Mediation Mensch

Mensch has moved

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:09:00 +0000

Pssst, we moved Mediation Mensch to a new platform and a new host. You can get the most recent posts at http://www.mediationmensch.com. Come on over!

Mensch Gets a Blog Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:32:00 +0000

Over 50,000 words. And, that's not even total amount I've written about mediation marketing, online marketing and finding the right niche since 2005, when I launched MediationMensch.com.

I look back on those early days so fondly. I felt like a pioneer, braving the new world of the Internet. Times changes. The Internet absolutely changes. And so, good blogs should evolve, too. That's why I'm proud to announce that after a short hiatus, the Mensch will return with a brand new look, feel and focus.

What's Changing?

First, let me tell you what will definitely NOT change. My commitment to helping mediators build and grow profitable practices. That's still a passion for me personally and a wish for the profession. I'll still do my best to introduce you to appropriate marketing approaches, tactics and techniques for getting new clients and delivering meaningful products to your current clients. Hopefully, my sense of curiosity and humor will remain intact, too.

Now, let me walk you through what WILL be different when the Mensch returns.

New Blog Platform: Moving from Blogger to Wordpress

As I mentioned earlier, Mensch is transitioning to a self-hosted WP platform with a little help from Ryan Burns of Designsimple.net. Why?

The flexibility and power of WP was undeniable and irresistible. The community is so large it's easy to get answers to your blogging questions and find new resources. It's simply better.

Don't get me wrong. I still think Blogger is great, especially for brand new bloggers who might be a tad techno-phobic and want a 1 click system. That's a fine starting point. Eventually, (I hope) you'll want to branch out, get more readers, and really promote your blog. When you have a hosted WP site will be an easy upgrade.

I'm switching because I want to track my progress more easily and reach even more readers. The goal is to double my RSS subscribers this year. Besides, I'm already hosting thismarriagething.com there with great results.

New Blogging Voice

No, that doesn't mean I'm getting a voicelift, although it is kinda deep and husky. When I launched I didn't have a blogging style or voice. I simply wrote about what interested me, what I was interested in learning or sharing. Some folks liked that, others not so much. It made the blog a bit of a marketing hodge-podge that drained the value out of the posts.

Going forward, I plan to write more in-depth, comprehensive posts about fewer topics; namely, blogging, podcasting, social media and information products. There'll also be more direct links to the products, services, coaches that I trust.

New Publication Schedule

The Mensch will be published on Tuesdays each week. A more consistent schedule will be good for everyone: you'll get good content regularly to inspire, inform and nudge you to action; and I'll be able to automate the whole thing with Wordpress.

Relaunch target: ~~March 31st~~ July 1, 2008

Ok, I'll see you all back here for the grand kickoff on March 31st. Meanwhile, do go over to these new blogs and show them some link love:

Conflict Matters by Roy Baroff
Co-Family Solutions by Mary Wollard
Mediator in the Making

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Mediation vs Arbitration Clauses- Which to Choose?

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:18:00 +0000

Got a Visa card, Mastercard or almost any other credit card? Then you, my friend, are now subject to an arbitration clause. That means you agreed to waive your right to a jury trial should a dispute arise. Same thing with your telephone agreement, health insurance and bank loans, according to Cardratings.com, a portal site for credit card information. Mandatory arbitration clauses appear in both consumer and employment contracts, often without the knowledge of the signer.

More companies test arbitration clauses

Large companies draft contracts with arbitration clauses to reduce their exposure and risk. Now smaller companies are using the same tactics to address customer concerns. Generally, I'm in favor of resolving issues outside of the court house. However, there are reasons why I favor a mediation clause over arbitration.

Why Mediation Clauses are Better than arbitration

A member of ADRPracticebuilder.com recently consulted with a client about trying a mediation clause instead of arbitration. She brought the question to our Discussion Forum where we brainstormed some positive arguments for using mediation.

Here's what we came up with:

So, the question is: how to persuade the client to do a mediation clause instead of an arbitration clause, right?

Have you inquired as to why the client prefers arbitration? Is it because that's the process they are familiar with, or is there a substantive reason that they prefer that method?

One reason might be that arbitrations make precedence- a defineable, predictable outcome that the company (and others) can rely upon. Another reason is that the durability of an arbitrated agreement is greater than that of a mediated one.

Knowing their reasoning will help you understand their underlying interests and easily meet their objections, or give you a reason to say yes to the plans.

Here are the reasons I think mediation clauses work well:

1. Mediation clauses signal to employees, vendors and clients that the company is collaboration-focused and sees issues as oppportunities to build understanding as well as fix concerns. Consumers are savvy enough to look for them.

2. Mediation clauses allow companies to engage in discussion privately, as to the meeting and the outcome. Therefore, there may be a greater willingness to settle and to settle more generously. Company saves reputation and clients get a nicer/better outcome.

3. Mediation is less costly than both arbitration and litigation. I think I heard somewhere the average per diem for an arbitrator was around $5k/day- but don't quote me.

4. Mediation allows for a timely resolution, whereas there's little flexibility or urgency with arbitration or litigation.

5. Mediation repairs more than the legal issues. It allows parties to address the emotions and tangential issues that are part of the dispute that cannot or will not be addressed in the other forums.

6. Mediation is empowering because it puts the parties in control of their own destiny. Parties learn valuable lessons about cooperation and negotiation at the mediation table that are often carried into other areas their lives. In a company this can mean a shift in culture or climate.

More Reasons, please

Of course, this list isn't exhaustive. The more facts, data, argument we can share the better we can serve our clients. What are your reasons for suggesting that mediation clauses should replace civil dispute arbitration clauses?

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Innovative Marketing by Family Law Mediator/Family Therapist Team

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:51:00 +0000

A Day in the Life: Attorney/Mediator and Therapist Mediation Team- Diana Mercer, Esq. and Tara Fass, LMFT 2/11/08 10 am PST/ 1 pm EST

Frankly, I can't wait for Monday's call. The conversation I had with Tara and Diana this week was fascinating.

We touched on everything from the usefulness of lawyer referrals to how set fees to their worst marketing mistake (which they graciously agreed to share on the call). These ladies have opinions & they're not afraid to share them. That's why I know we'll get the nitty-gritty details about their innovative practice.

Multidisciplinary Mediation Practice

I'm a big fan of multidisciplinary practice. As an affiliate of the Boston Law Collaborative, a multidisciplinary family law firm lead by master mediator, David Hoffman, I know first-hand how powerful it can be to have the benefit of an entire team- mediator/attorney, therapist, financial planner, parenting expert- available to assist a family. It's a much more holistic approach and one that Diana and Tara share in their practice at Peace-Talks.com

What Could This Mean for You?

Not to toot my own horn, but an opportunity like this doesn't come along everyday. Don't miss your chance to ask two savvy mediators and businesswomen for their marketing insights and tactics. I certainly want to know more about their plans to take their business to the million dollar mark, don't you?!

If you know someone- another mediator or therapist- you think
could benefit, why not invite him or her to join you on the call.
Register here or put this link in your browser:

http://www.adrpracticetbuilder.com/products/item42.cfm

Scheduling conflict? No worries. Registrants always get a digital recording as a bonus.

See you then!
Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Learn to Blog- Video Tutorials for Mediators

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:46:00 +0000

Seeing is believing. In this case, seeing is learning.

Year of the Blog

This is THE year of the blogger for mediators as I proclaimed in an earlier post. And, it's time to get started. I'm planning a blogtasitc event for April that will bring a variety of blogging professionals directly into your home. (if mediators won't come to blogging, I'll bring blogging to you!) It'll be a free virtual conference ....more on that as the planning progresses.

becomeablogger.com

But if you're as excited as I am about having your message and expertise help thousands of people you probably don't want to wait. Good for you. Start now.

Yaro Starak of Entrepreneurs-Journey.com has created what looks like a stellar series on becoming a blogger. You can see ( and learn)more at his new site,becomeablogger.com

In ten videos, Yaro covers all the basics of blogging:

Known for his blogging expertise and having one of the most popular systems, Blog Mastermind, Yaro is definitely a guy to watch. In fact, I'll be spending my evenings viewing the videos on wordpress and RSS. My new blog, ThisMarriageThing.com will launch at the end of the month and this will help alot!

I don't have any connection to Yaro, nor am I his affiliate. I'm simply overjoyed to find a product that I can recommend to you. Hey, maybe I can get Yaro to headline the Mediation Blog Summit in April....keep your fingers crossed.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Ask Mediation Mensch a Mediation Marketing Question

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:21:00 +0000

It's an occupational hazard, and maybe hazardous to my health (you heard about the cat, right?), but I love to ask questions. And, I hope you do, too.

Got Questions?

I write this blog with the intention of sharing what I know and learn about mediation, online and social media marketing with you. Most of the time I think I hit the mark, encouraging you to take chances or try a new tech tool. But, sometimes, the conversation feels a bit one-sided. So,if there's a question about marketing your mediation or ADR practice- let 'er rip! ( a big shout-out to Darren Rowse of Problogger.net for this great idea)

I'll personally answer as many questions as I can then the remaining ideas will become the basis for more content this year. It's gonna be fun finding guest writers and presenters.

By the way, we're doing something similar at ADRPracticebuilder.com. We established Learning Circles- Workplace and Family- to dig deeper into each niche. We're already exploring some great tactical questions like how to select a topic for a blog; when and how to tell clients raising fees and how to create passive income products. I want to bring that juice and know-how to the blog.

Yep, Any Question

So, what are you waiting for? If you're ready to make a good living as a mediator, jot down your question in the comments below.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

PS Due to a glitch some folks may receive this post twice. Sorry, we're working to repair things now. d

Blog, Blog, Blog, Mediation Blog World!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:47:00 +0000

2008 is the year of the mediation blog, people!

The blogging world is exploding with new ideas, formats, creative uses and money! Mediators, we got to get in now because the popularity and power of blogging is only going to grow.

Why Blog?

Because blogging is one of the most compelling and egalitarian communication tools around. Each mediator has the ability to reach hundreds of thousands with his or her message and get an answer back.

And while it's true that a new blog is created almost every second, according to reports by Technorati and other blog monitors, that doesn't mean your blog will get lost. Create a micro-niche with a very tailored message and your blog will be a magnet for those who need your services, even in a very crowded field.

Why Mediators?

Why not? Our business is about communication, for heavens sake. We have to start talking to our markets. Each blog can be a mini learning center to share the process, experience and potential results with prospective clients.

Within the profession,we have to start talking to each other- mediator-to-mediator more with blogs. Long ago when Diane Levin and I launched the ADR Web Ring, we hoped more mediators would join us in the blogosphere. Many did join in and create thoughtful, useful blogs. ( No better examples than Mediator blah, blah and Settle it Now) There's room for more. I'd love to see our online community reach the volume and variety of blogs and discussion found in the blogging world.

Why Now?

It's the right time for a couple of reasons.

Blogs make money. Blogging is beginning to get monetized in a serious way. Bloggers like John Chow claim to make upwards of $25K per month. Yeah, I'm a bit skeptical, too, but not so much I won't try to find out more.

Blogging is fun. The tech tools are getting easier to use. The income strategies are pretty creative. Of course, not every technique recommended by online gurus is going to be appropriate for a professional practice like mediation, however, many will be adaptable. Information products and Amazon stores come to mind.

Blogging is low-cost. The most popular platforms Blogger.com and Wordpress.com are still free and probably always will be. So, there's no real cost barrier to blogging. However, as blog design and functionality evolves, it'll be harder to be attractive and competitive with a free blog platform. ( I'm planning to shift to Wordpress for just this very reason.)

More to Come on Blog Design and Launch

Yep, this is definitely the year of the blog for mediation. Our Spring Learning Series from March to May will focus exclusively on the how-tos and why's of launch, design and promotion for your blog. It doesn't have to be overwhelming and you don't have to do it alone. Hopefully, I'll have the pleasure of sharing the stories and blogs of a few mediation/ADR bloggers in an interview or two.

I'm excited to see what you all come up with. So, please drop me a comment below to share your blogging plans, especially if you're just starting out.

My new baby boomer blog, ThisMarriageThing.com, will launch in February (from my mouth to G-d's ear). I'm still kicking around branding, but my tagline will be something like (feel free to kibitz):

This Marriage Thing
Conversations that redefine marriage, boomerhood and what comes next... OR

This Marriage Thing
Conversations for folks who want to be happy and married...

This is a side project that's kind of an experiment in combining the new viral and social media marketing techniques like Stumbleupon and podcasting. Should be fun and I hope you come along for the ride.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Wordpress Enthusiasts get Free Ad Design Work

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:59:00 +0000

I'm a bargain hunter and damned proud of it.

This is a quick post to introduce those of you interested in starting a blog to Mark Lloyd, web developer and designer. Mark's site, www.MarkLloyd.org, features articles and blog posts that yield great tools and offers.

Case in point, Mark has agreed to design 125x125 ads for the new Entrecard, blog social network, for interested bloggers who post about him. (I'm hoping to be one of the lucky winners of a free ad). I'm just getting to know Mark and Entrecard, so I'll keep you posted. Hopefully, I'll be able to share a new designer and traffic tool to you soon.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

An Impromptu Blog Review- Theraputic Family Law

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:50:00 +0000

Recently B. James Stinson, author of Theraputic Family Law blog, sent a comment and some link love my way. As a small token of thanks, I offered a suggestion or two for improving his site, which has good content but a few design issues.

Here's what I had to say:

Hey James, thanks for the terrific comment and the 'link love' to ADRPracticebuilder.com.

Last year we did a teleseminar on websites and blogs with Lisa Welles. If I were channeling her now, she might offer suggestions like:

Ease readability by using a white background instead and increasing the font size. 60 million baby boomers get their info online, but only if they can read it!

Boost readership by having a publication schedule- bi-weekly, weekly or daily. If your content is valuable (and it looks like it is), people will want to know when to expect the next gem.

Make thing simple by adding categories or search function. An avid reader or a newbie will want to search quickly to find the post they need.

Last, consider turning relevant website section, which is very robust and valuable, intoa resource guide that you can exchange for email addresses or sell to create a small revenue stream.

Generally, I share this level of insights with my coaching clients on a Breakthrough Call. I had so much fun writiing this comment I think I'll turn it into a full post.

Have a look and share your feedback here with James. The more, the merrier. (Special thanks to Darren Rowse over at ProBlogger who runs a community blog critique that inspired this post. Darren is a real pro.)

Want your blog critiqued?

Let's try an experiment. I'll review and offer insights and resources for three mediation blogs for free. I'll select the winners based on the useful, insightful, encouaging comments you leave for James. Specifically, please help James think about:

How to make the blog more user-friendly?
What should be added or removed from the site?
What niche should he target?

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Consulting that Builds Mediation Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:58:00 +0000

To paraphrase former President Clinton, it's a business, silly. Not a hobby, a cause or charity. Mediation practice is a business.

That's the message that most mediators need to grasp as they grow from new mediator to competent, confident business owner. Mediation practices are businesses just like medical, dentistry or law practices. Being in the helping professions doesn't mean we're exempt from making sure the bottom line is healthy. Knowing how to run a business requires advice so here are a couple of suggestions for affordable assistance.

Getting Help to Get Started

I was woefully naive when I started my first training practice, Odyssey Seminar, way back in the 90's. I had no idea about pricing, business analysis and only a vague idea about marketing. Certainly, I've learned a thing or two over the past 17 years that lead to a successful business, but it could've been a heck of a lot easier.

That's why I strongly suggest that you find help to get started. What kind of help? Consulting that will enable you to understand what your practice needs, what you're capable of doing, and when to outsource. Who doesn't need that sounding board or nudge in the right direction that saves time and aggravation. I know I do, and I bet the same is true for you.

But isn't that stuff expensive, I hear you asking? Well, that's a relative question. I have saved tons of money doing my own research to find free or low cost consulting. On the other hand ,I probably spent my most valuable asset, my time, unwisely. The longer it takes me to find an answer, resource, tool, the more asking an expert (or at least someone more knowledgeable than me) seems like a bargain.

First Stop for Free Stuff

Into online resources? Check out sites like www.StartUpNation.com and www.Entrepreneur.com. Listen to the business podcasts on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio.com. These resources allow you to quickly, easily find what you need and digest it in a convenient way. Also consider joining an online group like Ladies Who Launch or the Entrpreneurs Organization to interact with other service providers who have similar challenges and goals.

Want to talk to someone? No problem. There are numerous non-profits devoted to helping all flavors of entrepreneurs. I eventually landed at the Center for Women and Enterprise in Boston, founded by Andrea Silbert, a staunch advocate for ending poverty by entrepreneurship. Their 'turbo' class reshaped my thinking; I grew a bigger vision. Best of all, I remain friends with the women I met in my peer coaching group and we meet each summer for a reunion.

Lately, I'm considering visiting my local Small Business Development Center. Linked with a local college or university, these centers offer consulting and services at low or no cost to emerging business owners. I'm launching a new blog, ThisMarriageThing.com, and want some help evaluating my market and deciding on what services to pursue. Coursework covers topics like understanding financial reports to deciding on business entity to getting financing and beyond. Find the nearest center to you by visiting www.asbdc-us.org.

A comes before Z

Don't skip this step if you want to make real progress. I realize that recommending this course of action is tricky. For those of you who suffer from analysis paralysis, seeing a consultant can feel like permission to research endlessly without taking any real action. Resist the urge and demand that the consultant help you create and be accountable for an action plan.

For those of you who feel ready to jump right in, seeing a consultant is a reasonable way to test your theories and plans before you invest money or time in them. It's great to be passionate about your services/niche, but don't be mislead by those feelings. Get some constructive critique from someone whose been there before. That's one of the best perks of the Practice Builder community- we share ideas and get feedback that's useful and action-oriented.

Remember, you can't help anyone if you're not in business anymore, and the more your practice sucessfully grows the more people you can reach.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

PS I'm doing a mediation marketing talk for NYSDRA members on Thursday 1/17 at 1 p.m. EST. For more information and to register, visit www.NYSDRA.org or contact Emily Menn of NYSDRA.

Your Plans for 2008- Start NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:40:00 +0000

Stop and ask yourself: what's the one thing I'd like to accomplish this year?

Are You Full of It?

It's a tough question. Answering requires courage, vision, and most of all discipline. Discipline is where most of us, including me, get stuck.

Like most entrepreneurs I'm full of it--good ideas, that is. I'm a fountain of great business and marketing ideas but what really matters is what actually gets done.

Because, unless you have priorities in place, your good ideas will go to waste. Narrow your focus until you have one good, possibly great idea, then give it all you got.

At her Femalepreneur.com blog, Jan Marie Dore, executive business coach for professional women, posts a list of questions that I thought I'd share with you as a first step:

A terrific list to which I would add:

Q:How can you create systems that automate your work and give you time for reflection?

Q:What are the unique ways in which you can reach and serve your market?

I'll be very curious about the answers so feel free to use the comment area!

By the way, Jan is also an expert on leveraging what you know to create passive income. You, yes, you have knowledge that can help someone and your bottom line! Join Jan and I as we discuss how on Thursday, Jan 10th at 10 PST/1 EST
You can register here

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

A Blogging Plan for 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Taking time off does wonderful things for me. I get a chance to 'wander' around the internet and be inspired by the remarkable talents of other bloggers like British blogger Alex Bainbridge who blogs about travel ecommerce.

A Blog Plan

You never know where a good idea will come from so I read everything. (I have about 30 blogs in my RSS reader of which I read about 10 pretty religiously.) What I gleaned from Alex's fascinating blog, along with some really subtle ways to monetize a blog, is the idea of a blogging plan. You know, a plan for what you want to talk about or achieve via your blog for the next year. Sounds useful, doesn't it?

Why Bother with a Plan

By now, of course, you've grown weary of me harping at you to get a blog and actually have one up. (If not now, WHEN people?) In your blog you're discussing issues, ideas and resources that you think will be helpful to your target market, but how do you actually know readers find your site useful? Simple. Say it with me, "Research and Tracking"

Using key indicators to track the development/growth of your blog is a little like having ESP. You have a vague impression of what might happen in the future. It's not rock solid data but it's better than outright guessing. Last year I tracked key indicators for ADRPracticebuilder.com and was surprised at some of the results (turns out August was the best month for sales, even though I consider it a 'dead' summer month because of vacations). This year I'll consider August a 'planning' month and provide resources that help members get ready to go 'back to work'.

What to Put in Your Blogging Plan

What you track really depends on what you want to achieve and how much time you're willing to devote to capturing, analyzing and strategizing. When Mensch launched in 2005 I was delighted just to have an outlet to talk to other mediators, forget any strategy or analysis. The blogosphere has taught me so much I'm eager to put some of it to use here.

Here are some relatively simple things I plan to follow this year:

Readership- how many unique visitors come to Mediation Mensch daily or weekly.
Subscribership- how many people sign up to be alerted to new posts either by RSS feed or by email opt-in. (This stat is different than readership as I have 4 times the number of subscribers as I do daily readers)
Most Popular Posts/Comments- what really engages or interests my readers.

Sure, there are other things I could, and probably should track, like incoming links from other blogs or trackbacks to specific posts one my blog. However, my goal for Mensch this year is to triple my subscribers.

Why? Because broadening my reader base let's me encourage more mediators to market more and hopefully increases the conversion rate from blog readers to Practicebuilder members.

Resources

There are so many tracking/analysis tools on the net the hardest part is picking one that suits you. Google Analytics is a standard among website users including bloggers. I have it but find that it a bit tricky. I've heard that Perry Marshall has a terrific tutorial or you can read the free wikipedia information. Feedburner.com does a great job of graphically showing you the growth of your subscribers. Do a google search on blog analytics and see what you turn up.

What else should bloggers be tracking? I'm sure there's more so feel feel to use the comments. Hey- maybe Tammi Lenski of Tech Mediator will share her thoughts with us?

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Stop Trading $$$ for Time- Jan. 10th

Take This Idea, Pls: Teach Teens/Parents Conflict Skills Online

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:40:00 +0000

Blogs are an important tool. For mediators, a blog is an essential communication tool that's ideally suited for being rapport and trust with potential clients and referrals sources. Think of it as conversation over coffee gone digital.

While most of our efforts are focused on adults. I can't help wonder about the value of helping teens and young adults deal with conflict more productively. I learned how valuable that can be early in my practice when I did conflict workshops for colleges. What if you used technology to reach an under served ADR market- teens and young adults?

Everyone blogs

Need more convincing. OK, about these facts from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, the leading think tank on how Americans use the Internet:

64% of teenagers ages 12-17 create online content like blogs
35% of teen girls blog and 54% of those post photos online
55% of all online teens belong to a social networking site
32% of online teens say they have experienced 'cyberbullying'
87% of parents of teens are online, 17% more than the average adult
45% of adults (60 million people) said the Internet played a major role
as they made decisions or faced major life transitions
Women tend to view the Internet as a way to gather and filter information from a support group with a deeper focus
Men tend to search more broadly for information on a variety of topics and use search engines more

What do those numbers mean?

Of course, more research is necessary, but from these initial figures I can see a few market opportunities.

Host an interactive blogging experience that enables teens/young adults to share ideas on how to handle their most common disputes. Offer information and techniques in a way that appeals to them.

Get a programmer to build a software application, sometimes called a widget, that allows teens to enter in what they'd like to say to resolve a problem and get back either a neutrally-phrased sentence or a variety of options to move forward.

Create an interactive blogging experience for parents of teens so they can share their hard-earned wisdom and support with each other. Offer resources, ebooks, talking scripts, etc.

Develop a website that drills down deep into the conflicts moms experience in parenting teens, i.e. letting go of control or talking without hurting.

A quick search over at Blogflux suggests that while there are many parenting blogs, most are personal chronicles and few deal directly with teenagers. There is an knowledge gap you can fill.

And, if building and maintaining a blog seems daunting, work up to it by creating an information product first. Jan Marie Dore will talk about the easy steps to creating passive income on Jan. 10th. It promises to be a very popular call.

As always, I'd be thrilled to hear what you think so please comment below.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Biz, Net, Info or Not: Picking a Domain Extension

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:34:00 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me how complicated something very easy can become. Got a problem. Easy solution- talk it out. Want a domain name- get the .com. Quick,simple, easy...right? Wrong, there are many options about domain strategy. This is my take on it.

Which One is Best?

Monica, one of our members, recently made the huge transition from her day job to full-time ADR professional (Yeah, Monica!) She wondered about whether she should get the .biz,net,info domain extensions when she purchased her .com. Here's my answer:

Way to go! About domain extension. It's personal choice although Go Daddy will tell you that it protects your site from future competitors or loss of redirected traffic (i.e. wonderful.biz grabs traffic from wonderful.com) It's a toss up.

So this last shopping trip I split the different and bought one domain with 'all the sides' and one without. We'll see over the year ifthe investment pays off.

Of course, there's a better answer than this. So, if you know it, please leave a comment.

Getting a Bargain Domain

Every little penny adds up when you're building a practice. Get in the habit of looking for less expensive options (that doesn't just mean low cost but also high value).

Before purchasing domains from Go Daddy ( the registrar I use) SEARCH for a COUPON. I got the annual rate down from 9.99 to 6.95. HOw? I Googled 'go daddy coupons' found a site and plugged in codes until one worked in the shopping cart

What's this mean to you?

Pick what you want. It's highly unlikely that failing to get the extra extensions will be the end of your practice. The real gem I got from Monica is: TAKE ACTION.

Try. Fail.Learn. Grow!

Dina

Divorce-proof your Marriage with Mediators

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:45:00 +0000

December is the most popular month for popping the question, which fills this mediator with loads of holiday cheer. Why? A skillful family or marriage mediator can build a practice by assisting couples to answer the second big question: I will, then what?

According to a Boston Globe article, couples, who were once surrounded my family and friends who could offer marriage advice, now need a different kind of support system to navigate the challenges of learning to live together and be happily married. Social workers like Mimi Licht counsel couples before they get married.

And, mediators like Laurie Israel of Brookline, MA who specializes in helping married couples negotiate better, can be part of that support, too. In fact, if I recall correctly, I blogged about the wedding opportunity a year ago. When you consider that almost half of all marriages end in divorce and that the average cost for a wedding has now risen to $30K, it seems very likely that couples (and their bill-paying parents) are ready to invest in this kind of wedding planning.

If you're interested in learning more about this emerging field, here are some suggestions:

Reach out your local family mediation council or association for social workers to investigate the market further
Identify a local service provider: therapist, wedding shop, event planner, who may want to expand their services and partner with you
Consider joining our Family Learning Circle- our first topic for discussion is Marriage Mediation lead by Mediator Ned Busch on Jan. 4th at 11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST
Listen to a Day in the Life of an attorney and therapist mediation team, Diana Mercer and Tara Fass on Monday, Feb. 11th. Sign up here

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

mediator blah...blah...: Two interesting questions

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:45:00 +0000

The secret is out mediation has the potential to be a million dollar business.

Stop, and read that again. What a powerfully motivating statement. I get teary just thinking about how much good that means in the world.

Count Me In

I glean a lot of valuable information from the small business and women entrepreneur markets but we have a sort of love/hate relationship. Wonk that I am, I love pouring over articles for business principles that can be applied to mediators. But, it annoys me to have to 'read between the lines' and extrapolate so much.

So when I read that Count Me In, the leading national non-profit for micro-loans for women entrepreneurs, selected a mediation practice as one of the winners in it's Make Mine A Million Program you know THAT got my interest. The program goal is to inspire a million women entrepreneurs to develop businesses that reach 1 million in annual revenues by 2010. I'm intending to be one of them, and I hope you are, too.

Peace Talks

Diana Mercer, Esq. and Tara Fass, LMFT run Peace Talks, a multi-disciplinary mediation practice servicing family and divorce clients, which won the honor. (not only did they get bragging rights, they got mentors, money and a wonderful community) I was so excited at the news I called Diana immediately.

Although I was nearly tongue-tied with admiration, I managed to convince her and Tara to do an interview with me. The notion of a holistic practice combining the knowledge a therapist and attorney makes a ton of sense to me. (I'm an affiliate for the Boston Law Collaborative, a blended practice in Boston) The question for many practitioners, perhaps even you, is how do you do that successfully? Happily, these dynamic women will share their insights with us.

TELESEMINAR

Day in the Life: Diana Mercer, Esq. and Tara Fass, LMFT of Peace-Talks.com

February 11 at 10 am PST/1 pm EST

This is going to be a popular call for family/divorce folks so
you may want to register now. Also, there'll a slight increase in tuition after 12/31 so you'll save a few bucks by signing up now.

Thanks Geoff

And, you can read Diana's thoughts on practice on a recent post by Geoff Sharp. Click here to read mediator blah...blah...: Two interesting practice questions

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow! Dina

Learning Circles Offer Accountability and Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:49:00 +0000

What do mediators have in common with the Maytag repairman?

Both can be lonely jobs. That's one reason why we created a new way for family or workplace mediators to interact: Learning Circles! I'll share the outcomes from the first calls in two posts. First, the Family Learning Circle, then the Workplace Circle.

Everyone Teaching everybody to Fish

A Learning Circle is a group of people with like interests who gather to gain knowledge together. What makes it different than a teleseminar or group coaching is that members teach each other and facilitate their own learning.

In each circle the members decide what topics to address and then develop short 'lesson plans' to share with each other. Everyone benefits: the teacher deepens his or her own personal skills and resources by researching and presenting the topic;and, members expand their expertise on a variety of niche-specific or marketing topics. It's a new twist on the old saying, "two heads are better than one".

Family Learning Circle

Family mediation is one of the most widely known niches in mediation. Our Circle members, who met today for the first time, practice primarily as divorce and elder care mediators. Besides deciding on the logistics of the calls (we meet the first Friday of every month, the group explored expanding the meaning of family mediation to beyond divorce to include things like relationship mediation (think: mother/daughter disputes).

The conversation really got interesting when we considered a unique niche: lifespan mediation. We're defining this as offering services for the lifespan of the dispute. For example, offering mediation based on changing milestones within a family's post-divorce life like when the kids hit puberty, or when college decisions have to be made. It was fascinating and highlighted a dilemma most mediators face- generating repeat business.

This Circle plans to present on such cool topics as the pros/cons/differences of mediating by phone; building a marriage mediation practice; multi-generational mediations and which networking groups work best for mediators. If this call is any indication, it's gonna be a very productive and informative six months.

Sound good? A Learning circle might be the solution to your marketing troubles. Do you want to meet interesting people; brainstorm new markets to conquer; do some collaborative problem-solving and get your feet held to the fire-in the nicest way possible? Are you committed to your own success? If so, check us out.

The Circle meets next on January 4th and if you'd like to take part you can learn more and join here.

More on the Workplace Learning Circle to come...

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Take This Idea: Commerical Mediators Wheel & Deal with Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:45:00 +0000

Finding the right niche is critical to your success as a mediator. While most folks can identify a broad niche, say family or workplace, it's those who dig a bit deeper that find the gold.

Reading NY Report while in bed this morning I saw a great article on Buy/Sell Agreements. Entrepreneurship is fraught with conflicts, and one of the stickiest is when owners want or need to sell. Great, I thought- this article will make excellent content for Mediation Mensch.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I noticed that the author's name- Richard Lutringer- a member of ADRPracticebuilder.com! Richard Lutringer is counsel at the New York City office of Chicago-based Schiff Hardin LLP, a full-service law firm. His primary areas of concentration are corporate transactions and mediation.

Here's what Richard has to say about this opportunity:

Alternative Ways to Resolve a Buy-Sell Dispute

Litigation and, recently, arbitration, the traditional means of dispute settlement, are expensive, time-consuming and unpredictable. More and more businesses and their attorneys are choosing to use a third-party mediator to assist them in resolving contentious issues in one or two days, leaving good relationships and bank accounts intact. Mediators, usually paid on an hourly or daily basis, are trained in negotiation and dispute-settlement skills and have no stake in the outcome. Lists of experienced commercial mediators are available through many state and federal courts as well as such organizations as JAMS (jamsadr.com) and the American Arbitration Association (www.adr.org).

What does this mean to you?

For all those workplace and commercial mediators who are chasing corporate clients, this means you may want to look at the small business market instead. Serving newly formed and established partnerships can be a very lucrative business for mediators.

The variety of disputes that can arise within a partnership are almost unlimited. A mediator could specialize in partnership formation or charters, and assist the entrepreneurs to define and standardize their relationship, responsibilities and decision-making abilities. Once, I worked with partners in a three person law firm who had formed on a handshake and then got stymied when one partner decided not to practice law any longer. If they'd taken the time at the beginning, the end of their partnership would've been much smoother and less costly.

You could specialize in buy/sell agreements as Richard suggests. Valuation is a very emotional issue. It would be important to have a third party to help process hard feelings and make a space for good judgment to prevail.

How do you find clients?

The old fashioned way: research. Happily there are some new technology tools to make this process easier. Turn to Hoovers.com or OneSource.com to get a big picture of what companies meet your target market criteria, then use business social networking sites like LinkedIn to make connections.

Then do a Google alert for your small group to understand what the company is doing or needs now. It won't guarantee that you'll get the business but you'll be much better position with a warm introduction and a sense of the company's current needs.

Many thanks to Richard Lutringer for leading the way...

Try. Fail. Learn . Grow! Dina

PS The Workplace Learning Circle, which will discuss these types of opportunities, launches on Monday, Dec. 10th. Visit my website for more details.

Cool FREE Tech Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:34:00 +0000

If you're a gadgethead like me, you're gonna be very happy. Camtasia, the recognized leaders in video recording software, is offering Camtasia for FREE!

You can download a free copy of Camtasia 3 for your own use.
What's the catch?None, really. It's an older version of the software. Once you download it and it's key it's fully functional. (I downloaded mine yesterday but haven't had a moment to play with it yet) The makers hope you'll use this version and then want to pay (at a discount) to upgrade to the latest version. Brilliant marketing.

Why do Mediators Want Video?

Simple- it's another way to build connection and visibility. Think about how compelling it would be to potential clients if they could hear and see you talking about your view of mediation or explaining how you help your clients? Can't get a better 'taste' unless you give away consultations (which I don't recommend).

What if I'm not a Video Star Material?

Yeah, I thought about that too. I heard about this software years ago but hesitated because I was kinda anxious about being 'on camera'. I'm over it and you should be too.

Want proof? Spend a few moments on YouTube looking at ordinary folks who now have Vblogs and such. You'll see that most aren't especially good looking or uniquely talented. They're just folks who want to share something to help others- sounds like mediators to me.

Since the software is free there's really no excuse not to try it. Also, download Snagit which is also being offered gratis. You'll be able to capture screen images to use on your website or blog. (you DO have a website, right??)

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

Take this Idea, Pls: Wrap up the 'Sandwich Generation'

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:09:00 +0000

34 million people in this country are getting squeezed- and we can help.

Called the 'sandwich generation', these folks wrestle with the huge task of caring for both their children and their aging parents while working full-time, according to a recent MSNBC article.

This is a growing trend, folks, that bears watching. The US Census predicts that the elderly population will double to 70 million by 2030. I can imagine a plethora of opportunities to assist families to make decisions, explore options and meaningfully resolve disputes about care, contribution and assets. According to Andy Cohen, founder of Caring.com, a new website that caters to sandwich caregivers, the market potentially represents up to 100 million dollars annually.

To learn more about the interests and needs of this emerging niche, I recommend ...say it with me now: research.

Visit portal blog sites like icerocket.com or technorati.com to find blogs in this arena. A good google search for websites on aging and 'baby boomers' couldn't hurt. And, don't forget to find a forum or three to join so you can get an insiders view.

Then start reading! I'm sure you'll find unique ways that you can serve this client base and distinguish mediation from the other resources available.

As always if anyone takes up this idea I'd love to get a note!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Dina

PS We're launching a Family Mediation Learning Circle on Dec. 10th for our members. Learning Circles bring like-minded practitioners from across the country together to brainstorm ideas, offer resources and network on marketing to families. You can learn more at ADRPracticebuilder.com.

Forum Marketing for Mediators

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:37:00 +0000

Generally, mediators are known for creating a forum for exchanging interests and ideas. But, what if we just got known in forums instead. (ok, bad pun- just trying to be funny)

What is a Forum?

Let's start with the basics. A forum is an online discussion space where members exchange ideas publicly. There is a forum for very conceivable idea, cause, problem, or thing. It's almost frightening how many there are and how much communication happens across these internet gabfests.

Drip Irrigation Style Marketing

Forums are an ideal marketing vehicle for shy mediators. Why? There are several compelling reasons why forum marketing works for dispute resolution professionals. Mediators can:

study a forum to learn it's 'pain points' and key resources
educate the forum by offering relevant links and articles
answer questions to increase credibility and expert status
enable potential clients or referral sources to become acquainted with you and build trust
capture ideas for desired products and create passive income

You can do all this mediation marketing without ever leaving your house, giving a sales pitch or breaking a sweat! Nifty, huh. I know of some coaches who fill their practices simply by being an active, valued participant in a small number of forums. It's a great way to reach people. (Quick story: when my husband, Peter, and I were doing research for our romance book we got over 400 replies to our survey by partnering with various forums. )

It takes time and consistent effort to build rapport that leads to new business, which is why I call it drip irrigation marketing, but those efforts will be well rewarded. There's nothing better than having a 'champion' singing your praises to attract potential clients.

5 Tips for Successful Forum Marketers

Lurk first

Introduce Yourself

Give and Give More

Put your Sig Line to Work

Be Involved Yourself

Want More?

Forum marketing is a terrific tool that allows you to 'get out there' without the expense or stress of doing public speaking engagements. It's my favorite tactic right after article marketing. I'm considering teaching a class on this topic. If you want to know when, just drop me a note and I'll add you to the announcement list.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!

Dina

PS. We're adding specific Learning Circles for those interested in workplace, family and other emerging fields at ADRPracticebuilder.com. If you want to meet others in these niches and work on marketing together, attend our monthly Learning Circles.

Meet Avatar Dina

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:45:00 +0000

An Ava-what?
I couldn't resist sharing this bit of silliness from the folks at Yahoo! This is an avatar, a digital creation, that I developed over at Yahoo Answers. (Kinda scary how good the likeness is, although my hubby says I'm cuter).

An avatar is a great solution for someone who wants to add his or her picture on a blog or website but doesn't want or like their true image. (Of course, it's not fair to make yourself into a glamazon if you're not.) In fact, the avatar might help build your online persona.

Yahoo Answers and Askville

As some of you may recall, I got interested in social media marketing a while back. Social media is another name for all the online communities and groups available now. Think of it as 'drip' marketing because your actions take a while take root but once they do everything grows. You can learn more about it from Scott Allen, co-author of The Virtual Handshake.com

Anyway, I'm exploring social networking sites like Yahoo Answers and Askville.com as forums for developing information products. Here's what I've discovered so far...

Each site allows registered users to post questions for the internet world to answer. You get reward points for either answering or asking questions, although most of the sites haven't fully developed their reward systems yet. Not that it matters. Folks are flocking to ask and answer all manner of questions from the ridiculous to the everyday to the deeply spiritual. Think of it as an interesting variation on how to achieve that '15 minutes of fame' we all crave.

Social Media Marketing

How could a mediator use an account at one of these sites for marketing? I've discovered at least three and I'm just getting started.

Learn about Your Niche

Most mediators with niche practices fall into the family, divorce or business niches. These groups are very well represented in just about all parts of the social networking scene. You can use these groups to do some informal market research. Ask well-crafted questions that inquire about what custody problems keep them up at night or how the latest healthcare laws are impacting them as caretakers or whatever you choose.

Display Your Usefulness

Do the obvious and answer questions posted by other users in your niche. Other users rate your answers and a few 'greats' might make you a recognized expert and lead to all manner of good stuff. Just be sure to read a bunch of answers first so you understand the tone and exchange of that forum prefers. Some of my coaching colleagues swear by this.

Test Products

Test first, then create! Most entrepreneurs, including mediators, fall in love with their products. The world will not beat a path to your door because you wrote a better divorce mediation guide unless the world asked for it first. You can use social networking sites to gauge demand or get topics for a new product; thereby saving you time and expense. Watch the trends then simply ask, what would make dealing with this easier for you?

Heck, just have fun. That's what I'm doing. And, if you make an avatar, please share him or her in the comments below. I'd love to SEE you.

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Educational Marketing Teaches Mediators a New Lesson

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:58:00 +0000

Didn't I say that educating your marketing about mediation was the way to go? Looks like I'm not the only one who thinks so....

Check out this recent article in Business Week that confirms educating potential clients on how to solve their problems is a very powerful marketing tool. This is especially relevant to us in our marketing efforts.

How Can You Use Educational Marketing?

Create an education experience for your niche market based on the types of experiences or processes they might face.

Suppose for a moment, you're a mediator who works with condo associations as your niche. You could compose a number of different articles, quizzes, checklists, reading lists, and how to articles that educated board members on working collaboratively, resolving conflict or any other related topic. Surely, you'd become the recognized (and highly appreciated) expert in that niche who clients turned to for support.

What to Write About

No matter where you are in your practice- newly trained or mature practitioner- you have information of value to offer to someone who is less informed in your niche. As someone once said, 'In the land of the blind men, the one-eyed man is king.'

Newbies

Write about what you know. Your experiences as a new practitioner are unique and bring a new perspective that can be enlightening. Or, write about what attracted you to working with your niche group. Or, what legacy you hope to leave your market.

Established Folks

Your approach is similar to that of the newbie, except your challenge is composing items from the vast amount of conflict resolution wisdom you already have to share! You have forgotten more about resolving conflict than some people ever knew. Time to give back.

Recall the questions, challenges or concerns that your first clients brought to you and turn them into learning products that teach clients how to begin to use and benefit from mediator or facilitation or whatever process you use. Then consider the challenges of your current clients and create tools that help them prevent disputes. Your clients will be grateful and turn to you when they realize they do need your expertise.

Definitely take a moment to check out the article I linked to above. The results were dramatic. If you could achieve a small portion of their success, you'd be at the head of the class!

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

PS I'm happy to brainstorm with anyone who may feel a little stuck. Let me know and we'll arrange a short chat

Take This Idea, Pls-DR for Daycare Providers

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:30:00 +0000

Do you know what true conflict is? Getting a 2 year old in a snowsuit quickly when he or she doesn't want to do it.

Help Them, Help Us

Over the years, I've learned that child care is a pressure-filled industry. You can imagine all the different issues that arise. Payment is late. Parents are late. Care-givers struggle to work together and be appreciated.

Most often these business owners, who are typically women, combine the patience of Job and the diplomacy of Colin Powell to give each family a good experience. But there are situations, staff issues or families they just aren't equipped to handle. The door is open to someone ( eh, you) to take advantage of this opportunity.

Daycare Dispute Resolution

How about making the nanny your niche? Teaching child care professionals how to identify, manager or prevent conflict is an overlooked market. The product ideas are limitless: training for staff; training for directors, mediation services to a multi-location provider; conflict coaching for directors, conferences... the list goes on, and we didn't even mention any of the passive income, audio or virtual products you could easily create to generate more revenue and support these deserving folks.

Growing Up

By the way, this is a growing niche. That means you'll have a self-renewing batch of clients to court as customers. According to the US Census, there are over 20 million single parent families. That's a whole lot of child care and loads of new and different causes for disagreement that needs mediating. Of course it goes without saying that you should do the niche evaluation for yourself. (Grab the audio of Three Keys to Making Money as a Mediator from my homepage for a discussion on picking the right niche)

Let Me Know

Take pity on a very curious woman. I send these ideas out into the world and just want to know if some of them found good homes. Drop me a note if you are inspired to put this, or any other 'Take This Idea' idea into action. Maybe we'll even share your journey here at Mediation Mensch!

Try. Fail. Learn. Grow!
Dina

Halloween Treat to Avoid IRS Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Dina Lynch, ADRPracticeBuilder.com) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:59:00 +0000

Halloween, my favorite holiday! With less than 48 hours to go I hope you're prepared with plenty of treats and a nifty costume. (I'm handing out candy this year as 'Ugly Betty').

Now, is also a good time to get prepared for....da da da dummmm ...pre-tax planning for your 2008 tax bill. Oh, it's scary just how fast April 15th arrives.

Now is a good time to put all your records in order for next year and maybe even do a bit of planning to keep more of your hard-earned mediation income and make tax day less of a nightmare. If your Quickbooks is a mess (or if Chart of Accounts puts you in a trance), let me suggest some help.

Joanne O'Connell, the super Virtual Assistant who runs Executive Business Cents knows how to put a charm on the most vexing of accounting problems. Joanne helped me enter and reconcile a year's worth of data to clean up my books. And, her fees didn't feel like a hex!

Reach out to Joanne before unnecessary financial mistakes drain the life from your business.

Try. Fail. Learn. Growl!
Dina