There’s been a fair amount of talk lately among bankruptcy lawyers about starting up a blog. The goal’s been of the, “get to the top of Google,” sort, and comes around every few years when the market takes a dip.
Unfortunately for you, however, the search engines are pretty crowded places these days. Hundreds of millions of blog posts, websites and resources compete with social media posts, news articles and spam for the attention of the casual visitor.
In order for a blog to work – to attract visitors and convert them to either clients or subscribers – the writing needs to be accompanied by something else.
You’ve got to get out there and make some noise. Here are some ways to make it happen.
Leverage Your Existing Materials
You should have your blog URL on your business cards, letterhead, and other printed materials. If someone’s getting a letter or business card from you then providing them with your online home’s location is one more way to help people learn more about you.
Promote To Your Social Circles
If you’re on Facebook, Twitter or any other social platform then it makes good sense to let your friends and followers know where else they can find you. It’s true that your high school buddies may not be in the market for a bankruptcy lawyer but if your content is good then perhaps it will be passed along to someone else.
Sponsor A Local Sports Team
Every kid’s sports team needs sponsors, so why not step up and do some good? Putting your domain name on the back of every team member’s jersey ensures that you’ll be in front of dozens of parents whenever there’s a game. It’s also a great way to show you’re a supporter of your community.
Go The Coffee Shop Route
Coffee shops, laundromats and car washes are places where people congregate, idly sifting through stacks of magazines and flyers as they wait. Print up a bunch of glossy postcards from a place like VistaPrint, take an afternoon to drive around the neighborhood, and you’re off to a great start.
Give A Library Talk
Libraries have turned into the de facto educational center for many communities. Offer up a talk on a debt or credit issue and publicize it in the local community calendars. Print up some of your best posts and be sure to have your domain name and firm information on each page.
Join A Networking Group
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. There’s no better way to build a practice and solidify your marketing message than to meet people and forge a bond. You’ll meet not only other lawyers but also accountants, marriage counselors, car mechanics, and local retailers. Everyone either runs into bill problems or knows someone else who does – and your blog can serve as an invaluable resource for people who aren’t yet ready to pick up the phone to call a bankruptcy lawyer.
Remember, It’s A Business
Your blog is part of your practice, not a standalone item to be treated separately. By making your blogging efforts part of the holistic business enterprise, you’ll be better able to see how and where it fits in your marketing mix.
About Jay Fleischman
