In the survey, I ask therapists about the biggest challenges they have when it comes to building their practices. I figured I'd see everything from billing and figuring out insurance, to marketing and trying to learn the best ways for therapists to get their names out there...

But one topic keeps coming up over and over again.

Networking.

Really? Networking?

I had to dig in a little to investigate what was going on behind this curtain.

What I learned is that the reason you struggle with networking is because you equate it to...

sounding salesy and sleasy,

talking constantly about yourself,

and having to force your otherwise introverted self to initiate contact with another human being who could reject you or tell you you're never going to amount to anything. 

(By the way, if you're trying to network with someone who says anything like that, you need to take a course on how to find non-asshats to network with.)

This week, I want to give you the rundown of how to network like the badass therapist you are. After all, word of mouth referrals are still alive and well in your town, and no amount of SEO, Google Adwords, Facebook ads, or crossing your fingers is going to take the place of forming real, authentic relationships with people.

Let me show you how to network so that it feels authentic and also helps you to build meaningful relationships with other professionals in your community. 

1. Start with the lowest-hanging fruit

Whether you realize it or not, you have at least a few connections in your town already. Remember that chiropractor you went to a few times? Or the friend-of-a-friend you met who's a dietician? What about your BFF's husband who also just so happens to be a physician's assistant? There are people already is your immediate social circle who could be potential referral sources for you, so why not start there?

Many therapists think that networking means cold-calling some random therapist or doctor and inviting them out on what essentially feels like a first date. No wonder why they end up putting it off - that sounds awful. 

Now, for those of you who still haven't gotten on the niche bandwagon and are trying to make a go of it by practicing as a generalist, now is about the time you get overwhelmed trying to figure out who would be the best people to network with. You're overwhelmed because there are SO MANY PEOPLE who *could* refer to you. 

On the other hand, therapists who have niched down have a much easier time figuring out who would be their lowest-hanging fruit. Let's take a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health. Their lowest-hanging fruit would be anyone they already know in that industry: OB/GYNs, doulas, lactation consultants, and even infertility clinics, just to name a few. If you're still practicing as a generalist, click here to read a blog I wrote about how to make a niche your bitch. 

4. ALWAYS focus on how YOU can add value to THEM

Pretend that you're on the other side of the table for a minute:

Someone has asked you to coffee or lunch to learn more about how they can support your practice, but then they spend the entire conversation talking about themselves and their business. You see them nervously shaking their knee up and down like they're trying to work the tiniest muscle hidden in their calf, and they're talking way too fast, almost like they've had to pee for the last 20 minutes.

Get me the hell outta here!

When you ask someone out for coffee/lunch/Skype, focus less on how they can help you and more on how you can add value to them. Ask them to tell you about their business - showing genuine interest - and then try to find ways that you can help support them. 

Maybe the conversation organically moves to ways in which you can refer to one another easily with a custom referral form. Maybe you realize that you can create a simple in-office screening tool for them to make their jobs easier. Or maybe you two just have fun brainstorming ways you can work together to help the same population. Whatever it is, focusing on how you can add value to them does two things:

1. It helps you change your mindset from a place of asking to a place of serving, and
2. It makes them feel good because you're allowing them to talk about themselves (and let's be honest, we're all pretty self-absorbed and love talking about ourselves to anyone who'll listen). 

5. Follow up with them. More than 1 time. 

And don't just follow up for the sake of following up. As someone who gets over 100 emails a day, the last thing I want is an annoying email from someone I met a few weeks ago "just wanting to say hi." Don't give me extra work. 

Instead, send me an email with a link to something cool that relates to something we talked about. Something like, "Hey, I hope all is well. I just came across this article about email marketing, and I remember you sharing how much you love Ramit Sethi. I thought you'd find this interesting because the author actually quotes Ramit. Have a good day!"

If you send me cool shit, I'll always remember you. Better yet, send me hilarious videos of babies laughing and I'll send you all the referrals your heart desires. 

OK seriously though, remember what you talk about during your networking dates, and then follow up with the person occasionally if you find something that you think they might like. Maybe even connect them to someone you think they need to meet. Add value.