Since the pandemic, many legal firms are taking a step back to re-examine the best way to serve their clients and grow their law practice. Whether you just started your own law firm, or have been running a solo practice for years, figuring out how to take your practice to the next level is no small feat. Year after year, the biggest struggle for solo practitioners is finding time to handle all the tasks that keep a law firm running while still practicing law. However, there are some simple things you can do to make a big impact on your practice and its growth for.
Here are some useful ways to invest in your future and successfully elevate your practice in 2023.
Get Involved in Your Community
Developing relationship in your community is a great way for you to represent your solo practice and get your name out there. If you don’t know how to get involved, think of an issue you’re passionate about and look for an organization or charity that supports it. Then, see if there are ways for you to join their board, sponsor an event, or help collect needed resources. Doing this is a great way to immerse yourself in your community, help your practice stand out, and show the community that you want to help. Once you’ve joined a few organizations or events, take some time to highlight your community involvement on your website. Doing so can help show that you’re interested in serving the community and not just looking to make a quick buck.
Network and Maintain Relationships
More people may be working remotely since the pandemic, but relationships and referrals remain critical to sustaining and growing your business. No matter what stage you are at with your career, you should continually foster your relationships with past clients, other attorneys, and other people in your community who may need your services. Because many formal networking events have taken a back seat in the last few years, it’s vital to attend webinars and online events on a regular basis. But building relationships does not require an event. A phone call, a cup of coffee, and a newsletter are all simple, yet effective, ways to maintain relationships. As you take the time to build connections that align with your solo practice’s goals, you will uncover opportunities that leave a lasting positive impact. Remember, they call it an attorney-client relationship for a reason.
Invest in Technology
There are countless software companies that sell products to help you run your firm more efficiently. For example, there are case management websites that can streamline your workflows in a matter of minutes and manage a case from intake to following up after the matter has ended. There are also websites that help you stay in touch with former clients and other networking connections such as online texting and bulk email. If you aren’t already using case management programs, taking the time to research several options could be extremely beneficial to the workflow of your practice. Improving your efficiency by leveraging the right technology can free up your time to focus on making and maintaining relationships that will ultimately grow your practice.
Update Your Website
If you haven’t updated your website in the last few years, it’s likely outdated. A well-designed website that works well online and on mobile devices is a must for your solo practice. People are drawn to high-quality websites that allow them to quickly find the information they need. Whether you improve your website yourself or hire a professional web designer, you want to ensure that your website has all the features it needs to attract and keep clients on your site. Doing so will boost your credibility as an attorney. When updating your website, make sure to comply with your state Bar’s advertising requirements. Below are some things you can do to improve the quality of your website:
- Include high-quality personal photos.
- Use a color pallet that reflects your firm’s logo. Doing this causes users to feel at ease and trust that they are on the right website.
- Provide clear navigation and search functionality.
- Include a well-written About page that gives readers a clear understanding of who you are, what you do, and your core values.
Invest in Digital Marketing
Countless people use search engines to find needed legal services and help. This means you want your website to be one of the first to appear in Google whenever someone searches for information and services your solo practice provides. Though you could attempt to make this happen on your own, digital marketing work requires a lot of time and can keep you from doing what you do best -helping your clients. Your time is better spent paying a specialist to improve your website and digital marketing so you can focus on relationship and practicing law. Whether you want to create more content for your website, get featured in your local media, or improve link-building strategies, a digital marketing team can help you reach and maintain your marketing goals.
Don’t Lose Sight of Your Goals
Though running a solo practice can be difficult, grit and determination can go a long way. Whether you want to get more done each day or attract new clients, setting goals can help you hit the major milestones you want to achieve. Attorneys who maintain clear goals and review them on a regular basis are more likely to adapt and thrive in an environment where solo practices are on the rise. The legal field is a competitive field of work. But, as you commit yourself to frequently tracking and adapting your goals, your efficiency will magnify and you will be able to achieve the vision you have for your solo practice.
