Posts

Using Exclamation Points

PC's, smartphones, and tablets enable users to add images like emojis and emoticons to their messaging. Users started putting these images into personal messaging during the 1980's  and usage soon spread to business writing.  Despite the popularity of emojis and emoticons, exclamation points remain an important element in writing. Exclamation points can express emphasis, emotion, and excitement. They are less distracting than images. Below is a checklist of things to consider when deciding whether to use exclamation points in emails, papers, pleadings, posts, and texts. For further study, read the articles and books that follow the checklist. Checklist Acceptability - exclamation points are more universally acceptable than emoticons and emojis, but usually not appropriate for pleadings. Audience - consider demographics (age, profession, etc.) when deciding whether to use emojis, emoticons, or exclamation points. Frequency - consider using powerful words to avoid the need for e...

Marketing for Lawyers

Marketing activities are essential activity for a successful firm. Start by selecting low-cost activities like attending luncheons and handing out business cards. Measure results to focus on activities that bring more cases. See below for a list of marketing alternatives and resources for implementing them.    Activities Adopt slogan Distribute business cards Email Marketing Messages Give gifts Improve websites Issue press releases Offer checkups Maintain Firm Websites Mail Postcards Make speeches Participate in Online Communities Planning for Marketing Request Feedback Send pamphlets Staying Social Update directories Use social media Write articles Articles Action Plans for Law Firm Marketing Broadening Your Client Base Cost Effective Marketing Techniques Comprehensive Marketung Plan Creative Marketing Strategies Daily Marketing Activities Email Marketing Future of Marketing by Lawyers Getting New Clients Managing Client Relationships Marketing During Difficult Times Mar...

Returning to Offices

Below are strategies for getting workers back to the office and resources for implementing them.  Strategies   Amenities - offer amenities like snacks, meals, social events, and upgraded workspaces. Apps  - alert employees to apps for for ordering meals, scheduling meetings, and communicating Fitness  - provide time and space for exercise during the workday Flexibility - accommodate  those with medical or personal needs by allowing them to continue working remotely. Makeover - upgrade offices by adding a lounge area, exercise equipment, and outdoor space Health - protect health by improving air quality and providing anti-microbial office supplies Policies - adopt  policies to allow remote working a few days a week. Articles Air Quality at Work (NY Times, Sep. 13, 2021) Bosses Want Workers Back (Washington Post, Aug. 31, 2022) Dispensing With Masks (Fortune, Aug. 31, 2022). Encouraging Workers to Return (ABA Journal, Oct. 26, 2021) Enticing Workers B...

Blocking Unwanted Calls

Many Americans are choosing not to answer their phones because of a deluge of robo and spam calls. Legislation has been adopted to stop the unwanted calls, but the problem is likely to continue. Below are strategies to block unwanted calls and articles with additional tips.  Strategies Apps - use an app like Hiya or NoMoRobo to block robocalls Complaining - submit a complaint to the FCC or FTC  Do Not Disturb - send calls to voicemail  Notifications - turn off notifications on smartphones to stop alerts from texts and calls Privacy  - keep your phone number confidential and/or use a second number Registering - register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry Screening - use settings to silence unknown callers and send them to voicemail, or hire an answering service to screen incoming calls Setting  - use smartphone settings to silence unknown callers, block unwanted calls and stop spam texts  Voicemail  - use Live Voicemail to Scr...

Marketing With Press Releases

Below are tips for writing law firm press releases and links to samples from solo and small firm websites. An occasional press release can raise your firm's visibility and improve its online reputation. They are an inexpensive and effective marketing tactic for solos and small firms. Publish press releases at your firm website and submit them them to bar associations and editors of local newspapers and magazines. Also consider contacting editors to offer articles on topics in your practice areas. For more tips, see articles about the  art of press releases , building a press page ,  distribution services , emailing clients ,  getting into papers ,  importance of press releases,   managing public relations ,   publishing online , and  writing style ,  Also see books for lawyers about  Public Relations  and  Working with Reporters .  Tips Start with a sentence that has lists the city, state, month, day and year  Follow the f...