Chris Morales will be one of the speakers at the 4th Annual Solo Practice Seminar on December 6. 2013 at Santa Clara University. To register, please go to: http://law.scu.edu/ai1ec_event/solo-practice-seminar-2/?instance_id=26170. For questions, call (408) 554-4350 or e-mail: lcs@scu.edu.
When I opened my office 22 years ago I had no money and lots of student loans. I paid monthly rent to a law firm to use their conference room, accept my mail, and take phone messages. I set up my computer and printer in my bedroom and purchased some fancy letterhead and cards and went to work.
Twenty-two years later I have two offices, a virtual receptionist, an associate and a part time marketing assistant. If I was starting today my marketing plan would include the following:
1) WEBSITE:
All law firms should have a professional looking website with plenty of pictures and videos and free special reports. The website should initially be between 5-10 pages. When writing the copy for your website think about questions that potential clients would have for you. Don’t just talk about yourself. Give away free stuff on your website. Write special reports that potential clients can download. These reports should be substantive, give clients your best advice. For example on my website I offer, 8 Ways to Clean up Your Criminal Record and 10 Steps to Take When the FBI Shows up at Your Door.
2) BLOGS:
The main reason we write blogs is to keep Google happy, so that your website ends up on the first page. Google likes big websites and each blog post adds another page to your website. Google also likes websites that continually post new and relevant material. At my law firm we blog three times a week and my website is well over 1000 pages.
3) VIDEOS:
Studies show that when a website has videos the potential client stays longer on the site. This is what you want. When a prospective client goes to a website and there are no pictures of the attorney, the prospect feels no connection and clicks away. When there is a picture of the attorney the prospective client feels more comfortable and may stay awhile longer. When you have a video, especially a video that shows your entire body, the potential client feel like they know you and are more likely to pick up the phone and call you.
4) NETWORKING:
The more attorneys you know the more referrals you will receive. Join business and attorney networking groups. Plan to have lunch with a different attorney every day of the week. Stay in touch with everybody that you meet by sending them cards, postcards and coffee mugs at least several times a year. They will forget about you unless you stay in touch with them.
5) VIRTUAL RECEPTIONIST:
Never miss a call from a prospective client. Virtual receptionists never take lunch, never take breaks and never call in sick. They cost a fraction of a live receptionist. You should train your receptionist and give them a script to use whenever a prospective client calls. This will help set the stage and put you in a good light when you finally speak to the prospective client.
Chris Morales
Chris Morales is criminal trial attorney. He handles all types of criminal cases including murder and complex white collar crimes. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and a Northern California Superlawyer. His website is www.sfcriminallawspecialist.com and his phone number is 415-552-1215.
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