Lazy man's way to start a practice

A refreshingly casual approach by Barbara Stepp, an Ericksonian hypnotist NLP person.  Slightly revised for clarity from:  http://www.excelquest.com/otcc  

“How do I start my business?” “Where do I begin?” “What should my fees be?” “How do I work with a client?” We'll answer a few of them now, from our point of view, of course.

Here are a few suggestions that will cost you little except your time:

I've heard people say, "I'm not a salesman, I don't sell anything." Surprise! We are all selling all the time. Whether it be an idea, belief, or ourselves. Whatever you are selling, here are a few tips: The most powerful anchor one has is their name. When I meet a person, I take the initiative and say hello, I'm Barbara and you are ...? I then repeat their name. We like that.

You can also notice how they say hello and match their behavior or as Dr. David Dobson says, "acknowledge their behavior." You will notice with a little practice how easily you connect with others. This is “Other than Conscious Communication” [the NLP idea of rapport thru congruent body language].  Their OTC or unconscious mind says, "ah, a friend." It is just easy to calibrate to how they say yes and no, as not to.  Just pay attention and use your sensory acuity. Be genuine.  Sincerity works.

You can let your social sphere know what you are doing. I started by doing small sessions complimentary for the practice. I began to get personal referrals. When you do an excellent job [and come from your own inner sense of personal abundance], you'll get lots of them.  Personal referrals are how I got started and I continue to get many.

Do complimentary speaking engagements and let your audience know that you do coaching and private work. There are many organizations and companies looking for a freebee. Check it out. If you do seminars/trainings, let them know you do private sessions. Or if you want to spend a little or a lot of money, create a brochure, print business cards, advertise in local publications, get a web site.

Have your prospects answer a detailed questionnaire and read it in advance of their scheduled session. If they won't fill one out perhaps they are not committed to the work. When they commit, the change begins.

On your questionnaire, use your NLP to elicit their modal operators, metaprograms, beliefs, values, current state and goals/outcomes are.  This will save you time and gives you a jump-start on the task at hand. Perhaps you could do a good job without it. You choose.

In the session, set up the guidelines. You're the professional. First say hello.  Listen to them, they will usually tell you what they want, even if they think they don't know. I ask them, “So why are you here? What specifically do you want?” 

Other Than Consciously, use your skills of observation. Pay attention to their OTC communication. You’ve already begun the process.  Avoid letting them get into the therapy mode. You don't need to listen to their long, sad story. Interrupt the pattern and keep them on track [towards what they want MORE of].

What you charge for your services is up to you. You know what your time and skills are worth. There are some practitioners who charge by the hour, some by the change, or in ongoing coaching, it can be an established monthly fee. The object is not to build client dependence, but to help them create and achieve well-formed goals as quickly as possible, so they can get on with their lives as successfully as possible.

Revised by Bruce Dickson  ~  ToolsThatHeal.com  *  HealingCoach.org  *  SelfHealing101.net