Episode #594: Who NOT To Network With

Summary

Abundant Practice Podcast
Episode #594: Who NOT To Network With
Release Date: November 16, 2024
Host: Allison Puryear

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Introduction

In Episode #594 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear tackles a pivotal aspect of building a successful private practice: strategic networking. Titled "Who NOT To Network With," this episode provides therapists with essential guidance on optimizing their networking efforts to attract ideal clients and foster a thriving practice. Particularly beneficial for introverted therapists, Allison offers insights to help listeners conserve their social energy and focus on connections that genuinely contribute to their professional growth.

Key Topics Covered

1. The Importance of Strategic Networking
2. Identifying Non-Productive Networking Targets
3. Focusing on High-Value Referral Sources
4. Utilizing Resources for Effective Networking

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1. The Importance of Strategic Networking

Allison begins by addressing a common challenge therapists face: determining whom to invest their networking efforts in. She emphasizes that not all connections are equally beneficial and that discerning the right contacts can significantly impact the growth and sustainability of a private practice.

"The very most important rule for who not to network with is whether the person you're reaching out to works for an organization that encourages or requires in-house referrals only."
— Allison Puryear [02:03]

2. Identifying Non-Productive Networking Targets

A substantial part of the episode focuses on identifying individuals and organizations that may not offer valuable referrals. Allison highlights the pitfalls of networking with professionals tied to certain organizational structures that limit referential opportunities.

• Organizations with In-House Referral Policies: Allison warns against networking with individuals who work in environments that restrict referrals to within the organization. Examples include large institutions like hospitals or expansive group practices where referrals are handled internally by administrative staff rather than fellow therapists.

  "Anyone working at a group practice. Most of them aren't the ones providing referrals anyway."
  — Allison Puryear [02:47]

• Intake Personnel and Administrative Staff: She points out that often, it's the intake personnel or administrative staff who manage referrals, not the therapists themselves, making them less valuable as networking contacts for generating external referrals.

• Specialized Niches with Limited Referral Flexibility: Allison mentions that professionals in highly specialized niches may not engage with other niches, rendering them ineffective as referral sources.

  "Therapists that won't touch your niche with a ten foot pole."
  — Allison Puryear [02:47]

3. Focusing on High-Value Referral Sources

Instead of allocating time to non-productive networking, Allison advises focusing on "referral gold mines"—contacts that are more likely to refer clients who fit the therapist's ideal client profile.

• Primary Care Providers: These professionals often serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking mental health services and can be pivotal in referring clients.

• Psychiatric Providers and Prescribers: Given their role in managing clients' mental health medications, they are well-positioned to identify individuals who could benefit from therapy services.

• Gynecologists and Other Specialists: Professionals who interact with clients in specific contexts can also serve as valuable referral sources, especially if their client base aligns with the therapist’s niche.

  "The prescribers your ideal clients would go to, whether that's a primary care provider, a psychiatric provider, or a gynecologist."
  — Allison Puryear [02:49]

4. Utilizing Resources for Effective Networking

To assist therapists in implementing these strategies, Allison introduces a free worksheet titled "Who to Network With." This tool is designed to help practitioners identify and evaluate potential referral partners based on their ideal client profiles.

"Today's free worksheet is who to network with. It helps you think through specifics of who is most likely to refer to you based on your ideal client."
— Allison Puryear [02:49]

Listeners are encouraged to access this worksheet and other resources at abundancepracticebuilding.com to enhance their networking strategies and build a robust referral network.

Notable Quotes

• On Avoiding Certain Networks:

  "The most important rule for who not to network with is whether the person you're reaching out to works for an organization that encourages or requires in-house referrals only."
  — Allison Puryear [02:03]

• On Group Practices:

  "Anyone working at a group practice. Most of them aren't the ones providing referrals anyway."
  — Allison Puryear [02:47]

• On Targeting Prescribers:

  "The prescribers your ideal clients would go to, whether that's a primary care provider, a psychiatric provider, or a gynecologist."
  — Allison Puryear [02:49]

Conclusion

In this episode, Allison Puryear provides therapists with a clear roadmap for optimizing their networking efforts by identifying and avoiding unproductive connections while focusing on high-value referral sources. By implementing the strategies discussed and utilizing the provided resources, therapists can save time and energy, build a more lucrative private practice, and ultimately achieve greater professional freedom and satisfaction.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the Abundance Party membership program for a step-by-step guide to building and filling their private practices, as well as to access additional tools like free checklists and worksheets available at abundancepracticebuilding.com.

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Additional Resources

• Abundance Party Membership Program: Learn how to work fewer hours, increase your income, and attract ideal clients. Visit www.abundanceparty.com for more information.

• Free Worksheets and Checklists: Access valuable resources to support your practice-building efforts at www.abundancepracticebuilding.com.

• Contact Support: For further assistance, email the team at [e-mail].

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Ask Alison.

[B]

Y'all ask the questions about having a fun and thriving practice and I answer them. We have a worksheet for you today so you can bring this answer into your life. You can Access [e-mail] links where you'll also be able to ask any questions you have for Ask Alison. If you want more support, we've got some free trainings in there too. If you can't get enough Ask Alison, check out our YouTube channel for our entire Ask Alison library.

[A]

All right, welcome back to Ask Alison. Today I'm combining a few questions I've gotten recently that when looked at thematically, basically the question is who not to network with. I don't want you to waste your time or your social energy, particularly you introverts out there. And so I am answering that today. But first I want to thank TherapyNotes. They are the number one rated electronic health record system available today. They have live telephone support seven days a week. And that's why it's clear that Therapy Notes is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and has a 5 star rating on Google. Therapy Notes makes billing, scheduling, note taking and telehealth incredibly easy. And all you prescribers out there, they also have e prescribe if you're coming from another ehr. Therapy Notes makes the transition incredibly easy, importing your demographic data free of charge so you can get going right away. Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know. Use promo code [e-mail] for two free months.

[B]

You aren't stuck in your toxic agency, I promise. There's so much freedom over here in the world of private practice and you can be a part of it. And the Abundance Party we teach you step by step how to build and fill your private practice. Imagine shorter days, no meetings, great fit clients, more money than you've ever made, and permanent three day weekends. So many of us are living this life and you can too. You can get started with 75% off your first month if you use the coupon code podcast at checkout. Click the link for the Abundance party in the show notes to join.

[A]

All right, so the very most important rule for who not to network with is whether the person you're reaching out to works for an organization that encourages or requires in house referrals only. Solo private practices are great to network with. The gastroenterologist at the Children's Hospital, the Children's Hospital that has its own outpatient therapy wing isn't great to network with Also not a great idea. Anyone working at a group practice. Most of them aren't the ones providing referrals anyway. Usually that's whoever's answering the phone or whoever's doing the intakes. If they do need to refer, it makes a lot more sense and maybe a requirement. Unless that niche is unavailable to refer to a colleague in house. Are there exceptions to this? Sure.

[B]

But when we're wanting to be as.

[A]

Efficient as possible with your time and your energy, I'd rather you focus on the referral gold mines than are full therapists in your niche. Therapists that won't touch your niche with a ten foot pole. And the prescribers your ideal clients would go to, whether that's a primary care provider, a psychiatric provider, or a gynecologist. Today's free worksheet is who to network with. It helps you think through specifics of who is most likely to refer to you based on your ideal client. I'm going to link to that to make it easy to you. I hope you have a really sweet week.

[B]

If you're ready for a much easier practice, Therapy Notes is the way to go. Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo code abundant for two months free. I hope that helped. If you have questions for Ask Alison or you want to get your hands on the worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com Links if you're listening, you probably need some support building your practice. If you're a super newbie, grab our free checklist using the link in the show Notes. I'd love for you to follow rate and review, but I really want you to share this episode with a therapist friend. Let's help all our colleagues build what they want.