Co-written by Jolyn Decanini (entrepreneur) and Melvin Marsh (hypnotherapist)
When it comes to marketing hypnotherapy, there are many ways to get the word out. Ways to reach new customers can include online (including media) and tangible marketing. Within these two options are many subcategories which can be tailored to fit the needs of the business or the area as a whole. For example, what works well in Atlanta, Georgia might not work well as well in Augusta, Georgia for hypnotherapy.
Online Marketing Part 1
Develop a Website and Promote it
I believe the first thing that one should do when developing a business of any form is to start to work on their online presence regardless or not of whether the business is local or has a virtual component. The very first thing I did was quickly put together a website. Unfortunately my web skills were roughly “Geocities 1994” which was when I learned how to code and I put it on a free web host. As soon as I was able, I worked with a web designer to modernize what I had and upgraded to my own domain and to a paid account on WordPress.
The biggest factor of course was assuring I was on Google Places or Google My Business. It did not take long to set up, although being verified took a bit of time. It was only much later that I claimed my listing on Bing Places. I then hired someone to assure that my business was in about 500 local internet directories.
Once you have a place where people can leave reviews on Google, add that link to the website as that is a subtle suggestion or reminder to people that you would love a positive review. Plus since you aren’t directly asking for it, you are less likely to get in trouble with any of the review sites.
Word of mouth is a great way for a business to be marketed. For budding businesses, satisfied customers can be the best marketing tool. When a customer is happy with their hypnotherapy, they are very likely to tell family, friends, and even strangers about their experience. If you have a customer that you know is satisfied with your service, it may be a good idea to give them a few business cards, promotional items, or coupons (more on tangible items in a future post) to pass along if you feel comfortable doing so. This will help to ensure the news of your service reaches as many people as possible.
Get on Social Media
Having a Facebook business page is probably the best option. After Hours Hypnotherapy is on Facebook and Youtube under it’s own name, Twitter and Linkedin under mine, and on Google+ under both which was not intentional. I am also on Alignable. You can even link several of your social medias together so that anything gets mirrored on another. For example, this blog goes to Google+, Linkedin, and Alignable. It also goes to Facebook which gives it to Twitter. Facebook also allows reviews to be left for a business.
Fear not… there is more to come…
Melvin S. Marsh is a certified hypnotherapist serving Atlanta GA, Aiken SC, Augusta GA, Blairsville GA, and Cary NC. He performs hypnotherapy appointments both in person and worldwide virtually. He can be reached at www.afterhourshypnotherapy.com .
