I did a coaching call with an attorney who is planning to leave the firm where he works and open his own office. He’s been planning this for a few years.Â
I remember what it feels like to open your own office and I’m excited for him. He’s got a lot of promise, and a lot planned, and I think he’s going to be very glad he made this move.Â
But there was one part of his plan that bothered me and I told him so. His plan called for him to immediately open two offices, followed soon by a third, in different cities many hours driving time from each other.
He has reasons for believing he can succeed in all three locations, and I have no reason to doubt this, but I told him he should start with just one.Â
One office, get it going, make it profitable, hire help, and then explore opening office number two.Â
Keep it simple.Â
Simple means “something you can do”. Something he can do: open one office.
With some experience in opening the first office, some cash flowing and some help helping, he will have the knowledge and wherewithal to open the second office and make it profitable in less time and with less effort.
As for marketing, we talked about his many options, but here again, I suggested that he keep it simple. Other than getting his website up and running, that means continuing to do what he’s been doing to bring in business–an email newsletter.Â
It is his primary marketing method and it’s working well for him. I gave him suggestions for expanding and streamlining what he’s doing, leveraging what he already knows and does to get to the next level. Given his experience, I have no doubt that he will do exactly that.
Start where you are with what you have. Good advice for marketing and opening offices.Â
Marketing online for attorneys
