Getting new clients is the raison d’etre for your site. Yes, we want to make it easier for existing clients to schedule a new appointment, but the main focus of your web site is, or should be, getting new clients.
From the perspective of a potential client
Consider shopping for a therapist (and it is shopping, even if we would prefer to imagine ourselves as on a higher plane) from the perspective of a potential client. What can motivate the client to choose you?
Press Their Button
Often, the first item that strikes the attention of a client is the collection of acronyms after your name. Unfortunately, while your degrees represent a real accomplishment to you, often they don’t mean too much to the potential client who is reaching out for help.
After somebody gets to your site, you have just ten to twenty seconds to press their buttons. Just ten to twenty seconds to connect with their pain and get them intrigued enough to consider reaching out to you. If their interest is in coping with trauma, moving past grief, saving their marriage, or some other issue where you offer treatment, make sure that they know that you can help. Getting new clients requires that you press their buttons, make a connection and establish that you can help.
Distinguish Yourself
There are lots of therapists and counsellors, and even coaches, competing for attention. If you have special skills or credentials, help potential clients and referral sources understand why you are a good choice to contact for help.
Do you have special training in family therapy? Experience in helping hundreds of clients with a particular problem? Have you written a book or been recognized as an expert witness? To be successful in helping your patients you need great clinical skills. For getting new clients, you need good practice at marketing your skills (or you need to partner with a resource that can help you market your therapy practice).
Emphasize You, Approachable You
Even if you run a multi-person practice, ultimately the client or referral source needs to connect with an individual therapist. They want to know something about you, or about the other therapists in your practice. They want to know that you are approachable, human, competent, and caring. Getting new clients requires that potential clients start feeling a real connection with you.
The first step is to include a headshot in your site. And, smile! The aloof, unapproachable therapist is not going to succeed in getting new clients.
Let your personality come through in your web content! In person you may be very warm, very funny, very tough, very calming, or have a high energy level. Adding a human dimension to your content will help distinguish you in a very crowded market.
Don’t be just another listing on PsychologyToday or on Google. Stand out. Be real.
Get Help
How much experience do you have in web marketing? How much knowledge do you have of the consumer’s perspective in picking a therapist? TherapyEverywhere is here to help you succeed in getting new clients. Feel free to call today for a free consultation. Or, just fill out the contact form and click Send. Let’s start pressing those buttons and getting new clients for your practice.