[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/sellingthecouch/Lynn_Grodzki_LCSW_Final_Edited.mp3″ title=”Private Practice Success” artist=”Melvin Varghese with Lynn Grodzki” ]
Welcome! My guest today is Lynn Grodzki, who is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years experience. Lynn offers counseling to adults and couples and is one of the leading coaches offering help for small business owners. Her articles about building a private practice have appeared in Psychotherapy Networker and Social Work Today. Lynn is a frequently featured speaker at conferences around the country. Her book, Building Your Ideal Private Practice, has been a bestseller and was recently revised to account for changes in private practice.
Lynn stresses some of the ingredients that will build a successful private practice:
- Any small business requires certain skills and attributes of the business owner. Number One on the skills list is negotiation.
- The internet has created “educated consumers.” They know what they are shopping for, so you must “target” your clients, and make the value of your practice clear and defined.
- Be prepared financially before you start your private practice. Don’t do it “on the cheap!” Have the right space, the right materials, the right marketing, and the right image.
- Have a plan, and WORK that plan! Do research beforehand, and then focus on building your reputation.
Lynn shares some great tips for marketing your private practice:
- Have realistic long-term marketing goals. Studies show that people need to be exposed six times before they will come to your practice.
- The goal is to let people get to know you and trust you. Listen to learn Lynn’s “bull’s-eye” marketing philosophy. It’s good advice for any small business owner!
- Don’t focus too much on internet marketing to the point of neglecting the community of people who know you. Studies show that the breakdown is 50/50 of clients secured through the internet and through networking.
As far as financial preparation for beginning your private practice, Lynn says that several aspects are essential. Those include liability insurance, a system for administrative tasks, comfortable office space, and professional presentation (website, brochures, business cards, social media sites).
A great website is essential because you only have a few seconds of a potential client’s attention before they will move on. Graphics and key words should be optimized to “grab them.” It’s also important to be clear about your “call to action.” What steps do you want them to take? Make it clear. Do you want them to call you? Turn the page? Go to a certain article? Have instructions that walk them through the steps, and don’t be afraid to use repetition. Remember, “No one is happy about having to find a therapist.” Relieve their anxiety and help them through the process.
Lynn also offers specific strategies about whether your practice should accept insurance or be a private pay practice. Her book gives details that every practitioner should consider. Listen to the show to hear more great tips on private practice success from Lynn!
Links and Resources:
Privatepracticesuccess.com (Lynn’s website)
Lynn's Best Selling Book: Building Your Ideal Private Practice
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