In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava interviews special guest Steve Cuffari, a marriage and family therapist and current client of Private Practice Elevation about his experience investing in SEO for his private practice.
Daniel and the Private Practice Elevation team have been helping Steve expand his practice’s visibility through SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for about two years now.
Steve shares his journey of transitioning from working at an organization to starting his own private practice – without taking insurance from the get-go.
He discusses the importance of investing in a website and SEO to attract clients and shares valuable insights on honing your message, tracking numbers, and staying competitive.
Steve’s story is a testament to the power of facing fears and investing in yourself to achieve success in private practice.
Tune in to learn from his experiences and gain valuable tips for your own practice.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- What led Steve to invest in a new website and especially place a high emphasis on SEO
- Why he chose to work with Private Practice Elevation
- The importance of facing his own fears and realizing that his own growth was worth investing in
- What made Steve stay the course and continue working on SEO for two years running
- The challenges he faced over the course of long-term SEO strategy building
- How we had to pivot his SEO approach at times to make sure his ideal local client could find him
- How SEO has impacted Steve’s business for the better
- The key lessons Steve learned and things you need to know before you invest in SEO for your private practice
- The importance of knowing your numbers and tracking the data related to your website and conversions
This Episode Is Brought To You By
Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.
Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- In Touch Family Counseling – Steve’s Private Practice
- Private Practice Elevation’s SEO services
- Book – Donald Miller’s Building A Storybrand (affiliate link)
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
Embracing SEO as a Personal Growth Expedition
SEO isn’t just about algorithms and keywords; it’s intrinsically linked to the personal development of the business owner.
Steve Cuffari’s story exemplifies this, as his decision to invest in high-tier SEO services represented a leap of faith in his capabilities and value as a therapist. He acknowledges the fears and doubts that come with such an investment, yet emphasizes the importance of not letting fear dictate business decisions.
Pushing against these fears has not only yielded significant ROI but also spurred substantial personal growth.
“The biggest challenge is not out there, it’s the person you see staring back at you in the mirror. I had to start practicing what I preach. […] I had to really reconcile this idea […] and I’m a psychotherapist.” – Steve Cuffari.
Steve’s competitive nature, originating from his background as a professional jockey, plays a crucial role in his perseverance to maintain a leading position in SEO rankings, much like his commitment to winning races.
His aversion to losing propels the persistent refining of his website’s SEO strategy.
Tailoring SEO for Your Target Audience
The specificity of knowing your audience is a central theme in Steve’s success.
By creating a clear, simple, and strategic website with every word calculated to attract his precise target clientele, he has eliminated the need to entertain any discussions about insurance. Clients are so well-aligned with his services that price becomes a non-issue.
This precision is the result of thoroughly understanding the client base and eloquently addressing their needs right from the first click on his website.
“Every word I put on the website matters. […] Those kinds of statements really speak to the heart and they really grip the audience.” – Steve Cuffari.
Understanding your audience also involves recognizing their behavioral patterns. Steve had to adjust his SEO strategy from targeting Orange County to honing in on Tustin specifically, a change based on actual client behavior and their preference for proximity and convenience.
Navigating the Numbers: The Vital SEO Metrics
An intimate understanding of the numbers that track online performance plays a significant role in SEO success. Steve maintains a meticulous record-keeping process, using spreadsheets to track client calls, emails, and engagement metrics.
By measuring these quantifiable elements, he can fine-tune his approach, ensuring his website adapts and evolves in response to real data, maximizing the efficacy of the SEO investment.
“The numbers will tell you how you’re really doing. […] SEO words shift and change like the weather too. […] Numbers tell us a story.” – Steve Cuffari.
This pragmatic approach to statistics reflects a broader necessity in the digital marketing world: adaptability based on solid, real-world data.
With every interaction providing actionable insights, successful SEO strategies are those that pivot and tweak efforts with agility.
Steve has encountered various challenges and learned numerous lessons while intertwining SEO with his practice. His dedication to self-investment and belief in his methods, even amidst skepticism and fear, significantly boosted both his practice’s visibility and his personal growth.
Knowing your audience is crucial as your SEO strategy must resonate with the clients you seek to attract. Lastly, trust the numbers—they are the most truthful indicators of your strategy’s performance, informing necessary adaptations to maintain a thriving practice through compelling online presence.
