Each year, Americans spend roughly $310 billion on tort litigation. Half of that goes to transaction expenses-mostly legal fees. It’s no wonder why owning a law firm is such a lucrative venture.
But starting a law firm is no walk in the park. There are many factors to consider, from finding the right location to hiring the right staff. But arguably the most critical task is attracting new clients.
Getting people to give you their business can be an uphill task for a new law firm. There are already 446,887 law firms in the country, many of which will be vying for the same clients as you. To help give you an edge, we share five powerful law firm marketing secrets to get your business up and running.
Build a Well-Designed Law Firm Website
Creating a professional, well-designed website is essential in today’s legal market. Potential clients will almost always start searching for a new lawyer online, so it’s crucial to establish an online presence.
Here are some tips for building a law firm website that will help you attract new clients:
- Use clear, concise language to explain what your law firm does and who your ideal client is
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate
- Use high-quality images that convey the professionalism of your firm
Remember that your website is often the first impression potential clients will have of your firm, so make sure that it reflects your brand and professionalism. With a bit of effort, you can create a law firm website that will help you build a successful practice.
Develop a Content Marketing Plan
Now that you have a well-designed website, it’s time to ensure that the site is up to snuff. That’s where content marketing comes in.
By developing a robust content marketing plan for your law firm website, you can ensure that your site is always top of the search results. And that means more clients for your business.
Before making content part of your digital marketing strategy, it’s important to have a plan. Ask yourselves these questions:
- What do you want to achieve with your content marketing?
- Who is your target audience?
- What kind of content will they find most valuable?
Once you have answers to these questions, you can start creating a content marketing plan that will help you attract new clients and grow your law firm. Research the keywords your target audience uses to find lawyers like you. Then, create content that includes those keywords.
Get Your Firm Listed on Local and National Directories
Getting listed on local and national directories gives potential clients a way to find you when they search for an attorney in their area. Directories can also help improve your visibility on the web, making it more likely that potential clients will stumble across your firm when doing a general search.
In addition to increased visibility, being listed in a directory can also give you credibility and help you to build trust with potential clients.
When choosing which directories to list on, select the ones relevant to your practice area and popular in your region.
Leverage the Power of Networking
Networking is a cost-effective way to attract new clients. By building relationships with other professionals, law firm owners can generate referrals and raise awareness about their business.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your legal networking efforts:
Get Involved in Your Local Legal Community
Join law-related groups and organizations, and attend events and workshops. This will help you meet potential clients and referral sources, and top law firm marketing firms can also introduce you to other attorneys who may be able to refer business to you.
Get Involved in Your Local Business Community
Attend Chamber of Commerce events, join networking groups, and volunteer for local organizations. This is a great way to meet potential clients who may need legal services in the future.
Build Relationships With Referral Sources
When you have a good relationship with another attorney or a trusted business professional, they are more likely to refer clients to you. Stay in touch with your referral sources and keep them updated on your practice.
Stay Top of Mind
If you ever meet someone who may need legal services in the future, be sure to stay in touch. Send them a monthly e-newsletter or connect with them on social media. By staying top of their mind, you’ll be the first attorney they think of when they need legal help.
Establish a Strong Social Media Presence
It’s no secret that social media is one of the most powerful tools in law firm marketing. Over 70% of the US population already uses one or more social media platforms. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer law firms a unique opportunity to connect with potential clients and establish a strong online presence.
However, simply having a social media account is not enough. In order to attract new clients, law firms must take an active and strategic approach to social media. This means regularly posting informative and engaging content, participating in online conversations, and monitoring your online reputation.
Law firms can use social media to reach a wider audience and build relationships with potential clients with little effort.
Get It Right When Starting a Law Firm
Starting a law firm is no easy task. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and, most importantly, clients.
In order to attract your first clients, you’ll need to put in the extra effort and use some creative strategies. The strategies we’ve suggested in this article should help you get started on the right foot.
Would you like some professional help in your law firm’s marketing efforts? Get in touch with us today and learn how we can help.