Posts

Showing posts with the label Marketing

Responding to Email

Below are tips for responding to emails from clients, lawyers, and prospects, Prompt replies improve goodwill, relationships, and reputations.  For more guidance, see the articles and books listed below. And for examples, see below for sample responses to website inquiries. Tips Attachments - summarize attachments and include a list at the end of  message. Automating  - automate replies to acknowledge receipt and provide timeline. Courtesy - be empathetic, polite, and positive.  Length - keep messages short (use attachments for long messages). Promptness  - respond within 24 hours. Subject - limit to a few words Articles Accelerating Replies Automating Responses Do's and Don'ts Emailing Professionally Ethics of Email Handling Unsolicited Inquiries Responding to Lawyers Sign-Offs and Signature Blocks Using Forms Books Mastering Email Writing Professional Email Samples Family Law Advocates  (Small Firm, Family Law, Tampa) Thank you for contacting FamilyLawAdvocates.com. We'l

Monitoring Marketing Trends

Marketing by lawyers is continuing to evolve. Below are current usage rates mentioned in the ABA's 2023  Profile of the Legal Profession . And further below are links to articles with marketing tips and resources. MARKETING METHODS USED BY LAWYERS  Social Media Used LinkedIn - 96% Facebook - 31% Twitter - 20% Martindale - 18% Instagram - 13% Marketing Tools Used Event sponsorships - 44% Email marketing - 40% Blogging - 37% Printed materials - 24% Direct mail - 11% Directory listings - 9% Advertising - 9% MARKETING RESOURCES Activities Blogging Brochures Cards Directories Postcards Pamphlets Publishing Social Media Surveys Testimonials Websites Videos

Attracting Website Visitors

Posting on social media can attract clients, build reputations, and  drive traffic to websites.  Popular providers include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X (Twitter). Below are tips for using social media and linking it to websites. Also included are links to articles, books, checklists, and examples. Tips Analyze  - use analytic tools to monitor visits to firm websites and social media. Delegate - delegate responsibility for posting and monitoring on firm social media accounts. Delete - remove links to social media accounts that have become inactive. Explain  - mention social media accounts on the firm's About Us Page. Focus - focus on a few accounts and post to them regularly. Link - make social media findable by linking to bottom of each page of the firm website. Articles Attracting Visitors with Chatbots and Videos Benefits of Social Media Best Posting Frequency Ethical Considerations Exemplary Use of Social Media Managing Social Media Marketing with Social Media

Welcoming New Clients

Make new clients welcome by providing them with a welcome kit. The kit can be posted on firm websites, physically delivered at in-person  consultations or emailed for virtual consultations. Below are tips for creating welcome kits and links to resources to help you welcome new clients.  Tips Benefits - welcome kits create favorable impressions, set expectations, and streamline the onboarding process.    Contents - include a contact page, client questionnaire, firm brochure, retention agreement, and welcome letter. Cover - put the contents in a presentation folder imprinted with the firm's name to make it memorable. Digital - create a PDF or video for the benefit of clients that consult virtually or prefer being paperless. Education - use the ki t to introduce members of the firm, billing procedures, client responsibilities, possible outcomes, and timelines.   Tools - keep clients happy by using additional tools like practice management apps and client intake forms.   Arti

Marketing with Chatbots

Chatbot apps enable firms to effortlessly answer client questions. Chatbots respond to questions with text and voice. The apps are affordable and easily added to law firm websites.  Firms can select the data provided by chatbots, including information about the firm and legal problems it can solve. The apps can attract new clients and improve service to existing ones. Use the resources below to help add a chatbot to your firm's website. Articles Applications for Legal Chatbots Attracting Clients with a Chabot Benefits of Chatbots and Live Chat Chooisng a Live Chat Provider Ethical Implications Guide to Chatbots Using Chabots on Websites Why and How to Create a Chatbot Books Designing Bots Guide to Making Chatbots Using Bots to Grow Firms Providers Codal Reviews Law Next Directory Samples Ashmore Law Firm  (Dallas, TX - General Practice) Burbank Law Firm (Fullerton, CA - Estate Planning) Phillips & Associates  (New York City - Discrimination Law) Retail Examples  (Various - Con

Marketing with QR

QR codes look like an ink splotch and have data that point to a website or app. QR codes link to a unique webpage that can be bookmarked, emailed, or left in the form of an open page on a phone’s web browser. Join other professionals who use QR codes to attract prospects and improve client relations. Following are tips for using QR codes and links to resources with more information. Creating  – generate QR codes with an app or ask your stationery provider to create them.  Colorizing  – use colors to help your QR code stand out from others. Linking   – link QR codes to useful information like announcements, articles, and bios.  Logo  – insert a logo or photo in your   QR code to make it eye-catching.   Placing  – insert QR codes onto brochures, business cards, flyers, and pamphlets. Sizing  – QR Codes should be at least 1 inch in size or larger to make them readable. Tracking  – use data analytics to track clicks for marketing purposes.  Using  – use QR codes for advertising, billing, m

Getting More Clients

Below is an action plan for winning the competition for clients. For more information, read the articles and books appended further below.   Checklist Automating  - use apps for billing, calendaring, marketing, tracking, etc. Differentiating  - stand out from the competition with 24/7 availability, in-person and online consultations, and prompt response Innovating  - adopt techniques that make your services better, faster, and cheaper Imaging  - update your image on business cards, social mediate, and websites   Marketing  - use marketing tools to attract new clients and add new engagements with existing ones  Recruiting  - hire talented lawyers and keep them motivated and highly compensated Servicing - provide exceptional service and positive experiences Surveying  - determine client needs and preferences by periodically surveying them online, in person, or by phone Articles Adopting a Marketing Plan Competitive Challenges   Creative Marketing Strategies Law Firm Competitiveness   Kno

DesignIng Better Websites

Well designed websites attract clients and keep them returning. Periodically visit other firm websites to assure that your site is competitive. Annually review data to determine whether traffic and retention are adequate.  Use the checklists  below to confirm that your website has essential features and consult the resources for articles, books, and samples of well-designed  websites. Front Page Features Brevity - be concise to speed downloads Menu - include links to other pages of the site Photo - show lawyers and staff   Social - add links to social media pages Tagline - express the firm’s focus or mission  Essential Pages About - awards, focus, history, practice Articles - bibliography or blog Bios - bios for lawyers and staff  Contact - address, phone, etc.  Disclaimers - ethical and privacy notices Press  - news about your firm and its lawyers Portal - client  access to bills, documents, messaging, etc. Articles Adding a Chatbot Alternatives for Hosting Best Practices Critic

Marketing with Surveys

Client surveys let your clients know that you care. Surveys can be used to  evaluate satisfaction with services and determine additional needs. They can be  conducted  at the end of an engagement or distributed annually. Conduct the survey by phone, send by mail,  or create a survey page at your website. Design your questionnaire using a template from Google, Microsoft, or Survey Monkey. Provide an incentive for completion and assure responders that their replies will be kept confidential. For more tips see below for a checklist, articles, books, and samples. .   Checklist Amount of time devoted to client Communication and Office Technology Fairness of Fees Friendliness of staff Handling of inquiries Information on invoices Office location and furnishings Promptness of service Quality of legal advice Articles Asking Questions Benefitting from Surveys Building Reputations Client Feedback Programs Collecting Data Creating Online Surveys Handling Angry Clients Survey Alter

Writing a Bio

Well-written biographical information can attract clients, enhance reputations, get jobs, and recruit staff. Biographies tell a narrative story that promote you and your firm. They are used in directory listings, business proposals, firm websites, and social media profiles. They give prospects a reason for consulting you.  Use the tips and resources below to help write a new biography or update an old one.   Ask an associate or marketing professional to proofread your bio and suggest improvements.  Mark your calendar with an annual reminder to update your directory listings, social media profile, and website bio.   Tips Audience - adversaries, clients, judges, prospects, and recruits Awards - mention awards and accomplishments Contact - include contact information and a link for submitting inquiries Content  - provide credentials, history, personal interests, and practice areas  Graphics - insert a professional quality photograph and use bulleted lists and infographics Length - keep it

Growing Firms Faster

The Pandemic has caused firms to evaluate their clients, offices, and staffing. Take time to review your firm's situation and adopt strategies for the future. See below for a list of strategies for firm building and resources for implementing them. Checklist Analyze  - use data to assure informed decision making   Assess  - determine and address client needs Automate  - optimize the use of technology Create  - adopt a firm credo and put it into action  Collaborate - encourage teamwork  Compensation - keep compensation competitive Expand  - use alliances, retainers, and unbundling Lead - take  leadership positions in bar, civic, and religious organizations Progress  - stay current on trends in the law and the legal profession Retention - keep lawyers and clients happy to avoid departures  Articles Alternative Billing Future Proofing Law Firms  How Lawyers Can Stay Competitive Retainers for Steady Income Subscription-Based Legal Services Unbundling Legal Services Books Being a Bett

Planning Law Careers

Many lawyers pursue careers with corporate law departments, law firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Others chose to start a new firm as a solo or with other lawyers. The new firm path is best for lawyers with entrepreneurial spirit, financial support, and organizational skills. Below are tips for writing a business plan to use as a blueprint for growing legal careers and law firms. For further study, see the links to articles, books, forms, and websites. Tips Assessment - assess entrepreneurial spirit and legal skills to determine readiness. Contents - describe the practice, competitive factors, finances, and marketing plans. Costs - determine the cost of equipment, offices, supplies, and staffing. Focus - select practice areas and geographic locations that will be the focus of the firm. Office - Decide whether to office at home, an office building, or shared office space. Research - study competitive factors, costs, fee schedules, skills, and prospective client