Second semester is in full swing. The holidays are over, so the phone will soon ring again for therapists (if it isn't already happening for you). However, therapist-shopping is at a all-time high, especially as people are more conscious of wanting to get the most for their money. Have you thought about how your marketing style will stand out above the rest? What are you doing to attract clients and keep them coming back to you rather than moving on to the next therapist?
Private practice dynamics can be very creative. You don't have to remain locked into standard ways of advertising, such as yellow pages, giving presentations, etc. It's your business and you want it to be a reflection of who you are as a therapist...and as a person. First and foremost, if you haven't already, identify your ideal client. I know you've heard us mention this time and again, but how can you possibly know what creative route to take, if you aren't sure your ideal client will be there to see it?
Here are some suggestions that may help you stand out from other therapists in your area:
1) If you haven't done so in a while, consider upgrading your website. Adding an audio clip or a video clip of yourself inviting the reader to read more about your style and the site provides an opportunity to the reader to get to know you better than text alone does. The more they connect and feel comfortable with you, the more likely they will secure your services over another therapist.
2) Consider free phone consultations. Again, this allows more one-on-one interaction with a potential client and gives them an opportunity to understand your therapeutic style as well as giving you an opportunity to determine if this is the right client for you.
3) Offer longer sessions. I started doing this recently for my couples' intakes. They are now 75-minutes (and I charge accordingly), which give me an opportunity to slow down and really work on connecting with the couple, rather than feeling like I only have 50-minutes to collect history, assess for crises and build rapport, which left me feeling rushed. The 75-minute session gives me the freedom to hear more of the couples' concerns, really pay attention to their needs and respond with more therapeutic intervention, allowing the couple to feel like we're really working towards resolution of the problem even from the first session.
As you can see, there are many ways to be creative in attracting your ideal client, while maintaining legal and ethical boundaries. There is no rule that we, as clinicians, must adhere to a 50-minute hour or confine ourselves to specific means of advertising. One of the benefits of private practice is you have the ability to do whatever you want with it! Don't let anyone convince you to run your business in a way that doesn't feel practical or do-able for you. Thinking outside of the box allows you to stand out from the crowd, which can lead to more business and more job satisfaction.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, December 14, 2008
As 2008 Wraps Up....
Whether this is your first year in private practice or you're a seasoned veteran, congratulations on making it through another year! You might find December to be busy as clients find themselves in pre-holiday crises, or you might find your caseload a bit lighter as clients become involved with holiday festivities. Either way, as 2008 is winding down, there's still much you can do to help your practice thrive.
* If you're behind in reconciling your accounts and billing, get on it! Many insurance companies want to close out their books as well. In my experience, insurance companies tend to have faster turn-around times in processing your CMS forms at this time of the year.
* Set aside time to catch up on any charting that needs to be done. You don't want start 2009 with loose ends from 2008 - and it's critical that you have your charts in order in the event of an audit or subpoena.
* If business is slow, this is a great time to review your business plan for 2008 and see how you did. Look at your accomplishments and make some notes about what you might want to do differently Use this review as a starting point for re-evaluating your business plan and developing your goals for 2009.
* Use any downtime to update your website, your AdWords campaign, or any other internet-based marketing strategies. As people seek help recovering from a stressful holiday season, your website will be there to give them what they're looking for.
* If you're going to take any time off during the holidays, start informing clients now. This will help them deal with any crises they have and give you the space to enjoy the holidays.
* Keep your schedule balanced. Between clients, paperwork, shopping, and festivities of your own, this month can feel overwhelming! Carve out time to accommodate what you need to do for your practice and what you want to do for the holidays.
* If you're behind in reconciling your accounts and billing, get on it! Many insurance companies want to close out their books as well. In my experience, insurance companies tend to have faster turn-around times in processing your CMS forms at this time of the year.
* Set aside time to catch up on any charting that needs to be done. You don't want start 2009 with loose ends from 2008 - and it's critical that you have your charts in order in the event of an audit or subpoena.
* If business is slow, this is a great time to review your business plan for 2008 and see how you did. Look at your accomplishments and make some notes about what you might want to do differently Use this review as a starting point for re-evaluating your business plan and developing your goals for 2009.
* Use any downtime to update your website, your AdWords campaign, or any other internet-based marketing strategies. As people seek help recovering from a stressful holiday season, your website will be there to give them what they're looking for.
* If you're going to take any time off during the holidays, start informing clients now. This will help them deal with any crises they have and give you the space to enjoy the holidays.
* Keep your schedule balanced. Between clients, paperwork, shopping, and festivities of your own, this month can feel overwhelming! Carve out time to accommodate what you need to do for your practice and what you want to do for the holidays.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Teleclass CD Now On Sale!
Have you participated in some of our teleclasses, but missed out on prior topics that are of interest to you?
Due to the number of requests we've received, we have taken 5 of our most popular teleclasses and are making them available on 1 CD!
Learn about:
• How to get clients to say "YES" when they call
• The Pros & Cons of Taking Insurance
• How to Uphold Practice Policies
• The Ins and Out of Private Practice
• How to Establish a Vision for Your Practice
Other teleconferences are sold for $25-50 each. In this special package, you'll get 5 separate 1-hour conferences on 1 CD for just $50. That's 5 hours of valuable marketing and practice-building information at an unbeatable price. Don't pass up this introductory offer as this price will only be available to you until November 15th!
Go to http://www.askbelieveachieve.org and reserve your copy today!
Jodi Blackley, MFT
Steve McCready, MFT
http://www.askbelieveachieve.org
Due to the number of requests we've received, we have taken 5 of our most popular teleclasses and are making them available on 1 CD!
Learn about:
• How to get clients to say "YES" when they call
• The Pros & Cons of Taking Insurance
• How to Uphold Practice Policies
• The Ins and Out of Private Practice
• How to Establish a Vision for Your Practice
Other teleconferences are sold for $25-50 each. In this special package, you'll get 5 separate 1-hour conferences on 1 CD for just $50. That's 5 hours of valuable marketing and practice-building information at an unbeatable price. Don't pass up this introductory offer as this price will only be available to you until November 15th!
Go to http://www.askbelieveachieve.org and reserve your copy today!
Jodi Blackley, MFT
Steve McCready, MFT
http://www.askbelieveachieve.org
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Stay On Top of Your Practice
With the economy in crisis, people are becoming more particular with how they spend their funds. You might be experiencing a dip in your client load; however, it doesn't mean that you can't use this downtime to organize your schedule and implement some balance in your life. So, what can you do to find such balance?
1) If your level of self-care has decreased, use this time to focus on yourself. Schedule in time for yourself now, while you have that time, so when your phone is ringing off the hook once again, you will already have that self-care time built in.
2) Want to alter some aspect of your practice? Use this time to revamp how your run your business.
3) Need to update your website or marketing plan? Now is the perfect time to do so! Block out time in your schedule to work on your marketing plan, visit doctors' offices, join networking groups and plan presentations.
These are a few ways you can maintain a positive outlook on a stress period in our nation, which in turn will make your practice stronger and you'll be more prepared for the influx of clients who will need your services to recuperate from this ordeal. Many therapists are taking a reactive, negative stance to the economic situation. If you don't allow yourself to be swayed by such negativity and continue to work on yourself and your practice, those efforts will result with more positive energy and focus, which is what we need to maintain a healthy practice and what our clients need from us.
1) If your level of self-care has decreased, use this time to focus on yourself. Schedule in time for yourself now, while you have that time, so when your phone is ringing off the hook once again, you will already have that self-care time built in.
2) Want to alter some aspect of your practice? Use this time to revamp how your run your business.
3) Need to update your website or marketing plan? Now is the perfect time to do so! Block out time in your schedule to work on your marketing plan, visit doctors' offices, join networking groups and plan presentations.
These are a few ways you can maintain a positive outlook on a stress period in our nation, which in turn will make your practice stronger and you'll be more prepared for the influx of clients who will need your services to recuperate from this ordeal. Many therapists are taking a reactive, negative stance to the economic situation. If you don't allow yourself to be swayed by such negativity and continue to work on yourself and your practice, those efforts will result with more positive energy and focus, which is what we need to maintain a healthy practice and what our clients need from us.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Create a Vision for your Practice
How will you know if your successful if you don't have a way to measure success?
How will you know when you've achieved your dream practice?
Join us on September 16 at 2:00pm (PDT) for a teleconference call on Building a Vision for your Practice. Learn how to set up a business plan so that you can measure your success.
Sign up today by going to our website Ask! Believe! Achieve!.
Look forward to seeing you there!
How will you know when you've achieved your dream practice?
Join us on September 16 at 2:00pm (PDT) for a teleconference call on Building a Vision for your Practice. Learn how to set up a business plan so that you can measure your success.
Sign up today by going to our website Ask! Believe! Achieve!.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail
If you don't have a business plan, or a vision for your practice, then how will you know what to work on?
How will you know when you've succeeded?
What will that look like?
Whether you're already in private practice, or just thinking about the possibility, it is never too early to work on a vision for your practice.
Join us on August 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm PDT for a FREE teleconference call on "Creating Your Practice Vision".
You can sign up today by clicking here!
Don't "fail to plan" to include this teleconference on your schedule!
We look forward to seeing you there!
We also have a new listserv up and running for those looking for ways to build their dream practice. Join us today by registering at Ask! Believe! Achieve! Yahoo Group.
How will you know when you've succeeded?
What will that look like?
Whether you're already in private practice, or just thinking about the possibility, it is never too early to work on a vision for your practice.
Join us on August 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm PDT for a FREE teleconference call on "Creating Your Practice Vision".
You can sign up today by clicking here!
Don't "fail to plan" to include this teleconference on your schedule!
We look forward to seeing you there!
We also have a new listserv up and running for those looking for ways to build their dream practice. Join us today by registering at Ask! Believe! Achieve! Yahoo Group.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Value of Therapy
Whether or not it qualifies as a recession, it's clear that we are experiencing an economic slowdown across the nation. You may have seen the impact of this in your practice - fewer calls, or more potential clients who are 'price shopping'. This can be distressing, but you don't need to panic or start looking for another job. Instead, you'll want to continue to work on marketing yourself as effectively as possible, and a key component of this is helping clients understand the value of coming to see you for their therapy needs.
If client are going to be more careful with how they spend their dollars, then it's important you convey how and why you are the best therapist for them. Help your potential clients to believe that you will be providing them value for their money. What are some of the ways you can do this?
1) Define your "ideal client" as well as the services you provide to this target population.
2) Convey these qualifications on your website and in your other marketing materials.
3) Get professional looking business cards, that don't demonstrate they're "free."
4) Work on a phone script (or several even!) to help you discuss your strengths with a potential client, so when they inquire about your fee, you can reply with confidence, as well as begin building rapport, so the client responds to you in a positive manner.
5) Have confidence in your skills and your ability to help others, and remind yourself of this before speaking with clients.
There will always be clients who are shopping for the 'lowest price'. That's okay - there are still plenty of people out there who will invest the money in a service that provides them with clear value. Continue to believe in yourself and your skills. We know therapists who are having record months right in the midst of this economic downturn, there's no reason you can't do it, too!
If client are going to be more careful with how they spend their dollars, then it's important you convey how and why you are the best therapist for them. Help your potential clients to believe that you will be providing them value for their money. What are some of the ways you can do this?
1) Define your "ideal client" as well as the services you provide to this target population.
2) Convey these qualifications on your website and in your other marketing materials.
3) Get professional looking business cards, that don't demonstrate they're "free."
4) Work on a phone script (or several even!) to help you discuss your strengths with a potential client, so when they inquire about your fee, you can reply with confidence, as well as begin building rapport, so the client responds to you in a positive manner.
5) Have confidence in your skills and your ability to help others, and remind yourself of this before speaking with clients.
There will always be clients who are shopping for the 'lowest price'. That's okay - there are still plenty of people out there who will invest the money in a service that provides them with clear value. Continue to believe in yourself and your skills. We know therapists who are having record months right in the midst of this economic downturn, there's no reason you can't do it, too!
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