The days when one could graduate from law school, join a prestigious firm, and expect to work there until retirement are gone. Today’s lawyers must be entrepreneurial, tech-savvy, and versatile to compete in the job market. And with more and more people turning to the internet for legal services, lawyers must learn how to reach potential clients through technology.
Fortunately, there are many ways for lawyers to use technology to their advantage when it comes to marketing themselves and reaching new clients, so this article will discuss some of the most effective ways that lawyers can use technology to connect with more people who need their services.
Use Google AdWords
Google AdWords is a tool that allows you to place ads on Google.com and millions of other websites across the web, meaning when people search for terms related to your practice area, your ad will appear alongside the search results. This is an effective way to reach potential clients who may not be familiar with your firm, but who are actively searching for legal services.
Additionally, AdWords allows you to target potential clients based on location, so if you’re a lawyer who only practices in a certain state or city, you can set your ad to only appear when people in that area are searching for relevant terms.
Improving SEO for Your Law Firm Website
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in Google’s search results. Since most people only click on the first few results when they search for something on Google, it is important to make sure your law firm’s website appears as close to the top of the list as possible.
Many factors go into SEO, but some of the most important things you can do to improve your website’s ranking are to create quality content that is relevant to your practice area and to make sure your website is mobile-friendly. Google has recently announced that mobile-friendliness will be a ranking factor for search results, so law firm SEO help can also include making sure your website looks great and is easy to use on mobile devices. SEO agencies and experts can help you with this process if you’re not familiar with it.
Get Listed in Online Directories
Many online directories list lawyers and law firms, such as Avvo, Nolo, and FindLaw. These websites are often the first place people go when they need legal services, so it is important to make sure your firm is listed in as many of them as possible.
Most of these directories allow you to create a free listing, but some also offer paid listings that include additional features, such as the ability to add photos, videos, and more detailed information about your firm and practice areas.
Additionally, many of these directories offer reviews, so make sure to encourage your satisfied clients to leave positive reviews about your firm on these websites. For instance, reviews on Google My Business can help improve your firm’s SEO.
Utilizing Social Media platforms
Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn offer a great way for lawyers to connect with potential clients and build their brands, so by creating a profile on these platforms and sharing relevant content, you can reach a large number of people who may need your services.
When creating content for social media, it is important to keep in mind that each platform has its tone and audience, so you’ll want to tailor your content accordingly. For example, LinkedIn is a more professional platform, so posts should be about industry news or articles, whereas Facebook is more personal, so posts can be about your firm’s culture or recent cases you’ve handled.
Blogging
Another great way to reach potential clients is by starting a blog and writing quality articles that are relevant to your practice area. By including links to your blog on your law firm’s website and sharing your articles on social media, you can attract new visitors to your website and help improve your firm’s SEO.
When writing blog posts, it is important to make sure they are well-researched and that they offer something of value to the reader. For instance, you could write an article about a recent court case that has implications for your practice area or share tips on how to choose the right lawyer.
Creating Videos
Videos are a great way to connect with potential clients and share information about your firm in an engaging and visually appealing way. You can create videos that introduce your firm and its lawyers, discuss recent cases you’ve handled, or offer tips on what to look for when choosing a lawyer.
These videos can be posted on your law firm’s website, YouTube, and other video-sharing platforms, and they can also be shared on social media.
You can also use live video streaming services, such as Periscope and Facebook Live, to give potential clients a behind-the-scenes look at your firm or to answer their questions in real-time.
Speaking Engagements and Hosting Webinars
If you’re looking for another way to reach potential clients, consider giving speeches or presentations at local schools, community colleges, or business groups as it is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with people who may need your services.
On the other hand, webinars are a great way to share valuable information with potential clients while also marketing your law firm. You can host a webinar on your own or partner with another organization to co-host. However, before hosting a webinar, you’ll want to make sure you have a quality audio and video setup as well as a good marketing plan to promote your event.
Developing an App
In today’s age, people are increasingly using apps for everything from ordering food to hailing a ride, so why not create an app for your law firm?
An app can be a great way to offer potential clients a convenient way to learn about your firm and its services, as well as stay up-to-date on recent news or cases.
If you develop an app for your law firm, make sure to promote it on your website and social media platforms, and consider offering a discount for people who download it.
Lawyers who want to reach more clients in the tech age should consider using technology in these seven ways. By utilizing social media, blogging, creating videos, speaking engagements, hosting webinars, developing an app, and using live video streaming services, lawyers can connect with more potential clients and build their brands.