The power of a personalized thanks
January 28, 2008
A little package appeared in the mail today. Inside was a gift-wrapped box and a note thanking me for referring ADR work. The box contained a set of CDs with stories about pets…right up my alley.
It was from a former mediation grad student of mine, to whom I had referred a client I couldn’t take on because I’m heavily booked right now.
You can bet I’ll refer work to her again. [Read more]
Is blogging a good mediation marketing strategy?
January 24, 2008
I get asked this question a lot.
My typical answer: For most mediators, no. For mediators who’ve set a solid marketing foundation, the question gets answered as part of the right mediation marketing groundwork. When you know what you want to accomplish with your mediation marketing, and for what audience, then you’ll know if blogging is a good ADR marketing strategy for you and your ADR business.
But don’t just take my word for it. [Read more]
Mediation marketing and management vault, january 2008
January 19, 2008
The Mediation Marketing and Management Vault is a monthly feature that dips into the archives and shares still-relevant articles from one year ago. Here’s this month’s selection:
A Great Low-Tech Item for Facilitators and Mediators: Genius Pads: Sticky notes on steroids are perfect for facilitation activities and creative problem-solving in mediations.
Networking Online: Using LinkedIn to Make Connections with Clients: Have a LinkedIn profile but haven’t put it to much use yet? [Read more]
Mediators, get a new small biz idea every day
January 15, 2008
Every morning like clockwork, my email inbox has a new small business idea waiting for me. You can have these quick reads and good resources, too.
Just subscribe to Barbara Weltman’s Small Business Idea of the Day.
Weltman’s credentials aren’t lightweight and neither is her advice. [Read more]
My publisher calls it “the definitive guide”
January 13, 2008
My publisher sent me a copy of the cover for the forthcoming Making Mediation Your Day Job: How to Market Your ADR Business Using Mediation Principles You Already Know. Here’s a sneak peak at a portion of the back panel: [Read more]
Tax time for mediators: Find a great accountant
January 10, 2008
Ah, tax time. That special time of year when my scanner, shredder (fear not…I’m only talking very,very old files), calculator and my CPA’s email address get a whole lot of exercise.
Do you have a great accountant, someone who can serve not just as your tax preparer but also your trusted tax advisor? Here are some resources to help you find and choose the right accountant for your mediation business, get a tax ID, learn about deductions you should be tracking, and more: [Read more]
Build your ADR brand by finding out how you’re perceived
January 6, 2008
“O wad some Power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as ithers see us!”
My Scottish mother was fond of quoting Robert Burns and I still recall her describing the circumstances that led to those famous lines in his poem To a Louse.
The ability to see yourself as others see you is a powerful concept in mediation marketing, because it helps ensure that the brand (the emotional message and image) you’re building is consistent with the brand people think they’re buying and want to buy. [Read more]
ADR resources roundup, january 2008
January 5, 2008
My monthly roundup is a short list of links to services, ideas, and articles that help make marketing and managing your mediation practice more effective and efficient. Here’s the latest:
Diane Levin’s taken her already fantastic blog, Online Guide to Mediation, and made it even better. If you’ve not yet been to her new site at MediationChannel.com, go visit now. It’s lovely, it’s resource-filled and it’s very Diane…smart, stylish, savvy. And while you’re at it, check out her newest blog at WorkLifeBridge.
If what you do with the best hours of your day is not also the thing you’re passionate about, stop right now! That’s Alister Cameron’s admonition in If You Don’t Have Passion and Purpose, Greater Productivity Won’t Help You!
If you’re a mediation road warrior, then you probably have to track your expenses, [Read more]
Any ACR members who can help me?
January 3, 2008
Update: Thanks to Florida Mediator Perry Itkin, I now have a high-quality scan of the article. I’m grateful for your generous spirit, Perry!
I’m looking for a favor from any of you who are ACR members and receive ACResolution, the quarterly magazine.
I’m a current ACR member myself, but the fall issue of the magazine never reached me. I’d normally be disappointed to miss an issue, but this time around I’m really disappointed, because there’s an article of mine in there. I’m told it’s hit the stands, so to speak, but haven’t had a chance to see my own article yet.
Many of you know that ACR moved office locations a few weeks ago and their email apparently hasn’t been working for a while. The phone system also doesn’t seem to be working, since their main phone number just rings and rings without anyone picking up or my calls going to voicemail. [Read more]
10 must-have tech tools for the wired mediator in 2008
January 3, 2008
What tech tools are most worth the investment of your time and money to support your quest for a thriving mediation practice in 2008? Here’s my list.
Some are free, some are close to free, and a few are an investment. Most are pretty simple to set up and use. I use all of these almost every day and consider them central to my mediation business success: [Read more]
