Okay, I haven't blogged in so long, it is almost embarrassing! But I have been so busy with so many things, which everyone keeps telling me is a good thing. Okay, it is, but then, I am not able to do everything I want.
So what is new in the world of lawyers and technology. Well, everything keeps moving at the speed of light, of course. I just got a Sony bloggie, and I must admit that I love it more than my camera. The quality is pretty good, and I was able to get pictures of President Obama and video of him shaking my son's hand at Schiller Park (you can see Ben and Rick directly below the podium and to the right of the boy in red sitting on someone's shoulders) all from the same very tiny device. I got it from woot.com, which has excellent sales, but make sure it is something you really want. They feature one deal a day in a variety of categories. You should check in everyday with them and with 1saleaday.com. I have purchased items from both, including computers, watches, and three bloggies! The boys get to have fun, too, you know. Don't tell them, though. They are gifts that haven't been given yet.
Latest apps? Ohio State Bar Association has a new app. You download it from the App Store or Android Market (Google Play). Every day it has an update. It is a great way to stay current while waiting out in the hallway for your case to get called.
My mind was just exploding the other day as I watched www.nytschoolsfortomorrow.com schools for tomorrow. I watched it live stream, but anyone can watch it now. I highly recommend the session on what schools will be like in five years. Watch that, and you can figure out some practical implications.
Still working on my new website, practicingsynergy.com, a place where you can come and learn the basics of technology. I am testing it with new users to make sure that it is user friendly. I will keep you posted on what else is going on.
At any rate, those are my random thoughts for now. What are you learning about or recommending in this brave new world?
Showing posts with label small firm practice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small firm practice. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Getting Started! Marketing 101
I used to have a blog called Let's Talk Tech for Lawyers, but somehow it got lost, wasn't updated and I cannot find it anymore.
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.
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.
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