In the month of December we looked at social media and blogging for your practice, how to handle sales negotiations and first steps to take when setting up your website. This was only but the tip of the iceberg as in our podcasts we spoke about copywriting, marketing, how to get the media’s attention and a to do list for the New Year. We certainly had a wonderful December and ended 2018 on a high note!
Top Stories
Busting Myths About Starting in a Private Practice While Pre-Licensed
In talking with numerous pre- and provisionally-licensed clinicians, I’ve found there are several misconceptions about getting into a private practice while being pre-licensed. These misconceptions inhibit graduates and clinicians from moving forward with getting their practices started, which could help them prevent burnout, be income producing and overall life changing. Or these misconceptions can lead them down other paths that turn out unfulfilling, or toxic to their health and well-being. Here I’m busting the myths, so you can make more informed decisions about your future and career, because I don’t want another pre-licensed clinician to have to suffer unnecessarily.
The 4 Most Important Things I Learned While Starting My Private Practice
Truth be told, I never really considered opening up my own private practice. It was always an interest of mine to work in a private practice setting. But my assumption was always that I would be working at someone else’s group practice. And that is how my professional career started. I was lucky enough to find a very successful group practice where I was able to work as an intern, as well as work as a provisionally licensed counselor.
5 Ways to Market Your Online Counseling Practice
Once you establish your online counseling practice, your next step is to attract new clients through marketing. Fortunately, marketing your online practice is very similar to marketing an in-person practice. Here are some helpful steps to consider as you decide how best to spend your marketing time and dollars.
Podcasts
Are You a Happitalist? | PoP 341
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Pete Kirkwood about launching a new podcast and intentional activities you can undertake to living a happier life.
Jaime Masters is an Eventual Millionaire [reverse podcast] | PoP 342
In this reverse podcast episode, Jaime Masters interviews Joe Sanok about all things in private practice, what he teaches and whether you should be a specialist or a generalist.
Nick Usborne Will Teach You Conversational Copywriting | PoP 343
In this episode Joe Sanok speaks with Nick Usborne about writing good copy, merging traditional and conversational copy and how it can benefit you.
Allan Dib Has a One Page Marketing Plan for You | PoP 344
In this episode Joe Sanok speaks with Allan Dib about his bestselling book, The 1 Page Marketing Plan – how you can get more customers, make more money and stand out from the crowd.
Dr. Chloe Carmichael Knows How to Get the Media’s Attention | PoP 345
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Dr. Chloe Carmichael about fostering fruitful media relations, how you can use media coverage to create more content and grow your practice.
Your New Year To Do List | PoP 346
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about your New Years to do lists and the little steps you can take towards achieving your goals.
Before You Go…
- How to Handle the “You’re Too Expensive” Sales Negotiation Objection
Sales negotiation can be a high-stress experience and many sellers feel daunted when they hear “you’re too expensive” from a potential client, afraid to lose new customers for their practice. An increasingly competitive market pressures sellers to lower prices. Sales negotiation workshops offer strategies to improve your negotiation skills, so that you will keep earning increasing amounts in your practice, despite customers’ downward price pressures. - Self Doubt and Starting a Private Practice
The decision to start a private practice can be an anxiety ridden one for most therapists. Many therapists come to me saying things like, “how in the world can I, little old me, start a private practice?” In the words of Maya Angelou – who are you not to? Self doubt is a normal part of taking any risk as we stand tall in our vulnerability and courage declaring that we can make a difference for others. - Stop Volunteering
You need to stop volunteering. I’m serious, it’s draining you. You think it’s making an impact, but it’s not. In fact, you might be causing more harm than good. - Important But Overlooked Compliance Issues For Practices
It goes without saying that a counselling practice must place ethics at the forefront of its operations. When dealing with psychologically and emotionally vulnerable people, accountability and compliance are essential considerations. Yet, while a therapist will have to undergo up to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and pass a state-issued exam to begin practicing, this in and of itself does not assure compliance. Aside from the clinical compliance issues like HIPPA that practices may take for granted there are also inherent issues when a practice accepts remuneration from their clients. - Does Your Practice Need A Blog?
Because the more that you can market your practice, and the more proactive with your sales you are, the more results you’re going to get. One thing that can help you here is a setting up a blog on your website. - A Formula for Success that Actually Works
You’ve heard the pitch before: “Do you want to be successful? Are you tired of living a mediocre life and are feeling stuck? Well, here’s your chance to turn things around, because I know the secret. And only for a one-time purchase of “X” amount of dollars, you’ll know the secret too. - 7 Ways to Promote Your Practice on Social Media
Social media has become an excellent means of promoting the practice where the clients and parties can interact directly. It is a very effective platform for your practice because a majority of people are always available here, passing their time idly. Both you and your clients and can easily get to know each other, repost content, and strive to form a good relationship. We consider it an important matter, and so here we have shared seven ways for you to promote your practice on social media effectively. - First Steps to Get a Website Up For Your Private Practice
Creating a well designed website for your private practice is very important in marketing your practice online. It is the business card and face of your business. - Overwhelmed! 10 Tips to Effective Scheduling
Feeling stressed and over scheduled?! What new business owner doesn’t feel this way??? Especially when just starting your practice, there are so many things to consider, research and tasks to complete, it can be overwhelming. - Juggling Family Time and Building a Practice
As I have begun to build my practice this past year, something that is clear, and I’m sure resonates with everyone here, is the time commitment and mental energy that goes into it. From figuring out the best practice name, to figuring out what systems to put into place, it requires a lot of work. Many people start a practice after leaving an agency or another full-time job and this in itself can be terrifying. Among the midst of building your practice, you need to remember the reason why you are leaving the full-time job. For many it’s sense of freedom, wanting to be present with your kids and family, and wanting more independence. - The Counselor in the Room: Attending a Conference Outside Your Field
In my previous article“The Unplanned Day of Networking” I recounted a day I took advantage of random encounters as opposed to actively overextending myself to network. It’s important for mental health professionals to network and connect with others. That goes doubly so for those who want to start their own practice. Successful networking can lead to potential referrals, speaking engagements, and other opportunities. - 5 Reasons Why You Should Use Google Ads For Your Business
Google launched their online advertising platform nearly 18 years ago and up until recently, it was called Google Adwords. It has now been changed to Google Ads but the platform remains the same. It is a pay-per-click (PPC) model that allows advertisers to pay for product offerings and service listings, amongst many other things. - So, You Want To Go Into Business With Your Spouse…
When we decided to go into business as partners it became evident that our relationship would have to change if we were to be successful. Don’t get me wrong, there were some long nights and heated arguments. But working together and being married has been incredible for the business and for our marriage. - 6 Secrets: Advice for Private Practices Seeking to Successfully Manage Remote Teams
Several tips for private practices to successfully manage remote teams. One definitely needs to see them all in order to select the one that works best. - Reflection and Growth
I was recently having a discussion with a group of people about what their “growth edge” was from the previous year. It was explained to me thusly: “we’ve all got three zones in which we operate; comfort, stretch, and panic.” Of course we all know about the perils of staying in our comfort zones. But pushing too much growth, too fast might push us into our panic zones. - What I Do For Fun & How It Helps Me Grow
Most of us wear many hats, often leaving us to feel stretched thin, uninspired and exhausted. As a wife, mother, clinician and business owner, it’s important I do things to keep me feeling motivated, energized and excited. If you are feeling overwhelmed and are looking for some ways to reignite the fire that used to be inside you to do it all, here are five things I do regularly to help me stay grounded and focused.
