Legal Marketing Articles

Archive for February, 2010

« Older Entries

How Important are Client Testimonials?

Friday, February 26th, 2010

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.

Tags:
Posted in Strategies that Work | 1 Comment »

Mobile Search: Why You Need to List Your Firm Now in Local Online Directories

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Local search is becoming an increasingly essential element to any online marketing plan. With the emergence of the iPhone and other mobile devices for web browsing, a business that has taken the time to sign up with various online local directories like Yelp has a significant advantage over businesses who haven’t.

Until recently, Yelp’s “Nearby” function was leading the search space in its smartphone apps for local search. “Nearby” provides users of iPhones and the like quick access to the nearest restaurants, bars, banks and other local businesses.

Now Google is primed to take over that space with “Near Me Now,” which has the benefit of being built into Google with no further installation required. A user just has to access Google from their mobile device’s browser, let Google access their location via GPS, then click on the “Near Me Now” link that will appear.

How can a local law firm use this to its best advantage? Here’s an example:

Let’s say you are an Ohio birth injuries attorney with a practice in Cleveland. First, list your firm on Google Local, Yelp, Brownbook and other online local directories.

Next, when filling out your firm’s profile on these directories, make sure you set your location as Cleveland, and include other nearby towns, cities and counties from where you want to pull in leads.

Finally, use “birth injuries attorney” and other key phrases about your practice areas in your profile’s business description field.

Taking a couple hours to get your law firm listed in online local directories is the small step that could bring miles of benefits as web searching via mobile devices gains momentum.

Posted in Content, Internet Marketing, Latest Tech Tips, Social Media, Tools on the Horizon | No Comments »

The Importance of Legal Newsletters

Friday, February 19th, 2010

For law firms of all sizes, publishing newsletters can be extremely effective marketing-wise. Whether a paper newsletter is mailed out each month or an emailed newsletter is sent out quarterly, these updates are very valuable marketing tools and a good part of an effective marketing strategy.

Lawyers’ existing clients are the most important part of a legal marketing plan. Not only are they your main, valued and loyal “customers,” they are also a great link to new clientele. When existing clients are satisfied and pleased with the legal help they’ve received from your firm, they’ll tell their friends and family how great your services are. Those friends then tell other family members and friends and the cycle continues. Referrals are an extremely important aspect in any marketing plan. The more calls you receive, the more chances you get in gaining more clients, the more business your firm will bring in.

Newsletters and legal updates keep your existing clients constantly in the loop. They’ll feel pleased to be updated about things going on in the legal world and specifically what’s going on at your firm – the firm that has or is representing them. It’s important to keep your loyal clients acknowledged and informed at all times.

Tags:
Posted in Strategies that Work, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Some Helpful Marketing Tips for Small Law Firms – Part II

Friday, February 12th, 2010

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

« Older Entries