I've often said that adults are like children, just a bit taller... usually! You see, children prefer to have choices when making a decision. Imagine a little girl named Hannah getting ready in the morning for her first day at school. She's already a little nervous and wants to make the 'right' choice for her outfit on that important day.
 
As an adult, you can have the option of two approaches to help her make a choice. Here are the approaches:
 
"Hannah, today is an important day for you and this is what you'll wear today." You then hand her the outfit you've picked out. Or you can say, "Hannah, today is an important day for you. I know you want to look pretty, which outfit would you like to wear? The pink dress with the ribbons, the pant suit with the blue stripes or the yellow skirt and matching top?"
 
In the second approach, Hannah now feels empowered to make a choice that she can feel good about and doesn't feel locked in by just one option.
 
This is the same when we talk to our potential clients about our sessions and services. Many of us start out just offering one sessions and when I ask Practitioners why they don't offer session packages they tell me, "That is what other Practitioners do in my field."

I want to suggest being open to offering not just one session but a series of sessions, such as in a package. Why? There are so many advantages to you and your clients when you give them a little 'menu' of choices.

Here are the main reasons to offer both single sessions and packages:
 
1. They are not locked in to one choice.
As shared in our example of "Hannah" giving clients options at different price points will assist them to chose the option that feels right for them.
 
2. They will get better results.
No one expects to go to the gym for one session with a trainer and walk away completely toned and healthy. It's just not going to happen! When we share the benefits of having more than one session, you are setting them up for success. 
 
3. You build a stronger connection with clients and enjoy your sessions more
A common complaint I hear from Practitioners is having a client for one session and then the client seems to disappear off the face of the earth. Did aliens abduct your client? What happened after our session? Did the treatment help them or hinder them?

When clients commit to a session or treatment package you will be following up with them so you'll know how they are doing. Also, rapport and trust is build over time, in each session your client feels more relaxed and confident in you.
 
4. You'll build more confidence while taking the pressure off of you
And as a Practitioner you'll enjoy the treatments because you will have more time to assist your clients. Especially if you're just starting out, you'll feel less pressure to 'cure/heal/resolve' their problem in one visit. This is so important when you're just beginning with clients and patients.
 
Giving options in the form of single and session packages is a smart way to assist your potential clients in making that important decision to work with you. You'll feel great that you are giving them choices, create loyal clients and feel very confident to communicating your services. 
 
Are you offering session packages? If so what has been your experience? Any questions around offering packages? Let me know!
 
 
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Sept 2, Wednesday 4pm PDT/7 EDT

Does any of these sound familiar?

          "I'm afraid of putting myself out there"
          "I hate asking for money for my sessions, but want to start charging or charging more"
          "How can I get clients when I'm on a budget?"
If you're nodding your head, don't worry you're not alone. Practitioners ask me all the time what I do to get clients.

They also wonder how to overcome the many fears, doubts and limiting beliefs they have around themselves as a Practitioner and the abiliity to really have a practice.

I'm so glad they ask because I used to struggle when it came to getting clients consistently and was so stuck by my own limiting beliefs, lack of confidence and sabatoge habits! I was determined to learn how to grow my practice and how to get over my inner blocks so clients could come to me easily.

Now I show other Practitioners, just like you,  how to do the same!
Join me and other Practitioners for this dynamic call where you'll learn:

----> The Practice Building Formula I use and teach others to attract clients consistently
----> How to get out of your own way and feel 100% confident about yourself as a Practitioner
----> What fears and doubts are holding you back and how to remove them once and for all
----> The main limiting beliefs (also Core Issues) that Practitioners have

You'll get a recording of the call to, but you have to register.
Click here: http://www.practicebuildinginstitute.com/freeclass.html
 
 
Many Practitioners find one of the biggest challenges comes when transitioning from offering free sessions to actually charging clients for their work. Or the feel hesitant to increase their fees, even though they know they should. I completely understand these fears.
 
When they think of making this transition, many doubts and fears come up:

"Am I worth that much?"
"Now I'll really have to cure/heal/resolve their problem!"
"They'll expect more of me when I start charging them, what if they don't get results?"
"I feel uncomfortable around the subject of money, I just feel nervous when they ask what I charge"

What I first recommend is to DECIDE. If you do not decide to start charging or to increase your fees, you'll probably feel unappreciated and eventually resentful.
 
Secondly write down the fears you have around asking for m0ney. Getting clear on the 'objections' to charging or charging more is so important. The trick is to make sure you are uncovering the deep beliefs that are holding you back.
 
Next, use a clearing process such as Emotional Freedom Techniques or another clearing process to neutralize these fears and limiting beliefs. Make sure you are clearing them at the root. If you don't they will hold you back from feeling confident that you can charge what you desire.
 
When you clear the fears and insecurities around m0ney, you will easily be able to communicate your session prices and feel confident that you can charge what you are worth and get it.

Remember that you are offering a valuable service. People will feel more comfortable with you and will refer others when they know you are charging them or even when you increase your fees, because you are communicating to them you are a professional and value yourself and the sessions you offer.
 
Stating your fees or increasing them does not have to be daunting task, but it can hold you back unless you get clear your limiting beliefs around charging what you and your sessions are worth. Once you do clear these doubts you can charge what you are worth and get it. And that is a priceless!
 
Do you assistance to communicate your fees confidently and gain clients quickly?  I'd love to show you how, c*lick here to see how I can assist you: http://snipurl.com/lh0ly 
 
 

There is not one Practitioner I know that has not, at one time or another, felt insecure about marketing themselves. When we put ourselves 'out there' in front of others, our insecurities, fears and doubts arise.

Here's a few common fears and doubts that I hear:

"Who am I to do this?"
"I haven't been in practice/had enough sessions to do ____________"
"What will others (family, friends and colleagues) think about me?"
"what if I make a mistake in front of others?"

This self doubt talk can handicap us from taking action and moving forward with our ideas and aspirations to get more clients and grow our practice, have you noticed? I have noticed this in myself and many of the Practitioners I've worked with share that they want more clients but hold themselves back at the same time.

So how do we overcome these limiting beliefs and insecurities of 'putting ourselves out there'? First, know that you are not alone. I still get doubts when doing something new and uncomfortable for the first time: leading a new teleclass, launching the Success Circle, approaching another Practitioner for a joint venture.

I recommend to reach out for help from someone who has already done what you desire to do. Part of the insecurity comes because we don't know how to: lead a workshop, price our sessions or confidently answer that question we get asked, 'so what do you do?'

Get practical advice which will minimize discomfort with doing something new. Learn from people that have already done what you desire to do and find out the easiest, most efficient way to do it. I say learn from those that have already made the mistakes, so you don't have to!

Lastly, identify the limiting beliefs that keep coming up for you. Then use a clearing process, such as hypnotherapy or Emotional Freedom Techniques, to clear these so you can move forward with calm, confidence.

The good news is that the fears release their grip on us the more we step out of our comfort zone to overcome the blocks that are holding you back. While you might cringe at the thought of 'putting yourself out there,' I invite you to approach marketing as an opportunity overcome these fears that are holding you back.

Because when you do, you'll reach people who desperately need your help, become more self-empowered, and began to grow your practice to a fulfilling service that you love and your clients love.

AnaMaria Herrera, director of Practice Building Institute.com, is devoted to teaching Holistic Practitioners how to consistently attract clients, build a thriving practice and make more money doing what they love.

Through her workshops, coaching programs, and products, AnaMaria shows her participants and clients how to create an ideal practice that gives them fulfillment and freedom.

If you enjoyed thiis post, you'll love AnaMaria's down-to-earth, highly effective marketing and mindset products to help you consistently attract clients and develop unstoppable confidence while building your practice and living your passion. To get your F.R.E.E. Audio and receive her weekly tips on marketing strategies that draw ideal clients to you, visit: http://www.PracticeBuildingInstitute.com
 
 
 
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This week kicked off Fiesta and I've watched two parades, one extraordinary performance of dancers and singers and have had my share of tasty treats at the local booths downtown that line the streets. Here are some flamenco dancers at the Fiesta Pequena- Children's Parade.

They were so colorful coming down the street with their dresses and flowers in their hair... you could see them coming a mile away.

Speaking of seeing people coming, in this post I share with you the importance of tracking your referrals... you'll learn why and some easy methods to help  you see exactly where your clients are coming from.

When I first began to help Practitioners years ago with their marketing one of the first questions I asked was:

"Do you know how each of your clients came to learn or know about you?"

I remember one acupuncturist I worked with sheeplishly said, 'No...should I?'

Yes! Tracking just how your client came to hear about you is so important for any Practitioner, Whetheryou're just starting out or  been in practice for years.

Why?

You'll be able to see WHO exactly is referring folks to you and importantly encourage them to continue. (I'll share in a future article how to 'reward' your those that have referred clients to you so they can continue and feel appreciated as well!)

You'll also will see what marketing methods are pulling in clients.

Was it from the f*ree teleclass you offered? Or an article you wrote? Maybe they saw you on Facebook?

Here are some easy ways to track and see exactly where you're clients are coming from.

1. Your intake form. Have a "How did you hear about me?" line so they can fill it in.
2. Your 'contact me' form on your website. You can have a field that says, "How did you learn about me?"
3. When you talk with them on the phone, you can ask them directly.

Learning and noticing who is referring clients to you and what marketing methods are bringing clients to inquire about you, is crucial and it's not hard, it just takes a simple system in place and a few minutes to follow through.

When you have a simple system to track where your clients are
coming from, you begin to work smarter and not harder.

And that's a very good thing for you and your growing practice!

Do you need simple systems in place so you can learn how clients come to you and how to keep them coming your way?

I'd love to show you how... client attraction and retention is my speciality. Click to learn how I can assist you:  http://snipurl.com/lh0ly
 
(c) 2009 AnaMaria Herrera, EFT Practitioner, Classical Homeopath andExpert Marketer

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: AnaMaria Herrera, Online Marketer and Director of Practice Building Institute publishes 'Practice Building Success' teaching Holistic ractitioners how to get clients and build their practice. For a f*ree audio and resources go to: www.PracticeBuildingInstitute.com


 
 
This last week I received a phone call from a client of mine. She left a brief message thanking me for a card I sent her. She was so touched, that she took time out of her day to remark that she was taken back and pleasantly surprised when she opened it up and read the brief note.
 
"I was touched by the card you sent. I just had to let you know that was a thoughtful gesture and I look forward to our next session."

This busy professional had just completed her third session with me. She had made great strides in the work we did together. I wrote her a brief, handwritten note saying I was proud of her success and looking forward to our future sessions.
 
Someone might say this is a small thing to do. I think it is too. I wasn't sending her a bouquet of roses  or bottle of champagne.
 
It cost me less than 40 cents and three minutes of my time. It was just a simple, note card expressing my heart felt appreciation of her as a client and cheering her on.

Guess what? After her next session, she booked another session package with me.
 
You see it's these small touches that make for a BIG practice. With my Practitioners I work with and in the Success Circle, I teach how important these small touches of communication are because:
 
1. They know you care about them personally, they aren't just 'another client'
2. They know they are being hear and appreciated
3. You stay 'top of mind.' Sometimes your client will tack the card on the refrigerator or their desk and others will ask them, 'Whose that card from?'
Instant advertisement!
4. It just plain feels great to you and the receiver!

It's the small touches that count!
 
It's so important I teach a whole class on this topic, I call it Policies, Procedures and Communication, with my private clients and in the Practice Building Success Circle.
 
When your client or patient has a high-touch experience with you from the moment they pick up the phone or go to your website to the moment they are opening up a thank you card or a 'just checking in with you' email after the first session, they will be loyal to you, refer others and have high regard for you as a Practitioner.
 
Wondering how to create small touches that has your client re-booking sessions and referring others? I'd be happy to show you as I've many other Practitioners just like you!  Click here for classes http://snipurl.com/lh0ly
 
 
Often when people think of marketing their practice they get overwhelmed ( I call it the deer-in-headlights syndrome!) and not sure where to begin. Boy, have I been there!

Or if they've been marketing for a while they can feel even more overloaded with a lot of ideas and feel they don't have enough time or energy to do them all.
 
Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. I like to tell my clients that building their practice is like building a house. Take one one step at a time. And of course, since you are in the Success Circle, I'll show you how to create apractice on a firm foundation and draw clients to you steadily.
 
And one of the most important steps in this process is to log your progress.

Begin to log or write down what steps you are taking attract more clients.
Reading this article, attending a marketing class and ordering business cards are all ways that show YOU that you are moving in the direction of your desire.

While this seems too simple to make an impact, I can tell you that when we notice what we are doing differently, we begin to feel more empowered and encouraged. It doesn't matter if there is one task written down or ten.
 
I do this everyday I work on my business. On the bottom of a sheet of paper I write down what I've done to get me closer to my desire. I love looking at this 'proof' that I'm creating what I desire.  
 
And you know what happens?
Clients begin to call us, we get motivated to promote ourselves and our Practice takes shape before our eyes. Let me know what steps you've taken, okay? I would love to know and celebrate with you!