How to Get Clients Before Opening Your Law Firm
If you are reading this article, you have at least considered what it would be like to start your own law firm. But, if you are like me, something has held you back. For the majority of you, it is the fear of the unknown and, more specifically, the fear of potentially not having an income. But there are things you can do to help minimize that fear. The most important plan is to start getting clients now because, after all, clients are what drive our income. The following will aid you in starting to build your firm's client base, even before officially opening your doors.
1) Build your internet presence. In this day and age of technology, an internet presence is a must, and it can be a goldmine. Start slowly, by creating a blog. Make it relevant to your practice areas, and post quality content. You will also want to obtain a domain name for your eventual website. Create a starter page, or placeholder. Then learn everything you can about search engine optimization (SEO) and put some time into getting noticed by the search engines.
2) Join the bar association and get involved. Start by joining a section and attending meetings. While there, make it a goal to introduce yourself to at least two people. Ask for their card and keep the contact information. The key here is to be consistent. While this may not provide immediately results, you will meet people and they will begin to recognize you.
3) Attend CLEs. Not only will you meet people at CLEs, you will also become more educated on the law. Don't only attend presentations in your area of practice, learn about other fields. Otherwise you will run into the same people that you see at the section meetings. Change it up a little bit. You want to speak with as many people as possible.
4) Ask someone out. Have lunch with a colleague. Start with someone you are familiar with, and bounce ideas off him or her. Then ask someone who you know but don't see that often, maybe opposing counsel in a former case. If you don't feel comfortable having an entire lunch, get some coffee. If you want, tell them about your plan. You will be surprised with how much other attorneys want to help you in your endeavor.
5) Go to a conference. Are you seeing a pattern here? You have to get your name out there, and you must meet people. If no one knows who you are, then they don't know you're an attorney, and they definitely won't give you any business.
6) Follow up. When you obtain someone's card, attorney or non-attorney, input their contact information into your database. Then write them an email a few days later to let them know that you enjoyed meeting them. Include something specific about your conversation.
While these steps may not land you any clients on day one, they will lay the groundwork for your network and marketing plans. Having at least a start on these items before you hang the proverbial shingle is crucial, as it will give you a leg up on your income goals. So when you leave your current job, and the world of a steady paycheck, you'll at least be a little less afraid of the unknown.
1) Build your internet presence. In this day and age of technology, an internet presence is a must, and it can be a goldmine. Start slowly, by creating a blog. Make it relevant to your practice areas, and post quality content. You will also want to obtain a domain name for your eventual website. Create a starter page, or placeholder. Then learn everything you can about search engine optimization (SEO) and put some time into getting noticed by the search engines.
2) Join the bar association and get involved. Start by joining a section and attending meetings. While there, make it a goal to introduce yourself to at least two people. Ask for their card and keep the contact information. The key here is to be consistent. While this may not provide immediately results, you will meet people and they will begin to recognize you.
3) Attend CLEs. Not only will you meet people at CLEs, you will also become more educated on the law. Don't only attend presentations in your area of practice, learn about other fields. Otherwise you will run into the same people that you see at the section meetings. Change it up a little bit. You want to speak with as many people as possible.
4) Ask someone out. Have lunch with a colleague. Start with someone you are familiar with, and bounce ideas off him or her. Then ask someone who you know but don't see that often, maybe opposing counsel in a former case. If you don't feel comfortable having an entire lunch, get some coffee. If you want, tell them about your plan. You will be surprised with how much other attorneys want to help you in your endeavor.
5) Go to a conference. Are you seeing a pattern here? You have to get your name out there, and you must meet people. If no one knows who you are, then they don't know you're an attorney, and they definitely won't give you any business.
6) Follow up. When you obtain someone's card, attorney or non-attorney, input their contact information into your database. Then write them an email a few days later to let them know that you enjoyed meeting them. Include something specific about your conversation.
While these steps may not land you any clients on day one, they will lay the groundwork for your network and marketing plans. Having at least a start on these items before you hang the proverbial shingle is crucial, as it will give you a leg up on your income goals. So when you leave your current job, and the world of a steady paycheck, you'll at least be a little less afraid of the unknown.
