how to write a blog for a lawyer

by Burdette Johnston 4 min read

10 Tips for Writing an Effective Law Firm Blog Post

  1. Start with why.. Every blog post you write should have a purpose – just like your blog overall. Before you put pen to...
  2. Understand your audience and what they want to read.. Once in a while, talking about what’s going on in your firm can...
  3. Listen to your clients.. One of your greatest resources for new blog...

Guidelines for Writing Effective Legal Blog Posts
  1. Write about a single topic.
  2. Stay away from providing legal advice. ...
  3. State exactly what you would want quoted if your blog is read by the media – repeat your key points.
  4. Each blog post should range from 800 to 2,000 words. ...
  5. Use bullets and lists as often as possible.

Full Answer

Is it legal to copy someone’s writing on a blog?

Feb 06, 2022 · Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way: Get a blog (WordPress is probably one of the best blogging platforms) and give it a name that makes sense. Your law firm... Sit down with a notepad and write down your areas of expertise and law-related topics that you’re interested in. Start... ...

How do you write a copyright notice for a blog?

Lawyers and law firms derive many benefits from effective blogging. Benefits of blogging include business development, client and referral relations, community relations, internal communications, issue advocacy, marketing and public relations, media relations, publicity, reputation management, and thought leadership.

Why can’t my lawyer help me with my online business?

Jan 11, 2021 · Pick a Blog name. A good blog name should be descriptive so that the potential visitors can instantly tell what the blog is about from the name itself. It should not be too descriptive yet predictable. Select the theme and design your Blog. The first thing a blog need is a face, the design and layout should match the theme.

What is copyright law for bloggers?

Oct 03, 2020 · Law Practitioners Law Students A Step by Step Guide for Writing a Legal Blog. Introduction. In the age of digitalization, lawyers have two kinds of reputation- online and offline. For building an online reputation, blogging is ... Choose your Audience. Structure. Introduction and Conclusion. Title. ...

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Can lawyers have blogs?

Simply put, blogs are a great way for lawyers to showcase legal expertise while increasing their firms' search engine optimization—all while helping them to stay on top of changes in their areas of practice by writing about them on their firm's blog.Oct 25, 2019

Are lawyers prohibited from blogging?

The answer is potentially yes – though only if the blog post relates directly or obviously to the attorney's availability for employment. Attorneys have been permitted to advertise since the U.S. Supreme Court held in 1977 in Bates v. State Bar of Ariz.

How do you write blogs?

How to Start a Blog
  1. Understand your audience.
  2. Check out your competition.
  3. Determine what topics you'll cover.
  4. Identify your unique angle.
  5. Name your blog.
  6. Create your blog domain.
  7. Choose a CMS and set up your blog.
  8. Customize the look of your blog.

How would you describe a good lawyer?

Listening to your clients, listening to witnesses, listening to your opposing counsel, and listening to the court can be the difference between winning and losing a case. Great lawyers take in all relevant information, analyze it, and create a plan of action.Jun 17, 2019

What is blog give example?

A blog (a shortened version of “weblog”) is an online journal or informational website displaying information in reverse chronological order, with the latest posts appearing first, at the top. It is a platform where a writer or a group of writers share their views on an individual subject.Mar 24, 2022

How do I write my first blog?

How to Write Your First Blog Post
  1. Consider your audience. ...
  2. Do keyword research… ...
  3. But don't go overboard. ...
  4. Introduce yourself. ...
  5. Establish your editorial plan. ...
  6. Get inspiration. ...
  7. Choose your tone and voice. ...
  8. Add strategic links.
•
Dec 1, 2021

What makes a successful blog?

Effective bloggers are focused and consistent

They write consistently about their chosen subject, and with a consistent voice and approach. Even when they write about something that seems to be off-topic, they relate it back to the niche they know their readers are interested in.
Apr 20, 2010

What are the weaknesses of a lawyer?

Weaknesses
  • Skills gaps.
  • Poor work habits.
  • Client development.
  • Negative personal characteristics.
Sep 16, 2019

What skills are needed to be a lawyer?

10 Important Lawyer Skills and How to Develop Them
  • Teamwork. By no means exclusive to law, the ability to work in a team is essential to any job. ...
  • Initiative and Independence. ...
  • Creative Problem Solving. ...
  • Written Communication Skills. ...
  • Verbal Communication Skills. ...
  • Work Under Pressure. ...
  • Commercial Awareness. ...
  • Understanding People.
•
Mar 22, 2021

Is being a lawyer hard?

The Stress

Deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, long hours, changing laws, and other demands all combine to make the practice of law one of the most stressful jobs out there. Throw in rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt and it's no wonder lawyers are stressed.
Nov 20, 2019

Why is blogging important for lawyers?

It’s important to first identify what you want to accomplish through blogging and then take the time to write effective and engaging blog posts. Print PDF.

What are the types of blog posts lawyers use?

Types of Blog Posts. Two types of blog posts are most effective for lawyers: 1) timely topic posts about court decisions, legislative rulings, breaking news, etc., and 2) evergreen topic posts that are general in nature and can be posted at any time and still be relevant to your target audience.

What can a contract attorney write?

Contract attorneys can write short blogs about the benefits and/or pitfalls of various contract clauses such as termination clauses, non-compete clauses, liability clauses, etc. Review your memos of law and briefs for substantive (non-fact-specific) content that can be edited and turned into blogs.

Why are blog posts important?

Both types of posts are important for effective relationship development and legal marketing. In addition, all blogs should be focused on key takeaways for your target audience. Timely topics: If you are going to blog about topics that are current, you must write the posts and publish them in a timely manner.

What is a free blog?

As the name suggests in itself, free blogs are the blogs published on a free blogging platform where there is no subscription or domain cost involved, the authors get to publish for free.

Why should a blog name be descriptive?

A good blog name should be descriptive so that the potential visitors can instantly tell what the blog is about from the name itself. It should not be too descriptive yet predictable.

Why is blogging free?

The foremost benefit of having a free blogging platform is its free factor. If the budget is low and there is no willingness to invest capital, a free blogging platform is a way forward. Whenever any individual starts writing blogs, free blogging platforms are always preferred preliminary.

Why do you put a thematic image in a blog post?

Adding a thematic image early in the post will attract attention and can set the tone for the content. It makes the content eye-catching and appealing. It also helps to make a point or emphasize a particular statement in the blog.

How to write a blog?

Every person has its own writing style and voice. The best way to write a blog is to remain consistent throughout your blog. A consistent voice not only attracts readers but also make them appreciate your writing style. It is advised to write a blog in a way that is interesting to you as well as your readers.

Why do lawyers blog?

Blogging is a fantastic way for a lawyer to promote their law firm and gain more potential clients. For a law student, blogging gives a better opportunity in the future by laying a strong foundation, good reputation, credibility for their respective careers, and also enhances their CV.

How to make your blog more reliable?

Sharing statistics not only makes your work more reliable but also makes it look that you are well versed with your topic. Always try connecting dots with the help of statistics . When you include an analysis try using data as it makes it looks more authentic.

Why is it important to cite a legal blog?

Citations play an important role in your legal blog. Citing others’ work not only makes your post authentic but also is in line with the ethical standards of writing. It is recommended to link all your blog post to your website page content, it will give the readers a road map of information and resources .

What are some mistakes people make when writing a blog?

A very common mistake people make while writing a blog is to define the problem and describe a few suggested ways to avoid it. Don’t give away the punch line. Try giving the readers a practical pointer to think about and use it in a form of reference in their own blog.

Why do you need to break down an article into subheadings?

The entire article must be broken down into different sub-headings as it provides the readers with an idea about the content of your blog. The sub-headings should be complete and not partial or indicative.

How to structure a blog?

First, create a structure and give your article a skeleton. Around the structure start developing a body. The information should be crisp and to the point so that the readers understand what they want at one glance. Do not beat around the bush as it frustrates the reader and they will eventually switch to something better. There are some steps that you should ideally follow for structuring your blog-

What is a law firm blog?

A law firm blog is a great way to announce firm news, awards and cases won. A blog is a fantastic way to showcase the successes and developments of your firm. Blogs do not only have to inform readers about legal matters, but you can also use them to show that you are proud of what your firm achieves.

Why do law firms use blogs?

Law firm blogs are an excellent way for a firm to showcase its level of expertise and to become more noticeable in online searches. Blogging is an essential marketing practice if you want your firm to rank ahead of your competitors on ...

Why do search engines like blogs?

Search engines, such as Google, love good content. They love good content because internet users love good content. A blog is the best way to provide your website with a regular flow of content.

Why don't people read my blog?

Internet users don’t typically read something that doesn’t pop up in an online search. Every blog needs search engine optimization (SEO) with the right keywords so that a search engine can find it during a user search.

What do prospective clients do before choosing a legal firm?

Prospective clients generally do a thorough investigation of various legal options before choosing which firm to approach with their problem.

What is news blogging?

News blogs can cover anything from an accolade you achieved to your involvement in the local community. These feel-good, celebratory posts help to establish a connection with readers. Soft topic blogging for attorneys or lawyers adds a human touch to the very technical world of law.

Is lack of time a real issue for lawyers?

Lack of time is a real issue for any lawyer. Lawyers pack their schedules and any extra time available often goes toward preparation for the next day. What lawyer can honestly say they have time to blog in between meetings, court dates, litigation, new clients, and so on?

Why is SEO important for a lawyer?

Law firm SEO is an especially valuable tool because of the exponential and time-oriented growth. You’ll be able to see results for years to come if you implement the right practices. Here are some of the benefits of hosting a legal blog on your website: Improved SEO and organic traffic on your website.

How does SEO help a law firm?

If you’ve been in business or around marketing for any amount of time, you may have heard about SEO or Search Engine Optimization and the benefits that it can have on your website. If you haven’t, make sure that you click that link and learn more. Law firm SEO is an especially valuable tool because of the exponential and time-oriented growth. You’ll be able to see results for years to come if you implement the right practices. Here are some of the benefits of hosting a legal blog on your website: 1 Improved SEO and organic traffic on your website. 2 Develop relationships with potential and existing customers. 3 Become an industry leader by providing valuable information to consumers. 4 Provide value and education for your readers. 5 Offer resources and a place to keep information that you can send to potential customers. 6 Generate leads for your business.

What do law blogs cover?

One thing many popular law blogs do is cover trending cases as well , even if they’re outside their areas of specialty. Off-beat cases. One popular topics is to show how a lawyer reacts to seeing a case filed by a sovereign citizen, and the, ahem, “creative” interpretations of the law they use.

Why is blogging important?

Blogging is an important part of online marketing and awareness for every industry. That includes law firms. Indeed, people search the internet for answers to legal questions – both relevant and frivolous – every day. Being the law firm that answers that question can put you in their good graces, and make them more likely to turn to you ...

Is blogging a casual format?

Blogging is Casual. In virtually all cases, blogging is a fairly casual format. People who read blogs, and most people who write blogs, don’t spent a lot of time caring about things like the AP style guide or the font of their writing.

Is legal writing different from blogging?

That said, the world of legal writing is a very, very different place than the world of blogging. Words in legal writing have very specific meanings, specific phrases need to be used, and even special formatting is required to file legal paperwork. You go to law school to learn all that stuff; we, your readers, do not.

Is it necessary to write a law blog?

However, and this is important: it’s not necessary. You can run a successful law blog without citing cases more than is absolutely necessary or when you’re discussing specific cases. You’re a lawyer: people trust you to know what you’re talking about.

What is the law against blogging?

4. Blog Defamation Lawsuit. As bloggers, you have to be careful about what you write about others. One of the laws you should know about is called defamation. Defamation is when you publish a false statement about someone that harms that person’s reputation. There are two types of defamation –.

Why can't a lawyer help me with my online business?

At that point, the lawyer can’t help you much because you failed to set up your online business the right way from the beginning.

Why is the legal side of blogging neglected?

The legal side of blogging is often neglected because it is not fun and most bloggers give up trying to understand it. This is the reason I’ve put together this legal guide for bloggers to help you become compliant with the law and stay out of legal trouble.

What to include in a copyright notice?

Here’s what you need to include in a proper copyright notice on your blog: Use the copyright symbol – © – or the word “copyright” or abbreviation “copr” (although this abbreviation is not used as often). The publication year. The copyright owner’s/company name. A statement of rights such as “All rights reserved”.

Why are online businesses sued?

Online businesses are sued every day for not having a proper Privacy Policy on their website. It’s not enough that you have a Privacy Policy on your blog – you need to make sure the one you have complies with the laws and protects you legally!

What is copyright law?

Copyright law is a federal law that protects the authors of original creative works in a tangible form such as:

What happens if someone wrongfully uses your copyright?

If someone wrongfully uses your copyright material without permission, you can sue him or her to obtain compensation for any losses.

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