The TCM Teach Podcast

Matthew Sabey Smith

The TCM Teach Podcast is designed specifically to help acupuncturists and chinese medicine herbalists to build thriving, sustainable businesses. The TCM Teach is created and hosted by practitioner, professor and business entrepreneur Matthew Sabey Smith, DACM, MSOM, Dipl.Ac., LAc. Thank for listening!

  1. Jun 23

    Episode 34: Patient Education That Keeps Them Coming Back

    Summary This episode offers practical strategies for effective patient education in acupuncture and Chinese medicine practices. Learn how to communicate complex concepts simply, build trust, increase treatment adherence, and leverage educational tools to grow your clinic. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach Key  Topics Importance of patient education for treatment adherence Using plain language and visuals to explain complex concepts Building trust and authority through education Reinforcing learning with digital resources and follow-ups Strategies to avoid overwhelming patients with information Tracking patient progress to motivate and reinforce Creating educational content for long-term engagement   Takeaways Patients follow recommendations better when they understand their treatment. Use plain language and visuals to explain concepts like qi and yang. Reinforce learning with handouts, videos, and digital guides. Track patient progress to show improvements and motivate. Create reusable educational resources for efficiency. Build trust and loyalty through thoughtful education. Segment key points per visit to avoid overwhelming. Use digital courses and handouts as additional revenue streams.   Sound bites "Relate complex terms to what patients understand." "Track progress to motivate and reinforce." "Build trust through thoughtful education."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Patient Education 01:32 The Importance of Patient Understanding 04:51 Effective Teaching Strategies 09:16 Building Patient Loyalty through Education 12:20 Aligning Education with Clinical Philosophy 15:40 Creating Consistent Educational Resources

    18 min
  2. Jun 16

    Episode 33: How to Run Paid Ads Without Wasting Money

    Summary This episode demystifies paid advertising for acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners, providing practical strategies to attract patients effectively without wasting resources. Learn how to choose the right platforms, target your ideal audience, and measure ROI to grow your practice sustainably.   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Key  topics Choosing the right advertising platform (Google, Facebook, Instagram) Targeting your ideal patient with data-driven strategies Creating patient-focused ad messages with clear calls to action Tracking and measuring ROI for paid campaigns A/B testing to optimize ad performance Aligning marketing with clinic mission and values Takeaways Paid ads put your practice in front of actively searching patients and are scalable. Focus on one or two platforms to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Use detailed targeting options to reach your ideal patient demographic. Create simple, patient-focused ads with strong calls to action. Track metrics like clicks, leads, and cost per acquisition to optimize campaigns. Test multiple ad versions to see what resonates best with your audience. Align your marketing with your clinic's mission and values for authenticity. Start small and gradually scale your ad spend based on data. Sound bites "Create simple visuals and minimal text for better engagement." "Always have a strong call to action in your ads." "Ads should reflect service, integrity, and clarity." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Paid Advertising for Acupuncturists 01:54 Understanding the Value of Paid Ads 05:49 Choosing the Right Advertising Platforms 10:03 Targeting Your Ideal Patient 14:22 Creating Effective Ads that Convert 18:31 Aligning Ads with Clinic Values and Metrics

    22 min
  3. May 26

    Episode 30: The Power of Free Consults to Convert Patients

    Summary This episode explores the transformative power of offering free consultations in acupuncture practice. Discover how these sessions can build trust, increase patient conversions, and seamlessly integrate marketing with personalized care, fostering a sustainable practice.   Key Topics The effectiveness of free consultations for building patient trust and conversion Structuring ethical and effective free consults Communication skills to break barriers and build rapport Integrating free consults into marketing strategies Ethical considerations and best practices for free consultations   Sound Bites "Free consults can be your most powerful patient acquisition tool." "Build trust and rapport through genuine care." "Integrate free consults seamlessly into your marketing plan."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Free Consults 00:30 Building Trust and Conversions 01:55 Structuring Ethical Consults 02:55 Active Listening and Assessment 03:53 Setting Boundaries and Expectations 04:50 Building Rapport and Trust 06:24 Legal and Ethical Protections 07:23 Benefits for Patients 08:21 Overcoming Barriers 09:44 Pitching Your Care Plan 10:28 Demonstrating Genuine Care 11:25 Breaking Down Mental Barriers 12:10 Targeting Hesitant Prospects 13:09 Real-World Examples 14:36 Improving Communication Skills 16:02 Trust and Authenticity in Clinical Presence 17:00 Maximizing Impact: Scheduling and Follow-Up 18:30 Conducting Fluid Consults 22:20 Integrating into Marketing 23:18 Reducing Perceived Risk 25:41 Pairing with Educational Content 26:11 Transparency and Monetization 27:10 Summary and Next Steps 27:39 Resources and Upcoming Episodes

    28 min
  4. May 12

    Episode 28: Podcasting & Youtube As An Acupuncturist

    Summary In this episode of the TCM Teach Podcast, Matt discusses the importance of long form content for acupuncturists and Chinese medicine herbalists. He explores how platforms like podcasting and YouTube can help build authority, connect with patients, and provide valuable educational resources. The conversation emphasizes the need for practitioners to choose the right platform that aligns with their communication style and to focus on creating sustainable content strategies that foster long-term relationships with their audience. Takeaways Long form content allows patients to connect with you. Building authority is key for practitioners. Choose the platform that fits your communication style. Long form content is ideal for education and depth. Not everyone will engage with your content, and that's okay. Focus on building long-term authority, not quick wins. Consistency is crucial for long-term success. Repurpose content to maximize its reach. Podcasting and YouTube can pre-qualify patients. Clarity and trust are essential in patient relationships. Sound Bites "Long form content does build depth." "You want to build long-term authority." "They are about clarity and trust." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Long Form Content for Practitioners 02:55 The Role of Long Form Content in Building Authority 05:46 Choosing Between Podcasting and YouTube 08:46 Identifying the Right Audience for Long Form Content 12:00 Creating a Sustainable Long Form Content Strategy 14:51 Conclusion and Next Steps

    16 min

About

The TCM Teach Podcast is designed specifically to help acupuncturists and chinese medicine herbalists to build thriving, sustainable businesses. The TCM Teach is created and hosted by practitioner, professor and business entrepreneur Matthew Sabey Smith, DACM, MSOM, Dipl.Ac., LAc. Thank for listening!