Abundant Practice Podcast Summary

Episode #619: Should I Start An Email List
Release Date: February 8, 2025
Host: Allison Puryear

Introduction

In Episode #619 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear delves into the nuanced topic of whether therapists should cultivate an email list to connect with potential clients. This episode challenges conventional marketing strategies often recommended in the therapy community, offering a fresh perspective that may surprise many listeners.

Understanding Email Lists in the Context of Therapy

Allison begins by defining what an email list entails, highlighting its common use in the business world for building rapport, sharing valuable content, and promoting products or services through lead magnets like checklists, workbooks, and coupons.

Allison [00:36]: "An email list is a collection of email addresses from people who sign up to receive content from you. It's really common in the business world where it's used to build rapport, share valuable information, and eventually encourage people to buy a product or a service."

Allison’s Reservations About Email Lists for Therapists

Despite recognizing the effectiveness of email lists in general business practices, Allison expresses skepticism about their suitability for therapists. She articulates several concerns:

1. Mismatch of Content and Intent:

   • The nature of therapeutic work is intimate and trust-based, which may not align well with the often impersonal nature of email marketing.

   Allison [02:20]: "Therapy holds a really different level of responsibility. Our clients often come to us with significant emotional needs, and the boundaries that we maintain reflect that."

2. Potential Intrusiveness:

   • Surprise emails, even with valuable content, might feel intrusive to potential clients seeking a safe and private therapeutic relationship.

   Allison [03:15]: "Surprise emails, even with the best intentions, might feel intrusive."

3. Boundaries and Ethical Concerns:

   • Regular emails could blur the lines between professional therapy and marketing, leading to ethical dilemmas, especially when clients engage in clinical discussions via email.

   Allison [04:50]: "Without clear boundaries, this approach can lead to misunderstandings about the client-therapist relationship."

4. Alignment with Therapeutic Goals:

   • She emphasizes that therapy should be about clients finding the right fit through intentional research rather than being persistently nurtured through an inbox.

   Allison [05:30]: "I want clients to find me through intentional research and trust that I'm the right fit, not because I stayed in their inbox."

Alternatives to Email Lists

Instead of traditional email marketing, Allison suggests alternative methods that better respect the therapeutic boundaries and client needs:

1. Content Marketing through Blogs and Social Media:

   • Creating blogs and vlogs allows therapists to share valuable insights without the intrusive nature of direct emails.

   Allison [06:00]: "If you're really eager to share valuable content with potential clients, blog about it instead. Vlog about it instead."

2. Information Products:

   • For those interested in creating ebooks or courses, an email list can be beneficial if it's clearly tied to specific products rather than ongoing marketing.

   Allison [06:30]: "If you're planning to create an information product like an ebook or a course, an email list can make sense for sure."

Personal Stance and Flexibility

Allison concludes by emphasizing that the decision to use an email list should align with the therapist’s personal and clinical values. She acknowledges that while email lists may not be suitable for traditional therapeutic practices, they can be effective in coaching or consulting roles.

Allison [06:50]: "If an email list fits your practice, it aligns with your values. Go for it. But if you're like me and it doesn't sit as well clinically or personally, know that it's okay to skip it."

She encourages listeners to reflect on their own practice needs and make informed decisions rather than following generic advice.

Engagement and Resources

To foster community interaction, Allison invites listeners to share their thoughts on email lists in the chat and offers a free worksheet titled "Common Marketing Strategies for Therapists" for those seeking guidance on alternative marketing approaches.

Allison [07:00]: "I'm curious about your thoughts. Do email lists the future for therapists? Do you share my concerns? I would love to hear your perspectives in the chat."

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode, Allison Puryear provides a critical examination of email lists as a marketing tool for therapists. She balances her personal reservations with an open-minded approach, allowing therapists to make choices that best fit their practice values and client relationships. This episode serves as a valuable resource for therapists navigating the complexities of marketing while maintaining the sanctity of their therapeutic roles.

Additional Resources

• Membership Program: Abundance Party – Step-by-step guidance on building a thriving private practice.
• Free Tools: Abundance Practice Building – Access checklists, worksheets, and more.
• Support Email: help@abundancepracticebuilding.com

Notable Quote:

Allison [05:30]: "I want clients to find me through intentional research and trust that I'm the right fit, not because I stayed in their inbox."

Thank you for tuning into the Abundant Practice Podcast. Continue building a practice that feels right for you!