Get your blogs on · business mentor, who specialises in helping therapists to connect with people...
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24 Issue 114 Autumn 2015 INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST www.fht.org.uk Lisa Barber , the founder of Roots and Wings, is a marketing teacher and business mentor, who specialises in helping therapists to connect with people who need their care. To access free resources, and learn how to market with integrity and attract more clients, visit www.rootsandwings.biz In the first of a two-part article, Lisa Barber looks at seven ways that blogging can help your therapy business Get your blogs on I t can be soul destroying when you have so much talent but not enough of the right people seem to know about you or take an interest, especially when you’re actually trying to help them to improve their health and well-being. Maybe you’ve been using flyers to spread the word about your business. Perhaps you’ve launched a website, and asked your nearest and dearest to spread the word. Or you’ve placed an ad in the local paper or signed up to various networking events, but you’re still not helping the number of clients you’d hoped you would be by now. Or are you still stuck on the starting blocks, unsure which marketing technique to run with first – overwhelmed at the thought of promoting your treatments for fear of coming across as salesy or hyped? It’s entirely normal to find the whole sales and marketing thing a bit alien, manipulative or frustrating – and you’re not alone. So imagine if there was a way to boost the number of clients you help in a really genuine, integrity-filled way, that fits in around existing clients. Well, the good news is that there is a way to do it – and it’s called blogging. The seven ways blogging can help 1 Attract new clients Blogging turns the people you would like to target from being complete strangers into paying clients. It enables you to consistently attract a flow of new people into your business just by being you – so you never have to resort to tactics that feel awkward, cost money or compromise your values. 2 No need to leave the house! For some, networking can be an inconvenient marketing approach to embrace. What if the thought of talking to strangers fills you with dread, you can’t physically get to networking groups in your area or you haven’t yet found a group that feels like the ideal fit for you? Blogging is a really refreshing alternative because it can be done from the comfort of your own home, at a time that suits, in a strategic and streamlined way. 3 Make it safe for people to contact you When you develop an archive of blogs you’re giving people a chance to find out more about you from a safe distance. You’re giving potential clients an opportunity to get a sense of your values, your philosophy and your offerings. You’re giving them a chance to get to know, like and trust you. When someone contacts you after reading your blogs, the chances are they have already bought into your unique and valuable approach, so you’ll save time fielding queries from people who aren’t a great fit. 4 The people who need you will find you Search engines (such as Google) reward you for putting relevant new content onto your website on a regular basis. You won’t need to give yourself a headache figuring out how to get to the top of Google. If you’re sharing information that’s helpful then Google ranks you more favourably. 5 Think of your blogs as free market research Each time you write a blog, you’ll get a feel for what people are ready and willing to pay for by the way they comment on or interact with each post. And then you can tweak or tailor your treatments or packages accordingly so you’re actually offering people what they already know they want and need. 6 Earn credibility points With blogs you can showcase your expertise without blowing your own trumpet across social media. You can demonstrate just how well you understand the challenges your clients are facing by sharing your knowledge and how you can help. 7 You can help people while you nap! Imagine your ideal client searching online for a solution to the problem they have. Wouldn’t it be amazing if your blog post showed up in their time of need – offering just the help they were seeking and suggesting a sensible and accessible way forward? In the next issue of IT, Lisa will look at seven ways to get a blog off the ground. Business | Blogging PICTURE: SHUTTERSTOCK
Transcript of Get your blogs on · business mentor, who specialises in helping therapists to connect with people...
24 Issue 114 Autumn 2015 INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST www.fht.org.uk
Lisa Barber, the founder of Roots and Wings, is a marketing teacher and business mentor, who specialises in helping therapists to connect with people who need their care.
To access free resources, and learn how to market with integrity and attract more clients, visit www.rootsandwings.biz
In the first of a two-part article, Lisa Barber looks at seven ways that blogging can help
your therapy business
Get your blogs on
It can be soul destroying when you have so much talent but not enough of the right
people seem to know about you or take an interest, especially when you’re actually trying to help them to improve their health and well-being.
Maybe you’ve been using flyers to spread the word about your business. Perhaps you’ve launched a website, and asked your nearest and dearest to spread the word. Or you’ve placed an ad in the local paper or signed up to various networking events, but you’re still not helping the number of clients you’d hoped you would be by now.
Or are you still stuck on the starting blocks, unsure which marketing technique to run with first – overwhelmed at the thought of promoting your treatments for fear of coming across as salesy or hyped? It’s entirely normal to find the whole sales and marketing thing a bit alien, manipulative or frustrating – and you’re not alone.
So imagine if there was a way to boost the number of clients you help in a really genuine, integrity-filled way, that fits in
around existing clients. Well, the good news is that there is a way to do it – and it’s called blogging.
The seven ways blogging can help
1 Attract new clientsBlogging turns the people you would like
to target from being complete strangers into paying clients. It enables you to consistently attract a flow of new people into your business just by being you – so you never have to resort to tactics that feel awkward, cost money or compromise your values.
2 No need to leave the house!For some, networking can be an
inconvenient marketing approach to embrace. What if the thought of talking to strangers fills you with dread, you can’t physically get to networking groups in your area or you haven’t yet found a group that feels like the ideal fit for you? Blogging is a really refreshing alternative because it can be done from the comfort of your own home, at a time that suits, in a strategic and streamlined way.
3 Make it safe for people to contact you
When you develop an archive of blogs you’re giving people a chance to find out more about you from a safe distance. You’re giving potential clients an opportunity to get a sense of your values, your philosophy and your offerings. You’re giving them a chance to get to know, like and trust you. When someone contacts you after reading your blogs, the chances are they have already bought into your unique and valuable approach, so you’ll save time fielding queries from people who aren’t a great fit.
4 The people who need you will find you
Search engines (such as Google) reward you for putting relevant new content onto your website on a regular basis. You won’t need to give yourself a headache figuring out how to get to the top of Google. If you’re sharing information that’s helpful then Google ranks you more favourably.
5 Think of your blogs as free market research
Each time you write a blog, you’ll get a feel for what people are ready and willing to pay for by the way they comment on or interact with each post. And then you can tweak or tailor your treatments or packages accordingly so you’re actually offering people what they already know they want and need.
6 Earn credibility points With blogs you can showcase your
expertise without blowing your own trumpet across social media. You can demonstrate just how well you understand the challenges your clients are facing by sharing your knowledge and how you can help.
7 You can help people while you nap!
Imagine your ideal client searching online for a solution to the problem they have. Wouldn’t it be amazing if your blog post showed up in their time of need – offering just the help they were seeking and suggesting a sensible and accessible way forward?
In the next issue of IT, Lisa will look at seven ways to get a blog off the ground.
Business | Blogging
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