Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Jun. 7, 2012
Law Practice Management Tip
Open up: Getting the word out about a new practice
There are a number of swirling considerations for those
attorneys opening a new law practice for the first time. And, one
of the bedrock concerns is marketing. How will you get clients, so
you can keep your lights on?
Here are three quick tips for opening your doors . . . and getting
people through them:
- Most attorneys establishing new law firms start to get the word
out by reaching out to existing contacts. But, before you can do
that, you have to know who your existing contacts are, and how to
reach them. Prior to marketing your new practice, sit down and
create a complete list of your existing contacts: full name,
physical and web addresses, work and personal information and
related notes. Most lawyers use email accounts to store contacts;
but, when you settle down to create a complete contact listing, try
an Excel
spreadsheet, with fully editable fields, and which can later be
imported into any number of computer programs.
- It's still a good idea to design and disseminate an opening
announcement for your new law firm. For examples, check the Massachusetts Lawyers
Weekly, or your local legal periodical. If you did a thorough
job creating a contacts list, you can send your opening
announcement both via traditional mail and e-mail, even to
preferred contact points -- if your contact list has enough depth
to include that preference notation. Although it might seem
counterintuitive, you should include as many links to your web
presence as you can. People will type in the addresses and
visit your sites. They'll Google you anyway; so, direct their
search for further information.
- You can now better leverage that awkward period when you have a
url but not yet a website, by using LaunchRock, a new service that
gets you some value out of, what have traditionally been, static
'coming soon' holding pages. LaunchRock's 'social launching soon
page' allows you to quickly create a launch page, encourages
interested parties to promote your project and gathers data about
those interested parties. Here is the list of
features. (Thanks to Heidi
Alexander, who alerted me to the existence of LaunchRock!)
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For more law firm marketing tips,
attend the FREE
LOMAP's Super Marketing Conference II on June 19, hosted by the
Massachusetts Bar Association. To R.S.V.P., click here.
Tip courtesy of Jared Correia, Law Office
Management Assistance Program.
Published June 7, 2012
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To learn more about the Law Practice Management
Section, which is complimentary for all MBA members,
contact LPM Section Chair Thomas J. Barbar or Vice
Chair Stephen
Seckler.