Time To Make a Psychology Today Intro Video
Psychology Today has added a pretty awesome new feature: the opportunity to have a 20-second introduction video on your profile!
There are many reasons that having a video up is a huge opportunity for you and your business.
Connection: Though a photo and text can help potential clients get to know you, a video, even a short one, allows them to really get to know you. They can see your face, hear your voice, and get a sense of what working with you may feel like. It creates the opportunity for your warmth and compassion to shine through.
Algorithm: The search results page will “reward” profiles with videos above ones without. This is due to the interactive quality of a video. The more your video is played, the more it shows your profile was accessed. The more searchable your profile, the higher up your name shows on the search results page.
Preview: Along with developing a connection that allows clients to see your body language, facial expressions, and hear the tone of your voice, the video also allows the client to experience your environment. If you shoot your video in your office, they get a preview of what that space looks like. For individuals with trauma or anxiety disorders, that need transition and predictability, this removes hidden fears about whether your space may be inviting to them and their senses. This is especially true if you are providing telehealth services, as the view of your head and torso is the exact view they would have in a session.
Many clinicians may not have trouble recording a video. Some have YouTube sites where they do mindfulness training, others have created intros for their websites, and some even use video in ads online. But, this isn’t the case for everyone. Many clinicians dread being on camera (which has made the switch to telehealth more difficult for them). It can be jarring to see your face and hear your own voice. It can also feel somewhat egocentric. These adverse responses will certainly come out in the video.
Therefore, to provide support for these clinicians, I’ve created some guidelines to help you get the most out of your 20 seconds of fame:
Purpose
You may be wondering what the purpose of the video is? Is it to market to the client? Is it to introduce yourself and your specialties? Is it a hybrid? Personally, I would avoid regurgitating what is on your profile already. Specializations, contact info, license type, location, how to contact you; all of that (hopefully) can be found on the text of your profile. Therefore, see the goal of the video as making a connection with your niche population. Think of your ideal client and imagine introducing yourself to them.
Pro Tip: Imagine the feeling, sensation, or thought you want the client to leave with after watching your video. For example, I want them to walk away knowing that I’m approachable. I want them to feel calm and secure. This means I need to speak with an even tone. I need to use language that is connecting, welcoming, and meaningful. It also means I need to wear clothing that I would wear in session, have my office background visible, and make sure my face is clear and visible in the frame of the video.
Develop an Outline
A 20-second video trying to convince someone to accept your services can seem like no time at all, or it can seem forever. It all depends on whether you know what you’re going to say. There may be a desire to improvise, assuming this will appear more genuine or down-to-Earth. It’s actually better to write a script with talking points (it doesn’t have to be verbatim). Think of your natural cadence, when you will pause for breaths, and what words you want to emphasize. This shows intentionality, which is more genuine.
Pro Tip: When writing your script, think about your audience (client niche). Do you work with children? Do you work with single mothers? Do you work with couples? Drafting your script to target these individuals will really set you apart from a general hum-drum hello. Drafting your background to attract this ideal client is also important. Consider having a puppet with you, if you work with children. Use a funny TikTok filter if you work with teens. Teach a 5-second breathing exercise if you work with individuals with anxiety through mindfulness. Any tidbit that says to your client that you get them and that they get you.
Don’t Forget to Practice
Once you have your script written, read your script out loud multiple times. Are there longer words you can replace with shorter ones? Are the words you’re using full of clinical jargon or are they understandable to the general public? Read your script to friends or other therapists for input. What was their first reaction? Did they feel drawn in or curious? Did their reaction reflect the reaction you want your clients to have?
Pro Tip: Have your script available behind the camera so you can look at it, and read it, without having to peer away from the screen. You’ll lose connection from your audience if it appears you’re looking away, and you’ll lose precious time in the video that could be filled with speaking. Additionally, don’t read verbatim. Again give yourself some creative freedom. If another word fits better as you’re talking, feel free to use that.
Remember Camera Position
It appears that this feature currently accepts videos recorded from the phone in the “up-and-down” position. They are not allowing landscape mode. This means that a majority of the frame is going to be filled with your face and shoulders. It also means you’ll need to be mindful of how your phone is set up.
Pro Tip: Once you hit record, smile, and wait a few seconds before talking. Do the same before stopping the recording. This makes cropping the video easier for you. It also prevents you from feeling flustered or rushed. This also helps you when picking a thumbnail for the video, as it maybe the only time your face is frozen enough in a position that isn’t too silly.
Recording
Remember that your goal isn’t to make a Hollywood-style video. You can skip any fancy visuals, trailers, or transitions. You don’t need clipart, gifs, or other distracting visuals either. Of course, if you have TikTok you can bypass this advice as this type of feature might be appealing to your niche audience.
Setting Up:
When it’s time to record, prop the phone up so that it is in vertical position (portrait or the position when taking a phone call) and not horizontal (landscape or the position when watching a full-length video)
Prop the phone up at eye level and ensure that your whole face can be seen.
If possible shoot in front of a window (with the light shining behind your phone and onto your face), or have lights set up.
If you can go outside even better!
Make sure you’re in a quiet place. No noise from people, cars, or animals.
It might help to have Bluetooth headphones with a mic to utilize for recording.
When considering the background, look for solids or repeating patterns. Either a solid blank wall or if outside, in front of a large bush.
Avoid polka dots and stripes, both as a background and in what you’re wearing. The camera records these patterns in an odd way (it’s like their dancing) which can be very distracting (and for some overstimulating).
If you’re doing telehealth, it might be helpful to record in the space you’re practicing. This helps the client become familiarized with your virtual environment and what to expect to see when they work with you.
Guidance Differences
When you go to Psychology Today to add your video, you may see that these guidelines somewhat differ from theirs. They don’t want you to read from a script, believing going off the cuff will give the client a better sense of who you are. My guidelines go against this suggestion because the idea of being recorded can be stressful, frustrating, and panic-inducing. Honestly, these are not emotions I convey when it comes to my therapy sessions, so I don’t want them to convey in the video. In the therapy setting, I feel prepared, comfortable, and eager. This is “the me” I want the potential client to see because this is the version they will get in a session. Being prepared will help relax you. I know I’m more likely to choose a relaxed-looking therapist than a stressed one.
My Video
My video starts off with me commending them for seeking treatment. My therapy style is very strength-based and affirming. I then introduce my passion for pop-culture. Hopefully, any client whose into anything geeky will appreciate this. At the same time, I take a moment for the viewer to see my background, so they get an idea of what my therapy space may look like. I also talk a lot with my hands, so I made sure that I could prop my phone in a way that would allow me to do that in this video.
Lastly, I ended the video with a statement that I believe sums up my philosophy of treatment. I let the viewer know I want to help them find stability in a world that feels off-balance. My treatment modality places me as a collaborative guide who understands that environment and society can bring instability. I believe this final end statement achieves my goal of the viewer getting a sense of what therapy with me looks like.
