Lawyers = Big Payday Potential!

33 replies
Here is a very interesting article that talks about different ways some Law firms are using social media to drum up business. It also talks about how they recently hired consultants to help them with it. Lawyers use Web, social media to drum up business - Lebanon Daily News

"Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney recently hired a consultant to train its lawyers on social media tools and established a policy for how to use sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn."

How much do you think they got paid for this job? I bet a lot of you reading this right now know as much or more than the people doing the training for the lawyers.

There is a lot of money to be made in this field, who's going to get it?
#big #lawyers #payday #potential
  • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
    Hey Chad

    Yeah, don't you just love charging Lawyers "billable time" - it's almost like being a kid again and getting the keys to the candy store.

    Regards

    Bronwyn and Keith
    Originally Posted by Chad Heffelfinger View Post

    Here is a very interesting article that talks about different ways some Law firms are using social media to drum up business. It also talks about how they recently hired consultants to help them with it. Lawyers use Web, social media to drum up business - Lebanon Daily News

    "Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney recently hired a consultant to train its lawyers on social media tools and established a policy for how to use sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn."

    How much do you think they got paid for this job? I bet a lot of you reading this right now know as much or more than the people doing the training for the lawyers.

    There is a lot of money to be made in this field, who's going to get it?
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Service businesses are, in my opinion, the best clients you can have. We are similar to them in many respects, we can relate directly to their needs and when you actually implement the systems you're asking them to consider as solutions to their practice building and client acquisition problems the proof that it works is evident...or they wouldn't be having the discussion with you would they?



    BAYO
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      Many of my marketing colleagues will not work for lawyers.

      Why? One big reason is that they are trained to be nasty and aggressive, and the habit carries over to the tone of their business relationships.

      They also tend to be egotistical, because that's another character trait that helps them in their profession. That means they may be less open-minded and more opinionated than other professionals.

      Obviously these are huge generalizations. My point here is to think beyond what anyone says about financial potential and think about whether or not you would enjoy and be successful dealing with a particular type of person and a profession that breeds certain behaviors.

      Marcia Yudkin
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        The same things could be said about regular business owners.

        Here's the real issue, can you handle an egotistical opinionated and aggressive business owner?

        If not then don't bother, move on.

        One of the biggest keys to successful selling is identity matching.

        Russ

        Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

        Many of my marketing colleagues will not work for lawyers.

        Why? One big reason is that they are trained to be nasty and aggressive, and the habit carries over to the tone of their business relationships.

        They also tend to be egotistical, because that's another character trait that helps them in their profession. That means they may be less open-minded and more opinionated than other professionals.

        Obviously these are huge generalizations. My point here is to think beyond what anyone says about financial potential and think about whether or not you would enjoy and be successful dealing with a particular type of person and a profession that breeds certain behaviors.

        Marcia Yudkin
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      • Profile picture of the author eiilers
        Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

        Many of my marketing colleagues will not work for lawyers.

        Why? One big reason is that they are trained to be nasty and aggressive, and the habit carries over to the tone of their business relationships.

        They also tend to be egotistical, because that's another character trait that helps them in their profession. That means they may be less open-minded and more opinionated than other professionals.

        Obviously these are huge generalizations. My point here is to think beyond what anyone says about financial potential and think about whether or not you would enjoy and be successful dealing with a particular type of person and a profession that breeds certain behaviors.

        Marcia Yudkin
        I think that's a huge stereotype and you could say those things to just about anyone, especially a stressed out self-employed person. I do business with 4 attorneys (from 4 different firms) and they are all extremely pleasant people to work with...
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      • Profile picture of the author enterpryzman
        Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

        Many of my marketing colleagues will not work for lawyers.

        Why? One big reason is that they are trained to be nasty and aggressive, and the habit carries over to the tone of their business relationships.

        They also tend to be egotistical, because that's another character trait that helps them in their profession. That means they may be less open-minded and more opinionated than other professionals.

        Obviously these are huge generalizations. My point here is to think beyond what anyone says about financial potential and think about whether or not you would enjoy and be successful dealing with a particular type of person and a profession that breeds certain behaviors.

        Marcia Yudkin



        WOW....some of my best friends are lawyers and I would have to argue that. Most of them are just regular guys and gals just like the rest of us UNLESS you are BS'ing them and not able to deliver what you claim. They are schooled in research and should be able to in most cases see through the smoke screen you are using if you are.

        If they are small firms you might deal with them directly and larger firms perhaps someone on their office staff. I would guess that many might "think" they can do it themselves if younger.....give them a in person evaluation and be honest.

        By the way.....why did New Jersey get all the toxic waste dumps and California get all the attorneys ????? New Jersey got first pick...LOL, sorry-could not resist.

        Best of luck,
        Enterpryzman
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  • Profile picture of the author k60mall
    Hey Chad you are right there is loads of money to be made in the service (lawyer) field.

    Marcia I also agree with you that Lawyers are arrogant and hard to deal with but if you are upfront and strong with them its easy to win them over. I am not sure being an x car salesmen helps but I don't find it difficult dealing with them as I like the challenge of beating their objections.

    I use the rent a site method where I get the site in the local business listings then contact all the lawyers in that area offering the site for rent. Those who are using adwords and those on page two of Google are the ideal target.

    I would rather service 10 businesses who are paying me $5000 per month than 100 who are paying me $200, much easier to handle and also much less work to keep the local listings in the 10 box

    Keith
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    I work with a lawyer and he's really nice. He was gotten through a referral.

    I haven't sought out any lawyers though. I've found the market to be quite competitive seo-wise. Its not undoable, but it ends up being more work and downright riskier in big markets compared to some of the other markets.

    It makes sense, lawyers are HUGE ppc terms!

    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
    speaking as a lawyer, lawyers can be a tremendously lucrative market. I know lawyers who spend 2k a month on crappy findlaw sites that should cost a flat 2k. Some lawyers don't even check their roi on advertising once they are established they just set a budget.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
      Hey David

      Love it when we get the "inside running" from someone in the industry.

      Thanks for sharing - extremely valuable advice.

      Especially love the gatekeeper approach.

      Regards

      Bronwyn and Keith
      PS. Still love getting money off lawyers though
      Originally Posted by attorneydavid View Post

      speaking as a lawyer, lawyers can be a tremendously lucrative market. I know lawyers who spend 2k a month on crappy findlaw sites that should cost a flat 2k. Some lawyers don't even check their roi on advertising once they are established they just set a budget.
      Originally Posted by attorneydavid View Post

      Call either before 830 in the morning or after about 330 to get past gatekeeper.

      Offer a simple free ebook explaining seo and the services you can use.

      Offer an evaluation + service packages. Stay away from monthly maintenance contracts we get so many calls about those and know frequently those can be ripoffs. I think you could easily sell lawyers on an article spun and submitted to uaw and amr plus plus comments etc and resell warrior services at 200-300 % and we'd be happy. Mostly lawyers just want to trust you to handle it.

      If you really want to develop a strong following with lawyers go to a solo convention and get a booth.

      Also lawyers like dealing with established companies so try to get some associates.
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    Hi Attorneydavid,

    Yes, I've found that to be the case with other professional based businesses as well.

    Do you have any suggestions on how to get our information in front of lawyers? I'm sure you get lots of calls from people like us!

    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author jazz4us
    I love the story that was shared. I think as long as you are organized with your approach and your information, you won't be swindled that much from a lawyer or any business owner at that.

    The thing about lawyers is that they are very structured, and to the point type of people. This is mistaken as arrogant and impatient sometimes, when it's just their professional make up. If you are trying to present to them without any substance, you will always fail with them.
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    • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
      Call either before 830 in the morning or after about 330 to get past gatekeeper.

      Offer a simple free ebook explaining seo and the services you can use.

      Offer an evaluation + service packages. Stay away from monthly maintenance contracts we get so many calls about those and know frequently those can be ripoffs. I think you could easily sell lawyers on an article spun and submitted to uaw and amr plus plus comments etc and resell warrior services at 200-300 % and we'd be happy. Mostly lawyers just want to trust you to handle it.

      If you really want to develop a strong following with lawyers go to a solo convention and get a booth.

      Also lawyers like dealing with established companies so try to get some associates.
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      • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
        Originally Posted by attorneydavid View Post

        Call either before 830 in the morning or after about 330 to get past gatekeeper.

        Offer a simple free ebook explaining seo and the services you can use.

        Offer an evaluation + service packages. Stay away from monthly maintenance contracts we get so many calls about those and know frequently those can be ripoffs. I think you could easily sell lawyers on an article spun and submitted to uaw and amr plus plus comments etc and resell warrior services at 200-300 % and we'd be happy. Mostly lawyers just want to trust you to handle it.

        If you really want to develop a strong following with lawyers go to a solo convention and get a booth.

        Also lawyers like dealing with established companies so try to get some associates.
        Thank you for a very informative post. What do you mean by uaw and amr?


        Thomas
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        • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
          unique article wizard article marketing robot.
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      • Profile picture of the author Yogini
        Originally Posted by attorneydavid View Post

        I think you could easily sell lawyers on an article spun and submitted to uaw and amr plus plus comments etc and resell warrior services at 200-300 % and we'd be happy. Mostly lawyers just want to trust you to handle it.
        AttorneyDavid,

        Would you refer to this as publishing to extend one's presence on the web? (Obviously most people won't know what uaw and amr are even without the abbreviations). Also, would you add in press releases too? It seems that is what most people are familiar with in terms of getting one's information published around the net. You also said monthly rebills wouldn't be attractive, so would you just offer it initially as a one-time situation and then once they see the traffic, suggest it being done on a monthly basis?

        Debbie
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        • Profile picture of the author akiratom
          These were really great information given by you, well according to my point of view, I think that the lawyer is a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person licensed to practice law.
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          • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
            I'd say publishing for backlinks. Ranking higher in google and circumventing the system are things lawyers get. Absolutely offer press releases. I wasn't saying we don['t like monthly we do. Just not black box type stuff or locked in contracts for a year.

            Like say as a lawyer if someone called me with this rather than the $3000 + $300 a month to rank on top page for "memphis dui lawyer" I'd have jumped at it.

            10 Snippets at Build My Rank
            1 Article Spun and submitted to UAW and AMR
            100 Blog Comments
            Monthly Update and Recommendations and up to 1/2 hour of consultation a month
            $250 a month

            At the time I had a deep suspicion it wasn't that hard and went and learned to do it myself. Now I know that top 10 for almost any local term's not that hard and probably can be done for $500 worth of services at warriorforum. Then sell add ons or whatever or give the option for more services. If you use services with monthly subscription fees play that up too. Lawyers understand you'll be getting a volume discount.

            The thing is lawyers value their time highly and figuring out all this SEO stuff and who to outsource too is a timesink.

            I'd also sell an initial start up package at around $1500.
            Also, find out about internet related lawyer cle's they're open to public, you might learn something about the law in SEO, and those lawyers are the most open to the subject area.
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            • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
              Originally Posted by attorneydavid View Post



              Also, find out about internet related lawyer cle's they're open to public, you might learn something about the law in SEO, and those lawyers are the most open to the subject area.

              Hey Dave, what's "lawyer cle's"? :-)

              Thomas
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              • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
                oops continuing legal education - it's the requirement for about 15 hours of continuing education each year to maintain your license.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    I turned down two prospective clients who are lawyers last week. I worked for a law firm for nine months back in the 80's. I still have nightmares about the experience.

    Bonnie
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  • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
    I see, interesting... One day I may decide to provide my services to law firms. You never know:-)
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeCool
      David,

      I appreciate your contributions to this thread in light of a few snide remarks against your profession, and a few generalizations about the personality traits of people that practice law.

      I have worked directly with a few attorney clients, and I can say firsthand that because of their professionalism, they are much more pleasant to work with than many of the mom-and-pop, or blue-collar service type clients I've dealt with.



      Thank You,
      ~ JoeCool
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  • Profile picture of the author TK1
    My consulting company has over 20 clients that are lawyers.

    It's a goldmine, really.

    The best with lawyers is:

    You can tell them straight up your price and look "bossy" LOL.

    They don't want to come through like idiots so they ask about value and not "can i pay you 20% less" etc.

    Number one rule with getting people like lawyers:

    Be aggressive.

    They are sharks. If you show emotions or come through like a dimwit you're gone.

    If you can master this you can profit very nice from lawyers,
    especially because many people are afraid of them.

    TK
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  • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
    From my experience with lawyers (not SEO), they do many things based on ego. One firm uses a press release, the other also has to have it. One gets a video, the other one must have it too...

    Years ago, my buddy helped a law firm to sponsor/organize a "golf tournament" benefit type of event. The following week, he had two other law firms suggesting they'd be interested in projects like this :-) Realtors and mortgage brokers were very similar.


    Thomas
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    • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
      absolutely correct!. I know one lawyer who told me point blank he like his picture in his 12k a year yellowpage ad but it just about paid for itself.

      Saying your site #1 in google big status thing with lawyers now.
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      • Profile picture of the author TheShark
        Okay - 5 quick tips for selling to Lawyers that work (how do I know...from my name...I am one)...before you get started on lawyer jokes...remember there are only 3, all the rest are true stories...

        Ok...I sell to Lawers, I admit it's easier for me (and if there is anyone in the San Jose or surrounding areas that is trying to sell higher end services and is getting appointments, but not closing the sale, contact me and I'll help them out joint venture - I can definitely close).

        Back to the tips:

        1. Don't BS them at all (serious, we are not only trained to spot it, but much of our livelihood depends on it)
        2. Many will try to get you to lower the price...just say no and they will respect that and it will help get the sale
        3. If they want the office manager to deal with it...that's okay, a good lawyer in business delegates.
        4. When you close a sale and the client is happy, take him to lunch, remind all the services you provided and as you pick up the bill ask them for 3 referrals (works very well)
        5. Explain how you are going to pass their competitors (know their specific market) - egos are involved and they want to be above John Doe attorney who is currently #4 and your potential client is #5 on google.

        I'm seriously considering doing a WSO - I do IM for many, many attorneys and am paid very well for it - but not only that, I get about 40 annoying stupid IMers trying to BS me and sell to me a week (I'm not exaggerating). They never even check and realize I'm #1, #2, #5, #7, (and usually #10) on average for my main keywords for my main law office locations.

        Make them money and they will be happy to deal with you...but don't bug them too much - if you (bonus #6 tip) make it so they don't have to provide the content, it will be very beneficial.

        The Shark
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  • Profile picture of the author truesouth
    Hey warriors,

    Thanks for all the advice, the truth is that tomorrow I go out and rent my website for lawyers who are in first position on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.


    Cheers.
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    "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." Brian Tracy
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  • Profile picture of the author internetsweetie
    Always wanted to be a lawyer or attorney, may as well help market them!
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  • Profile picture of the author internetsweetie
    Would direct mail work to attract and retain lawyers/attorneys or is cold calling best?
    Also, is there a way to find out the sales volume of the law firm to determine if they can afford to hire out, or is looking in the yellow pages best strategy to determine if they may have a large marketing budget?
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    • Profile picture of the author TheShark
      Hello,

      To answer your questions...

      Would direct mail work to attract and retain lawyers/attorneys or is cold calling best?

      Cold calling to attorneys will just piss them (us) off. My receptionist blocks 10-20 calls a day...if you manage to get through and you are trying to "sell" me, you are guaranteed to not like my response.

      Direct mail is better...but something unique is better. The best I've seen is someone offering me a straight lunch.

      Also, is there a way to find out the sales volume of the law firm to determine if they can afford to hire out, or is looking in the yellow pages best strategy to determine if they may have a large marketing budget?

      Actually yes and no. "Sales Volume" of a firm depends on the type of law. Example, I personally advise one attorney how never advertises in the phone books you'd be shocked how much he makes and is willing to spend. I know another firm that is about to go bankruptcy and you'd never know by they yellow page ad. There are a few techniques, including one I'm about to try and if it works I'll do a WSO because it's going to be good and although can be saturated, it would take some time.

      The best thing to do is offer something of value - most people just try to "sell". Offer to give $10 to their favorite charity for 10 minutes of their time, etc. If you are just coming off to "sell", you'll get shot down 95% of the time and the 5% of the time you get in it's because the attorney doesn't have business and can't afford to hire you anyway.

      "Hello, can I talk to the decision maker", just does not work. Hello, I'd like to (take the attorney to lunch, my treat), to show him/her how I can add 5, 15, 25 new clients a month, without any risk on their part or large upfront expense...that gets attention. What's in it for them?

      Just FYI, m experience is limited to Seattle, Oregon, California, Florida, Colorado and New York ...other areas, attitudes in the country may be different.

      The Shark
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    • Profile picture of the author attorneydavid
      Sweetie,
      Cold calling is way cheaper than direct mail and effective for lawyers. Direct mail can easily work though. Make it look like a personal letter. Due to the nature of the legal business we HAVE to open legitimate looking letters. Type or print your personal name on the letter. Use a higher quality stationary letter. It's not that much more. Address it to John Smith- Lawyer
      not law firm of . Alot of lawyers operate in multi office locations but do their own marketing so the letter will be plunked directly on their desk.

      Make it a personalized letter and I think you could do well. Maybe a brochure in it but not too think don't want to look like a solicitation.

      Also I just wanted to ad this as a personal note I just outsourced my site and got it looking spiffy for 50 bucks. I'm climbing the ranking nice for my new bankruptcy niche with article marketing and backlink building. But lord help me figuring out setting up a ppc campaign without going through charlatans and quacks who want to charge me a monthly fee a 130% markup and make it so I can't see the campaign is difficult.
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  • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
    If you think that cold calling lawyers is tough, try calling developers, high end builders or major car dealers! Even attorneys general can't get through! lol

    On the serious note, cold calling lawyers work. We have many service providers on this forum that do this very successfully in the legal field. If I remember correctly, it's their only technique to solicit lawyers. And it's all long distance, no lunches or anything of this kind...

    There are very specific techniques to market by phone and you don't necessarily have to talk directly to lawyers AT FIRST to get them as your clients. Lawyers need and want "quality" lead generation as much as anybody else, just don't try to be too cute with them :-)

    Over the years, I've noticed that lawyers who advertise actually KNOW THEIR NUMBERS... and so do insurance brokers. In other words, they usually know how much it costs to bring a potential (genuine/legitimate) client to their office. That by itself could be very helpful when contacting...


    Thomas
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