6 Law Firm Business Development Tips To Boost Your Practice

Law and business development seem to be two diametrically opposite entities. However, in order to build a successful practice, attorneys have to use strategies that are usually employed by entrepreneurs. These tactics can help in establishing themselves as leaders in their domain and create a pipeline of clients that will sustain their practice. In this post, we are offering some law firm business development tips that will give a boost to your fledgling practice. It does not matter whether you are a DUI law firm owner in a small town or a new international law attorney looking to target a global audience, these ideas will help in laying down a strong foundation for your firm and beginning your journey towards the top position, on a strong footing. 

1. Create A Proactive Business Development Plan

One of the biggest mistakes new law firm owners make is not creating a well-defined business development plan right at the outset. Their strategies are limited to finding new clients in their specified target area. Focusing only on client intake is not correct and you need to be proactive in formulating a marketing and development scheme to promote your practice. You have to identify the channels from where new clients can be acquired at present and in the future. Then you will need to pinpoint the platforms where potential clients can be targeted effectively. Identify the core service areas where you must strengthen your presence at the beginning followed by the sectors that will need to be targeted later. This will help in defining an approach that makes sure that the firm is able to build a substantial client base.

2. Build Lasting Relationships With Clients

Your existing clients can ensure a bright future of your firm provided you handle them strategically. Attorneys must look to build lasting relationships with their clients. This will leave a strong impression on the individuals and they will look to hire the firm again whenever a requirement arises in the future. Moreover, people who have formed a good opinion of your practice will also provide solid referrals to your firm. You must take care to nurture relationships with clients and engage them in various ways. The proliferation of digital technology has opened up new avenues like social media that can be used to boost audience engagement. 

3. Choose Domain Experts To Head Different Practice Areas

People expect to get effective assistance when they hire a law firm. In case, you provide them with impeccable service they will hire you in the future and refer your practice to their acquaintances. The best way to ensure high-quality service to the target audience is by hiring domain experts for different practice areas. Even if your agency focuses on a specific area, you can choose experts in different disciplines. For instance, a divorce law firm can select top-quality attorneys who specialize in areas like litigation, mediation, collaborative law, etc. This will help in building the reputation of your firm as a dependable entity.

4. Have A Well-defined Networking Plan In Place

One of the most important law firm business development tips is effective networking. Lawyers need to connect with different kinds of professionals as well as other individuals who can be useful in fulfilling their objective of finding new clients. You must have a well-defined plan in place to conduct networking. Identify the events that you must attend in the next few months. Then set a target of the number of new acquaintances that you will make at each gathering. This must be followed by a strategy of following up on each new contact. Lawyers must also connect with their peers as well as professionals in associated industries like accounting. 

5. Use Technological Tools To Improve Your Efficiency

Many attorneys are unaware that technology can help in improving their work efficiency and help them in growing their practice. There are various practice management solutions available that you can use to manage your caseload. These tools will help in managing time efficiently and ensure that clients enjoy a good experience in working with your firm. Lawyers can also use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions to automate their workflow and enhance their client intake and retention process.

6. Update Your Website Regularly 

Your law firm’s website is the strongest marketing tool at your disposal. It is the first point of contact with your practice for a majority of your potential clients. Even people who may be located near your firm will check your website to know about it. You must update the information on your website regularly. It is common to see attorney profiles citing the same duration of experience of a professional for multiple years. Change these vital details at regular intervals. It will also be pertinent to add any new industries or audience segments that you have started serving recently. All these steps will ensure that people know all the relevant details about you.

Conclusion 

Growing a legal practice needs sustained efforts and innovative thinking. These law firm business development tips will help you in creating an effective plan and improving your agency’s prospects.