Suggestions needed for getting started ... quickly

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa J. Roth on January 24, 2009 at 8:13am

Check out Zoilita Grant's group on the site about building a private practice. Zoilita has built 4-5 of them in multiple states and multiple countries. She's the expert on practice building in my opinion. Plus, she's a really nice, helpful person.

Permalink Reply by Joshua Johnston on January 24, 2009 at 8:18am

This discussion is posted in the building a private practice group, Melissa. ;) I will consider messaging Zoilita, though, and seeing if she can give me some tips that way as well. It'll be up to me to implement anything, obviously, but tips are nonetheless useful.

Joshua

Permalink Reply by Wendy King on January 25, 2009 at 6:00am

Hi Joshua,
very pleased to meet your acquaintance online! And Congratulations on your new baby that's coming!

My name is Wendy, and like yourself, I am also starting up a hypnotherapy practice in Auckland, New Zealand. Sorry, I'm not a seasoned hypnotherapist yet, however, I just have some ideas which I would like to share with you. Since I don't really know what you have tried, and what you haven't, I will just share what things come to mind. I myself am advertising my services with the Yellow Pages (local telephone directory for businesses, but the book doesn't come out until March 2009, but already, the "online" version has listed me, and already has sent me several calls from people wanting hypnotherapy.

Another thing I am doing is going along to regular weekly meetings of our local BNI group where we all swap business cards over a breakfast meeting and refer each other's businesses onto our own clients - have you heard of BNI? It started in America, so you can check out www.BNI.com, and look up a chapter of your local group. It does cost money to join and have breakfasts, but it helped me to get a lot of business in my Beauty Shop, and I am now using it for hypnotherapy.

I see that you are mentioned through some web-pages when I search under your name in Google. The more the better, as the search engines will find your website quicker. You seem to be doing everything right, and getting people to sign up for a newsletter on your website. (Very impressive)! And your "You Tube" video clips are really great!

Just to mention, a guy from my hypnotherapy class went to groups such as The Asthma Society, to give talks on how hypnosis can help asthmatics, and got some interest that way. (Always take lots of business cards and brochures with you). If you have Rotary Clubs or Lions Clubs etc, they are always looking for an interesting speaker to talk to their groups, and it's a great chance to tell people about what you do.

Get known by your local doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, so that when people want to stop smoking or lose weight, or have health issues addressed, then you are the one they recommend - leave them your business cards and brochures. If you don't have a brochure, make one up, and make sure your name, phone number, website and photo all stand out clearly, as well as a "GRABBING HEADLINE" such as:

How hypnotherapy can create a more fabulous YOU!" - or

"Amazing pain relief through hypnosis!" or -

"FLYING PHOBIAS? Don't let the plane fly away without you!!! - Finally, your answer to Fears and Phobias through hypnosis! Phone Clinical Hypnotherapist Joshua Johnston for an appointment now!" Etc. Etc.

How about holding a talk at a local community centre or even your church hall if they find it appropriate, (advertise in newspaper and/or fliers in letterboxes of the surrounding area - "Self Hypnosis - what you've always wanted to know, and more... Free seminar..." This can lead on to holding Self-hypnosis classes, which can be run in groups of 8 or 10 people or more at once, even if it is in the lounge at your house, or hire a community centre hall which are usually relatively well-priced. Put up posters at the local gymnasiums and public swimming pools too.

Ring up your local sports clubs, and offer free hypnosis to sports people for sports performance enhancement, and ask them if in return, they would write a recommendation etc, that can be sent to the local newspaper (with photos of course).

This may or may not be up your alley, but one idea is to get known by as many stage hypnotists in your area as possible, as they do the stage shows, but they often don't offer hypnotherapy, and they usually get lots of people enquiritng about getting hypnotherapy after the shows. (You are lucky in the States, there are lots of stage hypnotists - here in NZ, not that many! Our local stage hypnotist here in New Zealand's largest city - Auckland (Dave Upfold) actually comes from South Africa!!!

Get an ad printed in local school newsletters which go to the parents. It usually doesn't cost much, and if you advertise about stopping smoking, and weight loss, these seem to be some of the biggest areas that people want help with (make sure the headline you use is a real grabber and makes them want to read on!)

Another main thing is have an interesting sign advertising hypnotherapy, maybe with a couple of things like weight-loss, and smoking cessation, or whatever you specialise in, stated clearly with your name and phone number in big letters on the street outside your house, or wherever the local by-laws allow you to place it. This is the best advertising, as people often stop and ring the doorbell, or take down the phone number for later.

Well, I hope that this has been of some use. You may already be doing these things, but whatever you do, keep going, as it is a truly worthwhile thing that you offer, and once people get to know you, it's more and more word of mouth, and the problem then will be having too many clients!!! All the very best to you! W

Permalink Reply by Joshua Johnston on January 26, 2009 at 1:30pm

Thanks for the input, Wendy. I have heard of BNI, and it's too expensive for me at this present time. It could definitely be something to look into for when I've got enough clients to be making some money (or for if I go back to regular employment until I get those clients), but for now, no. IIRC, BNI also limits things to one person per industry/specialization per area. That makes sense from their perspective, but it's potentially a bad thing for someone thinking of joining. If I have to join a BNI group that's 50 miles away, that's perhaps not a good investment: all the business will be from there. ;)

Of course, that's not necessarily the case. There may not be a hypnotist in the BNI group for my area.

I've thought about holding a meeting or class or two at the local Barnes and Noble, but haven't quite gotten that going. That whole concept is one I need to pursue more, definitely.

A sign is not a good idea right now; I can't see people in my home right now, so I don't want people stopping there and inquiring. ;) Possibly an idea for down the road, though. And once I get a car of my own, I can possibly see about a sign for *on* the car.

You have some good ideas, that I've thought about before mostly, but haven't put into practice yet. Thanks!

Joshua

Permalink Reply by Ann Catherine Pawelczyk, C.Ht. on February 3, 2009 at 8:18pm

Create press releases to send to local newspapers as free publicity to announce new things you're doing...also - PRICELESS advice is to start writing. Send short, informative (and interesting) related articles to holistic magazines and look for online forums where you can post them as well (like selfgrowth.com). You can also put something on your site offering hypnotherapy by phone for $xx....Visit your local chiropracters and holistic docs with informational packets and place your cards on every corkboard in stores.

Hope this helps!

Permalink Reply by Samantha on February 25, 2010 at 10:03am

Some great suggestions there Wendy - I particularly like the idea of getting in with the local stage hypnotist - I'm going to google him/her right after I finish typing this post!

Wendy King said:

Hi Joshua,
very pleased to meet your acquaintance online! And Congratulations on your new baby that's coming!

My name is Wendy, and like yourself, I am also starting up a hypnotherapy practice in Auckland, New Zealand. Sorry, I'm not a seasoned hypnotherapist yet, however, I just have some ideas which I would like to share with you. Since I don't really know what you have tried, and what you haven't, I will just share what things come to mind. I myself am advertising my services with the Yellow Pages (local telephone directory for businesses, but the book doesn't come out until March 2009, but already, the "online" version has listed me, and already has sent me several calls from people wanting hypnotherapy.

Another thing I am doing is going along to regular weekly meetings of our local BNI group where we all swap business cards over a breakfast meeting and refer each other's businesses onto our own clients - have you heard of BNI? It started in America, so you can check out www.BNI.com, and look up a chapter of your local group. It does cost money to join and have breakfasts, but it helped me to get a lot of business in my Beauty Shop, and I am now using it for hypnotherapy.

I see that you are mentioned through some web-pages when I search under your name in Google. The more the better, as the search engines will find your website quicker. You seem to be doing everything right, and getting people to sign up for a newsletter on your website. (Very impressive)! And your "You Tube" video clips are really great!

Just to mention, a guy from my hypnotherapy class went to groups such as The Asthma Society, to give talks on how hypnosis can help asthmatics, and got some interest that way. (Always take lots of business cards and brochures with you). If you have Rotary Clubs or Lions Clubs etc, they are always looking for an interesting speaker to talk to their groups, and it's a great chance to tell people about what you do.

Get known by your local doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, so that when people want to stop smoking or lose weight, or have health issues addressed, then you are the one they recommend - leave them your business cards and brochures. If you don't have a brochure, make one up, and make sure your name, phone number, website and photo all stand out clearly, as well as a "GRABBING HEADLINE" such as:

How hypnotherapy can create a more fabulous YOU!" - or

"Amazing pain relief through hypnosis!" or -

"FLYING PHOBIAS? Don't let the plane fly away without you!!! - Finally, your answer to Fears and Phobias through hypnosis! Phone Clinical Hypnotherapist Joshua Johnston for an appointment now!" Etc. Etc.

How about holding a talk at a local community centre or even your church hall if they find it appropriate, (advertise in newspaper and/or fliers in letterboxes of the surrounding area - "Self Hypnosis - what you've always wanted to know, and more... Free seminar..." This can lead on to holding Self-hypnosis classes, which can be run in groups of 8 or 10 people or more at once, even if it is in the lounge at your house, or hire a community centre hall which are usually relatively well-priced. Put up posters at the local gymnasiums and public swimming pools too.

Ring up your local sports clubs, and offer free hypnosis to sports people for sports performance enhancement, and ask them if in return, they would write a recommendation etc, that can be sent to the local newspaper (with photos of course).

This may or may not be up your alley, but one idea is to get known by as many stage hypnotists in your area as possible, as they do the stage shows, but they often don't offer hypnotherapy, and they usually get lots of people enquiritng about getting hypnotherapy after the shows. (You are lucky in the States, there are lots of stage hypnotists - here in NZ, not that many! Our local stage hypnotist here in New Zealand's largest city - Auckland (Dave Upfold) actually comes from South Africa!!!

Get an ad printed in local school newsletters which go to the parents. It usually doesn't cost much, and if you advertise about stopping smoking, and weight loss, these seem to be some of the biggest areas that people want help with (make sure the headline you use is a real grabber and makes them want to read on!)

Another main thing is have an interesting sign advertising hypnotherapy, maybe with a couple of things like weight-loss, and smoking cessation, or whatever you specialise in, stated clearly with your name and phone number in big letters on the street outside your house, or wherever the local by-laws allow you to place it. This is the best advertising, as people often stop and ring the doorbell, or take down the phone number for later.

Well, I hope that this has been of some use. You may already be doing these things, but whatever you do, keep going, as it is a truly worthwhile thing that you offer, and once people get to know you, it's more and more word of mouth, and the problem then will be having too many clients!!! All the very best to you! W

Permalink Reply by tony cott on March 7, 2010 at 6:19pm

there are many who wonder what the "X" factor is in making this work, it comes down to this, are you a hypnotherapist in your heart ? I know this may sound strange , but really its a question you have to ask yourself in the deepest part of who you are. It is said anyone can learn to do what we do , and I do agree, but it does not mean everyone is meant to do what we do. I have many friends who are in bands, and the question always comes up as to why some make it and some dont,even though they have the talent to do so. the answer lies deep in the heart and soul. The ones who do make it are the ones who live eat drink it at all times! I have hats shirts jackets that all state who and what Iam. but more than that Iam on the inside a Hypnotherapist. my kids say i ooze it from my pours haha. When you walk in a room, do people just know your different? I do understand how you feel, all the tricks in the world will not work unless you sit down and really ask your heart not your head , is this what i am meant to do...good luck...

Permalink Reply by Mel Kotlyar on March 25, 2010 at 8:26pm

Very true Tony, the smallest bit of unclearly will show up in many ways in your own business. If you are uncertain about yourself or profession no matter how well you market yourself it will show up unconsciously in your results. I personally use the techniques I have learned including hypnosis and time line to rid myself of those limiting beliefs to become clear about what I want in my practice - Mel

tony cott said:

there are many who wonder what the "X" factor is in making this work, it comes down to this, are you a hypnotherapist in your heart ? I know this may sound strange , but really its a question you have to ask yourself in the deepest part of who you are. It is said anyone can learn to do what we do , and I do agree, but it does not mean everyone is meant to do what we do. I have many friends who are in bands, and the question always comes up as to why some make it and some dont,even though they have the talent to do so. the answer lies deep in the heart and soul. The ones who do make it are the ones who live eat drink it at all times! I have hats shirts jackets that all state who and what Iam. but more than that Iam on the inside a Hypnotherapist. my kids say i ooze it from my pours haha. When you walk in a room, do people just know your different? I do understand how you feel, all the tricks in the world will not work unless you sit down and really ask your heart not your head , is this what i am meant to do...good luck...