There’s a conversation happening right now in the online business world that I think is… incomplete.
Everyone is talking about declining ad performance. Lower engagement. More competition. Higher costs.
All of that is true. But I want to offer a different lens, especially for those of you who feel like your business is actually good.
Because here’s the question I always come back to: Is your business the problem, or is your visibility?
When the business isn’t broken
If you’ve built a strong offer, a clear outcome for your patients, and a thoughtful, elevated experience, then constantly tweaking your funnel or chasing the next marketing tactic may not be the highest-leverage move.
At a certain point, it’s not about optimizing the backend. It’s about getting in front of the right people.
And this is where I see so many clinicians miss what’s right in front of them.
We overcorrected to online everything
We’ve been taught that growth lives online: ads, funnels, content, SEO. And yes, those things matter.
But in that shift, many of you have removed yourselves from the real-world spaces where your ideal patients already exist. Women are already spending money on their health. They’re already investing in wellness. They’re already in rooms where trust has been built.
You’re just not in those rooms with them.
Your community is already built. You’re just not plugged into it.
Think about where your ideal patient is already showing up:
- Pilates and yoga studios
- High-end gyms and boutique fitness
- Hair salons and medspas
- Wellness boutiques
These aren’t just businesses. They are trust ecosystems. Instead of competing for attention online, you can step into spaces where people are already primed to invest, relationships already exist, and decisions are already being made.
This isn’t about cross-promotion
Most people think partnership means “let’s post about each other.” That’s not what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about outcome-based collaboration. What transformation could you create together?
- A hormone and fitness optimization workshop
- A gut health and nutrition event
- A hair restoration and scalp health activation
- A longevity or peptide education night
This is about creating an experience, not sharing audiences. People don’t just want information anymore. They want connection, interaction, and a reason to care.
Experiences are the new funnel
People are craving something more tangible. Not another PDF. Not another webinar.
They want to be in the room, ask questions, feel seen, and understand what’s possible for them. When you show up that way, something shifts. You’re no longer competing on price or explaining your value. You become the clinician they trust before they ever book.
“But I have a telemedicine practice…”
Good. This still applies. Your “rooms” just look different.
You can build proximity through niche online communities, strategic brand partnerships, aligned influencers, and virtual events that feel interactive. The principle is the same: go where trust already exists. Don’t try to build it from scratch every time.
Growth doesn’t always come from doing more
Instead of asking “What do I need to fix in my business?” ask “Where do I need to show up?”
For many of you, the next level of growth isn’t hidden in a better funnel or a new ad strategy. It’s in proximity. Partnership. Presence.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be in the right places, consistently and intentionally, with a clear outcome.
When you do that, you stop chasing leads. And you start becoming known.
posted by
Carmen Stansberry
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