Believe it or not I’ve never enjoyed marketing… The truth is I’m not nearly a proficient at it as I should be… based on my experience and the practice I have built.
What I do Well
However, I am fortunate that there are things that I do well and consistently:
- maintain an interest in the field (counseling);
- cultivate relationships with the people I’ve met professionally;
- and remain engaged in my desire to impact the profession.
As a result of those things I do well….I have a natural curiosity about my profession and those who belong to it…. at every stage of development.
Marketing for Therapists
Natural curiosity is the key to marketing for therapists, introverts and the generally shy people.
Why?
Because we are masters at focusing on others.
- We listen to others;
- pick up on their social cues;
- anticipate their needs;
- notice their patterns and respond accordingly.
Don’t think of marketing as marketing. Think of it as focusing on others and responding to their needs and interests.
We are all providing services that address people’s needs. The only way we can meet those needs is to place elements of our services in people’s view, so that they can step forward when they are ready and receive what we offer.
Think of your Services as Party Invitations
Think of the services you provide as party invitations. How can we expect people to come to the party if we don’t invite them?
- The therapist may generally hold a belief that marketing is for business and they have not fully embraced that they too must have a business mindset.
- The introvert may only want certain people or types of people at the party.
- The shy or socially anxious person may subconsciously wish that no one shows up.
There are very few, if any, brands that stop marketing once they are well known. Perhaps some exclusive brands do very little or it is so targeted that you wouldn’t know they exist unless you are part of that narrow market.
You likely cannot afford to behave like that high end niche brand.
You must tell people about yourself and remind them that you are here.
The Wealthy Spirit
Just like any other relationships.. .maintenance is required. As Chellie Campbell discusses in her book “The Wealthy Spirit,”
If you want your ship to come in… you must send ships out!
Chellie talks about where the phrase “waiting for your ship to come in“ originates. There was a time well before our current quick and often instant communication options when merchants would send their ships out with goods and wait for them to return with money, gold or other items of value.
They had no way to communicate with their ships. All they could do was wait for their ships to come in.
I imagine that during those times an occasional unexpected ship would come in. One that was filled with gold and coins (payment)…with a request for goods and services in return. I would imagine that that was a rare gift from the sea when a far off customer from a far off shore sends a ship…It probably happened because the merchant sent out enough ships consistently…that even when their marketing /merchant ships and their provisions were long gone, people still remembered the bounty that they carried.
Always Provide Value
Always provide value…let the quality of what you provide bolster your confidence. Take that confidence and share what you have to offer with the world. Show interest in what others are offering. There is nothing pathetic about raising your hand and saying “I am here…hello and how are you?”
What is the worst thing that will happen if no one is interested? Perhaps a depletion of time, money and effort…maybe you will feel embarrassed.
I promise you will survive that worst case scenario. Not only will you survive it, you will learn.
- Lead with your strengths;
- show an interest in others;
- and in what others are doing or providing.
People generally develop a natural curiosity about those who consistently show interest in them.
Again, grow your personal brand by showing interest in others…genuine interest is a demonstration of your core listening and attentiveness skills.
Transfer your transferable skills. Engage in these practices everyday!
It gets easier and more natural over time. I’m still not a marketing guru but I practice at it everyday. It begins with learning to share more of yourself. You are your own brand. Don’t be a best kept secret.
Copyright © 2015 Ruby Blow. All rights reserved.
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