Whether you’ve formed your firm or joined one that already exists, the success of your law practice is largely dependent on one thing—clients. Are you attracting enough clients or generating enough interest for your firm?
Techniques for obtaining new customers have changed over the previous decade, and the busiest lawyers are frequently those who have adopted internet marketing strategies. You might as well be invisible to prospective clients if you’re not using internet marketing.
Fortunately, there are some strategies for overcoming it and gaining new clients as a lawyer.
The keys to establishing a thriving legal career are being exceptional at what you do and having the right strategy in place. If you follow the below suggestions, you’ll be able to attract new legal clients in the long run, and you’ll be able to run a successful legal practice for years to come.
So, let’s get the word out and the clients in.
Make use of social media
Social media profiles are a low-cost and simple approach to promoting your business. Currently, the most popular social media networks used by attorneys are LinkedIn and Facebook. According to a study, 84 percent of attorneys use LinkedIn, and many of them consider it to be a useful social networking site for attracting new clients.
Although it isn’t the most ubiquitous platform, its paid features allow for precise targeting based on industry and job description, making it an excellent lead generation tool.
The power of online reviews
90% of customers check online reviews before visiting a business, and 88% of customers trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. To find the proper attorney, clients use sites like Google reviews, Yelp!, and FindLaw. Positive feedback is a natural component of online marketing. Thus, obtaining reviews should be a key component of your marketing strategy.
Being proactive and asking for reviews as part of your customer handling process will help you get more reviews, which will also help get new clients as a lawyer. Train your associates to discuss reviews with clients after their case has been handled as part of follow-up.
Increase the size of your email list
One of the most effective digital marketing methods in your online advertising campaign is your email list. You have email addresses from previous and current clients, as well as people you have met at networking events and through referrals. People who have entered their email on your website to be added to your mailing list or to request more information are also likely to have done so.
Separating your email list into different demographic groupings is necessary when using it as a marketing tool. You might have a group of prior clients, current clients, and “cold” clients—people whose email addresses you have but who aren’t yet clients.
Each email sent as part of an email blast can be customized to meet the needs of each group and help you get new clients as a lawyer.
Join an online forum
When it comes to expanding a business or career, networking is crucial. Online forums assist with this crucial goal while also providing lawyers with digital marketing opportunities. There are numerous internet forums dedicated to various legal topics.
Create a profile and participate in forums relevant to your practice area to network with other attorneys, potential clients, and other professionals. This is particularly vital if you are a solo practitioner, as referrals and personal relationships are the most effective forms of web marketing for law companies.
Submit information to legal directories
You can increase the number of visitors to your website by submitting your business information to a variety of free and paid legal directories. It’s important to remember that not all directories are the same. You should seek out high-authority domains that act as trustworthy resources for both law firms and users.
These are some of the reputable legal directories your firm should appear in:
- Justia
- Avvo
- FindLaw
- Nolo
- Super Lawyers
- HG.org
- Lawyers.com
Expand your network of referrals
Raising your referral business will result in a significant increase in your reputation and authority. This can happen spontaneously, but building meaningful ties with other professionals in your network can help.
Connecting with other businesses and developing your referral network is easy with online events and platforms like LinkedIn. This could entail forming partnerships with law firms that don’t provide the same services as you but are likely to refer business your way and vice versa.
What is the best way to execute a referral marketing campaign?
- Determine who you’re looking for referrals from clients, non-competing lawyers, or other professional services (like accountants, etc.)
- Create a database
- Create letters of introduction—a set of templates for each sort of reference source that describe the benefits of referring to and how you will care for the people they refer to.
- Send out your letters by mail or email.
- Assign someone in your office to make a follow-up call.
- If the recommendation source is a lawyer or similar professional service provider, offer to meet in person.
- Send a thank-you note to each referral source and let them know how things went.
