Every law firm needs an online presence these days. Effective website and Internet marketing strategies can not only make your online business highly visible, it will make a very noticeable difference in the number of potential clients you receive, as well as your bottom line.

Has the economic tsunami hit your law firm financially? Appeal it with Law Firm Internet marketing and search engine optimization.

A well-planned and well-executed SEO campaign can work really well for niche markets as they tend to give excellent search results in specific areas. That’s why, as a law firm if you want to grab the moment and catapult yourself from an anonymous online existence to one of popularity, search engine optimization is what you need to consider.

Of all Internet use, search engines are the most used, second only to email. Studies by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a respected nonprofit research organization, show that more than 73% of American adults use the Internet.

You've probably heard the terms "Internet marketing", "search engine optimization", and "search engine marketing". If you aren't completely sure what these terms mean, or how they can be of value to you, then read on.

Imagine being able to inform a prospect about your services precisely when they are looking for a service provider like you. Add a success-based pricing model to this dream, where you only pay for an ad when someone clicks on it to visit your web site, and you've got a perfect lead generation system in place.

Writing an article is an excellent investment of your time, especially if the thought of making a speech causes you to break out in a cold sweat. “Speaking” on paper is an ideal alternative. Corporate general counsel, among others, frequently contact attorneys based on published articles.

The Search Engine Optimization Business is mostly a scam... here's why.

We recently spoke with Dr. Raj Gupta, a consultant in MEMS and silicon sensors, about his experiences with fabless MEMS operations. Specifically, we discussed the transition process from prototype to volume production, the associated costs and challenges, as well as his specific experiences with some major MEMS foundries.

Authorities reported a twenty-seven year old Florida woman called 9-1-1 not once, not twice, but three times after McDonald's employees told her they ran out of Chicken McNuggets. Although the woman was cited for abusing the 911 emergency network, the incident shows just how deeply ingrained the Mighty Mac is in our national psyche. With over 30,000 locations and fifty years in the burger business, the McDonalds brand is the most recognized and successful franchise in the world.

"How do I get more of the types of cases I prefer/like?" This was the question posed recently by an expert witness looking for help with his marketing. He wasn't just seeking more cases, but the specific type of cases he wanted to work on.

I understand an attorney wants to feel you out, so to speak, and there seems to be a fine line as to whether you give too much information or not enough. Is it common to just say "Yes, I believe I can help you" and just ask for the file to review, and then charge a fee? Is it common to just charge a fee to review the case file and then send a written general opinion on the case?

One of our consulting clients who is relatively new to the process sent me the following question, and I want to share his question and my answer with your readers.

This was the question posed to me recently by an expert witness looking for help with his marketing. He wasn't just seeking more cases, but the specific type of cases he wanted to work on.

In this day of virtual business transacting, telephone technique is important. Major business deals are initiated, developed, and consummated without the parties ever having met each other except by phone.

Attorneys rely heavily on experts for many cases, and a Registered Nurse can be critical in managing a Medical Malpractice case. One of the most daunting tasks for attorneys, paralegals and LNCs is finding an appropriate expert witness. Many qualified nurses are busy doing their jobs in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes and are “hidden” from view. This, in conjunction with the frequency of the urgency factor in securing an expert, provides a great opportunity for both nurses and attorneys.

What can your law firm do to generate more revenue quickly? The answer is surprisingly simple. Current clients represent your best source of new business, since you already enjoy a trusting relationship with them. Here are ten steps you can take now to increase current client billings.

Tracking the results of your Internet marketing is extremely important if you want to run a successful Internet marketing campaign. Through the use of website analytics and phone call tracking numbers, you can find out exactly what marketing is working so you can make smart decisions about where to spend your marketing dollars.

So lamented a local bankruptcy attorney at a business development seminar I recently taught. “My clients need therapy,” chimed in a real estate lawyer. Many attorneys today are struggling to generate the high volume of qualified leads needed to keep the lights on while achieving the goal of a six-figure salary. Where can you find all these prospects? Read on for ten free or low cost business development techniques proven to help you achieve your practice expansion goals.

Business networking can be like speed dating; you only have a few minutes to make a positive first impression. This article will show you how to talk to a prospect.

Wondering where you can find your next new client? Internet savvy attorneys are hitting the keyboard to build online referral networks that supplement traditional face-to-face networking. LinkedIn® is one of the most popular "social networking" sites among business users today. Over 30 million professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries, connect with prospects electronically on LinkedIn. You can too! Read this article to learn how.

Franchise operations manuals may seem daunting, especially for a company that has never written an operations manual before. Bewildered by the new business of franchising, with its legal requirements, franchise disclosure documents, operations manuals, training programs, etc., many companies delegate responsibility for writing their manual to a high-priced franchise consultant.

You May Enjoy Your Work, But Don't Work for the Fun of It — Make Sure You Get Paid!

How much should I charge for my expert witness services? It’s an important question that will determine the success of your consulting practice.

Here are some “best practices” as you build your expert witness consultancy.

Now that you’ve read our career advice in Part 2 of this series, you are ready to promote your new expert witness practice.

Education is one path to a forensic practice. Many colleges and universities now offer undergraduate or graduate degree programs in forensic accounting, forensic engineering, and other professions.

Miami CSI and other TV crime solving shows captivate viewer attention with the glamour, excitement, and challenge of forensic police activity. We watch as the prosecutor insists on hard, incriminating evidence that will withstand court scrutiny to put the bad guys behind bars. If you are considering a forensic career, this five-part series will explain the role of the expert witness and describe how you can qualify as an expert.

Modern lawyers and law firms must build a strong web presence to be competitive in the Internet age. This article explains why this is so important, and also offers some tips for building a highly visible web presence.

The author discusses effective jury communication when trying difficult cases. He walks through a recent case highlighting successful communication tools used to explain complicated concepts and procedures.

Your greatest opportunity for new business is hidden in your existing accounts. New business obtained from current or past clients tends to be more profitable, due to a lower cost of acquisition and a higher likelihood of successful completion.

In this article, Ray Horak makes the point that effective communications is all about choosing the right words. The corollary is that ineffective communications is all about choosing the wrong, or perhaps intentionally vague, words. That's where interpretation comes into play, and that's where technical experts and even lexicographers get involved. Horak shares some interesting examples of his litigation support experience defining words...sometimes again and again.

You’re excited about buying a franchise and are ready to trade your briefcase for an ice cream scoop. The company’s told you it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, given an impressive tour of their headquarters and taken you to a couple of their operating outlets. When the day ended, they presented their FDD or Franchise Disclosure Document. The representative told you to read it and the contract couldn’t be signed for at least 14 days, Who do you use and what’s it going to cost?

Marketing without a plan is one of the biggest mistakes a law firm can make. This article gives you the key elements to an effective marketing plan for your law firm.

Law firm marketing fans reading will appreciate a new Google feature that will add a competitive advantage to your legal search engine marketing campaigns.

What is a law firm managing partner to do when preparing to weather today's troubled market conditions?

Now is a great time to work on the law firm marketing campaigns you plan to launch once the kids are back in school and clients have returned from summer vacation.

Jurors hear the "Yikes!" alarm when faced with complex facts in trials about situations with which they have little experience. This article explains how to simplify a case when presenting it to a jury, so that they are not overloaded with information, and subsequently understand a key concept explained to them in an understandable manner.

In this article, the author talks about how trial lawyers can improve their communication with jurors. He explores the effectiveness of leveraging jurors' commonalities to gain their support in the courtroom.

Trial lawyers should realize that they can help their jurors understand and advocate for their side, by giving them the tools to do so. This article explains how they can be more effective in helping jurors deliberate and find in their favor.

Your website might be generating traffic but is it generating business?

Buying a franchise represents a different approach to starting a business, a dream shared by millions. Having the independence that being your own boss brings, the security that no one can fire you, enjoying a good income - and for the most successful - the accumulation of wealth and prosperity. Unfortunately, the cards are stacked against a new small business making it big - or making it at all. An endless stream of problems makes competition from large, sophisticated chains too intense.

Franchise Disclosure Documents are a good concept in theory. Unfortunately, reality plays a more important role and reveals an entirely different picture. Here are some of my observations, based on twenty-eight plus years of experience in the franchise industry as a franchise attorney, franchise expert and former franchise owner. During this time, I’ve drafted, reviewed and negotiated over 500 Franchise Disclosure Documents.

Evaluating franchise attorneys and evaluating franchise consultants can seem a daunting task. But the firm a company selects to assist its entry into franchising (or refining existing franchise efforts) will have profound consequences. While you can always ask for a list of "references" (and when is anyone ever dumb enough to provide a bad reference?) there are more objective criteria that are not dependent on selectively disseminated information.

Who is your competition, and how do you compare? Considering that most cases requiring an expert witness involve at least two experts and our society shows no signs of becoming less litigious, competition should not be your primary concern in building an expert practice.

When your expertise is publicized in articles and books, it does not look like advertising, it does not feel like advertising, but, delightfully, it works like advertising. Publicity is, in fact, the best promotional avenue after networking. Even better - it is usually free.

In response to one of our recent emails to Expert News readers, we received an email saying, “I thought experts are not supposed to advertise, even through websites.”

We all set goals, whether formally or subconsciously, especially at the start of a new year, when we feel we can wipe the slate clean and start anew.

Registering with a referral service is a valid marketing avenue for the expert just starting a litigation support practice. This is also a good choice for an experienced expert who has a narrow, or esoteric, field. An attorney is more likely to use a referral service for an unusual specialty than he is for a more common one.

A couple of years back I was invited to author a brief, highly pragmatic and regular 250-word snippet for the ABA’s Law Practice Magazine addressing the strategic issues that law firms face on a continuing basis.

Drawen from surveys, discussions and interviews with managing partners, here are six 'thought starters' to reflect upon with respect to your leadership style and approach.

A marketing plan should be one of the first items a new lawyer develops to support his or her career. But what makes up such a plan? What components need to be in place to ensure success? In this article, we will examine the five key components of cost, immediacy, audience, mix and testing.

On December 20, 2007, the Supreme Court of Florida ruled on The Florida Bar’s Motion for Reconsideration on the attorney advertising rules (Case No. SC05-2194). The court denied the Motion, but modified its order. The amendments to subchapter 4-7 of the Rules regulating The Florida Bar become effective on February 1, 2008 and apply to all lawyers who practice law in Florida, including out-of-state attorneys who advertise for business in the state.

Real estate, government, intellectual property, international, privacy, immigration, trusts & estates, environment, employment and health care are projected to be the top 10 law firm practice areas of interest to the news media in 2008, projects law firm marketing consultant Margaret Grisdela. Plan accordingly!

The starting point in the franchising vs. licensing a business analysis is to consider the legal aspects, then the business aspects. In considering the legal aspects, begin with the following premise that applies to both options. If you put someone into business (or allow them to use your business name/mark) this transaction will normally be a regulated activity, subject to substantial penalties for noncompliance.

What is the difference between a lawyer referral network and an attorney's contact database? It's a good question, and one I was just asked the other day.

Daily Business Review Editor David Lyons said today that journalists are turning into "mobile journalists." Speaking at a legal media panel luncheon co-hosted today by the Legal Marketing Association South Florida City Group and the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, "MoJo" reporters are becoming multimedia and videography experts as print newspapers turn increasingly to electronic communications.

Ever wonder how much attorneys are paying for their text ads on Google?

The holiday season is upon us, which means lots of opportunities for social networking. Think of this as the perfect time to skillfully launch your 2008 personal marketing efforts. You don’t have to be the life of the party to attract serious business development opportunities on the social circuit; you just need to have a plan. Here is a simple five-step program you can easily implement.

What is the difference between a referral network and a contact database? It's a good question, and one I was just asked the other day. A referral network is a group of 5-10 professionals who have the ability to send you high quality business leads, while your contact database is a list of all your prospects and clients.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. This old joke works because of its wisdom. Now that you have an audience, advance planning is essential to the success of your presentation.

You know the conferences where the movers and shakers in your industry meet to stay abreast of current events in the legal industry. Getting a seat on the podium will strengthen your position as a leading attorney in your field. It is never too early to start your quest for speaking engagements. Major annual events book their speakers a minimum of 6 to 12 months in advance. The sooner you get named as a speaker, the more publicity you will generate through advance promotion.

Inevitably any law firm with at least a handful of attorneys and more than one area of emphasis is faced with a critical business development question - does it market the firm in general or does it promote the successes and qualifications of individual attorneys. To do the former alone offers the tantalizing possibilities that come with branding. The latter promises the kind of word-of-mouth “buzz” that brings in clients for very specific reasons.

By temperament and by habit, attorneys tend to be a detailed, meticulous lot. Most understand that “proof,” data, substantiation etc. is not only required when building a case for a client, but for any business related decision as well. Thus, the inability to measure the inexact science of marketing has traditionally been a source of frustration for many attorneys and their firms.

How to shape the identity of your law firm into a branding powerhouse.

A decade or two ago, strategic and business planners commonly worked with a five year planning horizon. Technology adoption and implementation time-frames, market share change rates, and consumer behavior patterns could be relied upon to span several years.

This article, originally published in Baby Shop Magazine, was written to help the independent retailer get the most out of limited resources.

Without a doubt, clients can be your best source of referrals. Yet in my 18 years of marketing work with lawyers, I have met few who actually ask clients for referrals. For all of those lawyers, I say, it is time to change your ways!

I received a letter from a company recently that had this as the subject line: People are Hired for Their Skills and Fired for Their Behaviors. That is so true. We look for candidates to fill positions who have the needed skill sets and then assume they can do the job quite well.

Are you offering cookie-cutter legal services to your clients? Think about it for a minute. If you are, chances are that your client can easily go to a competitor who promises lower rates and/or higher service levels.

Acquiring new clients can cost five times more than retaining current clients, and the average company loses a staggering 10 percent of its customer base each year, according to the American Marketing Association.