Hi Zandra! OK, here's a question for you: You know I have followed my passion to write for a cause I believe deeply in. I have experience fundraising, of course, but am totally shocked at my inability to come up with a way to make a living doing what I do! (For those unfamiliar, I write an online publication for animal rights and rescue related topics). The reader base is growing much faster than hoped for, but I am loathe to charge subscription rates. I know, I know, but I deeply believe it is a helpful resource that should be freely available. Any suggestions?

Nicole Sica

      Hi, Nicole. Well, asking someone who does so much pro bono work is like asking the other pea in the pod! lol I think as women we tend to give so much. It is our nature. Plus, we do not value our time with a price as readily as men do. Men are much better at putting a price on the work they do and even better at pricing the success they achieve. As a cardinal rule: ask not, get not. We have to learn to ask to receive. It feel awkward, but is vital to our professional survival. When I started doing legal work that I bill for instead of taking a contigency fee, I was loathe to discuss money and always undercut myself. I still do, but am a little better at asking and getting paid. I used to get annoyed at myself because I found myself doing pro bono work for total strangers because they had a sad story about a dog. But one day, my dogs looked at me and proclaimed that they need kibble, too! And then the danged dogs even got more empowered and nowadays are asking for and getting fresh food! So, I learned from those eyes under my desk that our survival was based on my ability to both ask and receive. As a practical matter, you could consider charging for ad space and banners. You are an excellent writer, so perhaps marketing as a freelance writer is a possibility. Another thing I have noticed is that you have the ability to inspire people through your writing. Lobbying or advocating for laws would be another possible avenue to consider. Hope this helps! Keep that pen going. We all need your point of view.....Zandra

     Dear Zandra, It is great finding your site and best yet, being able to ack questions. First, my older brother was in your class at SBHS (Go Bears!). We also remember Little Miss Sunbeam. Q: I have recently started a new "Green" business. We have a staff of nurse-paralegals that summarize medical records and locate experts for medical and injury related insurance claims and lawsuits. Medical records can be uploaded through our secure and HIPAA compliant website. Our nurse-paralegals access the records and utilize our proprietary software developed specifically for summarizing medical records. Once the records are summarized, they are then submitted to our Quality Control RN-JD. After QC, the summaries are then available for download by the attorney or adjuster. We include a chronological summary, a narrative summary with recommendations or inconsistencies found in the records and relating to the case, Rx summary, and related vs. unrelated costs summary. We are marketing via email contacts to individual attorneys and insurance companies - understanding that attorneys do not necessarily have time to meet with litigation support vendors. We have done a mailout of our brochure to approximately 150 attorneys. In your opinion, what else can we do to build our business at a time when many lawfirms are laying off support staff, but are still in need of this work. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! Kindest regards, Cindy

Cindy

      Hi, Cindy. Very interesting work you do and I am sure a great help to your clients. You have sort of hit the nail on the head when it comes to lawyers and their time--they don't have any as a rule. One possibility is to actually market to the attorney's right hand person--might be a legal secretary or a paralegal. Since you employ nurses, there will not usually be a conflict. Of course, some firms do employ nurses to do the sort of work you are doing, so you will just have to find out as you go. Many firms market to them as a conduit to the attorney. A lot of firms send cookies, so I would suggest be more creative. Maybe invite several of them to lunch, or give them tickets to an event. It is amazing how much easier it will be to access the attorney if you pave the way. Then you might find that you can even get a few coveted minutes with the attorney or even be able to take him or her to lunch. You might even consider hosting a lunch in their office. You might even consider sending logo items, but make sure it is something of use and that is novel. Your goal is to convince the attorney that your service will enhance their business and is worth the investment. Getting that audience is the major obstacle to your goal, but can be overcome by clever marketing, something with a twist. Good luck! Yea Bears! lol Best--Zandra

     RE: Your response of Saturday, December 1, 2007. You and I met some years ago, though you've never really known me. I visited your site once before, but it was prior to the referenced response. Your response goes straight to the issues that Jen couldn't see. It does sometimes take an outside party to see the underlying issues. However, your observations are remarkable in light of Jen's brief desciption of her situation. It's probably safe to say that you gleaned virtually everything that could be expected from the limited amount of information provided. Moreover, the method you used of posing questions instead of providing advice allowed her to reveal the answers to herself, and thereby actualize/internalize the answers (or suggestions, if your prefer). This aspect of your response reveals experience before juries (many attorneys never see a jury). Overall, it required a sharp mind, clarity of thought, and a measure of personal experience for you to guide this young lady. I believe you did Jen a favor that she will reflect upon in the future, and perhaps allow her to help someone else. Whether the situation involves a love interest, family dynamics, or the workplace, the means of recognizing the important issues/questions is universal. Therefore, I'm sure that your response helped others who read your response. Congratulations. No need for a response. The email address won't work, anyway.

Denver

      Thank you would not begin to express my appreciation for such a nice email. Zandra

     Zandra, I was doing a google search and found your site. My name is also Zandra Anderson! I just got married in February. It's wonderful to know there are two of us in the world. I also do some motivational speaking, mainly to church groups. Blessings, Zandra Anderson

binajeremy

      This is so odd to say, but HI, Zandra! Is Anderson your maiden or married name? There is a Zandra Anderson who is an accountant. Is that you? I have seen her on Google (or maybe that is YOU!). Nice to hear from another Zandra! Best wishes on a long, happy marriage. Zandra