What comes up?  Is it you and your web site?  Because this is exactly how people find therapists these days.

Don’t despair if you don’t show up on the first page of results yet.  You can.  Help is available!

I will help build your web presence, whether it’s starting from scratch or strengthening what you’ve already got going.  I’ve done this for others with amazing results–practices developed from near-zero to full–fast–just months.

You next…?

Build a site, build your business–with the help of a fellow therapist.  Write to get started:  wheretheclientis@gmail.com.  (No one in Los Angeles, please.)

Participants were asked to rate the importance of 69 criteria with respect to their influence on rankings in the Google, Bing and Yahoo Local “Universal” search algorithms (those that drive the 7-pack, 3-pack, and authoritative onebox search results; NOT the standard organic algorithms).

Results on the site.

Marketing may be the most hated word in private practice. Most of my clients tell me that they can’t stand marketing their practices. For them, any marketing is synonymous with push marketing — shameless advertising, overpromising, promoting, or seducing — the direct opposite of the healing relationships they are trying to build. They don’t want any part of it.

But you can leverage your marketing efforts (leverage = learning to do a lot with a little) by applying two steps:

1) Find the need in the market
2) Stay within your comfort zone.

The “here’s how” is on her site.

Facebook, twitter, Yelp, LinkedIn, and the like, all covered.

Worth your browsing time.

The posts are here.

I’ve rearranged my schedule to make time for you.  Let me help you develop a strong web presence.  For not a lot of money, I can help you get an appealing and effective website launched, integrate it with social media (twitter and facebook), help you get promoted and listed, and otherwise assist your arrival here in the future.

I’ve got several sites under my belt with a variety of looks and purposes.  Where the Client Is (this private practice blogzine); Social Work Test Prep (exam preparation); Will Baum, LCSW (private practice).

Yours next?

I’m portfolio building, so prices are very reasonable.  Please write me with questions, to discuss, and to otherwise get started:  wheretheclientis@gmail.com.

Didn’t used to be an option, but the future has arrived, courtesy of Google.  Google TV Ads lets you set a budget, upload an ad, and see it aired on real-live TV for not a lot of money.

Here’s Slate doing and describing it.  Here’s Google, explaining how-to.

Any therapists out there used this yet?  Not sure.  Are you going to try it?  Let us know how it goes.

Getting Listed in Local Business Search Results duration: 15:15

There are over half a billion searches for local businesses (including therapists) in Google each month. In this webinar, you will learn the essential skill of listing your therapy practice website on the Google Local Business Center so that you can be found. We also teach you how to list your website in the Yahoo and Bing Local Business Centers, as well as show you a tool for easily verifying your listings in the local business centers.

Submit My Practice Website to the Search Engines duration: 6:03

Learn the important skill of submitting your therapy practice website to Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Best Practices for Emailing Prospective Clients duration: 7:17

Every day, prospective clients are emailing therapists for a potential initial session. Do you know what the best practices for responding to these emails are? Learn how to effectively respond to emails from prospective clients so that you increase the probability that they become a client.

Also, posted previously, and full of very useful tips:

Search Engine Optimization for Therapists duration: 42:43

In this webinar, you will learn how the fundamentals of Search Engine Optimization for your therapy practice website. Topics include: How Search Engines work, how to do keyword research, which keywords to use on your website, where should the keywords go, linking, social media and much more.

The upshot:  Just having a website isn’t necessarily going to bring you clients.  There are ways to build a site and ways to promote it so it gets seen.  (If all of this is Greek to you (and you don’t speak Greek), you can always try WTCI Web for inexpensive/effective/friendly help.)

Liquic.com is a comprehensive online health and wellness resource for individuals seeking a better quality of life, providing access to coaches, psychologists, yoga instructors, dieticians, fitness experts, relationship therapists, counselors and financial advisors regardless of physical location.  By merging the traditional world of psychology, the practical hands-on touch of the coaching and counseling industry, and the exciting techniques of alternative and holistic wellness, Liquic is able to serve as a gateway to improved overall well being.

Today, Liquic.com launches its eClinic facility in beta test mode, connecting mental health and wellness professionals with consumers online. Signaling the convergence of professional consultations and online communication, Liquic enables professionals worldwide to grow their practice area virtually through bylined articles, videos, online chat, email sessions and more.

Included in the eClinic’s areas of expertise are body and health wellness; mental health and personal development; finances and money; family; children; and intimacy.  Consumers can utilize the site’s comprehensive database to find practitioners based on their individual needs, browse a variety of health related articles and videos, or connect directly with select professionals. Since the site is location sensitive, professionals with premium listings are presented on the home page to consumers in their area.

“Liquic brings two eager groups in contact with each other – professionals who want to reach out to new clients with new techniques, and individuals who are looking for a low-barrier of entry for personal help,” said John Khoury, CEO of Liquic.com. “People are looking more and more to preventative health measures and are increasingly rejecting medical solutions to cognitive and emotional issues. Liquic offers a single online location for consumers to educate themselves on treatment options and connect with professionals – as well as a one-stop-shop for professionals to present themselves and conduct their work online.”

For March, 2010,  create a profile for the online sessions and get a free premium listing for 6 months (usually 500 bucks).

Here’s a nice, shiny, new avenue to help promote your practice:  YourTango.com ProConnect.  The site is offering nine months free for new clinician sign-ups this month.  Melanie Gorman, the company’s Director of Marketing & Business Development explains:

Each relationship expert who lists on ProConnect receives a 3-6 page website that details their professional bio, contact information, services offered and more. Professionals are able to directly access potential clients and make a name for themselves within the YourTango community by posting content and answering questions from our readers.

My hope is that lots of Pros will take advantage of the free offer because for so many, marketing is a barrier to a successful practice. A smart marketing package holds so many different components and that’s the beauty of ProConnect, it’s one site that covers all of the most important bases and it’s easy for anyone to use. What better time to do something like this than when it’s free? Not to mention it will give a great depth to our list of Pros and that will allow our audience find the exact person they need to work with.

Here’s the press release regarding the free offer:

YourTango.com, the premiere women’s website for relationship advice with over 1 million readers each month, proudly announces the beta launch of its latest channel, ProConnect.

ProConnect (as the name implies) is a unique service integrated within the YourTango community designed to connect relationship and dating professionals with readers who are seeking advice. ProConnect is seeking professionals like therapists & counselors, relationship/dating/life coaches and educators, faith-based professionals, matchmakers and more to participate in ProConnect for absolutely no cost for 9-months.

Throughout January 2010, Up till Valentine’s Day, 2010, professionals who list on ProConnect will receive a 9-month membership absolutely FREE.

If you are looking for an innovative, inexpensive and quick ways to market your practice, then we want to you to join our team.

Here’s what ProConnect will do for you:

• Establish or expand your online web presence—with countless people using search engines like Google to find information, being on the web is imperative to your success!
• Generate interest in the your activities and workshops to increase your client base
• Help improve the power of your name and brand by promoting your services to our vast community.
• Complement other directory listings you’re already paying for to boost your existing marketing efforts

Additionally, this free offer includes:

• A 6-page website designed to highlight the Pro’s practice & services
• Services to generate new client leads by:
  • Submitting articles for publication on YourTango & partner sites –reaching not just YourTango’s 1mm+ readers, but millions more through our content partnerships with sites like Yahoo, MSN, AOL and many more.
  • Answering reader’s ‘Free consultation’ questions
  • Participating in the Ask YourTango community – to establish your expertise among our readers who are looking for advice
  • Commenting on content and sharing professional opinions
  • Becoming a part of our network of Pros we look to for expert opinions and comments when requested for by larger media outlets
• Promoting events & workshops
• Selling their products available via Amazon.com
• Education, advice and tips on how to market your practice ethically on the web

No credit card or payment required; this is a 100% legitimately free offer

All the details on this exciting offer are available at:

http://www.yourtango.com/proconnect/freeoffer

http://www.yourtango.com/proconnect/sneakpeek

Receive a free ProConnect membership in 3 easy steps!

1. Click http://www.yourtango.com/proconnect/join?m=2
2. Choose “Advanced Membership”
3. Enter Coupon Code = FREEPRO

For additional questions or help, contact ProConnect customer service:

Email: pchelp@yourtango.com; Phone: 410-923-6905 or 321-459-1399