4 Secrets to Know Before You Start Your Legal Practice Online!

So, you’re thinking of starting your law practice online. Great for you! In this guide, we’re going to embark on a journey of explaining some lesser-known facts that you should keep in the back of your mind. You can find all the usual stuff like website optimization, content creation, social media marketing, or PPC ad campaigns all over the internet—But these tips are more nuanced and specific in nature and will most certainly help you get a boost when you begin.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into it!

1. Create Content but Focus on Video

Content is king, and for law firms, creating content can significantly boost your online presence. However, there's a secret weapon that can take your content strategy to the next level: video.

Incorporating video content into your online strategy is not just an option; it's a necessity. Videos have the power to engage and inform your audience in ways that text alone cannot. Consider creating video content that explains complex legal topics, shares client success stories, or even introduces your team.

Video content is highly shareable and can help you connect with your audience on a more personal level. Whether it's through live webinars, YouTube tutorials, or social media updates, harnessing the power of video can set your legal practice apart in the competitive online landscape.

The right kind of lawyer video marketing can take you to new heights especially when the majority of law firms and legal practices are still relying on texts and graphics on their websites, social media handles, email templates, and so on.

2. Get the Right Kind of Law Firm

Starting a legal practice online isn't just about creating a website and offering your services. It's about identifying the right kind of law firm that aligns with your expertise and your target audience's needs.

Before launching your online practice, conduct thorough market research. Understand the legal needs of your potential clients and identify areas where you can excel. Are you an expert in family law, intellectual property, or personal injury? Tailor your online presence and messaging to match your chosen niche.

Remember, a successful online legal practice isn't about being a jack-of-all-trades. It's about being the go-to expert in your chosen field. Define your specialization and build your brand around it to attract the clients who need your unique expertise.

Then there’s also the question of which way to incorporate your business. Choosing between PC vs LLC, for example, can be difficult and you need to weigh all the pros and cons for a successful time ahead.

3. Work on Ratings & Reviews from Day 1!

A lot of law firms start looking into ways to increase their ratings and reviews after their business has taken off. If you pay attention from day 1, you can remarkably accelerate your business growth.

Legal services and consulting are areas where people bank on trust and expertise more than anything else. Ratings, reviews, testimonials, and success stories are greatly impactful, incidentally. It’s both easier to more effective to have a strategy for collecting reviews—Not just on your website but on third-party platforms as well.

There are many techniques to get more lawyer ratings and you will learn the best approach by experimenting with different ones.

Client testimonials and online reviews are digital currency in the legal industry. Potential clients often rely on the experiences of others when choosing an attorney. Therefore, from day one, encourage your clients to leave honest and positive reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Avvo, and Yelp.

Don’t forget to promptly address any negative reviews professionally and seek to resolve any issues.

4. Know How to Price Your Service the Right Way

Typically, new law practices fall into one of these categories:

• They bill as per industry standards, regardless of the requirements and demand in their region or target audience.
• They price too competitively to break into the market, often offering services for dirt cheap.
• They try to strike a balance and undercut big players but offer more sensible pricing compared to dirt-cheap service providers.

Well, all three strategies are wrong because none of them take into account the particular region and target audience you’re serving. So, here’s what you’re supposed to do instead:

1. Do some market research and find out about the demographic you’re serving. What’s their comfortable spending limit? How much are your closest competitors (in terms of size, not experience) charging? Do you have any USPs that make you better than them?
2. Factor in all your weekly expenses, add a comfortable amount for future investment and savings and calculate your hourly rate.
3. Use an attorney billable hours chart to go off of.

To set your pricing strategy apart, consider value-based pricing. Instead of focusing solely on your hourly rate, emphasize the unique value and expertise you bring to the table. Create transparent pricing structures and offer options such as fixed fees or unbundled services to meet the diverse needs of your online clients.

In Conclusion

Breaking into the market can be a little difficult even with the right strategy and a positive mindset. Leverage these tips that are less known to gain a competitive edge in your market. However, these tips alone aren’t exclusively what you should focus on! Everything else from website optimization to social media engagement and email newsletters to local SEO is very important. Make a plan and incorporate these tips into it seamlessly for the best and fastest results.