Lisa Cummings of LiveWellByDesign.net, WellProNet Member

Meet Lisa Cummings.

Lisa joined WellProNet when she was ready to transition out of her art director career and leverage her passion for health and healing into a new exciting business. Now she’s traded her daily commute and high-powered meetings for writing helpful newsletters, articles and giving presentations on the power of nutrition.

Here’s what she has to say about being a member of the Wellness Professional Network:

Health and Nutrition Coach

LiveWellByDesign.net

Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of authentic marketing strategies.

In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love.  Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband who also runs a successful coaching business.

With each presentation, the key thing to remember is to plan to include a compelling offer (like a limited time free or low/cost breakthrough session with you) and can except 5% -20%  of the group to say YES (if done right) and the remaining 80% or so to join your emailing list (so you can begin connecting and marketing). 

Most wellness pros offer tons and tons of info in their talks and then wonder why no one asks to work with them. (I did this myself when I was a nutrition coach.) First, if you over teach and jam pack your talks with tons of tips, you’ll turn people off by overwhelming them. And second, it’s up to you to present your compelling offer effectively (HINT – Don’t wait until the end!). Don’t make people figure out what the next step is.

Typically, if you’re just starting out, most wellness pros will give presentations where anyone will have them.

Yoga studios, gyms, doctor’s offices, etc…

In one sense that’s good. As it can be good practice.

However, your presentations become much more effective if you’re standing in front of a new group of people that you KNOW are perfect for you. That is, they meet the four keys to a profitable wellness market. IE – if you specialize in working with entrepreneurs/business owners, then you would look for business owner groups online and take out your local business journal and find meetings and conferences and offer your presentations there. Or if you specialize in working women over 40, then you would find their networking groups, conferences, favorite hang outs and go there to speak.

And if you’ve never presented before, start off by doing 10 presentations for free.

However, beyond learning the right way to present your topic and make your offer, do you know what is the most commonly asked question I receive? 

“Do you get nervous?”

Well of course I do!

In fact this weekend, I’m speaking at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at Lincoln Center in New York City. If I allow my mind to wander about getting on the big stage and presenting to nearly 1500 – 2000 people, then I want to hide under my desk.

Here is what I do to soothe my nerves…

Step 1: Know Your Topic

I could do this presentation in my sleep because I know the topic so well. It gives me comfort to know my stuff and helps a lot with the nerves. I energetically “lean into” what I know for sure versus all the “what if’s” my mind can drum up.

Step 2: It’s Not About Your Ego

As I prepare the presentation, I remind myself that people aren’t necessarily there to see ME. They are there to learn and receive great information. And then I think about how I wish I knew this information when I first started out in private practice and this gives me courage to stand up, share what I know and not vomit.

Step 3: Be the Messenger

And finally, because I’m not a slick and smooth presenter (and few of us are!), I think about seeing myself as a messenger instead of trying to be a perfect speaker. What’s most important, in my mind, is to get the information across in a memorable way and make a difference. And that means I don’t have to be perfect and can focus on speaking from the heart.

Consider these steps before your next presentation to help soothe your nerves and remember, that while few us were born to be performers and have a craving forbeing on center stage (Those of you with a theatre background are lucky to have this calling!), speaking is such a powerful, effective way to reach your tribe of clients and attract new business that’s it’s well worth dealing with the nerves.

To your success,

Karin

Like what you just read? Then don’t miss an issue of the latest wellness marketing trends and tips from the front lines of private practice. Just enter your name and email at the top right of this page:  http://wellpronet.org

Next WellProNet Member Tele-Training is March 11th: What to Say to Decision Makers to Land Paid Speaking Engagements

About the Author: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of authentic marketing strategies. In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love.  Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband who also runs a successful coaching business.

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.

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.