Mirror Coaching
  • Home
  • Blog

Are you a well-kept secret?

6/23/2012

2 Comments

 
You know how it is. You make the decision to set up your own independent therapy or coaching practice. Maybe you have had enough of being employed. Maybe you want a change of direction. Whatever the motivation, you've made that critical decision to set up on your own and you've effectively hung out your shingle, telling the world that you're available for hire ... and then you wait for the phone to ring. Sound familiar? 
The thing is, for many starting out and even for a good number of established practices, that phone isn't ringing nearly often enough, if at all, and that, technically speaking, is what we would call ... a problem!

You see (and you know this), setting up your practice is only the first part of the equation. The second, third, fourth and all subsequent parts of the equation revolve around you letting the world know that you exist. Repeatedly. And that does mean again, and again, and ... again. 

But for many therapists and coaches, that's the bit that they struggle with. Marketing? When do therapists or coaches ever get taught about marketing? It is rarely part of your core training, and, if you've been part of a public sector service before going it alone, you've never had need to think about this alien concept. The very idea of marketing your caring, therapeutic, touchy-feely client-focused services ... I mean, really! It's bad enough having to ask clients for money, isn't it! 

Making sense of marketing may not necessarily be high on your list of priorities when you start out ... but it needs to be. And it is not just about a once-only activity that will then mean that you've "done" the marketing bit, so the work will roll in. It won't. Marketing is about getting your message out to the people who need to hear it, via several channels usually and with sufficient frequency, to ensure that you remain on their radar, so that, when they do need services such as yours, you are one of their first points of reference.

It requires research, planning ... and commitment to regular action. A one-off letter to potential referrers or the initial launch of a website is not enough. You need to draw up a plan of action that will ensure your business maintains a high level of visibility with those who might need what you have to offer.

Without regular, focussed action on your part, your services will remain a well-kept secret ... is that what you want? 

I doubt it. So ... why not take a moment now to write down three things that you could do in the next week to promote your business. For example, think of three potential referrers you need to make contact with; identify a directory that you need to be listed in and find out what's involved in getting that listing; attend a networking meeting that will put you in front of colleagues with whom you can develop cross-referral links. Write them down - or better yet, add them as a comment below, so you've publicly committed to them, and then come back here soon to let me know how you got on.

And if you need some support in moving this forward so that your secret is out there, well you know how to contact me ...
2 Comments
Sean Mantack link
6/23/2012 07:29:16 am

Very good advice for any coach just setting up their practice, in fact the advice is valuable whether you are starting out or have been established for quite some time. Great informative article, very well written.

Reply
Scott Bayley link
6/25/2012 08:29:46 am

Great post Colin

Two rules I go by when marketing are:

1. Plan it – as with your list of 3 things, plan your marketing & stick to it, ensuring sufficient time is dedicated

2. Be consistent – also, in line with your post, you need to keep on pushing your names/product/services out there with consistency. People rarely ‘bite’ initially but once you’re in their heads they will call on you if required

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    business coaching for therapists with Mirror Coaching

    RSS Feed

    Colin's Blog

    Reflecting my approach to business

    Register to access our practice building mailing list
    * indicates required
    Close


    Archives

    January 2014
    December 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    November 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    Accountability
    Babcp Ipsig
    Be Accountable
    Beating Procrastinating
    Blogging
    Body Shape
    Boost Self-confidence
    Change
    Coaching
    Confidence
    Expanding Your Influence
    Fee Setting
    Future Movie
    Get On Their Radar
    Getting Clients
    Getting Things Done
    Goals; Action
    Goal Setting
    Google
    Life Coach
    Lips
    London
    Marketing
    Potential
    Preferred Referrals
    Radar
    Recognise Your Time Drainers
    Recognise Your Time-drainers
    Referral Marketing
    Reflection
    Repurposing Your Writing
    Setting Goals
    Setting Up In Private Practice
    Social Media
    Story Telling
    Story-telling
    Support
    Take Action
    Time Management
    To Do Lists
    To-do Lists
    Visualisation
    Word Of Mouth
    Workshop
    Your Business Vision
    Your Dream Practice
    Your Ideal Private Practice

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

    Colin Clerkin, EzineArticles.com Basic Author

Mirror Coaching is part of Clerkin Psychology Services, a Limited Company registered in England & Wales at Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU 
Clerkin Psychology Services company number is 6062153 - Copyright © 2010 - 2018 Clerkin Psychology Services Ltd