Selling the Couch

Since the beginning of this podcast in 2015, I’ve thought a lot about how I can use YouTube to maximize the impact of STC. I’ve pondered many questions about the sustainability of this endeavor and whether I should be creating separate content on YouTube or simply repurposing these podcast episodes on YouTube.

As a result of coaching, taking courses, and obsessively (nerdily) studying YouTube, I have decided to finally leap into YouTube in 2024. In today’s session, I’ll share what went into this decision for me and what you should consider as a current or aspiring therapist podcaster. 

You’ll Learn:

• How our fears are usually rooted in some sort of trauma or feeling unseen or unheard
• Top considerations for me in starting out on YouTube:
• YouTube is intentionally appealing to podcasters and is becoming an ever more popular podcast platform.
• Putting a video editing team in place (Flocksy) makes the jump to YouTube much easier.
• YouTube (owned by Google) is very beneficial for discoverability and SEO.
• I plan to use the best of both playlists (podcasts, YouTube) and feed platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).
• I plan to use “Walden months” to prioritize self-care and big projects. (My inspiration is the commitment to be a fully present family man and what I learned from Tim Ferris’ 2020 blog, 11 Reasons Not To Become Famous.)
• How I plan to keep you updated and document my YouTube journey in the weekly STC Newsletter 
• Why I’m grateful for the support of STC listeners on this new path that has me feeling vulnerable, nervous, and fearful

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists:

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

Many of us aspire to add public speaking as a way to grow our impact beyond the therapy room, but it can be overwhelming to get started. Join us to learn more from today’s guest!

Our Featured Guest

Jasmin Haley

Jasmin Haley has an interesting career that blossomed from her years in healthcare doing public speaking around the topics of substance use and HIV. From that platform, she launched her business consulting business to help others become better public speakers by honing in on their legacy messages. Her framework, the Heart Framework, emphasizes crafting your public speaking message to align with your heart and your authentic self. Our conversation covers why the public speaking platform can be so impactful, Jasmin’s practical tips about storytelling, and how to seamlessly merge podcasting with public speaking. 

Website and Free Resources

You’ll Learn:

• Why public speaking is currently a trendy thing to do, fueled by social media exposure
• Why your voice is an impactful marketing tool from the moment you start a business
• How Jasmin learned humility and honed her communication skills to reach different segments of the population
• Why public speaking success depends on how well you know your audience and can reach their hearts
• How Jasmin learned to speak with power and humility
• Why a podcaster/business owner should enter the world of public speaking
• Jasmin’s tips for becoming a better storyteller and transformational speaker
• How to figure out your “path of least resistance” to best position yourself to leverage your message
• How Jasmin got clarity about her niche as a speaker consultant by asking, “What is it that I want to be known for?”

Resources:

Connect with Jasmin:

Website

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists:

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

It’s not unusual for a podcaster to rebrand and head in a new direction after podcasting for a while. The big questions in this transition are around the logistics of the rebranding process. Today’s session is a coaching call with a member of our Healthcasters Podcasting Course who is unsure about the best way to handle this big transition. Join us as we talk it out and figure out her best next steps!

Our Featured Guest for Today’s Coaching Call:

Marie Vakakis, MA, AMHSW

Marie Vakakis is the founder of The Therapy Hub, and she’s a group practice owner who lives in Australia. She has been doing her podcast, Inside Social Work, for about five years, but she’s decided to rebrand to reach a bigger audience. We will discuss whether she should start a whole new podcast since she has chosen to go in a different direction. We’ll also talk about monetization strategies around podcasting and lining up specific episodes with paid endeavors, such as speaking engagements and online courses. I think you’ll enjoy this look at the entrepreneurial journey, content creation, and podcasting.

You’ll Learn:

• How Marie became a podcaster and learned to be courageous and vulnerable
• Why Marie wants to change and rebrand with a different podcast name and target the general public instead of early-career social workers
• Why Marie needs to pinpoint her new vision and assess the long-term sustainability
• The two tiers to Marie’s new goal: intentionally grow her practice and intentionally grow her transition to public speaker, educator, and course creator
• Melvin’s suggestions for creative ways Marie can grow her practice around content creation
• Melvin’s advice for Marie about introducing her new mission
• How Marie can model for her clients why it is important to embrace change in the rebranding process
• How Marie can coordinate podcast content with courses, public speaking, and coaching calls in ways that plug her individual products and services and help her stand out with her established expertise
• What Marie sees as her next important big step

Resources:

Marie's Website

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

Building relationships with journalists can be an open door to having your work featured, spotlighted, and available to a wider audience. The opportunities and possibilities are endless, but how do we build those authentic relationships? I hope this session will be helpful and informative for you as we learn more from today’s guest!

Our Featured Guest

Aisha R. Shabazz

Aisha R. Shabazz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Philadelphia area. In addition, she is a private practice strategist, business coach, and strategic consultant for leaders in the mental health industry. In today’s conversation, she shares her business journey and how imposter syndrome plagued her as she put her talents out into the world. She discusses pitfalls that therapists encounter, along with how we can work through our insecurities in building relationships with journalists. 

You’ll Learn:

• How the pursuit of her dream job naturally progressed into Aisha’s learning to promote herself in media coverage
• How a comment on a LinkedIn post by Arianna Huffington became the impetus for Aisha to fulfill her dreams
• Why “the page is not judging you” and “start small” became overriding mindsets in Aisha’s writing endeavors
• What kept holding Aisha back from putting her writing out into the world
• How HARO (Help A Reporter Out) provides an outlet for bloggers and business owners to get featured in publications and news outlets
• Three tips from Aisha on building relationships with journalists:
• Starting with HARO is advantageous because there is an established structure to the process.
• Realize that there is no guarantee of a good ROI with every opportunity you pursue; look at it as “planting seeds” and waiting for long-term results. 
• Realize that not every opportunity will contribute to your SEO; some will boost your positive impact in the world. 
• Why your goal should be to serve a larger purpose in the world rather than to seek constant external validation for your work
• Why the best starting point is something that lights you up with excitement
• What Aisha’s goals are for her podcast, Beyond the Session

Resources:

Connect with Aisha: Website

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

Today’s topic is a popular one that affects many people. I’m not ashamed to say that I have struggled with mental health and depression. It’s especially important to know how to balance mental health and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Join us for this incredibly open and honest conversation.

Our Featured Guest-Rebekah Shackney, LCSW

Rebekah Shackney has struggled with depression, which runs on both sides of her family. She’s here to share her story and how her life and business have been impacted. She will help guide us and share what she has learned in building a successful practice around therapy and DBT groups. If you hear those voices of doubt and fear in your head, join us to hear Rebekah’s helpful insight about the delicate dance of managing mental health and the demands of entrepreneurship.

Rebekah Shackney

You’ll Learn:

● How Rebekah’s struggle with genetic depression began

● Why one of the worst parts of depression is believing the lies that depression tells you

● How motherhood intensified depression for Rebekah as she experienced postpartum depression as she tried to balance work and parenthood

● How Rebekah started out in private practice but didn’t feel successful or “good enough”

● How she was paralyzed by envy of others and their success

● How she found the energy and determination to make changes and adjustments

● Why Rebekah started a podcast, A Therapist Takes Her Own Advice

● How she changed her money mindset to squelch the voices of doubt and fear

● Techniques that Rebekah has used to confront fear and get through it

● How Rebekah can show up and do what she wants to do in life to serve and help others

● How DBT can help people take ownership, accept their situation, and take steps to make changes

● Rebekah’s #1 piece of advice to clinicians: “Pay for the supervision you need and deserve.”

Resources:

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

I have to admit that the topic of personal finance excites the nerd in me. I love reading and learning more about all things around finance! Investing intelligently and planning for retirement are often intimidating areas in which we can always benefit from expert advice. Join us to learn how you can make solid investment decisions and better prepare for your future.

Our Featured Guest-Dave Frank, Certified Financial Planner

Dave Frank is the founder of Turning Point Financial Life Planning, which focuses on helping clinicians in private practice manage their retirement and finances. Dave has the heart to empower therapists around money and finances so they can be more present and centered in all areas of personal and professional life. In today’s show, we will begin by looking at the information and misinformation about investing that have come forward during the pandemic. Dave shares strategies for financial management, including why investing in the stock market is a good idea. Our conversation turns to retirement options for solo and group practitioners and a brief look at cryptocurrency.

Turning Point Financial Life Planning

Use the promo code “STC” for 20% off Dave’s Quick Start Coaching Intensive!

You’ll Learn

●     Why most people don’t know the basics of sound investing

●     Why “passively managed, low-cost, tax-efficient mutual funds” are the best tools for long-term investing---(Dave explains the terminology!)

●     The difference between investing and gambling for long-term financial goals

●     The important question about investing: What are my goals?

●     The basics of mutual funds

●     A sound and simple investing strategy that Dave recommends

●     Why your allocations should shift to funds with less volatility and less return as you near  retirement age

●     Dave’s investment advice for beginners about getting started with target-date accounts and emergency savings

●     Why solo practitioners should be careful not to overcontribute to a retirement account

●     Dave’s opinion about investing in cryptocurrency--does it make sense for therapists?

I know that many of us want to launch a successful online course whether it's to share our message with a larger audience or to diversify our income beyond 1:1 work.

Speaking from personal experience, I also know that there are a ton of barriers to getting started: the tech, the mental hurdles, being unsure of whether our course will make money, or even how to market and grow our online course.

Online Course School is a live 8-week cohort-based experience where you'll gather with other therapist course creators to create your online course. It includes teaching workshops from Mel and the STC team, weekly assignments, and opportunities to work together to get things done.

By the end of our time together, you'll have your lessons and modules outlined, know what tech, software, and platform you need to record your online course, have a working sales page, and have a concrete growth plan for your online course.

We'll be launching our first cohort in Sept 2021 with six members. If this sounds like something you'd love to be a

part of, please check out my free A to Z Online Course Guide.

The guide will help you learn from my mistakes over the past 6+ years of being an online course creator and the lessons I've learned from moving the Healthcasters podcasting course from a $297 first sale to over 275 students and passing the $200k revenue mark in 2021.

Resources:

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

Today’s show is a live coaching call regarding a topic that has been very relevant to me recently. We are talking about the many nuances of online courses. I hope this episode will be helpful to you and bring new ideas if an online course is on your radar.

Our Featured Guest-Kristen Boice, LMFT

Kristen Boice is a therapist in private practice and a fellow podcaster. She has realized the need among her listeners for an online course. Her podcast, Close the Chapter, is about closing the chapter on certain things in our lives so we can open ourselves up to new opportunities. In today’s coaching call, I’ll share some lessons I’ve learned along the way about online courses. We’ll talk about the rationale behind creating a live course vs. a pre-recorded one. We will wrap up with a pre-launch strategy to help get buyers for your course before you launch.

Pathways To Healing Counseling 

Kristen Boice

You’ll Learn

●     Why Kristen started her podcast about two years ago to provide another opportunity for     deeper work for her clients

●     How an online course can help you get more information out to curious people

●     The options for your course and other services

●     Why niching down is a big challenge for therapists

●     How Kristen sees the epidemic of people feeling “not good enough” and being scared to speak up

●     How a niche can help you offer value and find your sweet spot

●     How the best courses take people from one place to another

●     Why Kristen focuses on helping with the hard conversations

●     How to use phraseology that appeals to people and addresses their need

●     Step-by-step actions to build your email list and create effective opt-ins

●     How to create value on the front end of your course by validating your content

Resources:

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

Staying true to our values is important in the work we do as clinicians. True business success for us is not based solely on the revenue we generate but on many other important aspects, such as working in a way that our genuine gifts and talents show forth in the meaningful and purposeful work that we do. Join us to learn more.

Our Featured Guest-Jennifer Kasey, PsyD

Jennifer Kasey is a good friend, mentor, and sister in the Christian faith. She and I met way back in 2009 in Nashville, and I’m thrilled that she’s joining us today. She’ll share her perspective on making a slow and intentional transition to full-time private practice. She started as a psychologist at Vanderbilt’s University Counseling Center and then transitioned to a large healthcare system with a small private practice on the side. Over this decade of transitional change, Jennifer has learned many valuable lessons. She will share the logical steps she took in her transition to full-time private practice, the hard moments in the journey, and what she has cherished most about the process.

Redirection

Counseling

You’ll Learn

●Why the first logical step toward private practice for Jennifer was a whiteboard with color-coded short-term and long-term goals

●How she took the next steps of applying for her LLC, creating her website, setting up her business account, downloading bookkeeping software, updating her Psychology Today profile, and more

●A breakdown of Jennifer’s items included on her whiteboard--and why she still looks at it every day in her office

●How Jennifer’s mindset has changed as she gained confidence and let go of fear

●How the hard moments in private practice showed her to learn from the NOs

●How Jennifer learned to stay true to herself, her goals, and values and not live in the “shoulds”

●How Jennifer finds contentment in being herself and staying with her “true North”

●Why you can’t follow after someone else’s definition of success

●What Jennifer cherishes most about building her practice slowly and intentionally: freedom, creativity, and a sense of empowerment

Resources:

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

In any solo episode, I love to be transparent in sharing the behind-the-scenes processes in the entrepreneurial journey. On social media, we see highlights and the finished product, but we rarely see the struggle and obstacles in getting there.

Today’s focus is on confronting and overcoming fear as I go through the process of building a new product. My hope is that this episode will give you encouragement and inspiration to keep going in whatever new endeavors you undertake. 

You’ll Learn

Three ways to combat the voices of doubt and fear:

Work on showing the imperfect side of building something vs. just the finished product

Learning and growing “in the open” helps others learn from both your failures and successes. (From Show Your Work, see Resources)

Bringing what you fear will be judged by others can help dissipate the fear and bring encouragement and support.

• Realize that the first version of anything will not be the final version.
• Putting out beta versions during the development process reduces the pressure to “get it perfect.”
• Getting feedback on beta versions is not an indictment of my expertise. (Use Survey Monkey, see Resources)
• Create an emotional and brainstorming safety net.
• Using layers of family, friends, and colleagues will create a support circle for you.
• Getting emotional, practical, and technical support will vary according to the stages in which you find yourself.

Resources:

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in the show: 

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

Survey Monkey

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.

If the topic of building your personal brand on social media brings feelings of anxiety and insecurity, then today’s show is for you. As clinicians, we know it makes sense to have a digital footprint in the online world, but it’s difficult to know just how to establish yourself with authenticity and transparency. There are so many nuances to the intimidating world of social media! Today’s conversation will give you valuable insight and practical tips to help people get to know, like, and trust you. Join us to learn more.

Our Featured Guest-Lisa Mustard, LMFT

Lisa Mustard is a personal brand coach, psychoeducator, therapist, podcaster, and self-described personal development junkie in South Carolina. This mom of two has created an awe-inspiring presence on social media around topics like fitness, health, mindset, and goals. Recording with her phone, Lisa proves that a high-quality, high-dollar studio is not a requirement for building your personal brand, and she does it in very unique and authentic ways. Lisa joins us to talk about what personal branding is, how much to share, and that all-important line between OK and TMI. We’ll wrap up with the most common mistake people make in personal branding and three tips that you can utilize today to start building your personal brand on social media.

Lisa Mustard

You’ll Learn

●     What is a personal brand? Your reputation, what people say about you, and what you’re known for

●     The best way to narrow your brand down to three specific things is to identify your top values and priorities

●     Why you have to be clear and specific about how you want to move forward on social media

●     How to decide how much to share online

●     The most common mistake people make is----not taking the time to build a personal brand

●     Three tips for a clinician who wants to build a personal brand:

○     Identify your strengths, uniqueness, and how you help people

○     Know your values and what you stand for

○     Know where you want to go and what you want to accomplish

●     Why you should realize that not everyone will resonate with your message---and that’s OK

●     Why social media is the best place to build your personal brand

Resources

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

Looking to launch a successful podcast?

Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Alma!

Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice.