming increasingly important as people use AI for search.
Because AI doesn’t just decide that someone is an expert. It has to get that information from somewhere.
It’s looking for signals across the internet that tell it who you are, what you’re an expert in, and whether other credible sources recognize you as an autho...
132 | How to Get More Acupuncture Referrals from MDs and Other Healthcare Providers with Amy Abelar | Part 2
Welcome back! Today I'm joined again by Amy Abelar from Acupuncture Practice Systems for part two of her previous episode.
If you want to build stronger referral relationships with other healthcare providers this episode is for you.
Amy has spent 18 years growing a thriving multi-provider practice, and she shares practical strategies for creating referral partnerships that are genuine, mutually beneficial, and lead to long-term growth. And I think you’ll appreciate that she approaches these relationships from a place of service.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why you must track where ever...
131 | Building a Multidisciplinary Practice with 24 Employees with Amy Abelar | Part 1
Today I'm joined by Dr. Amy Abelar, founder of Acupuncture Practice Systems and the owner of a thriving multidisciplinary clinic with 24 employees.Â
Amy has built an incredible practice over the past 18 years, and in this conversation she shares the journey from starting as a massage therapist to growing a large acupuncture business with systems, team members, and strong leadership.
In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:
What it really looked like to grow her practice, including while she was in acupuncture school (!)How creating systems became the key to s...130 | Google Business Profile and AI: What You Need to Know with Bryan Fikes
My guest today is Bryan Fikes of Bonsai Marketing. Brian has been working in search marketing since the early days of the internet, and in this episode we explore how local businesses can stay visible as Google search and AI continue to evolve.
Today we talk about:
Why your Google Business Profile may be the fastest place to get results for your efforts How to balance short-term strategies like Google Ads with long-term investments in SEO.The role AI is playing in local search, and why answering your patients' questions has never been more important.Simple D...129 | The Return of Human-Centered Marketing with Kali Edwards
Stop Chasing Algorithms and Start Answering Questions: Great Advice in the Digital Age
Welcome back. Today I’m joined by returning guest Kali Edwards, founder of June Mango Design, a branding and website design studio that specializes in helping wellness professionals create strategic brands and websites that attract their ideal patients.
Kali has worked with many acupuncturists and other healthcare providers, and in this conversation we’re digging into what’s actually working in clinic marketing right now.
In this episode we talk about:
How AI search is changing SEO and wh...128 | The Hidden Cash Leaks in Your Acupuncture Practice with Emily Bowie
If you've ever looked at your profit and loss statement and thought, "My practice is making money, so why doesn't it feel like it?" this episode is for you.
In this episode, I'm joined by Emily Bowie, partner at Thorne Advisors, an accounting and tax strategy firm that helps business owners improve cash flow, reduce taxes, and build long-term wealth.
Emily does an excellent job of breaking down financial concepts in a way that's practical and easy to understand, even if accounting feels completely outside your comfort zone.
In this...
127 | How to Optimize Your Acupuncture Practice to Show Up in AI Search Results with Samantha Mabe
AI search tools like ChatGPT and Google AI are changing how patients discover local wellness providers, but what does that actually mean for your acupuncture practice?
In this episode, I’m joined again by website designer Samantha Mabe of Lemon & The Sea to talk about what’s really working right now when it comes to showing up in AI-powered search results. We break down why strong SEO fundamentals still matter, how niche messaging helps both humans and AI understand your expertise, and what you can do right now to strengthen your local online presence without trying to “hack”...
126 | How Acupuncturists Can Scale Their Practice Beyond 1:1 Treatments with Dr. Michelle Hamilton
What if growing your acupuncture practice didn’t have to mean seeing more patients one-on-one every week?
In this episode, I’m joined once again by Dr. Michelle Hamilton—doctor of Chinese medicine, owner of The Zen Den, and creator of Community Acupuncture School—to talk about creative ways acupuncturists can expand beyond the traditional treatment room model.
Michelle shares how she evolved from solo private practice into a thriving hybrid clinic with community acupuncture, infrared sauna, digital courses, events, and multiple income streams. We also talk about why visibility and real-world connection still matter deeply i...
Temporary Episode - Join me in Wellness Marketing School Live starting soon!
Join me in Wellness Marketing School Live!
Learn more and save your seat: https://michellegrasek.com/wellness-marketing-school-live/
An 8-week, small-group Zoom program where you’ll build a clear, effective marketing system for your unique practice to become the go-to practitioner in your community (with real-time guidance and support).
Limited to 20 practitioners • Begins May 8th • Enrollment closes May 7th
Email me with questions! That's what I'm here for: [email protected]
I would absolutely love to work with you - hope to see you inside!
Support the show
C...
Temporary Episode - Free Live Marketing Audit Training
Join me for this free training!Â
The Full-Schedule Marketing Audit for Wellness Practitioners:
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5th at 12:00 pm Eastern Time
Register to Save Your Seat: https://michellegrasek.com/audit
Replay will be available for everyone who registers.Â
I'd love to see you there.
Support the show
Curious about Acupuncture Marketing School, the online course for marketing beginners? Join me inside! Click here to learn more.
125 | Why Your Acupuncture Instagram Isn’t Converting More Patients (And What Actually Works) with Molly Cahill
If your Instagram is full of helpful content but not bringing in patients, this episode might completely shift how you think about marketing.
In today’s conversation, I sit down with Instagram strategist Molly Cahill to unpack what is actually working right now to attract patients—without chasing trends or burning out on content creation. We dive into the foundational strategies that consistently bring in bookings week after week, especially for acupuncturists and healthcare practitioners who don’t want to feel “salesy” online.
Molly shares how to simplify your content, connect more deeply with your ideal pati...
124 | How Acupuncturists Can Communicate & Build Trust With Curious Patients with Nicole Bergstrom
If you’ve ever felt like patients are so close to booking, but just don’t take that final step, this episode is going to change how you think about your marketing and communication.
Today, I’m joined by ghostwriter Nicole Bergstrom, who specializes in helping acupuncturists communicate more effectively with patients who are curious yet still hesitant. We dive into how the right words, the right structure, and the right messaging can gently guide someone from “maybe” to “yes.”
In this conversation, I share how we can meet patients where they are—especially when they’re skeptical...
123 | The Marketing Balance That Brings More Patients to Your Acupuncture Practice (Even If You're an Introvert)
If your marketing feels like it’s plateaued, it doesn’t mean your strategy is broken—it might just be out of balance.
In this episode, I’m sharing a simple but powerful way to inject new energy into your marketing by shifting your focus for your acupuncture practice. I walk through why digital marketing and in-person visibility work best together (not separately), and how you can start showing up in your community in a way that feels doable—even if you’re an introvert.
I also share real examples from my own acupuncture clinic and coaching...
122 | How Acupuncturists Can Turn Social Media Followers Into Booked Patients with Britt Cunningham
Most acupuncturists think they need to post more on social media to get patients. In reality, the problem usually isn’t consistency—it’s specificity.
In this episode, I sit down with social media strategist Britt Cunningham, founder of Britt Social Media, to talk about why so many acupuncture clinic owners feel stuck posting content that only their current patients see. Britt and her team help clinics across the country turn social media visibility into real leads and booked appointments, and she shares exactly what’s working right now on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
We talk...
121 | Increase Your Revenue By Adding Retail to Your Acupuncture Clinic (A Faire Wholesale Review)
What if you could bring in a few thousand dollars (or more) a year in extra income without adding more appointments or burning yourself out?
In this episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite hidden revenue streams for acupuncture clinics: retail. Last year, my clinic brought in just over $4,000 in retail sales without using any kind of sales pitch or buying a ton of inventory that we couldn't afford.
I break down exactly how I got started, what sold surprisingly well, how I kept everything aligned with our clinic brand and values, and why I...
120 | Hiring the Right Marketing Help for Your Acupuncture Practice with Deanna Martin
Are you stuck wondering whether you need a virtual assistant or a full-blown marketing strategist? You're not alone.
I sat down with Deanna Martin, founder of Patrona Virtual Solutions, who specializes in helping wellness providers build marketing systems that actually make sense and attract patients consistently.
Listen in as we explore the hiring opportunities you have, which is right for you, and how to approach your marketing plan!
In this episode:
The difference between a VA, a marketing assistant, and a strategist.How collaboration-based marketing is a powerful secret weapon...119 | Stop Getting in Your Own Way: How Self-Trust Can Grow Your Acupuncture Business with Vicky Shilling
Most of us in health and wellness are equipped with talent and passion — but not enough belief in ourselves.
We often have the skills to run our practice, yet the action to do it all never comes. Vicky Shilling joins us in today's episode to dive into why self‑trust is the real missing piece in your marketing and practice growth. As The Trust Yourself Business Coach, Vicky has coached countless health and wellness practitioners who know the strategy, but still can’t take action because of self‑doubt and imposter syndrome.
If your inner voice is...
118 | Financial Wellness & Bookkeeping Strategies for Acupuncturists with Kelly Marshall
Does the thought of looking at your books give you a headache? Let’s change that. Finances can feel heavy, especially when you're running a heart-centered business and trying to balance passion with profit. In this episode, Kelly Marshall joins us to share how she helps conscious entrepreneurs get clarity and confidence with their finances.
Kelly brings a refreshing, holistic perspective to bookkeeping. With a background that blends corporate financial expertise and energy work, she meets her clients with empathy, strategy, and a belief that good people can change the world when they feel empowered about money.
...117 | How Acupuncturists Can Use Blog-First Marketing to Attract More Patients Without Burning Out with Jana Osofsky
What if your marketing didn’t require constant posting or starting from scratch every week, and could take up a lot less time for a lot more payoff? In this episode, I’m joined by Jana Osofsky (also known as Jana O), marketing strategist for wellness practitioners and creator of the Blog First marketing ecosystem.
We talk about writing content that meets people where they are, avoiding jargon that turns patients away, and using blogs as the foundation for everything from emails to social posts. Jana also explains how to use AI thoughtfully without losing your voice, why...
116 | Simple Instagram Wins for Brick‑and‑Mortar Acupuncture Practices with Molly Cahill
If you’ve ever felt like you’re shouting into a void on Instagram (posting, hoping for engagement, and seeing nothing in return), this episode is for you.
I’m joined by Instagram marketing expert Molly Cahill. Molly works with acupuncturists and chiropractors, helping local, brick‑and‑mortar practices use Instagram authentically and strategically to bring patients through the door.
We dig into why marketing for a local service business is actually easier in many ways than marketing an online business. We also unpack what’s actually going on with Instagram engagement in 2025, and what you should b...
115 | How Acupuncturists Can Rethink Success with Dr. Michelle Wendling
Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right in your clinic, yet you still don’t have the practice you envisioned?
What if the missing ingredient isn’t more marketing, but a clearer bridge between where you are and where you want to be? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Wendling, chiropractor and business coach for wellness practitioners.Â
Michelle shares her refreshing approach to building a practice that actually fits you and not someone else’s version of success. We dive into how to stay curious instead of fearful, how to communic...
114 | Link Building and SEO Tips for Acupuncturists with Maria-Katerina Yohanneson
Ever feel like SEO is a foreign language? You're not alone and you're not stuck. In this episode, Maria-Katerina Yohanneson joins us to highlight the power of link building that makes search engine visibility feel human and doable, especially for acupuncturists.
We talk about what link building actually is, how it boosts your Google ranking, and how you can approach it in a way that feels aligned with your values and voice. Plus, we dig deep into authentic branding, visibility for introverts, and how to let your quirks and passions make your marketing better, not harder.
<...113 | Building More Trust with Acupuncture Patients with Josh Satterlee
Building a strong patient relationship begins long before they arrive at your acupuncture practice.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Josh Satterlee, chiropractor and founder of TrustDrivenCare. Josh shares the deeply personal story that inspired him to launch TrustDrivenCare, plus his mission to make sure that every patient feels comfortable and heard. We dive into how to create deep trust with your patients even before their first appointment.Â
What you'll learn:
The importance of marketing in establishing trust with your patientsSmall, thoughtful systems that make a huge impact on patient experienceHow acupuncturists and...112 | Instagram Marketing Tips for Acupuncturists with Molly Cahill
Mastering the Instagram algorithm is nearly impossible, but the platform is still useful for marketing your acupuncture practice. In this episode, 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.
We’re diving into realistic Instagram strategies and what works best on the platform today.Â
What you'll learn:
Realistic strategies to help grow your local audience without burning out Why unpolished, natural posts are performing better than curated graphicsHow to capitalize on Instagram as a sear...111 | Jane’s AI Scribe for Acupuncturists: Faster, Better Notes with Jenn Collins
What if documenting every patient visit could take 80% less time, but still stay accurate, professional, and truly helpful? That’s what we’re unpacking in this episode.
I sit down with my friend Jenn Collins (acupuncturist & founder of AcuHub) to talk all about Jane’s new AI Scribe, the built‑in tool that’s changing how acupuncturists are doing chart notes.Â
We walk through a mock patient visit in real time, share what the AI scribe picks up (and what it doesn’t), and compare what you think will happen versus the reality.
What you'll...
110 | Mastering Patient Retention for Acupuncturists with Ildi Arlette
A deep dive into the art of patient retention for acupuncturists with my business mentor, Ildi Arlette.Â
If you’re spending most of your energy chasing new patients, you might be missing the easiest way to grow your practice.Â
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 a...
109 | Local SEO for Acupuncturists: Get Found Online & Book More Patients with Samantha Mabe
Your website can do more than just look pretty—it can bring patients directly into your acupuncture clinic. In my latest episode, I spoke with website designer and SEO expert Samantha Mabe of Lemon and the Sea about the real deal behind getting your website found and booked.
What you'll learn:
How to use local SEO to appear in searches like “acupuncture near me” without keyword stuffing.Why writing blog posts is still the most powerful way to show up online and what to write about.Website design tweaks that instantly improve user experience and se...109 | Mastering Patient Loyalty in Your Acupuncture Practice with Ildi Arlette
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.Â
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 m...
108 | Making Community Acupuncture Financially Sustainable Without Burnout with Michelle Hamilton
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 busine...
107 | How AI is Changing Search Engine Optimization for Acupuncturists with Darcy Sullivan
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.Â
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...
106 | How to Market a Cosmetic Acupuncture Practice
Today I'm sharing what strategies work well to market my cosmetic acupuncture practice.Â
Six years ago, I opened a new practice and took a leap - branding the practice with a focus on cosmetic acupuncture.Â
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.Â
There's been a lot of trial and error and I've learned plenty along the way.Â
These tips work well whether you're trying to grow a cosmetic-specific practice, or j...
105 | Savings, Retirement, and Debt Strategies for Acupuncturists with Robin Valadares
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...104 | Passive Income for Wellness Practitioners with Allie Joy
Today I’m talking with Allie Joy, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist.Â
She runs Creatively Clinical, where she helps other wellness providers incorporate creativity into their own practices.Â
Allie also loves empowering providers to find ways to diversify their income so they can lead a more balanced life.Â
In this episode, we talk about:Â
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...103 | Maximize Clinic Success: Use What You Already Have with Ildi Arlette
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 ch...