Gideon Legal Chatbot Software

Chatbot Software for Law Firms

referral marketing

Marketing, Technology

Screen Pass: Has Your Law Firm Looked at Google Screened?

Google Screened is something of a cheat code for SEO, for law firms.

Screened is Google’s verification program, for certain sets of professionals, including lawyers.  So, if you’ve got a clean ethics record and an actual business, you can apply for the program, and get your green checkmark.

Each new lead coming in from Google Screened will cost you a fee, which is based on your location – but, it rides you right to the very top of the Google search results, which is, pretty priceless.

If you’re not aware of Google Screened, or the priority it offers in search, check out this comprehensive guide from 9Sail.

Marketing, Messaging

Speak Its Name: Don’t Forget to Tell People What You Do

It’s kind of a hassle to tell people what you do for a living.  Sometimes, you just don’t want to talk.  Or, you may want to instead tell folks you do something entirely different, maybe something so weird or disgusting that they will leave you alone.

But, if the subject of work comes up: you have to be strong.  Tell people you’re an attorney.

I know, I know.  Then, they’re going to ask you a bunch of legal questions.

Good.  Refer them to a paid consult.

The fact of the matter is that there are business opportunities everywhere; and, you never know who might be a good client, or a potentially valuable referral source.

But, to find out, you have to venture forth, and say the words: ‘I am a lawyer’.

And, be ready to follow that up with your elevator pitch – because that will be the next (implied) question.

The momentary pain is decidedly worth the future pleasure.

Now, it may come to nothing; but, in a tight marketplace for attorneys, you can’t risk leaving potential business on the table.

As a small business owner, especially in the current environment of unstructured offices, you kind of have to be ready to engage (and be engaging) at all times.

And, it starts with a simple willingness to tell just about anyone your profession.

Keeping secrets is not a great marketing program.

Marketing

Connect For: It’s Time to Take Your Networking Online

Lawyers still love them some old school marketing.  You know, referral networking – shaking hands, kissing babies, grabbing a cocktail.  (Maybe not all at the same time.)

But, it can’t end there – even if it often does.

Lots of attorneys happily do some in-person elevator pitching, and hope that they’re remembered.

But, hope is not a strategy – and, it’s better to be persistent.

So, when you get someone’s name and contact information, make sure you connect with them on social media, too.

Oh, then add them to your marketing automation program, as a referral partner.

Plus, schedule a reminder for yourself to followup with them via phone, or direct email, at a later date certain.

You can also use a virtual assistant to send them flowers – or, maybe Edible Arrangements, if they have allergies.

The point is that your referral partners need as many, if not more, touches than the leads you’re trying to convert.

So, after you meet someone, reach out and touch someone.

Marketing, Messaging, Technology

Thanksgiving: How to Treat Your Best Referral Sources

Since many law firms rely almost exclusively on referrals to generate business, it’s essential that those law firms tend to the care and feeding of their best referral sources.  But, lots of lawyers tend to take referrals for granted, and just assume that they’ll keep on coming in, even if they don’t do anything to maintain the sources of those referrals.

But, even the healthiest of referral sources can drop out of your program, if you ignore them for too long.  So, here are a few ways to make sure that your best referral sources stay that way.

-First off, (literally) reward them for referring you cases.  Some law firms keep gift cards on hand, to hand over when a referral is made.  Others send an end-of-year flower arrangement, or a collection of candies.  This is probably the most overt way to make sure that your referral sources seem cared for.

-Next, make sure that you stay in touch with your referral sources, in at least a couple ways: First, maintain contact with your best referral sources, so you can talk to them about how your business is going, and tell them about your evolving clients needs.  Second, send them marketing messages on a recurring basis, whether it’s adding them to your enewsletter list or even creating a specific drip campaign for referral sources.  Keeping tabs on your referral sources both in-person and online is really useful for ensuring future business.

-Lastly, you should make an ongoing effort to educate your referral sources about the kinds of clients you’re looking.  Even if your requirements don’t change, it’s useful to keep reminding the people who send you cases, and about the kinds of cases you want.

Staying on top of your referral sources, means that your baseline business revenue should remain stable, as you add new referral sources and marketing channels.

Messaging, Marketing

To-Do List: A Simple Marketing Tactic Can Get You More Referrals

Over the last several years, community- and family-based referrals have been on the rise for law firms, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic made certain that everyone was hanging close to home from 2019-2022.  That change in the nature of referrals, however, is likely to stick, as the pandemic only tightened local, social ties – and, even as everyone begins to explore the wider world again, community ties remain hyper-relevant to law firms, especially, since they are by definition local businesses, given jurisdictional requirements.

This can be a boon for lawyers, since so many attorneys are involved with civic organizations.  Lots of lawyers around the country are on chambers of commerce, attend rotary club meetings, serve on school boards, coach little league, and the like.  So, there are ample opportunities to get around potential local referral sources.

But, most of them screw it up.  And, the reason for that is so simple and obvious, that you’re gonna kick yourself when you hear it . . .

Those lawyers who don’t effectively leverage local referrals, don’t talk often enough about what they do.  Some never mention it at all.

This is of a piece with the whole – ‘if you want referrals, ask for them!’ thing – and, the remedy is just as simple here, too.  If you want more local referrals, keep reminding people that you’re an attorney, and of the practice area you focus on.

It’s just that easy.