If your phone is not ringing or your not getting emails from potential clients you may be missing one very important piece in your business. Regardless if you have a web presence or not, speaking is still the #1 way to build your practice, and with so many ways to share information these days you’ll want to have a plan to maximize the impact of your speaking opportunities.

So what can you do if you have ‘speaker-phobia’? I can tell you from my own experience, there are ways to make the process so much easier, and you may even find yourself enjoying the experience.

Here are 5 tools and strategies to help you overcome your ‘speaker-phobia’ and start to book lots of speaking engagements that will get your phone ringing.

1. Set the intention

Yes, this very simple step is a profound one that will have impact on your speaking opportunities. So take a minute to imagine how many speaking opportunities you would like to have and how often.  When you are clear write this down and post it somewhere so you are continually moving towards your goal.

If you feel any resistance to speaking take a minute to check-in and see what the underlying belief is. Maybe you feel like you don’t know enough, or you’re not an expert, or you don’t feel like you have enough information to fill an hour long presentation. Allow yourself to lovingly release any of the beliefs that do not serve you.

2. Get clear on your message

Here’s where most therapist become uncomfortable and overwhelmed. They are unsure of their message and who that message can help, they don’t know where to begin. Take a minute to visualize those you are meant to serve, those clients that resonate with you. Think of how you have helped clients in the past. This will guide you in your message. When you get clear on who you help and how you help them, then you’ll know exactly where to find these potential clients and what message you can share to help these individuals.

3. Take action

Your clients are looking for you, but they can’t find you if you are not sharing what you do in a bigger way. So make a commitment to contact a specific number of places each month where your potential clients are, and ask if you can share your message. Simple is better, don’t overwhelm the program director with excessive information and your CV, instead share your talk title and ask if they accept outside speakers.

4. Be open

People who show up to hear you speak are interested in the topic you are sharing, and they are looking for change. Even if there is only 1 person in the room, you have the ability to create a profound impact on that person’s life. I actually had that happen, and instead of thinking the workshop ‘tanked’, I graciously welcomed the opportunity to help the person who showed up. Needless to say the workshop had a profound impact on their life, and they went on to have some major breakthroughs that not only transformed their life, but the lives of 1000’s of others as well.

Show-up, connect, share, and be open. Amazingly we don’t always see the gifts we have, and we think others know what we know. The truth is we know much more that we believe, and to be of service means to show up and connect with others who seek our help.

5. Have a follow-up plan

You’ve spent time and energy planning your presentation and you’ve felt like you connected with the listeners and shared some important information. You pass out your business cards and wait for the phone to ring and you hear nothing. You may even wonder, “what did I do wrong”?

I’ve had this happen numerous times and looking back I wish I knew this powerful strategy. I was missing the most important piece to speaking, the follow-up plan. Sure I gave helpful information, and sure the listeners got valuable information, and then I packed up and went home, and so did the attendees. We know that life is so busy and there is so much information out there, that if we don’t welcome people to continue the conversation, then they move on to what’s next in their lives (and the problem is put on the back burner until it becomes overwhelming).

So take a minute and formulate a follow-up plan. Write out all the details so you’ll know exactly what to do the next time you have a speaking opportunity

If you want more strategies on speaking (and a specific follow-up plan you can implement to start seeing results) you’ll want to access the IATPP “Resource Rolodex” bonus exclusively available when you join the International Association of Therapists in Private Practice by 10/21. Don’t miss this very generous bonus that will help you jumpstart your practice!

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Have you watched Alice in Wonderland movie based upon the classic novel by Lewis Carroll? Although the movie takes some very creative liberties with Carroll’s poetic portrayal of the Jabberwocky, there is a point where Alice confronts the Jabberwocky.

Drawing upon her past and encouraged by the words of her father, Alice confronts and slays the beast. It’s a moment we can all resonate with, a point in time where we look bravely at what we fear and step forward into our power. This may show up as confronting an uncomfortable situation or person, taking responsibility, doing something outside of you comfort zone, or facing a fear.

As therapists owning a therapy business we are given opportunities again and again to confront our Jabberwocky’s.

Here are some ways that the Jabberwocky may be showing up in your business.

1. You are given opportunities that you don’t follow-up on.

This may happen when you are asked to do something outside of your comfort zone, such as collaborate on a project, speak at an event, or follow-up with a potential client after a meeting. There is tremendous power in reaching out and connecting, or doing something that’s uncomfortable so you can be of service to others. I had this happen the other day, where my massage therapist knew I was out of town, and I would be returning, and he called me when I was back to see when I wanted to schedule my next appointment. It was a simple caring act, and I appreciated his follow-up. So you may want to reflect on where are you missing the opportunity to follow-up in your business-and if there are any fears, how can you release these so you may be of greater service to your clients?

2. You are uncomfortable by ________________ (fill in the blank), so you avoid doing it.

I know this too well from my own personal experience with public speaking. I had such a tremendous fear of speaking in front of groups, the first time I had to do so I almost got sick in the middle of my talk. That could have been it for me but instead I kept saying ‘yes’ to speaking opportunities and each time I would find a way to ease my fears (like having a powerpoint show with the lights off). Each step forward helped me to let go of my fears and truly was a powerful example of exposure theory. Now, I joyfully (and still nervously) accept new opportunities to share and present information, which has given me the opportunity to face my speaking Jabberwocky as presenter at a national conferences, as well as a keynote speaker.

3. You don’t know how to do something, so you do nothing at all.

Technology has been moving so rapidly, it often feels overwhelming at times to keep up with everything out there. I know I have gotten “technology paralysis” and I’ve become totally stuck because of information overwhelm. Here’s a way I face my technology Jabberwocky, or any other Jabberwocky that involves things I didn’t know… I continually let go of the belief that I am supposed to learn and know it all (what a relief) and I reach out (again and again) and get help. It frees up so much more energy and space, knowing that I don’t need to have the answers (thank goodness), and instead can ask for assistance.

If you’d like to release the Jabberwocky of “I don’t know how to do it paralysis” then please join me on the complimentary Therapy Practice Breakthroughs training call Oct 12, where I will share 9 Powerful Strategies to Creating a Thriving Therapy Practice Helping More People and Increasing Your Income

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At that time I believed they were just being “nice”.  As I explored my feelings and beliefs in therapy and coaching I began to see I was holding myself back. When I shifted to deeply honoring and respecting my gifts I opened up to welcoming new opportunities to be of service to others. As you may have heard of me mention this before, it became less about me, and more about how I could help others.

I’m sharing with you 5 ways to make it easier for others to refer to you. When you embrace these ways you’ll find new opportunities to quickly welcome new clients into your practice.

1. Shift your mindset to welcome new clients.

Check-in with yourself for a minute. How do you feel when the phone rings and it’s a new potential client? Be honest with yourself and allow whatever beliefs and feelings to surface and lovingly welcome and release these thoughts and feelings.  If you are a creative type, you can use your artistic medium to express this. If there are any fears, worries, anxieties, etc allow them to be released.

Now that you’ve released any beliefs or feelings, create a new mindset around welcoming clients. This can be as simple as visualizing a positive experience with a new client, thinking about previous clients you’ve helped and how this has impacted their lives, or creating a welcoming ritual for new referrals.

2. Let your clients know you welcome referrals.

Yes, it’s fairly simple; however, if you haven’t done the first step, it makes this step quite difficult. There are many different ways to approach this, you can have it printed on your business card holders, have it part of your client intake packet, and you can just ask your current clients.

3. Let your clients know how the process works.

If your client is generous enough to share a connection of a contact, let them know you greatly appreciate their recommendation and you’ll treat that person with the same great confidential care you treat your client. Share your card, and relay that you would be happy to set up a complimentary phone consultation to answer any questions that person may have.

4. Create a referral network.

It’s much easier to fill your practice when you have multiple referral resources sharing your information with potential clients. Start identifying who else serves your ideal clients and begin to create relationships with these people. When you build these relationships you lay the foundation for your thriving therapy business and the “word” about what you do begins to spread in your community, and your practice fills quickly.

5. Ask others.

At all those network meetings and lunches you’re in front of folks, but they may not be your ideal client. When you clearly convey who you work with and how your services help solve a specific problem, people naturally want to help connect you with others.

So at these meetings  you can ask those your are networking with, “ If you know of someone who has this problem please pass on  my information, I’d be happy to talk with them and see how I can help them”.  If you’re not quite sure how to clearly articulate what you do, then you’ll want learn a step-by-step system to identify your ideal client and how to convey what you do in a simple way that gets clients saying, “yes, I’d like to work with you”.

Click here to learn more.

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The title of this article is one that is sure to provoke a strong reaction, and that’s my intention- to lovingly challenge you to look at what’s happening in your business and notice how it’s reflecting your mindset.

There is a quote in business that states, “how you do one thing is how you do everything”. Meaning that what’s happening in your business is a reflection of your beliefs, and if you look around at your life, finances, business, relationships, all of these will reflect back the beliefs you have about yourself, your business, and what you believe is possible.

So let’s go exploring and spend some time shining the light on common beliefs that healers and helpers may hold. If one or more of these resonates with you, just allow yourself to acknowledge and release the pattern that have held you back.

1. I don’t know enough

This is such a prevalent belief with healers and helpers. Yes, continuing to learn more and dive in deeper with learning the latest information to help your clients is essential to your professional growth, and it may be holding you back.

If this is your mindset you believe you need to know more or have more certifications or credentials to be of service. At the root of it is the belief that you are not enough, and your truth is you are more than enough. You have tremendous gifts and by hiding out and learning more you do a disservice to all of those people who are looking for help. Lovingly release the beliefs that you hold, such as when you learn more then you’ll help more people, network more, open your therapy business, market your business, etc.

You can replace this belief with a new mantra such as, “I acknowledge that I know more than most people about my modality and I can use my knowledge to be of service to others”.

2. I don’t deserve it

With the, “I don’t deserve it” mindset everyone else’s needs come first. Or you may find  you over deliver or overcompensate because you feel like it’s not enough. If that’s you, then you may have marginalized your needs, not only in your personal life, but in your business as well. This may show up as you are scheduling to accommodate your clients, rather than what would honor you or going over time with clients, or not creating time for yourself to work on your business building because you feel guilty taking time away from your family.

You can replace this belief with a new mantra such as, “I honor myself and my business by setting healthy boundaries respecting my time and my unique gifts”.

3. When I earn more then I’ll ______ (fill in the blank)

This is the mindset that keeps you stalled in repetitious patterns of doing the same thing and expecting different results. If this is your mindset, then your likely to be longing for change and you know it’s possible, yet you aren’t willing to commit to making the changes. Often fear is at the root of this and by delaying the opportunity to make changes until some future day keeps you in a place of feeling safe; although it may be uncomfortable to stay in the same place, it’s so much more uncomfortable to stretch beyond the current situation.

We see this with our clients who have weight and self-esteem issues; they desire the change and feel like they have to put aspects of their lives on hold until they reach their goal weight.

You can replace this belief with a new mantra such as, “I honor myself and my business by investing in me and my vision”.

4. My clients won’t pay for what I offer

Many extraordinarily gifted therapists have this belief. If this is you then you may believe that the economy will not support your practice, that people want to use their insurance and will not pay out of pocket, or that your community does not have the income to support your service.

Your mindset has created beliefs that you reinforce by looking around you for evidence to validate it. Yes, the economy has been shaken; yes, there are many people who prefer to use insurance; and yes, you may live in a community that is not financially viable for a fee-for-service practice- AND YES, you can create a 6- figure business that supports you by broadening you vision of what’s possible.

I’ll give you a hint…you can take your services beyond your community and you will find people who are willing to invest $1000’s in your services. Again, lovingly releasing these beliefs will allow an opportunity for new beliefs.

You can replace this belief with a new mantra such as, “I recognize and value my unique gifts and know there are others I can help, who will gladly pay me for my services”.

Here’s the imporant part of this process – to let go of old limiting beliefs, not only do you need to think differently, you need to act differently. If you desire to move into creating a successful thriving therapy business, you need to show up in a different way and act from the place of being a successful business owner.

So, choose three ways you will act differently to release your limiting beliefs- such as joining a networking group, ending your sessions on time, or investing in your business.

If you are in need on more specific ways you can create a business that honors you, as well as your clients you’ll want to join me for the upcoming Create A Business I Love 6-month Platinum Program where I’ll share with you the exact steps you can take to create thriving 6 figure therapy business!

Click here to learn more- www.businesssuccessfortherapists.com/platinum

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I truly delight in summertime, all the play and frivolity of a slower pace that often comes with this time of year. However, I remember when I first began my art therapy business with children, it would be a wildly crazy spring, filled with back to back clients, then summer would hit, and my practice stalled.

At first I tried to reframe the experience as an opportunity to have time off and relax, since the school year was so faced paced. However, this reframe wasn’t going to help me pay my bills, and around mid August I’d become fearful.

I tracked the cycles of the number of clients I saw, and what months peaked, and what months were slow. In my second year in business I noticed the trends and I was able to put aside some extra savings for the slower summer months, with the hopes that during the fall things would pick back up.

I watched this cycle play out for several years and became so uncomfortable with the “feast and famine” cycles in my business. I began exploring other options to help me no longer ride the rollercoaster of fluctuating client appointments.

I knew in my heart there must be a better way, and that’s when I learned the most amazing and magical thing! I learned that clients were willing to invest (a substantial amount of time and money) and commit to a several month program. Here’s how I did it.

So if you are ready to move from a practice that has ebbs and flows to one that is consistent and supports you, then you’ll want to rethink how you currently offer your sessions.

If you see clients on a weekly basis, what happens to their therapeutic goals during holidays, summertime, or busy weeks, when they may cancel at the last minute? If your client is not fully committed you may suddenly hear that they need to take time off (especially during a difficult time during treatment).

However, you can develop programs to support your clients and help them to commit to sustainable changes, AND you can create ways to support your business (and yourself) all in alignment of being in service.

The gifts of creating programs for your clients are truly magical. You provide a greater level of support and commitment, and together you set clear goals you are working towards, and with that alchemy you’ll be amazed at how your clients will transform.

I remember the first time I offered a program, it was actually with a family that I adored working with, and they had been achieving some remarkable results in helping their children manage their meltdowns. However, I knew there was a missing piece. So I created a 3-month comprehensive program.  I actually saw the family less but provided more structure and tools, and as a result this family changed their whole system and both the parents and the children dramatically made changes in a VERY short period of time. Why? Because they had committed at a level financially, physically, and emotionally, more than they had done so in the past!

Here are the steps you can take to introduce a program into your practice as well:

1. Identify the core problems your clients are encountering
2. Be clear on the benefits they will get in working with you
3. Create a unique “signature system” that you can take your clients through during the program to help them move towards their desired outcomes
4. Set the program timeframe (3 months, 6 months)
5. Let all your current clients know this is a new program you are sharing and be clear on how it differs from current therapy (more support/specific strategies) and why it would benefit them

When you create programs you focus on the outcomes you and your clients are working towards, AND you will create consistency in your practice. Not only will you empower your clients and offer new opportunities to support them, you’ll create a business that supports you year round!

If you are in need of more specific ways you can create a business that honors you, as well as your clients you’ll want to join me for the upcoming Create A Business I Love Blueprint Secrets where I’ll share with you the steps you can take to create a thriving therapy business that supports you, as well as your clients!

Click here to learn more

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Maybe you are looking for more tools to introduce into your practice to support your client’s growth?

Perhaps your curious about other modalities such as music, art, dance, and expressive arts and want to integrate these into your work, but you just haven’t had the time to learn more?

However, the daunting cost of attending a conference, taking time off from your work, and leaving your family just doesn’t fit into your schedule, or your budget this year.

Imagine attending a conference where you could have access to leading edge creative arts therapists practicing across the globe, without having to leave the comfort of your own home!

Welcome to the 1st annual International Creative Arts Therapies Teleconference
August 23-August 27th

www.icatconference.com

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Want some support in growing your therapy practice? Join me for a complimentary 1 hour webinar part of the American Art Therapy Association Institute for Continuing Education-Tuesday, August 17, 2010 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT

This workshop explores contemporary issues and current trends in developing a thriving business as an art therapist. The workshop will address how to create a successful business via the understanding of a target market and niche marketing. The Webinar also includes how to use our inherent creative problem solving skills as art therapists to identify obstacles and resources, and create professional success. When we have an understanding of our ideal client and their specific needs we can assess if our identified niche will be a match for that client’s needs. Now more than ever–there are tremendous opportunities to create programs and services directed at helping transform the lives of others while earning a healthy salary!

Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/774918304
Continuing Education Credits – This live Webinar session will be converted to a CEC-Eligible online course by August 31, 2010 and be available on the American Art Therapy Association’s Institute for Continuing Education in Art Therapy (ICE/AT). The live session does not meet the CEC eligibility guidelines, but you can attend the live session for free, then if you want to attain the CEC, simply login to ICE/AT to acquire the CEC ($18 for Association Members, $25 for Non-Members).

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When you are “stuck” in growing your business (and growing yourself) you are stuck in stories and beliefs that often keep you in a place of frustration, fear, overwhelm, and worry.

Drawing upon The Work you can begin to honestly explore feeling stuck, frustrated, scared, worried, overwhelmed, etc in your business and about your income. I invite you to explore this process yourself, for your personal growth, as well as your business.

I’ve taken the Judge- Your- Neighbor Worksheet created by Byron Katie (retrieved www.thework.com) and asked the questions in relationship to business and money.

Answer the questions honestly, allow yourself to feel and express your responses, without censorship or judgment.

1. How does your business (or money) anger, confuse, sadden, or disappoint you, and why? What is it about your business (or money) that you don’t like?

2. How do you want your business (or money) to change? What do you want from your business (or money)?

3. What is it that you business (or money) should or shouldn’t do? What advice could you offer your business (or money)?

4. What does your business (or money) need to do in order for you to be happy?

5. What do you think of your business (or money)?

6. What is it that you don’t want to experience from your business (or money) again?

Take the time and go through these questions and write out your responses. Do this initially asking questions about your business, then on a separate piece of paper respond to the questions about money. After you write out your uncensored responses there are four key questions you will need to ask.

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If you haven’t begun exploring other options in providing services, it may be time to do so as uncertain times are ahead!

Click HERE to read the article…

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