I always enjoy reading Michelle Golden's blog. It's full of ideas and topics that are often overlooked. This entry on referrals is great.
If you get a client from a live referral it's really quite eaasy to reciprocate. In addition to sending a personal note or small gift, invite that person to an event where you will know many people that may be good sources of business for your friend. Connecting people is what it's all about. Your friend will appreciate your efforts.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Small Law Firms and Their Success
Small firms a solo practitioners wear many hats. One of the more important ones is that of business developer.
Tom Kane's recent blog entry about small firms offers some great ideas to focus on when building a business. Most notable are;
Tom Kane's recent blog entry about small firms offers some great ideas to focus on when building a business. Most notable are;
- writing a personal marketing plan for each attorney and
- staying committed to maintaining a high profile within your specialty
Marketing plans are essential. Everyone must have a road map to reaching their goals. It keeps them focused. Maintaining a high profile as the expert in your field ties in with my personal preference for knowledge based marketing. If you are perceived as the most knowledgeable attorney in your field, clients will come to you.
Another thought I would like to add:
- keeping a current and complete referral database that includes anyone who has sent business your way.
Live referrals are the best kind of referral. Call them, meet them for lunch, send them cards. They are your most important life blood.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Customer Experience
I've been reading Cole Silver's blog recently. He has some great insight on client service.
I think most professionals equate customer service to how you personally treat the client. There's so much more to it.
How does your reception area look?
Is it inviting?
Is the furniture comfortable?
Is the receptionist friendly?
The entire client experience is a direct reflection on you and your abilities. And at some point the clients should be surveyed. If you don't ask them how you are doing in your business you will never know where you can improve.
I think most professionals equate customer service to how you personally treat the client. There's so much more to it.
How does your reception area look?
Is it inviting?
Is the furniture comfortable?
Is the receptionist friendly?
The entire client experience is a direct reflection on you and your abilities. And at some point the clients should be surveyed. If you don't ask them how you are doing in your business you will never know where you can improve.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Being Nice...How Nice!
What a refreshing idea. That simply being nice can get new business.
Joey Asher at the Fulton County Times wrote an article recently that law.com has picked up and reprinted here.
People work with people they like. There's nothing difficult about that. Showing that you care about others by asking about them and their families generates a large amount of goodwill. This kind of goodwill is the kind that sticks with people. They don't forget it.
In addition, it improves morale in your own office and emits positive energy to all of those around you.
Being nice may very well be one of the most effective methods of marketing your business.
Thank about it.
Joey Asher at the Fulton County Times wrote an article recently that law.com has picked up and reprinted here.
People work with people they like. There's nothing difficult about that. Showing that you care about others by asking about them and their families generates a large amount of goodwill. This kind of goodwill is the kind that sticks with people. They don't forget it.
In addition, it improves morale in your own office and emits positive energy to all of those around you.
Being nice may very well be one of the most effective methods of marketing your business.
Thank about it.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Five Minute Marketing
Michelle Golden's blog, Golden Practices, has a great post from way back on five minute marketing.
She makes a good point that doing a few small things each day to grow your business will pay off in the long run. In addition to the ideas that she mentions I suggest sending articles that may be of interest to a potential client along with a note, or remembering a birthday. People to people interaction has a great return. You maintain that top of mind awareness and the recipient appreciates the acknowledgement.
She makes a good point that doing a few small things each day to grow your business will pay off in the long run. In addition to the ideas that she mentions I suggest sending articles that may be of interest to a potential client along with a note, or remembering a birthday. People to people interaction has a great return. You maintain that top of mind awareness and the recipient appreciates the acknowledgement.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Fort Worth Economy
As we have been discussing a recession I must comment that I don't believe it will hit Fort Worth very hard. I will be surprised if it does.
Because of one industry: The Barnett Shale. The Shale that lies beneath Tarrnat, Parker and Johnson counties is presently the richest souce of untapped natural gas in the world. In the past 4 years we have had no less than a dozen energy companies move in to Fot Worth and inject unreal amounts of money into the economy. Untold numbers of jobs plus good will money in advertising and financial support for area non-profits.
Additionally, real estate here is some of the most inexpensive in this part of the US. Many investors from the west coast are buying up properties sight unseen. Although new starts have decreased in the area, the market is still strong.
So going into this recession we're in a good position economically!
So much oil and gas work means lots of work for oil and gas and corporate attorneys. Yay!
Because of one industry: The Barnett Shale. The Shale that lies beneath Tarrnat, Parker and Johnson counties is presently the richest souce of untapped natural gas in the world. In the past 4 years we have had no less than a dozen energy companies move in to Fot Worth and inject unreal amounts of money into the economy. Untold numbers of jobs plus good will money in advertising and financial support for area non-profits.
Additionally, real estate here is some of the most inexpensive in this part of the US. Many investors from the west coast are buying up properties sight unseen. Although new starts have decreased in the area, the market is still strong.
So going into this recession we're in a good position economically!
So much oil and gas work means lots of work for oil and gas and corporate attorneys. Yay!
Friday, February 8, 2008
The Importance of Building Relationships
Although law school admissions have decreased in the past 2 years, the competition between law firms is at an all time high.
A great reason to make sure your associates know the most successful tools for growing their business.
Jim Hassett talks about teaching associates to build stronger relationships. A valuable marketing tool but one that comes at a cost of decreasing their billable hours a little. It will pay off at the end.
Marketing should be a bigger topic in law school and at larger firms.
A great reason to make sure your associates know the most successful tools for growing their business.
Jim Hassett talks about teaching associates to build stronger relationships. A valuable marketing tool but one that comes at a cost of decreasing their billable hours a little. It will pay off at the end.
Marketing should be a bigger topic in law school and at larger firms.
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