Each year around this time we look back at Attorney at Work’s most-read posts of the year. You won’t find any posts “ripped from the headlines” in this best-of list (though, admittedly, the Superbowl commercials post is pure fun). But you will find plenty of good ideas for improving your marketing and business development game.
This year, we were happy to welcome several new authors to the site and the top 20 list — Emily Brooks, Jennifer Simpson Carr, Brandi Knox, Jeremy Kocal, Matt Prinn, Julie Savarino and Kate Shipham — along with long-time contributors Ruth Carter, Sally Schmidt, Jay Harrington, Mike Ramsey, Will Hornsby and Laura Ernde. These top-ranking authors delivered exactly what we want for our readers: practical, savvy advice you and your firm can use to create more successful practices.
Thanks to all of our contributors for their hard work and perseverance, and personal thanks to Susan Kostal and Joy White for their expertise and dedication behind the scenes: Your editorial skill and wisdom make us all look good.
Countdown: The Top 20 Posts Published in 2019
Thanks to talented contributors, here are Attorney at Work’s most popular marketing and business development posts of 2019.*
20. Navigating the Maze of Attorney Advertising Rules by Will Hornsby
19. Five Article Ideas to Help You Connect With Clients and Drive Business by Emily Brooks
18. Five Steps to Starting an Email Newsletter by Laura Ernde
17. Say No to These Outdated SEO Tactics by Mike Ramsey
16. What Do You Do? Crafting Your Elevator Speech by Sally Schmidt
15. How to Become a Thought Leader by Jay Harrington
14. Biggest Obstacle to New Business by Sally Schmidt
13. Five Simple Methods for Increasing Referrals by Mike Margol
12. How Do You Know It’s Time to Hire a Marketing or Business Development Professional? by Kate Shipham
11. How Law Firms Are Using Infographics for Marketing by Brandie Knox
10. Superbowl Commercials for Lawyers (Some of These are Downright Criminal) by Jeremy Kocal
9. This Is How You Build a Book of Business by Jay Harrington
8. Staying Competitive: 7 Tips from 7 Legal Marketing Pros by Jennifer Simpson Carr
7. Rewarding Your Referral Sources by Sally Schmidt
6. A Simple 3-Month Strategy for Lawyers Who Are New to LinkedIn by Jay Harrington
5. Five Advanced Mingling Techniques for Professional Players (Or, How to Network Like a Boss) by Bull Garlington
4. Five Questions to Ask Before You Respond to an RFP by Matthew Prinn
3. Legal Business Development Done Right by Jay Harrington
2. How to Create a Referral Machine: 9 Tips by Julie Savarino
1. Give the People What They Want: Attorney Bios by Ruth Carter
For more on writing your bio, see Nancy Slome’s 2016 post, Seven Steps for a More Authentic, Fresher Bio, which was 2019’s fifth most popular post, across all categories.
Special Mention — Top Infographic
Advanced LinkedIn Tips for Lawyers Infographic by Ari Kaplan was the year’s top infographic and sixth most popular post, across all categories.
Editor’s Picks
Here are more high-ranking ideas to boost your firm’s marketing potential, including ways to rethink video, the SEO tip sheet one legal marketer hands out to all of his firm’s lawyers, and advice on finding a hook to make yourself relevant to prospects.
- How to Use Video to Tell Your Law Firm’s Story by Susan Kostal
- A Legal Marketer’s SEO Cheat Sheet for Improving Your Writing and Rankings by Walter McCorkle
- Business Development Step One Is Always ‘Google It!’ by Mike O’Horo
* Ranked solely according to page views over the past 12 months.
Illustration ©iStockPhoto.com
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More Good Reads From Our Legal Marketing Columnists
Keep this list of columns handy as you head into the new year. If you aren’t already a subscriber, click here to be notified when new columns are published.
Nothing But the Ruth!
While not strictly a marketing column, Ruth Carter often writes about experiences and experiments marketing their law practice. You’ll find real-world blogging, networking and speaking tips, and Q&As with top marketers outside the legal profession.
Click here for Ruth’s column archives.
One of a Kind
Jay Harrington speaks directly to young lawyers and those building new practices, with timely advice on developing a niche practice and a winning personal brand. Jay is the author of “One of a Kind: A Proven Path to a Profitable Law Practice” and “The Essential Associate.”
Click here for Jay’s column archives.
Content Under Pressure
Susan Kostal, a legal affairs PR, marketing and business development consultant (and Attorney at Work contributing editor), delivers quick-witted tips on keeping your content sharp — including information on what your competitors are doing.
Click here for Susan’s column archives.
Well Said!
“The Coach” Mike O’Horo offers straight-shooting tips for legal sales.
Click here for Mike’s column archives.
Play to Win
Sally Schmidt — a founder and first president of the Legal Marketing Association — prepares you to win business and build your practice with smart strategies and business development tactics.
