LIVE CONSULTING WITH DAVID MITCHELL: HOW TO ATTRACT CLIENTS WITH MY CANADIAN WEBSITE? | EP 10
David took part in my webinar about starting a private practice. Now, he is building his own online Canadian private practice in Prince Edward Island!
In this episode, he and I discuss ways for him to grow his success, the importance of raising his rates, and other vital aspects of creating a thriving Canadian private practice.
Hey, Fearless Practice listeners! I have an interesting fact for you – did you know that 75% of people will judge your credibility as a therapist based on your website design?
In other words, if you don’t a professional website, you could be driving away potential clients and missing out on that income! So, I want to talk to you today about a company called Brighter Vision.
Brighter Vision makes marketing simple for therapists, starting with a professional website that’s specifically designed to attract your ideal clients and get them to contact you. All of their sites come with unlimited support and are fully optimized to rank well with search engines. They even offer automated blogging and social media posts!
Better yet, I’ve worked with them to create an exclusive offer just for Fearless Practice listeners. Sign up today and pay only $39USD/month for your entire first year of a new Brighter Vision website, plus they’ll waive all setup fees – that’s a savings of $340!
To learn more and get started, head over to brightervision.com/fearless.
In This Episode
- The importance of raising your rates
- Make sure to have an intake fee
- Optimize your website for bookings
The importance of raising your rates
As your Canadian practice grows and starts filling up, raising your rates is part of the process of growing it further.
It may feel difficult to do, but it is crucial to both your mental health, to curb burnout, and to help ensure the financial success of the practice.
If I’m full for three weeks then I’m raising my rates for at least $25 for new people, not for existing clients, and I’ll see if they think I’m worth that. (Julia Smith)
Raising your rates may reduce your intakes, however, it helps you to still be earning good money while not running the risk of burning yourself out.
Being able to only have a couple of sessions each week helps you to be a better therapist because you’re not burnt out, you can be present with your clients, and you can do the self-care that you need to do so that you can be with your clients. (Julia Smith)
Raising your rates can also help you to find that sweet spot between having the right amount of clients for your schedule and earning the amount that you want.
Make sure to have an intake fee
Every Canadian therapist experiences a client that comes once but never again.
It happens to every therapist and it sucks, which is why I highly recommend having an intake price and a subsequent fee. (Julia Smith)
Intake sessions require a lot more energy because you are meeting the client for the first time, assessing the client, and starting to build a therapeutic alliance. Even if your intake session is the same amount of time as your regular sessions, consider charging at least $20 more for the extra energy it takes in that first session.
Optimize your website for bookings
- Ideally, you do not want potential clients emailing you to make an appointment. To avoid this, clearly direct them to your online booking platform.
- Focus on the “book now” links that take the client straight to the webpage for online booking.
- It is good to have what you help people with right on your main page so that new clients can see exactly what you do and how you can help them.
- Clearly state how you help people in coping with and resolving their pain points.
- You have to play the marketing game and make yourself look busy when starting your Canadian private practice. The booking app Jane can help you to make you look busy, which helps you to attract more clients.
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 9: Joe Sanok: Raising your private practice rates to get to the 4-day work week
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about David Mitchell on his counselling website.
Purchase the ‘How To Start An Online Canadian Private Practice (Digital Workbook)’
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn.
About Julia
Julia Smith, MEd, RCT, CCC is a registered Counselling Therapist who owns a group private practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is also the owner of Fearless Practice Consulting and hosts the Fearless Practice podcast. Through the Fearless Practice podcast, she provides invaluable insights and practical advice on starting and growing a successful Canadian private practice. Julia’s wealth of knowledge also extends beyond the podcast, as she provides personalized one-on-one consulting to therapists who are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed with their solo or group private practices. With Julia’s expertise, therapists can confidently navigate the complexities of owning a private practice and find work life – balance.
Julia also has written articles for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy association. You can learn more at www.ccpa-accp.ca/blog/.
