Getting Clients by Developing and Conducting Trainings

Continuous learning is not only valuable but also crucial for many of our target markets.  Attorneys, human resource managers, architects, and many other professionals need to stay at the forefront of their profession. And with the landscape of conflict resolution, communication, facilitation, and negotiation constantly evolving, with new techniques, research findings, and best practices emerging regularly, providing top-notch and timely training can be a great way to get your name in front of your primary target market or stay top of mind with prospective clients.

Providing training is one of the key ways that I build my own business. 

Developing training programs can be an additional income stream and a marketing tool for your mediation business. But, creating engaging and informative training is a skill in itself. So let’s cover some practical tips and guidelines on how to design and deliver effective training programs, keeping your audience engaged and ensuring they gain valuable knowledge.

Creating Engaging and Informative Training Programs

Creating training programs that are both engaging and informative requires a unique set of skills.

The first step in creating engaging and informative training programs is to define the learning objectives. This involves identifying the specific knowledge or skills participants should gain from the training. Understanding the needs and expectations of the target audience is crucial in aligning the content and activities with their requirements. By clearly defining the learning objectives, mediators can structure the training program in a way that is relevant, focused, and impactful.

A key aspect of creating engaging training programs is the use of interactive and participatory teaching methods. Lecturing alone can quickly become monotonous and disengaging. To avoid that sad situation, you might explore using various interactive teaching techniques, such as group discussions, case studies, role-playing exercises, simulations, and problem-solving activities. These methods encourage active participation, foster critical thinking, and allow participants to apply what they have learned from you in practical scenarios. Incorporating hands-on activities and real-life examples helps to create a dynamic and stimulating learning environment.

Visual aids and multimedia elements can significantly enhance the training experience. Think about using visual aids, such as slides, videos, or infographics, to reinforce key points, present complex concepts, and enhance participant understanding. Visual elements should be used strategically, complementing the content and promoting clarity. For example, if you offer training via webinar, I would recommend NOT using a PowerPoint presentation.  People want to hear from you, not read your cards for themselves.  PowerPoint can be used sporadically to enhance your training, not be the entire training.  Attendees want to learn from and engage with you.  Once you launch a slide show, you’ve lost them.  On that same note, I think it’s a great idea to incorporate multimedia elements, such as video clips or audio recordings, can help bring real-world examples and diverse perspectives into the training program, making it more engaging and relatable for participants – but use them judiciously.

Another important aspect of creating engaging training programs is to adapt the content and delivery style to the audience's needs and preferences. You’ll want to explore strategies for audience analysis, considering factors like their prior knowledge, learning styles, and cultural backgrounds. Understanding these elements will help you to tailor your training program to maximize relevance and appeal. Adjusting the pace, level of complexity, and language used in the training helps to ensure that participants can easily comprehend and absorb the information.

Utilizing technology can also enhance the engagement and effectiveness of training programs. Optimally, you want to provide your training in person.  However online discussion boards, interactive quizzes, or collaborative virtual spaces can promote participant engagement and facilitate ongoing learning beyond the training session. By incorporating technology into training programs, you can provide flexible and accessible learning opportunities that cater to diverse audience preferences.

To ensure the success of your training programs, you should continually evaluate your training by collecting participant feedback, conducting post-training assessments, and utilizing evaluations to refine future training sessions. Gathering feedback from participants helps you identify areas of improvement, recognize effective teaching techniques, and make necessary adjustments for future programs. Additionally, soliciting testimonials or reviews from participants can serve as powerful marketing tools, showcasing the value and impact of the training program to potential clients.

Marketing Your Training Programs

Having an engaging and informative training program is just the first step. To ensure its success, it is crucial to effectively market the program to reach the target audience, generate interest, and attract participants. So let’s delve into effective strategies for marketing training programs, including identifying the target audience, determining pricing, and utilizing various promotional channels.

The first step in marketing your training programs is to clearly identify your target audience. Understanding who would benefit most from the program allows you to tailor your marketing efforts and messaging to appeal directly to their needs and interests. Consider the specific industry, job roles, or professional backgrounds that align with the content and goals of your training program. By defining your target audience, you can develop marketing materials and messages that resonate with them and effectively communicate the value and benefits of attending your training program.  Then go directly to the associations and organizations that represent that target audience.  Don’t know what the groups might be?  Check out www.directoryofassociations.com – get cle approved

Pricing is an important factor to consider when marketing your training programs. It should align with the perceived value of the program and be competitive within the market. You might think about offering early-bird discounts, package deals for multiple registrations, or tiered pricing based on different levels of access or additional resources. Careful consideration of pricing ensures that your training program remains attractive to potential participants while also generating the desired revenue.  Also, it’s imperative to do some market research and find out what other trainers are offering and at what price point.

Promotion plays a crucial role in marketing your training programs. Online promotion is vital in today's digital age. Utilizing your website, social media platforms, and email marketing campaigns can help generate awareness and drive registrations. Creating compelling content, such as blog posts, articles, or videos, that highlight the value of your training program can attract potential participants. Additionally, partnerships with industry associations, professional networks, or complementary service providers can expand your reach and tap into their existing audience base. Collaborative marketing efforts, such as co-hosting webinars or cross-promoting each other's offerings, can be mutually beneficial and enhance the visibility of your training program.

Testimonials and feedback are powerful tools in marketing your training programs. Positive reviews and testimonials from past participants can build credibility and demonstrate the impact and value of your program. Collect and utilize testimonials effectively, including incorporating them into marketing materials, featuring them on your website, or sharing them through social media. Feedback from participants also provides valuable insights for continuous improvement and can be used to showcase the program's strengths and areas of excellence.

Developing training programs can be an additional income stream and a marketing tool for your mediation business.  Training is a great way to introduce yourself and your practice to prospective clients or sources of referral.  It gets you inside their office, reinforces that you are a credible authority on the training topic, keeps you top of mind, and gives you content for your website and social media platforms.  And, if you’ve recorded your training, you can create evergreen content that you post for purchase on platforms like Teachable that will be a continual source of income.

Be sure to say hello in the comments section and let me know if you have any questions.  I sincerely love the engagement!

How Mediators Network for Practice Success

Importance of Networking

Networking is a crucial aspect of running a successful mediation practice, just as it is in any business. It plays a pivotal role in building relationships with potential clients, generating referrals, and learning from other professionals in the field. This article will cover the importance of networking in the mediation profession, and how it can help you grow your business. So let’s explore the importance of networking in the mediation profession and look at some insights on how it can help you grow your business and enhance your professional development.

One of the primary benefits of networking for mediators is the opportunity to build relationships with potential clients. By attending networking events, conferences, and industry gatherings, mediators can connect with individuals and organizations that may require their mediation services. These interactions provide a platform for mediators to showcase their expertise, share their unique selling proposition, and develop rapport with potential clients. Building a strong network of contacts increases the likelihood of being top-of-mind when clients are seeking mediation services, leading to potential client engagements and business growth.

Networking also fosters the generation of referrals, which can be a significant source of new clients for mediators. By developing relationships with professionals in related fields, such as attorneys, counselors, human resources professionals, and business consultants, mediators can receive referrals from these individuals who encounter conflicts in their work. Networking provides opportunities to establish trust, demonstrate your value, and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with these professionals. Referrals from trusted sources carry a high level of credibility and can greatly contribute to the growth and sustainability of a mediation practice.

Moreover, networking allows mediators to learn from and collaborate with other professionals in the field. By engaging with fellow mediators, attending industry workshops, and participating in professional associations or organizations, mediators can expand their knowledge, share insights, and stay informed about best practices. Networking provides a platform for mediators to exchange ideas, discuss challenging cases, and seek advice from experienced professionals. This collaborative environment fosters continuous professional development and enhances the quality of mediation services provided.

But networking with your prospective target market is the most important activity you engage in.  By actively participating in industry events, speaking at conferences, contributing to publications, or joining relevant committees, mediators can establish themselves as thought leaders and experts. Networking platforms provide a stage to share your expertise, showcase your successes, and raise awareness about the benefits of mediation. These activities increase your visibility within your target market’s professional community and can lead to invitations for speaking engagements, media interviews, or other opportunities to enhance your reputation and credibility.

It is important to approach networking with a genuine and collaborative mindset. Building relationships based on trust, reciprocity, and mutual support is essential. Actively listen to others, show interest in their work, and offer assistance when appropriate. Networking is not just about promoting your own services but also about building a community of professionals who can learn from and support one another.

Building a professional network extends far beyond attending networking events and exchanging business cards. It is a multifaceted process that involves developing meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with industry professionals, potential clients, and even competitors. So here are some practical tips and strategies on how to build a robust professional network that can support the growth and success of your mediation practice.

The first step in building a professional network is to establish a clear vision of the kind of connections you want to cultivate. Define your networking goals and identify the specific types of professionals you wish to connect with. These may include fellow mediators, legal professionals, business leaders, industry experts, community influencers, or individuals who represent your target client base. By clarifying your networking objectives, you can focus your efforts on building relationships that align with your business goals and professional aspirations.

Engaging in active and intentional networking is essential. Attend industry conferences, workshops, seminars, and other relevant events where you can connect with professionals in your field. Be proactive in initiating conversations, expressing genuine interest in others' work, and exchanging insights and experiences. Actively listen to what others have to say and be open to learning from their perspectives. Remember, networking is not just about promoting your services, but also about building rapport, trust, and a sense of camaraderie.

Developing meaningful relationships requires nurturing connections beyond the initial meeting. Follow up with individuals you meet at networking events through personalized emails, phone calls, or social media interactions. Find common ground and identify opportunities to provide value or support to your network contacts. This can be through sharing relevant articles, referring potential clients, or offering to collaborate on projects or events. By consistently demonstrating your willingness to contribute and support others, you strengthen the foundation of your professional network.

In addition to expanding your network horizontally by connecting with professionals in your industry, consider building vertical connections with individuals who hold influential roles or positions. These may include leaders in related industries, influential community members, or decision-makers within organizations. Vertical connections provide access to valuable resources, diverse perspectives, and potential referral sources. Engaging with individuals who have a broader reach can enhance your visibility and open doors to new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Networking is not limited to in-person interactions. In today's digital age, online networking plays a significant role in expanding professional connections. Utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or industry-specific forums to connect with professionals in your field. Join relevant online groups and actively participate in discussions and knowledge-sharing. Engaging in virtual networking enables you to connect with professionals globally, exchange ideas, and expand your reach beyond geographical boundaries.

Another valuable strategy for building a professional network is to seek mentorship or join mentorship programs within the mediation community. Mentors can provide guidance, share their expertise, and help navigate the challenges and opportunities within the mediation profession. Mentorship relationships not only offer valuable insights but also expand your network through the connections and experiences of your mentors. Actively seek out experienced professionals who align with your goals and values, and approach them with a genuine request for mentorship or guidance.

Lastly, it is important to maintain and nurture your professional network over time. Stay connected with your contacts by periodically reaching out, updating them on your professional achievements, and celebrating their successes. Consider organizing informal gatherings, workshops, or social events to foster a sense of community among your network connections. By consistently investing in your relationships, you can foster a supportive and mutually beneficial network that can propel your business growth and professional development.

Building a professional network is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires intention, active engagement, and genuine relationship-building. By defining your networking goals, actively participating in networking events, nurturing connections, engaging in online networking, seeking mentorship, and maintaining relationships, you can build a robust professional network that supports your business growth, expands your opportunities, and enhances your professional development.

Leveraging Network for Business Growth

Having a strong network is one thing; knowing how to leverage it for business growth is another.

So, how to tap into your network for potential leads, referrals, partnerships, and other opportunities that can help your mediation practice thrive and expand?  Read on.

One of the primary ways to leverage your network for business growth is by generating potential leads and client referrals. Your network can serve as a valuable source of referrals, as professionals within your network may encounter individuals or organizations in need of mediation services. Cultivate relationships with individuals who are well-connected in your target market industry and establish clear lines of communication regarding the types of clients you serve and the value you provide. By proactively communicating your expertise and the benefits of your mediation services to your network contacts, you increase the likelihood of receiving referrals and generating leads that can contribute to the growth of your practice.

Networking events and industry gatherings often present opportunities to showcase your expertise through speaking engagements, panel discussions, or workshops. By actively participating in such events and sharing your knowledge and insights, you position yourself as a thought leader and gain visibility within your professional community. This increased visibility can lead to further networking opportunities, media exposure, and invitations to contribute to publications or industry conferences.

Moreover, your network can provide valuable feedback and support as you refine and expand your mediation services. Seek input from trusted contacts within your network on new service offerings, marketing campaigns, or business development strategies. Their insights and perspectives can help you make informed decisions and refine your approach to meet the evolving needs of your clients. By leveraging the expertise and feedback of your network, you can continuously improve your services and stay competitive in the marketplace.

It is important to approach network leveraging with authenticity, reciprocity, and professionalism. Be responsive and proactive in supporting your network contacts when they require assistance or information. Show gratitude and express appreciation for referrals, leads, or opportunities that arise from your network. Building and maintaining strong relationships based on trust and mutual support is key to successfully leveraging your network for business growth.

So get out there.  Start networking.  The key is to work at your networking.  Work on your strategy for networking.  Work on your messaging to others at a networking event.  Work on your follow-up communication with the people you meet at a networking event.  Work on increasing your network. 

Creating a Unique Position in the Mediation Marketplace

Defining Your Mediation Practice’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Your Unique Selling Proposition, or USP, is what sets you apart from other mediators in your area. It is what makes you different and unique. It might be your methodology, your personal approach, your background, or any other unique skill or attribute you possess. This article will guide you on how to identify and articulate your USP, making it easier for you to stand out from the crowd.

Defining Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

In the competitive landscape of mediation, it is crucial to define and communicate your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to distinguish yourself from other mediators in your area. Your USP encapsulates what sets you apart, what makes you different, and what makes your mediation services unique. It may be your distinct methodology, personal approach, background, or any other unique skill or attribute you possess. This section of the book provides valuable guidance on how to identify and articulate your USP effectively, enabling you to stand out from the crowd and attract clients who resonate with your unique offerings.

The process of defining your USP begins with self-reflection and introspection. I encourage you to critically assess your skills, experiences, and personal attributes to identify what makes you exceptional in your field. Consider your background, specialized training, certifications, and areas of expertise. Reflect on the unique perspective and insights you bring to the mediation process. Think about how your approach or methodology differs from traditional approaches, and how it brings added value to your clients. By conducting this self-assessment, you can uncover the core elements that form the foundation of your USP.

Once you have identified the key aspects that make you unique, it is essential to articulate your USP in a clear and concise manner. Next, it’s time to communicate your USP through various marketing channels, such as your website, social media profiles, networking events, and client interactions. Crafting a compelling and memorable message that highlights your USP helps potential clients understand why they should choose your mediation services over those of your competitors.

Moreover, the importance of aligning your USP with the needs and preferences of your target market. Understanding your target audience is crucial in positioning your USP effectively. Identify the pain points and challenges your potential clients face, and tailor your USP to address those specific needs. By aligning your unique offerings with the desires of your target market, you can attract clients who are seeking the exact expertise and approach that you provide.

In addition to identifying and articulating your USP, it is important to consistently demonstrate and deliver on the promises embedded within it. Think about how you can align your actions, services, and client interactions with your USP. By consistently delivering a high level of service that reflects your unique strengths, you build credibility and trust with your clients, fostering long-term relationships and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Furthermore, there are benefits of continuously evolving and refining your USP. As the mediation landscape evolves, new trends, techniques, and client needs may emerge. It is essential to stay current with industry developments, invest in professional development, and adapt your USP accordingly. By continuously enhancing your skills, incorporating new approaches, and staying abreast of industry changes, you can ensure that your USP remains relevant and compelling.

Defining and communicating your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is a critical step in standing out in the field of mediation. By conducting a thorough self-assessment, articulating your USP effectively, aligning it with your target market's needs, consistently delivering on your promises, and continuously refining your USP, you can differentiate yourself from other mediators and attract clients who value and resonate with your unique offerings. Embrace your individual strengths and communicate your USP with confidence, ultimately driving the success and growth of your mediation practice.

If you have questions, comments, or need assistance defining your USP, please contact me for a consultation and we’ll work it through together.

Understanding the Pricing Process

The pricing process in mediation is often complex, owing to the uniqueness of every dispute. To price your services effectively, you must understand various pricing models, such as hourly rates, flat fees, or retainer models, and when each is appropriate.

Understanding the Pricing Process

Determining the appropriate pricing for mediation services can be a multifaceted task due to the inherent complexity and uniqueness of each dispute. To effectively price your services, it is crucial to comprehend and evaluate various pricing models, including hourly rates, flat fees, and retainer models, and determine which model is most suitable for different scenarios. This section of the book provides comprehensive guidance on understanding these pricing models, analyzing your cost structure, and accurately determining the value you offer to your clients.

One commonly used pricing model in mediation is the hourly rate. Under this model, mediators charge clients based on the number of hours spent on the mediation process, including preparation, sessions, and any additional services. Hourly rates provide a transparent and flexible pricing structure, allowing both mediators and clients to have a clear understanding of the cost associated with the services rendered.

Another pricing model to consider is the flat fee. With a flat fee structure, mediators charge a predetermined fixed amount for their services, regardless of the time spent on the mediation process. Flat fees can offer predictability and simplicity for clients, as they know the exact cost upfront. This model of pricing can be for ½ day or full day services (note – if you choose this model, consider charging more for the first half of the day than the full day)

The retainer model is yet another pricing approach utilized in mediation. Under this model, clients pay an upfront retainer fee to secure the mediator's services for a specific period or until the resolution of the dispute. The mediator then deducts the fees for their services from the retainer as the process progresses.

The importance of analyzing your cost structure. By understanding your expenses, such as overhead costs, professional development, marketing, and administrative expenses, you can accurately assess the financial aspects of your mediation practice. This analysis enables you to determine the minimum acceptable fee level required to cover your costs and generate a reasonable profit.

 Price Setting Techniques

Setting the right price for mediation services is a delicate balancing act that requires careful consideration. It involves finding the sweet spot that ensures both business profitability and customer satisfaction. Pricing too high may discourage potential clients, while pricing too low can undervalue your services and hinder the growth of your practice. Let’s cover various price-setting techniques, including cost-plus pricing, value-based pricing, and market-oriented pricing, providing mediators with the tools to establish optimal pricing strategies for their services.

Cost-plus pricing is a straightforward approach that involves calculating the total cost incurred in delivering mediation services and adding a predetermined profit margin. This technique considers both direct costs, such as time spent on mediation sessions, administrative expenses, and any additional costs specific to the dispute, as well as indirect costs like overhead expenses and professional development. By accurately assessing costs and adding an appropriate profit margin, mediators can set prices that cover their expenses and generate a reasonable profit. Cost-plus pricing ensures that mediators are compensated for their time and expertise while maintaining a sustainable practice.

Value-based pricing is a technique that revolves around understanding and capturing the perceived value of mediation services from the client's perspective. Instead of solely relying on costs, this approach takes into account the benefits, outcomes, and impact that clients expect to gain from the mediation process. Mediators employing value-based pricing focus on quantifying and communicating the value they provide to clients, such as improved relationships, reduced legal costs, or long-lasting resolutions. By aligning the price with the perceived value, mediators can establish a strong value proposition and attract clients who recognize the benefits of their services.

Market-oriented pricing involves analyzing the competitive landscape and setting prices based on market dynamics. This technique considers factors such as the prevailing rates charged by other mediators in the same geographic area and specialization, as well as the demand and supply dynamics of the market. Market-oriented pricing requires careful market research and benchmarking to ensure that the prices set are competitive while reflecting the unique value and expertise of the mediator. By staying aware of market trends, mediators can position themselves strategically and adjust their prices to meet market expectations.

It's important to note that price-setting techniques can be combined or customized to suit the specific needs of mediators and their target market. Furthermore, flexibility in pricing strategies may be necessary for different types of disputes, clients, or market segments.

Ultimately, selecting the appropriate price-setting technique requires a thorough understanding of your costs, the perceived value of your services, and the dynamics of the market in which you operate. By implementing these pricing techniques effectively, mediators can strike a balance that not only ensures the profitability and sustainability of their practice but also resonates with clients and fosters long-term satisfaction.

Competitive Pricing Analysis

In the dynamic field of mediation, understanding the pricing landscape and staying competitive is crucial for attracting potential clients and ensuring the success of your practice. Conducting a comprehensive competitive pricing analysis allows mediators to gain insights into what their competitors are charging for similar services. By evaluating market rates and understanding the pricing strategies of other mediators, you can position your prices competitively, making your services more attractive to potential clients.

The first step in conducting a competitive pricing analysis is identifying your key competitors. These can be mediators or mediation firms who offer similar services or specialize in the same niche or geographic area. It is essential to identify a representative sample of competitors that accurately reflects the market dynamics and your target audience. Once identified, gather information on their pricing structures, fee schedules, and any additional services or packages they offer. This can be done through research, online searches, or networking with industry professionals.

After collecting the necessary data, analyze and compare the pricing information obtained from your competitors. Look for patterns, trends, and commonalities in their pricing strategies. Assess the factors that may influence their pricing decisions, such as their level of experience, expertise, reputation, geographic location, specialization, and the perceived value they offer to clients. This analysis will provide you with valuable insights into the pricing landscape, helping you understand how your competitors position themselves in the market and what pricing ranges are prevalent.

Based on the findings of your competitive pricing analysis, you can adjust and fine-tune your own pricing strategy. This section of the book guides you through the process of leveraging the information gathered to inform your pricing decisions. It helps you strike the right balance between competitiveness and profitability by considering factors such as your costs, value proposition, unique selling points, and target market. By incorporating market rates into your pricing strategy, you can ensure that your prices are attractive to potential clients while still allowing you to achieve your desired financial goals.

Furthermore, the competitive pricing analysis can provide insights beyond pricing alone. It can shed light on additional services, packages, or incentives that competitors offer, allowing you to identify potential areas for differentiation and innovation. By understanding what sets your competitors apart, you can strategically position your own services and craft unique value propositions that resonate with your target market.

It is important to note that competitive pricing analysis should not be the sole determinant of your pricing strategy. While it provides valuable information and a benchmark for market expectations, other factors such as your own costs, value proposition, and business objectives should also be considered. The competitive pricing analysis serves as a tool to inform your decision-making process and ensure that your prices remain competitive in the context of the market.

 So what pricing structure do you have and is now a good time to re-evaluate how much you’re charging?

Building the Business Foundation For Your Mediation Practice

Building the Business Foundation For Your Mediation Practice

To establish a successful mediation practice, you need to create a strong business foundation. This begins with defining your mission, vision, and business goals. Are you specializing in family mediation, corporate disputes, or international conflicts? Knowing your specialization is vital in establishing your brand. In today’s article we’ll be covering:

• creating your business plan,

• setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals,

• and preparing for the business aspects of running a mediation practice.

Crafting a clear and compelling mission and vision statement is essential in defining the purpose and direction of your mediation practice. It serves as a guiding principle that aligns your actions and decisions with your desired outcomes. Your mission statement should succinctly communicate the core values and principles that underpin your practice, while your vision statement paints a vivid picture of the future you envision for your business. By clearly articulating these statements, you establish a strong foundation that shapes your branding, marketing strategies, and overall approach to mediation. Side note: you don’t need to share your vision statement with clients or potential clients (like on your website).  Your vision statement is for your use to keep yourself on the right track. Refer back to it from time to time to be sure that you’re fulfilling your goals.

Once your mission and vision are defined, the next step is to set specific and actionable goals for your mediation practice. I want to emphasize the importance of SMART goals, which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals provide clarity and focus, allowing you to measure progress and success along the way. By setting goals that are specific, such as acquiring a certain number of clients within a designated timeframe, you can track your progress effectively. Measurable goals enable you to assess the outcomes of your efforts, while achievable goals ensure that your aspirations are within reach. Relevant goals are aligned with your overall business objectives and the needs of your target market. Finally, time-bound goals create a sense of urgency and help you stay accountable to your desired timeline for growth and development.

In addition to mission, vision, and goals, let’s touch on creating a comprehensive business plan for your mediation practice. A well-crafted business plan outlines the strategies, tactics, and actions you will take to achieve your goals. It includes a detailed analysis of your target market, competitors, pricing structures, marketing and promotional strategies, and financial projections. By systematically laying out your plan, you gain a clearer understanding of your business's direction, resources required, and potential challenges to navigate. A robust business plan also serves as a valuable tool when seeking funding, partnerships, or collaborations.

Preparing for the business aspects of running a mediation practice is another crucial element. It explores various considerations, such as choosing a business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, etc.), obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications, understanding legal and ethical obligations, and implementing efficient record-keeping systems, finding the right support staff or technology, getting the right insurance, etc. Additionally, a solid business plan provides insights into financial management, budgeting, and pricing strategies tailored specifically to your practice.

By focusing on building a solid business foundation, you set yourself up for long-term success in the mediation profession. Clarifying your mission, vision, and goals allows you to define your unique value proposition and attract clients who resonate with your specialization and approach. Creating a comprehensive business plan provides a roadmap for your journey, guiding your actions and strategies. By considering the legal, ethical, and financial aspects of your practice, and those activities will assist you in establishing credibility and professionalism.

I can’t overstate how important it is to go through these steps and how significant they are in building a strong business foundation for your mediation practice. Going through the process of defining your mission, vision, and goals, setting SMART objectives, and creating a robust business plan is a beautifully selfish and necessary task to get your practice where you want it to be. By focusing on these foundational elements, you establish a solid framework that propels your practice forward, ensures its viability, and positions you for long-term success as a mediator.

Mediators the Essential Entrepreneurial Spirit

As mediators in practice, we have to walk (or sometimes run) two paths.  One is to keep up with the trends in ADR so that we can be the excellent mediators we know ourselves to be, and the other is to keep up with marketing and business trends so that we can be savvy business people.  It’s quite a balancing act at times.  But it’s not necessary, it’s fun!  So let’s talk about being strong entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneurial spirit is a dynamic mindset that fuels success in various professional domains, including mediation. For mediators, adopting this entrepreneurial mindset is not only useful but also necessary to thrive in a competitive marketplace and make a lasting impact on their clients and the field of conflict resolution as a whole. By understanding the fundamentals of running a business, actively seeking clients, and continuously innovating their services, mediators embark on an exciting entrepreneurial journey.

At its core, the entrepreneurial spirit encourages mediators to view challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation. Rather than shying away from difficulties, good resolutionists approach them with curiosity and resilience. They understand that obstacles are stepping stones to innovation and improvement. Mediators with an entrepreneurial mindset are eager to confront and overcome challenges, leveraging their creativity and problem-solving skills to find effective solutions. This mindset empowers mediators to continuously evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of conflict resolution.

Innovation is a vital aspect of the entrepreneurial spirit in mediation. It involves thinking outside the box and exploring new approaches to enhance the mediation process and outcomes. This idea should be right in your wheelhouse! Mediators with an entrepreneurial mindset seek innovative techniques, tools, and strategies to provide unique value to their clients. They are open to incorporating emerging technologies, alternative dispute resolution methods, and interdisciplinary approaches into their practice. By embracing innovation, mediators can differentiate themselves from their peers, attract clients, and deliver cutting-edge solutions to complex conflicts.

Taking calculated risks is another integral component of the entrepreneurial spirit. Mediators must be willing to step out of their comfort zones, seize opportunities, and venture into uncharted territory. This may involve expanding their practice areas, targeting new client demographics, or exploring unconventional mediation settings. By carefully assessing potential risks and rewards, mediators with an entrepreneurial mindset make informed decisions that propel their careers forward. They recognize that calculated risks can lead to transformative experiences, new professional connections, and ultimately, increased success in their mediation practice.

Understanding the basics of running a business is an essential aspect of embracing the entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful mediation practice. Mediators need to familiarize themselves with fundamental business principles, including financial management, marketing strategies, and client acquisition techniques. By developing a solid business foundation, mediators can effectively manage their practice, allocate resources efficiently, and maximize their potential for growth. This knowledge equips them with the necessary skills to build a sustainable mediation business that can withstand the challenges of the marketplace.

Furthermore, the entrepreneurial journey in mediation involves taking the initiative to seek clients actively. Rather than waiting for clients to come to them, mediators with an entrepreneurial mindset proactively engage in marketing and business development activities. They leverage various channels, such as online platforms, networking events, and collaborations with complementary professionals, to expand their reach and attract a steady stream of clients. By cultivating a strong professional network and consistently promoting their expertise, mediators position themselves as go-to resources for conflict resolution services.

We can grow and maintain the entrepreneurial mindset by reading business articles, listening to and watching business, entrepreneurship, and marketing podcasts and videos, attending workshops, or taking classes. 

In summary, embracing the entrepreneurial spirit is essential for mediators seeking success and impact in a competitive marketplace. By adopting this mindset, mediators approach challenges as opportunities, pursue innovation, take calculated risks, understand the fundamentals of running a business, and actively seek clients.

I understand that walking on two paths at the same time can be a challenge. But if you make entrepreneurship part of your daily routine, it gets much easier.  And always, if you need help with either path, please reach out to me.

Do one thing for your practice development each day and you’ll be amazed at the positive effect it has on your business.

7 Easy Steps For Mediators To Do A Competitor Analysis

Do you want to stay ahead of your competition as a mediator? Are you tired of reacting to changes in the mediation field instead of being ahead of the curve? You can avoid all of that frustration by regularly conducting a competitor analysis. Let me show you how.

One of the tasks I perform for clients who consult with me on practice development is a competitor analysis.  If you haven't conducted a competitor analysis before, you're in for a treat. I'm going to walk you through the process, including what to consider, and provide examples using a hypothetical mediation practice. Let's get started.

Firstly, what is a competitor analysis for mediators? It's exactly what it sounds like. You're examining everything that your competitors in the mediation field are doing, at least the aspects that are visible. This isn't about corporate espionage; it's about understanding how your practice compares. Now, why should you bother doing a competitor analysis?

There are several compelling reasons to perform a competitor analysis as a mediator. It's a common step in staying competitive and shaping your practice development strategy. By analyzing your competitors, you can achieve the following:

• Identify what your competitors are doing correctly: This will give you insights into what you should also be doing, not in terms of copying, but as a source of inspiration.

• Identify what your competitors are doing wrong or incorrectly: This will reveal gaps in the mediation market and unmet needs that you can fulfill.

• Establish your unique value proposition: By comparing your company, mediation services, or approach to those of your competitors, you can identify what sets you apart and highlight your unique strengths.

• Gain insights into growth opportunities: A competitor analysis allows you to observe what customers are saying about your competitors, the problems they face, the solutions they seek, and their feedback. This information can help you anticipate growth opportunities in the mediation field.

So, how often should you perform a competitor analysis as a mediator? I recommend conducting an in-depth analysis at least once a year. However, to stay up-to-date and ensure your strategies remain relevant, it's beneficial to schedule a competitor analysis every six months or so.

Now, let's dive into how to perform a competitor analysis as a mediator and the key considerations involved.

1.     Find your mediator competitors: Start by identifying other mediators or mediation practices that offer services similar to yours. This includes mediators operating in your geographical area or within your digital space. These direct competitors should be your main focus. Begin by searching online, using keywords your potential clients might use when looking for mediators like you. Social media and search engines can provide you with a list of options. For example, searching for "mediators near me" can display a range of competitors.

2      Outline your competitors' mediation services: Once you've identified your competitors, take the time to explore their websites, review their social media presence, watch any videos they have, and read their blog posts. This will help you understand the mediation services they provide. Pay attention to details such as the types of services offered, their policies on topics like confidentiality or fees, and any additional resources they provide to clients. By examining these aspects, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your competitors' offerings.

3. Analyze how your mediator competitors engage with clients: Now, it's time to examine the sales process of your competitors. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential client and go through the steps they would take when engaging with your competitors. Browse their mediation services, explore the information provided, and assess the overall experience. Look for details such as how they present their services, the ease of navigating their website, and the clarity of their communication. Additionally, pay attention to their social media feeds, subscribe to their newsletters, and read through any emails you receive. This will give you insights into how they engage with their audience, whether they respond to inquiries or comments, and the overall tone and style of their communication. Take note of the frequency of their posts, the level of engagement they receive, and any strategies they employ to attract and retain clients.

4.      Evaluate your competitors' pricing and service structure: While exploring your competitors' websites and product offerings, pay close attention to their pricing. Examine how they present their fees, any discounts or packages they offer, and how their pricing compares to other mediators in the market. Take note of the value they provide in relation to their pricing and consider how your own pricing structure aligns with or differentiates from theirs. Additionally, analyze any additional services or unique features they provide to clients and how they position these offerings.

5.     Study your competitors' digital marketing strategies: This step involves examining your competitors' overall digital marketing efforts. Look for both paid and organic strategies they employ to reach their target audience. Explore their social media platforms, search engines, and other digital channels where they have a presence. Observe the types of content they share, the frequency of their posts, and the engagement they generate. Pay attention to the tone of their messaging, the use of visuals, and the effectiveness of their calls to action. This analysis will help you gain insights into their marketing approach and identify potential opportunities for improvement in your own strategy.

6.    Review customer feedback and reviews: Reading customer reviews, comments, and feedback about your competitors is invaluable. This allows you to understand the experiences and perceptions of their clients. Look for common themes in positive and negative reviews, customer questions or concerns, and any recurring issues that clients mention. This information can help you identify areas where your competitors may fall short and provide ideas for enhancing your mediation services to better meet client needs.

7.    Conduct a SWOT analysis: Finally, perform a SWOT analysis based on the information you have gathered. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses compared to your competitors, identify potential opportunities for growth and differentiation, and recognize any external threats or challenges you may face. This analysis will enable you to develop a strategic plan that leverages your strengths, addresses weaknesses, and capitalizes on opportunities in the mediation field.

By regularly conducting a thorough competitor analysis, you can position yourself as a knowledgeable and adaptable mediator. Understanding your competitors' approaches, services, and strategies allows you to make informed decisions, refine your offerings, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving mediation landscape.

I hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights into performing a competitor analysis as a mediator. Remember, staying informed about your competitors is key to remaining competitive and delivering exceptional mediation services.

How To Set Up A YouTube Channel To Promote Your Mediation Practice

YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for sharing information, ideas, and entertainment with the world. If you’re using a Youtube channel to market your resolution practice and improve your outreach, this could be valuable. Creating a YouTube channel can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with a wider audience. This, in turn, can help increase awareness of relevant topics within the resolution space and empower your audience to make educated decisions.

Creating a YouTube channel can also be a great way to network and connect with others in the- industry. Whether you want to embark on the journey of creating a youtube channel depends on your practice, your lifestyle, and your interests. Some people may find it to be very rewarding, but others feel as though it’s not worth the time commitment. In a previous article, we discussed the pros and cons of setting up a youtube channel in more detail. Check it out if you’re curious to learn more.

Once you’ve made that decision, this video will help you set up your channel in a way that will set you up for success with future content. We’ll first discuss establishing a brand, then we’ll go more into the set-up processes. Stay tuned, and let’s get into it.

Brand

1. The first step in creating a YouTube channel is to define your target audience. Who do you want to reach with your videos? Are you targeting other resolution professionals and legal professionals, or are you looking to educate the general public on dispute resolution?

2. Once you’ve mapped this out, you’ll want to define your niche. This means identifying the specific area of resolution that you specialize in, such as commercial, construction, labor, etc. When you start creating content, you’ll want it to mainly align with your niche, so your target audience gets consistent content from your channel. Note that you can obviously alter your niche as you progress and grow your channel, but it can be a helpful initial guideline.

Defining your target audience and your niche will help you to create content that is relevant to your target audience. It will also help you to establish yourself as an expert in your field, which can be a great way to attract new clients.

3. Once you have this figured out, it's time to choose a name for your YouTube channel. Ideally, your channel name should be descriptive and easy to remember, but also representative of your brand and content. You should also create branding for your channel, such as a logo or banner image, to give your channel a professional and cohesive look. If you can, try and match this up with your existing social media platforms. It’ll help everything within your social media image look consistent across all channels.

4. Finally, you’ll want to choose a profile picture. Generally, a good idea would be a professional headshot or the portrait you use on your other social media platforms. Above all else, with establishing a brand, there are technically no hard and fast rules, and within reason, obviously don’t make anything very unprofessional or inappropriate. But it’s your channel, so feel free to use some creativity and make your channel something that represents you. At the end of the day, you want your Youtube channel to make a positive impact and be something you’re proud to share with others.

Setting up your channel:

1. Now that we’ve figured out the target audience and established your brand, it’s time to put it into action. To create a YouTube channel, you'll need a Google account. If you don't already have one, you can create one for free. Once you have a Google account, go to YouTube.com and click on the "Sign In" button in the top right corner. Then, click on the "Create a channel" button and follow the prompts to set up your channel. You’ll use the same branding components and media we discussed previously.

2. Next, you’ll want to set up your channel trailer. Your channel trailer is a short video that introduces viewers to your channel and gives them a taste of what they can expect from your content. Your audience will see it if they click on your Youtube profile page. It should be no longer than 60 seconds and should highlight your unique value proposition. For example, you might explain why you're passionate about arbitration, or discuss what your channel’s about.

Once you’ve set all of this up, you should be left with a creative, self-reflective channel and a strong base for future content. In future videos, we’ll go into creating a content plan that delivers informative, impactful, and entertaining content to your audience.

The Easiest Way For Mediators To Create Content For Instagram

Getting set up with the basics will set you up for success for your first few posts and beyond. (If you haven’t already set up an Instagram page, you might want to go back to one of our previous articles).

Instagram may not be the first social media platform you think of for marketing a resolution practice, but it’s a very highly-used platform with steady user growth. Over 1.2 billion people use Instagram worldwide on a monthly basis, and the user count is expected to grow by around 5.4% in 2023. It’s also popular around the world, as 87% of Instagram users live outside of the United States. This high count of regular users leaves the potential to reach a relatively large audience.

Additionally, the global presence of the platform can make Instagram a good choice if you think it could work for you, and you’re looking to expand the global outreach of your brand or your practice.

As a quick recap of Instagram’s user demographics, most users are under 34 years of age, with the most popular cohort being between the ages of 25 and 34 years of age. There’s also a pretty even gender distribution, with similar percentages of male-identifying and female-identifying users. Instagram can be especially effective if your target audience aligns with this.

Finally, Instagram has high engagement rates, so the people that see your page are relatively likely to engage with it. Generally, for the resolution industry, Instagram is a good supplement to an existing social media marketing strategy, rather than your only social media platform. If you want to take advantage of this and think Instagram would be a good platform for you, keep watching. In this video, we’ll discuss content topics, different forms of content you can use, and tips to keep yourself on track with posting consistently.

First, content topics will be based on three things: your industry, your specialties, and your target audience.

● You want to choose topics that are relevant to your industry, as these are likely to be more interesting to people that are involved in the space. In turn, this is more likely to generate higher activity and engagement rates.

● You want to choose topics that align with your specialties, because these will be more relevant to your practice, and you’ll have more background knowledge about them.

● Finally, you want to choose topics that your target audience is likely to be interested in. For a more in-depth review of how to map out your target audience, check out this video A Niche To Scratch. For a brief recap of it, however, this will represent the general interests of people you want to view your content or who are most likely to view your content.

● Focusing your content mostly on these key areas can help you build your online niche, and help keep your content consistent and interesting to your target audience.

Next, when discussing forms of content, it’s important to note that Instagram is going to be very unique. It’s more visual-focused, and when you post, the image often gets more attention than the caption itself. Although this could minimize the effectiveness of your caption content, it leaves the opportunity to make impactful and informational visual content.

● One really strong medium is infographics. When done correctly, these are a great way to get information across to your audience in a simplified, visually appealing way. If you have a visual arts background or would consider outsourcing this, this can help your profile really stand out.

● You can also include photos with relevant captions if you think they’d be a good addition. You can also include engagement-focused captions or anything unbiased that would drive productive discussion in the comments section.

● Instagram also has a stories feature, where you can post a piece of visual content for 24 hours only. People typically scroll through these pretty quickly and they tend to get a lot of views, so if you’re able to make something eye-catching, that could get a lot of attention. You can also pin stories to your highlight reel on your profile, and these stories won’t disappear until you delete them. Some great ideas for Instagram stories include short, informative videos (under 30-45 seconds), or polls.

Instagram’s content and interface differ a lot from other social media platforms, and putting these posts into a schedule can help keep you focused and on track.

● Making a schedule of how often you would want to post, and the dates/times you’d want to post, can be helpful for time management. With Instagram, you can also draft posts and stories in advance, and this can be beneficial if you happen to be on the go during a post day.

● You can also consider mapping out content ideas in advance, with the idea that you can change these if you want to. The point of this is just to keep your content balanced, and ensure that your content doesn’t stay too centered on just one topic.

With this information in mind, you’ll hopefully feel more equipped to start creating appealing, engaging, and informative Instagram content, and have one more tool to market your resolution practice and personal brand.

Create Content For Facebook - What Mediators Need To Know

How to get started creating Facebook content. This is building off of a previous article, How To Set Up An Engaging Facebook Profile, about creating an engaging Facebook business page for marketing your brand or practice. If you haven’t already set up a business page, check out this video. Creating a strong profile sets you up for success in creating future content, and it will make this video way more effective.

As the world’s most popular social media platform with almost 3 billion active users, and high rates of user engagement, Facebook can be a valuable tool for marketing your practice. As a brief recap of Facebook’s user demographics:

1. There’s a relatively equal distribution of male-identifying and female-identifying users, so it’s a pretty safe bet regardless of your target audience, and:

2. Older generations tend to be more active on Facebook compared to other social media platforms. Many social media platforms’ user demographics tend to skew towards lower age ranges, so this definitely makes it stand out, and it can be helpful if your target audience leans toward older age groups.

If Facebook seems like it could be beneficial for marketing your practice, keep watching. In this video, we’ll focus on what topics you want to choose, what forms of content you want to use, and how you want to go about posting your content going forward. We’ll also include some helpful tips at the end of the video that can help you maximize your outreach.

Going into the content topics:

● First, you want to make sure you have your target audience established. We talked about this in a previous video, A Niche To Scratch, so check that out if you want a more in-depth explanation. For a brief recap, however, this will represent the general interests of people you want to view your content or who are most likely to view your content.

● When considering what topics you want to cover with your content, consider key areas of interest that are relevant to your industry and your practice. You also want these topics to be relevant to your target audience.

● To keep content consistent, it can be helpful to focus your content in these key areas and not stray too far outside of them. It’s not rigid, and know that you can obviously change them in the future and deviate from them slightly, but it can help serve as a guideline to keep you on track as you’re starting out.

● You really just want to focus on keeping posts tastefully informative and within a reasonable scope. If you’re helping your followers improve their understanding of the resolution industry and relevant topics, it gives them a reason to keep consuming your content. This is also beneficial for two other reasons:

○ It helps build trust with followers and establish an online presence, and:

○ It helps your followers gain knowledge, that will help them navigate the industry if they ever want to seek out resolution services.

Now, going into different forms of content. There are a lot of different mediums you could choose from, but the key is including multiple different forms of content to keep things balanced.

● Some examples of informative content, like we just discussed, can include brief, unbiased points about current events, and provide valuable, educated insight.

● Other types of informative content can be visual; infographics can be a great way to stand out, especially if you have a visual arts background or are considering outsourcing this to someone who does. These are particularly good for Facebook and tend to get pretty high rates of engagement. If you’re considering learning it, some user-friendly, good platforms include Figma, Canva, and Freeform (if you have a Macbook). What’s more, if you have a blog post or podcast that’s been doing well, you can create a related infographic. When posting that infographic, if you’re comfortable doing so, you can include a modest call to action to encourage people to check out that blog post or podcast to learn more. The key is making sure that this doesn’t sound pushy, and that these types of calls to action do not make up a lot of your content.

● You can also take advantage of Facebook’s story feature; these are short, mainly visual pieces of content that generally expire after a certain period of time. You can use stories for pictures and

● Finally, although you want to keep the majority of your content informative, delegating a portion of it to interactive content can be a great way to get connections engaged and get conversations started. Interactive content can include polls, questions at the end of posts, and discussions.

Now that you’ve got your topics and mediums figured out, having a content plan can help you put that into action.

● Many people find that planning this stuff in advance can be helpful, not only for keeping yourself on track, but also for keeping your social media content cohesive, spaced out, and well-balanced.

● One strategy that can help you manage your time is to get out a calendar, whether it’s a physical planner, paper calendar, or calendar app, and start mapping out the approximate dates and times you’d want to post content on Facebook over the next 45-90 days. How often you’d want to post depends on whether you’re using other social media platforms to market, and how much free time you have.

● You’ll probably want to aim to post at least once a week, and it probably wouldn’t hurt to post more than that. Just don’t post more than once or twice a day, as it can minimize the attention that your individual posts get, and negatively saturate your followers’ news feeds.

● You can also consider coming up with content ideas a couple of weeks in advance, to make sure your upcoming content is appropriately balanced. Acknowledge that you can absolutely change these based on current events, but it can just serve as a baseline, and you have a go-to topic that’s well-thought-out if you’re short on time on post days.

Finally, here are a few content optimization strategies that will be the icing on the cake:

● You can always try getting your profile verified on Facebook. This tends to be hit or miss, but having a little blue checkmark next to your page can look good to potential followers, and shows that your page is reputable.

● You can also create or join Facebook groups, where you can connect with others over shared interests and start discussions. This can be very valuable for growing your network, but it can also provide the opportunity to be a part of a community.

● Last but not least, while creating and posting content is free, you *can* accelerate things with paid options, such as Facebook ads or boosting your content to improve its outreach.

Now that you’ve got all of this information down, you hopefully have a clearer idea of how you want to go about everything, and you feel more equipped to build your brand through engaging, informative content on Facebook. Thank you so much for tuning into my video today.

3 Quick Ways That Mediators Can Create Content For LinkedIn

Building effective content on LinkedIn, or really any social media platform, is a great way to help you showcase your knowledge and what you can do for clients, and make yourself memorable. Since it’s social media, it’s also great for building a network, which is a great way to generate interaction with prospective clients.

In this video, we’ll be focusing on 3 things: your topics, your forms/mediums of content, and establishing your LinkedIn content plan. If this sounds like something that would benefit your marketing strategy, keep watching.

So, going into your content topics:

-The first thing you’ll want to do is visualize your target audience. We talked about this in a previous video, so check it out if you want a more in-depth explanation, but for a brief recap, your target audience represents the general trend of people that access your services and view your content.

-The idea is to focus your content strategy on this target audience by discussing topics that would theoretically appeal to them, and using the social media platforms that are frequently used by those demographics.

-Think about topics that are relevant to your practice, and also think about topics that are relevant to your target audience. Write down a few areas of interest that you want to primarily focus on. This will help guide your content creation and help keep content consistent and relevant to your audience. Know that you can change these in the future and deviate from them slightly, so this definitely isn’t rigid, but it can just be a guideline as you start out.

Now, we’ll talk about the different forms and means of presentation that you can use for your content on Linkedin.

-Interactive content, like polls or question posts, can be a great way to get connections engaged. You might want to keep a portion of your social media marketing reserved for this type of content.

-However, keeping the majority of your content brief but informative is key. If you can help improve your connections’ understanding of this industry and related topics, it gives them a reason to keep viewing your content. You can make brief, unbiased points about current events, and provide your valuable, educated insight.

-If you have a visual arts background or would want to outsource this to someone who is, creating visual content and infographics is a great way to stand out. Platforms like Canva, Figma, or Freeform if you have a Macbook, can be good, user-friendly tools, but play around and find what works for you if this is a pathway you want to take.

-If you already have a blog, if you post articles, or if you have a podcast or Youtube channel, you can occasionally include links to these if you’re comfortable with it, or if they’re educational or particularly relevant. Since Linkedin is such a professionally-oriented platform, this is quite common. Including a modest call to action in these types of posts, such as encouraging people to check it out, or feel free to comment with any questions, can be great and gives readers the next steps for interacting with that post. The key is making sure this doesn’t make up the vast majority of your content, and not sounding pushy.

Now that you have an idea of what topics and mediums you want to use, it’s time to establish a content plan.

-Get out a calendar, whether it’s a physical planner, paper calendar, or calendar app, and start mapping out the approximate dates and times you’d want to post content on LinkedIn over the next 45-90 days. How often you’d want to post depends on whether you’re using other social media platforms to market, and how much free time you have.

-You can even use Google calendar or similar apps to block out time to draft these social media posts in advance. This may not necessarily be when you’re posting content, but this can help you manage your time and work on your content when it works for you.

-You can also consider coming up with content ideas a couple of weeks in advance, to make sure your upcoming content is appropriately balanced. Acknowledge that you can absolutely change these based on current events, but it can just serve as a baseline.

Congratulations on figuring out your game plan for your LinkedIn content. Hopefully, you now have a clearer idea of what you want to do, and you feel comfortable with your content planning and creation schedule.

One quick tip: Once you’ve started posting content and gotten into a rhythm with it, you can check out your post analytics on Linkedin and see what types of content get the best engagement. You may want to focus your content strategy more on these mediums and topics, and it may be valuable to check in with your social media strategy every couple of months and adjust as necessary. Stay tuned for videos coming up in the next couple of months, as we’ll discuss these in greater detail.

Mediators As YouTubers .. Should You Have a YouTube Channel?

YouTube can be a valuable marketing tool, whether you’re demonstrating your expertise or creating industry-related educational videos.

The decision of whether to embark on that journey definitely depends on your practice and target audience. However, it also depends on your lifestyle and interests. In this video, we’ll go into why you should and shouldn’t start a YouTube channel for promoting your practice. We’ll first discuss the pros:

1. The first pro of starting a Youtube channel is the potential to grow your online presence. If you’re able to gain a significant subscriber count, and these people watch your videos routinely, more people are going to know who you are. For some people, this can be great to help grow a potential client base.

2. Another pro of a YouTube channel is that it can be a valuable educational tool, and it can help promote public knowledge and understanding of the resolution industry. The potential benefits are two-fold:

a. First, it can help you showcase your expertise in the industry and build trust with viewers.

b. Second, it can help people without legal backgrounds navigate their options when seeking dispute resolution services. It can also help promote alternative dispute resolution services, which can help promote public awareness because some people may not immediately think of these. By creating educational content within an appropriate scope, you’re able to help empower individuals to make informed decisions.

3. Next, depending on how large your channel grows, YouTube could be an additional source of modest income. Content creators with monetized YouTube channels enabling ads on their videos can make ad revenue when people watch their videos, even without taking sponsorship deals or promoting affiliate links.

4. Finally, many people just find happiness and enjoyment in being a YouTube content creator. You may even choose to keep your YouTube channel entirely separate from the brand of your practice, which can also be very fulfilling. It’s all about what you enjoy. The same goes for the opposite; if you really find the process of creating YouTube content daunting, either outsource things like editing or just don’t do it! It’s not worth the potential benefits if you truly dislike doing it.

Now that we’ve discussed the positives, it’s important to shine a light on some of the reasons that prevent people from starting a YouTube channel.

1. First, creating YouTube content and even just getting started can be quite time-consuming. This is especially true if you do your own research and editing, which many people do when starting out. There’s also a learning curve, so it’ll take even more time in the beginning, particularly if you don’t have a technical background. Even if you do choose to outsource editing and research, preparing videos and coming up with ideas can be time-consuming. This can take time away from things that may matter more to you, and if you don’t have a lot of time to allocate, it may not be ideal for you.

2. Next, there’s also a high upfront cost. Prices for filming equipment vary a lot, and it can be expensive depending on what you use. If you choose to hire people to help with research, video preparation, and editing, that cost can add up quickly.

3. Finally, like I said earlier, if you don’t enjoy it, it’s not worth it.

Now that you’ve considered these pros and cons, you’ll hopefully have a clearer idea of whether a YouTube channel would be valuable to add to your marketing strategy. Stay tuned for upcoming videos to see more about getting it started.

How Mediators Can Set Up A Beautiful Instagram Profile

Instagram can be a powerful tool for promoting your practice, but it takes time and effort to build a successful page. By having a plan and a well-thought-out approach to your client-focused profile, you can create a business Instagram page that can help you connect with potential clients and enhance your marketing strategy.

In a previous article, we covered how to map out your target audience and how to choose social media platforms based on those demographics. Check out this video for a more in-depth explanation of how to do this.

So, over 1.22 billion people around the world use Instagram monthly, and it seems to still be growing steadily. Here’s a quick summary of the key demographic facts we discussed:

1. Instagram has a pretty even gender distribution, but there is a slightly higher population of male-identifying users than female-identifying users

2. Most people on Instagram are under 34 years of age, and 31.7% of the total Instagram user base is between 25 and 34 years of age.

3. Instagram is a globally used platform, and about 87% percent of Instagram users live outside of the united states.

4. Instagram has 58% more engagement per follower than Facebook, so the people that do see your page are statistically more likely to engage with it.

Needless to say, Instagram has the potential to be a massive asset given its steady growth history and potential, high engagement rates, high count of monthly active users, and strong global outreach. If your target audience includes people within younger age groups, it could be a very valuable asset to marketing your resolution practice.

If this sounds like a good platform for your brand and your practice, keep watching. We’ll be discussing how to plan out a consistent image and how to build a business Instagram page. Once you’ve got this figured out, you’ll have a strong starting point for building effective, impactful content and growing your audience.

The first step in planning out a consistent image is identifying the character and the image that you want to portray through your social media marketing. Chances are, for a resolution practice, you want to appear trustworthy, communicative, and logical. Within these parameters, though, there’s a lot of room to tailor your page to represent you as a person. Ask yourself what you want to represent. Do you want to appear more down-to-earth and casual, or do you want to keep everything more formal? What personality do you want to put out? Take notes of this, because it’ll help determine how you curate your image and content.

To add to this, think about what color scheme you want to use for your profile. Keeping a consistent color palette of a few different colors or different shades of one color can not only help things look organized, but colors can actually help evoke positive memories in viewers. Cool blue colors, for example, are perceived as trustworthy, dependable, and secure. Green may be associated with calmness, health, and serenity. Red, on the other hand, might not be a great choice because it can be associated with aggression or danger, which is probably not what you want to portray in your marketing strategy.

Next, think about how you want your writing style to be. You’ll probably want to keep this consistent with other social media platforms. As a side note, when you start creating your first pieces of Instagram content, writing templates can be helpful for keeping everything consistent and simplifying your social media process.

Once you have these established, you can start creating your profile. You need to first create a personal Instagram profile, and you can adjust it in your settings to be a business page. This will help your profile be promoted to the right audiences. Let’s focus on four key aspects of creating a business profile: your username, profile photo, business category, and biography.

1. Let’s start with your username. This is probably going to be straightforward; you can’t go wrong with writing your personal business name if you have one, or you can always list your name followed by your type of resolution. For example, “John Doe mediation”. This is the first thing that people will see, so make sure it’s self-explanatory.

2. Next, your profile photo. There are two approaches you could take. If your individual, self-owned practice has a brand name and logo, you could put this as your profile photo. Alternatively, you can use your professional headshot as your profile photo. For more tips on how to capture a high-quality, impactful professional headshot, check out (video link https://youtu.be/CJpC__VVcWc)

Two important components to this, however, are that:

a) It should match your color scheme in some way. For example, if your color scheme is blue, you’ll want to either have a blue shirt on, have a blue background, or just have it somewhere in the image.

b) It should also be a square image, not just a rectangle. This will help it show up clearly on your page.

3. Next, you’ll want to categorize your business into one of Instagram’s business categories. You can do this when you’re setting up your business account. Search through the categories that Instagram has available and choose one if it aligns with what you do. This is actually required for setting up a business account, so if none of them align with what you do specifically, you can always choose a more general term.

4. Finally, you’ll want to write your Instagram biography. Instagram leaves a 150-character limit for your biography, so you’ll want to write something short, simple, and impactful. This is definitely an area where you can get creative, so it might help to write down a bunch of options and choose the one you like best.

However, with this, you’ll probably want to keep everything professional-sounding and make sure you’re writing something that will speak to viewers and potential clients. Make sure this, in a way, answers what you do and how you can help your target audience. You’ll also have options to link your email and a website. Make sure you take advantage of these, as people can access your other information and contact you straight from the platform. Simplifying this process can help your target audience follow through on their interest.

By following these steps, establishing your image, and setting up a cohesive, engaging Instagram business page, you’ll be set up for success in marketing your practice through Instagram. Stay tuned for upcoming videos to see how you can get started creating content on this platform, as well as how to leverage its assets to efficiently promote your brand and practice.

References:

https://forwardpush.com/blog/essential-guide-to-instagram-for-lawyers/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/business-branding-by-color/175428

https://influencermarketinghub.com/instagram-aesthetic/

How Mediators Can Make The Most Of Twitter

Twitter is interesting because people go on the platform to discover and talk about everything under the sun.

One major asset is that tweets can easily show up on people’s news feeds that don’t follow you because Twitter has the retweet function, where people can basically share someone else’s tweet with their followers. Additionally, suggested tweets will show up on people’s Twitter newsfeeds, and these tweets are based on a user’s interests, searches, and Twitter activity.

Twitter may seem like an unlikely tool for marketing, but it can actually be a great platform to expand your outreach if your target audience is of certain demographics. In a previous article, I covered how to map out your target audience and how to choose social media platforms based on these demographics. Check out this video for a more in-depth explanation of how to do this.

Consider the following key demographics of Twitter users:

1. It has a pretty significant gender disparity; according to 2021 data, 68.5 percent of users identified as male.

2. The overwhelming majority of users were between ages 18 and 44, and 28.4 percent of overall users being between the ages of 35 and 44.

3. Other data suggests that Twitter’s user base skews wealthy and college-educated, as well as those living in urban or suburban areas.

Needless to say, Twitter can be valuable if your target audience includes people within younger age groups or college-educated people living in urban areas. If this sounds like a good addition to your social media marketing plan, keep watching. We’ll be discussing how to set up your account, establish a social media style guide, and map out a content calendar to plan future tweets. Once you’ve got this information established, you can start building content and building your Twitter presence.

There are six main components to set up in your Twitter profile: your Twitter handle, username, profile picture, bio, header image, and links.

1. Your Twitter handle, which can be up to 15 characters, will be the name that other Twitter users will use to search for you or refer to you as in posts. It should describe your brand, or what you do, and be personalized to you. Good ideas might be the name of your business if you have one, or something related to your resolution practice that people would easily remember.

2. Your username is what appears above your Twitter handle, on your profile, and on your tweets, and it can be up to 50 characters. It could either be the name of your business, or your name with a one-word indicator of what you do in your practice. For example, John Doe Mediation, or whatever field of resolution you’re in.

3. Your profile picture should be either your business logo or a photo of you, whether it’s a headshot or more informal. Check out this video for an in-depth explanation of how to get a great headshot

(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NKEVRcKZzqhncmKeU0KWd5uIbeSjFoFZlSeglRV

uW2Y/edit_). The only main restriction here is that it should be a square image since Twitter profile pictures are circular. This will help the image appear clearly on your page.

4. Next, your biography is a 160-character description of your business. This is a way to describe yourself and what you do, and it shows up when people click on your profile. Including your mission statement or value proposition is usually a good idea, but you can customize this part of your Twitter however you’d like. You just want to make sure that after reading your biography, people know what you can do, and how you stand out.

5. Your header image shows up behind your profile picture, and it’s a rectangle at the top of your Twitter page when people view your profile. Many people change this regularly and use this to highlight promotions or news about their business or their practice. For example, if you have a book coming out, or a webinar or networking event coming up, you can include this in your header.

6. Finally, you’ll want to include links to valuable information about your business. Twitter has the option to put your general location, which can help your target audience know what city your practice is located in. There’s also an option to put a link to a website, and if you have a personal website, you’ll want to link this here.

Once you have your profile set up, you’ll want to establish a style guide for your content. This will be based on what image you want to portray to your target audience. In your style guide, you’ll want to consider your tone, how you write, your use of emojis, and your use of hashtags. The purpose of this guide is to keep everything on your profile consistent, which will help make your page look more cohesive.

Finally, you’ll want to set up a content calendar. You want to consider how often you want to post and at what times. A good guideline is daily or every few days. You’ll also want to consider the type of content you’ll be putting out. A good idea is to have one-third of your tweets promote your practice, one-third offer relevant information on topics, and one-third share personal stories that may or may not be related to your practice. This will help you reap the benefits of all three types of content while giving a sense of relatability and giving people something to reply to and retweet.

As a side note, it goes without saying, but with sharing personal stories, use discretion to ensure that everything is appropriate, non-offensive, and does not disclose potentially sensitive information about yourself or your clients.

You’ll also want to establish your pinned tweet once you start creating Twitter content. This is a tweet that shows up at the top of your Twitter page when people view it, so you’ll want to make sure that this is an interesting, thought-provoking tweet that relates to your business or practice in some way. When used correctly, this can almost serve as an informal second Twitter biography, and can really make your account look interesting.

Congratulations! Now that you’ve got this setup, you’re ready to start creating content and connecting with new followers. Stay tuned for upcoming videos to see how to create great tweets and grow your outreach.

References:

https://business.twitter.com/

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7488-twitter-for-business.html

https://blog.hootsuite.com/twitter-marketing/

How To Set Up An Engaging Facebook Profile

In one of the more recent articles, I wrote about choosing a social media platform for marketing your resolution practice based on your target audience. Facebook was one of the four platforms discussed, and as the most popular social media platform with nearly 3 billion monthly active users as of 2022, many people and businesses gravitate towards it. 

For a brief recap of Facebook’s user demographics: 

1. There is a relatively equal distribution of male-identifying and female-identifying users, so it’s a safe choice regardless of your target audience’s gender breakdown

2. Older generations tend to be more active on Facebook as opposed to other social media platforms, which can make Facebook a great platform if your target audience leans towards older age groups. However, if your target audience is predominantly made up of young adults, it may not be worth your time. 

3. Facebook has a pretty high rate of global engagement: most regular users visit Facebook at least once a day, for an average time of 20 minutes, according to 2020 data. 

If this sounds like a good platform for your brand and your practice, keep reading. We’ll be discussing when to build a Facebook page, how to build a Facebook page, and how to set your page up for success when doing so. 

First, let’s talk about the difference between having a Facebook page and simply turning on professional mode on your profile. Facebook gives users an option to turn on professional mode, and this will enable individual profiles or creators to post content to a public audience if they choose, follow up to 5,000 people, and have an unlimited amount of followers. At the same time, users have the option to release certain content either publicly or just to their friends, and just like a regular profile, users can have up to 5,000 Facebook friends. 

Although this gives individual profiles the potential to reach a larger audience, Facebook recommends using a page if you are representing a business or a brand. Facebook pages have special tools that can help users manage and track their insights, which will provide valuable information on who your target audience actually is. Additionally, important information that you input about your business, like your hours, location, and services, is more visible to viewers. 

Now, we’ll discuss the information you’ll be inputting on your Facebook page if you choose to create one. We’ll be talking about your profile photo, your category, important business information, and your ‘about’ section. Before you do any of this, however, make sure you know your personal brand, your assets, and what you can offer to clients. Factoring this into the creation of your page helps it be more client-focused. 

Having a great profile photo is one of the easiest ways to stand out. There are two approaches you could take. If your individual, self-owned practice has a brand name and logo, you could put this as your profile photo. Alternatively, you can use your professional headshot as your profile photo. For more tips on how to capture a high-quality, impactful professional headshot, check out this YouTube video tutorial - https://youtu.be/CJpC__VVcWc

Regardless of what approach you take, it is important to use the appropriate image size to get the highest resolution, or clarity, in your profile picture. Facebook profile pictures allow for a resolution of up to 180x180 pixels, so you’ll want to re-size your picture to a size of 180x180 pixels. You can either do this directly in your computer preview software, like Microsoft edge or Mac Preview, or you can access a free online image size converter. You’ll also want to use a square or circular image, not a portrait or landscape rectangle image. 

Next, you’ll want to pick which category you’d like to describe your page. This will help your profile show up in the search results when people search for certain categories. This, in turn, will help you expand your outreach to a larger audience and new potential clients. 

You can choose up to 3 categories, and you’d just set this up by typing in the categories that best describe your practice and choosing the closest ones from the drop-down menu. Since there isn’t an option to create a custom category, make sure the closest options still make sense for your practice. If they don’t, try going more general with your categories.   

For your business information, you want to make sure you’re including the important, necessary information that people might need to access your services. This includes your address, which areas you practice in, your hours if applicable, and your specialties. You’ll also want to link important contact information like your business phone number and your email, as well as your website. You can also include links to your LinkedIn and other social media profiles, so long as these are distinguishable from your website. Once you’ve drawn people in with your page, you want to make sure that they can contact you easily and follow through on that interest. 

Finally, you want to make sure that your ‘about’ section represents your values, mission, and the journey of your practice. There’s an option to put a mission statement, and here, you’ll want to include one to three sentences that detail your mission. This should detail what you do, who you do it for, and something that makes you stand out. At the end of the day, if your profile states what you can do for a client, and why that client should choose you over a competitor, you’ll be set up for success in your marketing. 

Thanks for reading this article on setting up a strong, engaging Facebook page. This will set you up for success in future marketing strategies and posting content, which we will discuss in future videos.

https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1968057156746246?id=939256796236247

https://www.facebook.com/business/help/412634305818063?id=939256796236247

https://www.facebook.com/help/135275340210354

https://www.marketing91.com/optimize-the-about-section-on-facebook-page/

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/make-better-profile-picture-business-facebook-43597.html 

How To Create An Eye-Catching LinkedIn Profile

Today, we’re going to be talking about optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Whether you’re just starting out in the resolution industry or you’ve been in it for a while, figuring out how to market your mediation practice on this platform can seem overwhelming. 

Whatever approach you choose to take, your LinkedIn profile should be clear and straight to the point. I recommend taking a client-facing approach, rather than turning your Linkedin into a resume. Your profile should not just be about you, but about what you can do for your target client base.  

You need to understand your personal brand, as well as your assets and what you have to offer clients. You want to answer these two questions: ‘What do you do?’ and ‘Why should someone choose you over a competitor?’ They’re questions that your potential future clients might ask, and through a clear, simple, and eye-catching profile, you’ll be answering them. 

In this article, we’ll be focusing on optimizing four major aspects: 

• Your profile photo

• Your headline

• Your summary, and

• Your skills. 

Figuring out how to format these in a way that is true to your brand and your practice will provide an excellent starting point for future LinkedIn content. 

Other than your name, your profile photo and your headline are what people will see first before they even view your full profile. 

Having a great profile photo can work wonders; one report found that LinkedIn users with profile photos received 20 times more views than users with no profile photos. You also want to make sure that your photo is clear and high-resolution, up-to-date, professional-looking, and taken in good lighting. If you have the budget for it, it could be worth it to invest in a professional photographer to ensure that you get a great shot. 

If it’s not within your budget, that’s totally fine, and using a high-quality phone or digital camera could do the trick with the right lighting. One way to get great lighting is by standing inside, during the daytime, and facing a window. The natural daylight will provide a good amount of brightness, without going overboard. 

Whether you’re doing it yourself or seeing a professional, you can prepare for your shoot by wearing solid-colored clothes, as prints can be distracting. When taking the photo, you’ll want to have your face taking up around 50 to 60 percent of the frame and smile. Doing this will help your profile photo represent you, and the smile will make you seem approachable and inviting. 

Next, getting a great LinkedIn headline is crucial. It shows up everywhere, and many times, it’s the only piece of personalized writing that someone sees. You want to make sure that it represents you and what you do. 

Now, the default headline that LinkedIn gives all users is your most recent job title and company from your work experience section. You don’t want to use this, because chances are, that’s not the best representation of what you do, especially for a client-facing profile. You’ll want your headline to say what you do, and be specific. You’ll also want to make it relevant to your audience; if you know your target viewer is a potential client, then you don’t want to fill up your headline with a bunch of industry-specific jargon. On the other hand, if your LinkedIn is more for connecting with others in the industry, this would be perfect for that audience. 

Within this value proposition, you can also use keywords to attract LinkedIn’s search engine and make your profile more likely to show up in the search results bar when people search for specific terms. If you show up more, your profile gets more exposure, which can lead to growth in your client base and professional network. 

Now, LinkedIn actually increased the number of characters you can put in your headline; the maximum character count is 220 individual characters. This gives you the option to list your specific areas of expertise, and worthwhile achievements if you choose. A common format for headlines is as follows: 

‘Your name’ - ‘What you do’ - ‘Additional things’ (aka areas of expertise, years in the industry, and/or achievements)

Now that you’ve crafted an eye-catching, impactful LinkedIn headline, ask yourself two questions: 

1. Does this represent your brand and why you stand out?

2. Does it capture what a potential client would care about? 

If it’s passed these tests, you’re good to go. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics, we’ll dive a little deeper into what people see once they’ve clicked on your profile: your summary and your skills. 

For your summary, this is going to be your ‘elevator pitch’, or basically a mini autobiography. You’ll be using first-person language, and this will be a more genuine way to market yourself to viewers. This is not seen nearly as much as your headline, because people won’t see this unless they’re browsing your profile. You want to give these audiences a more in-depth look into how you can help them and why they should choose you. 

There are a variety of approaches that you could take with your summary. One common approach is to outline what you do; for example, ‘I help (target audience) achieve (goal) by providing (product or service)’, and then follow it with 2 to 3 fields of practice or audiences. This is definitely a more simple and more straight-to-the-point approach, but formatting it into a full paragraph might be a bit awkward. 

Another approach is to break it down into three parts: 

• 1-2 sentences about who you are 

• 3-5 sentences about your experience, top skills, passions

• 1-2 sentences about your future goals, your mission, and how you’re going to help someone out.  

This might require a bit more consideration, but this often formats nicer into a paragraph/classic writing style. 

Like a headline, at the end of the day, you want to make sure that this captures your professional brand, how you can help clients, and why they should choose your practice. 

Last, but not least, you’ll want to fill up your ‘skills’ section. People with at least 5 skills on their profile receive up to 17 times more profile views, according to Linkedin. This is because specific skills can help you show up in LinkedIn’s search engine results, and specific skills also stand out to different viewers. 

You’ll want to include a lot of skills that are relevant to your practice and to the resolution industry. Including skills centered in both the technical aspects (i.e. dispute resolution, specific things you do) and soft skills (i.e. communication skills, collaboration, among others). Having a great set of relevant and interesting skills on your profile is the icing on the cake of a great, client-centered profile, and it helps viewers see how your practice stands out. 

So, these are the four main aspects of optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Having a clear, appealing, client-facing profile will draw viewers’ attention and provide a strong foundation for your future content. 

References: 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-now-rewrite-your-profile-you-seriously-john-nemo/

https://arrivein.com/career-ca/top-10-tips-to-optimize-your-linkedin-profile-for-job-search-in-canada/

https://www.jobscan.co/blog/impactful-linkedin-headline-examples/

https://blog.herzing.ca/kompass-online-training/9-most-important-skills-for-professional-mediators

Which Social Media Platform(s) Should Mediators Use?

With all of the different social media platforms out there, choosing which ones you want to market your resolution practice on can seem like a daunting task. However, with a couple of easy steps, you can make this decision a bit more straightforward and start marketing your mediation practice on social media today. 

In this video, we’ll be talking about how to choose which social media platforms you want to use to market your mediation, arbitration, or litigation practices. Figuring this out will help you effectively leverage this relatively new technology to expand your outreach and client base. 

(section 1): 

The first step is figuring out your initial idea of your target audience. Who do you want your social media content to reach? If you’ve already figured this out and have a good understanding of this, feel free to skip to section 2 starts). 

If you’ve had your own resolution practice for a while, you probably have a good idea of your own client demographic. Picture the typical clients that you help. How old are they? Are the majority of your clients male or female, or is there a pretty even ratio? You can even consider their occupations, interests, and education levels. Write this down, as this can help outline who accesses your services. Theoretically, if there’s a trend here, or if the majority of your clients are within certain age ranges, genders, and occupations, this can help form the basis of your target audience, because you know that your practice doesn’t ‘exclude’ these demographics. 

If you’ve been on at least one social media platform for a while, make sure you’ve looked into the analytics. Most social media platforms include direct ways to check the demographics and activities of those who view your social media pages. They’re often labeled as either analytics or insights on the platform and can be accessed either directly in a given social media post or in your settings. Make a note of what groups view your social media pages most, as this can also contribute to your target audience. 

You can also consider what you specialize in, and what specialties of resolution you practice most. Within these specialties, think of who is most likely to seek out services related to these specialties. For example, if you’re a mediator who specializes in construction dispute resolution, it would be fair to assume that clients of that particular type of dispute resolution would be either employed or involved in the construction industry in some way. You would then include this group in your target audience. This is usually not straightforward, so you could also look into market data. This can sometimes be accessed from online resources and statistics platforms, and you could also try attending webinars highlighting market trends within the resolution industry. 

Mapping these factors out will probably help you get a good initial idea of what your target audience is. It’s not a perfect approach, and it may change over time, so once you’re on social media, make sure you routinely check your analytics to make changes if needed. There might be some trial and error, and we’ll discuss how to do this in later videos. 

(section 2) 

With this idea of your target audience in mind, make a note of this, and compare it to the user demographics and statistics of each of the major social media apps. If your target audience is mostly of a specific demographic, you’ll want to choose a social media platform that has a high count of active users within that demographic. In this video, we will be going over Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin. 

1. Starting with Twitter. This may seem like an unconventional choice, since it’s so notorious for placing limits on the number of characters in each post. However, there are a couple of situations where you might want to consider this platform as one of your marketing spaces. 

First of all, Twitter recently increased the number of characters you could put in a tweet from 140 to 280, which leaves more room for people to get their points across. Additionally, Twitter is quite popular, and it has over 300 million monthly active users, and 206 million daily active users according to user data. Especially since users can retweet tweets, this might provide a lot of outreach to potential clients or connections. 

You’ll want to consider the following facts about Twitter’s demographics:

1. It has a pretty significant gender disparity; according to 2021 data, 68.5 percent of users identified as male. 

2. The overwhelming majority of users were between the ages of 18 and 44, and 28.4 percent of overall users were between the ages of 35 and 44.

3. Other data suggests that Twitter’s user base skews wealthy and college-educated, as well as those living in urban or suburban areas. 

If these demographics align with your client base or target audience, you may want to consider using this platform for your practice. 

2. Next, we’ll discuss Facebook. Facebook was the most popular social media platform in 2022, with nearly 3 billion monthly active users. Depending on your target audience, it could be a good idea to create a Facebook page to market your practice, but you’ll first want to consider the following market data. 

1. There is a relatively equal distribution of male-identifying and 

female-identifying users 

2. Older generations tend to be more active on Facebook as opposed to other social media platforms, which can make Facebook a great platform if your target audience leans towards older age groups 

3. Most users visit Facebook at least once a day for an average time of 20 minutes, according to 2020 data. 

Facebook definitely stands out from the others in terms of active users and can be a good choice for older target audiences. However, if your audience is predominantly young adults, it may not be worth your time. 

3. Instagram is another interesting platform that could be worth exploring to market your mediation practice. Over 1.22 billion people worldwide use Instagram monthly, which is certainly a competitive number. It also seems to be growing consistently; Instagram’s user count grew 5.79% in 2022, and it is expected to grow by around 5.47% in 2023. It is certainly not an obsolete platform, and the high count of monthly active users leaves the potential to reach many people. 

Another interesting factor is the global use of the platform, as about 87% percent of Instagram users live outside of the united states. If you’re trying to expand the global outreach of anything, Instagram is a great place to do so. 

Consider the following statistics here:

1. Instagram has a pretty even gender distribution, but there is a slightly higher population of male-identifying users than female-identifying users 

2. Most people on Instagram are under 34 years of age, and 31.7% of the total Instagram user base is between 25 and 34 years of age. 

3. Instagram has 58% more engagement per follower than Facebook, so the people that do see your page are statistically more likely to engage with it 

Instagram has a steady growth history and potential, high engagement rates, a high count of monthly active users, strong global outreach, and a younger user demographic. If your target audience includes people within younger age groups, it could be a very valuable resource for marketing your practice. 

4. Finally, we’ll discuss LinkedIn, which probably seems like the most obvious choice for professionals. Linkedin is focused on helping people make professional connections, and people can network, post content, and advertise on this platform. It’s definitely grown beyond just a job board, and nearly 135 million users use Linkedin each day. 

If you’re looking to make connections, LinkedIn is a great option. However, it can also be great for marketing to businesses, and depending on your resolution specialties, this could help you amplify your practice. 

You’ll want to consider the following market data points: 

1. LinkedIn has more male-identifying users than female-identifying users, making up about 57 and 43 percent respectively as of January 2022. 2. Millennials, or users between 25 and 34 years of age, make up the majority of Linkedin’s users. Additionally, 20% of users are between the ages of 18 and 24, and 18% of users are between 35 and 54. On the other hand, only 2% of users are 55 and older. 

3. LinkedIn has high conversion rates and high global outreach, and users that see a business’s advertisement on LinkedIn are about 6 times more likely to purchase from that business. Although statistics for the resolution industry specifically are limited, strong business performance could indicate a strong potential for effective marketing for your resolution practice.

With this being said, LinkedIn can be a high-engagement platform for marketing, and if your target audience is not only people over the age of 55, this could be a valuable asset. 

References: 

https://www.adrnotable.com/how-to-grow-your-mediation-practice-using-social-media/ https://www.businessofapps.com/data/twitter-statistics/ 

https://wearesocial.com/uk/blog/2022/01/digital-2022-another-year-of-bumper-growth-2/https://www.statista.com/topics/751/facebook/#topicHeader__wrapperhttps://www.socialpilot.co/instagram-marketing/instagram-stats#:~:text=Instagram%20has%20over%201.22%20billion,25.31%20%25%20of%20the%20world's%20population.https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/linkedin-statistics#:~:text=Most%20of%20LinkedIn's%20Users%20are,2%25%20are%2055%20and%20older.

25 Things You Can Do to Market and Promote Your Practice Today

1. Conduct market research to understand your target audience and their needs.

2. Create a professional and user-friendly website.

3. Offer free consultations or assessments to prospective clients.

4. Attend networking events and conferences in your industry to make new connections.

5. Utilize search engine optimization (SEO) to increase visibility on search engines.

6. Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn

7. Develop content marketing strategies, such as blog posts and email newsletters, to educate and engage your target market.

8. Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote each other's services.

9. Attend or host events to build your brand.

10. Invest in paid advertising, such as Google AdWords or Facebook ads, to reach a wider audience.

11. Create informational resources, like ebooks or webinars, to provide value to your target market.

12. Utilize customer relationship management (CRM) software to manage your interactions with customers and prospects.

13. Measure and analyze your marketing efforts to continuously improve your strategies.

14. Utilize video marketing to showcase your services and humanize your brand.

15. Foster a strong online community through forums, social media groups, and other channels.

16. Utilize local search engine optimization (LSEO) to reach customers in your specific geographic area.

17. Create a user-friendly and intuitive mobile app for your services.

18. Partner with community organizations and charities to give back and build brand awareness.

19. Offer personalized services to build a deeper connection with customers.

20. Invest in public relations (PR) efforts to build your brand and reach a wider audience.

21. Attend or host webinars to educate and engage your target market.

22. Partner with bloggers and influencers to review and promote your services.

23. Utilize augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to showcase your services in an innovative way.

24. Invest in print advertising, such as newspaper or magazine ads, to reach a different audience.

25. Utilize retargeting technology to reach customers who have previously interacted with your brand.

Grow Your Mediation Or Arbitration Business With These Simple Changes

Growing a mediation or arbitration business can be tough due to all the competition out there, but fortunately, technology has offered up many solutions for business owners in recent years. As you create a plan for taking your business to the next level, think about your current tools and processes and how you might improve upon them. Each step should be carefully considered and laid out before you jump in to ensure there are no oversights, and you’ll need to seek out helpful resources that can guide you in areas like marketing. Take a look at Howtomarketmymediationpractice.com and learn more about the services they have available, and keep this guide in mind as you create your plan for growth. 

Make networking a priority 

As a business owner, you already know how beneficial networking can be, but when you’re trying to grow your business and expand your professional reach, it’s important to make it a priority. You might join your local chamber of commerce, attend conventions and conferences, or you can team up with other local businesses to help promote your mediation or arbitration services. These are all perfect opportunities to hand out business cards, and you can create an eye-catching card using a customizable template that allows you to add your own colors, text, and font. Not only is this an easy way for potential clients to remember you, but it’s also a great way to showcase the voice and mission of your business. You can try this site for a free, easy-to-customize template. 

Reconsider your business structure 

As you network and bring in more clients, it’s a good idea to assess your business practices and structure to ensure they’re still working for you. With an LLC, you’ll have more flexibility than with other structures, and you’ll also have peace of mind about where your personal finances are concerned. Not only that, you can ensure that your legal responsibilities are minimal should a problem arise. You can choose to file the paperwork yourself or go through a formation service, which will save you money on attorney’s fees; just make sure you read reviews to find the best service for your needs.

Change up your marketing plan

Just as the tools and resources you’ll be using to run your business will change over time, so will the plans you’ve made for marketing your services. That’s why it’s so important to reassess your plan and alter it according to your most recent goals, especially if you’re going to relocate to a new office or expand your services. Taking another look at how you’re currently navigating social media, revamping your website, or trying different marketing channels are all great ways to change up your marketing plan, and the team at Howtomarketmymediationpractice.com can help.

Learn something new 

Making changes to your marketing plan can be extremely beneficial on the path to growing your business, but as you implement those changes, it’s also a good idea to keep learning about your field. Staying on top of the latest technology, taking a class to nail down a new skill, or seeking out a business mentor are all great ways to keep learning as an entrepreneur, and the act itself will allow you to boost your confidence as you take your business to the next level.  

Taking your mediation or arbitration business up a notch can be daunting, but with the right steps, the process itself can actually be eye-opening. Utilize a stunning business card, reconsider your business structure, and take a second look at your marketing plan in order to make the most of your expanded goals this year. 

Ready to get started with a new marketing plan? Get in touch with the team at Howtomarketmymediationpractice.com today.

Submitted by Lance Cody-Valdez

how mediators can take advantage of the QR CODE REVIVAL

In hindsight, they were just a few decades too early. Seeing one in the 2010s was like a strange encounter. And when we did see them, they were considered to have value just above graffiti.  Those who didn’t know how to use them just thought they ugly, and those who did know how to use didn’t have audience support.  It was like being the first person to have a fax machine .. no one else appreciated your tech.  YET

In the span of a decade, QR codes have transformed from something no one understood to something that allowed so many kinds of businesses to survive a pandemic to a Super Bowl advertising star and now back on the table as a viable (and even necessary) marketing tool.

Welcome back, QR codes!

WHAT ARE QR CODES?

In the beginning while most people were busy strong-arming these elusive boxes, they did serve their purpose. QR – which stands for “quick response” – is a type of technology that allows someone to access information by taking a photo of a unique code. The user is then directed to click on a website on their device where they’ll find the information that was advertised.

This wasn’t always such a seamless process, but with advances in smartphone technology, it’s now as simple as point and click. That sounds great, doesn’t it?! Contrary to when QR codes first launched, it’s now part of our everyday psyche to use our phones to get any additional information that we need.

We used our smartphones even more when we had to stay home for a while.

It’s true, QR codes aren’t pretty. They look like they belong on an tech manual, not on a classy post or business card. I get it.  I spend dozens of hours each week making visually appealing posts for my client, but there’s only so much I can do with a barcode.

Because nearly everyone has a smartphone, this kind of convenience is a benefit to the client. It adds to their experience rather than causing friction.

Doctor offices now use them to schedule appointments. Grocery stores use them for coupons. QR codes can also be used in directing people to a podcast or webinar. I recently received wedding invitations with a QR code to direct guests to the wedding website, where they can RSVP and find information on the venue, hotel options, and the registry.

We’re seeing QR codes stick around and you might want to use them too!  As it turns out, QR codes were cool.

So what if QR codes aren’t beautiful?  They’re perfectly poised to solve a future problem.

THE NEW URL

With the rise of video consumption on the internet, QR codes offer a dynamic way to access more information from an video. Rather than seeing a URL or link on an ad, we may start seeing more QR codes used in their place.

So ….

How to create a QR code and direct people to a website, document, or other media

Creating a QR code is a relatively straightforward process, and it can be done on a computer or on your smartphone. Here's how it's done.

How to create a QR code with QR Code Generator

There are many QR code generators to choose from.

1. On your Google Chrome web browser,  open any website, right click your mouse and choose the opton “Create A QR Code”.

2. Download the code

3. Then just paste the image into any document or post as you normally would any image.

How to create a QR code on Android with Google Chrome

1. On the Google Chrome app, navigate to the website you want to create a QR code for.

2. Tap the more icon – the three vertical dots – in the top right corner.

Click this icon in the top right corner to reveal a dropdown menu. 

3. Tap Share in the drop-down menu. 

4. Tap QR Code.

Tap "QR Code." 

5. Beneath the QR code on the next screen, tap Download to save the QR code to your device.

Tap "Download" to save the QR code on your device. Stefan Ionescu/Insider

6. Once downloaded, you can then send the QR code to others via text, email, messaging app, etc.

How to create a QR code on iPhone with Google Chrome 

1. On the Google Chrome app, navigate to the website you want to create a QR code for.

2. In the top-right corner next to the address bar, tap the Share symbol, which looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.

Tap the "Share" icon next to the URL. 

3. Scroll down and tap Create a QR Code.

4. Tap Share.

Tap the blue "Share" button. 

5. Choose how you want to share the QR code (via text, email, messaging app, etc.)

Quick tip: You can tap Save Image to save the QR code for future use.

Social media apps, such as Twitter, often include access to a QR code for your account within the mobile apps.

How do you use QR codes?

You can use QR codes on phone (link to your LinkedIn profile directly …..)

Put them on the PowerPoint presentations, add them to your post to promote events, webinars, your resume, business cards, greeting cards, website, articles, handouts and training materials, … anything at all!

Do you use QR codes? If so, what types of information do you link to for your customers (your website, social media marketing, event sign-in)? What systems or apps do you use to create QR codes? Let me know how you use QR codes, in the comments below