In this incisive episode of "Scaling Therapy Practice", host James Marland, with esteemed colleagues Lisa Mustard and Steve Beso, shares insights on marketing therapy services using the power of social media. The discussion dives deep into the significance of having a well-crafted marketing strategy that harmonizes with the unique personality of individual therapists.

For any therapy practice looking to grow, understanding the target audience is the first step. Steve articulates the importance of appealing to a specific audience and navigates the conversation to the concept of personal branding. He states, *"[if] you start off with a question or offer a solution in your response, I think that's what's important."* He underlines the value of having a consistent theme, concluding, *"[if] you're consistent with your message...then you’re on the right track."*

When it comes to nurturing a unique personal brand for your practice, authenticity is intrinsic. Remember, people are attracted to individuals and services that resonate with them. Lisa speaks on the power of authenticity when she says, *"[if] you’re going to build a brand, you’ve got to put yourself out there…and if your stuff is good, it's shareable."* She reminds listeners that social media can be beneficial when used as a stepping stone to forge more personal connections — like growing an email list.

A fundamental factor in efficacious social media marketing is of a keen understanding of the platforms each practice uses. Lisa advises selecting two platforms where your target audience is mostly found, and focusing on becoming proficient at using these selected platforms. James, in agreement, believes that creating a strong unified personality can generate a robust social media presence.

Steve shared his personal experience with making his social media content more relatable and engaging. He noticed that posts with an approach of levity, consistent with his personal brand, performed better than posts that were more clinical. Steve shares, *"[if] you use levity, creating this consistency, that’s what is important."*

Both James and Lisa, underscore the importance of consistency in your posts. Lisa says that having an interactive presence on social media — providing consistent value — is what makes you memorable. Adding to this, James shared how he connected with his audience on a personal level, realizing that showcasing his love for Legos and Marvel movies made him more relatable to like-minded individuals. 

 In conclusion, to effectively market your mental health services and grow your therapy practice, providers should understand their audience, harness their unique personalities, use appropriate social media platforms, and maintain content consistency while incorporating a degree of levity. This strategy will help them strengthen their brand and scale their therapy practice more effectively. 

 Marketing Download of the Week

00:12 Introduction and Welcoming the Co-hosts

00:37 Discussing the Importance of Social Media in Marketing Mental Health Services

00:45 Sharing Personal Experiences and Challenges

03:04 Introduction to Social Media Tools: Buffer

06:03 The Role of Social Media in Business Growth

06:17 Choosing the Right Social Media Platform

06:26 The Power of Pinterest in Marketing

10:27 The Impact of Social Media on Business

10:41 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Social Media Marketing

17:54 The Success Stories and Lessons Learned from Social Media Marketing

20:57 The Importance of Building a Personal Brand

23:25 The Role of Ads in Social Media Marketing

24:34 The Importance of Consistency and Authenticity in Social Media Marketing

42:53 The Power of Podcasting in Building a Personal Brand

48:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts