Have you ever wondered whether or not blogging is actually important for therapists?
While blogging may not seem like a necessity, we would argue that it’s one of the best marketing tools for your private practice.
Because blogging is such an important part of your private practice website, we put together a list of our top seven reasons why you should be blogging.
1. You’ll Create Connection
Putting all the marketing facts, statistics, and recommendations aside, blogging is one of the best ways for you to make a connection with someone on your website. The information you share in your blog posts allows you to connect with your readers on a much deeper level than you would if they were just reading your website content. Be yourself, share your expertise, knowledge, and advice, and you will create a safe place for your potential clients to connect with you. If there is a connection, someone is much more likely to schedule an appointment when they feel ready.
2. You’ll Build Trust
Having a blog not only allows you to connect with your readers, it also helps to build trust with those who are visiting your website. You can share your experiences with real clients, your knowledge on various issues, and typical advice you share with clients, more so than you can on your specialty pages. Having a blog also allows you to express how you truly can help ease the pain your readers are experiencing. All of these subtle pieces enable you to start building trust with your website visitors.
3. You’ll Likely Increase Your Website’s Ranking
Studies have shown (there is one in specific by Search Metrics that we refer to often) that the larger the website, the higher it will rank in the search engines. As you add blog posts to your website, the size of your website will naturally grow. You are also more likely to rank for long tail keywords, which are very specific keyword phrases. A great example of a long tail keyword is ‘symptoms of childhood anxiety.’ Assistance in ranking your therapy website is another reason to keep blogging!
4. You’ll Become a Better Writer
Writing, with most things, improves with time and practice. By blogging on a consistent basis, your writing skills will naturally begin to improve. As your writing gets better, you will likely feel more confident and motivated to share information, advice, and stories on your blog.
5. You’ll Be Able to Share Your Expertise & Passion
Once a client steps through the door of your practice, you have the ability to share your passion and expertise with them. Before then, the only mode of communicating these two things is through your website (and in some cases, during a consultation call). Writing blog posts allows you to really convey what you are passionate about, and how you can help.
6. You’ll Likely Get New Clients
Whether people find you through a blog post they found while searching online, or reading your blog posts once on your website, blogging is a great way to get you new clients. Sharing your knowledge on your blog allows potential clients a chance to get to know you on a deeper level. If they feel a connection, chances are your name will be the first to come to mind when they are ready to see a therapist.
7. You’ll Become More Confident
It may surprise you the impact blogging will have on your level of confidence inside, and outside, your practice. Through writing your blog posts you will quickly realize that you have a unique point of view to share on your specialties, and that you have something of value to offer others.
An important aspect of blogging is where your blog “lives.” One of the biggest mistakes we see is when therapists have a blog on a separate platform from their website—a blog hosted on Blogger, WordPress.org, etc. If you want to grow the size of your website, and rank your website higher in the search engines, its vital that your blog is part of your website.
The bottom line is: blogging is something all therapists should be doing on a regular basis. With minimal effort, blogging allows you to create connection, build trust, increase your rankings, build your confidence, and creates a platform for you to share your passion and expertise. Its kind of a no brainer, huh?
If you’re interested in learning more about blogging, check out our free report about creative ways to come up with blog topics.