How Important are Client Testimonials?
A solid client base is the foundation of a successful law firm. The more legal services you offer, the more clients you obtain, the more business you bring to your firm. Bottom line. By keeping a steady list of loyal clients, the chances of referrals increases which – once again – brings more business to your firm.
Like all businesses, clients – or customers – develop an opinion about the services they receive. Clients’ judgments about the lawyers or firm that has helped them can make or break a firm’s reputation.
For example, if a divorce attorney overcharges, is consistently late for meetings or is constantly hard to reach, his or her client will not want to work with that attorney again and will express a bad opinion of him or her to anyone they talk to about the situation. As a result, all of those people that hear those bad things about the firm – that can also been seen as potential clients – will have no desire to seek legal help from that firm and will ultimately hire other competing lawyers.
Thus, clients’ positive testimonials and personal stories are an extremely important aspect to successfully market your law firm. As part of a good marketing strategy, all law firms should make sure to have a page of their websites dedicated only to successful client stories. This will show potential clients that they will be pleased with the service they receive and will ultimately boost the chances of more clients wanting to work with your attorneys.
Some Helpful Marketing Tips for Small Law Firms – Part II
6. Consider clients’ frame of reference. Take a look at who your main clients are and what legal services you generally help them with. Make sure you promote those services and focus your marketing plan on specific areas. Also, make sure you understand how these services are seen through your clients’ perspective.
7. Use online directories. Make sure to get your firm listed in as many online directories as you can – especially the free ones. They’re all over the web and it’s important to have your name listed so that when people search for lawyers who practice your area of law, you’ll be seen and considered.
8. Make sure your pricing is reasonable. Everyone knows getting legal help from a lawyer is costly. That doesn’t mean you have to charge clients a ridiculous amount of money for your help. Obviously clients will be more drawn to you if your prices are reasonable, so make sure you’re not overcharging.
9. Publish newsletters. By simply sending out a monthly emailed (and free!) newsletter, you can keep in touch with your existing clients and keep them informed of what’s new with your firm. Taking care of your existing clients is more important that getting new ones. After all, they’re the ones referring new clients to you. It’s important to keep them acknowledged and informed.
10. Survey existing clients. Any firm – big or small – should survey its clients every so often. It’s extremely effective to gather opinions and suggestions from your loyal clients as to what changes in your business should be made, what’s good about your firm and what matters most to them personally. Shape aspects of your marketing plan based on the answers you receive.