Archive for the ‘Tools on the Horizon’ Category
Should Law Firms Explore the Mobile World?
Mobile Marketing is a set of practices that enables organizations to communicate and engage with their audience in an interactive and relevant manner through any mobile device or network.
- Mobile Marketing Association
It’s no secret that mobile marketing has taken a number of strides over the past few years as a number of technological developments have been made. Blackberrys, iPhones and the like all encompass new developments all the time and a number of companies and businesses have taken advantage of this for marketing purposes.
Mobile marketing and advertising is an area every business should explore – why not? That said, shouldn’t law firms get a slice of this marketing pie?
There are a few good moves that law firms could make (if it’s possible). One idea is have a way for clients – or potential new clients – to text questions from their phone to someone at the firm to get answered immediately. Whether it’s a “What do I do if…?” legal question or “What’s your firm’s address?” it’s a great way for you to be easily reachable.
One of the biggest problems people have with lawyers is their lack of available time or having to pay a boatload of money for that time. Instead of having to receive a phone call or respond to an email, lawyers will be able to answer right away by simply typing in a few words that will go directly to his or her client’s phone. That lawyer will spend less time away from his or her other work and the client will be pleased to receive an answer immediately. It’s a win/win situation for both.
Or what about a legal application that certain cell phone carriers can offer?
Lawyers should definitely jump on this bandwagon and explore mobile marketing ideas while always keeping in mind: “What will set my law firm apart from the rest?”
Tools on the Horizon
Online Document Management Systems
When your firm is busy, do you feel more like a secretary than a lawyer? Many firms are taking advantage of online document management – a space and time saving tool that not only makes your life easier, but impresses your clients and keeps them recommending you to friends, family and business partners who need legal assistance.
There are a few areas that are covered by popular electronic document management systems that also provide all-encompassing firm management:
• client information,
• project documents & notes,
• scheduling,
• standard document organization,
• billing, and
• letters and e-mails.
The advantages of adopting such a service are many – your client benefits with the easy access it provides to a variety of documents, from invoices to court forms to copies of lawyer-client correspondence. You and your administrative team will see a noticeable cut-down in the amount of information requests they receive, and you’ll save on the postage costs and demands associated with needing to repeatedly mail copies of various documents. You’ll also save on sometimes huge storage costs for your paper documents by switching to an electronic system.
Documents are hosted securely, and can be indexed and searched for quick referencing. Some companies offer customization of the entire software package to exactly suit your firm’s needs.
As you are likely aware, the federal court system rolled out a PDF-based system (CM/ECF) in 2001, so electronic document sharing should certainly be a focal point of any firm wanting to stay ahead of the curve and further streamline their practices.
The accessibility aspect of online document management a great marketing tool – clients will respect your technology-savvy approach to what some outsiders consider a difficult-to-approach subject (law). Offering this option to your clients will open new doors for a more collaborative approach to legal cases and the sharing of information.