Talk to Kate

Do you find yourself struggling to keep clients, make a modicum of an income, feel guilty if you charge too much or worse still, feel like you’re burning out as a therapist?

You may  have seen around this site that sometimes working as a therapist is an absolute gift; it provides transformation to clients they wouldn’t have otherwise experienced.  BUT you’re trading Time for Money.  And it’s not sustainable.

But what can I do, you ask?

Here are 9 ways in which you can make more money as a therapist or coach.

1. Fall in Love with Money. Interesting how when we start out as therapists or counsellors, we get shy about asking for money.  The industry can also be rife with judgement in terms of who’s charging what, and whether they are simply “in it for the money”; or we ourselves seem to have a poverty mindset.  Obviously we have to make a living; after all, we trained for it.  Yes, we’re not going to get on with everyone but those clients whom we do work well with, get results.  Let’s get wealthier! Check out Napolean Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich.
2. Manage Your Time Effectively.  I have an online scheduler, setmore where people can book in a discovery call with me to see if we are a good fit to work together.  I have set the days and times that suit me, with an allowance of 15 – 30 minutes between sessions.  I also book clients in this way and it sends out automatic reminders to both myself and the client.  I have a 48 hour cancellation policy in place.  Minimise distractions and keep to the timetable, scheduling in free time for when you require it.  .
3. Make a Plan for Your Business. Just as we write treatment plans for clients, depending on the type of client, so write one up for your business.  How much DO you want to earn?  How do you log finances?  How much time do you want to allocate to working ON the business rather than IN the business?  Have a vision as to where you want to be in YOUR business.  How many days and hours do you want to work? What kinds of clients do you love working with?  You want to make sure to find time for self care too, or perhaps you have a dog to walk, children to see?  How much time do you want outside of the business?  Do you enjoy networking?  What groups are there near you?  If you don’t have a plan, you’ll end up taking a scattergun approach to your business which may lead to burnout quicker than you can say it.  You will make more money if you have a plan as to when and how you will do so.
4. Networking. It is important to connect with other likeminded solo-preneurs; life as a therapist, healer or coach can be quite isolatory.  Connecting with others gives you a feel for where you can pitch yourself too, both in the area and in your profession.  Authentic relationships are one of the foundations of success as a psychotherapist in private practice. This is where social media can really help you build your practice and your network. Write a blog and share it, or share things you’ve found online that support the way that you want to work.  This will create a magnet for referrals and open more doors for you.
5. Get Paid to Blog or write / create your own. Blogging is an area that many therapists, coaches and healers may excel in; writing to heal, or writing from experience.  Many people love to read others’ life stories.  You can find paid blogging gigs online. If that daunts you, simply write your own and share it widely on social media.
6. Create and Sell an Information Product. Writing a short article on 10 ways to better relationships, or creating a relaxation recording for clients.  If you create several recordings these can be sold directly from your website and position you as an expert in your chosen area.
7. Create a Workshop.  Many coaches and therapists have some expertise to offer others. You could run a day workshop on healing relationships or resolving relational conflict.  Pick an area that you are passionate about, write some material up and test the market out on Facebook.  A lot of social media marketeers recommend building a tribe first (a Facebook group), inviting people in and sharing content and then asking them what they would want.
8. Speak / Teach for Money. Following on from the idea of running a workshop, some organisations pay for professionals to come and speak at their meetings. There are all sorts of professional association conferences that seek key note speakers. Have a look around, develop YOUR passion and get in touch with colleges and universities.
9. Publish a Book. This is an area that is getting easier as time goes on.  If you feel comfortable blogging, this is one step further along the way. There are plenty of ways to self-publish, especially through Amazon Kindle. There is a great Facebook group that can support you on your journey.  You can also find great templates that will help you lay out your material for the low cost (at the time of writing) of USD59.  Do your research though initially! The book can be sold from your website, on a marketplace such as Amazon, or sold wherever you go.
10. Stop Trading Time for Money.  Think differently and package up your sessions.  Most people are looking for a RESULT, an Outcome.  Focus on the Outcome you deliver your clients and sell a package of sessions.  This doesn’t stop you selling 1-1 sessions or free discovery sessions, but make it easy for them to buy in to what you are offering by making it clear as to what you give them.

You trained for many years; perhaps you’ve a degree, a masters, diplomas and more.  This cost you time and money.  Perhaps you also attended therapy yourself as part of your training. Now you are helping clients heal, grow and change. It is Your turn to grow as a therapist that helps more people, making more money in the process and reap the rewards of what you now offer others.  Plan, be creative and above all, Have Fun With Money!

Join my facebook group

There’s a Facebook group entitled “Work from home UK” from which it is clear *many people* are searching for a way to earn money whilst staying at home for whatever reason is personal to them.  A stay at home mother wanting to remain at home whilst her children grow up, someone who wants to supplement their income, an independent distributor who knows there’s more out there.

These companies tend to work in a similar vein.  Either there is a one-off sign up for say £45-£100 for some initial stock which can be used as a demonstration kit, together with some of the latest catalogues, or you can sign up for free and sell directly from your website.

Sometimes you can have your very own “cloned” website that has your name and all products that are purchased from there will automatically gain you commission, along with your user’s ability to sign up under you as a distributor (so you both earn commission from that end user’s purchasing power).  You will also have a “back end” website where you can place orders at a discounted price (can vary between 20-40% discount) so you make the money at source once you’ve sold the product to your customer.

The way in which you earn more money is by “selling” the idea to another potential distributor who then signs up and earns their commission or discounted products and a % share is given to you.  Often you might get a bonus if you hit certain sales targets in a specific period of time.

At the time of writing I am particularly interested in the following:

Neal’s Yard Remedies (you can sign up through me, earn commission through what you sell or simply purchase products.  There are frequent discounts so keep looking!)  Join my facebook group here where I post details of current offers!

HB Naturals CBD suppliers are very much “of the moment”.  They have been shown to be effective in reducing pain, stress and anxiety.  This particular site also showcases CBD products for our pets – after all, if you are a pet lover you will understand how much you want to alleviate your pet’s occasional suffering without resorting to a huge vets bill.  They also supply beauty and weight loss products.  You can sign up with my code and also benefit from discounted health products!

I am also investigating The Body Shop at Home.  Please click the link to join my facebook group where I will be posting offers and sales on the multi-award winning skin care products and much more.