Market Analysis
The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this:
that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed;
but a thing created is loved before it exists.
~ Charles Dickens
As with any other business, there are going to be other people doing the type of work you want to be doing, and it’s important to know who those people are.
Most business courses would call this “Knowing your Competition”.
I prefer to look at it as “Knowing the Market”.
In the previous section, you went into what sets you apart and makes you unique. In this section, I want you to look at what is already being done so you don’t have to go re-inventing the wheel.
In your journal or in the worksheets explore the following:
Who is already working with the population you want to work with, or with the specialties you have/want to have?
- How many therapists are working with your population?
- How many therapists are working with your orientation?
- How many therapists are working in your geographical area?
- How many therapists are working with your specialties?
Choose five established therapists who do work similar to your vision and research them specifically.
- What drew you to their work?
- How did you feel when you looked at their websites?
- How are they reaching their clients? How did you find them?
- What type of services do they offer? How do they offer those services?
- Anything else you notice?
This exercise is about gathering inspiration, but it’s not about copying someone else. It’s so important to stay true to who you are.
You never want to copy another person’s work for two reasons:
1) It won’t necessarily work for you just because it worked for someone else. Take the time to create your own vision, one that reflects who you are so when a client resonates with it, they are really resonating with you. If it’s not authentic, your clients will sense it and the journey will be a more difficult one.
2) Karma (and potentially a lawyer) will get you. There is a difference between being inspired by someone else’s work and blatant copyright / trademark infringement. Offering similar services is one thing, but using someone’s exact words and branding could land you in hot water.
In general, no one is doing anything truly unique anymore. There are only so many ways you can describe what we do, there are only so many ways you can do what we do, and there are certain things that just work in private practice. See what other’s who have already walked this path have done. Get inspired, but carve your own path.