Traveling Hypnotherapist

To say I'm a bit annoyed is an understatement.

But...uh....I'm not really sure if I have a right to be annoyed. I mean, it's a free world and all.

Here it is: I live in the Napa Valley...and have been seeing clients in this valley for over 4 years now. I have worked pretty hard to get my name out there as well as get a more proactive awareness of hypnosis. So... a few days ago, nearly every client and at least a couple of my friends in the area called, or in person, asked me if I had seen the 'scathing' article on the traveling hypnotherapist.

So...of course, I did my research and found it. It isn't good. It isn't scathing...but it definitely puts a 'laughing stock' feel to this profession as well as...a 'be careful, you might not quit smoking or lose weight...but you WILL feel inclined to buy the cd's in the back of the room.

Enters: annoyance.

I work hard. I do a good job. I am annoyed that a traveling salesman from Las Vegas (and no...he isn't anyone I have ever heard of) comes in and wreaks havoc on my well laid plans. And although it might not be logical... I can't help but wonder why he didn't stop by and say hi? Or....introduce himself? I can tell you why....because he didn't know I was here. He could care less ...how much time and effort and time...and time...and effort...I have put into this little valley!

I feel the need to post the article just to see what others think...but...... is that wrong? lol. It feels like it might be wrong to 'expose' him.

I feel the need to write him a letter and send HIM a link to the article so he can see the injustice he did to my surrounding community...many who will not be seeking hypnosis because he so blatantly was here for the money. Targeting, I might add...the VERY wealthiest comminity in the area. He told them he would be HAPPY to arrange a session with those how need it for $500 for 45 minutes. WHAT? That price should be reserved for the who's who...not someone who comes out of the woodwork and clearly has an agenda!

I feel the need to write the guy who wrote the article for the newspaper...to see if we can meet...and maybe he could write something more 'town friendly' and inspiring. I would gladly give those who need a session for one fourth the price and I promise they won't feel the need to buy cd's at the end of it!

big sigh....

I nearly want to cry... I am so frustrated with this turn of events...and I don't even know for sure if it will affect me. I just know, from experience ...in this valley it takes good 'one on one' to really get the rapport and support (which requires a great deal of thought and time on my part) and it takes two seconds for one well framed sentence "hypnosis will have you buying cd's in the back of the room" to infect.

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Hanover on February 28, 2011 at 5:28pm

Hi Donna,

I think this is a great PR opportunity for you. I think you should take some of the "pissed off" out of your HypnoThoughts post and transform it into a letter to the editor of that publication. Or better yet, all the other publications in your area plus your local TV stations.

Tell them exactly what you've told us, except don't make it "you-centric." Talk about it from the perspective of the people who won't seek help now because of the article. People who could have stopped smoking but won't; who could have lost weight but won't; who could have lived pain-free but won't; etc. Talk about the scientific studies. Offer a free session. Offer to connect them with one (or five) of your satisfied clients.

It's time to make lemonade, Donna. :)

Kathleen Hanover

Marketing and PR Opinionist

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Permalink Reply by Ricky Strode on February 28, 2011 at 5:38pm

Awesome idea Kathleen. I would def do that Donna.

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Permalink Reply by James on February 28, 2011 at 6:01pm

This just might be a blessing in disguise,

This is a great test, and we all need competition good and bad to become better business owners.

Here are some good things: he is charging $500 most people do not have $500 to give but if they still want hypnosis you bet some will do their research and find you.

Your clients that you have most likely will not jump ship and they most likely will become even more loyal and become better at referring.

Also I find my best recruiters are my competitors.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on February 28, 2011 at 6:10pm

Actually, people sometime promote hair-brained ideas. A "traveling" hypnotist is a hair-brained idea. And charging $500 is really stupid. I actually think three things:

1.) The public is not stupid. They can tell a professional from a flake with an RV

2.) He is overpriced, even if he is technically good, and will get little business and move on to the next get-rich-quick hair-brained idea he/she has.

3.) It will not give hypnosis a bad name, because frankly, he will remain under the radar. In the history of hypnosis there have been soooo many flakes, yet hypnosis remains as it is.

Forget about it. There is enough hypnosis for everyone. And if a few people want to pay to much to a guy in a rollling trailer, they probaly were not coming to see you anyway, they WANTED a flake not a professional.

And forget about it, because one year from now, he will be busting bugs down the highway towards the next city and you will still be providing quality care. People know that.

I could care less who my competition is and what they are doing. I only worry about myself. In fact I actually REFER people to my "competition". Why? Because there is enough hypnosis for all of us...

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on February 28, 2011 at 6:13pm

Hey - Hey- D-Ro,

Think about dancing for joy - Kathleen offered you a very real silver lining- right in this discussion.

Write a letter to the editor - According to The Conference Board a well written letter to the editor is the best advertising money can not buy!

The real crime is that many people who could be helped by legitimate hypnosis professionals may not be because of these kind of dirt-bags, blah, blah, blah

If it happened in my hood - I would consider posting an Op-Ed video on youtube and broadcasting my story in cyberspace...

Work it Girl!

Michael E. @ http://www/nycanxietyhypnosis.com

PS - Can you give us a link to the article?

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on February 28, 2011 at 7:15pm

You've already got the advice I would give.

Every group has bad members, every profession has bad examples, and every area of life has people who want to cut corners or exploit people.

The bad mechanic in town doesn't mean that anyone who can rebuild a transmission is a predator, etc.

invite whoever wrote the article to come see what you do and show the members of your community what you have been doing in town for so many years. Show them why you don't leave after a week. Show them why you stand by your work and build relationships in your town by helping people in the valley.

Give people the other side of the story.

Craig and Kathleen can teach you how to write a press release (or you could hire them to write one for you).

good luck, and keep us posted,

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Raymond Yeh on February 28, 2011 at 7:36pm

My suggestion would be let time pass. Time will tell the folk whether that person is of any help or just wrecking havoc in the community. Either way, just do what you usually do and those folk will sense it and no amount of such stuffs will be affecting your business.

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on February 28, 2011 at 11:27pm

Presumably, you've done some fact-checking?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Andrade on March 1, 2011 at 5:26am

Hi Donna,

Wasn’t it Erickson who loved to use the problem as part of the solution.

The people in your community are primed and ready.

I would not attack him directly with any media, I would just take him out of the picture and pretend someone just came up to you and said, “there are hundreds of people, some you know, and some who know you, that have needs, questions, and are confused right now, and they want some truthful answers, can you help?”

This is not an opportunity in disguise, this is an opportunity.

Like Kathleen said, re-channel your energy and make this a win, win.

Don’t let it be anything else.

Steve

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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on March 1, 2011 at 6:13am

This is not all bad, as you have said you have put in quite some investment into the local community, trust in yourself, this guy has put you on the map for all the wrong reasons, but interestingly, he has most likely invoked curiosity, and people talk, and when one talks to another who is knowledable of you, they will feel ownership of you because you are a local entity. They are more likely to defend and speak about you by comparison and even recommend you. I think this is an opportunity, not a disservice to you.

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig - HypnosisAustin on March 1, 2011 at 8:18am

Kathleen's advice rocks! Listen to her.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Andrade on March 1, 2011 at 8:56am

I like what Scott says also, " invite whoever wrote the article to come see what you do and show the members of your community what you have been doing in town for so many years. Show them why you don't leave after a week. Show them why you stand by your work and build relationships in your town by helping people in the valley. Give people the other side of the story.