Explaining your profession is the first step toward helping others understand the value you bring to children, families, and schools. If you haven’t seen it yet, start with this guide: How to Explain Your Profession Clearly. It walks you through how to describe what you do so people remember your role and refer the right families to you. Once you can explain your profession, the next step is learning how to communicate what makes you distinct. This is where your signature talking points come in.

Signature talking points are five short statements that describe your unique identity as a provider. Instead of focusing on your job title, they highlight your approach, your values, and the outcomes families and educators can expect. When you use these talking points consistently, in emails, meetings, workshops, and directories, people begin to connect your name with a clear, memorable message. Below is a simple framework you can use to develop your own set of signature talking points.

1. Who You Serve

Start by naming the specific children, families, or age groups you typically support. Clarity here helps referral partners quickly determine whether you’re the right fit.

Examples:
• “I support preschool and elementary students who struggle with motor skills, regulation, and participation.”
• “I work with teens who need help with executive functioning, emotional regulation, and school routines.”

2. The Core Challenge You Help Solve

Instead of listing every service, identify the central problem you help address. This helps people remember the heart of your work.

Examples:
• “I help students participate more confidently in classroom routines.”
• “I help families create calm, predictable strategies for daily life.”

3. Your Unique Approach

This is the key talking point that sets you apart from others in your profession. It describes how you work—not your credentials.

Examples:
• “I use a strengths-first, whole-child approach that blends sensory-informed strategies with practical routines.”
• “My methods focus on empowering families with tools they can use immediately.”

4. The Outcomes You Aim For

Families, teachers, and pediatricians want to know what progress looks like. This talking point makes your goals clear and grounded.

Examples:
• “My goal is to help children feel regulated, confident, and ready to learn.”
• “I focus on building independence through functional, everyday skills.”

5. What It’s Like to Work With You

This final talking point captures your communication style, tone, and values. It helps people understand the experience—not just the services.

Examples:
• “I emphasize collaboration and simple strategies that fit naturally into routines.”
• “I provide clear communication and supportive guidance every step of the way.”

How These Talking Points Work Together

When you combine these five statements, you create a consistent message you can use across:

• Outreach emails to schools and pediatricians
• Directory listings
• Website and bio pages
• Parent consultations
• Workshops and professional introductions
• Social media profiles
• Flyers and handouts

This consistency builds trust, strengthens referrals, and helps others understand what makes your approach meaningful. Signature talking points do not replace your elevator pitch, they deepen it. If you haven’t already created your profession explanation, start with the original post: How to Explain Your Profession Clearly. Once that foundation is in place, your talking points give people a clearer picture of your strengths and identity as a provider.

Signature Talking Points: Examples

Example: School-Based Occupational Therapist

I support preschool and elementary-aged students who struggle with self-regulation, handwriting, fine motor skills, and school participation. My focus is helping children participate confidently in classroom routines, transitions, and learning tasks. I use a strengths-first, whole-child approach that blends motor skill development, sensory-informed strategies, and practical routines that fit naturally into the school day. My goal is for students to gain the skills and self-awareness they need to learn, communicate, and participate more independently. When you work with me, you can expect clear communication, collaboration, and simple strategies teachers and families can use right away without adding extra work to their day.

Example: Parent Coach

I work with parents of toddlers through elementary-aged children who need support with routines, behavior, and emotional regulation. I help families create predictable rhythms and responses that reduce overwhelm and make daily life smoother. My approach is calm, collaborative, and rooted in co-regulation, neuroscience, and practical strategies that fit real family life—not perfection. Families gain confidence, children gain skills, and home becomes more connected and cooperative. My coaching style is warm, simple, and judgment-free, with a focus on small wins and strategies families can realistically maintain.

Example: Physical Therapist in Private Practice

I support children and teens who need help with balance, strength, coordination, motor planning, and functional movement. I help kids move confidently through school and community activities so they can participate fully and safely. My approach combines play-based movement, evidence-based strengthening, and functional practice built around each child’s interests and routines. My goal is to help kids build lifelong movement skills that support independence, confidence, and active participation. Sessions are upbeat, supportive, and goal-oriented, with open communication and clear strategies families can use between visits.

Example: Speech-Language Pathologist

I support children who struggle with speech clarity, language development, social communication, and functional classroom participation. I help students communicate confidently so they can share ideas, connect with peers, and participate fully in school routines. My approach combines evidence-based strategies, play-based learning, and communication tools that fit naturally into a child’s day. My goal is to build strong, functional communication skills that carry over at home, in school, and in the community. When you work with me, you can expect a collaborative, child-centered process with simple, practical strategies families and teachers can use right away.

Example: Counselor

I support children and young teens who struggle with emotional regulation, anxiety, behavior challenges, and navigating friendships or big feelings. I help kids understand and express their emotions in healthy ways so daily life feels more manageable and connected. My approach blends child-led play therapy, brain-based strategies, and supportive conversations that honor each child’s developmental level. My goal is to strengthen emotional skills, build coping strategies, and support healthier relationships at home and at school. Families can expect a warm, steady, and non-judgmental style focused on creating safety, building trust, and practicing strategies that fit real everyday moments.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve seen how your five signature talking points can come together, take a few minutes to draft your own. Start by writing one sentence for each area, who you serve, the challenge you help solve, your approach, the outcomes you aim for, and what it’s like to work with you. Once you have your five statements, use them consistently in your bios, outreach messages, directory listings, and conversations with families and professionals.