Weekly BS: Chiropractic Marketing Without Selling

If you have been in practice for fifteen years or more, there is a real chance something you did years ago, or something that happened without you even realizing it, is quietly dragging down your local search rankings right now. In this episode, I share the story of a current client who came to me for a new website and local SEO work. During the process, I found four separate Google Business Profiles attached to his practice. Four. He had no idea most of them existed. And I am as close to certain as I can be that cleaning those up alone is going to move his rankings. I walk through why duplicate Google Business Profiles happen, why they are such a common problem for established practices specifically, and exactly what to do when you find them, including how to merge profiles with reviews on them and how to get rid of the ones that have nothing worth keeping. I also cover the right way to handle duplicates on Apple Maps, which is a different and honestly more frustrating process than Google. From there I get into a bonus mistake I see constantly in long-established practices: mismatched citations. If you have moved, changed your phone number, changed your practice name, or added a website since you first started practicing, there is a very good chance your business information is inconsistent across the internet in ways that are quietly undermining Google's trust in your listing. I use a car shopping analogy to explain why Google and AI treat inconsistency the same way a buyer treats a suspicious listing: with doubt. Topics Covered Why established practices are more vulnerable to these specific mistakes than newer ones What a duplicate Google Business Profile is and how it ends up happening Why two listings cannibalize each other instead of helping you rank twice How to find duplicate profiles, including variations of your name and your old practice name When to merge profiles versus when to request deletion Why you should contact Google directly instead of trying to mark listings as closed yourself Duplicate listings on Apple Maps and why the fix requires a different approach entirely What citations are and why consistency across all of them matters even if nobody actually uses those directories The car listing analogy: why inconsistent information reads as suspicious to Google and AI How to clean up or rebuild your citation footprint if you have been in practice for a while If you want a free look at your website and local search, request a review at RocketChiro.com. I will look at your current setup, show you where you rank compared to other chiropractors in your area, and send you a custom video with my honest recommendations.

If you've spent any time on social media as a chiropractor, you've probably been pitched a "hack" for ranking number one on Google Maps. Someone is always discovering a secret, and they're always willing to share it with you for a fee. In this episode, Jerry breaks down a real example he came across recently: a guy claiming to rank well by paying people with burner phones to fake driving to his office, creating the illusion of traffic and interest. Jerry explains why this works in the short term, why Google's pattern detection catches it eventually, and what actually happens when it does, including the kind of shadow banning and blacklisting that is much harder to undo than it was to create. He also walks through a second, more subtle example: incentivizing patients with raffles or contests to get them to post photos to your Google Business Profile. It sounds harmless on the surface, but Jerry explains why it crosses into the same bribery and incentivization territory that Google explicitly prohibits, even when the intent feels innocent. Underneath both examples is the same core idea Jerry keeps coming back to on this podcast: relevance, proximity, and prominence are what actually build trust with Google and AI, and prominence in particular cannot be faked without consequences. He closes with a clear list of the basics that actually work, the unglamorous stuff that nobody wants to hear because it isn't a shortcut. Topics Covered Why "secret hacks" being sold to chiropractors on social media should make you cautious The burner phone scheme: paying people to fake traveling to your office to manufacture fake interaction signals How Google detects abnormal patterns and what happens when you get caught Why Jerry would report a competitor gaming the system, and why that isn't "being a jerk" The trust analogy: why undermining trust with Google works the same way as undermining trust with a person The Google Business Profile photo raffle example and why incentivizing photo posts counts as bribery The difference between asking a patient to share a photo and incentivizing them to The real, unglamorous list of things that actually build prominence over time Want to Get Help? If you want a free look at your website and local search, request a review at RocketChiro.com. If you want more help with the business and marketing side of practice, check out the Next Step program at RocketChiro.com.

Years ago, I tried something in my own practice that seemed like an obvious win: a 24-hour call center to make sure every call got answered. It made sense on paper. It failed in practice, and not for the reasons you'd expect. In this episode, I tell the full story of why the call center didn't work, what it taught me about the relational nature of chiropractic, and how that exact same lesson applies to the AI tools showing up in chiropractic offices today. I walk through a real conversation I had with a client who was being pitched a dynamic phone number system, essentially the modern, automated version of the same mistake I made years ago. From there, I lay out a simple principle for evaluating any technology in your practice: if it's only benefiting you and not your patients, it's worth reconsidering. I break that principle into two practical questions, transparency and frequency, and use some uncomfortable personal examples, including my own dentist, to show what happens when a practice gets either one wrong. This episode is not anti-technology. I use AI constantly in my own work. It's about making sure the tools you adopt strengthen the doctor-patient relationship instead of quietly eroding it. Topics Covered - The full call center story: why it seemed smart, why it failed, and what I'd do differently - Why chiropractic's high-touch, relational nature makes it different from most other businesses adopting automation - The dynamic phone number example and why "the technology exists" isn't the same as "you should use it" - The core principle: if the technology only benefits you, reconsider it or change it - Transparency: why patients should always know when they're interacting with technology, not a person - Frequency: how to tell the difference between helpful outreach and harassment - A real example of a raving fan turning into a lost patient because of over-automated follow-up - Why marketing advice built for mass audiences (Gary Vee, Dan Kennedy style "mail until they buy or die") does not translate to a practice with a few hundred patients - How to evaluate your own practice's current automation honestly If you want a free look at your website and local search, request a review at RocketChiro.com. If you want more help with the business and marketing side of practice, check out my Next Step program at RocketChiro.com.

For years, local SEO was about keywords. You found the phrases people were searching for, loaded your pages with them, and hoped Google noticed. That approach is not just outdated now. It is actively working against you. In this episode, Jerry Kennedy breaks down the shift that has happened over the last four to five years and why authority has replaced keywords as the thing that actually determines whether you show up in local and AI search. The distinction sounds subtle but the implications for how you build and manage your website are significant. Jerry walks through the three pillars of local search: relevance, proximity, and prominence. Relevance and proximity are straightforward. Prominence is where most chiropractors are leaving results on the table, and it is also the piece that most low-budget website companies either do not understand or simply ignore. He uses the gas station chicken wings analogy to explain why mentioning a condition once on a services page puts you in the same category as a business nobody actually associates with that thing, and how building real content depth around two or three subjects is what starts to move the needle. He also covers why reviews matter more than most chiropractors treat them, why the people who already have momentum in your market are going to keep pulling ahead if you are playing by old rules, and what the starting point actually looks like for building authority in your area. Topics Covered The core shift from keyword-focused SEO to authority-focused SEO and what it means practically The three pillars of local search: relevance, proximity, and prominence explained Why keyword stuffing still shows up on chiropractic websites built by high-volume companies The gas station chicken wings analogy: why thin mentions do not build authority Why established chiropractors can get away with a simpler website and newer ones cannot How to build real topical authority through website content, blogs, reviews, and off-site signals Why reviews are Google and AI's closest approximation of community reputation The "rich get richer" dynamic in local search and what it means if you are just getting started How to pick the two or three authority areas worth focusing on in your practice If you want a free look at your website and local search, request a review at RocketChiro.com. If you want to build the business and marketing foundation that chiropractic school skipped, check out the Next Step program at RocketChiro.com.

There is real wisdom in learning from people who came before you. You do not have to figure everything out the hard way. But there is a significant difference between learning from someone and trying to become them, and the chiropractic seminar world has made a lot of money blurring that line. In this episode, Jerry Kennedy talks about what actually goes into success, and why the "if I can do it, you can do it" message is not just oversimplified, it is sometimes genuinely misleading. The episode starts with a real client situation: two chiropractors comparing websites that were built to do completely different things for completely different practices. One had strong established authority and did not need her website to do heavy lifting. The other was just starting to build hers and needed every part of her site working to fill that gap. Comparing the two made no sense, but that kind of comparison happens constantly in chiropractic. From there, Jerry walks through a list of factors that influence practice success that no seminar formula accounts for: talent, skills, timing, location, finances, family situation, age, appearance, connections, local economy, insurance landscape, the reputation chiropractors before you built or burned in your area, and more. These are not excuses. They are variables that are entirely real and entirely outside the formula being sold to you. The point is not that success is impossible. The point is that your path to it is yours. Learn the principles, master the fundamentals, and then figure out where your actual opportunities are. That is a different project than copying someone else's playbook. Topics Covered Why two chiropractic websites that look different might both be exactly right for what they need to do The Michael Jordan problem: why replicating someone's formula does not replicate their results Why chiropractic seminar advice is often based on a market and a time that no longer exists The full list of variables that influence practice success and that no expert can account for in their formula Talent versus skill and why both matter differently How finances, credit, and a supportive spouse create invisible advantages that skew the picture Why appearance and personality are real factors in a high-touch business like chiropractic The difference between learning from someone and trying to be them What the Next Step program is actually designed to do and why it is built around principles instead of a copied playbook Call to Action If you want a free look at your website and local search, request a review at RocketChiro.com. If you want to build the business and marketing foundation that chiropractic school did not teach you, check out the Next Step program at RocketChiro.com.

One of the most common struggles in early practice is patient retention. Someone comes in for one or two visits, feels a little better, and disappears. And then you are right back where you started, constantly trying to replenish a patient base that never quite builds the way it should. In this episode, Jerry Kennedy breaks down why that pattern happens and what you can actually do about it. Not contracts. Not prepayments. Not guilt tripping patients into feeling bad about their health choices. Those approaches have been around chiropractic for decades and they are not the answer. The real issue, in most cases, is patient education and the onboarding process. If patients walk out of their first visit thinking you are just a fancy aspirin, they will use you like one. The fix is not manipulation. It is communication. Jerry walks through four levels of chiropractic care and explains why most patients default to pain-relief-only thinking unless you deliberately introduce something else early in the process. From there, he lays out a simple four-part framework for building retention through the initial phase of care: introducing the pain-plus concept early, getting agreement on a shared plan, staying flexible, and having a follow-up strategy for when patients go quiet. This is one of those foundational business conversations that applies whether you have been in practice three months or fifteen years. Topics Covered - Why evidence-based chiropractors sometimes overcorrect and end up with no care structure at all - The four levels of chiropractic care and where most patient education needs to start - Why patients will assume pain-relief-only unless you tell them otherwise - How to introduce the stabilization concept on day one without coming across as a sales pitch - Getting a plan everyone agrees on without paperwork, pressure, or canned scripts Why building flexibility into your recommendations actually strengthens the doctor-patient relationship - Short-term and long-term follow-up plans for missed appointments and patient reactivations - The difference between harassing patients and staying appropriately connected Call to Action If you want a free look at your website and local search, request a review at RocketChiro.com. If you want more help beyond the podcast, including business and marketing training, check out the Next Step program at RocketChiro.com. Resources for Chiropractors Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites Local Chiropractic SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo Business & marketing training for chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/join Free Chiropractic Webiste/SEO Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment

Chiropractors get targeted by bad SEO pitches constantly, and most of them have no way to tell the difference between a legitimate offer and a scam. Not because they're not smart, but because they don't know what they don't know. And the people running these pitches are counting on exactly that. In this episode, Jerry shares two real examples from actual clients in the past week: a fake SEO grade scanner that gave a client a C based on information that was completely fabricated, and an AI-generated personalized video that appeared to show serious problems with a client's website but was showing a site that wasn't even theirs. Both were designed to do one thing: make you panic and sign something before you think it through. From there, Jerry walks through five red flags you can use to spot a bad pitch before it costs you six months of fees and zero results. The 5 Red Flags Panic and urgency: SEO is a long-term relationship with Google, not a fire drill. Anyone trying to make you feel like you need to act right now is working the pressure angle on purpose. Ghost evidence: If someone tells you something is broken on your site, ask them to show you how to verify it yourself. If they can't or won't, that tells you everything. Generic grades: The grade is the gimmick. Ignore it. The only thing worth reading is the fine print, and if there is no fine print explaining why you got that grade, throw the whole report out. Secrets and hacks: There are no secrets in SEO. When someone positions their approach as a missing piece only they know about, that is either dishonest or ignorant, and neither one inspires confidence. Technical mumbo jumbo: Some complexity is real. But if someone makes no effort to explain what they are doing in terms you can follow, ask yourself whether that is because it is complicated or because they need you confused. Call to Action If you want a free website and local search review from someone who will actually show you what is real, request one at RocketChiro.com. If you want help beyond the podcast, check out the Next Step membership program, also at RocketChiro.com.

Google wants you to ask for reviews. They say it openly. They give you the QR code right inside your Business Profile. So why are legitimate patient reviews getting flagged and removed? In this episode, Jerry breaks down two relatively new reasons Google may remove your reviews, and explains what the actual policy language says (because the TikTok version left out a lot of context). The first issue is location: when a high volume of positive reviews come from one GPS coordinate or IP address, it starts to look suspicious, even if every single one of them is genuine. The second issue is specific content: if reviews are mentioning staff names in a concentrated pattern, Google's AI reads that as coaching, which is against policy. Jerry explains how Google's pattern analysis works, why the analogy is closer to shoplifting prevention than a penalty system, and what you should actually do to protect your review count going forward. He also covers review gating, which has been against Google's policy for years and is still showing up on chiropractic websites today. This is not a crisis episode. These are not widespread problems yet. But understanding how Google thinks about review authenticity now will help you avoid patterns that could become real problems later. Topics Covered Why TikTok and Instagram SEO advice tends to strip out all the context that actually matters What Google's policy actually says about soliciting reviews (and what it does not say) How pattern analysis works and why a waiting room full of reviewers can look suspicious The shoplifting analogy: you can be doing nothing wrong and still trigger a flag Review cards as a simple, low-pressure way to move reviews off-premise Why Google may flag reviews that mention a staff member by name How to troubleshoot a removed or blocked review without panicking Friends and family reviews: why "genuine" is not the same as "unbiased" to Google Review gating: what it is, why it was ever normal, and why it is absolutely not okay now Resources for Chiropractors Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites Local Chiropractic SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-seo Business & marketing training for chiropractors: https://rocketchiro.com/join Free Chiropractic Webiste/SEO Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment

This episode is for chiropractors who find themselves making practice decisions based more on what they dislike about others than what is actually best for their own clinic. Jerry Kennedy explores the common trap of overcorrecting. This happens when a chiropractor avoids helpful business or clinical strategies simply because a "sleazy" or "bad" doctor in town happens to use them. Leadership requires discernment rather than just reacting to the extremes. Whether it is following up with patients, providing structured care recommendations, or utilizing social media, you should not abandon effective tools just to distance yourself from a particular practice style. This conversation helps you separate your personal preferences from reactionary choices so you can lead your chiropractic business with clarity. Core Principles and Decision Lenses The Overcorrection Trap: Why avoiding certain behaviors because "that other doctor does it" can rob your practice of necessary growth tools. Leading with Discernment: Making choices based on your actual practice vision instead of purely on the principle of disagreement. The Trust Factor in Branding: Why using real photos and stories on your chiropractor website builds a human connection that generic images cannot match. Structure as Leadership: Understanding that providing a clear plan for patients is an act of leadership, not a sales tactic. Finding the Middle Ground: Navigating the gray areas between vitalism and evidence based care without becoming apologetic about your approach. Next Step Reflect on a recent decision you made to avoid a specific marketing or clinical tool. Was that choice based on your goals, or was it a reaction to someone else? If you want an honest look at your digital presence, request a free website and SEO review at RocketChiro.com. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/

This episode is for chiropractors who may be feeling discouraged by the increasingly competitive world of chiropractic SEO and AI search. While the gap between established clinics and newer offices is widening, your chiropractor website remains your most critical marketing asset—regardless of whether you ever rank #1 on Google. A common mistake is viewing a website only as a tool for search engines; however, its primary job is building trust with human beings. Whether a lead comes from a referral, networking, social media, or local signage, your website is the final destination where they decide to trust you with their health. This conversation moves away from generic templates and focuses on how to develop a digital presence that clearly communicates value and converts visitors into patients. Core Principles & Decision Lenses The Conversion Factor: Understanding that being "found" is only half the battle; your website must answer "What do people see when they find me?". Communicating Value Quickly: Why you only have 15–45 seconds to prove you are the right chiropractic business for a visitor's needs. Design for New Patients: Shifting the focus of your chiropractor website design from existing patients to the specific needs and fears of new leads. The "New Patient Page" Model: Why a dedicated hub for frequently asked questions and scheduling is more effective than a simple "Book Now" button. Pushing Away Bad Fits: Using your marketing to filter out patients who aren't a good fit for your clinical strengths, reducing practice friction. Next Step Ask yourself: "Would I choose me based on what I see online?". If your current site feels generic or inaccurate, it's time to build a foundation that actually represents you. Request a free website and SEO review at RocketChiro.com. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/

This episode is for chiropractors running a small chiropractic practice who are tired of being told that ranking #1 on Google is as simple as following a basic checklist. Jerry Kennedy reveals the "ugly truth" that many marketing agencies won't say out loud: in some markets, dominated by established practices, traditional chiropractic SEO might actually be a money pit. Many owners of a small healthcare business fall into the trap of spending thousands on SEO packages without understanding the competitive ecosystem they exist in. This conversation breaks down the three pillars of trust—relevance, proximity, and prominence—and provides a "quick and dirty" way to assess if your chiropractic business is actually in a position to benefit from search optimization right now. Core Principles & Decision Lenses The Trust Metric: Understanding that ranking in Google or AI is not about "tricks," but about building long-term trust through data. Relevance and Proximity: Why being the right answer and the closest answer are the "easy" parts of getting found on Google as a chiropractor. The Prominence Gap: How established practices with hundreds of reviews create a "moat" that can make it nearly impossible for a solo chiropractor to rank in the short term. Review Assessments: Using a "75% rule" to determine if you have enough social proof to make an investment in local SEO for chiropractors worthwhile. Foundational vs. Premium SEO: Distinguishing between the essential code on your chiropractor website and the expensive "up-level" services that may not be necessary yet. Next Step Don't throw your last $1,000 at SEO if you aren't ready to compete. Instead, focus on the "free stuff" like building a review culture and earning local backlinks. If you want an honest look at your current standing, request a free review at RocketChiro.com. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/

This episode is for chiropractors running a small chiropractic practice who are navigating the loud and often misleading world of online marketing advice. Whether you are seeing "viral" tips on TikTok, X, or Instagram, most chiropractic SEO and AI search advice is given in a vacuum. Jerry Kennedy discusses why even "good" advice can lead to failure if it ignores the unique competitive ecosystem of your chiropractic business. Many owners of a small healthcare business struggle with unrealistic expectations fueled by gurus claiming "all you have to do is" follow a few simple steps to rank #1. This conversation reframes search optimization as a competitive sport and a game of building trust. By understanding your local environment and focusing on local SEO for chiropractors, you can make smarter business decisions for chiropractors and avoid throwing marketing dollars down a pit. Core Principles of Search & Trust The Context Trap: Why advice given in a vacuum ignores the fact that chiropractor decision making must be based on the local competitors already established in your market . Search as a Trust Metric: Understanding that Google and AI rank a chiropractic practice based on accumulated data and "trust equity" rather than just recent technical changes . The Review Indicator: Using competitor review counts as a "tell" to determine if your market is "weak sauce" or a high-competition environment that requires a different strategy . Playing the Long Game: Why a solo chiropractor in a "big pond" should focus on low-cost authority building—like local backlinks and networking—before investing in expensive SEO packages . The Expectation Equation: How to avoid the frustration that comes when your expectations for getting found on Google as a chiropractor don't align with the reality of your market . Next Step Evaluate the "trust gap" in your local area by looking at your competitors' reviews. If you want a grounded perspective on your digital presence, request a free review at RocketChiro.com .

This episode is for chiropractors running a small chiropractic practice who are navigating the leadership side of running a chiropractic business. Whether the help comes in the form of staff, outside services, or professional advisors, chiropractors in small practices inevitably face decisions about who to trust, how much to delegate, and what their role as a leader actually looks like. Many chiropractors enter practice primarily focused on patient care, only to discover that chiropractic practice ownership also requires leadership and decision making around hiring, managing, and working with other people. The confusion often shows up in two extremes: micromanaging everything or stepping so far back that leadership disappears entirely. This episode reframes that tension and offers a clearer way to think about leadership for chiropractors without turning the conversation into rigid management advice. In this conversation, Jerry explores principles such as: Why chiropractors often fall into the opposite traps of micromanagement or no leadership at all How leadership for chiropractors begins with accepting the responsibility of running a chiropractic business Why vetting people carefully matters more than fixing problems after the hire How training and communication shape whether outside services and staff actually represent your practice well Why trust is necessary for progress, but blind trust can create costly blind spots How periodic check-ins maintain alignment without turning into micromanagement The goal of this episode is not to provide a management formula. It is to offer a clearer lens for chiropractor decision making when working with staff, vendors, and service providers. Listen, reflect, and apply the ideas in a way that fits your practice and your leadership style. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/

This episode is for chiropractors running a small chiropractic practice who are trying to make thoughtful business decisions in an environment shaped by search engines and AI. If you're navigating chiropractic SEO, evaluating outside help, or simply trying to understand how visibility works online, this conversation is designed to give you clarity rather than tactics. There is a lot of noise around SEO and AI. It's often made to sound technical, mysterious, or urgent. That confusion can lead chiropractors to either ignore it completely or outsource it without understanding what they're buying. This episode reframes the conversation around mental models and long-term thinking, helping you approach business decisions for chiropractors with more discernment. In this conversation, Jerry explores principles such as: SEO and AI as relationship-building systems based on trust, not hacks or loopholes Why rankings never happen in a vacuum and are shaped by competitive context The relational nature of Google search visibility and why momentum compounds over time Why ongoing effort matters more than short bursts of activity in chiropractic SEO How monopoly-like dynamics can form at the top of search results Why human relationships, word of mouth, and community networks remain foundational in a small chiropractic practice The goal isn't to tell you what to do. It's to help you understand how these systems actually work so you can make better decisions for your chiropractic business over the long term. Listen, reflect, and apply what fits your practice and your environment. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "90ee4a7b-a10e-456c-882d-d83a16fae20f" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy dives into one of the biggest mistakes chiropractors make in business and marketing: trying to copy someone else's path to success. You are not the chiropractor you heard speak at a seminar. You are not the person you follow online. You are not even the chiropractor down the street. Your skills, personality, finances, family situation, timing, and opportunities are all different, and ignoring those differences dramatically lowers your chances of success. This episode breaks down why cookie-cutter strategies often fail, why context matters more than tactics, and how to make progress by being honest about your situation and playing the hand you're actually dealt. Key Topics Covered Why copying other chiropractors rarely works How differences in skills, finances, family, and timing shape outcomes The danger of seminar success stories and online comparisons Why "If I can do it, anyone can do it" is a misleading idea How lack of context leads to frustration and burnout The Big Three Framework Jerry introduces three foundational factors that determine meaningful progress: Interest What you are genuinely interested in, not what looks good or sounds impressive. Skill What you are capable of executing well right now, along with the skills you still need to develop. Opportunity Your real-world circumstances, including finances, location, relationships, timing, and access to resources. The overlap of interest, skill, and opportunity is where the greatest potential for meaningful change exists. What Creates Long-Term Progress Short-term change requires interest, skill, and opportunity. Long-term success adds two more elements: Structure Clear systems, standards, and guardrails that remove guesswork and allow you to measure what's actually working. Consistency Boring, repetitive execution over time that compounds results. Structure does not have to look the same for everyone, but everyone needs it. Hard Truths Chiropractors Need to Hear Stop pretending to be more successful than you are Stop copying practices that don't match your reality Stop forcing niches and patient types you don't enjoy Stop relying on motivation instead of discipline Honesty is the starting point for real progress. Practical Takeaways Be honest about your interests, skills, and opportunities Start from where you are, not where someone else is Learn principles and strategies, not just scripts Understand why something works so you can adapt when it stops working Show up prepared to think for yourself, not just follow instructions Final Thoughts You cannot start from a better place without first starting from where you are. Your choices are to start now or let things get worse and start later. Understanding principles, concepts, and strategies is far more valuable than blindly following a formula. When you know why something works, you gain the ability to adapt, adjust, and make better decisions over time. Play the hand you're dealt, build structure around it, stay consistent, and move forward. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/

Getting more Google reviews does not require awkward scripts, expensive software, or nonstop reminders. In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy breaks down a simple, repeatable system chiropractors can use to get more reviews consistently without disrupting patient care. Most chiropractors know reviews matter, but many struggle with inconsistency. They ask for reviews for a few weeks, stop, then start again months later. Others rely entirely on automation and wonder why it does not work as well as promised. This episode explains why both approaches fall short and what actually works long term. Jerry walks through a practical review strategy designed specifically for busy chiropractors who want steady growth, stronger Google Maps visibility, and better patient trust. What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why most chiropractors struggle to get reviews consistently • The biggest mistakes chiropractors make when asking for reviews • How to make reviews feel normal inside your practice • When to introduce the idea of reviews to new patients • The best time to ask for a review so it has real marketing value • Why asking in person still outperforms texts and automation • How to use simple tools like QR codes and review cards • How to build a review schedule that runs on autopilot • Whether reputation management software is actually worth it Key Takeaway for Chiropractors The best way for chiropractors to get more reviews is not by chasing patients or automating everything. It is by creating a simple system that fits naturally into your practice culture. When reviews become part of the patient experience instead of a marketing task, they start compounding over time and helping your practice stand out locally. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for: • New chiropractors building their online presence • Chiropractors with low or inconsistent review counts • Solo and small-practice chiropractors • Chiropractors focused on Google Maps and local SEO • Chiropractors who want steady growth without hype Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/ Listen, Subscribe, and Share If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the Rocket Chiro Podcast and share it with another chiropractor who wants a better way to get reviews without feeling salesy.

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "88d1a3ec-2389-4b7d-9700-fa82249c3e46" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Online reviews are one of the most powerful and misunderstood factors in chiropractic marketing. In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy breaks down how many reviews chiropractors actually need to compete in local search, and why reviews matter far beyond Google Maps rankings. If you want more new patients without relying on ads, gimmicks, or sales-heavy marketing, this episode gives you clear benchmarks and practical guidance you can apply immediately. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why online reviews impact Google Maps, AI search, and patient trust How reviews influence both visibility and patient decision-making Why reviews matter even for referral-based chiropractic practices The minimum star rating chiropractors should aim to maintain Why negative reviews are not the end of the world How to calculate review benchmarks based on your local market The four review numbers every chiropractor should understand Why review expectations keep rising every year How to make reviews part of your practice culture The 4 Review Benchmarks Explained Jerry outlines four key numbers chiropractors should track: Entry Point About 20% of the median review count in your area. Below this level, reviews may significantly limit your visibility. Fighting Chance (Median) The middle review count among chiropractors in your market. Reaching this gives you a realistic opportunity to compete. Dominance Level Roughly 3.5 times the median. Practices at this level often have a strong advantage in local search. High Water Mark The highest review count in your area. Not a requirement, but useful context when evaluating competition. How to Get More Reviews (Without Being Awkward) A simple framework that actually works: Provide great care and communicate well Make reviews a normal part of your practice Ask in person, not just digitally Make it easy with links or QR codes Be consistent with a repeatable plan Most chiropractors who struggle with reviews are missing multiple steps. Resources Mentioned Free Chiropractic Website & SEO Review Rocket Chiro NEXT Step Chiropractic Coaching Program Final Thought The best time to start collecting online reviews was years ago. The second-best time is today. If this episode helped you, please subscribe, share it with another chiropractor, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps this small, independent podcast reach more people who want to grow the right way. Resources Mentioned: Free Website/SEO Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites

In this episode of the Rocket Chiropractic Podcast, I break down nine small but critical mistakes that quietly hurt chiropractic conversion. These are not big marketing failures or SEO problems. They are little things that get in the way once a potential patient has already found you. I talk about the difference between being found online and being chosen, and why many chiropractors do not have a traffic problem. They have a choosing problem. If people are visiting your website or Google profile but not scheduling, this episode will help you identify what might be standing in the way. What We Cover in This Episode Why cluttered chiropractic websites reduce clarity and trust How unclear messaging hurts conversion even with good SEO The importance of real photos and avoiding cold, generic imagery Why responding to reviews matters more than you think How bad responses to negative reviews can actively repel patients Appointment processes that create friction instead of momentum Common problems with online schedulers that cause drop-off Why too many first-visit options overwhelm new patients How salesy language and fake urgency damage long-term trust Key Takeaway People usually choose what feels easiest, clearest, and safest, not necessarily what is best. This episode is about removing unnecessary barriers so choosing you becomes the natural next step. Who This Episode Is For Chiropractors getting website traffic but low conversions Practices struggling with online scheduling or inquiries Relationship-centered chiropractors who dislike sales pressure Anyone wondering why patients are not choosing them Resources Mentioned: Free Website/SEO Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites

In this episode, I go back to one of the original ideas behind Rocket Chiro and what used to be Black Sheep DC: relationship marketing. This topic has been near and dear to me for a long time, and I wanted to revisit it because I think it is especially relevant heading into a new year. A lot of chiropractors are either just getting started, feeling stuck, or reflecting on why their practice does not feel as stable as they want it to be. In my experience, a big part of that comes down to how you think about marketing and growth. Specifically, are you trying to build relationships, or are you just trying to make sales? Why Chiropractic Is a Relationship Business Chiropractic is not a big-ticket, one-time-sale business like real estate or high-end sales. We do not make our money from a single transaction. Chiropractic works much more like a restaurant. Restaurants succeed because they have repeat customers over a long period of time. Some people come in all the time. Some come occasionally. Some only come for special occasions. But when they want that type of food, they go back to the same place. Chiropractic works the same way. If someone comes in, finishes a care plan, and never comes back, that is not a success. That is a broken relationship. The Goal Most Chiropractors Get Wrong I talk through three different goals chiropractors tend to have. The wrong goal is simply "I want new patients." A better goal is "I want new patients who are a good fit for my practice." The best goal is "I want new patients who are a good fit for my practice and who always come to me when they need a chiropractor." That last goal changes everything. It changes how you onboard patients, how you make recommendations, how you follow up, and how you market. Retention Is Not PVA One of my long-standing soapboxes is that real retention is not a PVA number. Real retention is not about how many visits someone averages during a care plan. Real retention is about maintaining the doctor patient relationship over time. If someone sees you ten times over twenty years, but every single time they need a chiropractor they come back to you, that is incredible retention. Retention is about time, trust, and being the default chiropractor in someone's life. Dating for Marriage vs Dating for Sex I use a dating analogy to explain how mindset changes behavior. If you are dating with the intention of a long-term relationship or marriage, you move differently. You listen more. You are more honest. You care about fit. You think long term. If your only goal is to score, none of that matters. The same thing happens in chiropractic. If your only goal is to close a new patient, you will use pressure, scare tactics, and short-term thinking. If your goal is a long-term relationship, your entire approach changes. How a Relationship Mindset Changes Your Practice I walk through several areas where this mindset shows up. Onboarding looks different. You listen more, talk less, and focus on agreement instead of closing. Recommendations and care plans become more flexible, educational, and structured instead of rigid and contract-driven. Follow-up and reactivation feel natural instead of awkward. You check in because you care, not because you are desperate. Marketing shifts from chasing new patients with deals and urgency to building authority, trust, and long-term connection with both new and existing patients. Relationship Marketing and SEO I also talk about how this mindset applies to SEO and online marketing. Short-term SEO tactics rely on fake activity, fake reviews, junk backlinks, and manufactured signals. They can work briefly, but they are unstable and risky. Long-term SEO is relational. It is built on real reviews, real activity, real authority, and consistency over time. Selling to people who trust you is easy. Getting people to trust you is hard. Google works the same way. You do not game a relationship. You build one. The Big Takeaway Relationship marketing is long-term and stable. Sales marketing is short-term and unstable. One compounds. The other burns out. And the final thought I leave you with is this: What you do to get patients is what you have to do to keep them. If you rely on pressure to get people in the door, you will need pressure to keep them. If you build trust to get them, trust is what keeps them coming back. Resources Mentioned: Free Website/SEO Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites

In this episode, I talk about the three big categories that determine whether you show up in Google search and in AI-generated search results. A lot of chiropractors are being told that Google is dead and AI is taking over. I wanted to clear that up, explain what's really going on, and help you understand what matters most for your online visibility. I also share a bit about how I help chiropractors through websites, local SEO, and my Next Step program. Some key points I touch on: • Google is still very much alive and heavily used. • AI hasn't replaced Google, and AI is now part of Google anyway. • The fundamentals of local SEO still matter for both Google and AI. • You don't need to panic or chase shiny AI tools to win in local search. Why AI Confusion Is Hurting Chiropractors Lately, I've been seeing more chiropractors reach out because someone told them AI is all that matters now. A lot of marketers are using AI buzzwords to sell products or services that chiropractors don't really understand. This episode is partly a response to that confusion and partly a way to protect chiropractors from being taken advantage of. A few important reminders: • People have not suddenly stopped using Google. • AI search is influenced by many of the same signals Google uses. • Anyone claiming to know the exact formula for AI ranking is probably exaggerating. • When someone is selling you something AI-related, slow down and ask questions. • Work with people you trust, not people who rely on hype. The Three Categories That Drive Local Search Everything you want to accomplish with local SEO falls into three buckets. These buckets determine whether you show up online and how well you rank compared to other chiropractors in your area. The three categories are: • Relevance • Prominence • Proximity Even AI-powered search uses these categories, just interpreted in different ways. Relevance: The Most Straightforward Ranking Factor Relevance is simply about matching what someone is searching for. If you want to show up when someone types chiropractor in your town, you need the word chiropractor and your town on your website and your Google Business Profile. Things I see chiropractors forget: • The word chiropractor doesn't appear anywhere on their homepage. • Their title tag doesn't say chiropractor. • Their meta description never mentions their city. • Their primary Google Business Profile category is incorrect. • They expect to rank for services they never list on their site. Other important notes about relevance: • You should target chiropractor, not just chiropractic. • You should list your town, service area, and secondary services clearly. • Structured data, metadata, and image tags reinforce relevance. • Stuffing near me into your site does nothing because Google already knows your location. Prominence: The Hardest and Most Important Category Prominence is your authority, your reputation, and your trust score online. Google uses many different signals to evaluate prominence. Things that influence prominence include: • Website traffic • Backlinks from relevant sources • Local citations • Your review count • The quality of your reviews • Your brand strength in the community • How often people search for your practice name • Time spent on your site and how users interact with it Examples I discuss: • Starbucks ranks instantly because its brand is deeply recognized by Google. • The Joint has built-in authority because it's a national franchise. • A solo chiropractor with one location has to build prominence from scratch. Why prominence takes the most effort: • It requires ongoing reviews. • It requires ongoing content and activity. • It requires consistency over time. • If you stop building prominence, someone else will pass you. This is why I tell chiropractors: • Never take your foot off the gas once you start ranking well. • If you're outpacing other chiropractors two or three to one in reviews, keep going. • Prominence slips when you stop feeding it. Proximity: The Factor You Can't Control Proximity is all about physical location. It determines your map ranking radius and plays a huge role in where you show up. What affects proximity: • Where your practice is physically located • How many chiropractors surround you • How tightly clustered your competition is • Whether you are near the geographic center of a city • Whether you're in a dense metro or a small rural town Examples I explain: • If you're the only chiropractor for miles, you'll rank easily. • If you're on the edge of town, you might rank better on one side than the other. • If you're surrounded by 100 chiropractors toward downtown, ranking there is harder. • If you stop working on SEO, someone who keeps building prominence can surpass you even if they're slightly farther away. Proximity is the least flexible category, but: • Relevance and prominence can help you extend your reach. • Strong prominence can help you compete even in dense markets. Why SEO Must Be Ongoing, Not Occasional I explain why local SEO isn't a two-month project. Google and AI reward consistency, not short bursts of effort. This is why: • You build trust slowly over time. • Someone else can outrank you if they keep working and you stop. • Google wants to see an ongoing pattern of value, activity, and credibility. • SEO is more like relationship-building than advertising. Stopping SEO is like stopping exercise. You don't lose everything the next day, but over time the results fade. A Warning About AI Scams and Hype I didn't plan to talk about this part, but it came up naturally because chiropractors are getting bombarded with AI pitches. The main points I share: • Be suspicious of companies selling AI as a miracle fix. • Just because something uses the word AI does not make it helpful. • Chiropractors often don't know enough about AI to judge whether a service is legit. • This makes the profession vulnerable to bad advice and overpriced products. • Ask questions, take your time, and only hire people with proven credibility. Final Thoughts At the end of the episode, I circle back to the core message. If you want to rank well in local SEO, whether on Google or the new AI-driven platforms, your success depends on relevance, prominence, and proximity. There is no secret. There are no shortcuts. The real strategy is doing the right things consistently over time. I also thank listeners, ask them to share the podcast, and remind them that reviews are always appreciated. Resources Mentioned Free Website/SEO Review: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-practice-assessment Best chiropractic websites: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites