Tips & Expectations
How Many Clients Should I Expect?
This is a commonly asked question, without a single answer. We want to be as transparent as possible about what to expect with your listing, as well as provide tips on how to improve your results if needed. Please read below to get a little more insight into how all of this works.
How many clients do most therapists hear from?
While the site is highly visited, therapists listed with us often have very different experiences. Some therapists get flooded with requests (some having reported as many as 10 inquiries/week), some have inquires trickle in more slowly (2-3/month), and sometimes there are those receive no inquiries at all. We cannot make any guarantees on what to expect due this large variance, but we are happy to share the trends we have noticed.
Why do some hear from more than others?
There are MANY factors to consider. Below you’ll read about some things we’ve noticed that differentiate a successful profile from a not-so-successful one. If you are finding things slow, you can use this information to make adjustments and hopefully improve your results!
1. The Number of Checkboxes You Select
Clients often use the checkboxes to get very specific in their search for the right therapist. Therapists who have selected more checkboxes come up more often in searches and are therefore found more often by clients.
Does this mean you should check off more boxes? It depends.
Checking off more boxes (especially if they aren’t your niche) can result in added stress and lost time by having consultations that don’t end up working out, having to find referrals for clients that aren’t a fit, or needing lots of extra supervision/support.
Checking off boxes that you are comfortable with will increase the chances that the clients who do reach out will be a good fit.
With that being said, if you are comfortable working with a wide range of clientele and issues, feel free to check off as many boxes as you’d like!
2. Your Photo- Your Photo Matters A Lot!
Say that a search has been narrowed down to 15 therapists – what factors would invite the client to click on your photo over others?
Here are some things to consider:
Is Your Photo Friendly And Welcoming?
Photos that present the therapist as friendly and welcoming tend to work best – this is a trend we have noticed alot.
Is Your Photo Well Framed And Clear?
We have found that professional photos aren’t always necessary however clarity (high resolution), good framing, and a having a nice background can go a long way. If you are using a cell phone, outdoor lighting can really improve the photo quality.
What Messages Do The General Aesthetics Of Your Photo Convey?
Pay attention to what’s in the background of your photo, what you are wearing, your expression, etc. This all speaks volumes to potential clients.
3. Your Bio
A client has landed on your page. What factors might influence their decision to reach out to you or to instead move on to the next therapist? Here are some things that can make a difference:
Break your bio up into short, digestible paragraphs. A long, single paragraph often loses the readers attention.
Relatable & Relational
What other factors are there?
Some other contributing factors and trends that we have found:
- Many folks who use our site have complex needs and seek therapists with specific experience/modalities
- Clients tend to seek therapists who share values similar to their own
- Our main demographic (folks in their 20’s-30’s) often prefer to work with someone near their own age group
- Clients often seek therapists who they imagine share similar life experiences
I hope this information has helped you figure out what advertising approach makes the most sense for you 🙂
-Katie