making a living? just how likely?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeff Albright on April 11, 2010 at 7:10pm

Melissa,
I'd love to know what you did to attain that volume of clientele. That's wonderful!

Thanks,
Jeff

Melissa J. Roth said:

It took me about 6 months. By 3 yrs I was totally booked for three weeks out and partially booked 6 weeks out. In those days I was seeing 25-30 clients a week. I still need that kind of income (daughter in college with champaigne tastes) but I'm too lazy to see that many clients again. Now I see no more than 20.
the grumpy hypnotist said:

@Richard, re: "I know skilled hypnotists who can;t pay the bills at the end of the month, and some real lousy hypnotists making tons of money." I agree that's true, but I also think that is sometimes used by practitioners as an excuse for not succeeding. In other words, where people tell themselves, "Oh, I just know I'd be a wonderful hypnotist if only I'd get the chance... that other fellow who is busy is just good at marketing. Me, on the other hand, I deeply care about hypnosis and just want to help people..."
@Melissa, you mention that you've never advertised, and instead developed relationships with professionals in other fields (great strategy btw). I am curious, how long did it take you to go full-time using that strategy? I am wondering because I always figured that someone who just got trained, a total novice, would have difficult time building that kind of relationship when they are still in very early stages of practicing?

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Permalink Reply by Kim D. on April 12, 2010 at 10:24am

I have a book suggestion. It is The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss. The book is both inspiring and full of of practical information on internet marketing, starting your own business and "lifestyle design." His website also has many great, free resources and his blog is informative as well as entertaining.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Albright on April 12, 2010 at 2:46pm

Excellent book!!! I think the ideas in Ferris' book work best with products, but there are ways of becomgin extremely efficient with a service based business as well. Great suggestion! I will go and review it again.

Thanks,
Jeff

Kim D. said:

I have a book suggestion. It is The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss. The book is both inspiring and full of of practical information on internet marketing, starting your own business and "lifestyle design." His website also has many great, free resources and his blog is informative as well as entertaining.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on April 12, 2010 at 3:08pm

The 4 hour work week is a good book, although it takes a little bit of translating it to put it into our terms. I think it's value is less practical and more inspirational. That's not a bad thing though.

I'd recommend "The Art of the Start" buy Guy Kawasaki (not the guy from Rich Dad Poor Dad, although that's a good book too).

The trick is to balance the "business" with the "therapy" in terms of mind set. It's a more complex question than just "how can I see more clients?" and yet that's where many people get stuck.

just thinking out loud,
Scott

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Albright on April 12, 2010 at 5:22pm

The 'see more clients' or 'need more new clients' mentality is not unique to hypnosis. Though, obviously these are things to consider. The majority of the issue when starting out in business is headspace. With hypnosis it's twofold, confidence in one's abilities or skills, and one's business acumen.

This is a quick, cut to the chase look at business, and I hope the simplistic nature doesn't offend. But, basically the idea of business is to make a profit. Proift=Revenues generated-expenses(overhead). So, to maximize profits we need to maximize revenues and minimize expense. No secrets Here!!

The two options I see in Hypnosis is either charge more for our services, or increase the number of services/sessions clients use us for. Which brings us to our comfort level with our fees, and our ability to deliver that value to our clients. It also challenges us to be open minded enough to offer our services to clients that need them, without hesitation. Far too often do we find that a client comes in for one thing, but could truly use our services for a variety of issues to facilitate the biggest change. If a client can benefit form our services, it is our moral obligation to let them know that we offer a service which could help them. Of course there are different folks out there that offer practice management advice such as Jonathon Royle, and Terry Brussell Gibbons. I have found Royle's stuff to be quite valuable for the small investment, while I have been sticker shocked from availing myself of other programs. Luckily, I have business experience that translates directly to setting up longer programs of care.

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on April 13, 2010 at 2:59am

Jeff Albright said:

If a client can benefit form our services, it is our moral obligation to let them know that we offer a service which could help them.

Is it?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Elliott on April 13, 2010 at 4:19am

Speaking from an Australian perspective, I know of no Hypnotherapist who would earn +3k within their first six months of kicking off in a private, full time practice.

In fact, the only really LARGE money earners within Australia are those who teach courses.

So, to answer your question my friend .... "No it's not feasible".

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Permalink Reply by Zoilita Grant on April 13, 2010 at 1:11pm

I guess I am a little surprised by the majority of comments here. It seems like many of you have found it to be quite difficult to build a practice that is adequately supporting you. I have spent most of the last 30 years doing a private practice specializing in hypnosis. I have had to start at least 5 different practices in 3 states and 2 countries. I have found for myself and for the majority of students that I teach that it is possible to make a good living doing hypnosis. Mindset, attitude and skills are very important. I always encouraging thinking of marketing programs or packages rather than sessions. I encourage my clients to do a minimum of six sessions and to see growth as progressing over time. Marketing your practice takes continued time and consistent effort as part of your life style. I believe that you can make $100,000 within 2 years of starting practice.

18 clients a month paying $400 each X 12 months = $86,400 + 3 classes/groups of 8 people each paying $320 for 8 week class=$7680 + 2 large 1 day workshops of 15 people paying $150 each = $4500 + 3 Evening classes of 20 people paying $25= $1500 Total: $100,080

These are the quickest ways I know to get clients
:1. Give presentations...get booked by others to give talks. Get a list of local clubs from the Chamber of Commerce (or city government). Call leaders of clubs and volunteer to give talks.
2. Networking.....carry your business cards at all times and give them out freely wherever you are.
Talk about hypnosis and its benefits whenever you can.
3.Give low cost classes to present yourself and your work to groups of people.
4. PR and Media. Write articles and press releases about hypnosis and send them off to local media.

Hypnosis is such a wonderful tool that 90% of men, women and children can benefit from. It is a matter of effectively educating our market! Many Blessing for Great Success! Zoilita www.ColoradoCoaching.net www.ZoilitaGrant.net

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Albright on April 14, 2010 at 6:24am

Zolita,

I totally agree with you about the attitude thing. I see how folks in every industry fail or flourish based upon their own headspace. I've seen brilliant doctors, lawyers, chiropractors, etc.. do terribly in practice due to headspace, while less skilled individuals flourish.

You wrote:

18 clients a month paying $400 each X 12 months = $86,400 + 3 classes/groups of 8 people each paying $320 for 8 week class=$7680 + 2 large 1 day workshops of 15 people paying $150 each = $4500 + 3 Evening classes of 20 people paying $25= $1500 Total: $100,080

Can you elaborate on this?
Do you have 18 clients/month paying $400 per session, for 12 months?
Do you do 1session per month or do you multiple sessions within a short period of time and then have clients on a payment plan??

I know there are millions of ways to do things. Just curious what you do and how you do it?

Any information yo might share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Jeff

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Albright on April 14, 2010 at 7:05am

Zolita,

Just looked at it again. Are you saying you get 18 new clients per month, doing a 6 visit package of roughly $400?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff Albright said:

Zolita,

I totally agree with you about the attitude thing. I see how folks in every industry fail or flourish based upon their own headspace. I've seen brilliant doctors, lawyers, chiropractors, etc.. do terribly in practice due to headspace, while less skilled individuals flourish.

You wrote:

18 clients a month paying $400 each X 12 months = $86,400 + 3 classes/groups of 8 people each paying $320 for 8 week class=$7680 + 2 large 1 day workshops of 15 people paying $150 each = $4500 + 3 Evening classes of 20 people paying $25= $1500 Total: $100,080

Can you elaborate on this?
Do you have 18 clients/month paying $400 per session, for 12 months?
Do you do 1session per month or do you multiple sessions within a short period of time and then have clients on a payment plan??

I know there are millions of ways to do things. Just curious what you do and how you do it?

Any information yo might share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Jeff

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on April 14, 2010 at 7:39am

Zoilita- You did better than I did. It took me three years to almost get into six figures, and didn't actually break the barrier until year four. Doing it in two is very impressive.

If I started again today with the knowledge and experience I have learned I could definitely get to six figures in two years, but the learning curve along the way was very important for me. I've never had any other "real" job besides hypnosis, so maybe some of that was just learning how any business works.

Jeff- A few things to consider from my philosophy:
- don't chase after clients, establish referral sources (doctors, psychs, etc.)
- Think of the kind of practitioner you would want to send a family member to. Then be that person.
- However much training you have, make sure you keep learning. As soon as you become stagnate in your thinking you will be stagnate in your growth.
- Enjoy it. Make sure you have structured things so it isn't a worry or stress in your life. Passion is good, priorities are good, but fear isn't the mindset of someone who helps others.


Everyone Else- Impossible? Really? I'm saddened by the people who don't think success is realistic. I'm not in this business for the money, I just think money is a good indicator that you are running your practice successfully. And a successful practice tends to mean you get to help more people.

Before you come up with reasons why you haven't achieved your goal and rationalizations for whatever has limited your practice so far, remember that your will to succeed is more important than any of it. This isn't supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be worthwhile. Do you want to be the person who says how they did it or the person who says why it can't happen?

The important thing is to get good direction from someone who has actually succeeded at private practice, not someone who switched to teaching classes because they couldn't hack it as a practitioner. Being able to tell the difference between the two is important.

What do you need in order to succeed? How can we help you find that?

Scott

PS- while I was writing this response a doctor's secretary just called and asked if I could come by and drop of a stack of business cards and brochures. I've never attempted to contact this doctor before, they are seeking me out. This happens all the time to me, and if you work hard enough and smart enough it can happen to you too. As Michael Ellner says, "hope is realistic."

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Albright on April 14, 2010 at 9:28am

Scott,
I absolutely agree and do my best to live up to those ideals. I do not like to chase clients, and learned not to in my chiropractic practice. I prefer both clients and referral sources who are seeking what I offer. I don't like to waste time, energy, and money on those that aren't interested.It is sad to see that folks don't believe it's possible to make a good living doing what they love.

I am just curious how people structure their programs. I am curious to see what peoples success rates are with various conditions. I see so many folks advertising one visit stop smoking, while with weight loss many are utilizing longer programs.

I wonder what the average number of new clients is in the 'typcial' hypnosis office.

Thanks again for the input.
Thanks
Jeff

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