LinksCome and join the movement at:
https://psychologists.drrosie.co.uk/ (https://psychologists.drrosie.co.uk/)
Check out https://heavymetaltherapy.co.uk/ (Heavy Metal Therapy here.)
Social Media: A Force for Good In Psychology and Essential for your private practiceWhy do we think social media and psychology don’t mix? Social media and psychology can seem to be adversaries at first glance. Many of us did not grow up with social media. We were introduced to it as adults and have probably fallen foul of its temptations to blur boundaries and cause offence as we struggled to manage the disinhibition effect and to cope with the fact we couldn’t very easily switch it off. It is therefore understandable that we imagine it is a very risky thing for our clients, especially the young ones. It is important that this does not blind us to the positive impact of social media for our clients. Over the past two years in my private practice I have changed my view on social media dramatically from one of deep suspicion to one of appreciation. Yes there are definitely pit falls associated with it. There are times when I personally find it completely draining and the data, privacy and catfishing scandals seem never ending. But it does also seem to have an almost exponential potential for good. Today I will focus on the positives rather than the risks of social media. I think the risks deserve a whole episode of their own.
Unpacking the positive impact of social media: Building the community for community psychology• See the episode with Dr Kate Quinn from Heavy Metal Therapy – HMT brings people together around a shared passion or interest, we can facilitate that interest becoming a positive and productive sense of identity. • Within supportive communities we can find the strength we need to dare greatly. People who have been through hard times can often stay small in their hobbies, careers and families because of shame. Sharing experiences and gaining support from others can unlock that. I think the Mums in Business networking groups I am a member of are a good example of this. Lost of people share stories of mum guilt
• If you then want to introduce something aimed at people having a hard time you have built genuine relationships and the community can build it with you. Creating what people need Building a social community helps you form genuine relationships. You then have the platform to make an impact.
• You can develop the online course or book or workshop that people actually want and need. This means you don’t take as much risk, financial and work wise and you are more likely to be profitable. Online sales conversion rates are only 1-2% so in real terms if you have an email list of 100 you will most likely only sell one course or place on a workshop. Of course if you genuinely build your offer with the community you may well have a higher conversion rate. • Without a community to talk to you won’t stand a chance of making a big impact.
• I learned these lessons and managed to make my hypnobirthing workshops successful in Plymouth because I spent time getting to know mums to be in groups on FB and at local events. I made an offer they wanted/could afford.
Reaching more peoplePsychologists and therapists in private practice often don’t NEED social media to market their services effectively. I have an “overbooked” practice and not many of my clients come from social media. I could very easily earn good money without it. But I still care about it and this is why:
• It helps you win your own clients. If you are using directory sites to win referrals you often end up paying them a huge chunk of your fee. If you rely on insurance companies or word of mouth your referral streams can dry up quickly if someone else’s situation changes. That feels precarious. • You can speak to the kind of clients you actually want to work with. If you have a specialism SM allows you to speak to exactly who you want to help. The clients I have who have...