Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Mediators- Attract Your Ideal Client


Hey! Just a quick reminder about a program you probably don't want to miss.

Here's all the info:

Attracting Your Ideal Client: Find Your Niche
Wednesday Oct 4, 2006 1-2 p.m. EST by phone

Finding your niche in the mediation world can seem like deciding on a major in college: a lot of trial and error and a lot of indecision. Do it the easier way by joining Dina on her next call, Attracting Your Ideal Clients: Find Your Niche.

During this info-packed 60 minute teleseminar you’ll:

  • Explore the 4 essential questions to determine your niche as a mediator
  • Discover online tools to help you find where your niche hangs out
  • Use worksheets to help you keep track of this valuable information

Leave with your niche in mind and the know-how to make it work for you- all for less investment than the cost of an ad!

Sign up
and be sure to join the call early.

Attracting Your Ideal Client
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 1-2 p.m. EST $25


Questions? Email support@adrpracticebuilder.com

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Virtual Seminar

I'm a big geek at heart. I love using the Internet to expand my horizon, to explore new ideas, and to connect with people I just wouldn't know otherwise.

Normally, I say yuck when I see ads on the 'Net for programs making unbelievable claims. You know the ones: Work 3 hours a day and make millions! Anyone can be an online marketing millionaire!!! Yuck.

However, occasionally I find someone who uses those 'carnival barker' tactics who has a real message that delivers value. Alex Mandossian is in that category. He has terrific ideas that can work for us mediators, even if they need a bit of, eh, adjustment.

That said, below is the link for an upcoming seminar Alex is hosting called Virtual Seminar week. It brings together a collection of interesting folks to talk about matters online and off, and even has a B celebrity or two (kendra Todd from the Apprentice will be a speaker). If you enroll before tickets go on sale on Sept. 26th, you'll get some great ideas, and I'll get a bit of cash. Here's the link:

Check out this 'virtual seminar' happening soon. I'll be attending... let me know what YOU think.


If you prefer you can go directly to VirtualSeminarWeekPreLaunch.com and sign up without me. Either way, please sign up if you're exploring marketing your mediation practice online. Truly, it can be done tastefully.


Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

PS Many, many thanks to everyone who attended the open enrollment for 3 Keys to Unlocking Mediator Income. Your presence and ideas made the call a huge success!

Our next free teleseminar, 3 Sentences That Keep Mediator Poor, will be held on October October 17, 2006 at 3-4 p.m.
Send a blank email to Threesentences@aweber.com. Early worms like me who register by Oct 3 will receive the special report, Finding Your Right Price, as a bonus.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Mediation Marketing Keys Revealed

"Simply terrific!" "Thanks for the wonderful insights." "I learned specific concepts to apply to marketing mediation."

Just a few comments from the satisfied participants who attended 3 Keys to Unlocking Mediator Income this past Tuesday.

I loved doing this call because participants really took good advantage of the information I shared. One person let me know that he ordered the books I suggested on pricing while we were on the call. Someone else wrote saying that she now feels like she has an action plan to identify her unique niche. Personally, I'm thrilled.

Best of all, I was able to do a bit of 'on the spot' coaching with someone who wanted to clarify what was unique about her divorce mediation practice. That got me thinking about how some mediators might start to think of themselves as a commodity, just one amongst many practitioners. I'm addressing that in the next call- Attracting Your Ideal Client: Find Your Niche.

Anyway, fun was had by all. If you didn't join the call, hey we missed you. But you don't have to miss out. You can order your copy of the audio on Friday-that's tomorrow. Simply visit my Laser Call Library at ADRPracticebuilder.com

By the way, here are the next upcoming two teleseminars:

Weds, Oct 4, 2006- Attracting Your Ideal Clients: Find Your Niche
What would your practice be like if good, paying clients came looking for you?
You can register here.

Tues, Oct 17, 2006- Three Sentences that Keep Mediators Poor!
Rid yourself of negative thoughts that prevent you from succeeding.
Send blank email to sign up for this no-cost teleseminar


If you attended Tuesday's call, why not leave a comment telling others what you enjoyed most. Thanks!

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Monday, September 18, 2006

Last Chance- 3 Keys to Unlock Mediator Income

Oh, my. I'm too excited. Tomorrow I'll host my free teleseminar, 3 Keys to Unlock Mediator Income.

It really feels like my birthday (which I love and celebrate for a month) except I'm giving away my gifts. The call is my way of saying thank you to all the folks who helped me become a mediator and encouraged me to start a practice. It's a great, big gift for you.


I'm gonna talk about the essential keys that you can't ignore if you want to make a living in this business. These are relatively simple changes you can make to begin to grow. And, I'm gonna talk about the 21st century keys that are perfect for mediators. I've said it before and I'll say it again: every mediator should have a blog! It's one of the very best and easiest ways to stay top of mind.

If you'd like to accept my gift, send a blank email to unlockingincome@aweber.com right now to register. You'll receive an authorization link almost immediately - make sure to authorize your registration, or you may not see your dial-in instructions.

I hope to 'see' you and hear your questions on the call!


Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Mediation is NOT confidential

Unless I'm mistaken, the act of participating in mediation is not confidential, even though the discussions held within the mediation are generally confidential. That fact gives us mediators a great tool to educate our markets-- testimonials.

Most mediator websites I've seen are 'brochureware'. They state the offerings of the mediator and his or her credentials and some generic thoughts about why mediation is good. It's nice but not compelling.

What is compelling to you, me and mostly everyone else, is the recommendations of others. Our websites should prominently feature our disputants comments (if they are willing) about the benefits of a) the using that particular mediator and b) the benefits of mediation as a top choice for finding solutions. Now, that's attractive and compelling.

Think about it. How often do you ask diners leaving a restaurant if they enjoyed their meal before you go in? You probably see movies that are recommended to you, right? Didn't you wait to get Netflix until someone else you knew had it and liked it? Give potential clients the benefit of a third-party recommendation like a testimonial to aid their decision-making.

How? Figure out a way to ask disputants what working with you was like for them. Then ask if you can use their comments in your marketing materials.

Sure, it'll feel awkward at first, but remember, you're educating people and there's nothing wrong with that.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Monday, September 11, 2006

Podcamp and the Episcopal Church

Honestly, these two things do have something in common: mediators

PODCAMP

Boston mediators and those nearby, if you missed Podcamp, you missed a lot.
The conference was filled with interesting and informative speakers. Best of all, there are all kinds of summary reports and podcasts available.

Stop by Leesa Barnes' site, Podonomics to learn some of the highlights of the un-conference; or, visit Podcamp.org to see the recorded podcasts available.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

One of the lead stories on NPR this morning was the 3 day meetings of church leaders to discuss the growing rift in the church. Here's the link to the NPR story:

Dave Hall is a church leader from Kansas who is really interested in using mediation to strengthen the sense of community within his flock. We've talked many times about how clergy are naturally called upon to be mediators and training would be ideal for people in that role.

Dave let me know about Peacemakers who say their mission is to equip Christians to handle conflict biblically. While I can't vouch for their entire message, I do agree that there is a need for this type of work.

What's this mean to you?

Mediators, are you listening? Is this a niche that grabs you? Evaluate the key niche factors (identifiable group; with a problem it desires to solve problem; willingness to pay; ability to be reached, etc.) and decide if this niche is worth considering? More to come on key niche factors in an upcoming teleseminar!


Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Friday, September 08, 2006

Podcamp comes to Boston!

OK, I hear you asking, what the heck is Podcamp. It's a first-ever, informal conference for podcasters and wannabe podcasters. (Podcasting is an audio file that you download to your MP3 player or hard drive and listen at your leisure.)

Podcamp is the brainchild of Chris Bogan and Christopher Penn and will be hosted at Bunker Hill Community College on September 9 and 10. That's this Saturday and Sunday. There'll be podcasters from every industry and even international attendees. You can learn more about it by visiting Podcamp.org

I'm definitely attending for several reasons. One, podcasting was made for mediators to use for marketing. It enables us to build rapport similar to what we have at the mediating table with many, many remote listeners.

Hosting your own regular podcast is a great way of staying top of mind with your niche market. Sure, no one you know is podcasting or listening to podcasts (except me), but mark my words, podcasts will be as common as iPods. You know about iPods, don't you?

The second reason I'm going is the amazing collection of people who signed up at the wiki (it's like a public encyclopedia of sorts; people can freely contribute their own thoughts and entries). Here's what's happening Friday night:

Thanks to a generous offer from The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, we'll be having a pre-conference party on Friday night to jumpstart the weekend. Join us at the Harvard Law School on Friday, September 8, 2006, from 5:30-7:30 PM (room TBA) for a celebration of podcasting. The Berkman Center will provide snacks and drinks, as well as a bit of podcasting fun!


This is a great chance to step outside your comfort zone without having to go too far from home. Hope to see you there!

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

PS A gentle reminder: the deadline to receive the early bird bonus is Sept. 12th
Sign up now for 3 Keys to Unlocking Mediator Income to get yours

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Why are Websites Like Resumes and Gardens?

Because they are never finished; they simply evolve! Cute riddle, huh? Boy, is it true.


CVs and Shade Gardens


Websites are living creatures just like gardens. They are in a constant state of transition from one thing to another. A color doesn't work on one web page, you might try it as a highlight on another. You see what happens when you add a picture or re-write a piece of content.

And, of course, there's the weeding to do. Fixing broken links takes as much time and is just as much a pain in the bum. However, if you tend you're garden well, keep it fresh and inviting, you'll be well rewarded.

Websites are also like resumes because there's typically one more thing to add to the list. I used to laugh when I heard site owners talk about their someday list. Someday, I thought, what's wrong with doing those things now. Then, I became the webmaster of my site and learned to respect the someday list. Between keeping up with past tasks and inserting new exciting items, the list grows and grows and grows.


Pruning My Garden

Keeping up with the gardening theme, I've decided to do a bit of pruning of my own website. ADRPracticebuilder.com is undergoing a tremendous, exciting makeover.

It'll still be devoted to coaching mediators to do good in the world and make a good living at it, but the site will much more user friendly and informative.

Best of all, there'll be a new membership program when the new site is revealed. It's still in the works but I can say that the member benefits are terrific: free access to articles, checklists and discussion groups; discounts on group coaching, ebooks and products and exclusive member-only offerings. Drop me an email if you're interested in becoming a charter member.

When's the Reveal?

I wish I knew. Right now, I'm working with a great designer. We'll definitely keep the spirited colors so many of you love. It shouldn't be too long.


Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

PS Folks who sign up for my marketing teleseminar 3 Keys to Unlock Mediator Income before Sept. 12 will receive a special bonus. Don't miss out.