Lawyers writing books is certainly no grand innovation on the marketing front. If you can write a legal brief, you can write a book. But why should you? There are a number of reasons: 1. Authority. A book on a subject you practice daily with your name listed as the author creates a perception of authority […]

Incorrect pronunciation can signal there’s something not quite right about the speaker. The speaker means to sound impressive, but incorrect pronunciation is a sure way to undercut a message. Generally, only your mother will correct you, so you could be embarrassing yourself unknowingly. A rich vocabulary allows you to communicate precisely and efficiently. Here are five words that pack a lot of meaning, so long as you say them correctly. ... READ THE REST

Clients hire lawyers, not law firms, so it’s no surprise that attorney bio pages are the most frequently visited content on most law firm websites. People come to your website to vet a referral, check on some desired experience or expertise, or put a face to a name. Put simply, a great bio has the power to help turn prospects into clients. In fact, 85 percent of 209 firms surveyed by LexisNexis said attorney bios were the most visited pages on their sites. A bio with strong search engine optimization (SEO) can increase your visibility when prospects search for your kind of expertise, and it helps them evaluate your qualifications more quickly. ... READ THE REST

A law practice in chaos is nearly every lawyer's biggest fear. (As if you needed to be told, right?) In the first post in his three-part series "Getting a Grip," Dustin Cole explained how a law firm can easily slip a gear. This second part brings four powerful ways to regain control — and come back strong.

As a blogger, I often have random inspirations for posts. They can hit me at any time — when I’m going for a run, talking to colleagues, reading my Twitter feed. The one time my brain goes blank is the moment I sit down to actually write a post, especially if I have a deadline. All those brilliant ideas are nowhere to be found in my memory banks. It’s so frustrating. Recently I stumbled on a simple way to alleviate this problem. ... READ THE REST

It is drilled into us during ethics classes, studying for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, and in continuing legal education courses: When a client requests it, you must hand over “the file.” But have you ever stopped to think, “What exactly is the file?” The question is a lot more complicated than we are led to believe. ... READ THE REST

In this edition of "Ask the Experts from the Legal Marketing Association," Elizabeth Lampert, Jeff Scalzi and Katie Gilmore answer the question, "Where does content marketing fit in the law firm?" Read their answers for ways savvy lawyers can use content marketing to support business development and marketing activities — and stand out in a crowded marketplace. KEEP READING

If you want to stay relevant, you need to master the art of social media. According to data from the Pew Research Center, 65 percent of adults in the U.S. now use social networking sites, compared to just 7 percent in 2005. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have become an integral part of people’s everyday lives. People turn to social media to connect with others and share experiences, but they also use it to learn more about businesses and services. By ignoring social media, your firm could miss out on opportunities to connect with potential clients. Here are five ways to do social media better ... READ THE REST

Not every small law firm can afford a full-time marketing director. But what the right marketer can produce with a minimal budget will probably surprise you. A case in point is the Law Offices of Peter N. Brewer, a six-lawyer boutique real estate practice in Palo Alto, CA. ... READ THE REST

Maybe as I get older I have less patience for things that seem wasteful or meaningless, or maybe I’m just getting crankier. I suspect people who work with me would choose the latter, but I have made strides over the past few years in learning new technologies and adapting to changes in processes or resources. I can now look up most materials I need online, I can email (auto-fill is a lifesaver), I can answer my cellphone and even text — occasionally, and very slowly! I've even used social media.