Recently in Business development Category

This post was written by John Jantsch:  "For many businesses, particularly service oriented businesses, getting up in front of a group of prospects with the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise is one of the best lead conversion opportunities going.

Holding workshops and seminars live and in person has long been an effective tool. The web makes this tool even more powerful and more affordable as it allow you to conduct online versions of seminars that don't require you to rent a room or your prospects to leave their homes and offices.

Online seminars are a marketing tool every business should consider adding to the mix. Below are seven steps to consider to make your online seminars pay.

1) Get sponsored...

2) Educate, don't sell...

3) Pick your platform...

4) Cause interaction...

5) Create a backchannel...

6) Have bonus content...

7) Promote the archive...

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Source: Duct Tape Marketing, 22 February 2010. © 2003-2010 Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Tom Kane: "In good times and in bad, getting noticed is obviously a critical factor in developing business. But especially in these economic times, it is even more crucial to be doing the kinds of things that allows your firm to stand out from the crowd.

In a post entitled "Getting Noticed" my friend Thom Singer over at Some Assembly Required points out one simple way to do that..."

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Source: Legal Marketing blog.com, 19 February 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

In the news: "Whether you're looking for work as a lawyer or interested in client development, LinkedIn can be a useful tool, says consultant Debra L. Bruce. One reason why: the ability, essentially, to present your resume on steroids. Bruce also offers some warnings to keep in mind."

Seven other reasons to use LinkedIn:

1. Professional focus...

3. Friends cubed...

4. Company connections...

5. Recommendations...

6. Discussion groups...

7. Learning opportunities...

8. Invitations to connect...

RISKS FOR UNWARY LAWYERS

1. Specialization...

2. Testimonials...

3. Advertising...

4. Solicitation...

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Source: Law.Com's Daily Legal Newswire. 19 February 2010. Copyright 2009.  ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscribe <http://store.law.com/registration/register.asp?subscribeto=nw>.

This post was written by Cheryl: "If you pick the top three companies known for their extraordinary customer relationships; Nordstrom, Amazon and Starbucks, it's pretty easy to dissect their redeeming qualities...

Consumers still want to buy from real people and want to buy and associate with people and businesses who carry similar values and good will..."

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Source: Service Untitled, 5 February 2010. © 2006-2010 Service Untitled Group, reproduced with permission of Douglas Hanna.

This post was written by Susan Cartier Liebel: "There is a very timely and accurate post in today's Wall Street Journal (H/T to Fred Abramson for bringing it to my attention via Twitter) called  'How to Succeed in the Age of Going Solo" While they focus on 'consultants' they also recognize this applies to all those who are forced (or choose) to become self-employed.

The article very nicely lays out the realities of the workforce in this country and how solos in many professions will keep growing, recognizing this is the future path for millions of Americans..."

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Source: Build a Solo Practice, 8 February 2010. Copyright 2010 Susan Cartier Liebel, reproduced with permission.

This post was written by Jim Hassett: "When the economy changes, lawyers must change too.  New client demands and new levels of competition are requiring lawyers to rethink the way they develop business.

When I wrote the book Legal Business Development: A Step by Step Guide a few years ago, I outlined the steps each lawyer should take to find their unique individual answer to the question, "What should I do today to increase new business?"

The fundamentals of marketing have not changed since then, but the world has.  In the current economy, every lawyer must focus first on defensive marketing - protecting the clients and referral sources they already have - and on providing clients with more value...

If you agree that defensive marketing would be a good idea, where should you start?  Review tactics that have worked at other firms, quickly pick out an item or two that fits your practice and personality, and give it a try.  Here are five of the best tactics to increase client satisfaction:..."

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Source: Legal Business Development, 3 February 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Allison Shields: "My last post talked about creating follow up systems to make the most out of your network. Some readers wanted some more 'meat,' so I prepared a more detailed, step by step guide. The permutations of a follow-up plan are almost endless; this example is just meant to give you some ideas to get you started..."

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Source: Lawyerist.com, 5 February 2010, © 2007-2010 Lawyerist Media, LLC. Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover.

This post was written by Gyi Tsakalakis: "How you publish your online content is almost as important as creating it. That is where legal content platforms come into play.

As new legal content platforms continue to spring up, it becomes challenging for busy lawyers to decide where to allocate their online time. However, participating on these legal portals is some of the most effective marketing available. Here are three that we routinely recommend to our clients:.."

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Source: Lawyerist.com, 1 February 2010. © 2007-2010 Lawyerist Media, LLC. Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover

This post was written by Julie A. Fleming: "Do you ever feel that you're just one lawyer in a large sea of others?  New lawyers often begin their practices wondering how to distinguish themselves from the hundreds or thousands of other lawyers occupying the same niche.  And lawyers who've been in practice for some time may have the same nagging question.  Though the question may fade, it frequently re-emerges when a lawyer is preparing to grow her practice or is considering some shift in substantive areas.

Differentiation from other lawyers and law firms is useful in marketing and business development conversations.  So, how can you differentiate yourself?..."

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Source: Life at the Bar, 20 January 2010

© Life at the Bar LLC Blog, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Allison Shields: "When I ask lawyers where their business comes from, invariably they tell me either "word of mouth" or "referrals." But these same lawyers wonder why they should participate in social media.

I just finished reading Gary Vaynerchuk's book, Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion. The credit for the title of this post rightfully belongs to him, and it bears repeating:

Social media is word of mouth on steroids

Simply put, your reach on social media and the power of word of mouth or referrals is exponentially increased..."

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Source: Legal Ease Blog, 27 January 2010. Reproduced with permission of the author.