Episode #615: What Should I Name My Practice

Summary

Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #615 Summary

Title: What Should I Name My Practice
Host: Allison Puryear
Release Date: January 25, 2025

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Introduction

In Episode #615 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear delves into a common yet crucial question faced by therapists transitioning to private practice: “What should I name my practice?” This episode is particularly insightful for therapists who are in the midst of establishing their solo practice, especially those moving towards a private pay model. Allison not only addresses the intricacies of choosing a practice name but also provides actionable strategies to ensure the name supports both branding and functionality.

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Listener's Question

The episode centers around a listener's query:

Listener: “I left group practice to start my solo practice in early 2023 and was making quick decisions like picking a practice name, securing my PLLC, domain name, and email address. I'm transitioning again to a private pay model in 2025, working on my niche, ideal client, and marketing plan. Does the name of my practice matter? I chose my initials because my first name can be misspelled, but I’m wondering if using my full name would be better for networking and referrals from other therapists. Or is it more about SEO for Google searches?”
(Timestamp: 00:36)

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Allison's Comprehensive Response

Allison affirms the importance of thoughtful decision-making during such transitions:

Allison: “Does the name of your practice matter? Here is the short answer. Not a whole lot, as long as the people who might refer to you can remember it. It's more about functionality and memorability than it is having the perfect name.”
(Timestamp: 01:10)

Key Points Discussed:

1. Memorability Over Perfection:

   • Allison emphasizes that a practice name doesn’t need to be perfect but should be easy to remember for referrals.
   • She notes that personal names are often more memorable than generic practice names.

2. Challenges with Uncommon Spellings:

   • Using initials can sometimes diminish the personal connection that comes with a full name.
   • Allison: “If you already have one of those names [generic practice names], no worries. Just make sure your website is optimized so that if somebody Googles a phrase close to your practice name or your name plus your state, it pops up as a result.”
     (Timestamp: 02:15)

3. SEO Considerations:

   • While SEO plays a role, especially for practices reliant on organic search, the personal branding aspect can create a stronger connection within professional networks.
   • Allison: “Having your name as a part of your branding often makes it easier for people to connect the dots when someone says you should check out your name. It feels a lot more personal and memorable than a practice name.”
     (Timestamp: 03:00)

4. Strategies for Simplifying Name Issues:

   • Securing multiple domain name variations can mitigate issues with uncommon spellings.
   • Allison: “If spelling is an issue, you can secure multiple domain names with variations on your first name and have them all point to the same exact website.”
     (Timestamp: 03:35)

5. Transitioning Without Overhauling:

   • Changing your practice name doesn’t necessitate starting your business entity anew. Filing a DBA (Doing Business As) allows for operating under a different name seamlessly.
   • Allison: “You can file a DBA, which is doing business as, allowing you to operate under a different name without creating that whole other business entity. It’s a straightforward process.”
     (Timestamp: 04:05)

6. Personal Branding Advantages:

   • Using one’s full name enhances personal branding, making it easier for referrals and fostering trust within professional circles.
   • Allison: “Transitioning to your first name and last name could be a smart move, especially for networking and building a strong personal brand.”
     (Timestamp: 04:45)

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Practical Takeaways

• Functionality First: Choose a name that is easy to remember and functional for referrals, even if it isn't the most creative.

• Optimize Online Presence: Ensure that regardless of the name chosen, your website is optimized for search engines to enhance discoverability.

• Leverage DBAs for Name Changes: If transitioning to a new name, utilize the DBA process to maintain your business structure while adopting a new identity.

• Strengthen Personal Brand: Using your full name can aid in building a personal connection with your clients and peers, fostering a more memorable and trustworthy brand.

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Resources Mentioned

• Free Worksheets: Allison offers a free worksheet titled "Build the Right Practice Questions to Consider," which assists therapists in navigating the nuances of practice building. Interested listeners can request the worksheet by sending a direct message with the word "sheets."

• Additional Support: For those seeking more comprehensive guidance, Allison directs listeners to visit abundancepracticebuilding.com for a free private practice checklist, worksheets, and more resources.

• TherapyNotes Sponsorship: Throughout the episode, TherapyNotes is highlighted as a top-rated electronic health record system, offering tools like billing, scheduling, note-taking, and telehealth features. Listeners are encouraged to use the promo code "abundanttherapynotes.com" to receive two free months of service.

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Conclusion

Allison Puryear expertly navigates the complexities of naming a private practice, balancing the importance of personal branding with practical considerations like memorability and SEO. By prioritizing functionality and personal connection, therapists can select a practice name that not only stands out in a crowded market but also fosters lasting professional relationships. This episode serves as a valuable guide for therapists aiming to establish a strong, memorable presence in their private practice journey.

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Join the Abundance Party: For those seeking structured guidance, Allison invites listeners to join the Abundance Party membership program, which provides step-by-step instructions on reducing work hours, increasing income, and honing in on ideal clients. Visit www.abundanceparty.com to learn more.

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Connect with Allison:

• Email Support: [e-mail]
• Website: abundancepracticebuilding.com
• YouTube Channel: Access the full Ask Allison library for more insights and answers to your private practice questions.

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Empower your private practice journey with the insights and resources provided by Allison Puryear on the Abundant Practice Podcast.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign welcome to Ask Allison.

[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 Allison. If you want more support, we've got some free trainings in there too. If you can't get enough Ask Allison, check out our YouTube channel for our entire Ask Allison library.

[A]

Welcome back to Ask Allison. Here's today's question. I left group practice to start my solo practice in early 2023 and at the time I was making a lot of decisions quickly, such as picking a practice name for getting my PLLC domain name, email address, et cetera. I'm transitioning my practice again and in 2025 I'll be private pay and I'm working on my niche ideal client and marketing plan. Does the name of my practice matter? I picked my initials because my first name can be misspelled, though I'm wondering if for networking and other therapists my first and last name would be better? Or is this a non issue and more about SEO for a Google search. So I'm excited to answer this one. First, we're going to thank Therapy Notes for sponsoring Ask Allison. They are the number one rated electronic health record system available today with live telephone support seven days a week. It's clear why TherapyNotes 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 they also offer E prescribe if you're coming from another EHR. TherapyNotes 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 abundanttherapynotes.com and you can get two free months. All right, so first of all, really great question and kudos for thinking ahead as you transition to private pay. It's really exciting time and I love that you're being really thoughtful about the details. So does the name of your practice matter? Here is the short answer. Not a whole lot, as long as the people who might refer to you can remember it. It's more about functionality and memorability than it is having the perfect name. So let's break it down. You mentioned your first name has an uncommon spelling, which I totally get. It's a valid hesitation, especially when it comes to things like domain names and emails. But as somebody who refers, people often Let me share this I find it a lot easier to remember somebody's name than a practice name. Your name is uniquely you, whereas a practice name, unless it's really clever or distinct, can sometimes just blend into the sea of therapisty names that are out there. We all know those ones, right? I'm not going to call them out. No one needs to feel bad about their choice, but they often involve, you know, like the same exact words in different orders. They're not inherently bad, far from it, but they're common enough that they might not stick in someone's mind. Or I might accidentally refer to one person when I meant to refer to the other, because the names are similar enough. So if you already have one of those names, no worries. Just make sure your website is optimized so that if somebody Googles a phrase close to your practice name or your name plus your state, it pops up as a result. Now about using initials. I'd say they're about as memorable as a generic practice name. They're functional, but they don't create much connection. If you're already using your initials, it might be worth considering transitioning to your full name for networking purposes, especially since referrals from other therapists. They're probably going to be pretty key.

[B]

For your private pay practice.

[A]

If spelling is an issue, you can secure multiple domain names with variations on your first name and have them all point to the same exact website. So for instance, my name is spelled with two Ls and an I, but I could do Allison with one L and an I. I could do Allison with two Ls and a Y and buy these domain names and have all of them pointing to the same site. If you do decide to go with a new name, you don't have to start your business entity over completely. You can file a dba, which is doing business as, which allows you to operate under a different name without creating that whole other business entity. It's a pretty straightforward process, and it can make the transition seamless. You also asked if this is more of an SEO thing for Google searches. It can be, depending on how clients are finding you. If your practice is heavily reliant on organic search people googling for therapists in your area, then yes, your practice name should or could play a role in SEO. But as you build a community and a network of referrers, having your name as a part of your branding often makes it easier for people to connect the dots when someone says you should check out your name, they're amazing for this niche. It feels a lot more personal and memorable than a practice name. So to wrap up, I think transitioning to your first name and last name could be a smart move, especially for networking and building a strong personal brand. It's all about making it as easy as possible for people to remember and refer to you. And the fact that you're thinking about this now while working on your niche, your ideal client, your marketing plan. It shows that you're setting yourself up for success in 2025 and beyond. Before we go, I want to remind you that we have free worksheets. Today's will be the build the right practice questions to consider. This is going to help you through your practice building. This can be good for people in the early stages particularly, or people like you who are transitioning. So y'all can DM me the word sheets as in worksheets and I will send you a link to download that and all the other free worksheets. Also, I hope that this helps. If you have a question for Ask Allison, hit the link in the bio or shoot me a dm. I would love to help you and I'll see you next time.

[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 Allison.

[A]

Or you want to get your hands.

[B]

On the worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com Links.

[A]

If you're listening, you.

[B]

Probably need some support building your practice.

[A]

If you're a super newbie, grab our.

[B]

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.

[A]

Want.