Law Practice Tips

Appointment apps enable clients to schedule appointments without having to call your office. The apps automatically email customized confirmations, send reminders, and let clients reschedule on their own.  They are a  convenience to clients and an enhancement to firm websites. Appointment apps reduce no-shows and help convert prospects to clients.  Popular apps include Calendly and Microsoft Bookings. For more information, read articles about   improving client intake ,  using appointment apps ,  and scheduling tips . See a comparison chart  at MyShingle and check product reviews at Calendly , PC Magazine , and Software Pill .  See examples of the use of appointment apps at the following law firm websites hosted by Justia : SAMPLE WEBSITES USING APPOINTMENT APPS Jessenia Rosales  (Family) - Calendly Fatemi Law Firm  (Immigration/Injury) - Squareup Mayor Law Firm  (Bankruptcy) -  Calendly

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

Serenity can help lawyers reduce stress and improve mental acuity. Serenity is a calm state of mind that can be achieved by attending yoga classes, embracing change, giving gratitude, seeking positive influences, and practicing daily meditation.  Learn more serenity tips by reading articles about achieving work-life balance , overcoming anxiety , preventing burnout ,  seeking serenity ,  praying for serenity ,  and staying clam . A lso see the ABA's book on  Well-Being  an d its website on  Mental Health . Consider saying the Serenity Prayer every morning as a  reminder to help them stay on track for the rest of the day.  Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the  courage to change the things I can,  and wisdom to know the difference.

Lawyers with leadership skills can help their firms overcome obstacles, win cases, and work as a team. Establish your reputation as a leader by critiquing in private, praising in public, and providing weekly feedback to staff. Institutionalize leadership with chains of command, firm newsletters, reward systems, training workshops, and weekly team meetings. Get inspired by reading bios of legal rebels  and other law firm leaders . Learn about leadership by reading articles about bar leaders , blind spots ,  building character ,  developing leaders , firm leadership , in-house hierarchies , leadership development ,  practice group chairs ,  secrets of successful leaders , styles of leadership , traits of leaders , and training leaders . For in-depth study, read the ABA’s Lessons in Leadership ,  FDCC’s  Leadership for Lawyers , McKenna’s Herding Cats , and PWC's Guide to Talent Management .  Nominate your firm leaders for an ABA  or GP Award or for recognition from local, specialty,

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 .

Increase your firm's profits by using alternative fee structures, billing more frequently, going paperless, and updating devices and software. Adopt technologies like  electronic payment, client portals, and intake software.  Read ABA books about Profitable Practices ,  Firm Profitability  and Legal Technology . Stay current on practice management by visiting  ABA and state bar  websites and using  free online resources  about lawyering and legal technology.