This is quite possibly the EASIST trick for how you can appear at the top of the therapy search list.
Whether we are talking about therapy-specific listings such as Psychology Today and Mental Health Match, or simply talking about Google...all you need is one powerful tool.
It starts with "the" and ends with "saurus." No, we're not talking about dinosaurs here...all you need is 10 minutes a quarter, and a thesaurus.
Simply put....in the same way that Instagram has an algorithm, all of these search engines have algorithms too. Except that instead of hashtags and trends, what these search engines are largely driven by is usage. AKA: how much as you using the platform.
The more your business uses the platform, the more you will be rewarded and therefore showing up more frequently to prospective clients!
So let's start with Psychology Today or any other therapy-specific listing site you may be using such as Mental Health Match.
Once a quarter (also when estimated taxes are due), I have a calendar reminder to log into these sites, and sift through my copy-writing with the thesaurus.
I'm not re-writing the content by any means. Rather, I may swap out certain words. For example....change therapy for counseling. Or change hopeless with discouraged. Next quarter, I'll log back in and swap things around again.
By simply swapping out words, my account is tripped as being used. And like clockwork, a couple weeks later (I've noticed anywhere from 2-4 weeks) I will start getting a consistent amount of new inquiries directly from those sites.
You can also achieve this by changing your photo, or by endorsing other colleagues on the platform (another secret weapon, for a future blog post😏).
So give it a try and see!
By the way....MHM just got a major makeover and I am loving it. It is by far my favorite platform to recommend to people who are searching for a therapist, as it has way more filters than PT. You can get a free trial on me by using this code: CXN4977UHZ).
Now let's talk about google. I do the exact same process on my google business listing. If you aren't using google business you are REALLY missing out on a huge funnel of clients.
While many people are aware of the therapy search engines, there is still a mass of prospective clients who look for therapists the same way they look for plumbers: a quick "top rated therapists near me" in the search engine.
There's a LOT more that we could talk about with google: updates, ratings, photos....We could use one single coaching session getting you set up and marketing on the platform well, and if you're at all intrigued by this I would encourage you to set up a session with me!
But what I will say is if you already do have google business set up but aren't doing much with it right now....go in quarterly with your thesaurus there too. Its an easy way to keep your profile seeming active and engaged with the algorithm lords. And did I mention that its free? LET'S GO. 🥳
To this day I have never paid for advertising on google or social media. Yet I am consistently at waitlist capacity with my ideal clients, who are capable of paying my full fees. You can be too.
Most counselors, especially starting out with their business, are ballin on a budget- myself included! Its wise to keep as small of an overhead as possible!
My pal, trust me when I tell you from experience that we have sooooo many free tools to our disposal. We don't need the shiny expensive objects to sell our services. A little bit of strategy goes a long long way.
So, what do ya think? Have you heard this advice before? Are you going to give it a try?
If you want to learn more about google SEO and marketing, schedule a coaching session with me! I offer single sessions, as well as a package of 3 (the most effective approach in my opinion).
Just this month I was celebrating the win of a client who put in their notice to their group practice, and signed the lease to their new solo office after a few months of working together!
Whether you are ready to start your business from day-1, or you just need to freshen things up a bit- I love nothing more than helping great counselors gain the business skills to match their amazing clinical skills.
Because you deserve to love the work that you do- EVEN the admin side of things. 😜
Rooting for you!
Kelsee
PS. Want more simple marketing tips where that came from?
This blog post was actually adapted from my newsletter. If you want simple tips like these for growing business sent straight to your inbox, subscribe to my newsletter.
Comentarios