Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

The guys are back at the ABA TECHSHOW with F.O.P. Carolyn Elefant, the “Godmother of Solos.” They talk about what’s in and what’s out in the latest edition of her book, “Solo By Choice.”  Also, there’s more legal tech and more competition for your legal dollar than ever. That means great things for small and solo firms. Do you want something custom for your practice? It might be worth it to just ask for it. Plus, exciting news from Lawmatics, and the guys debate the merits of TurnSignl, an app that connects motorists in an instant to an attorney during a traffic stop and winner of the Startup Alley competition. Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

The Super Bowl isn’t just about football and bean dip, it’s about the ads! Join Conrad and Gyi as they explore an increasing trend in the legal industry - ads during The Big Game. But first, the guys challenge Kevin O’Keefe’s latest take on Advertising vs. Business Development. How do we distinguish between the two, which is better? Is there room for both reputation and relationship building? And what about old fashioned marketing and advertising? But on to lawyer Super Bowl ads. The trend started with an absolutely “batsh*t crazy” 2014 ad by personal injury attorney Jamie Casino; a spot still getting views on YouTube. This year, we saw more law service ads airing in regional markets during the game. The lads highlight their favorites (and check out Friend-of-the-Podcast Joe Patrice’s own list). How do these PR stunts, not necessarily a Super Bowl ad, fit your practice? Do you need a gimmick? And how would you track your results? And of course, The News: Carolyn Elefant releases her third version of “Solo By Choice” and it’s worth your time. Bob and Ben Ambrogi launched their LawNext Directory. And don’t forget the upcoming ABA TechShow and your chance to hang out with Conrad and Gyi. Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

You’re spending money to attract potential clients, now take the next step to ensure every moment of that client experience is amazing from intake to follow-up. In a special LHLM 101 episode, Conrad and Gyi go deep into the mysterious world (well, not that mysterious) of Customer Relationship Management platforms, known as CRMs. Provide a better experience for your clients; analyze marketing data to know what’s working and what isn’t; and do it all while saving you both time and money. It’s hard work, but CRMs make it easier.  The days of tracking open cases on yellow legal pads is over. If you don’t know where to start, the LHLM dynamic duo run through the big-name platforms, the tricks and traps, and share their number one tactical tip to successfully implementing a CRM platform. Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh, and Clio.

Online Legal Directories can be useful tools for firms seeking to build visibility, increase traffic and attract clients. They may still provide value, but there are tricks and traps to avoid. Take a deep dive and hear how to ensure your marketing budget is well spent. And news: The University of Michigan reached a $490 million settlement over sexual abuse by the school’s former director of Health Services; more on the significant updates to Google’s vicinity algorithm; ABA Tech Show; and non-lawyer ownership of law firms. The Clio Legal Trends Report finds nearly half of law firms reporting growth employ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solutions to help them remain responsive and streamline onboarding. Plus, ever hear of the Barbara Streisand effect? It’s real and it can negatively affect your business. Learn how you can avoid making potentially embarrassing mistakes.   Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.

Our 50th episode features a deep dive into 2021 legal marketing trends and a look ahead at 2022. First, news: With a million new COVID infections nationwide, ALM’s New York Legalweek conference has been postponed to March 8-11. And a report on significant changes to Google’s vicinity advertising algorithm that may affect your firm. Gyi and Conrad also discuss interesting statistics from Justia’s annual survey. Most notably, some 17% of surveyed firms are backing away from Google ads. Why? Plus, what’s going on with local service ads and what firms are saying about their overall legal marketing spend. And surprising stats about LinkedIn, websites, and blogs. New client intake data from Clio.com’s Legal Trends Report finds prospective clients are turning to video conferencing and texting. Are you? And … the return of Conrad’s Crystal Ball. How will shifting economic factors—and, oh yeah, COVID—affect legal marketing? There’s a lot to think about. So how does marketing evolve?   Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.

The end of the year means the start of new opportunities for next year. It’s time to think about business metrics, what you’ve learned, and how to build on that. It’s never too late to start planning ahead. Conrad and Gyi talk about ways to look back not just on last year’s revenue, profitability, retention, but also on team health, team building, and trust. What can you do better? Plus, the guys review the year that was for the podcast, recount their favorite episodes from 2021, and share their resolutions for the show for 2022.   Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio. 

Are you working outside the law and ethical boundaries of Google Business functions? Or are competitors passing you by?  Law practice marketing is one of the Internet’s roughest neighborhoods. Google has the tools, but what are the guardrails, and how does Section 230 dictate how far you – or your competitors – can go? Guest Eric Goldman, co-director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University, digs deep into this fascinating and confusing field. If you haven't already, check out Part 1 of our conversation with Dean Goldman. Plus, news: The new Local Search Rankings Factor report is out (hint, maybe geotracking isn’t all that), and maybe a looming trademark fight between law firms Hello Divorce and Hello Prenup.  And in the 2021 Clio Legal Trends Report, lawyers say tracking revenue is the most crucial factor for measuring business health and growth. But is it? --------- At the top of the episode, Conrad and Gyi take a moment to share their horror at the tragedy of the November 30th Oxford High School shooting, reflecting on the pain events like this cause not only for the victims, but for their beloved Michigan community at large. The guys, and the producers at Legal Talk Network, invite you to join them in showing your support to the victims of this terrible event by contributing to funds set up for the victims via the links below. Gofundme Oxford Bank --------- Sponsor music provided by SoundStripe: Got Me Like by Dr. Delight Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.

How important are online reviews, and what can you do about them? Guest Eric Goldman, legal scholar and expert, explains the intersection of Section 230 and the ethics of online reviews. Tune in next time for part 2 of the conversation. And Thanksgiving is a time to remind your clients you appreciate them. In a segment dubbed “Crappy Holiday Promotions,” Conrad and Gyi share thoughts on holiday season communications. Why share the same stock photo and silly platitudes? Get a jump on the season before Thanksgiving and tell clients how thankful you are for them.  And, as always, the guys break down the most important news in legal marketing.   Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.  Mentioned in This Episode: Regulation of Lawyers’ Use of Competitive Keyword Advertising by Eric Goldman and Angel Reyes An Overview of the United States’ Section 230 Internet Immunity by Eric Goldman Previous Lunch Hour Legal Marketing, with guest Carolyn Elefant Blog: FindLaw WordPress Websites: A Cynical Middle Finger to Their Clients Google Core Updates Clio Legal Trends 2021 Report Scorpion acquires MediaSmack Smokeball-InfoTrack acquires LawLytics Google My Business Section 230, text

How important are online reviews, and what can you do about them? Guest Eric Goldman, legal scholar and expert, explains the intersection of Section 230 and the ethics of online reviews. Tune in next time for part 2 of the conversation. And Thanksgiving is a time to remind your clients you appreciate them. In a segment dubbed “Crappy Holiday Promotions,” Conrad and Gyi share thoughts on holiday season communications. Why share the same stock photo and silly platitudes? Get a jump on the season before Thanksgiving and tell clients how thankful you are for them.  And, as always, the guys break down the most important news in legal marketing.   Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.  Mentioned in This Episode: Regulation of Lawyers’ Use of Competitive Keyword Advertising by Eric Goldman and Angel Reyes An Overview of the United States’ Section 230 Internet Immunity by Eric Goldman Previous Lunch Hour Legal Marketing, with guest Carolyn Elefant Blog: FindLaw WordPress Websites: A Cynical Middle Finger to Their Clients Google Core Updates Clio Legal Trends 2021 Report Scorpion acquires MediaSmack Smokeball-InfoTrack acquires LawLytics Google My Business Section 230, text

If it seems like Google favors big firms – with big dollars – over small or solo legal practices, that’s because it does. With an eye on Google My Business (“GMB”) practices, the guys examine a retro approach to marketing that may end-run Google dominance.  Guest Carolyn Elefant joins Conrad and Gyi to talk about getting back to basics: rethinking billing practices, and how networking and focusing on “community” instead of “audience” may be a more efficient way to attract clients. Also, Clio’s new Legal Trends Report is hot off the presses and they’re showing a spike in consumer interest in remote legal services and electronic payments. But that’s not all that’s changing. Are you keeping up?   Sponsor music provided by SoundStripe: Got Me Like by Dr. Delight   Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.