| It may surprise you that more searches for | | | | One of the most popular websites is While it is |
| therapists occur online than through the Yellow | | | | primarily used for entertainment, more and more |
| Pages. Many therapists have already abandoned | | | | it is used for education and marketing. I think |
| the Yellow Pages for being expensive and not | | | | video has largely been underutilized by therapists. |
| yielding results. There are increasing numbers of | | | | has become another of the most popular |
| people who say, "If your not on the internet, I'm | | | | websites. Some use it to keep in touch with |
| not interested." Look for this to continue to | | | | friends and others use it for marketing. Use it for |
| increase at an exponential rate. | | | | on or the other. If you want to use it for both |
| Marketing yourself is a public service. This means | | | | purposes, use a personal email account for a |
| letting people know how you can be of service to | | | | Profile and a business email for a business Page. |
| them. Your internet presence allows people looking | | | | is a business site, primarily for entrepreneurs. It is |
| for someone to help them solve whatever pain | | | | a way to network, especially with non-therapists. |
| they are in. If you have no internet presence, | | | | is a source that you can announce publishing a |
| many people will not find you and determine if | | | | paper, changes to your website, good books and |
| you may be of service to them. Marketing is | | | | articles, workshops that you might offer, etc. |
| making your presence known. It is NOT a hard | | | | Many offer free things like recordings, articles, etc. |
| sell, trying to ram anything down anyone's throat. | | | | It is another way to network with other |
| Advertising is presenting yourself mostly to | | | | professionals. It's popularity is exploding. |
| people who aren't interested in what you have to | | | | is a site for therapists. Part of the impetus was |
| offer. This is why most print advertising does not | | | | to have another legitimate site where you could |
| yield clients. | | | | have a link to your website (the more links to |
| An internet presence can be started (or | | | | your site, the better Google will find your site). It |
| expanded) for free, using these methods. | | | | also has professional forums to discuss |
| Getting yourself on free listing sites | | | | professional and marketing issues. There isn't |
| Many sites have both free and paid listings. | | | | nearly as much information as in the forums for |
| Generally, start with the free listing. I found my | | | | those who use the Psychology Today listing |
| free listing showing on the first page of Google | | | | service, although that costs almost $30/mo, |
| search within one week. Begin with seeing if your | | | | which has been a great resource and referral |
| professional organization has listings. These are | | | | source for me. |
| often free. Next check with other mental health | | | | Like most things, the more you invest in being |
| groups you belong to and see if they have listings, | | | | involved with social media, the more you will |
| ex. Anxiety Disorders of America Association. | | | | benefit. If you are active, you can minimally |
| Some are free. Some have additional charges. | | | | expect some increase in website/blog traffic. This |
| Find the listing sites for Google business. This will | | | | may or may not equate to client referrals. |
| also get you listed on Google maps, which show | | | | Writing articles |
| at the top of Google searches. Also do this for | | | | Another way to develop a presence is to write |
| Yahoo business. Find other business and mental | | | | self-help and other articles. A popular sites to |
| health listing sites by Googling "free business listing | | | | submit articles is You can also submit to some of |
| sites," free mental health listing sites," etc. | | | | the listing and social media sites. When you write, |
| Create a free website | | | | distribute your writings in as many ways as you |
| Prior to creating a website, create a professional | | | | can. Post them on your website and blog. Have |
| profile on one of the social network sites, such as | | | | copies in your office waiting room. Fax copies, as |
| or The consensus is that a website is now a | | | | is relevant with other fax communications. I |
| necessity for therapists. It will greatly increase | | | | routinely do this when I fax treatment updates to |
| your presence and legitimacy beyond having your | | | | physicians. Offer copies to physicians, schools, |
| profile listed in different places. One can quickly | | | | clergy, etc. |
| create a simple site. You will want to present | | | | Outside of the content, writings give others at |
| information that will speak to the pain of those | | | | least a glimpse of yourself. This is an opportunity |
| clients you would most like to see. This will attract | | | | to get to know, like, and trust you. The more |
| your "Ideal client" much more than if you describe | | | | that happens, the more people will come to you |
| yourself as a "caring person who provides a safe | | | | to help them achieve solutions. |
| place," etc. Conventional wisdom is that your | | | | Put your website address and contact information |
| content is 80% about the client and 20% about | | | | on everything |
| yourself. | | | | Make sure your address is on your business |
| Don't wait until you have a perfect site planned. | | | | cards, stationary, fax sheets, etc. Just the fact |
| Better to get a functional site up, asap. Websites | | | | that you have a website adds to your credibility, |
| are dynamic entities. You will want to refine, | | | | regardless if the receiver has the interest in |
| probably add, and sometimes delete what you | | | | checking it out. Create a "signature file" at the |
| began with. How you write gives others a sense | | | | bottom of your email accounts. Minimally, include |
| of who and what you are. Be sure to include a | | | | your web address, blog, etc. under your name, |
| head shot photo of yourself with a big smile. | | | | business address, business phone. Consider putting |
| Begin with your DSL provider and see what they | | | | other information there, such as free offers, |
| offer. Google "free websites." Look for templates | | | | signing up for your news letter, etc. If you are |
| that you like, flexibility, expandability, etc. Many of | | | | going to start a group, give a talk, etc., consider |
| the free sites will also let you expand your site, | | | | including that information, while it is relevant, i.e., |
| more, for a monthly fee. Most options will cost | | | | remove that information after it occurred. |
| between $5 and $10 a month. | | | | In conclusion, you can't do all of these things in a |
| Consider creating a free blog | | | | single day. However, you can complete some of |
| Some will start a blog, rather than a website. | | | | these things Today. Keep reasonable |
| Generally, a website is more versatile and should | | | | expectations. When you do these things, it isn't |
| be your first priority. A blog will probably serve | | | | likely that you will have 10 people call you a week |
| you best, the more specific it is, i.e., focuses on a | | | | and want to self-pay. You will find that new clients |
| niche, such as ADHD, OCD, etc. Two popular free | | | | will increasingly say, "I found you on the internet." |
| sites to start a blog are and If you do a blog, aim | | | | Marketing is a dynamic process. Generally, our |
| to write at least twice a month. | | | | efforts are cumulative. |
| Social media | | | | This is not the end of marketing. You will probably |
| The use of social media is exploding and will | | | | want to expand into other low cost strategies, |
| continue to grow. It is a way of connecting with | | | | including purchasing a domain name for your |
| friends and colleagues, as well as others finding us. | | | | website, using one or several paid listing services, |
| Therapists and others are increasingly finding | | | | etc. Continue to educate yourself about marketing |
| ways to market via social media. | | | | and new avenues. Good luck and good marketing. |