Lawyer-Specific Marketing Tools

(and how to use them ethically)

@heyitsmegan

conversations.be

Founder and CEO of Conversations, LLC

Previous TV News Reporter at KADN in Lafayette

Host of live and online workshops on using social media to drive traffic and increase leads

Megan Hargroder

Speaking Engagements

CLE Seminars hosted by the Louisiana Bar Association

Small Firm Bootcamp hosted by Paperless Chase.

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

American Association for Justice

FOR LAWYERS, SOCIAL MEDIA IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST A LINKEDIN

PROFILE AND FACEBOOK POST…

Key platforms for lawyers to utilize:

How to use Moz Local

Moz Local pushes accurate location data to all the major data

aggregators and directories then helps you close duplicate

and inconsistent business listingsmoz.com/local

Having inconsistent citations creates a trust issue for Google, as Google wants to provide correct &

most useful information to its users.

Google can’t trust the information provided on the business page if

there are multiple citations across the web with conflicting information.

Rule 7.6. Computer-Accessed Communications [Enforcement of Rule 7.6(d) is suspended, until further notice, by order of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, dated September 22, 2009.] (a) Definition. For purposes of these Rules, “computer-accessed communications” are defined as information regarding a lawyer’s or law firm’s services that is read, viewed, or heard directly through the use of a computer. Computer-accessed communications include, but are not limited to, Internet presences such as home pages or World Wide Web sites, unsolicited electronic mail communications, and information concerning a lawyer’s or law firm’s services that appears on World Wide Web search engine screens and elsewhere. (b) Internet Presence. All World Wide Web sites and home pages accessed via the Internet that are controlled, sponsored, or authorized by a lawyer or law firm and that contain information concerning the lawyer’s or law firm’s services: (1) shall disclose all jurisdictions in which the lawyer or members of the law firm are licensed to practice law; (2) shall disclose one or more bona fide office location(s) of the lawyer or law firm or, in the absence of a bona fide office, the city or town of the lawyer’s primary registration statement address, in accordance with subdivision (a)(2) of Rule 7.2; and With amendments through June 2, 2016. 48 (3) are considered to be information provided upon request and, therefore, are otherwise governed by the requirements of Rule 7.9.

Quick Translation:

All online representations of your law firm (i.e. your website, listing sites, etc.) must include your correct address & contact information.

Consistency - What to check for:Firm name Address Phone Number

Must include the name of at least one lawyer responsible for their content.

Must disclose, by city or town, office location of the lawyer who will actually perform the services advertised.

If the office location is outside a city/town, the parish where the office is located must be disclosed.

In the absence of a bona fide office, you must disclose the city or town of the primary registration statement address as it appears on the lawyer’s annual registration statement.

If you list a phone number in connection with a specified geographic area other than your bona fide office or primary registration statement address, appropriate qualifying language must appear.

Like Google, Avvo is a search engine that allows people to search for lawyers. The same profile listing reviews apply, but you’ll also want to:

● Thoroughly list your work history● Get peer endorsements ● Include dates ● Include all awards and memberships

Justia offers highly curated content and forums for legal answers to help you to build up your online reputation. Unlike Avvo, Justia doesn't rate the attorney and it doesn’t take peer reviews.

After claiming your profile, keep the following things in mind:

● Add images and videos (no selfies)● Write an engaging description. On Justia, your description appears directly

under your image, so make it good! Appeal to your ideal clients, optimize and add some personal details so potential clients can connect with you

● Don't forget sub-practice areas. To help get your law firm found on Justia, be sure to not only select "personal injury attorney" but also "car accident lawyer"

Claim

Consolidate

Optimize

Google+ is your best opportunity for organic leads outside of your own website’s SEO. To make the most of it, you just have to know the best ways to integrate G+ into your attorney website marketing strategy.

● Optimize your profile● Post periodically● Share high quality content● Join communities● Connect your Google+ page to your Google maps location● Add Google+ badges to your blog and website● Get reviews

Reviews + Testimonials significantly boost your online listings, and make new clients more likely to contact / hire you.

Pro tips for getting great online reviews

● Ask clients who have sent informal email praise or testimonials if they would be comfortable sharing their experiences publicly. Include a link to your Google+ reviews page so that they can easily copy/paste what they’ve already written.

● Request peer reviews on Avvo (these count towards your rating!) and don’t forget to leave reviews for your peers as well.

● For consistent new reviews: include a link to your online reviews page for Avvo or Google+ in your final invoice or close out email to clients.

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