Law Practice Tips

Social audio apps facilitate networking as a broadcaster or a listener. Broadcast from your home or office. Listen while driving, walking, or doing chores. Social Audio is live with no recording or playback. Current platforms include Cappuccino, Clubhouse, Quilt, and Twitter Spaces. Listeners participate by  raising their hand to ask a question or comment.   Social Audio is another way that technology is transforming how lawyers communicate, interact, learn, and market. Get tips from articles about Audio Networks ,  Clubhouse for Lawyers , New Ways to Network , Social Audio For Lawyers , and Using Twitter Spaces .  Also see blog posts about Webcasting Tools and how to marketing with   Blogging , Podcasting , and  Social Media .

Hashtags (#) and handles (@) can be used to search content on social media and increase the visibility of your postings. Use # with words to lure readers searching for those words. Tag people and organizations with @ to attract searchers looking for them. Learn how to use handles and hashtags by reading articles about them ,  what they mean , marketing with hashtags ,  popular legal tags , hashtag etiquette ,  promoting your firm with tags,  using on  LinkedIn  and Instagram , and tips for searching with tags . Read  articles about using Instagram ,  LinkedIn and Twitter hashtags. Also see the  post   about  marketing with social media   and visit the ABA's web page with social media resources . , us

During the Pandemic, successful practices are adopting new technologies, changing practice areas, and monitoring health and safety. To thrive during and after the Pandemic, read articles about marketing , recession proofing ,  strategies , technology , and trends .  Also read the ABA Report on Pandemic Survey Of Law Firns  and browse Coronavirus resources available at websites created by the ABA ,  AICPA ,  HBR , and State Bar Associations . For in-depth study of emerging trends, read the ABA's new book about  Ethics and Technology in an Evolving World .

Surveys  show that a significant number of lawyers and their firms are using Twitter.  Lawyers mostly use Twitter for following news, marketing, and establishing reputations. See samples using a  Directory of Legal Twitterers , a  List of Lawyers to Follow , or a  Table of Top Law Feeds .  Learn more by reading articles about the benefits of Twitter , creating an account , ethical issues , getting followers , marketing with social media ,  starting up , and user tips .   Also see O'Reilly's  Twitter Book  and the ABA's   Guide to Legal Ethics and Social Media.

Blogging builds reputations, informs clients, and markets professional services. It can be done by individual lawyers or by groups or firms. Research best practices by reviewing top ranked blogs . Add a Blog page to your firm’s website and enable visitors to subscribe for email updates. Search blogs using the ABA's Search Tool , Justia's Blog Directory , and Lexblog's Network  to access blogs published by thousands of lawyers and law firms. Learn more by reading articles about creating , hosting , marketing , readership , rankings , starting ,  syndicating   and tips .  Read books like the ABA's Blogging in One Hour  and the Dummy's Guide for in-depth study. And see below for links to Blog Pages at law firm websites hosted by Justia. Sample Blog Pages at Law Firm Webistes Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell , Los Angeles (Business Law) Leonard Sienko , Hancock, NY (General Practice) Arnold & Smith , Charlotte (Divorce Law) Siegfried River a , Coral Gables (Con

Podcasts are recorded audio programs that are available using websites or podcast apps. Podcasting began in the early 2000’s. Now more than 30% of Americans listen to podcasts while driving, exercising, and walking. Lawyers can podcast to attract prospects and educate clients. It can be used to spotlight practice specialties or firm achievements.   Podcasting requires more time and money than other marketing activities, but it can help you and your firm stand out from others. Make podcasts available at your firm's website and on popular services like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Spotify.  Consider using a consultant to overcome technical challenges.  Below are resources for do-it-yourselfers, including articles, books, directories, and examples of lawyers who podcast.   Articles Benefitting from Podcasts Challenges Finding Listeners   Keeping it Legal Lawyers Who Podcast   Launching a Podcast   Listening to Podcasts to Get News Marketing with Podcasts Promoting Firm Podcasts Statisti

Social media impacts careers, discovery, marketing, reputation, and research. ABA surveys indicate that many lawyers and firms are using social media tools like Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Podcasts, and Twitter. Get started or improve your skills by reading the articles and books linked below. Articles  Alternatives Avoiding Over Use Best Practices   Creating Brand Identity Discovery in Legal Proceedings Influencers   Ethics   Marketing with LinkedIn Metrics   Networking Managing Social Media Marketing with Social Media Networking Participating in Online Communities Strategies Using LinkedIn Time Tips   Writing Books  Creating an Online Publishing Strategy Facebook in One Hour for Lawyers Lawyers Guide to Social Media LinkedIn in One Hour for Lawyers LinkedIn Marketing Techniques Legal Ethics and Social Media Marketing on the Internet Social Media Law Social Media Marketing Twitter in One Hour for Lawyers Young Lawyers Guide to Social Media Providers Blogging Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Dale Carnegie's best-selling book about marketing explains how to win over people by being attentive, friendly, and sympathetic. Titled How to Win Friends and Influence People, over 30 million copies have been sold since first publication about 100 years ago. Click here for an article with tips and resources for using Carnegie’s methods to convert prospects into clients.  Also see articles about addressing unmet needs ,  improving intake , and using  checklists , forms   and software .  

Clients, lawyers, and jurists use the Internet to evaluate your reputation for ethics, knowledge, and trustworthiness. In January 2021 the ABA released ethical guidance about responding to online criticism. Manage your reputation by monitoring references to your name on the Internet to correct errors and supplement information.  Use AAW's Checklist for Reputation Management  and DBI's Digital Branding Checklist .  Read articles about building your reputation ,  editing your Google profile , ethical concerns ,  handling fallout from bad reviews , improving your reputation ,  managing directory listings ,  protecting your firm's reputation , and  responding to negative reviews .

Hosting events can help you attract prospects, build trust, and enhance your reputation. Events can be social or educational. Popular events include client lunches, seminars, and webinars. Use a checklist  for planning an event or webinar . Create an Event Page  for publicity. Use Eventbrite  to accept RSVP’s and distribute admission tickets.  Learn more by reading articles about creating podcasts , event planning , fun ideas ,  giving speeches ,  hosting events ,  organizing seminars , strategies , software for events , and  Zooming webinars .  For in-depth guidance, read books  about planning conferences ,  events , and meetings .  Visit websites of other organizations to view  examples of sign-up forms ,  examples of upcoming events . 

You can  keep clients happy and increase profitability by improving client intake. Following are intake tips and resources for implementing them.  Tips Alternatives - offer in-person and Zoom alternatives for initial consultation.  Delegate - assign responsibility for processing inquiries to a lawyer or staffer. Forms - use a short intake questionnaire that is quick and easy to complete. Procedure  - adopt  procedures for welcoming clients,  evaluating ability to pay, and checking for conflicts.   Software - use contact management apps to improve efficiency and facilitate marketing.   Articles Automating Intake Creating Welcome Kits Establishing Procedures Handling Inquiries Making Clients Feel Special Improving the Intake Process Intake Tips Onboarding Clients Scheduling Appointments Training Staff Books Capturing Clients Guide to Law Firm Intake Intake Procedures Risk Management for Law Firms Writing Client Letters Forms ABA Georgia Bar Michigan  Bar My Shingle South Carolina Themis

Despite the rise of the Internet, non-technical marketing tools remain an effective and low-cost method for attracting clients. Regardless of specialization and firm size, lawyers can attract clients with non-Internet tactics like networking, posting signs, publishing articles, requesting referrals, and seeking alliances. For more tips, read articles about data analytics ,  marketing  and getting referrals . 

Client portals can be added to firm websites to secure communications and improve client relations for small and large law firms. Client portals are commonly used by accounting, financial, healthcare organizations, but less frequently used by law firms The cost of adding a portal is nominal. See below for resources including, articles, examples, and review of providers.   Articles Benefits of Client Portals Comparing Email and Portals Guide to Using Client Portals Setting Up a Client Portal Using Portals to Collaborate Virtual Firms Require Client Portals Why Your Firm Needs a Portal Books Guide for Onboarding Clients Paperless in One Hour Virtual Law Practice Reviews Standalone software Package Software Portals for Small Firms Samples Book Law Firm (Solo, Frisco, TX) M.C. Thomas & Associates (Small Firm, Mid-Atlantic) Osorio Cachaya (Small Firm, White Plains, NY) Platt Law Firm (Small Firm, Atlanta, GA) Larry Weiss (Small Firm, Ambler, PA) Webinars Client Portals (ABA) S

Despite the proliferation of electronic communications, business cards remain an effective tool for networking and marketing. Use them for m arketing, networking and to reach out to people who prefer an analog experience. See below for links to samples and articles about using and and designing business cards Articles Benefits Designing Distinctive Cards QR Codes Rainmaking Using Samples 99 Designs.com Examples.com Vistaprint.com

Happy clients pay bills timely, bring new cases, and refer prospects. Improve your client relations with welcome emails, client surveys, providing live chat at websites, going visiting clients at their offices.  . Display the  10 Commandments of Client Relations  in your Reception Area to let clients and staff know that relations are important at your firm .  Read articles about client relationship software ,  keeping clients happy ,  improving the client experience , and what clients want . For in depth study, read ABA books about Business Etiquette ,  Relationship-Driven Lawyering  and Using the Power of Relationships to Transform Your Firm and Yourself .

Marketing plans help firms attract clients and retain existing ones.  The best plans set specific targets and measures progress towards achieving them.   They include timetables for using marketing tactics like networking, publishing, and public speaking.  Set aside sufficient time and money to ensure that your plan succeeds. Use the plan to be  proactive rather than reactive. Get started by review the resources listed below, including a  year-by-year plan for associates and a checklist for solos and small firms.   Articles Strategies to Grow Your Practice   Law Firm Marketing Tactics Writing a Business Development Plan Books Lawyers Guide to Marketing on the Internet . Checklists Associates Checklist Checkist for Solos and Small Firms

Legal checkups are a win-win for lawyers and their clients. Checkups enable firms to alert clients to opportunities for avoiding problems with a lawyer's help. Legal specialties suited to checkups include corporate, estate, employment, family, and real estate practices. Below are resources for conducting checkups for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. The resources include articles, books, forms, and websites  for conducting checkups for legal checkups.  Articles Businesses Conducting Elderly Guidelines Issues Veterans Reasons Timing Books Legal Compliance Checkups Promoting Preventive Legal Health Forms Morningstar Mann Firm Mosten Firm NSW PracticePro Slideshare US Legal Forms Websites Canadian Bar Association American Federation of Government Workers

Greeting cards can be sent to clients to give holiday greetings, recognize special occasions, provide thanks for past business, and invitations to firm events. Cards can also be sent to welcome new clients, remind clients about appointments, and ask for referrals. Learn more by reading articles about using greeting cards to  market legal services  and  build client loyalty . Buy greeting cards for clients from Blumberg ,  Deluxe , or  Hallmark . 

An impressive logo establishes your firm’s professional presence and helps it stand out from the competition. Logos can be used on printed materials like brochures, business cards, and stationery. They can also be used on electronic media like e-mail, firm websites, and social networking.  Make your logo distinctive with colors, design, and imagery.  For more tips, read articles about building a brand ,  choosing a firm name ,  creating a firm logo ,  illustrative examples , and types to consider . Also see below for links to creative logos used by small law firms with injury, family, and criminal law practices. Samples of Logos Used by Small Firms Bicycle  (Law office of Jeffrey Glassman, Boston MA) Monogram Incorporating Initials of Firm Name (Abdo Law Firm, Clinton, MI) Animal  (David Wolf, Jacksonville, FL)  Abstract  (Sandy Fox, Miami, FL)

Law firm brochures make prospects aware of your firm and alert clients to your services. Click here for an article with tips for do-it yourselfers. The article also has tables that provide cost details and links to sample brochures created by solos and small firms.