Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

Why you shouldn’t just play the SEO long-game. Plus, a law firm’s surprising (and sketchy) use of Google review numbers.-----Most marketing agencies tell you that SEO is going to take time. Well yeah, maybe, but it doesn’t ALWAYS have to. Gyi and Conrad reevaluate traditional “tempered” expectations and discuss how long SEO should take and whether marketers are just using SEO to lock you into long-term contracts. Then the guys dig into one of the cringiest law firm slogans, “Size Matters,” Morgan & Morgan’s new Google reviews marketing campaign. Is it legit, is it ethical, and does it breach Google’s rules?The News: Legal marketing podcast ranks own podcast #1. I guess that’s settled then.  Big news: Google core update, get on it. Wordpress Update: a speed and security change that may affect your plugins. Mentioned in this Episode:Lunch Hour Legal Marketing now on YouTubeEverest Legal MarketingDoug Bradley, how long should SEO take? Gyi: SEO Expectations for Law Firms Size matters, Morgan & MorganGoogle Structured Data GuidelinesClio Legal Trends 2021 Report

Conrad and Gyi tackle an (ahem) unusual marketing move by an attorney using TikTok video streaming. Plus, five big referral tips.-----Wouldn’t it be great if your clients left you a good review online? Why wait? Why not just videotape them as you’re coming out of the courtroom? It’s “Marketing vs the Client’s Best Interest” in the bizarre case of a lawyer using the video streaming platform TikTok. The attorney in question is getting lots of views and attention, but is he using his client? The guys vigorously debate whether these short videos might cross an ethical line. But, even if kind of skeezy, maybe it’s generating a referral network of sorts, so…worth it?Plus, five big tips on building business through referrals. Still waiting for new clients to be breaking down your door? Sometimes you need to give to get, so start putting yourself out there and reap the rewards of good business karma.The News: MyCase buys Docketwise. Google Analytics 4 is coming soon—update your analytics now! How’s that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial going?

You want to boost your conversions but only have so much bandwidth doing it all yourself. Stop thinking that tech equals cold and impersonal. Simple technologies like auto-response emails and text messages (done right!) can afford a personal touch for your clients, bring more prospects into your funnel, and convert those opportunities you’re currently missing out on.And has Google ended the era of the ad agency? The guys explore Google's new Performance Max campaigns and whether they’re really the biggest change to Google in 10 years.PLUS: IMPORTANT NEWS! Conrad adopts a puppy! A desperate play for social media attention, of course, because Lunch Hour Legal Marketing is now on YouTube (and puppies are cute).And In Less Puppy-Filled News: Google is offering certification for SEO.  In a new survey of how people find lawyers, surprise, the answers are Google, “the internet,” and referrals.  Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

Dark Social — it just sounds nefarious, right? But there’s no need to break out a Tor browser and dive into the depths of the dark web; this stuff is legit. And once you understand and leverage it, it can be the difference between your marketing just “working” and blowing up. Gyi and Conrad explain what Dark Social is, why it can be difficult—nay, impossible—to track through your traditional attribution channels, and why it is nonetheless one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal you may not have even known you had.Also, CallRail’s marketing outlook for law firms in 2022 is out. In the latest edition of By the Numbers, the guys dig into the findings and share not only the most important takeaways but also highlight what these findings mean for you and your practice.In the Clio Legal Trends Report, it turns out law firms with growing revenue are twice as likely to use financial reporting tools. Understanding your firm’s financial performance helps you boost revenue. More at the Clio Legal Trends Report.The News: Sterling Sky and “Review Spam” - Lawyers are among the top spammers of review spaces, and law firms could be liable for this kind of behavior Search Ads Soaring - Search ad revenue hits $78 billion. Inflation and how it impacts our industry - Are you pulling back on your ads? Should you? And what about adjusting pricing? Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

Marketing’s not free. Is yours working? Conrad and Gyi dig into marketing attribution and how to ensure you’re spending wisely. Rand Fishkin’s new article claims “attribution is a boondoggle” and you should trust your gut, not a fancy attribution system (especially if you’re a smaller office). So, what’s going on? Can software track your marketing end-to-end process, from Google Ads to paying client?So, how do you avoid throwing your marketing money into a black hole? Learn the 6-ish best tips for measuring marketing effectiveness. Tracking client journeys, client acquisition costs, and your marketing performance matters; do it like a marketing professional does. Plus: they get into the specter of “Dark Social” — driving demand by leveraging social media and the “network effect” to build your brand.In the Legal Trends Report by Clio, did you know law firms with increasing revenue are 46% more likely to use client intake and client relationship management (CRM) solutions. How do online forms and intake processes figure in?The News There’s new investment into LinkSquares and the recent acquisition of WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel Scorpion brings back its founder as CEO CallRail’s take on Google Analytics 4 (psst, if you use an agency, ask if it’s keeping up with the new Google Analytics and preparing for the changes)  Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

Should you be hiring a SEO specialist for your firm, or is SEO dead? Also, millions of people are suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine. Is this an opportunity to market your law firm? Spoiler Alert: No. No, it is not — but the right answer for you may be more nuanced. The guys tackle these big subjects as well as answer questions from ABA TECHSHOW and the impending change to Google Analytics.Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

The guys are back at the ABA TECHSHOW with F.O.P. Carolyn Elefant, the “Godmother of Solos.” They talk about what’s in and what’s out in the latest edition of her book, “Solo By Choice.” Also, there’s more legal tech and more competition for your legal dollar than ever. That means great things for small and solo firms. Do you want something custom for your practice? It might be worth it to just ask for it.Plus, exciting news from Lawmatics, and the guys debate the merits of TurnSignl, an app that connects motorists in an instant to an attorney during a traffic stop and winner of the Startup Alley competition.Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

The Super Bowl isn’t just about football and bean dip, it’s about the ads! Join Conrad and Gyi as they explore an increasing trend in the legal industry - ads during The Big Game.But first, the guys challenge Kevin O’Keefe’s latest take on Advertising vs. Business Development. How do we distinguish between the two, which is better? Is there room for both reputation and relationship building? And what about old fashioned marketing and advertising?But on to lawyer Super Bowl ads. The trend started with an absolutely “batsh*t crazy” 2014 ad by personal injury attorney Jamie Casino; a spot still getting views on YouTube. This year, we saw more law service ads airing in regional markets during the game. The lads highlight their favorites (and check out Friend-of-the-Podcast Joe Patrice’s own list).How do these PR stunts, not necessarily a Super Bowl ad, fit your practice? Do you need a gimmick? And how would you track your results?And of course, The News: Carolyn Elefant releases her third version of “Solo By Choice” and it’s worth your time. Bob and Ben Ambrogi launched their LawNext Directory. And don’t forget the upcoming ABA TechShow and your chance to hang out with Conrad and Gyi.Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

You’re spending money to attract potential clients, now take the next step to ensure every moment of that client experience is amazing from intake to follow-up.In a special LHLM 101 episode, Conrad and Gyi go deep into the mysterious world (well, not that mysterious) of Customer Relationship Management platforms, known as CRMs. Provide a better experience for your clients; analyze marketing data to know what’s working and what isn’t; and do it all while saving you both time and money. It’s hard work, but CRMs make it easier. The days of tracking open cases on yellow legal pads is over. If you don’t know where to start, the LHLM dynamic duo run through the big-name platforms, the tricks and traps, and share their number one tactical tip to successfully implementing a CRM platform.Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh, and Clio.

Online Legal Directories can be useful tools for firms seeking to build visibility, increase traffic and attract clients. They may still provide value, but there are tricks and traps to avoid. Take a deep dive and hear how to ensure your marketing budget is well spent.And news: The University of Michigan reached a $490 million settlement over sexual abuse by the school’s former director of Health Services; more on the significant updates to Google’s vicinity algorithm; ABA Tech Show; and non-lawyer ownership of law firms.The Clio Legal Trends Report finds nearly half of law firms reporting growth employ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solutions to help them remain responsive and streamline onboarding.Plus, ever hear of the Barbara Streisand effect? It’s real and it can negatively affect your business. Learn how you can avoid making potentially embarrassing mistakes. Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio.