If you are a therapist, counselor, or an alternative or complementary health practitioner (naturopath, homeopathetic doctor, massage therapist, body worker, etc.), in all likelihood, you are not only uninformed about effective marketing methods, but you are also likely to have some negative feelings about self promotion and marketing.

When it comes to marketing a practice, knowing how to market effectively is essential. However, all the marketing knowledge in the world won't be of use to you if your resistances and fears get in the way of marketing. The most common resistances that helping and healing professionals have about marketing are outlined below.

You may be concerned you are not skilled enough to attract clients for your private practice.

Perhaps you are concerned that if you market your practice, peers and potential clients might judge you or the services you offer.

If you fear failure, you might avoid taking the risks necessary to succeed at marketing.

This is a widespread fear that stems largely from of the misconception that marketing is about intruding upon others.

This fear stems in large part from the idea within the healing professions that your goal is to "be there" to fulfill your clients needs and not your own. In addition, you might believe that marketing your services means that you are "bragging."

Obviously if you have never studied marketing, you may have concerns about your ability to do so effectively.

You could fear success because of a belief that you are undeserving of it. Perhaps you also fear that if you do succeed in private practice, your life will be different and you might not like the change that occurs.

If you identify with any of the above resistances and fears and want to overcome them, read part 2 of this article, "Overcoming Resistances to Marketing a Practice."

? Juliet Austin, 2004

Bio of Author

Juliet assists helping and healing professionals (coaches, therapists, counselors, massage therapists, chiropractors, etc.) who are struggling to build their practices. She helps her clients overcome resistances to marketing, learn and implement no or low-cost marketing strategies, create compelling promotional materials, and write effective website copy.

A graduate of both Coach U, The Institute for Life Coach Training and member of The School of Coaching, Juliet has been a practicing coach for almost 7 years.

Sign up for Juliet's free ezine, "Enlightened Marketing" at: http://www.julietaustin.com and visit her blogs at Marketing a Private Practice and Website Design and Promotion

The author grants reprint permisson as long as the article and by-line remain intact..