The 7 Blocks to a Firm Marketing Foundation: Block One

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Being a successful attorney is something that takes more than just knowledge of the law. It’s an unfortunate fact that many attorneys will find themselves faced with. You may be the best lawyer in your city or even state, but no one will ever know that if you don’t make a point to make yourself known.

Now, people have heard me say these tips at events, but I’m going to give you the information because I’m committed to making the attorney dream come true. The dream we all had when we entered into law school of the firm with our names on the sign, with the staff that handles things well and the cases that we enjoy doing. I know that dream because I’ve managed to achieve that dream.

The foundation of achieving this dream is much easier than you would expect. It’s built on 7 solid blocks.

Block number one: Videos

When someone visits your website, they’re subconsciously looking for something that is different; something that they don’t see on other lawyer websites.

If you have a set of videos available to them, they’ve found that one thing.

Videos are some of the most important parts of my firm marketing foundation; they are one of the things that I will probably never give up.

When a potential client goes to your website and watches a few videos, the information that you relay causes a psychological trigger that makes them trust you more. The more videos you have on your website (and even YouTube) can (and probably will) start the ball rolling for a good attorney-client relationship.

You may be wondering what exactly you should even make videos on, especially since some states have strict restrictions on things that could be construed as legal advice.

One of the things that I’ve found to be most popular with consumers is a Frequently Asked Questions series. Think of the 5 (or more) questions that you hear from almost each person you meet with.

These are questions that you could probably answer in your sleep and find yourself repeating the same information up to 10 times a day. You already know how to answer these particular questions in a short way that gives the most information because of the frequency of which you actually hear them.

Those questions are not going to go away, you hear them every day because people want to know those answers. If you take some time to film the answer to each of those videos and produce a series of one a week for however many weeks, you’re going to see some changes. Instead of having to answer the questions day after day, the people you meet with will have the answers or, if they haven’t had a chance to see the video yet, you can just send them the link and they’ll be even more impressed.

Videos are marketing tools that never stop working. A video can answer questions for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

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Chief Litigation Officer Summit Spring 2014 – March 20-22, 2014

The National Law Review is pleased to bring you information about the upcoming Chief Litigation Officer Summit hosted by Marcus Evans.

Chief Lit.March2014

When

Thursday March 20 – Saturday March 22, 2014

Where

Las Vegas, Nevada

Register here!

America’s In-house Litigators Network and Benchmark in Vegas
Here are the nuts and bolts.

  • The summit is complimentary to in-house Chief Litigation Executives who come from companies with a minimum of $750 million revenue. Though titles also include AGC-Litigation, Head of Litigation, SVP/VP Litigation and so forth. Inquire within!

  • There are only around 100 total heads of litigation and all have similar profiles, which means similar challenges and opportunities. You will be meeting with and talking with some of the brightest thinkers in the legal industry

  • Speakers include:
    Lily Yan Hughes, VP and AGC – Corporate, Ingram Micro Inc.
    Eva Lehman, VP Litigation and Chief Compliance Officer, Western Digital Corporation
    Frederick Egler Jr., Chief Counsel – Litigation, The PNC Financial Services Group
    Steve Taub, Assistant General Counsel, U-Haul International, Inc.

And more

  • Your delegate package at the Chief Litigation Officer Summit includes all the essentials needed for a productive and rewarding event. As a delegate at the summit, you will receive:

  • A three-day streamlined agenda

  • Access to the secured event website

  • A comprehensive directory of solution providers

  • An experienced event management team

  • All meals and networking activities

  • Two nights’ accommodation at a luxury five star venue

For the event brochure visit: http://www.marcusevans-conferences-northamerican.com/chieflitigationofficer_assetpage

Contact Jenny Keane, marketing manager at
j.keane@marcusevansch.com
+1312-540-3000 x6515

IP Law Summit – March 20-22, 2014

The National Law Review is pleased to bring you information about the upcoming IP Law Summit hosted by Marcus Evans.

IP summit 2014

When

Thursday March 20 – Saturday March 22, 2014

Where

Las Vegas, Nevada

Register here!

Intellectual Property is the bedrock of many contemporary companies and with the growth of the internet and a global market, having a smart IP strategy is more essential than ever. Every business decision that involves IP is a legal decision and every legal decision is also a business decision. Counsels are constantly pressed to promote innovation and must keep up-to-date with any worldwide regulatory changes ensuring the future growth and protection of their company’s IP.

The IP Law Summit is the premium forum for bringing senior IP Counsel within the largest corporations and mid-market organizations together with service providers. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the Summit offers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of cutting-edge technology, strategy and products driving the IP marketplace.

How to Write Blog Posts People Actually Want to Read [INFOGRAPHIC]

The Rainmaker Institute mini logo (1)

 

The purpose of having a blog is to foster an online dialogue with prospects, clients and referral sources so that when they need someone who does what you do, they will think of your first. Drawing people into your conversation requires you to often step outside your comfort zone, since most attorneys write the way they were trained to do in law school.

But when it comes to writing blog posts that people actually want to read, that just doesn’t cut it.

The most important thing to remember when writing for those who don’t practice law for a living is to be authentic. And the best way to do this is to write the way you talk. As you sit down to craft a new post, imagine you are talking to a friend who needs your guidance on a legal issue. Use the same words you use in your everyday life. Forget the grammar rules and write your draft, then go back over it to correct any glaring grammatical errors.

The infographic below, courtesy of Copyblogger.com, outlines the other essentials for writing blog posts. Print it off and keep a copy by your computer to refer to as you write. Following these simple guidelines will have you authoring a compelling, lead-generating blog in no time.

Blogs Social Media

Article by: 

Stephen Fairley

Of:

The Rainmaker Institute

2 more weeks until NAWL's 2014 Mid-Year Meeting – March 19-20 Washington D.C.

The National Law Review is pleased to bring you information about the upcoming 2014 Mid-Year Meeting of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL).

2014 Mid-Year Brochure_Draft 5

When

Wednesday March 19 – Thursday March 20, 2014

Where

Washington, D.C.

Register here!

Join us at the 2014 Mid-Year Meeting in Washington, D.C. on March 19-20, 2014 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel.

This year’s program is Leadership through Change: Lessons from D.C. and Beyond. The hard work and collaboration of the entire Mid-Year Meeting Planning Committee have produced a comprehensive and rich program relevant to Women in all fields of legal practice. Topics we will cover include a mix of professional development and substantive sessions: Navigating in a Majority Environment: Clearing the Hurdles to Success; Cyber & Data Security; Developing Lawyers as Leaders; 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act: Where We Stand; and Power: How To Get It and How To Wield It. We will be announcing our keynote and other speakers soon, so please stay posted on the website. Finally, as always, there will be networking time built in throughout the event.

While we hope that you learn a lot from the meeting, we also want you to enjoy yourselves in our nation’s capital—and, with luck, enjoy the height of the cherry blossom season after a very long winter. We believe that you will leave the 2014 NAWL Mid-Year Meeting inspired and look forward to seeing you in D.C.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Investing in a Lead Generation Service

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In order to grow your firm, you need to invest in a reliable marketing and advertising program. Lead generation services are a great alternative to investing and managing your own campaigns, which can be both costly and time consuming for the average attorney. Lead generation services can not only offer you consistent, quality leads but also provide you with a total marketing package that allows you to manage those leads. There are a slew of companies that will make you a lot of promises, but how do you know which ones are legitimate?

What steps should you take before you decide the right company for your firm’s needs?

Lead Generation Service Marketing Law Firm Legal

Do Your Research

Not all lead generation services are equal. Some will scam you. Some will give you old or undesirable leads. Some will give you leads but don’t offer additional marketing services and support that will ensure continued success.

Research several companies and find out their reputation. Look for a company with longevity, positive client testimonials and a desire to see your law firm succeed. One who knows that their best interest as a marketing firm is to do whatever it takes to grow your law firm; their success is 100% dependent upon yours. No other lead generation service will be worth your hard earned dollars if they don’t care enough to be the best.

Do Make a Long Term Commitment to Your Firm’s Success

Be wary of companies that encourage a short-term approach to your advertising needs. Marketing and advertising is an ongoing commitment. Any successful advertising program, whether it’s done internally or through lead generation services requires two things: patience and time. A consistent stream of new potential clients is the key to long-term, sustained growth for any firm. This can’t be done with a stop and start approach to your marketing.

Don’t Ignore Industry Trends

Effective marketing for a personal injury practice is changing and evolving. It is imperative that you invest in an advertising service that follows closely with potential client’s search behaviors. The firm must employ a diversified approach that will reach at anytime a wide variety of potential clients. Advances in media means potential clients use various devices to stay connected. Whether it’s TV, internet or mobile, the right company will employ more than one of these sources to generate leads for your firm. Using an agency that employs only one of these methods means you are putting all your eggs in one basket – which is never an effective way to spend your advertising dollars.

Getting your firm’s name out there and making it effortless for potential clients to reach you in their time of need is critical to growing your practice. Paid lead generation can be beneficial when used and managed correctly.

Finding the right legal marketing firm that can provide you the ultimate lead generation service, that has exclusive, quality leads in your geographic area in combination with a marketing package that is all inclusive, can be a challenging process.

Article by:

Anush Alexander

Of:

RW Lynch Company, Inc.

Bad Precedent: Lawyer Censured for Buying Google Keywords for Other Lawyers and Law Firms

Fishman Marketing logo

I thoroughly disagree with this anti-competitive, anti-consumer censure. It’s bad precedent.

Google Keywords

I was the defense’s law firm marketing/social media expert witness in Habush vs. Cannon & Dunphy on this very issue (although the lawsuit was filed under a Wisconsin state “invasion of privacy” statute).

This is common practice online.  When you Google “Avis,” a sponsored link for Hertz shows up in the margin.  The user isn’t deceived and everyone gets more information and more choices, which is good for consumers.  It’s a strategy that helps smaller firms with smaller marketing budgets compete against big-name, big-budget firms.

This keyword-bidding strategy is certainly aggressive, but it shouldn’t be considered unethical or unprofessional; it’s simply an issue of taste, which is subjective.  We shouldn’t legislate taste.

 

Article by:

Ross Fishman

Of:

Fishman Marketing, Inc.

Join NAWL for their 2014 Mid-Year Meeting – March 19-20 in Washington D.C.

The National Law Review is pleased to bring you information about the upcoming 2014 Mid-Year Meeting of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL).

2014 Mid-Year Brochure_Draft 5

When

Wednesday March 19 – Thursday March 20, 2014

Where

Washington, D.C.

Register here!

Join us at the 2014 Mid-Year Meeting in Washington, D.C. on March 19-20, 2014 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel.

This year’s program is Leadership through Change: Lessons from D.C. and Beyond. The hard work and collaboration of the entire Mid-Year Meeting Planning Committee have produced a comprehensive and rich program relevant to Women in all fields of legal practice. Topics we will cover include a mix of professional development and substantive sessions: Navigating in a Majority Environment: Clearing the Hurdles to Success; Cyber & Data Security; Developing Lawyers as Leaders; 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act: Where We Stand; and Power: How To Get It and How To Wield It. We will be announcing our keynote and other speakers soon, so please stay posted on the website. Finally, as always, there will be networking time built in throughout the event.

While we hope that you learn a lot from the meeting, we also want you to enjoy yourselves in our nation’s capital—and, with luck, enjoy the height of the cherry blossom season after a very long winter. We believe that you will leave the 2014 NAWL Mid-Year Meeting inspired and look forward to seeing you in D.C.

IP Law Summit Spring 2014 – March 20-22, 2014

The National Law Review is pleased to bring you information about the upcoming IP Law Summit hosted by Marcus Evans.

IP summit 2014

When

Thursday March 20 – Saturday March 22, 2014

Where

Las Vegas, Nevada

Register here!

Intellectual Property is the bedrock of many contemporary companies and with the growth of the internet and a global market, having a smart IP strategy is more essential than ever. Every business decision that involves IP is a legal decision and every legal decision is also a business decision. Counsels are constantly pressed to promote innovation and must keep up-to-date with any worldwide regulatory changes ensuring the future growth and protection of their company’s IP.

The IP Law Summit is the premium forum for bringing senior IP Counsel within the largest corporations and mid-market organizations together with service providers. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the Summit offers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of cutting-edge technology, strategy and products driving the IP marketplace.

Chief Litigation Officer Summit – March 20-22 in Las Vegas

The National Law Review is pleased to bring you information about the Marcus Evan  Chief Litigation Officer Summit taking place March 20-22, 2014 at the Red Rock Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, NV.

Chief Lit.March2014

Qualifying titles include:
Associate General Counsel
Chief Litigation Officer
Chief Litigation Counsel
Head of Litigation
SVP/VP Litigation
Senior Litigation Counsel

Key Topics in 2013 include:

  • Mitigating the Risks – Safeguarding your organization from whistleblower and retaliation claims

  • Taking the Reins – Solutions for controlling e-Discovery costs and driving efficiency

  • The Best Defense is Prevention – Uncovering practical approaches to litigation avoidance

  • Spotlight on Dispute Resolution – Determining whether to arbitrate vs. litigate

  • Working Hand in Hand – Creating valuable partnerships and synergy with your outside counsel

 

Distinguish Speakers Include:

Tanya Menton
Vice President, Litigation
ABC

Eva Lehman
VP, Litigation and Chief Compliance Officer
Western Digital Corporation

Mark LoSacco
EVP and General Counsel – Litigation, Labor and Employment
HSBC North America

Christopher E. Paetsch
Vice President and AGC Litigation
Kaplan, Inc.

Phyllis Golden Morey
VP and Deputy General Counsel – Litigation
Ingersoll-Rand

Steve Taub
Assistant General Counsel
U-Haul International, Inc.

Reagan Bradford
Deputy General Counsel
Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Tiffany Woodie
Senior Counsel/Head of Litigation
PetSmart Corporation

To watch a testimonial video click: http://ow.ly/tWvdy

To receive the full agenda and to register, contact:
Jenny Keane
Marketing Manager
+1.312.540.3000 x6515
j.keane@marcusevansch.com