Law Firm Marketing BLOG

Larry Pollack, a New Jersey personal injury lawyer, has narrowed the focus of his law firm’s practice to car accidents and workers compensation claims.  While he has used our SNAP pay-per-click and optimization services, in addition to his customized lawyer website design, he was looking to see what other options he had for law firm internet marketing.  The newest and best service is the law firm BLOG.  This gives our clients the chance to give their opinions on recent verdicts or laws, inform the public about new developments in their practice areas, and provide a forum for the public to get legal information.  The BLOGs are created to mirror the look and feel of the law firm website design with the added benefits of RSS feeds, web surfers comments, weblogs, and information that is archived by date and topic.  Check out Larry’s New Jersey personal injury BLOG and leave him a few questions and comments.

Many of our clients now have BLOGs, which can be very useful in letting clients know about changes in laws, opinions about rulings, and recent events at the law firms.  However, those pesky Spammers have found a way into them.  The problem becomes telling the difference between SPAM and a legitimate comment.

When a web surfer comes to one of our law firm BLOGs and likes an article or has an opinion, that surfer can click on Add a Comment (other BLOG services are similar).  This comment goes to the moderator (you, the lawyer) via email, which you can choose to Approve (which means it will be listed on your website) or you can delete it and mark it as SPAM.  One surefire way to determine if the comment is SPAM is to look and see if the Spammer put in a URL address to link to.  If so, see what that link is: is it to another attorney’s BLOG, a concerned parent’s BLOG or website, or another add for Viagra or some other product?  Obviously, if it is the latter, just delete it.

Now, why would a Spammer bother to post a comment on your BLOG?  Because when you accept their comment, you just added a link to their BLOG.  And, as we all now know, the more inbound links you have to a site, the better for that site.

Now, that said, we have created BLOG spam filters (just like Spam filters for email), but, just like email, some will get through.  I guess spammers keep up with technology, too.

If you want more information on creating your own attorney BLOG (or one for the whole firm) or if you want any more information about other law firm internet marketing strategies, please contact us for a free, brief consultation.

BLOGs are one of the latest and greatest Internet inventions.  Not only do you, as an attorney, get to tell the world what is going on in the legal field, but you become a published author that has opinions and can provide clients with information.  Why is this so great?  While the reasons are endless, here are a few:  You can get your law firm’s name out there.  You can tout how you are the best and brightest.  And, best of all, you make contact with potential clients and start dialogues. 

But, some of our law firm clients are a little timid about providing too much information via the Internet.  Our clients ask us what is okay to mention and what is not.  The “rule of thumb” that we suggest is the same lesson that my mother taught me – “if you would not want it (the BLOG entry in this case) read in a court of law, do not put it in writing”.  That is not to say that you cannot give thoughts and opinions – controversy is often what sparks people’s interests most.  However, I would stop a little short of suggesting anarchy.  It is a great idea to say that your state’s legislature is proposing a new law that puts a cap on the damages that a client can receive and then give your opinion; it is likely that others want to know what exactly this law means (in layman’s terms).  It is a great idea to let people know that you just expanded your legal practice to include immigration law and what types of cases you want to target.  The possibilities are endless.  But just remember to be honest and be yourself – that is the most important thing. 

We also recommend that our clients make their BLOG biography’s (if they decide to put one up) personable.  You want clients to know who you are and what you do – not only that you are a lawyer who enjoys his job, but also that you are an avid tennis player who is also active in local politics.  So start your legal BLOG now and remember that my mother is almost always right.