Blog – Page 304

Evernote for Business: Is it right for your law firm?

December 4, 2012 by David M. Ward

Evernote has launched Evernote for Business, which promises enhanced sharing capability for the workplace. For lawyers, the idea is that your firm would have it’s own business account, with a library of shared notes (documents) which employees (withÂ permission) Â can access. You and your employees can also have your own personal Evernote notebooks which are private.

Does your firm need this capability? I’m not so sure.

Personal Evernote accounts already allow sharing. You can set up one or more notebooks in your account and share those notebooks with others in the firm. Sharing basic firm documents such as email templates, checklists, and blank forms is pretty straightforward. Where things get hairy is with sharing client files or other non-public information.

In Evernote for Lawyers, I discussed the idea of storing client files in Evernote. If it’s just you who is accessing that information, your comfort level will depend on whether you feel the need to encrypt that information before uploading it. The more critical issue is sharing that information electronically with others in your firm.

Evernote can be accessed anywhere there is an Internet connection, so if your employees aren’t as careful as you are, someone who is not authorized to access those shared notebooks might be able to do so. If your secretary’s laptop is stolen, for example, your client files could wind up in the wrong hands.

I don’t know how Evernote for Business handles permissions and other security issues, but if it makes shared access to private information more secure, that alone would make it worth considering. The added functionality it promises would be icing on the cake.

Evernote for Business is $10 per month per employee, a small investment if it allows you to set up a secure virtual filing cabinet for your firm.Â But that remains to be seen.

Are you planning to use Evernote for Business? Let me know in the comments.

Evernote for Lawyers shows you how to use Evernote for marketing, GTD, blogging, AND storing client files. Â

Filed Under: Law office management, Technology Tagged With: business-data-in-evernote, Data security, evernote, Evernote for Business, evernote-business-encryption, evernote-business-lawfirm, evernote-business-secretary, evernote-for-business-encrypted, evernote-law-firm, evernote-lawyer, managing-a-law-firm-with-evernote, moneypak-notebook, promise-evernote-business

Why every attorney needs to have a global presence

December 3, 2012 by David M. Ward

You only practice in one state or province or country. You can’t do legal work outside of your jurisdiction. So why should you pay attention to anything elsewhere? Because we live in a global society.

Every day, people move into and out of your city. New arrivals in your city will need an attorney. Some research attorneys before they move. If someone in Los Angeles is being transferred to New York where you practice, they might find you online long before they arrive in town.

Others will ask their attorney, CPA or other professional (in LA) if they know any lawyers in New York. If you have a relationship with those professionals, there’s a good chance that you’ll get the nod. But even if you don’t have a relationship, many professionals will go online to find an attorney in another city to whom they can refer their client.

It happens all the time, even when nobody is moving. People ask people if they know an attorney in LA or NY or Houston or Miami, because their aunt or cousin or business partner has asked them and they thought you might be able to help.

When you send referrals to attorneys in other parts of the country, or other countries, those attorneys will be inclined to send their referrals to you. The same is true of other professionals and businesses.

A law practice is a local business but from a marketing perspective, it is also a global business.

No matter where you practice, you need a strong online presence. You never know when someone in a country you’ve never heard of might be looking for an attorney in your town.

You also need to reach out to professionals and businesses in other parts of the world so that when a client or professional contact asks you if you know a real estate agent, insurance broker, CPA, or lawyer in another city you can give them a referral.

The more referrals you give, the more you will eventually get. But where do you start?

Well, you could pick a city and pick a profession and ask your contacts if they know someone in xyz who does abc, or you could go online and find someone yourself. Then, when someone asks for a referral to someone in xyz who does abc, you’ll have someone. But this is too slow. I suggest you do things in reverse.

Start by announcing to your clients and contacts that you have connections throughout the country–in law, real estate, banking, insurance, and businesses of all kinds. Encourage them to come to you when they need a referral or know someone who does.

When someone asks for a referral, go find someone. The urgency of having someone who needs that referral will force you to find someone fast. But now, instead of merely introducing yourself and saying you hope the two of you can do some business together some day, you’ll actually have someone ready to refer.

It’s called “working smarter” for a reason.

Want to know more ways to work with other professionals and get more referrals? Get The Attorney Marketing Formula and find out.

Filed Under: Leverage, List building, Marketing legal services, Networking, Online Marketing

The Ten Commandments of “Getting Things Done”

November 30, 2012 by David M. Ward

Many people refer to David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done, as their productivity Bible. Like the real Bible, however, Allen’s book isn’t particularly easy for the uninitiated to digest. It took me several reads and a lot of hi-lighting before the ideas started to sink in.

And yet the principles in Getting Things Done (GTD) aren’t that complicated. In fact, the system is basically your calendar, a few lists, and a process for organizing everything so that you know what to do first and what to do after that. This allows you to be effective (getting the right things done) and efficient (getting things done right).

The sub-title of Getting Things Done is “The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” and that is an apt description of the ultimate benefit of mastering GTD.

If you’re trying to learn GTD, or this is your first exposure to it, here is a summary of its key components, the “Ten Commandments of “Getting Things Done”:

Put everything in a “trusted system”. Get it out of your head, off your desk, and into one “Inbox” (or a few), ready to be processed.
Organize your tasks into lists, for example, “Today,” “Next,” “Someday,” “Waiting,” and “Projects”.
A project is anything that requires more than one step (task). Each project should have a list of tasks needed to complete it.
Organize your lists by “context”: Where (@Office, @Home, @Errands), Tool: (@Internet, @Phone), People: (@Debbie, @ABC Board). That way, when you’re @Office, having a meeting with @Debbie, you can zero in on appropriate tasks and not be distracted with @Errands or chores you need to do @Home.
Use your calendar to record future tasks by date (i.e., appointments, start dates, due dates, review dates). The calendar is sacred territory. If it’s on your calendar, you should do it.
Use a tickler system to remind yourself of things you may want to do or review in the future but aren’t due on a specific date (and thus, not on your calendar).
Process your Inbox often: If something is actionable, either Do it (immediately), Delegate it, or Defer it (Calendar, or “Next” list). If it’s not actionable, either Trash it, put it on a list to review in the future (“Someday” or “Tickler”), or file it as Reference material.
Review your lists daily. Decide what to do based on your Time and Energy and the task’s Priority. Don’t prioritize in advance because priorities (and Contexts) change constantly.
Plan every day in advance. Review your plan and your progress once a week at a regular Weekly Review.
As you process your Inbox or review your lists, ask yourself two questions: What’s the successful outcome? And, What’s the next action (logical next step) to make it happen? David Allen says, “These provide fundamental clarity for Getting Things Done, and they lie at the core of most everything I teach.”

This probably represents 90% of the GTD system. There are many nuances and refinements and many of us have modified “pure GTD” to suit our work flow and preferences. You can spend a lifetime tinkering with GTD or, once you have a basic set up, simply get things done.

GTD can be done with pen and paper. There are also many GTD apps for your smart phone or computer. I do all of this in Evernote (plus my calendar). My GTD system is presented in detail in my Evernote for Lawyers ebook.

Do you use GTD? How has it helped you to get things done?

You can use my Evernote GTD system even if you don’t use Evernote. Read Evernote for Lawyers, however, and you’ll want to use Evernote. Even if you’re not a lawyer.Â

Filed Under: Productivity, Time Management Tagged With: as-getting-things-done, evernote, evernote-for-lawyers, getting things done, gtd

Marketing takes up too much time? I wrote this post in 15 minutes

November 29, 2012 by David M. Ward

In the interview yesterday, (replay), I said that if you (the viewer) got nothing else out of my comments, I hope you are inspired to commit 15 minutes a day to marketing. Even if all you do is sit and think, or write down ideas, or read some articles. I said that if you do that, eventually you will pick up the phone and make some calls or write something that could be considered marketing-related. Like a blog post, article, or email.

You can do a lot in 15 minutes.

I wrote this post in 15 minutes. Sure, most of my posts take longer but I have the time. You might not. That’s okay. Short posts are fine.

How do you write a blog post in 15 minutes? You start with an idea and write it down. In this case, “writing a blog post in 15 minutes”. You open up something to write in. I write my posts in Evernote. And you begin writing. Put down your thoughts. Share a couple of tips or resources. Give your opinion on something related to your area of expertise.

Three or four paragraphs and you’re done. I’m at 200 words at this point. My posts are usually in the 300 to 500 word length. Length isn’t critical, as long as you have said what you need to say.

Then, edit. Make sure the thoughts flow. Not hard, really (pauses for a sip of coffee, reads. . .). Looks pretty good. Time to publish. Copy and paste into WordPress. Add some tags and hyperlinks and I’m done for the day. Elapsed time: 14 minutes.Â And what do you know, this post is now just over 300 words.

If you missed the interview yesterday, you can watch the replay here. It was about an hour so you might have to watch over the next four days. If you don’t have time, just order The Attorney Marketing FormulaÂ and call it a day.

Filed Under: Law office management, Marketing legal services, Productivity, Time Management Tagged With: attorney-marketing-blog, Spreecast

In marketing, WHEN someone reads your message may be more important than what it says

November 28, 2012 by David M. Ward

It’s true. Timing is everything. To wit:

Two days ago, a business owner found out his biggest distributor is 120 days delinquent. If they don’t pay him, the business owner may not be able to pay his suppliers. He’s upset and wants to know what he can do to collect on the account. He is a prospect for your services.

He sees your ad and plans to call you. But first, he places a call to the distributor and talks to the accounts payable clerk. She assures him that they were having a temporary cash flow issue. This has been resolved and payment in full will be mailed in a few days. The two companies have done business for many years and the business owner is satisfied. He calms down. He doesn’t call you. He is no longer a prospect.

Yesterday, the business owner talks to a mutual friend who tells him he’s having the same problem with the distributor. In fact, he hasn’t been paid in over six months and has turned the account over to an attorney. Now our business owner is nervous. He can’t take any chances. He must take action. He is a very motivated prospect.

Just before he calls you, the owner of the other company calls him, apologizes, and tells him not to worry. He was indeed having a cash flow issue but he has just been approved for a loan and will have the funds within ten days. He promises to clear up his account. Our business owner is relieved. He didn’t want to take action against his biggest client. Ten days is acceptable. He doesn’t need a lawyer.

This morning, the business owner finds out that the distributor has just been indicted for fraud. He has been accused of running a Ponzi scheme for the last several years. He has stolen millions. Nobody is going to be paid, at least not without a fight. The business owner is desperate. He needs your help. Can he messenger over a check?

Timing truly is everything. Someone may be a prospect this morning, ready to write you a big check, and not interested this afternoon when his problem seems to be resolved.

Suppose our business story took place over a period of months, not days. And suppose our business owner saw your ad once, three months ago, when he didn’t need you, but didn’t see your ad today when he was ready to hire you?

This is why you continue to advertise, to mail, to network, to write. This is why you continually stay in touch with your list, reminding them that you are still there, still ready to help. Not once but over and over again. Not today but forever.

You never know when a prospect’s “buying window” will open or how long it will stay open. Keep your message in front of them. Stay in their minds and in their mailboxes because when their window opens, you want to be the one they see.

I’m being interviewed today. Join us (free) at 2pm PT and bring your attorney marketing questions.

Filed Under: Marketing legal services

The problem with multiple streams of income

November 27, 2012 by David M. Ward

Smart people often counsel us to diversify our investments. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” they say. From an investment standpoint they’re probably right. If all your money is in gold or oil futures or a single stock and the market turns south, your losses could be catastrophic. But diversification has a dangerous side.

If you are building a law practice, buying a restaurant or another business that requires your time and mental energy is usually not a good idea. Buy (or start) another business only after your practice is at a point where you can devote some time to the business. Donald Trump made several fortunes in real estate before he branched out into other businesses. Donald Sterling made a bundle as a personal injury attorney before he turned to real estate and only years later to buying sports franchises.

Most people who try to build two businesses simultaneously usually fail to achieve great success in either. Perhaps that’s why Mark Twain said, “Put all of your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.”

Yes, I started my attorney marketing business while I was still practicing. It was the kind of business that only required a few hours a week at first, to see if I could make a go of it. Once I did, I began shutting down my practice as I ramped up the new business. After a couple of years, the marketing business was running smoothly. I had competent staff who were taking care of the day-to-day operations and the demands on my time were minimal. At that point, I started another business. Again, just a few hours a week at first.

Today, I own two successful businesses.Â I would never have been successful in my practice or businesses had I tried to build them at the same time.

Okay, you get this. You wouldn’t lose focus and try to build two businesses simultaneously. But a lot of attorneys do exactly that and they don’t even know it.

When you try to build a family law practice, for example, and you also handle personal injury, you’re building two businesses simultaneously. Each practice area is different. Each has it’s own rhythm and culture. Referral sources are different. The judges are different. Marketing is different.

Some practice areas compliment each other. Many don’t.Â Put all your eggs in one basket and let the world know that you have the finest eggs available.

If you want help in choosing the right basket, getÂ The Attorney Marketing Formula.

Filed Under: Increase your income, Law office management, Leverage, Marketing legal services, Specializing

Marketing is easier when you use leverage

November 26, 2012 by David M. Ward

As I mentioned last week, this Wednesday, at 2 pm PT, I’m being interviewedÂ and you’re invited. Among other things, I’ll be talking about my latest marketing course, The Attorney Marketing Formula.

One of the themes throughout The Attorney Marketing Formula is leverage–getting bigger results out of the same effort. A simple example of leverage in marketing a law practice is the use of forms and checklists. You invest time to memorialize a process and then use that process over and over again, saving you lots of time, reducing errors, and impressing the hell out of your clients who see how remarkably well organized you are.

Another example of leverage is focusing on your current and former clients as a source of repeat business and referrals in preference to other ways of seeking new clients. There are much lower costs associated with marketing to people who already know, like, and trust you, and much better results. Even if someone can’t hire you again right now, and doesn’t know anyone they can refer, there are other ways they can help you. They can send traffic to your web site through social media, for example, or forward your email to their friends and colleagues.

A marketing joint venture with professionals and business owners to get exposure to their lists is another form of leverage. If you’re a small business attorney, for example, you could get together with an accountant, a tax lawyer, a commercial insurance broker, and a financial planner. Each of you contributes a report, article, audio, or video, and the four of you send (or offer) this collection to your lists. Or, you can put together a bundle of services for the small business owner, with discounts and/or free services from each of you, and offer this bundle to your lists.

Anyway, I hope you’ll join us on Wednesday and bring your questions. I’m looking forward to speaking with you!

Save an extra $10 on The Attorney Marketing Formula through 5 pm PT tonight, November 26th. Use discount code “thankful”.

Filed Under: Client loyalty, Law office management, Leverage, Marketing legal services, News, Productivity Tagged With: Spreecast

Get your attorney marketing questions answered next week (video interview)

November 21, 2012 by David M. Ward

Next week, I will be interviewed by attorney Mitch Jackson on his Spreecast channel. The subject: The Attorney Marketing Formula, the course that teaches you how to earn more than you ever thought possible.

Please join us at 2 pm Pacific time on Wednesday, November 28. The event is free and open to everyone. Bring your marketing questions and I’ll answer them live on video. Or, if you can’t make it, send me your questions in advance. The show will be recorded and you can watch later.

If you don’t yet have a copy of The Attorney Marketing Formula, you can save an extra $10 through the Thanksgiving weekend. Use discount code “thankful” (without quotes). This promotion runs through Monday, November 26, 2012 at 5:00 pm Pacific.

I appreciate you and look forward to seeing you next week. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have something special planned.

The Attorney Marketing FormulaÂ isÂ way better than a 40-inch TV. Save an extra $10 with discount code “thankful”.

Filed Under: Marketing legal services, News Tagged With: david-m-ward, mitch-jackson, Spreecast, the-attorney-marketing-formula

What percentage of your income do you re-invest in your law practice?

November 20, 2012 by David M. Ward

I started my law practice with a few thousand dollars for rent, furniture, stationery, and a typewriter. It was a drop in the bucket compared to what I spent over the years to grow and expand that practice.

Like any business, I took a percentage of net income and re-invested it. A bigger office, more employees, marketing. How about you? How much do you re-invest in your practice, and in what are you investing?

CLE
Law library, form files
Technology, equipment, furnishings
Employees/outsourced help
Employee training
Human Resources
Web site/blog
Marketing/Client Relations
Advertising
Personal development/training
Risk management/insurance/compliance
Office management/HR
Bookkeeping, billing, accounting, collections
Investments/retirement planning

A law practice is a business. If you don’t re-invest in your business to stimulate and support its growth, your business will decay and eventually die.

Some of these categories are more important than others, and deserve a bigger investment of your time and money. One of these categories, however, is much more important than the others.

Which category do you think I would say is number one?

Nope, marketing is second. Number one is personal development. If you get that right, you will understand the vital role that marketing plays, you will commit to making it a priority, and you will get better results. You’ll also do a better job of handling all of the other categories.

Growing your practice starts with growing yourself.

If you’re ready to make marketing a priority, you need to master the six key strategies in The Attorney Marketing Formula.

Filed Under: Law office management, Marketing legal services, Personal development

All lawyers market their services, although some don’t realize it

November 19, 2012 by David M. Ward

I got an email from an attorney who wanted to hire someone to do all of her marketing for her. She said she’s “not good at marketing and not interested in it.” She doesn’t realize it but she’s already engaged in marketing. Every lawyer is.

Every time you say thank you to a client or referral source, you’re marketing.

Every time you hand someone you business card and ask for theirs, you’re marketing.

Every time you have a meal with someone, you’re marketing.

You may be doing it poorly, or getting poor results, but it’s marketing nevertheless.

Marketing is defined as, “everything you do to get and keep clients”. Key word–“everything”. All of the little things you say and do, the warmth of your handshake, the sincerity of your smile. It all counts.

You do yourself an injustice when you conclude that marketing is something you can hand off to someone else.

You can hire people to assist you. They can do most of the behind the scenes work. They can advise you, create your ads, run your blog, and promote your seminars. They can set up meetings with people on your behalf.

But you have to be at those meetings.

Building a law practice means building relationships and that’s not something that can be delegated.

If this is an anathema to you, if you are terminally shy or you just don’t like people, you’ll be a lot happier finding a partner who is good at what you don’t enjoy. Let him or her be the face of the firm, while you do what you’re good at.

But guess what? You’ll still be marketing.

Every time you say thank you to a client, you’re marketing. Every time you give someone your card and ask for theirs, or have a meal with someone, you’re marketing.

You can’t escape. Everything means everything.

If you want to improve your marketing, you should read (and apply) The Attorney Marketing Formula.Â

Filed Under: Law office management, Marketing legal services Tagged With: attorney-marketing, law firm marketing, lawyer-marketing, Marketing legal services