Learning how to market your therapy practice is an essential part of bringing in new therapy clients. If you are in a small town, it’s easy to think marketing doesn’t really apply to you, but learning to make shrewd marketing decisions is crucial to building your practice. Regardless of how small your community is, you can use marketing to help your town understand your practice’s value, turn to you when they need help, and recommend you when others are in need. Plus, especially if you’re offering services via telehealth, you can position yourself as an important resource to others who live in more rural areas of your state or province.
Marketing your therapy practice is an integral part of any private practice business plan. There are many different marketing goals that you could set for your practice, but ultimately, what you want is to be easy to find for the right sort of clients for you. Here are some ways you can make that happen.
Most people looking for a therapist, no matter what their demographics, will start their search for a therapist online. When learning how to market yourself as a therapist, a directory can be a great tool. Directories like GoodTherapy help potential clients find a therapist in their area that offers the kind of services they need. Having a profile on a therapist directory can ensure you meet potential clients in the middle of their search. And before you ask, yes, we recommend signing up for more than one. Being findable consistently around the internet can have a big impact on the way potential clients view you.
Websites are a vital part of building an online presence. A therapy website should include information about your credentials, what you offer, who you help, and how people can reach out to you, but it’s so much more than that. We recommend creating a website with the support of Brighter Vision – they specialize in creating therapist websites that help you establish a strong online presence in an empathetic and understanding way.
Blogging can be a great place to establish yourself in your niche. Many therapists have a blog as part of their practice website. Through blog articles, you can share your ideas and offer new insight and a better understanding of mental health topics to your community, while also demonstrating your approachability and expertise. This can also be an excellent outlet for talking about your specialties. By incorporating SEO strategies, you can use your blog to draw more people to your website who are searching for services online.
GoodTherapy members are invited to contribute unique, original content to the GoodTherapy blog, which enhances your online presence, gives more context to your profile, improves your SEO rankings, and helps you establish yourself as an authority in your niche. Not a GoodTherapy member yet? Learn more here.
Writing a column or op-ed for your local paper can be a fantastic way to engage those in your community. You can use this platform to speak to mental health issues in your community, work to destigmatize mental health issues, and make yourself a trustworthy resource known in your area.
Community events are an easy way to get your name out there. Running a booth at an event, sponsoring a play or team, or taking out an ad in a program are great ways to market yourself as a therapist. The more people see you present and participating in the community as a professional, the more likely they are to reach out should they need help.
You don’t have to be a tech whiz to use social media marketing for your therapy practice. Not only is a professional social media presence a great way for people to find and learn about you, but it can also help you establish your identity as a therapist. Social media and mental health can be strong partners, especially as people try to curate their feeds to maximize positivity, growth, and inspiration. On these platforms, you can give a sense of what it’s like to be in therapy with you and keep yourself in front of potential clients. As a starting point, we recommend creating a professional Instagram account, even if just to share quotes by your favorite therapists, researchers, and writers. (Of course, sharing your own insights is also a great idea.)
People may reach out to you on social media outlets to ask about your practice and make appointments, so make sure to respond to the messages and comments you receive promptly.
Leaving business cards everywhere you go can help you reach people you might not come across otherwise. Most coffee shops or local businesses have a place where other businesses can pin their card. You can also think outside of the box and market your therapy practice by leaving your business card on benches, bus stops, and other places people might find them.
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