Go back to first principles
According to Aristotle, first principles are, “the first basis from which a thing is known.”
The idea is to break down complicated problems, like how to market your therapy practice, into basic elements and build up from there. This removes underlying assumptions and limiting beliefs.
If you’re marketing your practice by copying what other therapists are doing and it’s not working but you’re not sure why, then you’re not using first principles.
Instead, go back to the basics. Who do you help? How do you help them? What do you help them achieve? Does your marketing reflect those things?
One way to establish first principles is through socratic questioning, which follows this process.
Clarifying your thinking and explaining the origins of your ideas (Why do I think this? What exactly do I think?)
Challenging assumptions (How do I know this is true? What if I thought the opposite?)
Looking for evidence (How can I back this up? What are the sources?)
Considering alternative perspectives (What might others think? How do I know I am correct?)
Examining consequences and implications (What if I am wrong? What are the consequences if I am?)
Questioning the original questions (Why did I think that? Was I correct? What conclusions can I draw from the reasoning process?)
Your marketing will improve when you stop making assumptions and focus on what you know to be true.