Law Practice Tips

Educational videos and webinars are an inexpensive and effective way to attract new clients and keep in touch with existing ones. Webinars can establish your reputation and increase your visibility on the Internet. Consider holding monthly or quarterly webinars as live events and recording them for replay by those unable to attend. Create an archive of past webinars at your firm website and launch a YouTube page to broaden their availability. Norm Rubenstein with the Zeughauser Group cautions webcasters to provide in-depth thought leadership to attract viewers and consider podcasting as an audio alternative to webcasting.  For more webinar tips, r ead articles about  checklists ,  hosting ,  planning , producing ,  promoting , YouTube , and  Zooming webinars . Also see our post about marketing with podcasts . For in-depth study, read books like the Lawyers Guide to Marketing on the Internet , Marketing with Webinars , and  Webinars for Dummies .  See below for links to Law Firm Webina

Virtual consultations are becoming a popular alternative to face-to-face meetings, especially for initial consultations. They are convenient for clients and productive for lawyers. Build rapport   by being prepared, attentive, and empathetic.  Use a client friendly platform like Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or Zoom. Learn additional tips from the articles listed below. Also see our blog posts about apps for scheduling appointments  and improving client intake . Articles: Guide to Building a Virtual Law Firm  (Clio) How to Conduct Video Consultations  (Lawyer Marketing) How to Start a Law Firm in the Virtual Law Office Era   (Thomson Reuters) Making Virtual Consultations More Enjoyable  (Law Firm Suites) Virtual Consultations: Applying the Rules Virtuall y (Attorney at Work) Starting a Virtual Practice (FindLaw) Books Delivering Legal Services Online (ABA) Guide to Virtual Lawyering (NYSBA)

Contact pages are an essential part of law firm websites. They facilitate communication with prospects and clients by providing the firm's address, phone number, and a form for emailing, or texting, or live chat.  Contact pages can be linked to client relationship software to improve client intake, marketing, and case management. Consider including  a disclaimer that a contact form submission or email does not initiate an attorney-client relationship.  Improve your firm's contact page by reading articles about  client relationship software , contact disclaimers ,  designing contact pages , improving client contact , and  the importance of client contact pages . For further study, read ABA books about  Internet Marketing   and  Virtual Offices . See below for links to sample contact pages with the name of the client relationship software integrated into the page.  Examples of Contact Pages Frankl & Kominsky , Boynton Beach, FL (Captorra) Law Office of David M. Goldman , Jack

Feedback enables firms to evaluate client satisfaction, determine client need for additional services, and provide testimonials for firm websites. Seeking feedback shows clients that you care about them. Methods include adding a Feedback Form to firm websites, emailing surveys, inserting questionnaires with invoices, and inviting clients and staff to serve on advisory panels. For more tips, read articles about  advisory boards ,  feedback programs , client surveys , creating testimonials ,  ethical considerations,  survey techniques , questionnaires ,  responding to feedback , seeking feedback , and   survey tips  and  techniques . View samples of online questionnaires  and  feedback forms . Also see printed forms of client surveys ,  exit questionnaires , and our blog posts about managing reputations  and marketing plans . Remember to check ethical requirements of your state bar before publishing testimonials. Below are links to sample Testimonial Pages at solo and small firm websites

"The medium is the message" is a phrase made popular in 1964 by Marshall McLuhan in his best-selling book about media.  For maximum impact, carefully  select the medium when communicating with clients, lawyers, and staff. See below for communication options and articles, books, and samples of them.  Alternatives Articles - publish articles online and in print to enhance your reputation Face-to-face - best for emotional or difficult topics Email - useful for assigning tasks, following-up, and seeking clarification Letters - useful for formal communications and transmitting documents Memos  - report research results Meetings - best for complex and controversial matters Note cards  - use for informal communications to express concern or gratitude  Phone Calls - useful for dialogue about complicated subjects Social Media - effective for staying connected Texts - limit use to short messages Video - effective for courtroom presentations and marketing legal services Webinar

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 .