Welcome to this session about AI and SEO, very relevant topics to consider in today’s world of constantly evolving technology. SEO is what most clinicians have focused on for many years, but the online world is changing rapidly in the face of new advancements in AI. With these advances come new levels of fear, excitement, and uncertainty about AI’s role in content creation, SEO, and more. If you feel lost and need direction around these topics, today’s podcast session will be helpful and informative. Our Featured GuestMary WalkerMary Walker is the new owner of Simplified SEO Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping therapists and other professionals grow their practices through strategic search engine optimization. In this conversation, Mary explains how AI is enhancing SEO, how she sees website SEO evolving with AI, and some of the biggest mistakes therapists make with SEO and AI. Simplified SEO ConsultingYou’ll Learn:Words of encouragement to clinicians about SEOWays that AI is enhancing SEO (what we need to understand)Thoughts on changing your perspective if you’ve been fearful of AIBenefits of using social media and AI searches togetherMary’s tips for maximizing SEO content on all platforms (Find out why YouTube is her #1 choice!)Don’t discount the effectiveness of video posts to share content and engage with your audience.Wisdom in balancing the frequency of social media posts and using AI tools to repurpose existing content (Mary recommends Pictory AI for easy video creation.)The scoop on schema markup–what it is and what it does (Find out more at schema.org.)Top SEO mistakes therapists make in the world of AI:Resisting change and being unwilling to adaptWriting content at a higher level, which AI doesn’t likeLearn more about SEO with a free course and YouTube video series. Click here.Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.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.
With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with
ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you.
Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.
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39:56
389: Why Podcasting Is Still One Of The Best Ways For Therapists To Build A Trusted Voice
Welcome! Today’s session kicks off a two-part series on podcasting for therapists. Today’s focus is on how podcasting can help you build something bigger than just a business and help establish you as a trusted voice that resonates far beyond the therapy room. If you are a therapist who has been wondering whether it’s time to expand your reach, this episode is for you. As I’ve grown as a podcaster, I’ve learned lessons about thinking of this skill set as a tool for reaching far beyond clinical work in serving others and growing a business. Even though I was initially surprised that people would even listen to my podcast, I’ve come to understand that podcasting for me wasn’t just about sharing content. It is simply “credibility building” in slow motion, but it’s not the loud credibility that permeates social media. It is the quiet kind that is built through consistency, trust, and service.You’ll Learn:In a noisy world, depth builds trust, and podcasting creates space for depth.Three ideas about using podcasting to build your thought leadership:Thought leadership begins with trust, and podcasting builds trust–one episode at a time.People follow voices that they trust, and podcasting gives them the time and space to be human and not just polished. Authenticity is a strength!Podcasting helps you organize and articulate your ideas.You learn to refine frameworks, language, and points of view.Podcasting positions you as a thoughtful voice in a noisy world.You don’t need to be the loudest; you need to be the most aligned. Going viral and building a massive audience has a lot of downsides.Therapists who podcast consistently become trusted voices. Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.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.
With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with
ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you.
Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.
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20:20
388: Why Some Offers Sell and Others Flop
Welcome to a new season of STC after a break of several weeks. I’m excited to be back with new sessions! Today’s topic to explore is the all-important question of why some offers sell well and others flop. I’m joined by my friend Prerna Malik!Our Featured GuestPrerna MalikPrerna has worked with well-known entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn as a conversion copywriter. She and I connected on LinkedIn, and I immediately saw that she comes from a place of integrity and wisdom. In this session, we discuss what offers are and the top three conversion secrets that make offers sell like crazy. You’ll find our conversation informational and inspirational. Prerna's Website and Free Email CourseYou’ll Learn:What is an offer? (and what is it not?)Five key elements to an offer:The core offerYour unique mechanismTrust buildersDesire driversObjection demolishersPrerna’s top three conversion secrets to strong offers:Lead with emotion, simplicity, and clarity.Use specific messaging and positioning.Use user-based urgency.Maximizing the impact of your copy on your audienceThe most common mistakes entrepreneurs make in their offersA conversion mistake most people make without realizing itThoughts on bonus offers: “Every bonus should have a purpose; otherwise, it’s just fluff.”Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind. 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.
With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with
ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you.
Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.
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37:58
ENCORE: 7 Daily Habits That Changed My Relationship With My Podcast (And Made It Sustainable)
If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. In today’s episode, I'll walk you through the 7 simple yet impactful habits that have changed my relationship with podcasting and made this endeavor sustainable for the long haul. Get ready to hear how you can implement these practices into your own podcasting journey and finally create a process that works for YOU!You’ll Learn: 7 habits that have changed everything for me:Design for longevity, not growth.Learn how I structure my podcast schedule around the life I want.Capture ideas daily.I use a private Slack channel to keep podcast ideas and give me a pipeline of new content.Follow a repeatable episode outline.Establish a framework for solo and guest episodes, and use solo episodes to invite people to your products and services.Batch record on off-months.I record January and February episodes in November and December and keep 3-6 episodes “in the bank” to create a buffer and flexibility.Warm up my voice and energy before recording.There are simple habits (tea, deep breathing, diction exercises, etc.) that work to help me treat my podcast like a speaking engagement.Promote my own offers first, and not just sponsors.Research shows that podcasters are the most trusted media personalities, and inviting people in through dynamic ads is a game changer. (Check out Captivate and the discount available for STC listeners.)Engage with listeners on a regular basis.Ask listeners what topics they want you to cover. Podcasting is not a one-way street!Resources:Try our FREE Podcasting Workshop to learn more.Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.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.
With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with
ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you.
Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.
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26:23
ENCORE: 5 Signs You're Ready To Launch Your Online Course
If you’ve ever thought about creating an online course or made preparations to launch a course, today’s show should bring you clarity and inspiration. We are discussing five indicators that you are ready to launch that course you’ve considered. Join us to learn more!You’ll Learn:My online course journey and how it all began for meThe biggest lessons I learned from my multiple fears of getting startedAre you ready to launch your online course? Here are five signs to help you say YES!You are looking for a scalable impact. (Do you have a bigger vision?)You have mastered a specific skill or have become a known expert in a particular niche.You have a passion for teaching.You are open to learning new skills.You are willing to validate your idea. My belief: “Every therapist has an online course inside them.” Our free email course can help you become a course creator! Find it here.Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.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.
With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with
ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you.
Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.
With 1.81 million+ downloads, Selling the Couch is an Apple Top Career podcast for current and future mental health private practitioners who think differently. Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists in private practice about how they built their businesses as well as top entrepreneurs, business/marketing, and social media experts.*
You'll learn how therapists get referrals, grow their practices, work through fears, find their enough, and stop "trading time for income." Melvin also shares the lessons as he grows his impact + income beyond the therapy room (podcasting, YouTube, writing, online courses, masterminds, investing, etc) and the tips and tools he uses to grow STC from a single-person business to the CEO of a 6-figure business.*
Featured in Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Psych Central
****Get show notes and even more good stuff at sellingthecouch.com/stcpodcast*