Top 10 Private Practice Marketing Headaches

(and How to Cure Them)

Let me guess—you didn’t go to medical or dental school to become a marketer.

And yet here you are, running a practice, seeing patients, managing staff… and trying to figure out what the heck SEO even means.

FYI, it stands for search engine optimization… in case you didn’t know. It’s how to improve your website’s Google rankings.

Anyway, you’re not alone.

At T60 Health, we talk to private practice doctors all the time who feel like marketing is some mysterious, expensive puzzle they’re supposed to solve while juggling a full clinical schedule. No one wants to waste time or money, but that’s exactly what ends up happening.

So, let’s break down the top 10 marketing frustrations we hear from docs—and what you can actually do about them.

1. "I Don’t Know What Works."

Why it’s frustrating: You’ve tried Google Ads. You’ve posted on Facebook. Maybe even sent out a newsletter. But patients aren’t exactly knocking down your door.

How it shows up: Money gets wasted on scattershot efforts that don’t bring in patients.

What to do: It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things in the right order. Start with your foundation: a strong, modern website and clear messaging. Then pick one channel (like Google Business or email or Instagram, etc.) and be consistent. Track performance (more on that below) and build from there. Strategy beats scatter every time.

How video can help: Video is a trust-building powerhouse—and it gives you trackable results. Drop a short intro video on your homepage, and suddenly you can measure engagement: How long are people watching? Are they clicking to call or book? With the right setup, you’ll see what’s working. Plus, video is versatile. Consistent video content can power your website, social, email, and more. That’s a strategic asset, not a shot in the dark

2. "I Don’t Have Time for This."

Why it’s frustrating: Between charting, procedures, and admin work, marketing falls to the bottom of the to-do list—and usually stays there.

How it shows up: Inconsistent or non-existent content, missed opportunities, reliance on word of mouth only.

What to do: You don’t need more time—you need less to manage. Delegate. Outsource. Automate where you can. Partner with healthcare marketing specialists so you’re not reinventing the wheel. And remember: consistent, imperfect content beats perfect content that never gets published.

How video can help: Video does the heavy lifting while you’re busy seeing patients. Taking just a half-hour every month to shoot shoot videos with a producer will save you time in the long run. A one-minute welcome video? That works 24/7, greeting potential patients before they ever pick up the phone. A short FAQ series? That cuts down on front-desk calls. Create it once, use it everywhere. Let video work while you work.

3. "I’m Not a Salesperson."

Why it’s frustrating: Self-promotion feels… icky. You’re a doctor, not a pitch person.

How it shows up: Weak online presence, generic messaging, reluctance to highlight unique value.

What to do: Good news: marketing isn’t about bragging—it’s about building trust. You don’t need to “sell” yourself. Just tell the story of who you are and why you care. A well-shot video of you talking about your patient philosophy? That connects. Sharing patient success stories (with permission)? That gets people to book.

How video can help: You don’t have to pitch. You just have to be yourself. A candid, authentic video of you sharing why you started your practice or how you care for your patients builds emotional connection—fast. It doesn’t feel like sales, because it isn’t. It’s trust in motion.

4. "My Website Looks Like It’s From 2008."

Why it’s frustrating: A slow, clunky, outdated website doesn’t just hurt your image—it kills your conversions.

How it shows up: High bounce rates, low conversions, poor SEO.

What to do: Think of your website as your digital front door. If it’s not fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate, people leave. Invest in a redesign that makes it easy for patients to trust you, book appointments, and get the info they need. Bonus points for including real photos and video. No more stock-photo stethoscopes, please.

How video can help: Adding a modern, clean video instantly upgrades your website’s look and feel. It makes everything feel fresh, even if the rest of your site still needs work. Plus, video keeps people on your site longer, reduces bounce rates, and boosts SEO. It’s the digital equivalent of curb appeal.

5. "Online Reviews Are Out of My Control."

Why it’s frustrating: One angry patient or unfair review can dominate your Google profile. That stings.

How it shows up: Avoiding reviews entirely instead of building a steady stream of positive ones.

What to do: Take control proactively. Set up a system (email or text) that asks happy patients to leave reviews after their visit. The more 5-star reviews you earn, the less impact the occasional negative one has. And always respond—professionally and briefly. It shows you care.

How video can help: You can’t stop every negative review—but you can drown it out with video testimonials. When real patients share their experiences on camera, it’s powerful. It's authentic. It’s believable. One well-produced patient story builds more trust than ten five-star text reviews.

6. "Social Media Feels Like a Waste of Time."

Why it’s frustrating: You’re posting sporadically. Engagement is low. It’s not bringing in patients.

How it shows up: Inconsistent posting, lack of patient connection, missed educational opportunities.

What to do: Stop trying to entertain the masses. Focus on educating your ideal patients. Short videos answering common questions. Behind-the-scenes content. Doctor tips. Consistency and authenticity are key—don’t chase trends, build trust. And again… delegate this if you can.

How video can help: Video is the best-performing content on every platform—hands down. A quick “doctor tip of the week,” a behind-the-scenes reel, or a 60-second patient success story? That gets way more traction than static posts. More engagement = more reach = more patients.

7. "I’m Not Getting the Right Kind of Patients."

Why it’s frustrating: Your marketing might be bringing people in… but they’re not a good fit.

How it shows up: Misalignment with the practice’s ideal patient or payer mix.

What to do: Refine your messaging. Speak directly to your ideal patient’s concerns. Showcase the services you want to do more of. Think quality over quantity—it’s not about more clicks, it’s about the right clicks.

How video can help: When your video messaging is clear and targeted, it acts like a filter. It speaks directly to your ideal patients and helps others self-select out. A pediatric clinic showcasing its warm, kid-friendly vibe? Parents lean in. A sports med doc showing real athlete recoveries? Weekend warriors pay attention.

8. "It’s Too Expensive."

Why it’s frustrating: You’ve poured money into agencies or campaigns and gotten very little back.

How it shows up: Frustration, canceled marketing contracts, distrust of vendors.

What to do: Ask for transparency. Clear strategy. Defined goals. A plan that actually fits your practice. Don’t pay for fluff—invest in what works (like video storytelling that builds trust fast). And if a vendor can’t show you results? Move on.

How video can help: Done right, video isn’t a cost—it’s an investment that keeps paying off. It increases conversions, improves retention, and replaces multiple pieces of content. And with repurposing (like using video clips in emails, on landing pages, and in social), your cost-per-use drops dramatically. More mileage. Better ROI.

9. "I Don’t Know How to Track Results."

Why it’s frustrating: If you don’t know what’s working, how can you improve?

How it shows up: No idea where patients are coming from, what’s working, or how much new patient acquisition is costing.

What to do: Start with the basics: where are your new patients coming from? Ask every one of them. Use tools like Google Analytics and call tracking. Set clear goals—website visits, form submissions, phone calls—and track against them. Measurement brings clarity. Clarity brings confidence.

How video can help: Modern video tools give you data: How long people watched. What they clicked after. Did they book? Platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia track it all. Add call-to-action buttons, and now you’re not guessing—you’re measuring.

10. "I’m Not Showcasing What Makes My Practice Special."

Why it’s frustrating: You know you’re different—but online, you look like every other clinic.

How it shows up: Missed branding potential and a website/social presence that doesn’t convert.

What to do: This is where storytelling shines. Use real patient stories. Record a short “why I became a doctor” video. Showcase your team. Show what makes your care personal. When patients feel your difference, they choose you over the other guy.

How video can help: This is exactly where video shines. Whether it’s you speaking from the heart, patients sharing their journeys, or scenes of your team in action—video brings your values, personality, and care philosophy to life. It turns “just another clinic” into your clinic.

Final Thought

You don’t need to become a marketing expert. You need a partner who understands healthcare, your practice, and your time constraints.

At T60 Health, we help private practice docs like you showcase what makes you special—through authentic video storytelling and content that actually works. We’ll take the marketing weight off your shoulders, so you can focus on what matters most: your patients.

👉 Want to see how it could work for your practice? Watch a short video and book a call to see if we’re a fit for you.