Hey Fabulous Health Professionals,

I know that a lot of us in private practice have become very focused on our online presence lately. We’re learning about copywriting for our websites, wanting to craft the perfect About page, and trying our hand at content marketing through creating relevant content for our blogs.

This is something I do for my own practice. So I understand the frustration that comes from the blog post that got depressingly low traffic, the social media update that nobody liked and the email that got exactly zero engagement.

It hurts. We spend so much time on this stuff and in many ways we pour our hearts into what we put out there.

But… are we becoming self-absorbed?

Are we forgetting that a real conversation has to go both ways? 

Something I’ve been noticing lately is that we can be guilty of asking for engagement without being willing to give it in return.

How much time do you spend trawling for content and information, without giving a thought to how much the author would love a comment or response in return?

Are we spending too much time lurking and not enough time engaging? 

Is this coming from a hint of self-absorption? Are we, despite our best intentions, becoming so fixated on ourselves that we’re forgetting to champion and cheer on others in our space? To be part of a conversation bigger than ourselves? To turn our attention outward rather than inward?

Or perhaps… the lurking, the hiding, is coming from a place of fear. From not wanting to be seen and judged and compared to what others are doing.

Is there a little part of you that feels your work is done once you hit publish – because that’s all you should have to do? Does it feel safe to know that the blog you toiled over won’t be seen by anyone because that means it (and you) won’t be judged if no one reads it? Are you still unwilling to take a stand for what you believe in?

So what’s driving your lack of engagement with your peers and community? What’s behind this unwillingness to be part of the conversation?

Is it voyeurism? Is it a desire to gather information at all costs, to keep tabs on who’s doing what and who your next competitor is? Are you biding your time and waiting for the perfect moment to announce that you’ve arrived? Are you hoarding information and intel in the hope that you’ll finally figure out THE THING you need to know that will guarantee your success?

If this is you, waiting for a sign and waiting for permission, expect to be disappointed. There will never be a perfect time and there will always be competitors. (Side note… competition is just a sign that there is demand for what you are offering. Doesn’t seem so scary now, does it?)

If you’re looking for increased engagement, it’s time to reflect on your own willingness to be part of the two-way conversation.

Are you willing to engage with the work of others, to be brave enough to put yourself out there (and potentially receive some scrutiny)? Are you willing to be considerate enough to respond to the hard work of others before you complain that no one wants to talk about what you’re up to and what you have to offer?

When it comes to engagement, it’s time to lead by example.

Next time you read something useful – let the author know.

Next time you smile at a facebook update – give it a like or comment.

Next time you LOVE a blog post someone else has written – open up that comment box and become part of the conversation.

How can you be part of the conversation today? 

 

Image by r2hox is licensed under CC by 2.0.

ABOUT JO

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Jo Muirhead is a Rehabilitation Counsellor with over 20 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation. Jo is a mentor to allied health professionals who are ready to make freedom, flexibility and fulfilment happen in 2016. Click here to download the free guide: How to Find Freedom in Your Private Practice. 

Jo is the creator of the Book of Evidence.

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