Episode #617: Fixing Common Website Copy Mistakes For Therapists - Abundant Practice Podcast

Summary

Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #617 Summary

Episode Title: Fixing Common Website Copy Mistakes For Therapists
Host: Allison Puryear
Release Date: February 1, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #617 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear delves into a critical aspect of building a successful private practice: crafting effective website copy. Addressing a common concern from therapists—lack of confidence in writing website content—Allison provides actionable tips to overcome hesitation and avoid prevalent copywriting pitfalls.

Today's Question

Listener's Inquiry:
"I keep avoiding writing my website copy because I just don't feel confident in how to write it. Do you have some tips?"

Three Major Website Copy Mistakes

Allison identifies and elaborates on three frequent mistakes therapists make when writing their website copy:

1. Flowery Language That Doesn't Say Anything

Issue: Overuse of poetic or vague phrases that fail to communicate clear value to clients.
Example:
"The resilience of spirit in and among my clients allows for deep healing and growth."
– Allison [02:15]
Why It Matters: Such language can confuse potential clients who seek straightforward solutions to their struggles.
Solution: Use clear, actionable language that directly addresses clients' needs.
Better Approach:
"I help people who feel stuck gain the clarity and confidence to move forward."
– Allison [02:45]

2. Talking About Yourself Too Much

Issue: Focusing excessively on the therapist's own passions or qualifications rather than the client's experience and desired outcomes.
Example of Ineffective Copy:
"I'm passionate about helping people."
– Allison [04:10]
Why It Matters: Clients are more interested in how you can help them rather than your personal motivations.
Solution: Center the copy around the client's struggles and the results they can achieve.
Better Approach:
"You're tired of feeling anxious all the time. I'll help you manage the worry so that you can finally relax and enjoy your life."
– Allison [04:35]

3. Psychobabble and $5 Words

Issue: Using complex psychological terminology or jargon that may alienate or confuse potential clients.
Example of Ineffective Copy:
"Using a psychodynamic framework, I'll help you process unresolved conflicts."
– Allison [06:00]
Why It Matters: Clients seek immediate help and may find theoretical jargon off-putting.
Solution: Employ approachable language that focuses on practical outcomes and client-centric processes.
Better Approach:
"Together we'll uncover patterns that no longer serve you and create healthier ones."
– Allison [06:30]

Key Insights and Advice

Speak Directly to Your Clients

Allison emphasizes the importance of making website copy sound conversational and empathetic, akin to what a therapist would say during a session.

Quote:
"I want your website copy to sound like what you say in session. Imagine that your ideal client is sitting across from you. What are you going to say to them to help them feel seen and supported?"
– Allison [07:00]

Embrace the Writing Process

Writing effective copy is a skill that improves with practice. Allison encourages therapists not to fear imperfect drafts, as refinement leads to clarity and impact.

Quote:
"Don't be afraid of writing a messy first draft or even a messy fifth draft. Great copy takes some practice and the more you do it, the better you're going to get."
– Allison [07:45]

Resources Provided

To assist therapists in overcoming their website copy challenges, Allison offers several valuable resources:

Website Copy Template:
A structured guide to help therapists start writing their website content with ease.
Worksheet for Copywriting:
A practical tool to identify and articulate what therapists want to convey to potential clients.
- Access:
  Listeners are encouraged to visit www.abundancepracticebuilding.com and DM Allison the word "sheets" to receive the worksheet.
Abundance Party Membership Program:
A comprehensive program that provides step-by-step guidance on building a thriving private practice, including templates and worksheets.
- Learn More:
  Visit www.abundanceparty.com for additional support and resources.

Conclusion

Allison Puryear wraps up the episode with words of encouragement, affirming that therapists possess the capability to create compelling website copy that resonates with their ideal clients. By avoiding common mistakes and utilizing available resources, therapists can enhance their online presence, attract their ideal clientele, and ultimately build a more fulfilling private practice.

Additional Resources:

Free Tools:
Access a free private practice checklist, worksheets, and more at www.abundancepracticebuilding.com.
Support:
For further assistance, email the team at help@abundancepracticebuilding.com.

Connect and Share:
If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it with a therapist friend to help them build the practice they desire.

Transcript

Allison (0:00)

Foreign welcome to Ask Allison. 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 that@AbundancePracticeBuilding.com 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. Welcome back to Ask Allison. Here's today's question. I keep avoiding writing my website copy because I just don't feel confident in how to write it. Do you have some tips? Why do I have tips? First, I'd like 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 reading 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 could get going right away. Find out when more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know. Use promo code abundanttherapynotes.com and you can get two months free. So whether you're just starting out or you're feeling stuck, I've seen it all. Copy that is flowery but vague, too focused on the therapist or like just stuffed with $5 words that leave clients scratching their heads. If any of this sounds familiar or you worry that that's you, you're not alone. I got you covered here. So let's start by breaking down the three major copy mistakes that I see most often flowery language that doesn't say anything. We therapists love poetic phrases. But here's the thing. It does not resonate with your clients. It is not helping. So, for example, the resilience of spirit in and among my clients allows for deep healing and growth. I mean, okay, like, what does that mean? First of all, in general, but especially to your potential client, probably nothing. Your website coffee needs to be really clear and actionable. And your ideal client is struggling. They don't need to read a bunch of nonsense words. They need to read words that matter to them. So instead you could say something like I help people who feel stuck gain the clarity and confidence to move forward Right. That's straightforward. It's relatable. It speaks directly to the client's needs. The next problem I see is talking about yourself too much. So many therapists write things like, I'm passionate about helping people. While your passion is great, like your clients don't need to hear about it. They need to hear about how you can help them, not that you're passionate about it. Focusing on what they're struggling with and the results that they can expect. For example, you might say you're tired of feeling anxious all the time. I'll help you manage the worry so that you can finally relax and enjoy your life. Big difference, right? I'm passionate about helping people with anxiety. Doesn't give me much, but describing how they're feeling, that gives me much more. It puts their concerns front and center too. Next is psychobabble and $5 words. It is so tempting to include fancy language or detailed explanations of your theoretical orientation. But remember, like your ideal client isn't reading your site to get a crash course in psychology. They are looking for help. They're looking for help right now because they feel awful. So, for example, instead of using a psychodynamic framework, I'll help you process unresolved conflicts. Okay? Instead you can say, together we'll uncover patterns that no longer serve you and create healthier ones. It's a lot more approachable, it's client focused, it skips the jargon. All of these mistakes end up boiling down to one big idea, and that's that you are not writing like you are talking to a real life person. I want your website copy to sound like what you say in session. Imagine that your ideal client is sitting across from you. What are you going to say to them to help them feel seen and supported? I want you to write like that. And don't be afraid of writing messy first draft or even a messy fifth draft. Great copy takes some practice and the more you do it, the better you're going to get. I know that tackling your website copy can feel really overwhelming. You've got this. We actually, in the Abundance party have a whole template for your website because it's so hard to get started. You don't have to use the template, but it certainly makes things easier. I also have a worksheet for you today if you want to DM me the word sheets to get this worksheet. It will help you with your copy and with identifying what it is that you're wanting to actually say to people. All right, Have a really great day. Take care and I'll talk to you later. 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 or you want to get your hands on the worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com link 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.