Why Online Directories Are A Smart Investment

Why should you advertise your private therapy practice in an online directory?

This is a question that I'm often asked by therapists. "Shouldn't I develop my own website and get clients to find me online where I'm not surrounded by all the other therapists who do what I do, or work where I work?"

Absolutely you should have your own website. And an online profile in a directory can help drive clients to your website. It can also spur calls to your practice directly, from clients who like your profile and need help immediately.

The second concern is the idea that if a client is looking for a therapist online, he or she will not choose YOU; instead, he or she will choose another therapist. That is a very real possibility, obviously. However, if you use the personal branding concepts I've talked about before on this blog (and wrote about in my book, "Therapist's Guide to Branding Yourself Online"), you'll attract the kinds of clients you most want to work with.

People often choose directories because of the variety they offer. You know you're going to get access to a range of service providers -- but there is bound to be one that feels like a fit. The Yellow Pages work because there are a lot of companies in there. It wouldn't be used as much if there were only 2 plumbers listed, or 1 attorney.

Need More Clients?

Want to grow -- or simply maintain -- your private practice? You need clients!

One easy, inexpensive way to get prospective clients to call or e-mail you is through a profile on Psychology Today's Therapy Directory.

But you can only get prospective clients to click on your profile -- or call or e-mail you -- if you have an effective profile. Want to build an effective profile quickly and easily?

Download my exclusive Therapy Directory Sign-Up Kit. It will walk you through all the information you need to sign up for a free 90-day trial with The Therapy Directory. (You will need the special code in the back of the Sign-Up Kit to access the free 3-month trial!)

Once you've signed up for your free trial on The Therapy Directory, I'm offering you a SECOND FREE BONUS -- a free copy of my book, "Therapist's Guide to Branding Yourself Online." It's a $19 value and covers these topics:

• Identifying what makes you unique as a therapist -- and how you can turn that into a client-attracting personal brand.
• How to find out if you are "digitally distinct" online.
• What your profile needs to be in order to become a "client-winning online presence."
• Strategies to attract your "ideal client" through your online profile.
• Specific tips for writing an online profile.
• What a vanity URL is -- and why you need one.

Here's how to GET your free copy of the book. Once you've signed up for your free 90-day trial of The Therapy Directory, send an e-mail to me at info@therapistprofile.com with the subject line "Free Book." I'll e-mail you back with your link to download your free copy. I'll also provide you with a free analysis of your Therapy Directory profile once your listing is "live."

Interested? Then download your copy of the sign-up kit right now and get started!

What IS Brand You?

As I talk about in my e-book, "Therapist's Guide to Branding Yourself Online," as a therapist, you probably already have a brand, you just don't know what it is.

To have a strong brand, you must be clear about who you are and who you are not. A successful brand as a therapist must be authentic -- it must reflect your unique personal attributes or qualities.

To cultivate the brand that will help you reach your goals, you must understand and be able to articulate and communicate what makes you exceptional and compelling.

In talking with many therapists, however, they have a hard time with this!

You may think that by articulating a specific niche area you work with that you will only be able to work with clients with this issue or presenting problem. On the contrary! If you are known as a specialist, you are more likely to get general referrals -- simply because your name is more well known.

If you are interested in learning more about branding yourself and marketing your private practice online, purchase the 20-page e-book.

You'll learn:

• Whether or not you are "digitally distinct" (page 3)
• 11 questions to help you identify what makes you unique as a therapist (page 4)
• Five things you must consider when writing your online profile (page 7)
• Strategies to attract your "ideal" client (page 8)
• Specific tips for writing an online profile (page 11)
• How to turn visitors to your online bio/profile into clients (page 14)
• What one thing can attract 50-70 percent more inquiries to your profile (page 15)
• How to drive prospects to your online presence (page 16)