Three years ago we wrote a blog titled “5 Tips for Business Development & Marketing Ideas for Lawyers in 2020”. This was at the beginning of the pandemic and we were questioning the ability to market and network during a global crisis, which limited our ability for human interaction.
Three years later, lawyers have embraced digital marketing (some lawyers are even on TikTok!) and it has become second nature to connect virtually with colleagues, clients, and peers. But with offices opening their doors again and in-person events enthusiastically making a return, how should your business development and marketing change in 2023?
Here are our tips!
- Reach Out: Virtual vs. In-Person Check-Ins
The number one way to get files in the door is to develop professional relationships.
When we first wrote this piece, virtual check-Ins were our only option, but now, lawyers are ditching Zoom for a more traditional meeting venue. While in-person networking can be refreshing and more meaningful, it can also take up a lot of time and energy.
As a fully remote company, we believe that remote connections can be just as great, and luckily, you can use both methods to keep in touch with your network. Pick a few in-person events you can attend but supplement that with virtual check-ins and networking. This month, try:
- Sending a LinkedIn message to past and current clients to check in on them/catch up.
- Comment and interact with other lawyers’ posts and content.
- Attend one of the many amazing virtual networking events still being offered.
- Dare I say… pick up the phone and give someone a call?
Relationships are key to business development, and with more options than ever to connect with your network, this should not be ignored in 2023.
2. Set Aside Time Each Week to Work on Business Development
We know it is easy to get lost working in your business/firm vs. on your business/firm, but regularly scheduling a block of time dedicated to working on business development can go a long way.
It doesn’t have to be long; try putting aside an hour each week to go over your business goals and write down the upcoming to-dos that will help you reach those goals. For example: trying to expand into a new practice area? Make a list of potential people you should reach out to in that space. Want to get more clients through your website? Draft a new blog post.
Keep in mind that your to-do list should be achievable so that when you return to it the next week you can feel accomplished, not discouraged.
3. Build a Strong Website
Having a professional website is essential for attracting new clients. For a more in-depth look at updating your website, you can read our article on Redesigning your Law Firm’s Website on a Budget, but here are the basics:
- Showcase your, and your colleagues, experience with amazing profiles
- Clearly identify your practice areas and services
- Include a bold call to action
- Actively ask for reviews and display them
Even if most of your clients come from referrals, they will still go to your website before hiring you, so a professional and clear website is key to growing your client base.
4. Keep up with your Social Media Game
As someone who is frequently browsing the lawyer side of social media, I can say that a lot of lawyers have embraced social media marketing and are killing it! Law Twitter is booming with great content, LinkedIn is home to valuable advice and stories, and lawyers are getting creative with Instagram reels and TikToks.
With so many legal service providers on social media, it is more important than ever to not only have an account but to have a polished, updated, and interesting account, to stand out.
2023 is the year to perfect your social media strategy. Dial in on your content strategy, define your personal brand and get on top of emerging trends. If this all sounds like a lot, consider outsourcing your digital marketing, there are a lot of options out there! Or if you would like to DIY it, invest in design software, like Canva, and a social media scheduler, like L8ter so that it is as efficient as possible.
5. Embrace Legal Content Marketing
2023 is the year to throw away pushy marketing tactics and unauthentic messaging. Viewers are looking for valuable content and want to feel like their problems and pain points are understood.
That is why it is more important than ever to invest your time in legal content marketing. When writing your content, keep in mind that not everything needs to be a sales piece. Try to answer the questions your audience cares about, and offer genuinely helpful insight. If readers feel like you are constantly trying to sell them something, before they even trust or know you, they won’t stick around for long.
In 2020, when we first wrote this piece, law blogs were all the rage. We still think they are amazing, but this long-form content should not be constrained to just your blog! Repurpose it for posts on other platforms; consider talking about the topic for a reel, publishing it as an article on LinkedIn, or making infographics from it for Instagram. Who knows, this content can also lead to speaking requests regarding the topics you write about, another great way to expand your network!
Content is a lot of work, but this is what builds your credibility and brand recognition and is very important when building your practice. If you don’t have time for it, you can outsource your legal content marketing as well.
Conclusion
You are busy with the legal work, we get it! But 2023 is the year to dedicate time and energy to business development. By consistently implementing these business development strategies, you can increase your client base and grow your business.
Do you have any other tips in mind? Let us know what works for you.
Note: This article provides an overview only and does not constitute legal advice.