Why You’re Ashamed of Selling as a Physician— And Why That Has to Change
If you’re a physician entrepreneur, you didn’t go to med school thinking you’d need to “sell” anything.
But here you are.
Trying to grow your practice.
Launch that course.
Build a profitable business.
And something keeps getting in the way:
You’re ashamed of selling.
You feel like selling is pushy.
Like it’s beneath you.
Like you’re being unprofessional.
But let’s pause.
Because that mindset is keeping your impact small — and your business stuck.
You Already Know How to Sell
You do it every single day.
You just don’t call it that.
When a hypertensive patient says they found an herb on YouTube and stopped their meds…
You don’t freeze.
You don’t walk away.
You don’t say, “I’m afraid they’ll think I’m too aggressive.”
You sell them on the truth.
You:
- Diagnose the real problem (usually confusion, fear, or misinformation)
- Share the consequences of inaction
- Communicate a better path
- And confidently recommend the solution
That’s sales.
Rooted in service.
Backed by expertise.
And led by love.
So when it comes to your business, ask yourself:
What problem do I solve?
And what could life look like for your clients on the other side of that solution?
Selling Isn’t About You
This is where most physicians get tripped up.
You start thinking:
- How do I sound?
- Will people think I’m greedy?
- What if I get rejected?
But here’s the truth:
Your business is not about you.
It exists to solve a problem — and get a thank you note called money.
That’s it.
So take your eyes off yourself.
Put them on the people you’re here to serve.
When you promote your services, you’re not bragging — you’re offering help.
You’re not being salesy — you’re being a leader.
Your Ethical Responsibility
Imagine a person with a problem your practice solves.
They follow your content.
They’ve been watching from the sidelines.
They trust you — but they don’t know what to do next.
They’re waiting for you to ask.
They’re silently wondering:
- “Does this doctor work with people like me?”
- “Will they have time for me?”
- “Should I reach out, or will I be bothering them?”
They need an invitation.
They need clarity.
They need leadership.
And that leadership comes through a confident, clear offer.
If your service can transform a life, it’s your ethical responsibility to promote it.
But What If You’re Bad at It?
That’s normal.
You were bad at intubation once, too.
You were bad at progress notes, at first consults, at time management.
But you got better — by doing it.
Selling is no different.
You put in the reps.
- Speak on stages
- Do webinars
- Write weekly emails
- Make daily offers
- Evaluate and improve
Do it poorly, consistently, until you do it well.
Then keep going.
No, Your Service Won’t “Sell Itself”
Even if your work is amazing.
Even if your results speak volumes.
Even if your patients love you.
It still needs a voice.
Think of the most impactful companies in the world — Apple, Amazon, Mayo Clinic.
They market.
They sell.
Not because their services are weak, but because their mission is strong.
If you’re waiting for the world to discover you, you’re going to be waiting a long time.
Let’s Make This Practical
If you’re ready to overcome the shame of selling, here’s where to start:
1. Reframe sales as service
You’re not taking — you’re giving.
You’re not convincing — you’re clarifying.
You’re not pushing — you’re guiding.
2. Get clear on the problem you solve
Who is suffering silently that your work could heal?
3. Make daily invitations
Emails. Calls. Content. Conversations.
Make it a habit. Like rounds. Like charting. Like follow-up.
4. Stop waiting for “good enough”
Your skill grows as you go.
There is no perfect script — only perfect reps.
This Is Your Moment
You became a physician to help people.
You became an entrepreneur to create freedom.
Don’t let shame block both.
Selling isn’t a dirty word.
It’s the key that unlocks the impact, income, and influence you’ve worked so hard for.
And you don’t have to do it perfectly.
You just have to start.
So today, make the offer.
Send the email.
Post the invite.
Tell the world what you do — and who you help.
Your next dream client is waiting for you to ask.
The Fastest Path to Business Growth for Physician Entrepreneurs
You became a doctor to help people not to be stuck in survival mode.
If you’re ready to scale your practice or business with a proven system, you don’t have to do it alone.
When you’re ready, here are 4 ways we can help you:
The EntreMD Business School –Join a thriving community of 100+ physicians and gain the business education medical school didn’t teach you. Apply today to take the next step.
The EntreMD Podcast – Weekly insights from top physician entrepreneurs.
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