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Marketing with Articles

Prospective clients use articles to research legal problems and find legal representation Stand out from the competition by writing articles that demonstrate your expertise and show how you solve legal problems. Article writing is a low-cost way to attract and retain clients. Read on for tips about article writing and resources for marketing your legal services. Tips Articles – write articles for blogs, social media and firm websites. Audience – stay in touch with clients and attract prospects. Calendar - create an editorial calendar to publish articles on a regular basis. Frequency – set a goal of publishing articles monthly or quarterly. Handouts – distribute your articles at meetings and seminars. Newsletters – use newsletters to inform readers about legal developments and planning opportunities. Notes – send short handwritten notes to clients and referral sources for holidays and special occasions. Press Releases – announce new hires and bring attention to significant fi...
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Closing or Selling a Small Firm

Start your retirement planning by mid-career. Begin by discussing retirement plans with a bar association advisor, CPA, financial consultant, or life coach. Then prepare a written plan with timeline, strategies, and tactics. Planning can bring positive results for you, your clients, and your firm. Consult the resources listed below for strategies to help you close or sell your practice. Following are tips for closing or selling a smal firm and links to resources for additional help. Tips Advisors - hire an advisor to assist with marketing, negotiation, and valuation. Agreement - use a “Buy Sell Agreement” to plan for the departure of a partner. Alternatives   – options include closing firm, designating a successor, reducing caseload, or selling. Ethics   – review ethical obligations to avoid infractions and pitfalls. Hiring – groom a young lawyer to replace an exiting lawyer. Insuring   - keep malpractice insurance for risks arising after closing or sale. License ...
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Protecting Your Computer

Unless you use private browsing for your Windows computer, starting in February 2025 you will stay signed into your Microsoft account until you sign out (pr eviously, users were prompted to select whether to stay logged in). Below are tips for protecting your Apple and Windows accounts, browsing, email, and passwords. Tips Authentication - use Two Factor Authentication or an Authenticator to stop hackers. Manage Passwords  - use a password manager to create and store passwords. Physical Lock  - use a physical lock to protect your personal computer from theft. Screen Lock - set your computer to lock when inactive. Sign-Out - remember to sign out when using public or shared computers.  Private Browsing - unless on your personal computer, use private browsing (a/k/a incognito mode) with Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.  Articles Avoiding Computer Theft Best Practices for a Mac Enabling Private Browsing Ensuring Data Security Locking Computers When Away Securing Your a Win...
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Using Chat Tools

Law firms are increasingly using chat tools to improve client communication. The tools answer questions, collect payments, make appointments, etc. They supplement communication by email, phone, and office visits.  The tools include chatbots, live chat, and text messaging apps. Below are strategies for implementing chat at your firm. Links are provided to articles, books, reviews, and samples for further study.   Strategies Alternatives – consider using chatbots, live chats, and text messaging. Audience – limit use to clients and prospects by requiring log-in with contact information. Monitor – seek feedback and test performance to protect reputation.   Notice  – mention the availability of chat on business cards, directory listings, etc. Script – keep answers short and simple; refer complex questions to consultations. Staffing – do-it-yourself or outsource to a virtual receptionist or website host Articles Benefits and Challenges Chatbots Client Intake Ethi...
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Helping Lawyers with Cognitive Decline

About 5% of American adults experience mild cognitive impairment at some point in their lives. The incidence rate rises for older adults to about 20% by 70 and around 30% by 90. The onset of impairment is difficult to detect since it can come gradually and at any age. A common scenario is a decline in productivity, missed deadlines, and quality control issues. Lifestyle changes, medications, and therapies can help reverse, slow, or stop mental decline. Consider the following strategies to help co-workers, family, or friends who display symptoms of cognitive impairment. To implement the strategies, consult the articles, books, videos, and websites listed at the end of this post. Strategies Approach – use an indirect approach to avoid alarming the person suspected of cognitive impairment. Causes – become familiar with causes of impairment like Alzheimer's, medications, Parkingson's and substance abuse. Denial – stay calm and compassionate since denial is a coping mechanism. Di...
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