The Atlanta Lawyer June/July 2022 Vol. 21, No. 1 | Page 15

COMMUNITY
MAY 4 , 2022 EVENT
5 . Should I be investing my time and energy in content marketing ?
Content marketing can be a powerful marketing strategy for businesses . By regularly writing and publishing quality content , you increase your visibility as well as build authority and trust . You stand out from your competitors and become a resource for educational information .
6 . I am ready to start tackling my legal marketing . Where should I begin ?
You should concentrate on :
• Updating your website for your potential clients ( not your colleagues ),
• Building your reputation by blogging
• Setting up your law firm ’ s social media and start sharing . It is important to be consistent – in your branding , messaging , and the frequency with which you are sharing content .
7 . Social media seems like it takes up a lot of time . Any efficiency hacks ?
Yes ! Repurpose your content as much as possible . For example , you can turn a magazine article into a blog , then into an infographic , and later , a quote / advice
graphic . Repost your evergreen content . Also , there are a number of platforms ( ex : Buffer , Hootsuite , Hubspot ) that allow you to schedule your posts ahead of time .
8 . How long until I start seeing results with my business development ?
At its core , business development is all about relationship building , and cultivating trust and building a personal relationship takes time . It often takes seven to 10 “ touches ” before a contact is converted to a client . Why ? Because in all likelihood , that business or organization has a longstanding relationship with its existing counsel . Unless they have made a major mistake or face an immediate conflict , it is unlikely that you will waltz off the street , into their office , and land all the work overnight .
9 . I am an introvert . Does that mean it will be difficult to cultivate new professional relationships and business ?
In business development , one size never fits all . Introverts can be just as successful at generating business if they play to their strengths : one-on-one coffees , inviting clients to more intimate events and activities , and engaging prospects via online marketing endeavors .
10 . How much time should I dedicate to business development ?
Cultivating new business requires discipline and building a routine . Aim for a minimum of three hours per week dedicated to business development . Start by calendaring one hour each week to create a contact list , follow up with contacts you have recently met , send relevant articles to contacts , find organizations to get involved with , share industry developments on LinkedIn , etc . Spend the remaining two hours networking – attending industry events , sharing a meal , or participating in a passion project .
In order to market yourself and grow your network , you must first decide your purpose , value system , and goals – who you want to work with , why , and what problem you are solving for them . You want to be able to stand out from the competition and become a trusted resource , both to your potential clients and to those in your professional circle . For those in the legal field , branding and business development is how you cultivate work . Leveraging a strong brand will help grow your practice as well as your reputation for competence , authority , trust , and professionalism .
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