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Creating a Turn-Key Law Practice from Day 1 – Guest Lecture with Jared Correia

How do you create a turn-key law practice from the day you start practicing law? In this day and age of disruptions to society, from pandemics to snow storms to wildfires, how do you create a seamless practice which can handle these disruptions, change of personnel and more, and then be saleable by just 'handing over the key' to the practice? This is the million dollar question and the future of law practice for solo/small firms. Listen and learn.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/10/21/creating-a-turn-key-law-practice-from-day-1-guest-lecture-with-jared-correia/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Self-care For the Work-From-Home Attorney is Not a Luxury

If the phrase “self-care” makes you roll your eyes, I get it. Many small business owners feel like they don’t have the luxury of making time for themselves. Settling in with a book and a cup of tea? Not this afternoon. Soaking away in a bubble bath? Not any time this week. Taking a day trip with the spouse and kids? Maybe next month… Maybe. The disconnect goes further than that. The very idea of work-life balance doesn’t match up with reality when you’re working in excess of 60, 80, 100 hours per week building your company, managing your team, and meeting customer demands—and there’s still more to do at the end of the day. But here’s the thing: You need to practice self-care. You need to make time for that bubble bath, that cup of tea, that day with the family. When you are your business, you don’t have a choice. Read on and learn why.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/09/23/self-care-for-the-work-from-home-attorney-is-not-a-luxury/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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2021 Back to School Special – First Month’s Tuition – $88

2021 has been filled with the strangest news. We've read about the discovery of a fossil of a 4-legged Whale*, you can possibly get your hands on a piece of Princess Diana's wedding cake**, a research vessel found SpongeBob look-alikes a mile under the ocean's surface,*** and it's getting harder to find Mac and Cheese Ice Cream!**** And this is just the tip of the oddest news iceberg. So, it's now back to school time and school is shaping up to, once again, look very different for everyone. Solo Practice University school has always been online and safe and secure from your home or office or home office! However, we also know that finances remain tighter than normal due to the events impacting us all. 2021 will end but at this stage, who knows what 2022 will even look like. But until then, get armed with the knowledge you need to creatively build an exciting and profitable practice because you are going to have to be even more entrepreneurial then ever before. In keeping with our mission and of making life and practice more affordable, we're making it easier than ever for you to join Solo Practice University. Learn more....

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/09/08/2021-back-to-school-special-first-months-tuition-88/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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How To Capture Local Business With SEO

Shop Local! It has become a rallying cry for independent businesses around the world. In the age of Google, people don’t simply stroll on down to Main Street when they want to make a purchase. No one opens the local yellow pages anymore. They open a search engine on their phone and it might take them far, far away from Main Street. The good news? Four out of five people use search engines to find local information. Searches for ‘near me’ or ‘close by’ increased more than 900% in a two-year period. You’ve probably conducted this kind of search yourself when looking to buy soccer cleats or hire an electrician ‘near me’. And if you’re like most people — 92% of shoppers to be exact — you choose a business from the first page of results that Google provides. Page one of a Google search — this is the new marketing goal of any business, including yours. How do you appear at the top of the page for every relevant search? In other words, how do you improve your local Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? At Ercule, we spend every day helping businesses do exactly that. Read on.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/09/02/how-to-capture-local-business-with-seo/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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3 Common Pitfalls For Attorney SEO – (SPONSORED)

Almost every business wants to rank first in Google for their product niche – not only is it satisfying to win the Google ranking game, but it’s also often the path to greater revenue. That ranking game, for many of our clients, feels mysterious and daunting. Many of them have been playing the game based on gut instinct and guesswork for a long time, and are exhausted. Among frustrated business owners whose search status seems to stagnate, we’ve noticed some common mistakes. Here are some major ones, along with solutions that you can implement with your team.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/07/08/3-common-pitfalls-for-attorney-seo-sponsored/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Why It’s a Great Time to Start a Solo/Small Firm Practice – Guest Lecture with Jared Correia

Every situation, good or bad, we face in life presents opportunities for those who can capitalize on what is happening. It is no different for those looking to venture out in solo practice. This last year shook up the world for practically everyone. Even if you are already solo, you had to rethink how you were approaching your practice. So, join us as we discuss the opportunities!

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/06/23/why-its-a-great-time-to-start-a-solosmall-firm-practice-guest-lecture-with-jared-correia/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Responsiveness: The New Battleground for Attorneys

Anyone else feel like the client expectation bar seems to rise at double the rate each year? From offering support via Twitter and Facebook to battling Yelp reviews, solo and small practice attorneys have had a lot to compete with over the last decade to win the customer experience game. And now, the recent pandemic has inadvertently shifted those expectations. The rise of on-demand services has created an expectation for all industries to increase availability and responsiveness. A recent Salesforce survey found 64% of customers and 80% of business buyers ​expect questions answered in real-time​. Learn more.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/06/16/responsiveness-the-new-battleground-for-attorneys/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Creative Ideas for Building Your Business Online in 2021…and Beyond

Make 2021 your year—for real this time. As you look back on the last year and forward to summer 2021, now is the time to reflect on your growth and successes, as well as your opportunities to do even better for the people you serve. What strategies, processes, and tools can you put in place now to stand out and expand your business in the months to come? Here are a few creative and cost-effective ideas for improving how you communicate with customers, sell products and render services, and continue growing your business—no matter what comes next.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/06/08/creative-ideas-for-building-your-business-online-in-2021-and-beyond/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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How Attorneys Get More Done in Less Time

Universally, attorneys have a challenge judging how long projects will take. We underestimate nearly all of the time and don't get as much done as we would like. Does that sound familiar to you? If so, I totally get it. We all want to fit more in our day, typically with less than successful results which leads to frustration and guilt. Ugh. The damage to your psyche, confidence, and wellbeing is real when you try to squish in too much client or CEO work into your day. I know you know! So, what do you do? Read on....

Written by Wendy Witt from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/05/12/how-attorneys-get-more-done-in-less-time/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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These 4 Factors Keep Solos and Small Law Firms Exposed to Cybersecurity Threats

The foremost threat facing solos and small law firms today is the risk of catastrophic data breaches. The second most significant threat is their own negligence. Evolving security challenges coupled with law firms' expanding digital footprints mean that solos and small practices have never been so at-risk for data breaches or so unprepared to prevent them. Attorneys seem to understand this, yet bafflingly fail to act. Read on.

Written by Tom Lambotte from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/04/15/these-4-factors-keep-solos-and-small-law-firms-exposed-to-cybersecurity-threats/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Why You Don’t Get It Both Ways with Of Counsel Relationships

Sometimes a call comes in that I feel compelled to write about and this is one of those times. The question seemed simple enough. Basically, the callers wanted to know if the fact that a solo attorney was going to be added to their firm website as Of Counsel solely for marketing purposes would have any impact on their malpractice insurance premium. Well, as a risk guy, I couldn’t help it. I needed to know more. In response to a few follow-up questions of my own, I learned the following.

Written by Mark Bassingthwaighte from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/04/06/why-you-dont-get-it-both-ways-with-of-counsel-relationships/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Meeting Client Expectations In a Changed World – Guest Lecture with Tim Bedford from Ruby

We all know that this pandemic has really shaken things up – on both a micro & macro scale. The industry has changed, but so has day-to-day. When your dog is your coworker, your bedroom is your office and the lines of what used to be your workday are now blurred more than ever, life and work have definitely changed. But have you changed with it in order to meet client expectations? Many solo and small firms have been presented with a fight or flight scenario, and while it’s incredibly sad to see, the folks who were forced to try new things & pivot often found more success. And the overall goals haven’t changed for these solo and small firms – they want to create a sustainable business model & still have that desire for growth. Listen and Learn.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/03/30/meeting-client-expectations-in-a-changed-world-guest-lecture-with-tim-bedford-from-ruby/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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3 Creative Ideas for Building Your Practice Online in 2021

Believe it or not, we’re already three months into 2021. What are your goals for this year? What strategies, processes, and tools can you put in place now to stand out and expand your practice in the months to come? Now is an ideal time to reflect on your long-term growth strategy, as well as your opportunities to do even better for the people you serve. Here are a few creative and cost-effective ideas for improving how you communicate with clients, deliver legal services, and continue growing your practice this year:

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/03/16/3-creative-ideas-for-building-your-practice-online-in-2021/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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#I’mNotACat Lawyer – Web Conferencing Best Practices – Guest Lecture with Jared Correia

By now you’ve heard about the lawyer who was videoconferencing on zoom with a federal judge and couldn’t remove a cat filter.  It was funny, embarrassing, and went viral. To his credit, he kept his composure. However, it has opened up an important conversation about web conferencing best practices, security, audio and video settings, and […]

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/02/16/imnotacat-lawyer-web-conferencing-best-practices-guest-lecture-with-jared-correia/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Working Remotely Is Here to Stay. Now it’s Time to Reimagine How You Work Virtually – Guest Lecture with Jared Correia

The pandemic has thrust virtual work into the spotlight. While for some it's no different than pre-pandemic work, for others it is a sea change in how they conduct business. It is showcasing the financial benefits and work-life perks of remote work. But, it is also laying bare the weaknesses in our solo/small firm practices and highlighting where we all need to improve. It is critical we start reimagining working virtually from acquiring new clients to the courthouse. What will it look like a year from now? What technologies will shine and others disappear? What technologies must you implement or upgrade to stay competitive? This is a fascinating guest lecture to help you start reshaping your future work world. Listen and learn.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel from Law and Politics https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2021/02/09/working-remotely-is-here-to-stay-now-its-time-to-reimagine-how-you-work-virtually-guest-lecture-with-jared-correia/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Roadmap Stories: Real People, Real Community

Nick Pleasants of Pleasants Law

We sat down with attorney Nick Pleasants of Pleasants Law to discuss his experience in our Lawyerist Lab Community.

Lawyerist: Can you give a brief description of your firm, its size, practice area, location, and a little bit of how you started it?

Nick: Sure. So, I have my own law firm in Bellevue, Washington. I’m the only attorney. We have one paralegal and I practice primarily in elder law. Think estate planning, probate trust administration, and estate litigation. I ended up with my own solo firm after working for my father’s firm for four years. And it was about the time my father was preparing to retire that I joined Lawyerist Lab where I worked on a business plan and developed processes to actually run my own firm instead of being an employee for someone else’s firm.

Wanting Defined Values in His Firm

Lawyerist: You mentioned that some of your challenges before joining Lab was to unlearn what you learned from your dad’s firm. What were those challenges, specifically?

Nick: A lot of things! One was having a business plan and a target customer in mind. My dad didn’t do much marketing other than the Yellow Pages. So, in Lab, I started thinking about how to have a brand identity, which is not something on my dad’s radar. 

Also, I talked to another Labster at LabCon who really had his values down at his firm. And I had a light bulb moment—I needed to develop some values and a culture for my firm. I found little by little, the work I did on our vision and values seeps into the way I speak when I’m giving public talks or recording videos. I’ll reference our firm values and culture. 

And that work is the key to everything we do now. That’s why I joined Lab in the first place—to get those fundamentals in place because I knew how to practice law, but not run a business. 

Community Support for Like-Minded People

Lawyerist: Speaking of—how did you find out about Lab in the first place?

Nick: It’s a long story, but I originally met Sam at a Washington State Bar Conference, then the rest of the crew at ClioCon one year. I almost joined another community, but that community felt one-dimensional and, honestly, like a community at all. A huge selling point for me was seeing the Lawyerist team out in the world. They felt very non-salesy. They’re real people who do real things. That was the community I was looking for.

Lawyerist: That’s so nice to hear! What else attracted you to Lab?

Nick: One of the biggest tensions working with my dad was modernizing our office. For example, I told him I want to be paperless. I don’t want to ever have paper. That’s not necessary to practice law. And he would have a lot of reasons why we couldn’t. I bought a very fast scanner, but I couldn’t get him to use it. I just couldn’t get him to use it. 

And when I joined Lab, I thought: I’ve finally found a community where I don’t have to convince people modernizing is worth it. Lab was already a paperless-first community. Cloud-based first. That’s so important to me.

Lawyerist: How has the Lawyerist team help you strategize and implement over the years? 

Nick: Having a community and Mastermind cohort to hold me accountable is great. Being able to work through modules together, check up on each other—really valuable. 

Lawyerist: And you’ve been here here for a while—one of the veterans.

Nick: I started October 2018. Right! How would I ever leave?

Accomplishments in Lab

Lawyerist: What have been some of your accomplishments and milestones over the years?

Nick: I think it’s probably a series of little things, but a huge one is using a project management tool (Trello). To be able to visually see the next steps and deadlines in cases is crucial. And I have a personal account to keep track of my goals, too. 

At this point, the practice is taking off to the point where I can show up every day, work in the practice without stressing out. I take home a decent paycheck and people are happy, but I still want to bigger things. That actually having goals and setting aside some time to work on the business. 

Lawyerist: What features of Lab have you enjoyed the most?

Nick: Oh, I love LabCon. I miss in-person LabCon, but virtual has been a good substitute! I like that it’s not just a conference where you’re taking in knowledge. It’s actual work time.

And community events, too–Masterminds, group coaching calls. Those have been great. To be able to interact with coaches weekly, like Bernadette on Finances or Kelly on management or Laura on SEO. 

Lawyerist: What are your future plans for your firm?

Nick: We’re working on growing. I unlocked this with Coach Stephanie the other day. Our business grow and not just by a little bit—but by a large bit. I’m working on the processes to get us there. 

We’ve also been putting time in our website and we’re getting customers fast just from Google searches. The power of SEO! 

Lawyerist: Do you have advice for someone just starting their own firm? 

Nick: Great question. One thing to consider—the overhead monster. You have to keep your overhead super low. That’s true even when your firm takes off. You have to be brutal with those expenses. 

Less is more in the beginning. Start as lean as possible. For example, do you even need an office? I mean, now people just do everything from home. So if you can eliminate all those startup costs, then you could launch your own firm with very little out-of-pocket.

What areas of your business are you looking to take to the next level?

Whether the goal of your business it to bring legal services to the masses in a new, innovative way or simply just enjoy going to work everyday, we want to help you. At Lawyerist, our number one goal is to set you on a track to blow your own expectations out of the water.

Lawyerist Lab is full of resources, expert coaches and an attorney community that want to empower you to not only reach your goals, but propel you far past it. Ready to make the plunge? Learn more here.

The post Roadmap Stories: Real People, Real Community appeared first on Lawyerist.

from Law and Politics https://lawyerist.com/blog/roadmap-stories-real-people-real-community/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Branch Out and Gain Ground with SEO and Postali

Search engine optimization, aka SEO, refers to internet marketing techniques used to increase a website’s exposure, or ranking, in search engine results. It is also the marketing initiative that many law firms struggle with the most. 

A lot of lawyers think they don’t need SEO when word-of-mouth and traditional advertising still generate leads. This kind of thinking only leads to missed opportunities. Potential law clients are searching for attorneys online more than ever, and an effective law firm SEO strategy is crucial to a firm’s success. Establishing an organic search presence through SEO can drive significant growth, helping law firms reach new clients. In short, brand development and business expansion are next to impossible without a well-considered SEO strategy. 

So how does a law firm get started in SEO? 

Details

Most attorneys may know popular keywords related to their practice, but they need to know more in today’s competitive legal market. Over 200 factors contribute to SEO success, so knowing just the popular keywords won’t cut it. The first step for SEO success is to work with a marketing partner who takes a multi-faceted approach to law firm SEO and incorporates SEO best practices into a comprehensive plan, which is just what Postali does. 

As a full-service legal marketing agency serving attorneys across the country, Postali makes SEO the cornerstone of its digital marketing efforts. They do this by working closely with their clients to create customized SEO strategies based on their practice areas, geography, and market landscape. Postali’s experience working with attorneys gives them unique insight into search behaviors specific to the legal industry, so they know what drives results. 

Postali’s SEO process is comprehensive, transparent, and drives their digital marketing efforts to maximize results. When law firms work with Postali to implement an SEO strategy, they can expect:

Thorough Competitive Analysis and Keyword Research

Strategic Content Development and Planning

Extensive Link Building and Outreach

Local SEO, Review, and Reputation Management

Technical SEO, Page Speed, and Site Structure Consideration

Video and Image Optimization

Fully Integrated SEO Campaigns

Analytics and Clear Goal Tracking

The strategies to achieve success may differ depending on your market, but SEO works for every law firm type. When you partner with Postali as your Marketing Fiduciary, they share your goals, and their SEO team works tirelessly to achieve them.

How to Get it

To learn more about Postali, SEO, and how Postali can help your law firm gain ground, visit postali.com today!

The post Branch Out and Gain Ground with SEO and Postali appeared first on Lawyerist.

from Law and Politics https://lawyerist.com/lawyerist/sponsored/branch-out-and-gain-ground-with-seo-and-postali/ via http://www.rssmix.com/