DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business December...

DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883

Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business

December 8th, 20098:30 – 10:30

Santa Clara University, School of Law

Part 1: Developing your practice/Randy Wilson

-Resources: Ellen Platt

Part 2: How to build and strengthen a productive network:

Donna Bedford

<Break>

Part 3: Get visible: establishing your web presence: Rocky Laber &

Randy Wilson

Part 4: Conversation with solo attorney: Jeffrey Janoff


Part 1: Developing your practice

Randy Wilson


Developing your practice

What kind of legal experience do you have? (include law clinic, mock trial, clerking)

What aspects of the work do you like and/or excel at?

What other interests do you have and could they serve your career?

Are you well connected with the alumni program?

Friends and family connections: informational interviews?


Reach out for help

CLE: killing two birds: many programs focus on practice development

Also if attend in-person CLE, good way to meet other attorneys

Reach out to local bar/state bar for information

ABA Law Practice Management section has great resources

Ask/research about good types of solo practices


Look to your local business community

What kind of litigation is in your geographic area? (check out Courthouse News, Pacer, Findlaw, Google Scholar)

What are the big or growing industries and what are their legal needs?

Look for industry or practice niches in your area: immigration and you speak another language

Look for local industry/trade association, involved and learn area of business

Will make your legal expertise more valuable


Getting work

Check out legal temp agencies

Connect with attorneys at bar assoc. meeting or ones you know through alumni program

Ask for informational interview

Ask to contract w/ them

Friends and family connections

Don’t be shy, need to get started so ask around

Pro Bono

Good way to hone your skills/meet other attorneys

Resources

Competitive Intelligence: what you need to know

for success

Practice Development: learning what’s

necessary for a successful practice

Ellen Platt, Associate Librarian and Senior Reference Librarian

Part 2: How to Build and Strengthen a Productive Network

Donna Bedford

Donna Bedford, 925/932-6825

Develop a Winning Game Plan

Play to your strengths and preferences Develop a winning mind set Prepare a situation analysis Formulate goals Select effective strategies and tactics Develop quarterly and monthly action plans


Build and Strengthen aProductive Network

Master the “little things” Think expansively Cultivate potential referral sources Maintain personal contact with Top 20% Look for creative ways to add value Ask for leads and referrals



Part 3: Get visible: What a solo needs to do to establish a web presence

Rocky Laber

Randy Wilson


Why does my practice need a website?

It's 1905 – my business needs a phone!

Recent ABA panel states: website a must


What are the benefits of a strong website and online presence?

Visibility to clients, prospects and colleagues

Credibility: shows you take your practice seriously

Differentiation: How to stand out from the crowd

Extend and Protect your Professional Reputation


Getting started with a website

4 essential elements:

Domain name

Web host

Development

Strategy


SEO Increases your visibility

No magic bullet

Make an investment and commitment

to a strategy

Organic approach - sweat equity

PPC (Pay Per Click) Approach


Make your website’s message and content easy to read

Need to make an impression at first glance

Make sure it easy for people to learn about your

practice

Make sure what you say is professional, engaging

and proofread

Extend your brand into your web presence


How to engage in social networking

Start with a strategy: what is the goal?

Follow-up with deciding your level of commitment

Is now the right time?

Create your social networking operational plan

Remember: social networking ISN’T advertising


Your website as a social networking platform

Your website as your social networking hub:

Make sure your website platform allows for blogging and embedded social networking links

If your blog integrates with your website, its content can publish out to your LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts etc.

Your website and social media presence will enhance your online reputation

Connect your email updates to your website and integrate with your blog


Does your website support your growth strategy?

Make sure your website platform can accommodate the growth of your practice

Provide support for additional media

Allow effective use email marketing and paid search results


It's live: now what?

Your web presence evolves

Keep it current

Monitor your visibility

Stay active: take the next steps

Keep an eye on the competition

Stay connected to your developer

Part 4: Conversation with solo attorney

Jeffrey Janoff, Partner Bostwick & Janoff

DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business December...

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