Word of mouth! Don't try to be everything to everybody ! Find your Niche Market ! And do it 100% Stay focused ! Mean what you say ! And Say what you mean ! Tell it like it is! Good ,Bad or indifferent, they may not always like what you say ! But they will respect you ! An that in turn brings followers and customers however that is and from whomever !
A combo of everything you are getting. Cold calling, Emails, Social Media, Live in person drop ins, Word of mouth, Advertising. Do them all and you will be fine.
I tried so many different ways that cost a lot of money and rarely got any requests from those. I found that word of mouth is the best advertisement you can get. I treat my clients as friends rather than dollar signs! And each time, they referred me to one of their friends, and so on. There is no better feeling than a happy client!
Growing a psychotherapy practice may be somewhat different from expanding other businesses but I hope I can share some thoughts that may be universal.
I believe it is important to really have a clear idea of what you can offer people and an intention to be of service to them. We cannot be all things to all people but we can be clear about who we really should be inviting to work with us.
Once the person is working with me, I try to be present and receive all they tell me with acceptance, a desire to know more about them and an ability to tailor my approach and what I have to offer to their unique situation, and what will be most in sync with how they can metabolize growth and change.
The most important thing in psychotherapy is the relationship between therapist and client. The quality of the relationship is what keeps people coming back. I tend to think that applies to a lot of businesses, whether you are helping someone invest their money or redo their home. Everyone wants to feel seen and heard and understood.
I agree with a lot of the other folks - word of mouth, face to face 'drop-bys', but it all starts with having a good reputation, building a good reputation, getting known by doing excellent work - getting involved in projects/groups to be of help first - giving and then getting - and, of course, ASKING for referrals!
Contact current and past clients, ask them for "help" - for referrals - it is the best and quickest way to build a loyal client/customer base.
In my line of work, which is dog training, word of mouth means a lot. People talk on a daily basis, which in turn, creates conversations about things that go on in everyday life. That’s a good thing for dog training. I also market on google and a variety of websites including thumbtack and bark which of course you have to pay for. Another way that new people find me is by being out in public where people see us training dogs and by going to events where I can promote my business and I also do silent auctions, and free giveaways which bring in new clients. Last but not least, I talk to others who work in the same industry who refer me. Referrals are a really big part of my business. And that’s how I keep new clients coming in. Get out there, promote yourself and what you believe, go to trade shows, ect. You’re business is going to be as good as you make it.
What I deliver is an individualized service and not a commodity.
A commodity is a "thing." And like a thing, a commodity can be compared to other like-commodities (comparison shopping). A commodity is much more ubiquitous, you can buy "it" at a number of stores or online.
A major decision point around any commodity is always the price. A commodity also must come with some kind of warranty or guarantee - which ultimately is based on distrust A personal relationship is not required because it is a thing. Marketing and sales work well in the domain of commodity.
Service is not a thing. Much more reliant on relationship not price. In a service business, word of mouth is my principal pathway for new clients.
Unlike a commodity, you can't compare a service - it serves the individual so it is individualized. People select a service based almost exclusively on the recommendation of other people they trust, which brings a strong background of relationship to any future interaction with a potential client/customer. Trust is already established.
This question depends entirely upon the industry and location. What works in Fort Collins, Colorado brilliantly may fail in Nelspruit, South Africa. Connecting with others in an area and having a one-to-one coffee or meal will save you quite a bit of time and resources rather than guessing. Find out what is most productive and adapt to your industry.
This email is not intended to self-promote but rather to show the importance of being available 7 days a week for you and your clients. I have had the great pleasure to have been given the opportunity to earn your trust and support. And one “must give time to our fellow men, even if it’s a little thing…something for which you get no pay, but just have the privilege of doing it.”. Working closely with real estate firms, agents and their clients, there technically is no such thing as a Saturday off or Sunday for that matter. Successful businesses in this day and age understand the shift, and structure their 'open' hours to the demand peaks. Those businesses that stick to the traditional, Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm are causing their realtors to lose potential future referrals when an ongoing claim issue occurs and their customers can only call the 800#. 9 - 5 and no weekend hours are causing you, the realtor, to lose potential market share anyway you look at it. There are businesses like mine that work when the client needs us and ensures accommodation in our schedules even if that involves working holidays. There are valleys in every business, that is when we take our time off. I remain humbled by your trust and support.
As a brief introduction to what means the most to me, I highlighted in yellow what you and your clients can expect from me, 7days a week.
YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF MY BUSINESS.
YOU ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON ME. -I AM DEPENDENT ON YOU.
YOU ARE NOT AN INTERRUPTION IN MY WORK DAY. -YOU ARE THE PURPOSE OF IT.
YOU ARE NOT AN OUTSIDER IN MY BUSINESS. -YOU ARE A PART OF IT.
I AM NOT DOING YOU A FAVOR BY SERVING YOU. -YOU ARE DOING ME A FAVOR BY GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
YOU WILL GET TIRED OF HEARING ME SAY THANK YOU. -LONG BEFORE I GET TIRED OF SAYING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND SUPPORT.
Best possible is always answer people's questions immediately. Be easy to get to - keep address up to date, phone, email, social media and answer them with in 24 hours never put it off, always answer up. If don't want to then say so. Promote always. When you don't feel like it do it any way. If some one tries to discourage you then promote twice as hard. Reach out to people rather than wait for them to make the first move. Keep the office clean and neat. Maintain a schedule so anyone can know when you are there. Above all provide cheerful friendly service with a little something extra each time and delivery it if possible faster than promised.
Answers (1-10)
Word of mouth! Don't try to be everything to everybody ! Find your Niche Market ! And do it 100% Stay focused ! Mean what you say ! And Say what you mean ! Tell it like it is! Good ,Bad or indifferent, they may not always like what you say ! But they will respect you ! An that in turn brings followers and customers however that is and from whomever !
A combo of everything you are getting. Cold calling, Emails, Social Media, Live in person drop ins, Word of mouth, Advertising. Do them all and you will be fine.
I tried so many different ways that cost a lot of money and rarely got any requests from those. I found that word of mouth is the best advertisement you can get. I treat my clients as friends rather than dollar signs! And each time, they referred me to one of their friends, and so on. There is no better feeling than a happy client!
Hello,
Growing a psychotherapy practice may be somewhat different from expanding other businesses but I hope I can share some thoughts that may be universal.
I believe it is important to really have a clear idea of what you can offer people and an intention to be of service to them. We cannot be all things to all people but we can be clear about who we really should be inviting to work with us.
Once the person is working with me, I try to be present and receive all they tell me with acceptance, a desire to know more about them and an ability to tailor my approach and what I have to offer to their unique situation, and what will be most in sync with how they can metabolize growth and change.
The most important thing in psychotherapy is the relationship between therapist and client. The quality of the relationship is what keeps people coming back. I tend to think that applies to a lot of businesses, whether you are helping someone invest their money or redo their home. Everyone wants to feel seen and heard and understood.
I agree with a lot of the other folks - word of mouth, face to face 'drop-bys', but it all starts with having a good reputation, building a good reputation, getting known by doing excellent work - getting involved in projects/groups to be of help first - giving and then getting - and, of course, ASKING for referrals!
Contact current and past clients, ask them for "help" - for referrals - it is the best and quickest way to build a loyal client/customer base.
In my line of work, which is dog training, word of mouth means a lot. People talk on a daily basis, which in turn, creates conversations about things that go on in everyday life. That’s a good thing for dog training. I also market on google and a variety of websites including thumbtack and bark which of course you have to pay for. Another way that new people find me is by being out in public where people see us training dogs and by going to events where I can promote my business and I also do silent auctions, and free giveaways which bring in new clients. Last but not least, I talk to others who work in the same industry who refer me. Referrals are a really big part of my business. And that’s how I keep new clients coming in. Get out there, promote yourself and what you believe, go to trade shows, ect. You’re business is going to be as good as you make it.
What I deliver is an individualized service and not a commodity. A commodity is a "thing." And like a thing, a commodity can be compared to other like-commodities (comparison shopping). A commodity is much more ubiquitous, you can buy "it" at a number of stores or online.
A major decision point around any commodity is always the price. A commodity also must come with some kind of warranty or guarantee - which ultimately is based on distrust A personal relationship is not required because it is a thing. Marketing and sales work well in the domain of commodity.
Service is not a thing. Much more reliant on relationship not price. In a service business, word of mouth is my principal pathway for new clients.
Unlike a commodity, you can't compare a service - it serves the individual so it is individualized. People select a service based almost exclusively on the recommendation of other people they trust, which brings a strong background of relationship to any future interaction with a potential client/customer. Trust is already established.
This question depends entirely upon the industry and location. What works in Fort Collins, Colorado brilliantly may fail in Nelspruit, South Africa. Connecting with others in an area and having a one-to-one coffee or meal will save you quite a bit of time and resources rather than guessing. Find out what is most productive and adapt to your industry.
Dear realtors,
This email is not intended to self-promote but rather to show the importance of being available 7 days a week for you and your clients. I have had the great pleasure to have been given the opportunity to earn your trust and support. And one “must give time to our fellow men, even if it’s a little thing…something for which you get no pay, but just have the privilege of doing it.”. Working closely with real estate firms, agents and their clients, there technically is no such thing as a Saturday off or Sunday for that matter. Successful businesses in this day and age understand the shift, and structure their 'open' hours to the demand peaks. Those businesses that stick to the traditional, Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm are causing their realtors to lose potential future referrals when an ongoing claim issue occurs and their customers can only call the 800#. 9 - 5 and no weekend hours are causing you, the realtor, to lose potential market share anyway you look at it. There are businesses like mine that work when the client needs us and ensures accommodation in our schedules even if that involves working holidays. There are valleys in every business, that is when we take our time off. I remain humbled by your trust and support.
As a brief introduction to what means the most to me, I highlighted in yellow what you and your clients can expect from me, 7days a week.
YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF MY BUSINESS.
YOU ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON ME. -I AM DEPENDENT ON YOU.
YOU ARE NOT AN INTERRUPTION IN MY WORK DAY. -YOU ARE THE PURPOSE OF IT.
YOU ARE NOT AN OUTSIDER IN MY BUSINESS. -YOU ARE A PART OF IT.
I AM NOT DOING YOU A FAVOR BY SERVING YOU. -YOU ARE DOING ME A FAVOR BY GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
YOU WILL GET TIRED OF HEARING ME SAY THANK YOU. -LONG BEFORE I GET TIRED OF SAYING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND SUPPORT.
Customer service, customer service, customer service!
Regards,
Steven Martin
xxx xxx xxxx
Best possible is always answer people's questions immediately. Be easy to get to - keep address up to date, phone, email, social media and answer them with in 24 hours never put it off, always answer up. If don't want to then say so. Promote always. When you don't feel like it do it any way. If some one tries to discourage you then promote twice as hard. Reach out to people rather than wait for them to make the first move. Keep the office clean and neat. Maintain a schedule so anyone can know when you are there. Above all provide cheerful friendly service with a little something extra each time and delivery it if possible faster than promised.