Social Media Marketing Checklist: 10 Steps To Building A Stronger Online Presence

Are you overwhelmed by the world of social media? These 10 steps will make it easier for clients to find your private practice online.

I presented my very first webinar ever yesterday (and I survived)! Sponsored by National Association of Social Workers the webinar was titled "Building Your Private Practice In A Digital World: Creating A Strong Online Practice Presence." It is crucial for private practitioners to have an online presence in order to attract clients to your practice because the internet is a main source of health information.

A few participants in yesterday's webinar felt overwhelmed by the content, by social media in genera, and felt unsure about where to start developing their online presence. If you fall into that category, I suggest you start with #1 on the list below and work your way down to #10. Focus on just one item at a time. I've broken down the process into 10 "simple" steps, in order of priority, to help you get started on building a strong online presence.

1. Identify your ideal client and your basic practice message
2. Get a website for your private practice
3. Add a blog on your private practice website
4. Start blogging weekly on topics geared toward ideal client
5. Sign up for a Facebook Business Page for your practice
6. Open a Twitter account for your practice
7. Add Facebook and Twitter social network links to your website and blog posts
8. Share your weekly posts on Facebook and Twitter
9. Make a list of websites and blogs that that your ideal clients in your geographic are likely to visit
10. Submit guest blog posts to those sites on topics that target your ideal client and include your basic message and practice website link in your bio.

I'm off to teach this practice building workshop today for Utah NASW at the University of Utah. It'll basically be the same content as the webinar except that I'll be adding this priority list to today's presentation.

Join my Private Practice Toolbox Facebook Group and share ideas and resources with 250+ therapist from around the world.

Therapist Roll Call: Can We Peek Inside Your Office, Please?

The physical "space" you work  in says a lot about you. Does your office space appeal to your ideal client? Does it speak about your tastes and preferences? Would you be willing to give other shrinks a tour of your office? Why or why not? Every time a new client comes into my office they comment on my denim couch. It feels cozy and casual, which is how I want my clients to feel when they're in my office. The color scheme of the office decor coincides with our logo and website colors...and that's no accident.

I thought it would be fun to peek into the offices of private practitioners to share ideas and get inspiration. So, if you're willing to let the world (or the readers of this blog) see YOUR office space follow these simple step.

1. Take a brief video tour of your waiting area and office (2 minutes or less). You can do this with your iPhone or camera phone.
2. In the video please introduce yourself and tell us what you love about your office space.
3. Upload your video to your Youtube channel and set it as "unlisted." If you don't have a Youtube channel, it's time you set one up.
4. Title your video "Office Tour: [your practice name]"
5. Email me the video link here. Include in the email your name, location, practice name, website link.

I'll feature different office videos in upcoming blog posts with your practice name and website link (this is a free PR opp for your practice & a good excuse to set up a Youtube channel). You'll also be able to embed this video on your own website so potential clients can see inside your office before they meet with you.

Ready, set, go...

Here's a peek into my therapy office Wasatch Family Therapy. I hired a professional to shoot and edit this. Don't worry - your video doesn't have to have music and slick editing :)

photo credit: The Suss-Man (Mike)