Let's Create a Plan!
Before beginning to write, it helps to lay out a plan. Think of it like getting to know your client before starting therapy: you start with a treatment plan to focus your work. Follow the KISS method: KEEP IT SIMPLE & SINCERE! Don't get overwhelmed. Read through all of this once, THEN go back and write down your notes. This shouldn't take you more than 15-20 mins.
1. Who is your audience
Focus on writing for your FAVORITE clients. Why? Because we want you to attract clients that energize you and inspire you to do your best work.
ACTION #1: Write down a few sentences about the clients you love to serve.
(Don't worry about making it perfect, this is just a brainstorm!)
* Do they have a common issue they need support with? (i.e. maybe you're a trauma specialist, passionate about helping women recover from break-ups, helping kids with school anxiety, etc.)
* Do you love working with people in a particular field? (i.e. maybe you love working with teachers or people in the field of education, maybe you love working with other therapists or people in the helping professions, etc.)
* Do your favorite clients share any similar lifestyle traits? (i.e. maybe a lot of them love dogs, or yoga, or watching true crime documentaries-- anything!)
ACTION #1: Write down a few sentences about the clients you love to serve.
(Don't worry about making it perfect, this is just a brainstorm!)
* Do they have a common issue they need support with? (i.e. maybe you're a trauma specialist, passionate about helping women recover from break-ups, helping kids with school anxiety, etc.)
* Do you love working with people in a particular field? (i.e. maybe you love working with teachers or people in the field of education, maybe you love working with other therapists or people in the helping professions, etc.)
* Do your favorite clients share any similar lifestyle traits? (i.e. maybe a lot of them love dogs, or yoga, or watching true crime documentaries-- anything!)
2. What does your audience need to know?
Imagine you're one of your favorite clients. They've been referred to you by a friend, and they arrive at your bio page on our website for the first time. What information are they looking for? They usually want to know:
* Can you help me?
* Are you authentic?
* Will I be able to connect with you?
* Would I like working with you?
* Can I trust you enough to invest my time and money with you?
* Can you help me?
* Are you authentic?
* Will I be able to connect with you?
* Would I like working with you?
* Can I trust you enough to invest my time and money with you?
ACTION #2: Write down a few notes for each of the following questions:
- If you were a new client, what would you need to read on a therapists bio to believe that therapist can help you?
(Qualifications are important, but even more important is whether or not the client feels you can understand their problems and pain)
- What do you have in common with your clients that makes them feel connected to you? Or what do your clients admire about you that make them want to connect with you?
- What knowledge would help your clients begin to trust you? (Maybe it's knowing you've been where they've been at some point in your life.)
- If you were a new client, what would you need to read on a therapists bio to believe that therapist can help you?
(Qualifications are important, but even more important is whether or not the client feels you can understand their problems and pain)
- What do you have in common with your clients that makes them feel connected to you? Or what do your clients admire about you that make them want to connect with you?
- What knowledge would help your clients begin to trust you? (Maybe it's knowing you've been where they've been at some point in your life.)
3. How do you want them to feel?
Your unique bio page is a way for clients to "meet" you for the first time, without actually meeting you in person. Writing a great bio is so helpful, not only for the client, but for YOU because you will spend less time talking on the phone, emailing, and even seeing clients in person for the first session that won't be a good fit for you.
When clients come to see you for the first time, how do you want them to feel? Safe? Heard? Comfortable? Hopeful?
ACTION #3: Write down 1-3 feelings that you want to evoke with your bio page.
When clients come to see you for the first time, how do you want them to feel? Safe? Heard? Comfortable? Hopeful?
ACTION #3: Write down 1-3 feelings that you want to evoke with your bio page.
4. Put it all together!
Once you've done some brainstorming (no need to feel overwhelmed with this, again-- KISS!)
Click through our team bios that are already here to check the format: Meet Our Team
You can see the format is as follows:
- Photo/Headshot
It really helps to have a professional one!
- Short paragraph summary
Sum up the most important parts -- some people will ONLY read this and nothing further!
- Qualifications
Doctorate/Masters/Bachelors degrees, Professional Licenses and Certifications.
- Background
Where you've been a clinician in the past, any pertinent background info, work with non-profits, volunteer, organizations, etc
- Specialization
All your special interests and specialized trainings
- Personal Life
However personal you want to get is completely up to you. We want you to attract the kind of clients YOU are passionate about working with. I have found that listing some personal information can be really powerful. Some of my most amazing clients have referenced very specific personal things I've listed in my bio, such as my background in Buddhism, my love of plants and working in my greenhouse, watching Curb Your Enthusiasm reruns! Jared often gets new clients who resonate with his love of Star Wars and video games. Potential clients want to have confidence in knowing you're a qualified and trusted clinician, but that you are also a real and authentic person.
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