Getting recognized

Here's a great article I found when I "Googled" the term "law firm marketing." In my law practice introduction course, we've been tasked with the duty of designing a four partner law firm. As the resident chief "techie", and because of my degree in communication, I received the task of designing the firm marketing plan and website.

In preparing for life after law school, I've met with several solo practitioners to get some valuable advice. Particularly useful has been their insights on the struggle to bring in clients. Most of the attorneys have little success with their yellow pages advertising, despite the phone company's instance on a certain ROI.

In one situation, I suggested blogging as a valuable tool, but the attorney quickly dismissed the idea because of the hassel involved. Apparently, the time spent surfing CNN, MSNBC, and the countless number other sites, accounted for far more revenue than the blogging alternative.

Now, I don't know that a blog, especially one like this, is ever going to be such that a lot of business will come from it. However, it's just one more tool in the overall marketing scheme that will improve your firm's exposure. Moreover, I think people like to be able to take your card and go online and see what you're discussing.

Check out Microsoft Office Live for one other method of improving your exposure. Surprisingly, Microsoft is offering free web hosting and design services for businesses. The caveat, it's only free for the 1st year. The bonus, they'll host your website for only $14.95 per year afterward. This is a steal, especially since their design tool is relatively easy to use, you'll have your website up in an hour. One of the best features is that MS has finally opened their MS Office Outlook Connector for everyone. You'll be able to download this program and synchronize your "e-mail messages, calendar items, contacts, tasks, and notes between Outlook and Office Live Small business Mail." You can read more about the Connector here.

Where would you be?

Yesterday, I listened to a presentation given by the Oklahoma Bar Association's tech-guru, Jim Calloway. Jim's presentation stressed the importance of having digital backups of all of our office materials. To emphasize the point, Jim showed pictures of law firm files following Katrina. He stated that it would be near impossible to reconstruct a client's file from the water-soaked & trash-infested mess. I think the same principle holds true for any other type of disaster.

Jim's newest blog post features a discussion of another concern, computer crashes. I know what a problem they are on my home computer, heaven forbid our office systems go down.

So in light of the disaster and inconvenience factors, my question is, what are you doing to protect your most valuable assets? In all reality, do you have a list of programs you regularly run, with their code keys written down? Or, do you trust yourself to remember that every 30 days or more you use "that" program. As Jim notes, it's those little tweaks that will get you - like all your special formatting functions for Dragon.

I'm one of the odd few that actually likes formatting my hard drive and performing a clean install. I typically clean the hard drive every 45 days (more if I'm busy). The pain though is having to do the program updates. If you're vigilant though, sometimes you can avoid the stress.

My best advice, take a minute to open your programs directory and see what you're regularly running. Then for the next week (or month) write down every program you use. Also, write down the pass key for each. Store this in some easy to find place.

As for your own personal "Katrina," question what your firm/home is doing to protect your information. Can you easily access your files away from your office? Would you be able to run your office from your home? Hotel? Hawaii? And finally, but I think most important, is there someone else who knows your backup/recovery procedures, who could replace you if necessary?

It's malpractice if you're not backing up your client files. Arguably, it's malpractice if you're not digitizing all of your current and past client work.

Take a minute to evaluate where you fall on the treat scale.

Pathagoras

Here's another product I've mentioned that's getting praised.

Addiction

At the start of 2008, like the billions of other people, I made a commitment to improve my cardiovascular health. I've been a member of the local YMCA for over 2 years, and have been a semi-regular visitor. However, since the summer of 2007, I've slacked off on my regular attendance. Before the new year, I hadn't attended the gym for at least 4 months.

With my new resolution, I committed to be a regular participant. I'm glad I have. In 6 weeks, I've lost 12 pounds, a feat I'm very proud of.

Well, I've also discovered this new method of exercise. It involves moving your legs, and is called "running." I've never known, nor cared how, fantastic this was. I'm setting a goal to run in the upcoming 5K. Since I ran 2.7 miles on Saturday, that shouldn't be a problem in the future.

One thing that's added to my new love of running is the Nike/Apple innovation called "Nike+". It's not too often that I'll praise Nike. I've never been a fan of their shoes, clothing, or assortment of other over-priced gear. But this is fantastic!

The sensor plugs into your iPod Nano and enables you to track your distance and calories. At home, you upload to iTunes and the Nike+ website. Online you can track your progress, set goals, create challenges or routes, and basically anything involved with running. Finally, if your run is the longest one you've completed, Lance Armstrong whispers a congratulations into your ear. What could be better!?

Here's a tip/trick: the guys at Nike, and their partners at the Apple store, will try and talk you into purchasing their $100+ shoes. They're not necessary. I'm running in New Balance shoes because they fit better. To save yourself the cost, purchase one of these. For the $10.99 it costs, they're fantastic. They're very accurate, and prevent damage to your shoes.

If you'd like to save some money, there are other products out there. However, I liked the compactability of the product, and the fact I didn't have to try and weave it into my shoe. I can snap and go.

Finally, if you're any kind of professional out there, and you're not active, what's stopping you? Just your excuses. I get up at 5:45 and remain active (work, school & family) until 10:30. If a formerly obese guy like me can do it, you can too.

Could it happen to you?

There has been a proliferation of online dating services, but I don't think any of those services are anywhere near as wacky as this service.

Google Apps Hack

One of my concerns involves making my PDF files accessible to clients in the Google Apps module. I've raved about the assets of this module, but a downside of the application is that PDF is not a supported upload format in Google Docs. A quick search on Google revealed this gem that seems to solve my dilemma. Here's the hack:

I might catch heck from Google for this little hack, but here's how I get PDF files to work for my Google Apps domain...

As part of creating the web pages for your domain, you can upload files to display on those pages like
images and stuff. Fortunately that also includes PDF files! And since those files are stored in a public location you can access them via a URL link. Then you can create a Google Doc which contains all of the links to those PDF files.

Here's the steps to do this:
1) Select the Web Pages link from your Dashboard
2) On the Web Page Settings page select the Edit your web pages link
3) Upload the PDF file using the Uploaded stuff control on the right side of the page
4) After the document is uploaded, right-click on the link and select the Copy Link Location in FireFox or the Copy Shortcut in IE
5) Paste that link into a Google Doc, an appointment on your Google Calendar, or wherever necessary

I stand corrected

After writing my last post, I've been playing around with my new Google Apps site. I loaded some documents, started editing, and presto, I found the justify option! This is fantastic!

It seems appropriate now to admit (dare I even say it for fear of diminishing readership) that even a Gen-Xer like I can make some mistakes.

The benefit of this mistake, is that I can now laud another robust and profoundly useful tool, Google Apps. You say you want to build and market your law firm, I say, get Google Apps. How do you keep your clients informed? Google Apps. Check it out! You have a calendar (useful for informing of deadlines and other important dates), an email program, an ability to share documents, a website creation tool, a personalized start page, and even a chat module. You client's entire case file is now accessible for you and them, anytime and anywhere.

The Google Apps method does have 2 potential drawbacks:

1) Your clients need computer access (ability to use a computer); and

2) You may spend an additional amount of time uploading documents, calendar docketing, etc. (assuming you're performing offline practices on a different piece of software), which could get tedious if you have numerous clients/cases all pending. NOTE: I do see that you can email your documents to your account. This may save some problems for your documents, but still leaves the double-docketing problem open.

Google Docs v. MS Office

Generally, I'm an ardent supporter of Microsoft Office, especially 2007. Maybe it's because of Microsoft's high-pressure monopoly (I mean marketing), or the hatred I developed for the "useless" and "disfunctional" Mac computers my elementary and middle schools installed in the library, that's formulated my dislike for any other, and arguably more superior, word processing programs.

However, the powerhouse that is Google, is testing its new program, GoogleDocs. If you've followed the industry developments at all, you're probably well aware of this development, and its impact on the future of "Office Suite" programs. GoogleDocs revolutionizes the way individuals, and companies, create, edit and share their documents.

Unlike the behemoth MS Office 2007 (currently occupying 1.06 GB of HD space on my computer), GoogleDocs' bundled package requires nothing more than a Google id, and a compatible web browser. Users can create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, with much the same glamor as their Office counterparts. Moreover, because all of the documents are stored on Google's servers, there is a lower risk of losing important information/documents. I think this is a valuable feature for groups that are collaborating or gathering information.

Despite its fame and glory, a few things irk me about GoogleDocs. First, where is the justify feature? I'm partial to this feature, because it contributes to a cohesive and seemingly elegant finished product. Even more confusing is the fact that Google's Blogger service contains the feature, but in GoogleDocs, it's missing.

Second, GoogleDocs contains a lack-luster presentation feature, with very few themes (most of which look like they came from Office 97), and none of the other presentation frills associated with its competitor. Admittedly, when the goal is to create an overall professional appearance, these features can distract from the overall presentation, and are often unnecessary.

Finally, I'm disappointed by the limited number of available fonts. Their available package seems to be internet/browser specific (given the HTML platform, this is logical), but I'm kind of partial to my Cambria or Guatemala fonts.

So, is this an option for my office? I think because 1) GoogleDocs is free (we all love free), 2) GoogleDocs is easy to use (even for the "dinosaurs"), 3) GoogleDocs contains sharing and multiple output features, and 4) GoogleDocs is essentially the same as MS Office, you'd be hard-pressed to convince yourself to purchase the $499 MS Office Suite. So, if you're itching to "stick it to Microsoft," GoogleDocs may be an appropriate option for you. Be aware though, according to this article from Law.com, your decision to use GoogleDocs won't be the first.

***Do you want more information, check out the Official Google Docs Blog for some helpful tips and tricks.

For your amusement

Do you need a way to waste some time today? How about visiting this clever blog. I am especially fond of the whitty comments included with each post.

Je t'aime mon amour!

Ah Valentines Day, the one day of the year when I consistently disappoint my wife. For all the hub-bub and hoopla, there isn't a more disappointing day than this - for men and women. In honor of this splendid day, take an opportunity to read this.

Oh, and by the way, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY sweetie, because this is all you're going to get.

- Just Kidding

The glue that binds us together

I took a short hiatus from blogging because my family celebrated the recent marriage of a younger sibling. We had quite an enjoyable time, enabling us to rekindle dimming family friendships, and remind ourselves why we like living 2500 miles away from family.

I think this pondering posed long ago by my wife has merit: If you weren't related to your family (extended family), you probably wouldn't be friends.

People often take offense to the statement because of its harshness, but think for a moment about your familial relationships, and I'm sure that you'll realize the truth.

I come from a big family, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I'm a twin, and the 2nd oldest sibling. Needless to say, we're an exceptionally odd cast of characters on our own, but when combined together, we make the Beverly Hillbillys look at ease in sunny Beverly Hills.

I make this point, because I've been thinking that some of the difficulties that many of us have is that we fail to realize that we are an assortment of mis-matched bedfellows. I think our oddities are the fabric that holds our disfunction together. When, and if, we forget about the "odd-ball glue," then our worlds crumble.

I'm not sure that there is much we can do to combat our complex and quirky idiosyncracies, but I do know that sometimes, it's good to be able to laugh at your siblings, shrug off their behaviors, and be glad you're not their neighbors (I apologize and pity those who live so close).

RSS on the go

There might be 1 person out there who has not discovered the RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, and the benefits of an RSS reader program. For that person, you need to get "reading."

The great thing about the RSS feed, is the ability to "mobilize" and condense your web-browsing. If you're still bookmarking each blog and then checking the sites daily, you're wasting a lot of time (and money if you're working) having to search through and read each entry. YOU NEED AN RSS READER.

The RSS reader is great for mobile, home, or office use. The reader takes your subscriptions, makes checks for new posts, and downloads the posts for viewing. You'll only be reading and checking the updated feeds (we all know how few blogs really get regular updates), saving you time and money.

You might want to check out Internet Explorer's RSS options, but I've found that MS Outlook 2007 has a great feature for downloading RSS feeds to your email. This is great, if you're at your desk all day, or reading blogs only while you're at your computer. As for me, I prefer a more mobile method, using my iPAQ pocketpc.

Recently, NewsGator opened up it's several RSS reader programs, for free (always a bonus). I jumped on this opportunity, signed up for an account, and downloaded their NewsGator Go program, to replace my seriously outdated and feature-lacking (but free) PocketRSS reader. The NewsGator program offers features that put it heads and shoulders above other similarly free readers.

One of my favorite additions is the ability to use the NewsGator website to add/delete or view my subscriptions.

So, if you're looking to improve free up some time (and money), download an RSS reader, and start subscribing to those feeds.

Some great advice

Susan Cartier Liebel publishes the Build a Solo Practice, LLC blog. Today's post which gives adivce regarding first-time lawyer tips and tricks is excellent.

Although she directs her blog toward solo practitioners, the tips she gives would got well for everyone. Thanks to Susan for her robust (and sometimes "gritty") analysis of the legal profession.

PrimoPDF Gets Praised

I've told you about one of my favorite free programs called PrimoPDF. This beauty of a program gives you full PDF creation ability, without the hassel of having to buy the more expensive Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Well, PDF for Lawyers posted this nice reprint about the PrimoPDF program.