Being new in any profession is difficult because you want to establish yourself in the field. This can be especially tricky if you are starting your own business. As a new lawyer, whether working at a firm or starting your own you need to build your brand to establish yourself.
Know Your Niche
Simply saying that everyone needs legal services is not enough to attract clients. You need to market to the people who you are best suited to serve. A niche is a group that is worth marketing to based off of a certain characteristic. Having a niche is most specifically suited to helping a potential client find you. It tells them you will specifically be able to help them. Finding your niche helps you to market to them specifically and it helps you reduce your competition.
Open an Office in a Good Location
There are many considerations when choosing an office location. When making any consideration on an office location, you should always keep the client in mind. It should be a place that is easy and safe for them to get to. You don’t want a place that is a hassle of a drive for your clients, and you don’t want a difficult or unsafe parking situation. Another consideration is if you need to make regular trips to court, it may be more convenient for your office to be close to the courthouse. Cost is another consideration. Going to the suburbs may save some money rather than being downtown.
Start a Professionally Designed Website
A website is a great way to showcase your brand and generate clients. A website can help clients find and communicate with you. Your website can give clients your contact information. Many people want to gather some information before calling and your website will allow them to do that. The website is a platform to explain who you are and what you do as a lawyer. Having a professional website also builds credibility. An established well-designed website helps your business look professional.
Dress Professionally
Dressing professionally can help you look and feel the part. Your clients first impression of you is the way you look. You should showcase your professionalism through your dress, while also making sure to stay true to your authentic self. People will be drawn to both a professional and authentic lawyer. You should ensure that your clothes fit well and are flattering. You can order many items such as skirts or trousers that will help you look the part. Measuring yourself before shopping online helps you avoid having to return a skirt.
Know Yourself
You can make your legal business entirely your own, but you need to know yourself first. The type of lawyer you portray to the world will make you stand out and will help you attract the right kind of business. You should know what kind of lawyer you want to be. You should have something unique to offer that is different from other legal professionals, something that sets you apart. You need to know what you stand for and your goals. You should know what kind of clients you want to work with and how you can serve them.
Use Marketing Tools
There are so many marketing tools you can use to build your brand as a new lawyer. Writing a book or legal guide is a great marketing tool. This is an inexpensive option that can be distributed anywhere that gives you great exposure through what you write your book about. You could also give presentations in which you are recognized as an authority on a topic to help generate referrals. Social media is another huge marketing tool. This is a great way to share knowledge and advertise what you do in a simple way. You can create groups and give out free information while generating a following. You can also purchase ads that help you target certain groups.
Get Feedback
Feedback is essential as a lawyer. While you are building your brand as a new lawyer, this is especially important for you to build a strong brand. To ensure you are reaching the right niche, ask for feedback to see how well you understand and help your desired niche of clients. This is the best way to ensure you are providing value for them. You can also utilize feedback for pricing. This helps you know how willing clients are to pay your fees and how you compare to competitors.
Building your brand as a new lawyer will take some work. Work one step at a time to make sure your foundation is solid. All the time and effort for your brand will be worth it as you start to see success.
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