Selling the Couch

Have you ever considered writing a children’s book? I’ll admit that I’ve thought about it, and it might be a new endeavor in my future. Writing a children’s book takes creativity and planning, and much perseverance is required to navigate the publishing process. Join me as I talk to a longtime friend who has been through the process and published two children’s books.

Our Featured Guest

Amy Jivani

Amy is a childhood friend of mine who has become a children’s book author. Her latest book, Meera’s Flowers, tells the story of a young girl celebrating an Indian holiday while living in America. She also wrote More Than Words: A Book About Body Language, a story about body language and feelings. Amy is a former first-grade teacher who is inspired by her students and her cultural background to write children’s books with ethnically diverse characters. Amy shares with us where she gets ideas for books and how the creative process works. We also discuss the concept of self-publishing compared to the traditional publishing route. We wrap up with Amy’s insights into the hardest part about writing and releasing a book during a pandemic.

www.amyjivani.com 

You’ll Learn:

● Where Amy’s inspiration came from for Meera’s Flowers

● Amy’s advice for other aspiring writers:

○ Write something you can champion.

○ Storyboard your ideas as you begin.

● How the traditional publishing route requires resilience and seems like a “closed club”

● Why Amy decided not to self-publish her first book

● How Amy realized that creative stories could teach and reinforce important concepts to children in more memorable ways

● How Amy gives herself creative space to think and produce rather than setting aside a disciplined time slot

● The hardest part of what Amy has accomplished: getting publishers to see the quality of what she wrote and releasing a book during a pandemic when typical book promotion is a no-go

● How Amy handles the newfound attention of being a published author with humility

Disclosures: Please note that all opinions are my own and based on my personal experience. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links where if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I use these funds to continue to create helpful content to serve our field. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

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Since 2015, I've hosted a weekly podcast where I interview successful therapists in private practice and other business owners to help us grow our impact + income in and beyond the therapy room.

The podcast has been downloaded over 1.2 million times and is heard in over 140 countries.

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Hi. I'm Melvin. I'm a psychologist (PhD), entrepreneur, and online creator living in Philadelphia, PA.

In 2014, I began to think about how to use the therapy skills we learn in grad school, and in our clinical work into different realms (e.g., podcasting, consulting, online course creation, etc).

This allows us to serve others on larger scales while diversifying our income beyond 1 to 1 work.

I make podcasts and videos about business, tech, productivity, and lessons I'm learning from becoming the CEO of a lean, mean 5 person 100% remote team (we're not really mean..it just rhymed =P).

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 solo episode is the last one before we take an extended summer break for August. We will return with new episodes in September and October before I plan a sabbatical of several months.

Today’s focus is on cohort-based courses, which are becoming very popular in the world of online education. It’s a very powerful model that I truly love. Join me for a closer look as I share what I’ve learned so far!

5 lessons I’ve learned about CBCs:

• It truly gets easier the second time around, but the first time is a lot of work.
• There are tweaks you may have to make in real-time. 
• Guest workshops are very high leverage. 
• Use the “I-do, we-do, you-do” framework.
• Realize that a CBC is a lot of work, so beware of having multiple endeavors go on at the same time.  

Check out our Online Course Guide for more information!

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

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.

Before I started this podcast in 2015, I had rolled the idea around in my head over and over again. The problem was that I was full of fears and apprehension, and I just wasn’t sure that I could make it work like I wanted. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to help almost 300 of my colleagues build their online businesses through podcasting, and I’ve learned what to do and what not to do. I’m sharing helpful tips today to help you transform your podcast into a money-making machine. Join me to learn more!

You’ll Learn:

9 Ways to Turn Your Podcast into a Money-Making Machine

• Record coaching calls.
• This is a way to use interactions with current clients/students to drive future sales, share your expertise, and genuinely connect with someone.
• Introduce solo episodes. 
• This is a powerful way to build authority on topics that highlight your expertise while promoting your product or service.
• Show your humanity.
• This is a way to show your personality and connect with others authentically.
• Use private podcast episodes.
• These are targeted, independent episodes on very specific topics. (Example: Build a Second Brain by Tiago Forte)
• Use dynamic ads.
• These are dynamic ads used across all your podcast episodes, which translates to higher sales and higher relevance. (Check out www.sellingthecouch.com/captivate)
• Demonstrate value elsewhere.
• You can point your audience to a free guide, webinar, course, ebook to create more value and make you more valuable to your audience.
• Use strategic invitations. 
• Try to find strategic partnerships in your niche and promote high-value speakers for your audience.
• Collect emails early.
• An email list is your online business’ secret weapon to create an audience you own and collect customer research through surveys.
• Create a consistent schedule.
• A schedule creates routines that your audience can count on.

I hope these tips are helpful for you! If you want to know more, sign up for my podcasting workshop:  www.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.

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

Today’s topic is relevant to many different types of businesses and entrepreneurs, and it’s something I have pondered along my own journey. We are taking a look at owning an audience compared to “renting” an audience through social media platforms. Social media can be overwhelming with many challenges, and the number of followers is not always a reflection of the success of a business. Join us to learn strategies to help you own your audience!

Our Featured Guest

Craig Morris

Craig Morris works with creators to monetize their knowledge. He has worked at Google for the past seven years, and we connected through our mutual friend Kevin Shen, a previous STC guest. Craig has learned a lot about the power of social media, email lists, and more, and he’s sharing his tips and strategies with us. If you’ve debated the merits of creating an email list and wondered if it’s worthwhile, you will find today’s conversation helpful and informative. As a reminder, please note that Craig is sharing his opinions and insights and not necessarily those of his employer. 

LinkedIn

You’ll Learn:

• Why focusing on the numbers of your social media following may not be best because of the risks
• Why relying too heavily on your social media following means you are “renting” your audience
• Craig’s recommended strategies for owning the audience you have created via social media: “If they are only a social media follower, they are one extra step away from being converted to a customer.”
• Ideas about creating an email list or opt-in, while understanding you typically need to give something away in exchange for that information
• Craig’s thoughts on platforms for email automation, lead generation, landing pages, etc. (Apollo, Sendinblue, and Hubspot are a few options.)
• Practical tips for top converting strategies to use, both proactive and more passive formats
• How to find contentment and satisfaction in knowing how much is “enough”

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

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 session is atypical and very specific, but I think it’s a relevant and timely focus. The topic of supporting incarcerated men has been something I’ve thought about for a long time because the need is great, and I have a heart for those clinicians who do this difficult work. I want to learn and understand more about this field, so I hope you’ll join me for today’s conversation. 

Our Featured Guest

Robert Fields, LPA

Robert Fields is a Licensed Psychological Associate in Durham, NC. His 15-year career has included a variety of clients, including veterans, adjudicated youth in the juvenile justice system, and individuals with developmental disabilities. His current focus is on incarcerated men within the prison system. Ever active in his community with youth and adults, he works to educate and reduce the stigma by making mental health a more relatable, useful, and transparent topic. Robert and I recently connected on Twitter, and I’m excited to learn more about his work in this field. 

Twitter and Instagram

You’ll Learn:

• Why Robert chose to work with incarcerated men, despite his initial hesitancy
• How Robert figured out that being present is the most important element in his work, whether working with juveniles or adults
• How Robert depends on his personal experience to understand how people make poor choices
• Robert’s advice to those who want to work with incarcerated individuals:
• Don’t lose sight of their humanity.
• Be consistent, respectful, and fair above all else. 
• Have well-defined boundaries.
• How Robert maintains optimism in this challenging environment

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.

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

Today’s session is all about building a breathwork app. It’s an interesting and nuanced process that most of us don’t understand. Breathwork can be a vital part of any therapy practice, and it is a tool that we should better understand. Join us to learn more!

Our Featured Guest

Brian Von Ancken

Brian Von Ancken is Head of Partnerships at Othership.us. Brian and I met on Twitter, which has been a great place for me to connect and engage with many amazing people. Brian’s app is one of the top products on Product Hunt, and I’m curious about why he created an app like this that focuses on health and wellness. We will also talk about the technical aspects of creating a breathwork app. 

Website

Get a discounted price on Othership by using the link:  www.sellingthecouch.com/othership. 

You’ll Learn:

• Brian’s personal journey, finding wellness after difficulties, that led him to Othership
• How Brian’s law degree benefits him in the entrepreneurial world
• The biggest mental roadblocks that were in Brian’s way
• Lessons learned in putting yourself “out there” on social media
• How Brian connected with the Othership founder and ended up partnering together
• How Brian’s breathwork app gained popularity through Product Hunt, a website that features new and useful products 
• How Othership is trying to fuel a movement toward peak experiences and elevated wellness
• How the app material is recorded by breathwork facilitators in a high-quality production process
• How Brian has struggled to remain authentic along the journey

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.

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

Even with seven years or so of course-building under my belt, I certainly do not claim to be an expert with all the answers. Always the student, I’m constantly learning and tweaking the process, and I’m always happy to share my tips and valuable lessons with you. There are so many tools, equipment, formats, etc.--- and it can all be very intimidating! In today’s solo session, I’m sharing tips about my favorite recording tool, Loom. Join me now!

You’ll Learn:

• Why Loom is my favorite recording tool for online courses and the STC podcast
• My tips for using Loom to record your online course videos:
• Alter the sharing style. You can record your screen, your voice, or both. I recommend a combination of all three for variety. Don't be afraid to show your fce on camera!
• Stick with one big idea per video. The “Show Recording Time” feature in Loom helps you avoid overwhelming your audience with long sessions. I try to stick to 4-7 minutes.
• Decide beforehand your format for each video. My advice is to start with what problem you’ll solve, give three tips, and share a common mistake from your personal experience.
• Create a custom thumbnail. Loom helps do this beautifully.
• Create folders in Loom before recording. It’s 100x better to organize them from the beginning.
• Invest in a mic to boost the sound quality. “Small improvements in quality lead to a big impact.”
• Record with a digital DSLR. The quality will be 100x better than what a webcam will give. You have to buy a USB Capture Card to allow the DSLR to shoot video.
• Have a very, very clear call to action. Whether the next step is to watch the next video or complete a workbook or exercise, be clear about it for your audience.

Resources:

See my gear recommendations!  www.kit.co/mvarghese  

Check out the Mastermind! www.sellingthecouch.com/mastermind   

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

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 session is very relevant to the season of life that I’m currently navigating. How far do we keep going as entrepreneurs as we reach our goals? How far is enough that our lives and responsibilities are balanced by the work we do and not pushed aside by work? How big do we want our business and our revenue goals to be? Join us for a closer look at “enough” in today’s podcast!

Our Featured Guest

Keri Nola

Keri Nola is a good friend and a repeat guest on the podcast, even though it’s been far too long since she has joined us here. After more than a decade of growing a prosperous practice as a licensed psychotherapist, Keri expanded her work into other avenues. She’s a best-selling author, podcaster, and founder of the Abundance Activator for Healing Entrepreneurs. Her global practice allows her to mentor healers as they conquer fear and doubt so they can step into their power and serve abundantly. Keri helps us dive into what “enough” is and why so many clinicians tell their clients that having more stuff doesn’t equal happiness—but they fall short in following their own advice as small business owners. Keri shares her internal thought process about building new products and services and her decision-making process. 

Website

Use coupon code “sellingthecouch” at www.theabundanceactivator.com to lock in current rates on Keri’s Abundance Activator for the remainder of 2022. 

You’ll Learn:

• Why it’s tempting and seductive to build bigger and have more
• How your “more” should be aligned with your season of life, personality, and energy
• How to evaluate your desire to grow–Where is it coming from?
• The difference in feeling the slow simmer of a divine pull vs. the frantic need to compare and compete with others
• Why it’s important to look for alignment, both in ourselves and in others we might follow
• Why you have to welcome abundance as a resource to help you (and your team) relax and take care of yourselves
• Why it’s OK to want to create something new in a way that serves others and helps you
• How care, attunement, and mindfulness are involved in deciding who should work with us (It’s OK to say NO to working to some people–for their own good.)
• How Keri has learned to figure out her “enough” by deciding what is true and checking in with herself for peace and alignment
• Why you need to ask, “Am I living what is true for me?”
• An overview of Keri’s Abundance Activator, her membership community for healing entrepreneurs

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.

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

These past few years, I’ve been focused on building a life around my family and self-care rather than fitting those things around a career. I’ve learned that there is much wisdom in slowing down and not keeping up a crazy pace. One thing that has helped me accomplish these goals is creating an online course. Even though I’m super grateful and blown away by the success of the Healthcaster’s course, I made a lot of mistakes along the way. Join me as I share my insights and lessons learned. 

You’ll Learn:

• The 10 biggest mistakes I made as an online course creator:
• 1–I didn’t understand how my childhood trauma affected my course pricing. 
• Check out these resources: “The Psychological Price of Entrepreneurship” (Inc Magazine), We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers, and courses by Tiffany McLain.
• 2–I gave my students lifetime access to coaching and community.
• This caused me to feel resentment for not charging more for that kind of access to me.
• 3–I focused too much on gear instead of creating a steady marketing system. 
• I have learned that marketing, which is not my strength, is all about authenticity and connection.
• 4–I focused on being in the “middle of the pack” on pricing instead of in the upper tier.
• Ask yourself, “Do you want to be the Apple or the Walmart in your niche?”
• 5–I didn’t realize that I could invite students into other experiences beyond my course.
• Options include a mastermind, cohort-based course, and other recurring income buckets.
• 6–I realized that looking at my bank account doesn’t drive sales as testimonials do.
• Follow me on Twitter for more information on this topic.
• 7–I thought I’d be stuck on one business model, so I built a “strip mall model.”
• I didn’t realize that offering several products requires a lot of work, so I’m moving to a “skyscraper model.” Find out more at www.sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.
• 8–I thought having a mentor with a similar course meant that I couldn’t create one.
• When someone else has a similar course, you can niche down into a more specific message.
• 9–I was too concerned about the sale over the relationship.
• This came from a poverty mindset instead of the abundance mindset to which I aspire. 
• 10–I didn’t think about the one-off sale on the front end and the recurring invitation on the back. 
• A certain number of students will want a more in-depth experience with us. 

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 relevant one for many clinicians as telehealth services have become a widespread, vital, and normal part of the healthcare field. Specifically, we are focusing on how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) changes when you practice telehealth across your state or even in multiple states. I’m continually fascinated by SEO and how it works, and it’s something I’m still learning. If you are like me, join us to learn more!

Our Featured Guest

Jessica Tappana, MSW, LCSW

Jessica Tappana is the founder of Simplified SEO Consulting, a firm that helps private practice owners build their businesses through Search Engine Optimization. She’s a group practice owner in Missouri and an SEO nerd who loves taking therapy websites to the top in Google rankings. In today’s session, Jessica talks about the biggest considerations in SEO as telehealth becomes the norm, as well as tips to improve SEO in practicing telehealth. We wrap up with Jessica’s insights about SEO as it relates to location-based services.

Website 

You’ll Learn:

• The biggest difference in approaching SEO as telehealth becomes the norm
• Why content generation is the solution to improve SEO for telehealth provider
• Why there is less work required to maintain an SEO ranking once you achieve it
• Jessica’s tips for telehealth practitioners to improve SEO:
• Create a unique location page for each state in which you are relevant.
• Have a technically-sound website.
• Blog regularly. (The optimal frequency depends heavily on your location and level of competition.)
• The value in truly useful content for our clients that ALSO improves SEO
• Why SEO doesn’t like “psycho-babble” but notices readability

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.