Saturday 31 January 2015

New Year Resolutions for Solicitors - Marketing Plans broken already?

I haven't sent an email to my list this month because did you know that by Jan 31st, 95% of the people who have made a New Year’s Resolution have broken it already? Most people don't even make resolutions because they get disappointed year after year that they don't follow through. That's because resolutions are just “wish lists”. In the New Year, people want a fresh start. They want to make things better and be happier. But they lack the motivation to do something about it. Or don't know how to find the time. If this is you then maybe you'll like the handout that I have attached. It's helped me to act. You might also like this from me - it's a mixed bag but there might just be a nugget in there that's worth its weight in gold; http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/sitedata/files/The%20Best%20of%20the%20Best.pdf

Read more...

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Personal Injury Marketing News of the World Style for Solicitors

I revisited one of
my old contacts who has a couple
of lead generation websites this week.

And boy are they different to most solicitors
websites that market.


Read more...

Thursday 25 November 2010

Referral Systems For Solicitors

Here's the short video on
referrals. (And a challenge later on).

http://screenr.com/KAA


Nothing is better than getting a pre-sold
prospect to call you after being referred
by one of your best clients.

So if there's nothing better why not
try and increase the number of referrals?

Here are the categories of businesses you should get referrals from;

Accountant | Financial Adviser | Printer | Web Design | Banking | Mortgage Broker | Graphic Design
Computer Support | Telecoms Provider | Office Supplies | Photographer | Insurance Broker |
Electrical Contractor | IT Consultant | Marketing Consultant | Florist | Builder | Security Products | Architect | Cleaning Services | Signage Company | Travel Agent | Decorator | Business Advisor | Promotional Gifts Company | Interior Design | Surveyor | Telephone Systems | Car Sales | Computer Sales | Car Sales | Internet Services | Public Relations Company | Alternative Therapists | Events Organiser | Health Insurance Broker | Plumber | Office Machinery | Office Furniture | Car Servicing | Health and Safety Consultant | Will Writer | Estate Agents Residential | Commercial Letting Agent | Caterer | Landscaper | HR Consultant | Hotel | Employment Agency | Carpet Cleaner | Utilities Broker | Couriers | Car Hire | Car Leasing | Gardening Services | Wine Importer-Merchant | Mobile Phone Retailer | Jeweller | Book-Keeping |Removals/Storage | Secretarial Services |Personal Trainer | Hypnotherapist | Dentist | Private Doctor | Private School | State School

Want a copy of the letter that gets referral partners on board
for one of my property clients (not a law firm)?

Send me a video testimonial and I'll send it to you.

Ok to do a video testimonial type some nice words
on to a Powerpoint slide. Go to ScreenR.com
Sign up for a fr-ee account. Place the screen capture
box over the Powerpoint slide. Record yourself reading
the words on the Powerpoint. (You need a microphone
on your computer or external microphone plugged in)
Save the video and send me the link. (Now you can do videos).

Just like this which took me 30 seconds!

http://screenr.com/z8F

Go on...practise on me! (If you get stuck
then let me know I'll help you.

Or just use the webcam feature on You Tube and send
me the link when you've done it.

Read more...

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Employment Solicitors Use Facebook Stories To Get New Business

Here's another story to repurpose
if you are an employment solicitor.

http://goo.gl/BMSUJ

Remember you can swipe news stories
and repurpose them in many ways...

Your website/press release/email to clients
newspaper/ radio/direct mail/audio/video

Read more...

Friday 5 November 2010

Marketing Ideas - Joint Venture For Easy Profitsmarketing

Joint Ventures with marketing partners are
a goldmine waiting to be discovered.

Thompsons solicitors do it with the teachers' union
NASWT. And they are on to a good thing.

You see someone else has paid for
the marketing to get clients for Thompson (the NASWT)

They've developed a trusting relationship. (NASWT news)

They are ready to endorse you.(NASWT mailing)

So all Thompsons do is make it easy, make it profitable
and guarantee a benefit.

Check this out and swipe it for yourself.

http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/solicitor_joint_ventures


You may not be ready to take on a 200,000 strong union
but you might be able to work local/regional partners
without batting an eyelid. And a warning...don't have one partner
and expect 100 new clients a month.

Get 50 partners and expect 2 new clients a month from each.

It's realistic, it means not all eggs are in one basket and
for most firms it'll mean gradual growth which is more
manageable.

Who has clients like your best clients? Talk to them
and maybe make it reciprocal...it's F-ree marketing.

Read more...

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Google Places Changes - What to Do?

Ok, by now you may be getting more website visitors. Or fewer.

That’s because Google changed the way it delivers search results for local listings.

For businesses that have a local angle, (like yours) the Google search results are now a blend of sponsored listings,

(at the top) Google Places and organic results.

If you’ve seen a decline in your rankings you need to get back into the game by adding to your online strategy.

Much of what you do now has to be part of a strategy and one that you keep reviewing.

Here are some things you should do.

* Make sure you are listed in as many of the directories that Google takes information from as possible.

* Get links from quality local websites that feature in your locality.

* Utilise a broad spectrum of social media. Video, articles, and quality content to create a deep internet profile.

* Include relevant Places categories in your listing. E.g. Conveyancing, Wills, Probate, Divorce etc

* Utilize long and short tail keywords, while avoiding duplication of keywords.

* Create customized fields and informative business descriptions that utilise relevant keywords for your Google Places Listing.

* Use photos and videos on your Google Places listing.

* Fill out all applicable fields, including Hours of Operations, Payment Methods, and Service Areas.

* Utilize Google Places Posts to keep information fresh and relevant.

* Encourage online customer reviews (be aware of what sites are feeding reviews for solicitors into Google Places).

* Respond to Google customer reviews through Google Places.

* Ensure that your Google Places flag is located in the proper spot.

* Add coupons to your Google Places account

* Try out Google Adwords if you haven’t already and start small and track results.

* Check your Google Places quality against the guidelines Google gives (link below)

http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107528&rd=1

What Else Should You Be Doing?

Reviews of business are now on view so make sure you manage your online reputation.

What to do: Build your reviews as soon as possible.

Initiate a customer testimonial scheme on various online profiles.

Monitor your profiles regularly and respond to any issues that arise;

Come up with a strategy to improve your online reputation and profile, even if it’s already great.

Search for your keywords e.g. solicitors Reading

See who is ranking well. Where are their reviews from?

Get your clients to review you in the same places.

You may want to have a computer in your reception for all your clients.

They can then rate you on various different review sites such as Google/Qype.

Strike while the iron is hot.

PS here's a great book I recommend

Read more...

Friday 29 October 2010

Google Places Just Changed The Ball Game For Solicitor Marketing

.is Google bringing in Google Places info
into the organic rankings? It looks like it.

http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/Law_Firm_Marketing_Videos_Resources

Watch the video

Maybe this is a Google test or maybe it's permanent.
This has just changed the ball game if it's permanent.

Next week I publish your action plan.

PS my top colleagues in the US said to me..
"we're still thinking about the implications."

Read more...

Solicitors Must Market In Sequences So People Buy When They Are Ready

I have several clients that are not solicitors.

And one of the biggest transformations in their
profits happens when they

market in sequence.

Even if you only have an email marketing
sequence you will find it highly profitable.

That's because people buy when they want to buy,
not when you want to sell.

The thought of a marketing sequence may daunt
you, (or not) depending on your experience.

But let me tell you that it is possible to do
a basic (email) marketing sequence for a service
relatively iinexpensivey yourself.

This is why it is so important you watch
the two videos I have recorded for you.

Marketing Sequences Videos are on the website.

If you want more information on this subject
let me know.

Remember there's always more at
www.GreatLegalMarketing.co.uk

Read more...

Wednesday 27 October 2010

New Tool From Google Helps You Shorten URL's for Twitter

There's a new tool from Google.

It's http://goo.gl/

It will help you shorten URL's you want to post in Twitter
and elsewhere.

It's going to be a shorterner that's likely to stay working
for a long time. And you can also get some analytics on how
many time the shortened URL is clicked (linkalytics?)

Personally I'll be using it.

It makes this solicitors firm from Bournemouth's website http://www.SolicitorsInBournemouth.com into
http://goo.gl/Oqop

Read more...

Sunday 24 October 2010

Do People Like You Enough To Buy From Your Law Firm?

When you asked your significant other half out on a first date
what was the most important thing?

Was it whether they liked you?

Or whether they trusted you?

And how about your prospective clients?

To read more and maybe review the way you sell?

http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/sitedata/Misc/Do-People-Like-You.pdf

Read more...

Thursday 21 October 2010

Yellow Pages Adverts For Solicitors - Make Them Great

You've heard the news about Pre-Nuptial agreements?

It's all over the place. Radio, TV, online.

If' I'm thinking of a pre-nup because of all the media
exposure and I type into Google

Prenup + Solicitors + YourTown

Would I get you?

It took me 7 minutes to swipe the story from the Telegraph,
rewrite it and put it on a law firm website.

It would probably take you about 10 minutes to do the same.
(or get someone else to do it for you).

Even better - do a video you might make it to page one on Google.

And then you can send it to the local media as a press release
too.

What get's me is that the highest ranking real solicitor for the Google
search pre nuptial agreement solicitors is none other than
Bishops Law...a subscriber to this newsletter.

This systematic use of big stories and putting a local spin on things
can really pay dividends. Google loves local and original content.

It takes a few minutes to do it as most of the hard work has been done
for you by journalists elsewhere.

Hope this helps...

Read more...

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Co-operation not Competition works for Law firms

Just put an idea about making more from conveyancing.
(For conveyancing solicitors it's here http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/free_legal_marketing_ideas

My daughter came home from school (she's 4 and a half)
upset she hadn't won a prize in a drawing competition.

In her words, she had lost.

And it's not just 4 year olds that are made to feel like losers when
they don't get something.

"Why should I bust a gut, I'm not a legal partner
so I ain't gonna earn more out of doing this!"

That's something you hear in all firms.

It made me think of the "up or out" system within law firms.

If you are good enough you make partner and share in the success.

If not, you're part of the "rest".

At least that's how it seems to many people that work as lawyers or as
support.

If there's a “them and us” culture in your firm it means that people are not co-operating.
It's more likely that they are competing.

Many people assume wrongly that competition brings out the best in people.

And the Darwinian "survival of the fittest" is often
used as a scientific justification of this type of approach.

But does competition really help your law firm internally?

When someone wins - someone loses.

And 99% of people have been taught they
if they are not winners they are losers.

And if you lose how does it affect you and your staff?

If the answer is negatively then you are duty bound to find an alternative.

And that is co-operation.

* Co-operation is win/win.
* It's coaching staff so that you can transfer knowledge
* It's finding best practise and disseminating it,
* It's scheduling work so that everyone gets interesting things to work on.
* It's not having favourites
* It's saying someone is different not better,
* It's helping not hindering.

Think about how Amazon allows co-operation between store owners and buyers.
Or how Linux allows programmers to co-operate on open source software.
Or how Betfair lets punters bet against each other.

There's an old football saying that there is no i in team.
So if you aren't referring internally, working with business as partners
or simply taking the time to help each other
then you are probably over-competing.

Try a bit of un-learning.
Try a bit more co-operation in your law firm.

Put on your next management meeting the words...

How Can We Co-operate More In Our Firm
And Externally With Partners To Make Our Business Win Win?

And make sure you invite all staff to contribute with
their ideas as to how you can market your solicitors firm better.

PS It is not the case that Darwin coined the term "survival of the fittest".

When you think about it, his theories demonstrated that by co-operating
in distinct niches animals had the best chance of surviving.

It was the exploitation of these niches that was observed.

What co-operative niches can you law firm thrive in?

Read more...

Friday 8 October 2010

Conveyancing Tips from Bournemouth Solicitors

I like the way that this Solicitor from Bournemouth has
started to use video.

He's quickly ranked on Google for Solicitors Bournemouth and made
his text come to life by recording a screen cast.

Read more...

Thursday 7 October 2010

Yellow Pages Mistakes

Lots of firms are re-examining Yellow Pages budgets.

I’m sure you’ve read this page on my website about Yellow Pages adverts.

http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/yellow_pages_mistakes_lawyers_make

And you've read this page

http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/lawyer_advertising__getting_results

Leet me ask you.

Have you done a Yellow Pages advert in the past?

What response do you get?

What cost per lead is it giving you?

If it’s good then safe to stick with the advert if all is well.

But if you don't track your response - PLEASE start doing it with all leads you get.

But if you're looking at your first YP advert or you aren’t happy with your existing advert here are some quick thoughts.

You probably need a better headline than the one you have and ideally a unique one.

For example, I recenlty looked a a firm's website and advert and could only find one unique point.

It was hidden away.

And it was to do with evening appointments and the offer of convenience.

So you could do a main headline..

Who Else Wants A Solicitor That Visits Your Office Or Home?

That Let’s You Try Before You Buy.

With a sub headline....

And Guarantees You Can Meet Up When You Want To,

(not squeezed in to your lunch hour!)

Which could then have some body copy...

At XXX Law we know that our clients want fast results. But they don’t want to be rushed.

We’re not your usual nine to five solicitors that are difficult to get hold of on the phone (and then charge you for every minute we help solve your problems.) We know you come to us because you have to. Which is why we will arrange to see you at home, at your office or in the evening . Basically when it’s convenient for you.

__________________________________________________________________

You probably need better images in your ad.

Their images didn't really do anything. They were typical handshake, keys, house artwork.

I suggested they'd be better off using any logos such as APIL, SRA, Law Society etc. Or use a picture that relates to time and convenience.

Or publicise a confidential 24 Hour Divorce Information Line.

(Here's an information line number for a newspaper I did

Call 0843 218 3542 to listen)

_____________________________________________________________________


They had no guarantee in the ad. You ideally need a guarantee – although No Win – No Fee could be used better and bigger and made into something.

______________________________________________________________________

They had simple spelling mistakes.

You probably need someone to check the spelling (or read it backwords to do this yourself)

__________________________________________________________

They needed at least one testimonial that was relevant and “XXX Law saved me £17,000” variety rather than the good guy variety. Read this page on testimonials...

http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/testimonials_where_to_use_them

_______________________________________________________________

They needed to have a call to action highlighted which could be...

30 minute consultation worth £147 free when you mention this advertisement.

I hope they get a better advert designed. And track the response.

PS if you want a trackable phone number let me know. It's vital to monitor
the success of otherwise of your marketing channels.

The company I use are http://www.admeter3.co.uk/
Once again..if you give them my name you'll get special rates
because they want to have a few solicitors on board as
testimonials.

Read more...

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Solicitors Can Market Even When Not At Work

I'm deliberately sending this out on Wednesday at 11.50am

It's the best time to get emails opened.

When I send out on Friday I get mainly out of office emails..

Out of office emails. Don't you just love 'em?

A they a great marketing legal marketing tool?

Not if this is anything to go by.

* I am out of the office today the 13th September. If the matter is urgent please contact...

This says to me, "I couldn't be bothered to stamp my personality
on my emails or at best, I hadn't thought about it."

But then I got this reply from Richard Davies and thought
ah...there's someone that's taken a bit of time and effort...

_______________________________________________________________

Thank you for your e-mail. Please note I will be out of the office until 6th September.

I will be checking e-mails periodically during this period but in the event of any urgent matters please e-mail one of the following:

For general and conveyancing enquiries e-mail Irene Campbell - irene at rbmdavies.com

For divorce and family law matters e-mail Jane Young - jane at rbmdavies.com

For probate, wills and Court of Protection matters e-mail Andrew McLoughlin - andrew at rbmdavies.com

or telephone the office on 0151 336 6611.

Richard B M Davies
RBM Davies & Partners LLP
__________________________________________________________

And here's something from Fishers, it's a mini
events guide on their out of office emails...

WHAT'S ON:

Sunday 19th September 2010

The Melbourne Festival - Fishers Solicitors continue their partnership with the Melbourne Festival. Running from the 11th to the 25th of September, the festival brings together performances of music, drama, poetry and comedy with the best local art and architecture. Fishers will be hosting a stand on Sunday 19th during the Art and Architecture Trail, come along and say hello and join us for a glass of wine.

Thursday 30th September 2010

Leicester Business Event 2010 - Fishers will be exhibiting at LBE10 at the Walkers Stadium. Visitors get free entry so why not take the opportunity to come along and chat to some of our lawyers.

Thursday 30th September 2010

Ashby Trade Fair - Fishers will exhibiting at the Ashby Trade Fair. This is a great opportunity to meet other local businesses in the Ashby de la Zouch area. If your business is based in Ashby come along to Hood Park Leisure Centre between 12pm and 7pm and meet some of the team.



Can you try something friendly...

_________________________________________________________________

Thanks for emailing me. I'm with clients
all day helping them with their divorce cases.

If you want an update on yours feel free to call me
between 4pm and 5pm Monday to Friday on 0844 502 1631

If it's really urgent and can't wait
then please text me a short message with
what's urgent on 0795 1284875.

If you want to know anything about the divorce process
and how I can help you please download my free guide here

Remember to change your Will when you get divorced.

For other legal solutions please get in touch with...etc.

______________________________________________________________

If you have 10 out of office emails a week that's 500 ways
to cross sell other services a year. Multiplied by how many members
of staff you have. And it's gratis.

I would be gobsmacked if you don't pick up at least ONE
NEW CLIENT.

PS, please do this...it is so easy. And change it from
time to time so you sound human!

PPS is it Yellow Pages renewing time? Are you going to need
a trackable phone number (you must). Get one from me - just ask!

Read more...