|
Marketing - Don't Do It All On Your Own November 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |  |  |
 Greetings!
In the last several E-zines we have been talking about Social Media including Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and E-zines like this one (also known as e-newsletters). We have also touched on Internet marketing such as Websites and Search Engine Optimization.
These initiatives can take a good amount of time to set up and maintain and as a partner in a small law firm or solo practice, it often feels like there is just so much to do to keep the marketing efforts going that no one person can adequately do it all.
The sense of being overwhelmed with everything is a common experience among entrepreneurs and business owners. It feeds into the myth of the "super-hero": I can do it all and have it all, all at once. Asking for help with your law firm's marketing efforts is a sign of strength and wisdom, not weakness and senility.  |
|
|
|
|
Marketing-Don't Do It All On your Own
 To be successful with Internet marketing and Social media, you must recognize and play to your strengths and weaknesses.
The goal in life is not to eliminate your weaknesses. In fact, many people make the mistake of focusing too much on trying to overcome their weaknesses when their time and mental energy would be much better spent in trying to maximize their strengths.
There are two major reasons why you should spend time identifying your marketing and business development strengths and weaknesses. It helps you surround yourself with the right people and it gives you a clear picture of what areas you need to spend your time on versus outsourcing.
If writing a blog post 5 times a week or posting updates on a Facebook account multiple times a week for your firm is not your thing, you need to find a reliable resource who can take charge of these and similar tasks, because developing and implementing a powerful marketing strategy is critical to the success of your business.
Many attorneys waste far too much of their precious time, energy, and potential profits by trying to do everything for themselves as a way of "saving a little money" or not wanting to give up "control."
Remember, control is an illusion. Don't let your need for control or your need to be right every time get in the way of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
When it comes to taking on another project or heading up a new initiative, consider the real cost to your business in terms of lost time, wasted efforts, poor productivity, and decreased revenues. You are the most important person at your firm and your time is valuable.
It used to be said that 'time is money,' but that's not true in our modern society. Time is worth more than money because you can always make more money but you can never make more time.
Here are a few common examples of what many attorneys try to do single-handedly when they would be better off delegating or outsourcing:
- Creating, maintaining and writing for a monthly E-zine (e-newsletter) to send to current and prospective clients
- Setting up and writing for a weekly blog
- Setting up an maintaining Twitter and Facebook Accounts for your firm
- Writing and distributing press releases
- Creating and launching a direct mail campaign.
- Developing their own law firm websites or learning how to build one from scratch.
- Search Engine Optimization to increase traffic to your Internet Marketing efforts
- Designing a comprehensive law firm marketing plan or strategy.
- Implementing systems and processes to better manage their client and prospect relationships.
|
|
| | |
RAINMAKER
"Done For You"
E-Newsletter
One critical component of any Marketing Action Plan should be a monthly E-newsletter (or E-zine).
Keeping in touch with and staying connected to former clients, potential leads and referral sources by offering them relevant, valuable information each month builds trust and confidence in your law firm.
The Rainmaker Institute now has a "Done For You" service that will solve your problem-a custom monthly e-newsletter.
See what just one of our clients has to say about her experience with this valuable tool...
"Just have to say how wonderful it is to return to the office and read so many responses to the e-zine like this one.
We have received 26 responses so far - only three of which were 'out of office.' Nice work!"
Peggy Cramer
Director of Communications
Hanson Law Firm, PC
San Francisco, CA
Learn More About The Rainmaker "Done For You" E-Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
I'm not saying you should outsource your entire firm or use a law firm marketing company for everything, but unless you have a lot of extra time or specific experience in certain areas, you will not be able to represent yourself and your firm in the best possible light without the help of other experienced professionals. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength and wisdom, not weakness and senility.
There are many ways that you can alleviate the pressure of developing and effectively using all of these exciting and effective marketing strategies on your own:
- Use existing staff in house who have talents and abilities in certain areas that you may not have been previously aware of and assign them specific tasks such as writing a blog 5 times a week or compiling a contact list with updated email addresses for past or prospective clients.
- Outsource just the initial set up of specific marketing tools or hire an outside firm to set up, write and maintain the entire initiatives from start to finish.
- Work with a law firm marketing professional to create a Marketing Action Plan (MAP) to focus your efforts and avoid common pitfalls.
If you need help creating a MAP for your law firm or want some help in jumpstarting your business development efforts give us a call at 480-659-9700 or contact me and let us help you get moving in the right direction.
Why not take a few minutes right now and start working on your Marketing Action Plan for how you are going to put into practice two to three specific items you discovered in this article in the next 30-60 days.
Then find someone you can share your plan with and ask them to hold you accountable for the results. |
 UPCOMING EVENTS
Reserve your seat now for the Rainmaker Retreat!
Do you want to learn a proven system that can bring in several new clients every month?
Join us for the Rainmaker Retreat
A 2-Day Marketing Boot Camp for Small Firms and Solo Practitioners
 Friday, January 28th and Saturday, January 29th - Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday, February 25th and Saturday, February 26th - Orlando, Florida
For more information please call: 888-588-5891 or visit www.RainmakerRetreat.com
The Rainmaker Retreat is where we teach lawyers how they can have it all;
increasing the number of clients they have, doubling their income, and yet working less.
 Discount Pricing available for multiple attendees from the same firm.
 Would you like to hear your colleagues (and even your competitors) describing their experiences at the 2 day Rainmaker Retreat. Yes, we know you're skeptical (we wouldn't have it any other way). So instead of us telling you how these 2 days will transform your business, we will let our clients do the telling. Watch now or order a free DVD recording
 How to Set Yourself Apart From Your Major Competitors- Several dates and times to choose from! Join us for this complimentary 60 minute call and get a sneak peek at our Rainmaker Retreat . Reserve your spot for this free teleseminar. *Capacity is Limited
 Friday December 3rd, and Saturday December 4th - Newport Beach, CA. The Bisnar Rainmaker Mastermind Group is an exclusive group of non-competing attorneys and law firm marketing experts. This is a success oriented, team-minded retreat where attorneys have the opportunity to learn in the company of other top attorneys where to find the necessary resources, tap into creative ideas and apply the skills they need to transform their current practice. Learn more HERE. Membership in our group is by invitation only; prospective members fill out an application and are interviewed. If you are interested in being considered for membership in the Bisnar Rainmaker Mastermind Group, email Stephen@therainmakerinstitute.com
 Tuesday, December 14th - Phoenix Legal Networking Group. This meeting is specifically designed to help attorneys and their staff discover how to effectively market and grow their business. Join us for some great food, good fun, a few laughs, to reconnect with other attorneys, and learn Holiday Strategies to Generate More Referrals from Current & Former Clients.
 Wednesday, December 15th- 5 Proven Tools That Help Attorneys Double Their Referrals From Current & Former Clients In 90 Days Or Less. Every attorney wants to build a "referral based" practice, yet very few ever achieve this. Join us for a one-hour webinar and discover the 5 proven tools in the Rainmaker Referral System that have helped thousands of attorneys double their referrals Register Now
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
