Monday, December 26, 2011
In addition to being able to download all of the fun apps, I have also downloaded Documents To Go. I got it free since Amazon offers a free app EVERY DAY. If you have an Android phone, even if you don't have a Kindle, you should be checking out the offers every day. Lately it has been games, but every once in a while it is a significant app, like this one.
What is so cool about Docs To Go? In addition to having all of the Microsoft Office capabilities, including Word and PowerPoint, you can access your Google Docs! That's right! And edit them! And create your own docs! Cumbersome? A little, but still a really cool alternative to having to fire up the laptop when all you want to do is review and maybe edit a document.
In addition, you can email documents to your Kindle! That's right! Have a PDF that you like or that you refer to often? That's why I emailed the Ohio Civil Rules to my Kindle. And then I got an even bigger idea! I started emailing my case files to my Kindle. That's right! Scan and email right to your Kindle. Don't have to carry those big files around. Don't have an excuse when talking with a client that I don't have the file. I have it all of the time. And documents emailed to the Kindle are only on the Kindle. They are not saved in the cloud. Once you have password protected your Kindle, you are good to go.
So, why wouldn't you get a Kindle Fire? It is only $199 and it is saving my back from having to lug all of those files around. And I can review proposed divorce decrees while listening to Pandora and than having a nice diversion of playing Words With Friends.
So, hurry up, go get that Kindle Fire.....
Saturday, November 12, 2011
HotDocs - how hot?
Admittedly, most of the issues I have could be addressed once I actually learn formally how to use HotDocs. My problem right now is that I am stuck with the language that is provided. However, for those forms for which you have no choice (like the Supreme Court required family law affidavits) HotDocs is great. You just enter the info once and it fills in everywhere. For the other things, though, like the shared parenting plan, you get just a basic document, but you have to go back and edit the rest of the document, by cutting and pasting. Like I said, I think if I actually learned how to use HotDocs I could probably learn how to edit the stuff to get my language in. It does save some time by at least giving you a starting document, and I can see that it will have fabulous applications, so I am recommending that you try it, especially if you can get the deal through the OSBA. The fee is pro-rated right now, so it is a chance to try it without a great deal of expense. Give it a try and see what you think.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Got the phone
My phone took a swim a few weeks ago so I finally had to make my decision on the new phone. I ended up picking out a Revolution phone. This is an android phone so I have been having a lot of fun downloading the apps. The reason I picked this phone is because of the availability so many apps. In fact, I am using the option of writing this blog by dictating to my phone and having my phone transcribe it for me. I am also using the Word Press app so that I can write this directly on my phone and then upload it. Who needs a full fledged computer anymore? The accuracy is fairly good although I have had to make a few corrections. It is amazing what's up there are out there! There are all of the usual suspects and then some that are quite creative. I found an app that will tell you when the next bus is coming along. It identifies your location and the bus routes that are servicing that area. There is 1 called Columbulous that tells me all of the fun things going on right now in Columbus.
I picked the phone because the android market seemed to have The most apps that's where along the lines of what I would use and because the phone itself was recommended as being a real work life.
So far I am very happy with this choice. Have you had to pick out a new phone lately? Are you facing that decision now? What are you concerned about? What features are important to you? Let's talk!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Using Evernote
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Establishing a Social Media Policy
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Blah, blah, blah, blog
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Time to Twitter Up
The obvious first thing I did was a search for Twitter. I signed up for an account and then it was time to get started. But what to do? I was not really sure. Twitter, of course, makes suggestions for you and helps you find people, but I still did not really understand the whole Twitter thing.
So then I figured something out. Just follow, for a change. Don't feel compelled to be a leader. Don't be compelled to express an opinion. Just follow.
And that is the advice I give to anyone breaking into Twitter. Just follow and learn. You can learn what kind of tweets you enjoy receiving. Usually it is a mix. I follow people who have very interesting things to say, who give me links to interesting sites, and who show a little of their human side. I follow people I am interested in, whether it is a celebrity, a marketing guru, a tech addict, or outstanding legal voices in our community. Once I find someone interesting, I try to find out who they are following. Maybe they are following interesting people, too. You are welcomed to find out who is following me @pammakowski. Maybe you will be interested in some of them, too.
But once you have followed for a while, it is time to participate. As my friend @BaranCLE likes to point out, it is not really polite to be a lurker. You should contribute to the conversation. What I like to do is send out content based on links to interesting sites, updates to my blog, new ideas that I have, and then I like to retweet things I have received.
Just remember that this is like the biggest cocktail party you have been to, and everyone (even the ones you do not know) can overhear you.
That means that the initial following should also teach you etiquette. For example, don't say something really evil about someone. That person could end up reading this! Don't give away your case strategy, because your opposing counsel could follow you and no matter how much you hide the details, a good opposing counsel will figure it out. Obviously, don't reveal confidential information. If a client is following you and send you a tweet, remember that everyone can follow that conversation. Send the client a direct message to talk to you privately.
So the next thing you need to do is really understand Twitter and all of the settings and the implications of sending a Tweet versus a DM. You need to learn how to follow the Tweets of a particular individual. Learn, learn, learn the medium so you don't end up hurting yourself.
Finally, remember that this is just like any other form of written conversation. What you send cannot be interpreted by tone, so be sure to read for tone. Put the usual disclaimers on your profile like "not legal advice" or "not attorney-client relationship". Look at how other lawyers do it. Follow the rules of ethics. You cannot disguise your identity in order to trick someone into giving you something for the trial. That is called perpetrating a fraud on the court.
Overwhelmed? Don't be. This whole Twitter thing is very doable.
So why would you do it? I have learned so much from other lawyers that I would never have the chance to learn. I have participated in hashtag conversations (you will learn what that is) and found out about the local rules in Boston that make sense and solve a problem that we have here in Columbus! I have ended up picking up the phone and having a real conversation with people I follow, or an active email correspondence. These are all relationships I would never have had in my secluded office here in German Village.
And when my client comes to talk to me about what his or her spouse has tweeted or facebooked, I understand the process and it doesn't take too much research to know the appropriate legal response. Injunctions? Yes, you can enjoin someone from doing things.
Take your time, one step at a time, and then you will be well on your way.
What do you think?
Pam is currently working on a manual for lawyers to elaborate further on some of these ideas. Your comments and questions are welcomed.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Beginning
The beginning for my purposes is when, after moving my practice from Northeastern Ohio to Columbus, I decided that I needed to create some sort of web presence. In the past I had claimed myself in a number of lawyer directories, and I was getting plenty of work from that, but I needed to have a real live website.
My experience in the past had been mostly frustration with the whole thing. I had a website when I ran for Judge once. I had a friend set it up, but it all seemed so complicated. And then when I wanted quick updates, it was impossible. I had to wait until my friend was available to make the changes. I just felt like the experience was overwhelming.
Then I remembered that I survived law school, that I am not a stupid person, and that I could probably figure it out. It was a Friday night, and I was bound and determined to get the site up by Monday. I searched the 'net to find ways to do it myself. Eventually, I came up with Yahoo Web Hosting. It provided me with templates and did the designing for me. That was wonderful. I loved clicking on different designs and trying to figure out how the whole thing would look. Once the tech side of it was under control, I then realized that the key was content.
I really struggled with content. At first, I looked at other sites and thought, okay, I should just re-create what they have, only for my particular situation. I wanted it to look "professional". I started writing, but it just didn't seem to work for me. I could go on and on about different family law matters, but realized that I had to put so many caveats into it that it made my content bulky and difficult to follow.
Finally, I realized that I had to decide who I am and what I wanted people to see about me. I am a passionate advocate for my client, I am knowledgeable about special needs concerns, I am willing to take on even the most difficult and painful cases.
Once I found my voice, content became easy for me. I just wrote in the same way that I would speak to a client, careful to explain things well and yet making sure that people understood that these matters are very fact driven. I also knew that because I did a lot of work with domestic violence, I wanted certain language in place to help guide a person in that position. I imagined that I was someone looking for a Columbus lawyer in the middle of the night, and I tried to understand what that person wants. For family law, I decided it was important to find someone that they could relate to, that they felt would listen to them and then advocate for them. I could not be all things to all people, because that would be too generic. I also had to be true to myself, because I think people can smell a rat.
For each section I wrote, I did scour the internet to get examples and styles. I worked on this all in one weekend, and I was able to get the site published by Monday. Was it perfect? No. But it was out there. I let people know about it, listened to their comments and, even to this day, I am constantly tweeking the site.
I am very happy with Yahoo Web Hosting. It even has analytics! (I didn't even know what that was until many months after I put the site up!) Over the next month, I added a blog and a few other things to the site. I have even added video, but that changes over time, too. I understand now that my website is a flexible tool that I can change when needed. I have learned to edit myself before posting. I try to remember that everyone, even that one judge or lawyer that I am not getting along with well at this time, will have access to the blog.
And so what has happened? Well, people do find the website but they do not necessarily hire me from the web site. When I talk to a potential client, he or she will tell me that they found me on the internet, but they can't be more specific. When they start saying things like the remember reading something about me, then I can pin down where it came from. That is why I try to give out information a little differently in each venue. If someone clicks around the internet and only finds the same old information, they are not having a feeling of learning more about you. (Worse is finding a page that says "under construction." )
And then there is Twitter and Facebook! I blog about those next.
What about you? What was your first website experience like? Or are you not quite there? Do you have a chance to set one up through your internet provider but you don't have the time? I would love to hear about other people's experiences.
By the way, the website is www.makowskilaw.com. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Inventory
Friday, February 25, 2011
Trying to attack the phone
So now I am trying to figure out what to do. I have a dormant Google Voice account, which I have had floating around in the back of my head thinking that it might be a fix, but I am trying to understand what to do next with it. I could port my Vonage number to the Google Voice account (which will also transcribe), and maybe even set up my cell phone to forward to the GV account (I think) and then all of the messages would be transcribed and in Google Voice. Still trying to understand if I can look at the messages somewhere other than on my phone. Downside of Google Voice - International Calling is not free - I don't use it that much, but I do use it sometimes, but it will probably be cheaper than Vonage monthly.
I also looked at Skype, but their website is very difficult to get any real answers. They have cool videos that give you a conceptual look at the whole thing, but every answer has a disclaimer, e.g. your number is portable if you live in a country that has number portability - Why not just have me answer a few questions, like what country I am in, and then give me an accurate answer. I probably need to figure out how to talk to a person. But then I am not clear on whether the voicemail gets transcribed.
Okay, so I kinda am leaning toward Google Voice, if I can figure it out. But then there is the issue of fax numbers. I have to have a fax number because I work in an industry (law) where faxing is very popular, and I can almost never get people to scan and email instead. I don't know if Google has some sort of email fax, but I know that there are email fax services. I need to investigate that further, and see if the fax number is portable, although I am not so worried about changing that number. Clients and prospects do not fax to me, they email or leave voicemail.
Anyway, this is my technology struggle for today. Comments welcomed.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Getting Started! Marketing 101
But that is kind of nice, because then I can get started all over.
I am on a one woman mission - and it may be mission impossible.
My goal is to try to get lawyers, who are notoriously slow to embrace change, to look at technology not as the enemy, but as their friend.
This is no easy task.
But what I have learned, after giving many presentations on the wonders of social media, is that lawyers need to decide first to become marketers. Typically, this is perceived to be the evil side of practicing law. Bringing in new clients is critical, but most lawyers want to roll up their sleeves, start doing research and get ready to produce the final product.
After years of being taught that advertising is bad and soliciting clients is worse, in order to avoid the label of ambulance chaser, most lawyers go out of their way to ignore business fundamentals when it comes to their practice.
Now, I embrace the technology, but I also have an old fashioned approach to business. Step 1 is have a business plan, and not just a document that gets filed away and dusty, but an actual living, breathing business plan. If you are a solo practitioner, this is a daunting task, but it is uncomplicated by the fact that you alone determine what goes in the plan.
The exercise of writing a business plan will help you understand several things about yourself and your business. It will help you identify who you are and what you want to do. It will force you to look at yourself, your practice and determine what direction you want to go.
For example, my vision for my practice is to bring peace to families. That covers everything I consider - from whether to accept a case or to volunteer for an activity or to do a presentation. If what I am doing is consistent with that vision, then I know I am on track.
This is Marketing 101 - know where you are and where you want to be.
Once you have done this, then you need to look at ways to get your message out - whether through printed media, social media or networking or other methods.
So, step 1 - a business plan. Do a quick internet search and you will find plenty of advice on how to do that. Get a feel for it, and then produce a business plan. Once that is done, come back for more ideas on getting the message out.