This is the second in a series of (4) “sneak peek” blog posts that highlight 4 BIG lessons that I’ll teach you in the Book Yourself Solid® in Private Practice 8 Week INTENSIVE Training. If you’re looking for a marketing system created specifically for service professionals (with a mental health private practice twist) this is THE training for you!
Once you’ve created a solid foundation for your private practice, you’ll be ready to start building on that foundation by establishing trust and credibility. Some of this is obvious. Consistency, follow through, honesty, and professionalism are all great ways to show you are credible.
Simple things can make or break your credibility. Make sure your business cards, website, brochures, and other marketing materials are professional (no photocopies or perforated business cards from your printer). Do what you say you are going to do — in a timely manner! Make sure you have a professional email address (hugmebaby@something.com won’t cut it). Be aware of your presence even when you think no one is looking.
Another aspect of credibility comes from what people hear and see about you. If you want to be considered as a prime/preferred referral source, people need to see you as a category authority. You’ll need to be an expert in your area of specialization.
Don’t freak out on me here… I said you’ll need to be “AN expert”; you don’t need to be “THE expert”. The dictionary defines “expert” as having special skill or knowledge. By definition (and your training/experience) you are already an expert in mental health counseling.
When it comes to your area of specialization, it is likely that you’ve forgotten more than most people will ever know about your field. The kind of “expert” that is revered by the public (referral sources and clients) is that person who is well trained, skillful, up to date, and who is a resource to the community with regard to his/her specialty.
When people see your name in print… when they hear you speak in public… when you are mentioned in tandem with your specialty — they see you as an expert. You are someone they can count to know where they are coming from, and how to help them. Remember, they must believe beyond a doubt that YOU are the person to do the job.
Credibility comes from many different sources. Your degree, your license, your reputation, your work, your associations with others, your status in the community, and your experience are just a few.
Sharing valuable information with others also helps you build credibility. Offering services, programs, and/or products to help your target market does that as well. Anything you can do to assure people that you’ve earned your wings, and you’ve dedicated yourself to serving (specific) others will help increase their trust and their tendency to see you as a great source for referrals.
When you are building your credibility you are also deepening relationships with your referral sources. You might think this is too time consuming on top of your already busy schedule. However, it is time well spent. And, if you use a CRM (client relationship management) system, you can accomplish much of this in just a few minutes a day. I use a system called Contactually; it literally takes me less than 10 minutes a day to keep up and work on those relationships.
No matter what, just remember that credibility counts — BIG time! Do whatever you can to show yourself to the world as a credible, trustworthy professional. It’s not a bonus — it’s a necessity if you want to get booked solid!
Click here to join us in the next Book Yourself Solid® in Private Practice 8-Week INTENSIVE training now!
Deb Legge is licensed to teach the Book Yourself Solid® system,
created by Michael Port, based on his mega best selling book, Book Yourself Solid®
(Neither Michael Port nor Michael Port & Associates LLC is in any way affiliated with this site or the individuals who own and operate it. Michael Port is not an affiliate, sponsor, or partner of the site or the individuals who own and operate it. Book Yourself Solid® is a registered trademark of Michael Port & Associates LLC. Certain materials contained on this website are the copyrighted works of Michael Port & Associates LLC)
