We’ve all seen the big law firms that have a seemingly endless supply of advertising funds. You see their names on downtown billboards, watch their ads on television during your favorite shows and sporting events, and accidentally click on their advertising links all over the web. But your firm doesn’t have the budget to sponsor the Los Angeles Lakers or buy an ad during the evening news.
What advertising options does your law firm have? In this article, we’ll take a look at the top advertising ideas for law firms that you probably haven’t heard of (or never thought to try). Any one of these has the potential to inexpensively drive more clients to your door. Let’s take a look.
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1. More Than A Business Card
If you’ve already had a strong impact on someone, a business card serves as an effective reminder of who you are and how to contact you. However, how many business cards of other professionals do you normally have in-hand when you walk away from a typical networking event? It’s quite easy to lose (or forget about) one in the multitude of cards that are handed out.
What would the impact be on someone if you handed them your book instead of just a card? It would definitely stand out and make a huge immediate impact. You might think that writing a book is difficult and expensive. But it really isn’t. You can write about a subject you know like the back of your hand, then self-publish it without spending a dime.
Order several dozen from your publisher, then hand them out during events you attend as the person who “wrote the book” on the solution to whatever problem a potential client faces. Chances are, when it’s time for that person to choose a lawyer, they’ll get in touch with you.
2. Handwritten Letters Sent Through Snail Mail
Direct mail actually works wonders for many law firms looking to expand their client base. The main problem with direct mail is that recipients tend to immediately throw away any mail that looks like junk.
The solution to this problem is the age-old handwritten letter. Think about it. Exactly how many letters do you get in your mailbox every day? How many of those letters are written by hand? The answer to the second question is probably zero.
Writing a letter by hand seems a little old-fashioned and labor-intensive, right? However, it’s the perfect way to get noticed by potential clients. For example, several weeks before the Christmas season, have people in your office begin writing Christmas letters to clients and prospects. Even though it’ll take some time (and maybe a few hand cramps), it’s more than worth the effort.
You should also consider regularly congratulating business partners and clients with non-vital handwritten correspondence. Get started early if your mailing list is long. You could also consider hiring a service to do the handwriting for you, but it’s best if it comes from you directly.
3. Guest Speaking And Local Appearances
If the thought of public speaking makes you cringe, you’re definitely not alone. But it’s not the nightmare you may believe it to be. Certain local professional events offer you the perfect opportunity to meet new clients, share your knowledge and advance your firm as the leader in your niche.
Spend some time on social media researching local events, such as seminars, television or radio shows and podcasts. Send a message to the planner or producer and offer your opinion on something relevant to the subject.
Express your willingness and ability to be a part of the event by speaking and sharing your knowledge. For example, if your firm excels at representing clients involved in workplace harassment or discrimination, you can appear on local radio and television shows that would like the discuss the issue. Just be sure to keep self-promotion to a limit and offer your audience plenty of value.
4. Manage The Reputation Of Your Firm
Client reviews and testimonials have a huge impact on how you advertise your firm. In fact, they are far more important than any self-promotion you can do. Of course, if you’re looking to gather positive reviews and testimonials, you first need to provide top-level legal service to your clients. But assuming you already do that, there are a few things you can do to improve your reputation.
Get in touch with recent clients and ask them to leave reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google. Fresh, positive reviews give your firm a huge boost. Satisfied clients will leave positive comments that prospects will read and internalize. Some may even use humorous anecdotes or personal experiences that will cultivate an interest that you didn’t even expect.
To get the best testimonials and reviews, it’s important to ask for them. Send past clients a link to leave their review, and don’t be too pushy about it. You’ll be surprised how many people will take immediate action if they were happy with your work.
Unique Law Firm Advertising Ideas You Should Use
Advertising your law firm effectively doesn’t need to be expensive or frustrating. You just need to find an approach that helps you stand out from the competition. By implementing these ideas, you’ll be well on your way toward a new level of success in your marketing campaign.
If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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