Posted by dscaringi on July 30, 2012
There are many compelling reasons driving law firms to use social media in their marketing mix. If you are still having trouble getting your firm on board, here are a few things to share with your leadership.
- Keep pace with the competition. Although I never advocate for firms to undertake initiatives just because everyone else is, in this case, it isn’t such a bad idea. At the very least, consider claiming your pages as a ‘land grab’. You can roll out an implementation strategy over time.
- Know what your clients are broadcasting. Follow your clients to learn which topics are on their radar screen. Monitor the activity on their company and individual pages to uncover any issues they may be facing.
- Keep up with the current technology. Use the same tools as your clients and ‘speak’ their language.
- Gain visibility and exposure to your clients and potential clients.
- Make connections to journalists, follow their discussions and chime in when appropriate.
- Build your reputation for expertise in specific areas by sharing knowledge.
- Show clients that you can relate to their world as it relates to social media strategies.
When broadening your marketing plans to incorporate social media it is important to deliberately lay out goals before you start any program. No doubt, sustaining a social media marketing program takes focused effort. Having a purpose behind the effort will help you see results.
Posted by dscaringi on July 19, 2012
Being in front of clients means many different things. We all see the trend that companies are using social media to deepen relationships, build presence and communicate with clients. Law firms are largely at the starting block for using social media to market their services. If firms haven’t started learning how to use these tools, it is certainly time to get started. Here are just a few questions to answer when building your social media program.
- What do you want to accomplish with the program?
- Who is your audience(s)?
- Who, in leadership, can you ‘get on board’?
- Which resources are available and accessible right now for implementation purposes?
- What is the firm’s communication style?
- Will individuals be posting, or is it a firm presence?
Of course there are many other considerations, but consider this your bare-bones starting point. Doesn’t it sound familiar? Yes, it should. It is a simple process that is often followed when starting any marketing initiative. Write down this plan and then choose a tool to work with. Good luck!
Posted by dscaringi on July 9, 2012
Have you noticed how you feel when someone tells you not to do something. All of a sudden, it is all you can think about doing! It becomes very difficult to think about anything else! What does this have to do with business success? Everything.
Using positive language earns better results. If you want to improve your business interactions with employees, clients and colleagues, take a moment to study how you use language within your relationships. Minor alterations to language can change how people perceive you and how they respond to your requests. It is proven that using positive words reduces conflict and improves communication. This is powerful stuff that everyone can employ.
Consistently expressing yourself in a positive manner affects how you are received. Develop this skill and you will build stronger relationships that are more trusting, resulting in more productive interactions with one an other.
Negative language undermines the recipients’ confidence by telling them what can’t be done. It places blame on the recipient and injures their self esteem. Some samples of negative words are: can’t, won’t and unable to.
Positive language tells someone your trust in their abilities to get the job done. It confirms what can be done and may suggest the available choices. It always sounds helpful and supportive. Some samples of positive words are: may be able, should be able and let’s try this option.
Try a simple exercise– review some of your written communications and highlight any negative words that may surface. Now try re-writing the content using only positive words. Read both examples out loud and see which feels better. Here is an example:
- Negative: ”I can’t grant you permission because you failed to send me the right document.”
- Positive: ”I would like to give you permission, if would please send me document A to review first.”
Negative language hurts not only your business, but your reputation over time. Once a reputation is tarnished, it can be very difficult to revive. To avoid that, try analyzing your instinctive response from “no” to “yes” by taking a minute to consider rephrasing the sentiment you wish to convey. Delivering superb customer service relies upon positive language. It always makes customers happier and will have a positive impact on how you run your business overall.
