Be Careful What You Write

It has been too long since I posted something on this site. I didn't forget about it, I just made a little more emphasis on my other site. I promise to make a more concerted effort at blogging here too.

The ABA Journal has an interesting story about the dangers of social media. The article appears hell-bent on making everyone fearful of using social media to tell a story or advertise one's business. In fact, I think there might be a strong goal by the big-law bandits of the ABA to minimize the use of social media among lawyers.

Basically, the Journal's article talks about the plight of one Sean Conway, a Florida lawyer, who happens to be involved in attorney disciplinary proceedings because of his blogging/use of social media. Mr. Conway's problems arise because he's a) in Florida, and b) he's advertising/using social media of some comments he made about a Florida circuit court judge on a blog discussing Broward County legal topics.

I think Conway's problem is the fact he used this public sphere to berate a political/judicial figure. Fortunately when blogging, there are some established (common sense) rules. Conway states his actions were deliberate and intentional.

If you're using your blog to convey information, then convey information. There are more judicious (and safer) ways for you to get your political message through.

Check this Out

One of the great things about blogging is being able to help others out with meaningful links, this includes other bloggers.

Recently, I came across a blog called Student 2 Solo. The blog is published by a young (time, not age) attorney named Joseph Brown. I've never met Joseph, nor have I received compensation to talk about him.

What I have received, is an enjoyable, albeit small, number of blog posts, about starting and running a solo law practice. I would suggest you add his blog to your reader.

Kudos to Joseph for his work, and I wish him success in the virtual and real worlds.

It's What Distinguishes Us from the Animals

There's a huge flurry of excitement over blogging, internet websites, and social media. For lawyers, this sphere is quickly becoming the new yellow pages. Recently, there has been a great influx of movement toward the internet, and I suspect more lawyers will "get online" with their law firms.

The problem, as I've beaten profusely, with "getting online," is that it's not only about getting there, it's also about being there.

Here's two examples:

Yesterday a new attorney moved into our office. He's leasing a space, and was looking at a senior attorney in one of the other offices (I share my offices with several other attorneys) for advice to get his website in place. The attorney wasn't around, so he asked me to let him know the young guy was looking for him. Actually, the conversation went more like this:

        Attorney:  Where's X? He said he was around later to talk about creating a website.

        Me:  A website? You don't want to talk to X about a website.

     Attorney:  Why? He said his [closely related computer savvy individual] can design a site for like, $300.00.

        Me:  Really? $300? Have you seen X's site?

        Attorney:  No.

        Me:  Look. [Type in the name of extraordinarily long website].

        Attorney:  Oh.

        Me:  Here's my website. [Type in the name of mediocrely long website].

        Attorney:  Wow. That looks good. (I know he's blowing).

     Me:  Here's a secret: the key to visibility on the internet is visibility. You have to have content to encourage the search engines to care. Otherwise, you're just another website.

        Attorney:  Oh.

        Me:  The problem with X's site is that it sucks. There's not any content.

        Attorney:  Yeah, he said his site's pretty ineffective.

        Me:  That's because it's static, it has words on a page, but nothing else. Dynamic content. That's what drives the internet. You want to know about using the internet, you talk to me, not X. You talk to X about BigLaw legal practice and old school legal services. If you're interested, I'll give you the tools to use, and the information needed to get you successful. The problem is, most attorneys don't want to do the second stage: the work.

It was about this time, we were interrupted by Attorney 3, the second example:

           Attorney 3:  Have you seen my website? It's bi-lingual? It's awesome.

           Me:  No. What's the address?

           Attorney 3:  Uh...not sure. Try X.com.

           Me: Nothing.

           Attorney 3:  Maybe it's not published yet.

           Me: What about the one I helped you set up? [Typing in website.com].

           Attorney 3:  Yeah, that one sucks. We don't use it.

           Me:  But it's your name, what's easier than that?

           Attorney 3:  Couldn't figure it out, so we gave up.

           Me:  Oh, that's logical.

         Attorney 3 to Attorney: The key isn't the internet, the key is word-of-mouth. You'll get more clients from word-of-mouth referrals than having a website.

         Me: That's true. However, for some new attorneys, all you have is time and no word-of-mouth referrals. So, if it's me, I'm going to work on developing credibility via the internet.

           Attorney 3: But I don't get any hits from my website, so it's not an effective way to do things.

           Me: Well, I get referrals, but I also get at least 1 client call per day from my internet work. Again, it's not about just having a website, it's about dynamic content. Search engines put you up at the top when your content is relevant and changing.

            Attorney: Yeah, he just showed me that he's 2 and 3 on Google.

         Me: Those are just two examples of my key metrics and their placement. I have other terms that perform equally well. I want people to find me after searching for those terms, so all my work focuses on including those key metrics in my legal work.

            Attorney: But doesn't it take you a long time? How do you come up with stuff to write about?

            Me: On average, 30 minutes...

            Attorney 3: ...that's 30 minutes you'll never get back.

            Me: True. But if done correctly, I just picked up a client who cost me little to nothing to find, but likely will reward me with at least 10 times my investment. Not too shabby. I find stuff to write about by reading blogs or discussing topics that are important to me.

            Attorney 3:  Blogs? I don't have time to read those, I'm doing real lawyer work.

            Me: And that's the reason my website succeeds and yours doesn't. Part of my real lawyer work includes marketing my practice, and establishing my small niches.

             Me to Attorney: You want to learn about websites and internet marketing, talk to me. You want to learn about referrals, talk to Attorney 3. If you're computer savvy, I'll show you how to get your stuff set up in about 2 hours, for cheap. Not savvy, then I know a gal who does this professionally, she can help you.

Internet marketing is the future. If you're not having success with your marketing scheme, you're doing it wrong. You'll likely continue to chase every whim that you deem effective. The problem for most attorneys is patience. Getting sighted by Google and the other engines requires time. Be patient, follow your scheme, and exercise diligence in the work. That's how you develop an effective marketing scheme.

           

Getting "Searched"

In the world of blogging, SEO, and Google, content is king. You cannot expect a wide range of searches, hits, and site visits, without constant Google content.

The problem though, is not just any content will work. What I'm learning (because we the Google search algorithm is such a secret) is that you must tailor your content to your audience, but also include enough key components that will allow the Google robots and spiders to "feast."

Recently, I had a guest post on my blog. I thought that this would be an excellent way for me to drive some business to my firm (referring it to the guest), and tap into a potential alternative market. It didn't work out that way. In fact, I haven't had a single inquiry/search result for the keywords I specified. That's disheartening, but very enlightening for me.

Here's what I learned:

1. The searchable content must include key word phrases, but also some generic words too. This is important because Google wants to see the variety. Google wants to see that you used FBI and Federal Bureau of Investigation together, and not just the acronym. This type of usage "tricks" the robots and spiders into to believing your relevancy.
2. You must have fresh content. You cannot expect that 1 post about social security law or medical malpractice will bring in those clients. Similarly, you cannot expect the search bots to associate the "value" of your site with that single post. You must have constant, recurring posts on the subject. Again, this shows the search bots that your firm is relevant and current.
3. Outside links are valuable. Don't just hog all the glory of your own "brilliance." Give plenty of credit to others by showing them love. Outside links to other sites show the search engines that you care about what's going on in the greater population. Google is all about "power to the masses." So why shouldn't their search engine function the same way? Would you expect Google to add "value" your side by placing you at number 1, if you weren't giving things away to other? Add links to other articles.

I think if you'll take a few minutes to truly think about the type of content you're giving your clients and potential clients, you'll find drastic ways to change it up. Remember, it's not so much about what your write, as how you write it.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. Please add your comments.

Influence of Blogging

Kevin O'Keefe, author of Real Lawyers Have Blogs, turned me on to a great survey that in-house counsel use to rank the importance/competence of outside counsel to hire.

Kevin notes that from those surveyed, 27% noted they used blogs as one method for vetting potential hires. His article continues to highlight the importance of blogging, its usefulness, and its influence in the future. Kevin even makes this profound comment, which I whole-heartedly agree with:

Ask any lawyer who publishes a good topic centric blog and they'll tell you that their speaking opportunities have increased dramatically with blogging. Blogging lawyers are also likely to tell you of their blog posts being re-published as articles and of increasing requests for them to write articles.

However, one of the things I think Kevin missed (perhaps it's because his blog is focused on getting lawyers blogging), is result number 6, "Twitter feeds from lawyers." This ranked in at 22%. I think, like blogging, Twitter is an effective way to get your message out, in short bursts. Although admittedly, Twitter provides less of a useful marketing scheme than blogging, the Twitter feed is a mechanism to show others that you have some personality, besides being a lawyer.

If you're not blogging, I encourage you to immediately start. It's easy, educational, and can be a good source for new business.

Why You Should Personally Control Your Marketing

Many attorneys like to leave their marketing schemes to junior associates or other "media" interns. There's one attorney in my office who's even letting his legal assistant design the site without any input from him. He's taking a "hands off" approach, while the assistant handles the media marketing. In fact, he's so interested in distancing himself from the website design process, that he tunes out all criticism and other input.

The truth is, this is the worst approach to managing your media image. If you want your firm to be at the forefront of people's thoughts, you need to be at the forefront of your media campaign too. You wouldn't let a legal assistant schmooze referral sources, would you? Then why do you permit them to schmooze the potential clients?

I'm certainly not saying that you need to handle every microcosm of your media design. Certainly, at some point it's more efficient for you to handle legal work, while your assistant composes the "About Me" page of your website. The key is, you need to approve every element of the content going into your media campaign.

Your marketing should have your cohesive style to encourage continuity and consistency. Your image is your image. Keep it to yourself, because nobody cares more about you, than you.

If you'd like some suggestions on managing your media, please shoot me an email. I've written several posts on some of the tools I use, so take a minute to search the site.

Why I Blog, and You Should Too

Blogging is the new fondue party, all of the cool people are doing it.

You'll recall that I'm an avid (or maybe not so avid) blogger. I publish this site, and the blog on my law firm site. You'll also recall that on a number of occasions, I've posted articles about blogging, and blogging tools. I'm a particularly avid fan of Wordpress and the Headway Theme.

I think blogging gives you a creative outlet, and an opportunity to keep up-to-date on information and current events.

One of the most difficult things is creating fresh content. My goal is to publish 3 posts to my law firm site per week. At first that doesn't seem like a lot, but if you're like me and you're trying to manage a full-time practice, 3 posts, plus everything else, ends up being quite a task.

To help minimize the workload, I find it helpful to mass produce posts when my creativity is high, and schedule them to appear at a later time and date. Some bloggers don't condone this behavior, and may suggest that fresh means fresh. The content loses some of it's quality. I beg to differ, and suggest that whatever your style may be, is the best approach you can take.

A benefit is that having a website with rapidly-changing content improves your web exposure. I remember the "rush to the web" mentality many law firms had regarding the internet. Now, with over a decade of usable internet time and experience behind us, the internet novelty has collapsed. People expect lawyers to have websites, and I think they're kind of shocked when the attorney doesn't.

Unfortunately, as some have suggested, the truth is that law firm websites are merely the conduit for funneling contacts to your business, it's the relationships that matter most. Great clients breed great client referrals and lasting income.

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.

Subscribe

If you're clicking over to this site to check out new posts, you need to subscribe to my RSS feed.

I like to use Google Reader, because as I'm sure you're aware, I'm a Google fan (even if they are trying to take over the world - do you think they have a "Pinky and The Brain" complex?).

I use the MobRSS app on my iPhone to aggregate my blog posts, and read them on the go.

WordPress Plugins to Get You Started

I love WordPress and the Headway Theme. I think the two systems are very useful, and cost effective (check out this post for my Headway review). I like WordPress because: 1) it's the blogging platform supported by my webhost (very useful when you screw up); 2) it's free (I think TypePad charges for hosting); and 3) the WordPress site has millions (literally) of helpful people creating plugins, applications, and support forums.

I've decided to give you a list of my favorite WordPress plugins, and hopefully, you'll add to this mix (in no particular order).

1. Sociable Plug-in - this plugin adds a nifty little banner at the bottom of your posts to allow readers to add the posts to their favorite social website.
2. Simple Google Sitemap Generator - sitemaps are key to getting recognized in Google. This generator does the hard work, and you take all the credit.
3. RSS Footer - if you're a paranoid, "end-of-the-world" type guy like me, you're afraid that someone's going to rip off your content, sell it to the "gub-ment", and use it to create the next Kennedy conspiracy, of which you'll get no credit. This plugin stops that. You get credit for uncovering/creating the conspiracy. P.S., it also protects you from getting copied and reused without credit.
4. Google Analyticator - I use Google Analytics, you should too. This makes it easy. Analytics is it's own monster.
5. Dean's FCKEditor - this plugin adds extras to your simple editor.
6. WP-Cumulus - If you like cloud tags, this is an easy one to use.
7. Wordpress Automatic Upgrade - easily upgrade your WordPress site and plugins. One-touch upgrade...SWEET!
8. Statpress Reloaded - A great plugin to get more information about your blog's visitors, search terms, etc.

Hopefully, this list will get you started on your blogging adventure. If you find a good WordPress widget or plugin you're happy with, please let me know.

"Blawging" 101

Creating a blog is one of the best things you can do for your law practice. The blog gives you the ability to become an "expert" in your specialty. If done correctly, potential clients searching for information will discover your blog and site.

Well-known and esteemed blogger/marketing guru/practice management pro, Jay Fleischman, recently blogged about some easy steps you can use to set up your law firm blog. His tips, which you'll find here, give a brilliant summary of building the law practice blog.

It's important to remember that blogging is one opportunity to liberate yourself. The law firm blog gives you a platform to express yourself. Like Jay mentions though, blogging is difficult. It's not easy to constantly develop new content (remember: the key to getting "Googled" is vibrant, relevant, changing website content).

Blogging can be a rewarding and educating experience. Blogging can help you keep up with current legal developments and the world at large. Go get a blog!

You may also want to check out Jay's related post about fixing up or getting started with your firm website.

New FTC Disclosure Rule

Did you know that the FTC requires disclosure in blogs? I guess the purpose is that if you're going to be bragging about how great a product is, then you should disclose whether you're being paid to brag about it. I think it's kind of a dumb rule myself (don't most people assume you're being paid when you're raving about something?), but there are some who may be influenced.

The key, disclose the value you've received from a vendor or other person. Here's a great website you can use to disclose what value, if any, you've received for promoting a product. Of course, if your blog doesn't have sponsors or endorsements, it's quite simple not to have to do anything.

Note: In case you're wondering, I will take sponsors, and make endorsements for anything of value. See disclosures 1-6 on the link above.

Blog, Blog, Blog

The ABA Journal has an interesting story regarding the profitability of law firm blogs. This story contains an interesting perspective on how to bring in clients, and improve your firm's marketability. Of course, if you've been reading experts like Jim Calloway, Susan Cartier-Liebel, and Carolyn Elefant, you already knew this, and you probably are updating two or three.

The thematic message

If you're not reading Susan Cartier-Liebel's blog, Build a Solo Practice, L.L.C., you're certainly missing out on several crucial pieces of information. That's especially true if you're reading this blog, in lieu of hers.

She recently made this post, outlining the several different things she has discovered in her 18 months of posting.

One of the suggestions she made is to "Define the mission of your blog, and stick to it."

This struck me, because I don't believe that I've ever specifically defined this blog's mission. I think this is particularly tragic, especially since I seem to blog about several different topics, all of which I believe to be connected.

So, here's my thematic message:

This blog is about my experience moving from work as a 3rd year attorney, and into legal practice. Remember, I am planning to enter solo practice directly from law school. I aim to give meaningful advice to other students/lawyers regarding my experiences, and some of the products or solutions I've tried. I'm not going to discuss law school, unless it's particularly meaningful (i.e. how law schools help students prepare for practice). I may occassionally discuss Oklahoma or national cases, when they have particular relevance on my areas of practice, although I prefer that you defer to someone more knowledgable than I.

You will get a lot of technology reviews, although others are more capable/knowledgable, because I love tech gadgets, and think that a great number of new lawyers want to know alternatives. In that same view, hopefully you'll get some information that can help, if not, please comment, and I'll see if I can fix that.

Finally, I'm simply one guy who's taking the opportunities, or stuggles, I've been given, and trying mix a particular quality of life and profession. From my view, there's someone out there who is in a similar position, looking for similar answers that don't seem to exist.

Take this as an open invitation to criticize my work, ask any questions you'd like, or more productively, offer meaningful advice that will help me build my practice, provide high quality legal services, and achieve my goals.

Thank you for reading, and keep on.

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.