The end of the year is here. I won’t say “finally here” because for me, I feel like we just got through January. I hope it has been a busy and prosperous year for you. And I hope part of that busy has been completing at least some of those monthly challenges I have been sending out to you since June. I’ve got one for you this month that allows you to sit at home in the comfort of your bunny slippers:
Review your website identity: Do you present yourself as a Collaborative Professional or is your collaborative work just a happy coincidence?
It takes a lot of work to bring in Collaborative cases; they don’t just magically walk into your office. Ask yourself – do you want people coming in to ask you if you are a Collaborative Professional, or do you want to have to explain it from scratch to every potential client that walks in the door? I choose option A. I am especially speaking to lawyers here: Potential clients tend to do a lot of internet research before deciding to consult with you. There is your opening! Write lots of information about the Collaborative Process on your website and educate potential clients before they every pick up the phone to call you. Here is some of the information you can include:
- Explain the benefits of Collaborative – control of outcome, control of time, privacy;
- Provide an overview of how the process works – take the unknown out of the equation
- Compare it to a litigation model – When most people see how each process works and the pros and cons of each, they invariably want to go the Collaborative route (who wouldn’t?).
- Provide links to other helpful Collaborative websites – www.collaborativedivorcetexas.com, www.collaborativepractice.com, your Practice Group website.
- Be sure to update your profile on all of those websites so that they are linking back to your website. If a potential client accesses your profile somewhere else, you want them to have quick access to your website.
And that’s it. Like I said, an easy task for the month. Whether it be Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Yule celebrations, or just some good ol’ peace and quiet, may you and your families have a wonderful holiday season.
Rhonda Cleaves
CDT President 2022-2023
