Stop Making "Marketing Monday" Posts in Your Local Facebook Group

Let’s talk about something I see a lot in therapist Facebook groups and online communities: the weekly “Marketing Monday” threads. You know the ones—someone drops a post inviting others to share their Psychology Today profile or website link, and the comments fill up with a hundred links. or maybe you're in a group that allows individual posts, and you find yourself scrolling through dozens of Marketing Monday posts to get to the information that you're looking for.

I get it. We’re all looking to grow our practices and get our names out there. But here’s the hard truth: those posts aren’t helping you get clients. If anything, they can make it seem like you’re hoping someone else will do the heavy lifting of marketing your practice for you.

Now before you stop reading, hear me out.

Those posts might feel productive, but they’re mostly just passive marketing. You’re tossing your info into a sea of other therapists and hoping someone clicks. It’s the equivalent of setting your business card on a giant pile at a networking event and walking out the door. No one remembers a name on a list of 100. And unless you’ve got a super clear niche that jumps off the page (and even then…), you’re not standing out.

More importantly, that approach leans heavily on the idea that other therapists will do the work of referring to you. But here’s the thing—referrals come from relationships, not Facebook posts.

What Actually Builds Referrals? Relationships!

When another therapist sends a client your way, it’s because they trust you. That trust doesn’t come from a link in a Facebook post—it comes from a conversation and connection. It comes from sharing a little about who you are, how you work, and who you love to help. It helps other therapists and providers think, “Oh, I know exactly who would be a great fit for this client!”

That kind of connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s what you can do instead of making "Marketing Monday" posts.

• Reach out to a few local therapists whose work you admire. Send a quick email introducing yourself, and invite them to connect over Zoom or coffee.

• Show up consistently in your professional communities. Comment thoughtfully on posts. Share resources. Be someone others recognize, not just someone who drops a link and asks for referrals every week.

• Offer something helpful first. If you’ve got a resource, blog post, or client handout that might be useful to others—share it. Be generous without expecting something in return.

• Know your niche. (Yes, I’m saying it again.) I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but the clearer you are about who you help, the easier it is for others to remember you when they need to make a referral. “She works Autistic adults navigating Autistic burnout” is way more memorable than “anxiety and depression.”

Bottom Line

If you’re relying on “Marketing Monday” posts to fill your caseload, it’s time to shift your strategy. Start building real relationships with other professionals in your community. Be a name and a face, not just a link. You don’t need to network with everyone—just a few thoughtful, intentional connections can make all the difference!

And if you’re not sure how to start those conversations, start with this: “Hi, I’m a therapist in [your area] who works with [your niche]. I’d love to connect with you over coffee to learn more about your practice!"

It doesn’t have to be fancy, just relational.