Daria Mann of Metro Denver Hypnotherapy in Denver, Colorado found her calling in hypnotherapy and her client base on Thumbtack. After her company continued cutting her director-level salary, Daria found herself in a late-career moment of transition. She turned to her faith for guidance, and her faith showed her the way to a career in hypnotherapy. Once trained, Daria discovered Thumbtack as a way to establish a secure client base. Learn about her remarkable career trajectory, how she handles follow ups and connects with new clients.
How did you get started on Thumbtack?
I have a Masters in Education and was a leader in my field for over 20 years. I was a director for 15 years when our budget changed and the board said, “We can’t afford you.” I agreed to take a cut in pay, because I loved the job, but the next year they wanted to cut my pay again, and I couldn’t do it and resigned. I briefly worked in insurance then I hit a low point. I was driving to work, listening to “Help me Find It” by Sidewalk Prophets, and crying. At work I started to pray and asked for some kind of sign. In the office that day I met the woman who would become my hypnotherapist mentor. I took some classes and knew right away this was what I would love. In December 2014, I completed my year-long licensing course. Overall, I’ve completed 500 hours of training and over 1,500 internship hours with a clinical psychologist.
Did you get work as soon as you were licensed?
Not at all, it took patience. My mentor wasn’t sold on Thumbtack when I found out about it, but I was networking, writing letters to doctors, and advertising and not getting any clients. As soon as I joined Thumbtack I started getting work. When I first started, Thumbtack accounted for 90 percent of my business, now it makes up at least 50 percent. I’ve had to break a few of my own rules—like working Saturdays and evenings—but my business is going well. Now I’m going back for another master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy.
You have over 2,000 hours of training and an extensive education career—how did you decide what to include in your profile?
My profile has stayed consistent since I joined Thumbtack two years ago. I talk about my experience, my training, and how important it is for people to hire a qualified hypnotherapist. More important than my profile though, I think are my quotes. Potential clients read my quotes and that’s what lets them know I can help them. I close new clients by talking to them on the phone. If I don’t talk to them on the phone, they are probably taking the cheapest bid.
What kind of magic do you use in your quotes?
I write more probably than other professionals do. At first I used my own templates, but now Thumbtack provides them. I have around 25 templates. One each for all my areas of specialty: smoking, weight loss, anxiety, children, various fears, alcohol abuse, and much more. I do use templates, but I personalize each quote due to the sensitive nature of the work. I figure out what the client needs based on their request and I let them know how I can help.
One evolution I’ve made in my quotes is including the answers to common questions I received. Now I let people know in my quotes what to expect and how long a session is. I also address those FAQs in my profile, but find people will ask in our messaging so it’s better to inform them upfront in the quote.
I also include all my pricing. I offer a reduced rate for Thumbtack clients that I honor during our time working together, it’s not just an introductory special.
Do you quote more in different seasons?
In the summer my business really slows down, so I quote on everything. Now that I’m more established, I am more discerning in general than I was when I first started in responding to quotes. For example, if someone indicates they’d prefer a man as their hypnotherapist, I don’t bother to send a quote, or if someone seems unwilling to travel to my studio, I won’t send a quote.
Also, some people are beyond my scope of practice and I respect that by not responding. There are requests that come in that should really only be handled by a licensed therapist or psychologist. I am in the process of getting my master’s degree to be a licensed family and marriage therapist so I am looking forward to being qualified to help even more people.
Once you send your quotes, do you follow up?
I used to do more following up. I would send multiple follow ups until they hired me or they closed the quote. Now that I’m busier I do one follow up if I see they’ve opened the quote but haven’t hired me yet. In my follow up I ask them to call. I say, “You know, why don’t you give me a call?” It’s easier for them to get know me and if we are a good fit when we are talking on the phone. Alternately, if someone gives me their number I give them a call right away.
Any tips when it comes to asking for reviews?
After my business started growing I started getting reviews. I’ve never solicited them. In the therapy world, asking for reviews is bordering on unethical. I do appreciate that Thumbtack sends a prompt with a link so that if people want to submit a review, they can.
How much of your business is from Thumbtack?
I love these statistics! Each year I print out all my quotes and all the jobs I’ve landed. I honestly get about one new client for each 10 quotes that I send on the site. But from that one quote, I get referrals and repeat clientele. It benefits me hugely.
How has Thumbtack allowed your business to grow?
I get a lot of clients that I wouldn’t have had any other way. The beauty of that is, as a hypnotherapist I can’t work with people I know. If the hypnotherapist is registered with the Department of Regulatory Agencies in Colorado, and they work with someone they know, they can be grieved. So, I’m dependent to find strangers to work with me and Thumbtack allows me to do so. All professions that are licensed have to be registered through DORA in Colorado.
Do you have an especially rewarding Thumbtack job to share?
All of them touch my heart. I connect with everyone who sits in my chair. I have a special place for helping people who struggle with anxiety. I see how hypnotherapy changes people’s lives. They come in and they’re afraid of their own shadow, or they can’t leave the house, or they’re having panic attacks and then after two or three sessions they’re able to lead normal lives. I want to educate the world about what hypnotherapy can do in the right person’s hands.
