Friday, January 29, 2010

Integration is the Key

One of the things I sorely regret about my firm's website and blog is that they're not integrated too well. Sure, I think they're each marvelous in their own right, but I wish when I started the firm site and blog that the Headway theme was available when I created mine.

The thing I see, especially with a lot of "home made" blogs/websites, is that someone pays to have their site designed, and starts a blog using Blogger.com, Wordpress.com, or some other free host. This breaks continuity between the image you're trying to portray on your firm site, and creates a disconnect between the two sites. How is someone supposed to find your information when they're visiting your professional site at joelawyer.com, but have to acquire your updated content at myjoelawyerincity.free.freehosted.blog.com? It just doesn't work.

You'll notice that my blog and site create the disconnect I'm talking about. Don't agree? Check out the color schemes, fonts, permalink style on each. They're both different. You want cohesion, you have to create it.

This should all be a segment of your marketing plan. You need to package it all together and ensure that you're synced in every aspect.

The great thing I found with the Headway blog theme is how easy you can integrate each element. It's quick and easy, making the integrated changes that are necessary.

If you're just starting out, make sure you integrate well.

Note: I get a "kickback" from the makers of Headway if you purchase using the link, but regardless, it's not about the money, it's about helping you get your firm going.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Management & Me

One of the biggest challenges in running your own firm is being able to manage one million tasks, and then adding one more.

Sure, you've learned some time management skills in law school, and there's wonderful programs to detail responsibilities, but when it all comes down to it, your duty as a solo is to get things done quickly and perfectly.

It's tough, especially as a "newbie", to determine how much time and energy one "simple" set of discovery requests is going to take. Or worse, when the other side sends you heaps of motions due within 20 days. I get even more frustrated when I lose time performing other out-of-the-office tasks, which dissolve the amount of time I can play with back in the office.

Recently I spent some time attending a hearing. I had expected the hearing (including travel time) to last about an hour. To my distress, 2.5 hours I walked away from the court. What was more, I spent most of the at the hearing waiting in the lobby of the building, not waiting for the judge or other attorneys. This was valuable time I could spend working on other projects or handling other business. This is time, which because of this client's particular agreement, I couldn't recover by a future billing.

Unfortunately, these are the games you play, and the risks. Your task is to make it work, keep your sanity, and accomplish your tasks. You're always going to have stress and unexpected, additional hitches. However, if you can work hard and smart, you're going to be just fine.

As always, if you'd like some advice or recommendations, visit my firm's contact page, and send me an email.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Handling Business

I'm at that point in my practice where business has increased, but revenues remain similar. I'm trying to figure out how to improve productivity without having to increase costs.

Any suggestions?

Thursday, January 14, 2010

IP Protection

One of the great things about hosting your own website or blog is the ability to customize it in a variety of ways, including on the server side.

I recently discovered a feature (which I'm sure you already knew about) that allows me to block ".htaccess" to my website. My host provides a number of "CPanel" controls to edit particular .htaccess features. Some of these include IP address blocking, password protection, and URL redirects.

Since I have been receiving a lot of unsolicited emails alerting me that I have millions of dollars waiting in some Nigerian bank, I decided to start blocking these senders' email addresses.

My host allows me to enter a specific IP address, or a range of IP addresses. If you're going to block the range, you only need the first 3 proxy ranges: xx.xx.xxx, rather than the full address.

I know this is a limited protection, and isn't likely to cause too much damage, but if I can stop/slow down one more foreign idiot, I'll be happy.

Friday, January 8, 2010

SPU Stuff

I'm a student at Solo Practice University. I think it's well worth the tuition, especially if you're a solo or small firm practitioner.

In recent weeks, SPU took some harsh criticism from some (unmentioned) bloggers. Their criticism about the idea is that the information really is a waste of money because the solo is dying. That's not true, and unfortunately for all law graduates, the harsh reality is that SPU gives you the practical skills, if not some small insights, into uncharted territories. I'm learning Social Security from Johnathan Ginsberg, and bankruptcy from Jay Fleischman. These are just two of the many classes you can take to improve your practice.

One of the other courses I'm in is taught by James Chartrand. The course deals with marketing and other information. James' most recent post gives some great pointers into designing a better website homepage. The keys: Be Brief; Be Even Briefer; Be Commanding.

Of course, these aren't new principles or even groundbreaking ideas, they're simple. With the additional information James' post provides though, you're able to evaluate your website and tweak it. It's these kinds of simple principles in every class that set SPU apart, and make it worth your tuition.

If you're interested in joining, let me know.