Therapist Blog Challenge #2: Pick An Inspirational Quote

Blog about your favorite quote and how it can inspire your readers to do something differently.

Thanks for the great response to therapist blog challenge #1! I'm impressed by your creativity and inventiveness. If you're just joining us for the blog challenge, please continue to post your challenge #1 posts and jump in on this new challenge #2

This one will be easy and fun. Pick your favorite quote and let it be the inpsiration for your next blog post. I've posted a handful of my favorite quotes for you to use if you'd like. You are welcome to use the graphics below in your blog posts too. I created these cool, shareable graphics with the iPhone app InstaQuote (my favorite new app). OK, that's it for challenge #2. Get blogging!

Additional reminders:

• Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that's OK too.
• Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist's articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I've invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.
• Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).
• The goal of a professional blog is to provide value your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective,  increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

Therapist Blog Challenge 1: Let Google Pick Your Topic

Write a professional blog post on a topic that millions of people are already searching for.

For our first 2013 therapist blogging challenge I want to you to provide your unique professional perspective on a top Google search topic or story. It can be local, national, or global.

Apparently, millions of people are searching for people, sports and entertainment in the US. The following topics are from a list of Hot Google Searches (US) on Jan. 6, 2013:

1. Russel Wilson Russell Wilson, Seahawks Defeat Redskins, Injured Robert Griffin III, 24-14
2. Downton Abby Nearly 8 Million Turned to 'Downton Abby' Premiere
3. Ray Lewis  Ray Lewis' Post-game T-shirt Brings Attention to Psalm 91
4. Jillian Michaels Alison Sweeney Blogs: Jillian Michaels Is Tougher Than Ever on The Biggest Loser 
5. Freddie E Hip-Hop Artist Freddy E Dead In Apparent Suicide
6. Honey Boo Boo Mother June Shannon Banking on Honey Boo Boo's Future

Feel free to pick from any top Google search in your own country. Get creative! There are many different angles you can take from the search list above. Feel free to focus on one topic or the collection of top search topics.

Keep your article between 300-600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).

Not only will this post provide a helpful service to your site visitors, and help them get to know your professional perspective, it will also increase traffic to your private practice website. and build your practice.

After you've selected the topic for your blog article:

• Write and post your blog article in the next 7 days. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that's OK too.
• Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist's articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I've invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge.  Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.

2013 Therapist Blog Challenge

Build your practice and attract more clients to your practice by creating regular content on your private practice website. I'll make it easy for you!

Welcome 2013! I tell my private practice consulting clients is to have an integrated blog on their private practice website and become a regular online content creator. Potential clients are searching online for your services and I want them to be able to find you more easily. Here's how blogging can help.

Why is blogging on your private practice website important?

• Fresh website content boosts search engine rankings/SEO (remember Google is my #1 referral source)
• It add value to your website visitors and give them a reason to come back to your site
• It gives you valuable content to share on social media that direct people back to your website
• It helps you to strengthen your online presence as an expert
• It allows potential clients get to know you and your practice philosophy

Why are some therapists hesitant to start blogging?

• They don't know what to write about
• They think they have to write totally original content
• They think they have to write a "dissertation" (blogs posts only need to be 300-600 words)
• They haven't found their "blogging voice"
• They don't have the "time"
• They're scared

To participate in the 2013 Therapist Blog Challenge:

• Post your practice website link in the comments below.
• Watch for my suggested blog topic twice each month. I'll come up with the content idea so you don't have to. I'll title and number the posts "Blog challenge #1" ... so you can keep track.
• Write your 300-600 work blog article that week for your private practice website.
• Post your blog article link in the comment section on the corresponding post here on this Toolbox blog.
• Read and share other therapists articles.

Pretty easy, huh? So, are you IN? By the end of the year you'll have at least 24 articles on your website!

Blog challenge #1 coming soon....

Remember to post your practice website below and any questions you have. And please invite colleagues to join in. This will be fun!

(c) Can Stock Photo