[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/sellingthecouch/Joe_Sanok_Final_Edited.mp3″ title=”Session 17: Pricing for Growth with Joe Sanok” artist=”Melvin Varghese With Joe Sank” ]
Welcome! My guest for today’s episode is Joe Sanok from Traverse City, MI. Joe is the host of “The Practice of the Practice” podcast, and works in private practice and consulting with Mental Wellness Counseling. With helpful advice and practical tips, Joe takes us behind the scenes of building his private practice.
Joe begins with a favorite quote that has impacted his practice: “When you say No to one thing, you say Yes to something else.” This applies to all of us who have a tendency to take on too much and then find ourselves frustrated and overwhelmed. The temptation, especially for someone just starting out in private practice, is to say YES to everything.
Joe uses this quote to springboard into our discussion about starting a successful private practice. He gives practical advice about the following topic areas:
- Focus is important! Concentrate on what you want to do, and don’t let yourself get pulled in too many directions.
- Consider structuring your practice as a PLLC. Joe did this on the advice of an accountant, and it has been very beneficial for tax purposes.
- Be as “low-risk” as you can.
- Develop a great website! Make your practice accessible to internet search engines. Make your website attractive and welcoming, with strong visuals and quality images. Use links to recommended resources. GET STARTED; DON’T GET PARALYZED BY PERFECTION!
- Analyze your fees/pay policies. Joe’s practice began exclusively as a private pay practice. Listen to our conversation to find out details about how this can work to your benefit!
Joe also shares with us how the Sail Champion Program began, which is a therapy program combining sailing and counseling. The program targets at-risk youth in foster care and on juvenile probation. It definitely goes “outside the box” of traditional counseling, but IT WORKS! Listen to find out how!
I asked Joe what he would do if he were starting over in his practice, with only $500 and a laptop. Without hesitation, he said he would buy a domain name relevant to his city, and begin to do several blogs on a WordPress website, then visit a coffee shop to meet people and network. I hope you will listen to the show to hear the rest of Joe’s advice!
Links and Resources:
YouTube: “How to Start a Private Practice in a Day” (free video walk-through)
Websites: www.Practiceofthepractice.com and www.mentalwellnesscounseling.com
Email: joe@practiceofthepractice.com
Some of Joe's Favorite Books:
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
SPECIAL OFFER! STC audience members can sign up for Joe’s newsletter, which normally costs $200. He is offering it to us for only $95. It includes a weekly email about starting a private practice. Sign up at practiceofthepractice.com/couch