Qualifying leads helps therapists find the right clients.
If a visitor to your website provides their contact information, that person becomes a lead. Qualifying leads is a marketing phrase that refers to using a screening procedure to eliminate all the wrong leads and only keep the right ones. If you want an online caseload, it's important to explain your service model on your website. As professionals, we refer to online therapy as telepractice service delivery. Don't confuse the public. Use common language to explain your services.
Q: What if my prospects are not aware of the benefits of telepractice service delivery? What if they want face to face services?
In your marketing, explain the benefits of your approach:
Safety: During a health crisis, telepractice service delivery is a safe option.
Flexible scheduling: People who work part time might be relieved to have evening appointments by telepractice. People who work shifts can still get therapy.
Expertise: Clients can get expert help which is not available locally. Less experienced members of the intervention team can be mentored.
Access: People in remote locations can be well supported. People who don’t drive can access therapy.
Efficiency: Sessions will take place consistently and there are very few no-shows. None of the funding is wasted on travel costs.
I teach private practice therapists how to manage their own website, marketing and curriculum using the AttractWell platform. You can create a page on your website with frequently asked questions about your service model. You could write a short blog post for each of the benefits of your telepractice service. If you create this type of content for your website, people searching for telepractice services will find your website. In other words, you can use inbound marketing to pull ideal leads toward your business.
Q: Is telepractice service delivery a good option in all cases?
No. Some people don’t meet the three basic requirements for telepractice:
- A strong high-speed Internet connection.
- A computer or tablet with a webcam.
- Computer skills or a reliable helper with the necessary skills
Offer a screening consult by webcam to probe for these three prerequisites. If people experience problems during the initial consult, they immediately become aware of the limitations and they make some decisions.
If you are wasting a lot of time trying to find clients who are a good fit for telepractice, consider changing your marketing. You should have some way to direct people to other services so that you don’t collect inappropriate referrals.
All your communication with leads, referral sources and prospects should be consistent and clear so that you don’t collect inappropriate referrals.
Free 30-Minute Workshop for Private Practice Therapists!
- Discover the three biggest website mistakes made by private practice therapists
- Walk away with an understanding of the changes you need to make to your website
- Feel confident about being an entrepreneur, finally having a vision for a strategic website that will help you build your therapy practice
"After this workshop, I finally started thinking about the FUNCTION of my website, not just the look."
More of...
- Referrals
- Confidence
- Ease & Balance
Less of...
- Inefficiency
- Frustration
- Low Income
