Establishing a steady stream of referrals that brings you more clients than you can imagine is the goal of most mental health professionals in private practice. This series will take you on a road trip; the purpose of which is to give you a whole new perspective and purpose when it comes to marketing your practice. Each message builds on the last. Learn what it takes to build your business and feel good about how you do it.
This is the second of a 10-day series of messages created just for you. Today, we’re stopping over to collect our thoughts (and get rejuvenated for tomorrow’s leg of the journey from Point A (not enough referrals) to Point B (a strong referral network). Today — we are assessing where we are and how we got here!
Day 2: Let go of your limiting beliefs and gain the respect of your market!
When it comes to marketing your practice, do your demons get you down at times? You know — “What makes me so special?”… “I’m never going to get any referrals”… “What do I know?”… “I can’t do this”. Come on… you are a therapist. You know the cost of these types of limiting beliefs.
You also know that the only way to quiet those demons is to challenge those limiting beliefs and replace them with facts that empower you and enlighten others. You’ve got to determine what makes you special and find a way to relay that to others with humility and gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
Take the time (right now!) to write down the beliefs and thoughts that drag you down and hold you back from getting noticed. Then, write down a replacement that is steeped in the truth.
You may find that you have a concern that needs some attention before you can correct it. Do it. If you don’t you will never reach your potential.
One “difficult to refute” concern for many people who are new to private practice is “nothing makes me stand out in the crowd”.
Here’s a TIP (that you may not want to hear): You MUST become an expert in your target market if you want to succeed
You MUST stand out in your market. Standing out in your market is “power”.
The most valuable type of power you can bring to your market is “expert power”. You must become an expert in your market in order to stand out and be seen at the head of the pack by your referral sources and your clients.
Once you identify your target market and ideal clients (we’ll talk more about that tomorrow), take the time and energy to know what there is to know about those you serve. It will make you feel more competent and confident. It will shine through in your work. It will give you the “edge” you need to take your place at the top of the heap.
Still unsure… scared… a little intimidated? Don’t be. You don’t have to be the world expert in your market. You need to know enough to become an authority; enough to make you the person referral sources will turn to when they need something. You’re likely already much more expert than you see yourself to be. You’ve probably forgotten more than most people know about your area of expertise. Step back and take a good, hard look at what you know. Then… fill in the blanks and increase your power in your market!
took me a week to do ‘today’ – my are those limiting beliefs strong
my are those limiting beliefs strong – it took me a whole week just to sit down and write them down.
thanks
@Allan — amazing, right? Those limiting beliefs will squash you if you let them. Now that you’ve written them down, it’s time to let them go! Good luck Allan.