With so many therapists sharing the market, it can be hard to compete. If you think of the most successful small businesses, you’ll realize they have a specific target, a specialty, or a niche. As therapists, it’s important to do the same to stand out from the competition.
Once you find your calling, think about where your clients are. To formulate a good marketing plan, consider their communication methods, where they hang out, and how they look for services. If you enjoy working with children, target pediatricians and schools. Want to work with eating disorders? Make connections with residential treatment centers and nutritionists. Younger clients look online for services while older ones may ask doctors or even look through physical directories.
Some clinicians avoid having a specialty because they fear getting stuck treating a certain population all day. The fact is, even when therapists are well-known for a certain niche, they still see other clients and treat other problems to round out their practice.
Give it a shot! Do what you love and fill up your practice at the same time.
Once you find your calling, think about where your clients are. To formulate a good marketing plan, consider their communication methods, where they hang out, and how they look for services. If you enjoy working with children, target pediatricians and schools. Want to work with eating disorders? Make connections with residential treatment centers and nutritionists. Younger clients look online for services while older ones may ask doctors or even look through physical directories.
Some clinicians avoid having a specialty because they fear getting stuck treating a certain population all day. The fact is, even when therapists are well-known for a certain niche, they still see other clients and treat other problems to round out their practice.
Give it a shot! Do what you love and fill up your practice at the same time.