Tell me about your law practice

March 24, 2023 by
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When someone asks you to tell them about your work—what you do, the problems you solve, how someone can tell when they need your help—the words come easily to you. When they have questions, you have answers. 

We’re talking about interviews. A simple and effective way to market your services.

Someone with an audience invites you to talk about your work, you get to tell their audience all about what you do, give out your website and other ways people can learn more, and how to get in touch with you.  

Blogs, magazines, newsletters, podcasts, and other publishers and contact marketers are not only are willing to interview you, they need you, because their audience needs you. 

These publishers know you are an expert and can cogently apeak about subjects about which their audience is interested. They know you will provide valuable information, which is why lawyers are in high demand for interviews. 

Many interviewers welcome you to provide them with your introduction and with questions they can ask you. It makes their job easier and makes for a better interview.

Once you do a few interviews (and add them to your bio), getting additional interviews becomes even easier. 

If the interviews (or transcripts) are published online, they can be a continuing source of traffic and leads leads for you. 

How do you get interviews? You can start with a simple letter of introduction you send to publishers and podcasters. Look for those who do interviews about legal and related topics. Tell them about your experience as an attorney, about other interviews and presentations you’ve done, and a roundup of the types of subjects you can speak about. Invite them to contact you if they are interested in exploring further.

Yeah, as simple as that. 

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Filed Under: Marketing legal services Tagged With:

Remember to wear pants

August 10, 2022 by
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You’re speaking to a prospective employee over Zoom. You ask questions, they ask questions, it’s going well, and then they ask you to do something unusual. They ask you to move your camera and show them around your office.

What? Why?

Maybe they want to see your books or tchotchkes, what’s on your desk or hanging on your wall. Maybe they want to see if you’re organized and tidy, or you’re a slob.

Would you show them? Would you object?

A woman had to make that decision recently during a job interview. The recruiter asked her to “show her around the room”. When she asked why, the recruiter said, “You can tell a lot about a person from the way their room looks.”

The interviewee said she was uncomfortable and the recruiter backed off.

And then there were the comments.

Many were indignant or angry on behalf of the interviewee, using words like, “Invasion of privacy,“ “Intrusive,“ “Unprofessional,“ and “Unfair”.

But some thought it was a reasonable request.

What say you?

I say, you might ask this question, or something similar, the next time you interview a prospective employee.

No, not to see if their office is a mess, they worship Satan, or they have a pet alligator, although it might be good to know those things. The real reason is to see how they respond.

Are they uncomfortable? Frazzled? Angry? Defensive? Or cool as a cucumber? Do they blush and get tongue-tied or do they laugh it off and say, “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours”?

If they decline, do they do it respectfully or do they tell you to bugger off?

You want to know if they can handle a little pressure, don’t you? Because that goes with the job.

Of course, they may also ask you to show them around your office, so remember to hide your alligator and put on some damn pants.

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Filed Under: Law office management Tagged With:

10 questions for you

June 29, 2022 by
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In this post are 10 questions you might be asked in an interview. Review them and note how you might respond.

The questions can also prompt you to write things people want to know about you for your website’s “About” page, in your bio, or your introduction.

You can also use these questions to write 10 blog posts, telling readers about yourself and what you do.

The questions:

  1. What does a (type) lawyer do?
  2. What types of clients do you represent?
  3. What’s your favorite part of your job?
  4. Why should a client hire you instead of any other lawyer?
  5. What’s your favorite marketing strategy?
  6. What’s the hardest part of your job?
  7. Have you had any unusual cases or clients?
  8. What’s the most important thing you want new clients to know or do?
  9. How is your work/the law different today than when you started practicing?
  10. What book(s) are you reading right now?

These questions are necessarily generic. Edit, re-write, and add additional questions to your list to suit your practice and personality.

What do you want people to know about you and what you do? What would they find interesting? What do people ask you at parties?

Finally, you can use these questions when you interview another lawyer for your blog or newsletter. And you should do that because you’ll get some easy content and the lawyer you interview might reciprocate and interview you for their blog or newsletter.

I wrote a book based entirely on an interview I did with a very successful appellate attorney friend who does a great job marketing his services. Here’s the book; here’s what I did to write it.

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Filed Under: Content creation, Marketing legal services Tagged With:

Podcasting for your supper

August 19, 2020 by
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In the last few weeks, I was a guest on a couple of law-related podcasts. I told my story, shared some ideas, and got my name and links promoted to an audience of lawyers interested in marketing and productivity.

When you’re the guest on a podcast, good things happen. You get traffic to your website, subscribers to your newsletter, and more clients or customers.

And, that podcast lives on the net forever, which means you’ll continue to get more business from it–indefinitely.

Not bad for less than an hour’s work.

I say work but it’s really a lot of fun. You’re the guest of honor, the host says nice things about you, and you get to pontificate about your area of expertise.

So, how do you a piece of this sweetness?

In my case, by publishing a lot of content. Eventually, you get noticed and invited.

But you can make “getting discovered” more likely to occur.

Here’s one way:

  1. Identify podcasts (video channels, blogs that do interviews) in your niche. The bigger their audience, the more credibility and influence they have with your target market, the better. But don’t ignore the little guys and gals. They may be big some day, and some of the big boys follow the little guys, looking for ideas and. . . potential interviewees.
  2. Follow them, listen to them, read them, get to know them.
  3. Engage them. Email them and compliment what they’re doing. Add comments to their posts and episodes. Ask questions/offer suggestions for additional topics. Suggest other individuals who might be a good guest.
  4. Share their content with your list(s). Make sure the podcaster knows this, and provide them links to your website, blog, and socials, so they can see what you do and what you might offer them as a guest.
  5. Consider interviewing them for your podcast, channel, blog, or newsletter.

Eventually, you’ll get noticed and invited.

This isn’t as much work as it sounds. You should already be reading, listening, and following these folks–to get ideas for your content, to find potential networking and joint venture partners, and to keep up-to-date with what’s going on in your niche.

Getting invited to someone else’s podcast is also a lot easier than starting your own.

Yes, starting your own podcast is a great way to build your brand, get more subscribers, and bring in more clients–but it takes a lot of time.

More time than what I spend on marketing, which consists primarily of writing a simple daily email (and speaking on other people’s podcasts.)

How to use email to get more new clients, repeat business, and referrals

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Filed Under: Marketing legal services Tagged With: ,

So simple, so easy to mess up

November 15, 2019 by
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Have you ever been interviewed and had the interviewer try to “share the stage” with you, talking too much instead of asking questions?

I have and it’s not good.

When you are invited to be the guest on a podcast or conference call, the host should edify you to their audience. They should present your background, say nice things about you, and make you look every bit like the expert you are.

They should make you look like you walk on water and glow in the dark so their audience will get excited about hearing you.

If they did that and then talk over you or share too much of their own knowledge and experience, they de-edify you.

Why did they invite you if they know what you know?

The host should introduce you, ask questions and let you do most of the talking. They shouldn’t interrupt you or contradict you or do anything that detracts from your image as an expert.

That doesn’t mean they can’t ask some sharp questions. It means they shouldn’t do anything to make you look bad.

Not in that kind of interview, anyway.

Edification is an important skill and it’s not that difficult. Take yourself out of the picture (mostly) and shine the spotlight on your guest.

Edification can also be used when you make a referral to another professional, introduce a guest at your event to another guest or to the speaker, or when you recommend a product or service or resource.

The only place you shouldn’t use it is when you’re talking about yourself.

Marketing is easier when you know The Formula

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Filed Under: Communication, Networking, Personal development, Presentations, Seminars and webinars Tagged With: ,

How to start a conversation without sounding creepy

November 20, 2018 by
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I just read an article based on an interview with Terry Gross, the host of NPR’s “Fresh Air”. Over the last 40 years, she’s conducted thousands of interviews and offered her advice on the best way to start a conversation.

The only icebreaker you need, she said, is to say: “Tell me about yourself.”

She says “this is much more effective than the dreaded, “So what do you do?” because you don’t make any assumptions about the other person.”

She prefers her way because it, “. . . allows you to start a conversation without the fear that you’re going to inadvertently make someone uncomfortable or self-conscious. Posing a broad question lets people lead you to who they are.”

Naturally, I have a few thoughts about this.

First, if you know your audience and you’ve done your homework on the person you’re interviewing, you should be the one in the lead. If you leave it up to the interviewee, they’ll take you places you and your audience don’t necessarily want to go.

Second, making people a bit uncomfortable can lead to a more interesting interview.

Okay, this is coming from a lawyer, not the host of a cultural events show, so take it for what you will. But you know I’m right, don’t you?

Anyway, I picked up the article because I thought I’d learn a new way to start a conversation with a stranger, while networking for example. Something better than, “What do you do?”

Nope.

If a stranger comes up to me and says, “Tell me about yourself,” I’m pretty sure I’d be creeped out and say something like, “Why do you ask?” or “Who the hell are you?”

I have issues.

Seriously, if you want to start a conversation with a stranger, stick with what other people expect to hear and are prepared to respond to.

You can pick up on something you see or you heard them say. You can pay them a compliment, e.g., “I like your tie”. Or you can ask a simple question, e.g., “Have you heard this speaker before?”

Easy. Everyone’s comfortable.

Once you’ve broken the ice and you’re having a conversation, ask them “What do you do?” Because you want them to ask you what you do.

And, if you’re conducting an interview, for a podcast or video or because you’re writing a book, get my book, The Easy Way to Write a Book. You’ll learn some non-creepy ways to start the conversation and get to the good stuff.

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Filed Under: Networking, Writing Tagged With: ,

Get my book free on Kindle

August 4, 2016 by
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You may recall that I interviewed appellate attorney Steve Emmert and published that interview as a Kindle book. In the interview, we talked about how he built his “appellate only” practice at a time when other attorneys told him that was not impossible.

He explained what he did to defy the odds and become the top appellate attorney in his market. He offered advice for attorneys who want to start an appellate practice or take theirs to the next level.

Of course, we also talked about marketing and much of what he does is applicable to marketing any practice area.

If you haven’t read “How to Build a Successful Appellate Practice,” for the next few days you can get a free copy here (Note, you don’t need a Kindle device to read Kindle books.)

I’m giving the book away because I have another book coming out about how I conducted the interview and turned it into a book. It shows you how to use “expert interviews” to quickly write and publish a book and use it to promote your practice.

I’ll let you know when the new book is available. In the meantime, get your copy of How to Build a Successful Appellate Practice.

 

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Filed Under: Marketing legal services Tagged With: , , ,

Another way your clients can help your practice grow

April 5, 2016 by
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Will you be seeing any clients today? This week? Good. When you’re done with your meeting, ask them if they can help you out with something and tell them it will only take 15 minutes.

When they ask what you have in mind, tell them you want to ask them a few questions about their experience with you and your office.

When they agree, ask them if it would be okay if you record the conversation. And then, do a brief interview.

Ask some basic questions about why they needed a lawyer, how they found you, and what you did for them. Ask about:

  • Their background/occupation
  • The legal issue or objective that prompted them to seek legal help
  • How they found you (referral, search, other)
  • If they saw your website, what did they read, what did they like?
  • Did they talk to other lawyers before they decided to hire you?
  • Why did they choose you?
  • What did you do for them/how did you help them?
  • What did they like best about having you as their lawyer?
  • Is there anything they think you need to improve? Anything you don’t do but should?
  • Would they recommend you? What would they say about you?

And so on. You’ll think of other questions, and they’ll volunteer statements about their experience with you and your firm.

At the end of the interview, ask them if it would be okay to post their comments on your website or put them in your newsletter. Ask them if you could use their name. You might also ask for a head shot photo, or take one on the spot.

Have the interview transcribed. You might use the transcript in it’s entirety, or lift quotes from it and use them in a “client profile”.

There are several benefits to doing this:

  • It’s an easy source of content for your blog or newsletter
  • You’ll get lots of readership. Your other clients and prospective clients like to see what others say about their experience with you
  • The interviewed client will “sell” readers on hiring you, so you don’t have to.
  • Their positive comments help your other clients feel good about their decision to hire you
  • The interviewee may share your post with their friends and followers, bringing you more traffic and more clients (indirect referrals)
  • If your client owns a business, this is a simple way for you to promote that business; they’ll also be likely to share your post
  • You’ll get feedback about what you’re doing right, and ideas you can use to add value

Go ahead, give this a try. Your clients will be flattered that you want to interview them. And once you see how easy this is, you’ll want to do it again.

Could you interview one client per month? Of course you could. If you do, and you write a weekly blog post or article, one-quarter of your monthly content will be taken care of.

More ways to get your clients to provide referrals

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Filed Under: Marketing legal services, Web traffic Tagged With: , , ,

Marketing legal services: let other people do it for you

November 12, 2015 by
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You don’t want to blog or do a podcast but other people in your niche do. They need people to interview and people to write guest posts.

You, for example.

Find blogs and podcasts and video channels in your niche and introduce yourself to the head guy or gal. Compliment their work. Promote their content to your lists. Comment on their posts. Get on their Hangouts and contribute to the conversation.

Stay on their radar and eventually they will ask if they can interview you. In fact, once they know who you are, let them know that you are available and you’ll probably move to the front of their list.

By helping them, you help yourself. Your interviews and posts will get your name and contact information in front of people who need your services or who know someone who does. You’ll get more traffic to your website, more followers on social media, and more subscribers for your list. New clients will be next.

Remember, they need content and they can only create so much themselves. They need people like you to help them. As you help them, you help yourself.

The more you get your name out there, the more other bloggers and podcasters will seek you out. Marketing will get easier for you. Instead of doing one interview this month you’ll have three interviews this week.

Soon, your target market will see you “everywhere” and they will know that when they need a lawyer who does what you do, you are the one they want. Other professionals will see that you are in demand and choose you for their referrals.

Help others with their marketing and they will help you with yours.

Learn more about marketing legal services online, here

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Filed Under: Blogging, List building, Marketing legal services, Networking, Online Marketing, Publicity, Social media marketing, Web traffic, Writing Tagged With:

How to write your first book (or your next book)

October 22, 2015 by
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Admit it, you know you’d love to write a book.

You’re smart. You know that being an author will look great on your bio. You know that a book can bring traffic to your website and prospects for your practice. You know that having a book can help you acquire new business contacts and referral sources and open doors to many other marketing opportunities.

But you haven’t written a book because you don’t know what to do and you don’t think you have the time.

So it’s on your “someday” list.

Forget that. Let’s get your book done in the next few days.

How? I gave you the answer yesterday, when I announced my latest book, “How to Build a Successful Appellate Practice.” If you read the book, you know that the quickest and easiest way to write a book is to not write one at all.

I “wrote” this book in a few hours by interviewing an expert. I asked questions, he answered, and 90% of the book was done. I added an introduction and summary, which were taken from the interview, and my bio with links to my website.

Done and done. Bada bing, bada boom.

It’s a short book, but a good book. Solid information presented in an interesting way.

And you can do the same thing. You can use the interview method to write your first book, or your next book.

Then, promote the book and let the book promote you. Tell everyone you know about your book. Post it as a pdf on your website. Give it away to clients and prospects. Your book provides them with helpful information and shows them that you know important people, reinforcing the notion that you too are important.

And, in case you haven’t figured it out, the person you interview will also promote the book. Proudly. They’ll tell everyone about it, and thus, tell everyone about you.

In “The 30 Day Referral Blitz” I told you about the many ways you can use a report to grow your practice. If you haven’t read that, you owe it to yourself to do so immediately. But as good as a report is, a book is even better.

So here’s your homework.

Call an attorney you know in another practice area, one that complements yours. If you handle personal injury, for example, call someone who does workers compensation or Social Security disability.

Then, interview each other, and turn the interviews into books. You’ll thank me later.

Get “The 30 Day Referral Blitz” here

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Filed Under: Marketing legal services, Writing Tagged With: ,
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