how to talk to potential clients shopping for a lawyer

During meetings with any type of client, listen carefully, ask questions, and take notes. Outside of meetings, stay top-of-mind and be helpful and proactive by sending updates on the work, as well as news or legal developments relevant to the client, their matter, and their industry. Be Clear

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How to attract clients as a lawyer?

To attract clients as a lawyer, you need to work on your organic visibility. Your firm doesn’t even exist to most of your potential clients if you aren’t on page one for most relevant searches used to look for information related to a legal issue an attorney like you can provide.

When should you contact a lawyer?

For example, if you're being mistreated at work and want to know what your rights are, or you've been a victim of fraud or theft, speaking to a lawyer is a good idea even if nothing comes of it. Similarly, consult with a lawyer if you have a brilliant idea and want to make sure it's not stolen, or want to start your own business.

How do I choose a good lawyer?

Lawyers should be as good at answering questions as they are at asking them. If a lawyer rushes you or makes you feel that your questions are naïve, you may need to keep looking. Taking the time to ask questions at the beginning will give you a much better chance of having a solid and successful attorney-client relationship.

How to make the first call to a prospective lawyer?

When you make that first call to a prospective lawyer, you need to have as much information as possible at the ready. A productive first conversation will give both you and the lawyer on the other line a better idea of whether or not you can work together. While most of us think lawyers "take" our cases, the relationship is a two-way street.

How do lawyers attract new clients?

Send Thank You Notes. Referrals are one of the top ways attorneys attract new clients. ... Create Quality Content. Blogging about personal injury isn't always easy. ... Invest In Local SEO. ... Look To Legal Directories. ... Build Authority And Credibility. ... Target Your Niche. ... Add Some Personality. ... Make A Case For Your Law Knowledge.More items...•

How do lawyers generate clients?

In summary, lawyers get new clients by two major methods–referrals and reviews. By utilizing networking skills and events, you can get your name out there and let people know that you are a reliable, trustworthy source of legal representation.

What do clients want most from their lawyers?

Most lawyers want to build a strong client relationship. They believe that when they are professional, logical, and offer good advice (and resolve the matter) that they have provided the elements of a good relationship.

What four things do clients want from their attorneys which one do they consider the most important?

Commitment (most important) Integrity. Commentary. Fairness in fees.

How can I get clients?

10 Ways to Get New CustomersAsk for referrals. ... Network. ... Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ... Re-contact old customers. ... Improve your website. ... Partner with complementary businesses. ... Promote your expertise. ... Use online reviews to your advantage.More items...•

How do law firms retain clients?

Seven Simple Client Retention Strategies that Every Law Firm Should ImplementCommunicate. ... Be honest. ... Do the work. ... Bill accurately. ... Become an expert. ... Be personable. ... Offer billing options.

What are clients looking for in law firms?

Clients want genuine ownership of the relationship by the partner and the team. When firms get bigger, people may think it's just an institutional relationship, but clients still really want personal care. They also want dialogue in between matters. Lawyers must not disappear because their transaction has ended.

What factors must be present for a communication between an attorney and a client to be privileged?

No matter how the attorney-client privilege is articulated, there are four basic elements necessary to establish its existence: (1) a communication; (2) made between privileged persons; (3) in confidence; (4) for the purpose of seeking, obtaining or providing legal assistance to the client.

What is a client pitch?

A client pitch is a targeted pitch where representatives from a business or agency speak to the specific needs of a potential client and demonstrate how their product or service — specifically — best suits those issues.

What do lawyers do when approaching?

Approach refers to moving toward the bench, a witness, or the jury box in court. An attorney may approach the bench in order to have a conversation with the judge and opposing counsel off the record and/or out of the jury's earshot.

What factors have affected the traditional attorney client relationship?

What are the four things that have affected the traditional attorney-client relationship?...The client sought legal advice.The advice sought was within areas of a lawyer's competence.The lawyer gave, or agreed to give, the advice sought.

How to attract more people to your website?

1. Deliver more useful information than your competitors do on a search engine optimized website (SEO). Create a page for each question your prospects and legal clients ask, and provide a meaningful answer. This will attract a lot more people to your site.

Is content marketing good?

This is your long-term strategy to Get More Clients Using Content Marketing. Yes, your website is filled with content. But content can get a lot more interesting—and a lot more practical—for your prospects.

Podcast or Blog Post: Your Choice Below

If you would like to listen to the podcast version of this, you can click the green button below. I also turned it into a blog post for you, which you can find below that. If you are reading this off of my website, just click here to return to the post and podcast.

A Basic Explanation Of The Sales Funnel For You

You may or may not have heard of the sales funnel. Let me shorten it to suggest that you picture a funnel with the top of it being the biggest and the bottom being the smallest, obviously.

Your Potential Clients Want To Learn

It could be they have downloaded a resource much like this LinkedIn checklist from me, for example. It could also be that they attended a webinar like I did with David Ackert and John Corey. It could be so many things that people are just interested in because they are curious.

Give Them Room To Breathe

I want you to be careful about contacting them too soon. I want you to give them room to breathe before you move in on them.

This Practice Turns People Off

One of the largest sales companies in the world is, in my opinion, one of the most aggressive actors in this respect. Occasionally, I will read a resource of theirs. I will consume a piece of content on this company’s website. Keep in mind that I could be a referral source for this company because I could talk to you about this company.

Your Potential Clients Are No Different

Just because they have read something of yours, consumed a piece of content, clicked a reaction on LinkedIn, or any number of subtle gestures, don’t assume people are ready for their phones to ring. Be very careful and take this on a case-by-case basis.

Bottom Line

Again, be very careful. Don’t rush your contact with your potential clients. Give them some space to research and get to know you. Let them breathe. Let them feel like your relationship is completely natural because they have progressed through your relationship funnel and are ready for you.

What is a good lawyer?

A good lawyer works with you, helps you understand the situation, and guides you to the best possible result. To do that, they need a client they can work with. Here's how to be just that. Advertisement.

Do your experiences matter in court?

It's not that your experiences don't matter , but some things that you may think are critical ("The cop didn't read me my rights before he cuffed me!") just aren't important to a court (in some situations, they're not required to). Mention those types of things once, and then continue to the next point.

Is a lawyer a human being?

Your lawyer is still a human being, and they need to experience the events you're describing or your situation as close to how they happened as possible. Jumping forward and back in time or going off on tangents is confusing, and may lead to an important detail being overlooked.

So how can you target your right potential client?

If you really want to use your marketing and narrow in on those potential customers that can help build your business, you’re going to have to pay to play.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your firm’s website through organic search engine results.

Pay-per-click (PPC)

Like SEO, there are many facets to Pay-Per-Click advertising that you should be aware of before jumping in head-first. And if you’re interested in all the finer details, be sure to check-out this on-demand webcast.

Paid social media

It’s no secret that search engines are no longer the only place potential clients are looking for a lawyer. Having a strong social media presence can be just as important as having a website.

Get started

When you’re looking to target just the right clients online, the bottom line is this: organic results are hard to come by. Boosting your website and social media presence with some paid advertising can really help your firm identify and locate those online searchers who are more likely to connect.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

How to give your opinion on a client?

You should be giving your opinions on the matters you discuss with your client. Ask their opinion of the information you've relayed to determine whether your views coincide. Acknowledge and respect the client's opinion. Even if you disagree, say something like, "Yes, I can see your point.".

What to do if you don't understand why something is important to a client?

If you don't understand why something is important to a client, you're probably not listening or asking the right questions. Follow up with more specific questions and listen to what your client has to say. Don't interrupt your client .

How to placate a bad attitude?

Fulfill the client's wishes. Sometimes agreeing with a difficult client is the best way to placate a bad attitude. Even if you know the client is wrong, it may be best to avoid challenging a difficult client if there's no other way to calm them down.

How to be clear with clients?

Part of being clear with a client involves using language that the client will understand. For example, if the client doesn't understand technical jargon, then rephrase everything in ways the client will understand. You should also be clear on what you are doing at any given step, the results you expect, and why.

How to correct tone?

Just as body language can betray unspoken feelings, so too can tone and demeanor. Be aware of the tone you're using and what that might convey to a client so that you can correct your tone or expressions as needed. Make sure your tone matches your facial expression.

How long should a phone call last?

Generally speaking, unless a client requests more time or has pressing matters that require greater attention, most phone calls should last no more than 10 to 15 minutes.

What should be documented in a client's communication?

Any interaction you have with a client should be documented, including face-to-face meetings, phone class, voicemails, text messages, and emails.