LinkedIn Tips for Court Reporters

LinkedIn Tips for Court Reporters

As a Phoenix court reporter you may wonder if social media websites like LinkedIn are right for you. We think that without a doubt you should have a professional presence and strategy to not only showcase yourself as the expert in court reporting but to also attract new reporters to the field.

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is more than just a social media website. In fact, we’d argue that it’s not really social but more of a referral networking site where professionals can meet and learn about each other.

It’s simple to get started. Just complete your profile to 100% using the guided prompts provided.

You will want to have a resume available for reference as well as a list of people with whom you want to connect. The more targeted you can be in connecting with people, the less likely you will see spam posts. Unfortunately, with 400 million worldwide on the site, you may receive requests from spam accounts. Simply deny the request and mark, as prompted, that you don’t know that person. If they are a problem, you can block and report them.

Why LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the premier website for professionals to connect. With more than 400 million strong, according to their website, you have the opportunity to reach people around the globe from the comfort of your home office. If you’re nervous about getting online, we want you to understand what LinkedIn really is and isn’t.

What began as an online warehouse of resumes and recommendations for job seekers has become a place for connecting professionals to each other for any number of reasons.

  • Become a resource. A connection of mine is a writer for a major news publication and will often ask for referrals to people she can interview for articles.
  • Business owners connect to prospective clients and resources like accountants, tax professionals, marketing companies, and more.
  • Connect with other court reporters in Groups to share your experience.
  • Publish unique articles about your experience.

In addition to your profile and recommendations, which are critical to getting started on LinkedIn, we encourage you to find groups related to reporting, freelancing, and legal teams.

For you as a court reporter, we’d love for you to share updates and links to relevant articles about the industry like this blog post and others that talk about the benefits of being a reporter and the shortage we’re experiencing in our industry. The more we get the word out, the better for all of us.

Court Reporter Shortage

According to Ducker Worldwide, by 2018 there will be a shortage of at least 5,000 court reporters nationwide including an Arizona shortage of an estimated 120 reporters. [Source] This makes it extremely important that you maintain a presence on social media and share blog posts like this one to your network to attract new reporters to the two remaining court reporting programs in the state of Arizona.

You never know when you might connect with a prospective client or someone interested in becoming a court reporter!

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Have you thanked your court reporter?

court reporter

When was the last time you thanked your court reporter? If you’re like a lot of people, the holidays are a time to sit back and appreciate all that you have – family, friends, colleagues, and your legal team. When people feel appreciated, they often do more than is expected of them. That can make your life a lot easier! Start today by thanking someone in one of these ways.

Send a Thank You Note

No one gets handwritten mail anymore. It’s just bills and junk mail. Every once in a while we get a handwritten note and it truly makes us feel special. My husband and I have made a commitment to send more thank you notes this month and into the New Year to express our gratitude to personal and business connections. We couldn’t do what we do without their support, same for you and your court reporter.

Token of Appreciation

Just this week I received a card and gift card from a client thanking me for not only being there for them professionally but as their friend. That gesture truly warmed my heart and reminded me that it’s the little things that people remember. It’s how we make them feel appreciated that builds relationships.

Make sure your court reporter knows they’re appreciated this holiday season and year round by sending a token of appreciation like a gift card for coffee.

Tell Her (or him) About It

Somewhere in the midst of texting and social media we’ve lost the ability to talk to each other. I remember when I started working my boss would come out of his office to tell me he appreciated my work or the boss walked the floor of my retail job to hand out bonuses.

The next time your court reporter goes above and beyond for you, pick up the phone or take them to lunch to thank them for their dedication.

No matter how busy life gets, remember to thank the people who matter whether that’s a friend, spouse, or your favorite chocolate-loving court reporter.

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Where to Find Court Reporters Online

court reporters

There is an assumption that because court reporters handle confidential information that we don’t have a place online. In addition to our own experiences, there are organizations and groups where you can learn more about court reporting. While we need to exhibit professionalism when talking about cases and clients, we can also add value for others in the industry.

National Court Reporters Association is a valuable resource whether you’re new or considering court reporting as a career or are an experienced reporter. Visit the NCRA website for links to their social media including three LinkedIn groups they manage – one for networking with others in the field, another for NCRA members only, and a third for Certified Legal Video Specialists (CVLS). Those aren’t the only groups available.

LinkedIn Groups

Target the people you’re spending time with online by interacting in court reporter specific groups like those found on LinkedIn. Search “court reporting” for a variety of resources including connecting with reporters based on geography or area of expertise. Whether you’re a reporter or an attorney, you can learn what’s going on in the industry and comment based on your experience.

Be the Resource

As a seasoned reporter you have unique experience to share with those just entering the profession.

  • What are the benefits of being a court reporter?
  • How can social media benefit you as an Arizona court reporter?
  • What are you tips for new reporters?
  • What do you wish you had learned when you started this career?

There’s great value in being the experienced person acting as a resource for the newer generation. And it truly matters in court reporting especially with the looming shortage.

If you’re on Twitter, check out #courtreporters for industry news.

Court Reporter Shortage

By 2018 there will be shortage of 5,000 or more court reporters across the country, including an estimated shortage of 120 in Arizona alone. The more we can share our experiences including the benefits of court reporting, the better for the industry. We’ve got to fill the seats in court reporting schools or it could spell trouble for courts, including rural courts in Arizona that are already feeling the pains of the shortage.

We encourage you to connect with Herder & Associates on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter, utilize LinkedIn groups, and continue to be the voice for the industry.

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Humanity Above Self

The Rotary Foundation was awarded “World’s Outstanding Foundation 2016”
Rotary has donated more than $3 billion on projects that promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, and grow local economies. The Rotary Foundation was given a 100% score for Accountability and Transparency by CharityNavigator.org

Sound like something that you want to be a part of? Join me for breakfast some Wednesday morning to meet our dynamic membership. I welcome the opportunity to introduce you. – Marty Herder

https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-foundation-named-worlds-outstanding-foundation-2016

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Office and Techie Tips for Court Reporters

tips for court reporters

Is your office chair giving you a back ache? Are you tired of trying to keep track of your passwords? Are you using space on your computer for client documents? It’s time to embrace our office and techie tips for court reporters.

If you’re like us, you’re too busy running your business and taking care of clients to worry about finding the best technology. With the right tools in place, you can grow your business and become more efficient in the process.

Ergonomic Workspace

After a day of reporting your office chair can feel so uncomfortable that you might not want to return the next day but clients need you so what can you do? Set up an office space that suits how you work best and find the right chair and desk combination for you!

  • Do you work best in a room lit with sunlight? If you’re an early riser, make sure your office is lit by morning sun.
  • Do you have aches and pains in your back? Consider an ergonomic chair or even a standing workstation so you’re comfortable when you work.
  • Can you have a home office with a door? Trick your mind into thinking the work commute is the walk down the hall to open your office. Business closes when you shut down the computer and close the door when you leave. You may find that you’re sleeping better when work is staring you down 24/7 from the dining room table.

Most importantly, make sure your computer is placed where you’re most comfortable to avoid those aches and pains. If that means placing it on a riser, then that’s what you need to do!

Efficient Process

Are you constantly forgetting Phoenix area appointments or wondering where you put your planner? It’s time to think about using an online calendar like Google to track meetings, work, and family time. The best part is that your Google calendar can be shared with others so you can plan events with clients or family and you’ve both got it on your computer and smartphone.

Tired of keeping track of passwords?

Protect your identity and private documents when you have different passwords for every account — emails, medical insurance, car and life insurance, banking, investment, and social media. It can be tempting to use the same password but you’re risking identity theft! Try LastPass password manager to protect your online presence.

Running out of space on your computer?

Don’t waste computer space when you use clouds like Google drive or Dropbox to save and share documents. You can also have access through Android or iOS.

Working remotely?

Check your flight status with Flightaware or sign up to receive updates from the airline so you never miss your flight. If you’re driving, forget printing directions and use Google Maps, Waze, or other GPS apps on your phone to get live traffic reports.

The more comfortable and efficient you can be in your business, the more you can work with clients to deliver quality transcripts. We’re here to support you!

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Let’s “Hear It” for Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)

ACRA Walk4Hearing 2016

Let’s “Hear It” for HLAA, and for members, friends and family of “Team ACRA” who came out strong at Saturday’s fun Walk4Hearing event! Walk4Hearing was held at Sloan Park – Riverview, Mesa, Arizona, (Spring Training Home of the World Champion Chicago Cubs). http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/mesa/ The weather and spirits were bright and sunny, contributing to the perfect day.
We are fortunate that we live in a time where there was a Sea of Cochlear Implant success stories. We’ll be keeping our ear to the ground on exciting developments in this field. Thank you for helping us raise awareness and funding for the deaf and hard of hearing.

The Arizona Court Reporters Association and Herder & Associates: Committed to “Service Above Self.”

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Our deepest Appreciation to Each and Every One of Those Who Served

freedom-isnt-free-line-of-duty

My big brother Bob enlisted at 17 and served our country in Vietnam.  Eagerly walking in his shadow, I remember him being tall, broad shouldered and, like all the other kids, admired his athleticism, leadership, and how he was always there for the little guy.  Bob left home like most of our heroes:  eager, patriotic and humorous. He spent two honorable tours in combat as a teenager, then a young man, before becoming morbidly sick with malaria and typhoid, and other unknown illnesses. He was not supposed to survive. But through prayer, luck, and dedicated medical staff, he came out of a coma, removed his yet undated toe tag, and was shipped home weighing only 130 pounds, his yellow skin hanging off his skeleton. It was hideous.

Bob returned, but the brother we knew was gone, replaced by a shell of a man.  He now was the shadow.

It took my brother many years to recover, and he has had to endure an entire lifetime of life-threatening physical maladies and multiple system failures from his exposure to Agent Orange, disease, and combat. We as a family cannot remember a time that Bob hasn’t been sick or suffering physically or emotionally since his service to our country four decades ago. His duty assignment today is battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as he still endures the psychological scars of kills and destruction.

Bob has never given up, but he has struggled to integrate into a society that four decades ago spit on him, and that scoffs at the challenges he and other veterans face.  He like many of our heroes struggles with a government that laboriously rations out benefits, medical treatments and procedures, as if he was begging for something unearned.

Sometimes we lose our heroes in one tragic moment. Other times we lose them slowly and tortuously over time. Let us never forget their sacrifice.

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Speak Now – Habits that Can Ruin a Deposition

habits that can ruin a deposition

Have you been in a conversation when one person talks over the other? It’s difficult to understand what each person is saying and you might miss points they’re each trying to make.

What does it feel like to be the observer of an argument? Or worse, to be in the middle of one? It’s uncomfortable. It may even come to the point where no one knows how it got started and the best choice is to stop arguing.

Whether it’s missing parts of conversation or being uncomfortable, your court reporter has likely experienced these and more habits that can ruin a deposition.

One at a Time

No matter your role at the deposition, our court reporters request that you each speak one at a time. It’s the only proven way we can record an accurate account of what’s happening. When you speak over each other, even if we can put the bits and pieces of conversation together, we’re left with a transcript that may not make sense to anyone, including you.

Volume Control

When I was growing up I had a brother whose volume would get louder if he felt his point in a family discussion wasn’t being heard. Don’t let that happen to you or your witness! As long as the reporter can hear you at a reasonable volume, there’s no need to yell.

Use your words

We live in a society of texting and short cuts but when you’re in a courtroom setting, remember you’ve got to speak using real words. Umms, uh-huhs, ahhs, and nodding can’t be transcribed.

It’s likely someone will ask you to verbalize and that only serves to waste time. If you’re an attorney, we urge you to coach witnesses on these finer points of being a witness.

If you’re an expert witness, please speak clearly. Remember that while reporter may be familiar with technical terms, don’t assume they know everything you’re saying. Be patient as they may need to ask for clarification.

The court reporter may be the quietest person in the room but we’re also observing and recording everything that’s being said to preserve it for the record. Remember that the next time you want to speak over or argue with a witness or opposing counsel. Habits that can ruin a deposition can also ruin your relationship with a valued Phoenix court reporter!

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Election Day!

election day

Election day! Whether you are conservative or liberal, young or old, whether your candidate comes in 2nd, 3rd, or never made it out of the gate, please remember that we have the privilege of living in the greatest nation in the history of mankind.   Whatever the outcome of this election of these two flawed candidates, please be committed.

Please be committed to be an upbeat, positive force in your community, in your career, in life.

Please be committed to shun the negativity and demonizing of any opinion or person that differs from yours.

Please be committed to step up to bring about the change that you want to see, whether volunteering for a food bank, assisting with elder care, or being a Big Brother/Sister.

There are literally thousands of wonderful ways to contribute that you are not doing …yet.

Join a new charity and totally immerse yourself in “Service Above Self.”

Be committed to do more than spending the next few years on FB posting negative, non-productive posts that lack fact-checking or that depend on media propaganda, (CNN, Fox, MSNBC, et al.)

I’ve been voting since 1976. I’ve come to embrace what Mr. Ross Price shared with me on my wedding day in 1994. Ross was tough as nails, an ex-Marine buddy of my father-in-law, a 65-year old witty, successful liberal Dem from Sacramento. I recall it like it was this morning, sitting at a popular sports bar in Cedar Falls, Iowa, at halftime of a Hawkeye game. When we both got “animated” drilling down on politics, me pontificating about fiscal responsibility, Big Ross suddenly leaned in, began to stare right through me . . . and then started grinning from ear-to-ear to say, “You know what, Marty? What I know for sure is that no matter who has been in office, we all live a pretty good life, a life that is better than 95% of the entire world.   Never forget that.”

That was true throughout his lifetime, and it has proven true throughout my 40 years of voting.   I miss Ross and Dad, but they were spot-on.   Both were committed to community service, had a lifetime of giving back to their communities, and both were committed to bringing about the changes they wanted to see.   Two bigger than life, tough-as-nails, ex-Marines, best friends with wildly different political views, passionate about this great country of ours.

Be led by faith, not fear, and be COMMITTED to make a difference.

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Leadership & Law

Steve Hirsch

A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them. – M.D. Arnold

Congratulations to our good friend Steve Hirsch of Quarles & Brady LLP, who was recently honored at the 20th anniversary celebration of the William E. Morris Institute as one of the founding members and contributors.

Steve has been part of the Maricopa County legal community for more than 40 years and was instrumental in establishing the William E. Morris Institute. The organization is a non-profit program dedicated to protecting the rights of low income Arizonans through:

  • Major impact and class action litigation.
  • Advocating with federal and state agencies, including the Arizona legislature.
  • Technical assistance, training, and support of three legal service programs in the state.

They like to say they do big things to help low income Arizonans.

Why does this matter?

It matters because leadership and law go hand in hand when helping the community. Social status doesn’t determine your rights or your ability to be a leader. Steve Hirsch uses his legal knowledge to help others and advocate for those that need it most. We need people like him (and you) giving back to the Phoenix community.

Leadership isn’t just about a position or status. It’s about being an example to others.

It’s about inspiring your peers to action. It’s about how a few people can change the world in amazing ways. Without community leaders, there would be no progress to change. In an election year, it can be argued that change is needed now more than ever. What can you do to be a leader in the community?

In this season of giving, we encourage you to find an organization that needs someone with your skills and experience and give of yourself.

And Congratulations to Steve Hirsch for recognition of your work in the community!

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