You believe in hard work, and you hope that it will take your small or solo law firm where you want to go. Unfortunately, without strategy and planning, hard work alone isn’t likely to take you much of anywhere but in circles. As pointed out in a recent article from the Michigan Bar Journal, coming up with a strategic marketing plan doesn’t have to be complicated for small firms—so what are you waiting for?
Are You Completely Satisfied With Your Small Firm’s Current Business and Outlook for the Future?
Despite a desire for more clients and better leads, many small firms are hesitant to talk about marketing. The Michigan Bar Journal article linked above lists a number of reasons for the reluctance, including a lack of leadership, lack of implementation, and lack of clear consequences for failing to enforce a marketing plan. All of these issues definitely play a part, but here are probably the three biggest concerns we hear from small and solo law firms:
I don’t know anything about marketing!
You’re a lawyer, not a marketer! How can you come up with an effective marketing strategy if you don't really "get it" or know how to get started? The good news is that getting started can be as simple as thinking about:
- How your firm got to where you are today
- Where you are now
- Where you’d like to be and what you’re worried about for the future
- What it might take to make a brighter future happen for your firm
After that, it’s just a matter of connecting the dots in practical and actionable ways and keeping up your efforts to attract, convert, and retain the clients you want. You can get the education in marketing you need to start strategizing without bending over backward or drowning in confusing jargon—just take a look at some of our free videos, articles, and webinars for some truly approachable tips.
I don’t have time!
If you already know a little about marketing, you know that it takes time—something that small and solo firms are often short on. Even after you have implemented an effective website, targeted content, and a supportive strategy, you still have to put in some time to keep it all going. While looking at those unbillable hours may fill you with a sense of dread, strategic planning means that you can cut out the time spent on wasted efforts on and put a laser focus on more fruitful avenues instead. A strong marketing strategy can actually save you time, bring you more contacts, and give you more time to focus on more clients.
I don’t have the money!
Spending less on marketing won’t necessarily save you money, and word-of-mouth marketing can only take you so far. To really reach and convert potential clients, you have to be willing to pay for it, at least a little. While small firms often don’t have a lot of money to spare, it is possible to carve out what you need and start building bridges to your perfect clients.
Make sure you have your target audience and goals in mind, and then try setting a marketing budget based on a percentage of your firm’s income—anywhere from 2 percent to 20 percent, depending on your goals. Split that up between…
One-time costs.
This might include setting up your website, shooting a batch of videos, developing a logo, and other easy-to-measure or one-and-done marketing projects. These kinds of costs will add up the most when you’re first getting started, but you should also plan for occasional redesigns and additions over time.
On-going costs.
There are also some costs involved in keeping your marketing plan humming. This might include the time and money you spend on AdWords, content creation, social media involvement, SEO, and other ways to constantly find and engage with potential clients.
If planning your marketing still seems like an impossible task, don’t just ignore the need. Consider bringing in some help!
The Role of the Marketing Company for Small Firms
It is definitely possible to do it all yourself, but it might make more sense to call in a little professional help. A lot of times, having a marketing company to rely on can help you:
- Keep marketing plans moving in the right direction
- Identify long- and short-term goals
- Keep up with important changes and trends
- Measure the value of your marketing investment
- Let go of old ideas and ineffective efforts
At Foster Web Marketing, we work with small and medium firms all over the United States to develop plans that really work for them. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves or have us take the reins, we provide education, support, and services tailored specifically to businesses and law firms like yours. If you’d like to talk about how you can start planning an effective marketing strategy for your small firm, just give us a call at 866-460-3724.
Are You A Lawyer Or podiatrist Who Needs To Get More Clients?
If you've been trying to get more leads, more clients or patients, and you're not sure how to get there, Foster Web Marketing is here to help. Contact us online or call our office directly at 866.497.6199 to schedule your free consultation. We have been helping clients throughout the United States and internationally since 1998 and are confident we can help you not only reach, but exceed your goals.
