I’ve been fortunate enough lately to come in contact with all kinds of mental health professionals doing exciting things – launching new service lines, building new practices, and preparing for book signings to name a few. It got me thinking about some practical resources and tips that might be helpful.
Here are three interesting ones worth a look.
Email Signatures
How many of you have an email signature? There are all kinds of arguments both for and against them. But like most everything else, they can be very useful when used the right way.
An email signature is a piece of identifying information that automatically appears at the end of every piece of email you create. But it’s really so much more than that! If you use it well it becomes a great networking tool.
Here are some things, besides your name, you might consider including.
Your Business Name/Title. Something that clarifies what you do. Don’t assume people know what you are about.
Your Website or Blog URL. Include the prefix http:// before your web address. It activates the link so readers can click directly from their email.
A Tagline. It could be about your practice, website, consulting business etc… My tagline is, “Unique Perspectives in Mental Health”
A Hook or Offer for the reader that catches their eye. Perhaps it’s an upcoming workshop, free reference guide, or self-assessment tool.
Contact Info. Choose whatever details are relevant for your business. I don’t include my address, but you can consider it if it’s essential to your business.
Reconsider using that quote you love because you just don’t know how people will interpret it.
Experiment with some of these ideas and find that balance between too much information and not enough. There are no steadfast rules. I’ve seen very effective signatures that contained paragraphs of content, others were only two simple lines. It all depends on what fits best for you.
Not sure where to go to create your email signature? Click on the links below depending on your email provider.
Here’s an example of my ever-evolving signature.
–
David P. Diana MA, LPC, NCC
Marketing Director & Consultant
(w) http://www.davidpdiana.com - Unique Perspectives in Mental Health
(e) david@davidpdiana.com
Seven years, swimming in visions of children at play. It’s a deafening preoccupation resulting from two boys, ages two and seven, who bound through our home with reckless abandon.
Remember those moments when you were trapped within yourself? Filled with anxiety or rage, only to be shaken by the openness of a two-year old boy. You can see the universe within his eyes, as if you’re looking up at stars in the night sky. Whenever I see those big, soft eyes, I’m reminded of a passage from Rilke…
“…But it feels its life as boundless,
unfathomable, and without regard
to its own condition: pure, like its outward gaze. And where we see the future, it sees all time
and itself within all time, forever healed…”
And so…as I look for motivation and strength in my day to day, I hope to reconnect with that “outward gaze” if only for fleeting moments.
These gifts from childhood often pave the way to renewed openness and inspiration. They’re important lessons acted out by children everywhere. Somewhere, at this very moment, a child is sharing this energy with the world.
A young girl is courageously dismissing self-doubt like a lion in hunger.
A boy is dreaming of riding dragons, only to mount them moments later.
A young girl is hosting a fabulous tea party, unaware of endings and beginnings.
Somewhere in the world, a child is touching the hearts of others.
A young girl is beginning her day without a mask, transparent to the light.
A girl, faced with tragedy and unfortunate circumstance, lights up a room with her sense of being and connectedness.
Somewhere in the world, a young boy is seeking council from a wise old man who lives in his daydreams and whispers of possibility.
And somewhere…everywhere, there is a boy who swallows a leopard. His body is dripping in golden light, limitless, expanded, and free. I look upon that child longingly unaware as yet, that it is I.
Find him panting on your doorstep, and absorb the flame.
I have an interesting offer, and I think you’ll find the opportunity hard to ignore.
I’d like for you to join me beginning Monday, September 6, 2010 for a 21-day experience that’s going to be quite the ride! I’m calling it…
Breaking Through: An Experience in Creativity and Intention
For 21 straight days we’ll be writing 600 words per day (about 2 pages) and engaging in an exercise/activity of our choosing (e.g., meditation practice, yoga, running, walking) 5 days a week. (* I can’t take credit for the idea. Creativity coach, Bindu Wiles, was my source for inspiration.)
Why do this? Initially, I was planning it to be a solo activity, but thought it would be far more motivating if others joined in the fun. The project is intended to help break free from routine, to create a sense of community, and to support one another in staying committed to a different process. It’s an experience that just might send us in exciting and new directions!
Part 1: The Writing Experience
It can be anything! And the reasons why you should do this are limitless.
You may have a particular business challenge you haven’t had time to explore.
Perhaps you are working on a book idea, and need help moving forward.
Maybe you’re starting a blog and looking to find your voice.
You may be feeling “stuck”, and are looking to break free.
Or you may simply be looking for new ideas and new direction to light your fire.
The writing can be focused on a specific project, or it can be a creativity exercise designed to open you up to possibilities for your career, for new service offerings, or new marketing ideas.
So there it is. 600 words every single day for 21 days straight! Let’s see what kind of transformation it brings.
Part 2: The “Movement” Experience
Choose an activity you’ve always wanted to do, and set out to commit to it over the course of 3 weeks, five days a week.
I’ve chosen to include this in the process to bring balance, and to help us get out of our heads for a change.
There are several ways in which you can commit to an activity 5-days a week for three-weeks. Use a yoga DVD at home, carve out time to meditate for 30 minutes each day, go for a walk during lunch, or sign up for a Yoga class in your area! You can even do a combination of these activities. You make the rules as long as you stay committed for 3 weeks.
Not easy enough for you to get started?
If you live in my hometown of Charleston, SC, here are a few options worth a look. I’ll add more as I find them. And I’ll post them on the “Breaking Through” Facebook Group.
Jivamukti Yoga in Mt. Pleasant, SC is offering unlimited classes for $108 a month. Call them at 843-817-3899.
The Charleston Tibetan Society in downtown Charleston offers free meditation classes. Sundays at 9:30am and group meditations every Wednesday at 7pm. Call them at 843-937-4849.
Let’s Share Our Experiences!
If you’re like me, you need a nudge every now and again to stay committed. There is power in having a community of people commit to a similar process. As a result, I’ve started a Facebook Group to harness the energy of others. It’s to be used as a gathering point and sign up area for those who choose to join. (* We’ve just about reached the 600-word mark right here by the way!)
If you decide to commit to this process, visit the group and join. Make this your binding commitment to yourself. Make it official!
Bonus Stuff
I’m also in the process of connecting with experts in the areas of yoga, meditation and personal growth. My hope is that some of these people will share their knowledge with us during these three weeks and help us through the exploration process. They may post comments on our Facebook Group or they may offer a free resource or guide.
I’ll keep you posted over the next few weeks as things progress before we start the project.
And now…email me or sign up in our Facebook Group if you would like to be part of this experience. And I’ll see you on the other side!
“Inspiration shows up after you make some sort of gesture.”
– Bindu Wiles, Creativity Coach
Isn’t it interesting once you’ve followed that rabbit down the hole? Bill Moyers refers to the phenomena of living your truth as being helped “by hidden hands”. Joseph Campbell tells us when you follow your “bliss” you are put on a path that has been there all along.
This is the key to good marketing.
The problem is that self-promotion gets a very bad rap. In many cases it is misunderstood completely. It’s no wonder most standard marketing efforts and methods produce such horrible results. Good marketing is not about who promotes the most, or who has the catchiest tagline. It’s not about advertising, mailers, and press releases. Good marketing is about authenticity and finding inspiration from that very place of being.
If you are struggling with the idea of self-promotion for your practice or career I suggest starting from a more honest place. Find a passion and a gift you wholeheartedly believe in, and speak with that voice. You will find yourself anchored in integrity with a renewed sense of purpose and meaning. When you come from that position of strength, your marketing efforts will look different, they’ll have a different rhythm, and they’ll be far more effective.
And when you find that place and that voice you’ll know. Your actions will no longer feel like self-promotion. You won’t call it marketing because, at that moment, it will no longer be marketing.
Charleston happened slowly, like a trip to the DMV. Nearly 14 hours in and my family is defeated by traffic, fried apple pies (they used to be less painful on the stomach when I was younger), beef jerky, and an exciting vacation that had run its course.
At the stroke of midnight I decide to pass the time with a good ole fashion game of “I think I can”. No need to pull in for the night. I knew I could make it, and so I marched onward while my family slept. We arrived home at 3:00 am. I awoke in the late morning with a migraine and a series of aches and pains my 91-year old grandfather would curse in Italian slang.
Today I feel I have nothing to give, no energy to expend. But here I am, in front of my computer – empty and open. I’ve learned week in and week out to sit in this space regardless of the circumstances. I’ve learned to push further and see what lies beyond. Each week I begin in ignorance and darkness not knowing where my writing will lead. But I try with all my might to avoid the temptation to “control” or comfort my fears.
Sometimes, when you think you’ve reached an end point, a closed door, or the limits of your abilities you find it is, quite simply, the very edge of the beginning.
It reminds me of something I read recently from the fine folks at Samba Blog:
“The first time you ship something, the world will probably ignore you.
The second time you ship, the world will still ignore you.
By the third or fourth time you ship, you start to learn about the world in a way that only the act of shipping teaches.
The more you ship, the harder it gets for you to ignore the world.
The more you ship, the harder it gets for the world to ignore you.”
When you feel the chips are down, or you are facing what appear to be insurmountable fears and self-doubt, make an effort to engage. And when you feel you’ve pushed yourself to the limit – push further.
Go through to the other side and come out singing. It’s a fine marketing lesson, and an even better life lesson.
In a previous post I offered some presentation tips that have served me well over the years. I thought it would be a good time to review some of these points and share additional ones.
Dive in!
I used to give talks that were downright painful. I’d start with introductions, move to a review of objectives, talk about how my presentation would flow, tell you why I was presenting the material and how it would help. Then I’d begin with a series of facts to support my points, or present a theory and discuss all the details around it. And if 10% of the room was still actually awake at that point I’d be amazed.
You need to connect with your audience immediately or you will not get them back. One of the best ways to do this is to begin “in the middle”. Drop the intros (better yet…have someone else introduce you), and start with a thought provoking question or story.
Storytelling Wins Out
Take note of the video below. How does Dan Heath engage the viewer and explain his main points in such a short period of time? Through the power of story. Stories offer a way for the audience to relate to and emotionally connect with what it is you are trying to say.
“You can’t really see the graph, but if you could this is what it would be telling you.”
I cannot tell you how many talks I’ve attended that were riddled with graphs and models that served no purpose.
Use images over text when possible, but be sure they are images people can easily see and understand. Images build interest, connect the audience to your story, and help to create space for change.
Simplify
Be clear about the purpose of your talk and stay the course. Have a key message that will capture people’s attention, and create the kind of positive change you are envisioning. Structure your talk so that your key points are able to shine through.
