Solo In Chicago…Grow Your Practice!

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This was a new-to-me post over at Yaro’s old blog, Small Business Branding…these were the 9 tips:

1. The design of your logo really doesn’t matter.
   –Interesting, because I’ve been giving some serious thought to investing some $$ here for the blog and the firm.
2. Have a professional website.
   –Yep.
3. Blogs are good.
4. Blogs are good, but they’re just one tool.
5. Prepare a one page corporate overview.
   –In advance on an initial client meeting I like that potential client to have three things in their minds/hands: a firm overview about who we are and what we do; an information form for them to fill-out information about their case; general fee information.
6. Participate in local business events.
7. Do what you say you’re going to do.
8. Stand for something.
9. Realize that you’re not in control of your brand.

I’ve had these couple articles in my “to read” pile for a while and both are quite worthwhile…Self-Marketing is key to being a Top Lawyer & What Makes a Lawyer Great?  And look at that one answers the other…well, sort of.

On Self-Marketing…

Everyone has a personal brand even though most don’t seem to know it. Your personal brand is how decision-makers view you. It is the total sum and breadth of your work history, reputation, involvement, initiative and personal values. Brand you is riding on whether people think you are competent, committed, available and willing to offer counsel. Sometimes for free. And often after hours.

Surely something that has hit me over the head over the last 4 years. Question, rank the importance of the following items in building a law practice:  marketing, business management, and substantive legal skill? Sadly when I started my solo practice I would have ranked the items:  1. substantive legal skill; 2. marketing; 3. business management…today, 1. marketing; 2. business management; 3. substantive legal skill.