We are approached all the time by people looking to go in together and do a joint marketing activity. Usually, it’s a financial planner who wants to put on a joint seminar on divorce.

He, and it’s usually a “he,” wants to rent a room, invite a bunch of people to a seminar, and feed them breakfast or dinner while we explain the law and financial issues involved.

We’ve done it before, and while it’s not something I’d strongly encourage you to do, it’s sometimes worth the effort. It’s not my favorite marketing activity, but it gives us exposure to his clients and friends and vice versa.

Not very long ago, we were approached by one of these guys who wanted to do the joint appearance thing. He wanted us to split the costs of the room, mailings, etc. We spent a couple of lunches talking about the possibilities and details.

As the discussion went on, I started to feel queasy about the guy. I’m not sure what was triggering alarm bells, but something didn’t smell right. I really can’t tell you what made me have second thoughts, but I think we divorce lawyers develop a pretty good feel for people and their honesty and trustworthiness. I wiggled out of the effort and feigned being overworked.

The next thing I knew, the guy was in a hospital (a personal development center) in Virginia for 60 days. I’m not sure what happened that precipitated the hospitalization, but it couldn’t have been good. It turned out that my gut reaction was right on this guy.

You’re going to have opportunities to do these joint efforts. There are all sorts of professionals—mental health, accounting, and financial—who want us on the stage with them. They need our credentials to fill out the program.

Do some checking on them before you put your reputation on the line by appearing with them. Ask around and spend some time on a search engine checking them out. When things don’t smell right, you should trust your instincts and run in the other direction.

Your reputation is too important to risk on people who doesn’t have their life in order.