| There are hundreds if not thousands of ways of | | | | 4) Getting an interesting speaker and on a |
| marketing your therapy or coaching skills. Some | | | | fascinating subject |
| cost just pennies and others require a bigger | | | | 5) Finding out how therapy/coaching could help |
| investment and are maybe more of a risk. The | | | | individual's issue(s) |
| risk being that you won't regain your investment. | | | | The sort of local groups that are always on the |
| There are some marketing methods that require | | | | look out for an interesting speaker are: |
| something other than your hard earned cash and | | | | Townwomen's Guild |
| this article is about those particular methods. | | | | Lions Clubs |
| Instead of parting with money to promote your | | | | Rotary Clubs |
| therapy or business, give your time. Your time is | | | | Women's Institute |
| valuable and in a profitable business should not be | | | | Over 50s/60s Clubs |
| wasted. So unless this is an altruistic occasion you | | | | OAP Groups |
| should look at the benefits you will gain from | | | | Hospital League of Friends |
| giving your time away for free or a token fee. | | | | Amateur Dramatic Societies |
| One idea could be to offer group talks and taster | | | | The best place to find out about the other social |
| sessions for free to various focus groups. This | | | | groups that exist in your area is your local library. |
| has a number of advantages for all concerned. | | | | You will also get any contact details you require |
| Advantages for the therapist or coach : | | | | here. |
| 1) Meeting potential clients to help form a | | | | You can use the same format with other groups |
| professional relationship (Clients feel more relaxed | | | | that have a particular ailment as a focus. These |
| with a therapist or coach they have already met | | | | might be : |
| than a stranger from an advertisement) | | | | Asthma |
| 2) Networking opportunities (A member of this | | | | ME/CFS support groups |
| focus group might tell other groups about you) | | | | Arthritis Support |
| 3)Increases possibility of focus group paying for | | | | Phobics Anonymous |
| future sessions | | | | Victim Support |
| 4) Possibility of personal recommendations from | | | | Weight Watchers |
| members of the group (Members will talk about | | | | Don't forget to alter your talk to ensure that you |
| you to friends, family and colleagues) | | | | include references to the particular ailment of the |
| 5) A chance to educate the group on the issues | | | | group you are addressing. Your audience will want |
| you can help with (Talk about success stories that | | | | to know that you understand at least the basic |
| give ideas to members about who and what you | | | | issues of their ailment. You should state the |
| can help) | | | | benefits that they may expect from undergoing a |
| It is very important to be aware of the benefits | | | | hypnotherapy session. |
| for the groups you approach. You need to be | | | | There is still another group of people that you can |
| aware of what the group will gain from your talk | | | | approach and utilise a similar format. These will be |
| so that you can 'sell' the idea to them if you need | | | | the professions such as teachers, emergency |
| to. On most occasions you will not need to sell | | | | service personnel, nurses and doctors as well as |
| the idea as the majority of focus groups are | | | | the corporate world. Once again use the principal |
| more than happy to have someone volunteer to | | | | of 'give to get' and offer a free group taster |
| give their group a free talk. | | | | session. Do your homework about your target |
| Advantages for the focus group : | | | | audience and you will gain clients. Always have |
| 1) No risk (financial) to the group | | | | with you your diary so you can take |
| 2) Get a chance to sample a therapy/coahing | | | | appointments immediately and have plenty of |
| session | | | | your practice brochures and business cards to |
| 3) Can get any doubts / concerns answered at | | | | give out. |
| the session | | | | |