BH Practice Marketing Budget 2026 — What to Spend Where

BH Practice Marketing Budget — 2026 Allocation Guide

Typical Budget Levels

  • Startup (year 1): $15-40K
  • Small practice (1-5 providers): $20-60K/year
  • Mid practice (5-15 providers): $60-150K/year
  • Large practice (15+ providers): $150K-500K/year

Where to Spend (Ranked by ROI)

  1. Google Business Profile optimization: FREE (highest ROI)
  2. Website SEO: $500-3K/month
  3. Directory listings (Psychology Today, TherapyDen): $30-100/month per platform
  4. Google Ads: $50-500/day (LegitScript-certified for SUD)
  5. Referral relationships (PCPs, schools): $0-5K in relationship building
  6. Content marketing (blog, LinkedIn): $500-3K/month
  7. Patient reviews solicitation: $200-800/month tool cost
  8. Facebook + Instagram organic: $500-2K/month
  9. Meta + LinkedIn paid ads: $500-5K/month
  10. Direct mail (if applicable): $1-3K/campaign

What NOT to Waste On (2026)

  • Yellow Pages print
  • Radio ads (unless very targeted local)
  • SEO-mill agencies ($500/mo will not work)
  • Buying followers/reviews (Google detects)
  • Cold call telemarketers

Expected Patient Acquisition Cost

  • SEO/organic: $30-100 per patient
  • Google Ads: $150-500 per patient
  • Facebook Ads: $100-300 per patient
  • Referrals: $0-50 per patient (relationship investment)

Revenant Care Marketing Advisory

– KD, Revenant Care