MC Joins The Showpros Group

I have joined The Showpros Group -- in a more real light, I have joined with John Brown, an exceptional individual!

This is quite the move for me. After more than 16 years marketing law and accounting firms I have chosen to go over to the other side and become a vendor -- and am happy for the move.

What John does is create exceptional audience experiences. John has been my go-to guy for a long time and I'm so excited to be a part of what he creates. What we can create together is yet to be seen, but I have to say, I am so excited to be back on the creative side of performing extraordinary!

Stay tuned for more.

One Relationship is Better Than One Hundred Acquaintances

What is the price of one great business relationship? Could it be worth the cost of your annual marketing budget? I bet the answer is, "YES!"

How to Quite an Audience

I was at an awards event this evening and noted once again the ever present challenge of quieting an audience. There are no bad people here, just passionate and enthusiastic attendees engaged in having fun and enjoying good conversation.

As an Emcee at many events I have found one method for getting the attention of the audience that has NEVER failed.

From the podium say this: "If you can hear the sound of my voice turn to the person next to you and say shhhhh."

If needed say it again. Personally I have never had to say it more than twice. Amazingly, people perform the task and within seconds I've enjoyed a rapt and attentive audience.

Who Do You Know That Needs to Know Someone Else?

Everyone I know needs to know someone else I know. Everyone.

There is no time like right now to get started on making introductions.

The Rule of 52

There are 52 weeks in a year. If you committed yourself to scheduling one meeting per week for one year with potential clients, existing clients or referral contacts could you imagine that your result would be incredible? I can. I've done it.

This is a really, really simple thing to do. One meeting each week -- preferably a meal, with someone you'd like to get to know or know better.

I challenge you to do poorly if you're committed to the Rule of 52!

What Clients Want

Matt Homann posted an incredibly insightful graphic about what potential clients look for when hiring an attorney (seen here). I absolutely agree with Matt, except when the decision maker is another lawyer (i.e. corporate or outside counsel). One lawyer measuring another still comes down to what is represented on the left of Matt's chart.

Social Media is All About Being Social

Thom Singer delivered this post yesterday; "Is Social Media Really Social?" He offers great thoughts about how social sites are becoming entertainment outlets and we are starting to sit back, not participating, as we wait to be entertained.

It is true we are entertained and instead of turning on TV many of us are turning on our computers (and smart phones) to veg-out -- but we still NEED to talk and that is evolving too.

I am someone who wants to be a part of a conversation. In my personal social media journey I have migrated from viewing the entertainment to scrolling to the comments segment of a page. On Amazon I pay more attention to reader reviews, on Digg I read the commenter blather, on Twitter I follow thought-posters and un-follow product pushers and on FourSquare I read the visitor log to discover more about where I am currently standing. As soon as any favored social site jumps the shark and becomes a corporate shill I am out the there.

Some of the social sites that started this revolution have become more entertainment than social -- it is bound to happen... but Thom is right about this; Keep being social! It is the conversation that matters.