Does Making a Difference = Giving Away Your Services?

Many health and wellness professionals struggle charging for their services because their services are about making a difference. It's not your fault, chances are, this message was a subsconsious part of your training and possibly a shared limiting belief among colleagues.

Here are few other ways to look at this:

- If you want to be making a difference in any dedicated way, you need to be paid well for your services.

- Your services are not only about making a difference, they are responsible for paying your bills, your mortgage, and funding your ability to live your mission.

- Without your ability to make money, you can not be well taken care of and therefore you can't really live your mission.

- If you're a good person, who wants to run a business the right way and contribute positively with what you do, you must be able to make money. Otherwise you'll be out of business.

- Your services and products are your intellectual property and you deserved to be paid well just like anyone else.

- Money only enhances who you are. If you're a jerk, you'll become an even bigger jerk. If you're good person, you'll use that money well to care for yourself, your family and fund your mission.

So consider this: Making a diffference does NOT mean you have to be poor. In the field of healing arts, making money is actually a sign that you're making a difference.

To your continued success,

Karin

Ready to learn the business side of health and wellness private practice? Join the Wellness Professional Network: http://WellProNet.org/benefits

Use Your Healing Arts to Overcome Fears and Grow Your Business

If you're like most Wellness pros, you have always seen yourself as a practitioner. Not as a business owner. After all, you didn't get into private practice because you love business.

You got into health and wellness because you have overcome something and you want to help others do the same.

Or you have a gift and passion for understanding the body in a way that you simply had to make a career out of it.

The result is you're a wiz when it comes to working with clients, but you can feel like a deer in headlights when you have to think about marketing.

I've heard it from MD's, nutritionists, energy healers, therapists and more. No one is immune.

However, if you whole heartedly believe in the services you offer will make a difference in someone's life, you owe it to them and yourself to do what it takes, in an ethical way, to get that person to take action.

But what happens if the person that needs to take action is you?

What if you find that the biggest barrier to your next level of success is you?

I see this all the time too. I've done it. We all do it. We've all been guilty of believing the excuses we tell ourselves.

- I'm too busy - I need to lose a bit more weight before I get out there - I have to look like a health or fitness god/goddess before I claim my expertise - I'll wait until ENTER LIFE DRAMA goes away - My energy isn't quite "right"

No one told us that we'd have to face our fears of being seen, rejected, judged, dealing with money, feeling worthy, etc... I can honestly tell you, you don't need to go to India to grow spiritually. You just have to deal with your stuff that comes up for you instead of running away from it. It's a powerful personal growth vehicle! Who ever said business isn't spiritual hasn't been in private practice.

So rather than making a super big deal about the ways we trip ourselves up, here's my recommendation.

Step 1 - First, we all self-sabotage. No biggie. Don't worry over your worrying. Remember you're human. Try to lighten up about it. "Oh, Whoops. There I go again." This will create a little energy for the next step.

Step 2 - Take out those healing arts tools, tricks and tips you use with your clients and use them on yourself for the purpose of growing your business and releasing the fears.

For example...

If you're a holistic nutritionist, you know that certain foods can give you strength, confidence and "fire up your energy." Eat more of that.

If you're an acupuncturist, get treatments on the energy pattern of hiding out and whatever else is coming up for you.

If you're a meditation coach, well meditate on feeling the fears and doing it anyway.

If you're a life coach, start coaching yourself. Use a journal and ask yourself, if I were the coach to a client like me, what would I say/recommend? Go back and forth in the role of coach/client until you have a breakthrough.

If you're a physician, who is used to delegating to a team or assistant, outsource select marketing activities to your staff (just like they do with other matters in your practice) so it gets done instead of you being the hub for everything.

You're already good at transforming people's lives. Integrate these same skill sets in your business practices and watch it grow.

This is the new way of doing business.

To your continued success,

Karin

Audio Tip: The Drama Before the Website Launch

Here's a sample of the weekly audio coaching tips I offer members of WellProNet. This one is on what I noticed happens right before you're about to do something in your business that feels like a stretch -- usually, when your new website is about to go live. Listen to this 1-minute tip and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below - Karin.

WellProNet Member Training: How to Use Video in Your Wellness Biz, Nov 5

Video is SO HOT right now!

With the emergence of the FLIP HD video camera and all-in-one mobile phones with built in video capability, there has never been an easier time to look like a total pro by using video in your wellness business.

But there are a too many ways you can make your videos FLOP.

Come learn how to get started, how to do it right and inspire your client base to view your videos and take action.

In this tele-class we will cover:

- the easiest video technology to use (that also creates top HD quality images!) I promise you do NOT have to be a tech wiz to use this!

- how to use video in your marketing materials to create connection and give people an experience of you (and encourage them to say YES to your services)

- how to create simple info-products with your video camera

- the do's and don'ts of making your video compelling

And lots more.

Won't you join us?

This 75 minute tele-training is absolutely free for members of The Wellness Professional Network.

When? Thursday, Nov 5th, 2009 Noon Eastern

Can't make it? No problem. I record and transcribe each tele-training. Members can access them as often as they want.

So don't miss out! It's super affordable and absolutely necessary for you to learn these types of skills to make your private practice fly. (And take it into the 21st century!).

Click here to find out if this one-of-a-kind network of progressive wellness pros is where you want to be. To join this call you need to become a member. And I would love to have you join us.

You're going to love learning about messaging, marketing and making more money as an authentic wellness pro.

Hope to see you there!

Karin Witzig Rozell Founder WellProNet.org

(and Marketing Materials Maven - by night - :))

7 Real-Life Tips for Getting Great Professional Photos

Here's a great article by a singer songwriter Christine Kane. Dig up some of my early music career photographs, and you'll probably find me standing in an alley with my guitar - wearing a bulky jacket and black boots. Typically, a friend was taking the photo, and I just wanted to get the whole thing over with.

At some point, I consciously chose to uplevel my approach to my work. I invested in a great photographer. And - surprise! - that's when I started getting invited to do radio interviews, and being featured in major media.

We all know that image shouldn't matter. And yet, in the professional world, and even in the arts - it does matter. A professional photo shows that you take your work seriously (yes, even if you're creative and fun-loving) - and it conveys success. Plus, the internet can connect you with so many new opportunities, it only makes sense to put yourself out there in a professional way.

And good news! Your photo session doesn't have to be hard! From my Been-There-Done-That files, here are 7 Tips for Getting Great Professional Photos…

1 - Get Clear

Don't hire anyone until you're clear about what you want to convey in your photo. Make a list of words to describe who you are, how you show up in the world, and what you share with your clients, customers, students, audiences, etc. ("Professional but not stiff." "Fun and funky – but in an accessible way." "Trustworthy and kind." "Successful and no-nonsense.")

Write down colors, thoughts on your surroundings, etc. Start a file of your favorite images from magazines. Share these with your photographer.

2 - Hire a Professional

I know. I know. You can always get your friend Sheila to take a few photos of you after work one Thursday. But I encourage you to uplevel your image and go pro.

You don't have to break the bank to get a great photographer. Many top-notch wedding photographers offer great prices for mid-week sessions. Ask around or search the internet, and don't be afraid to interview several different photographers.

3 - Get Make-Up Advice

I've worked with make-up artists who sprayed foundation on my face like spackle. And some who made my hair stand up about 11 inches from my head. You'd think I would've spoken up – but for many years, I thought everyone else knew better than me what I should look like.

And yet, I still believe in using a make-up artist!

My advice is to REQUIRE a phone conversation with her before your shoot. Email her your images from #1. Listen to her ideas and advice. You'd be surprised at how much make up you need for even a natural looking photo – but spackle is NOT necessary!

If you don't have the budget for a make-up artist, then get help from friends in the know. I've done my own make-up on many shoots - but I used all the advice from those old Seventeen Magazines I used to pore through when I was a teen!

4 - Plan your Outfits in Advance

Two weeks before your photo shoot, plan your outfits. Pick at least three. (Avoid crazy patterns on your shirts!)

If you need help in this area, I highly recommend making an appointment with a personal shopper at Nordstrom - which has fantastic customer service and highly-trained employees. Plus you're not required to purchase anything! Share your work from Step #1 with your shopper. Take your time during your appointment.

5 - Go Light on the Accessories

You don't want your photo to say, "Hi, I'm Joan. And this is my BIG GIANT PERUVIAN BEAD NECKLACE!" In other words, your accessories should complement - not overpower - your look.

6 - Bring your own Mirror to the Shoot

Keep a mirror near you during the shoot so you can check for things like lipstick on teeth and bra straps sticking out in between shoots. Photographers aren't always good at catching these things because they're focusing on the lay-out and lighting.

7 - YOU are the most important element

Your energy. Your light. Your radiance. These are the most important things. Before you head to the shoot, sit quietly and remember your intentions in your work and life. Connect to your center and take some deep breaths.

Then, as the photos are being shot, remember to be present in your body. Look into and through the camera lens. Act as if you're looking into the eyes of your very best friend. Don't be afraid to let loose and smile and laugh. These are often the best photos!

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Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Joined WellProNet yet? Visit http://wellpronet.org to learn how to step into a leadership role of your practice.

Not sure yet? No problem. Check out the free newsletter and stay current on the best ways to let your wellness services shine, how to authentically connect with your client base and lead your community to the solutions they want.

Ads and Collaborating with Your Colleagues

Love this article on how five Naturopathic Doctors split the fee of a full-page ad in their local community paper and generated new business. The focus of the ad was promoting their profession and debunking top 5 misunderstandings about naturopathy with an invitation for a free 15-minute "get acquainted" consultation at the office of their choice.  

This was an opportunity for local residents to confidently "check out" naturopathy, ask questions and decide if naturopathy was right for them. Many of which did become patients.

Each of the five physician logos and addresses where present at the bottom, so the reader could see who was closest to them.

Seems simple enough.

And what a powerful way to work together instead of competing with each other.

I think this would work for any wellness profession.

Here's the link to the full article.

Karin

Joined WellProNet yet? Click here to discover how to step into a leadership role of your practice.

Not sure yet? No problem. Check out the free newsletter and stay current on the best ways to let your services shine, how to authentically connect with your client base and lead your community to the solutions they want.