BE THAT LAWYER

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Scott Love discuss:Earning trust in professional relationships. Innovation in the time of COVID (and continuing that innovation in the aftermath). When to move and when not to move law firms. The importance of building and maintaining relationships.  Key Takeaways:There’s more poker theory in legal recruiting than in a game of poker. When looking at moving firms, it’s about more than you - it’s also about what is best for your clients. You have to have client and business relationships. The practice of law is not an island, it requires those relationships to grow, develop, and continue to bring in money. Build relationships, have conversations, and get into the habit of staying in touch.  "When you evaluate a partner's effectiveness, it's based on two things: the book of business and their leadership effectiveness - how well they get along with their clients and their colleagues." —  Scott Love Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Business Relationships that Last by Ed Wallace: https://www.amazon.com/Business-Relationships-That-Last-Performing/dp/1608320014 Connect with Scott Love:  Website: https://attorneysearchgroup.com/Podcast: https://attorneysearchgroup.com/the-rainmaking-podcast Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Alison Ver Halen discuss:Tools for the readability of your content. Benefits of writing as a lawyer. How to use (and how NOT to use) ChatGPT. Getting people to read your blog. Key Takeaways:Legal writing and marketing writing utilize two different parts of your brain. Utilizing ChatGPT (or another AI) to write for your website, articles, or blog can be problematic as it scans other content on the internet and uses that to create its writing. Own your content whenever you can. Social media is good for distributing content but write for your own website first, then for other publications. Incorporate a story into your writing. You are not the hero, your ideal client is the hero.  "We all know what's interesting to us and what we want to write about. But does your audience really care about that? It all needs to start with who your ideal client is, what they care about, and what are they searching for." —  Alison Ver Halen Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/Yoast: https://yoast.com/research/real-time-content-analysis/Hemingway Editor: https://hemingwayapp.com/Book: Practical Content Strategy and Marketing by Julia McCoy:  https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Content-Strategy-Marketing-Certification-ebook/dp/B077SKLYNT Connect with Alison Ver Halen:  Website: https://avwritingservices.com/Email: info@avwritingservices.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-ver-halen/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/av-writing-services/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057495307448Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/av_writing_services/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Walt Hampton, David Ackert, and Liz Wendling discuss:Client, prospect, and networking follow-ups.Beyond the billable hour.Crossmarketing and solving the problems your clients are having.Specializing versus generalizing. Key Takeaways:People want to do business with people. You don’t need to use specific marketing language when talking to prospects.Increasing your rates will not run your clients off. If they see your value, they will continue to pay you with no problems.You can’t just say you are the specialist or the expert, you need to prove it and show it from every aspect of your firm from beginning to end.Business is a co-creation exercise. Creating an amazing business is about having amazing relationships. "This is all baby steps, everything in practice growth comes down to baby steps. Spend a few hours talking to somebody about what those baby steps might look like. It will motivate you to take them." —  David Ackert Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Connect with Walt Hampton:  Website: Summit-Success.comEmail: Walt@Summit-Success.comFREE eBook: summitsuccess.lpages.co/the-power-principles-of-time-masteryLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/walthamptonPublishing Resource: http://summitpresspublishers.com/steve Connect with Chuki Obiyo:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chukiobiyo/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lawchuki?lang=enInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/chuki_law/?hl=en Connect with Liz Wendling:  Website: https://www.therainmakingcoach.com/Books: https://www.therainmakingcoach.com/lizs-book/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwendling/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizwendling4Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightbusinessconsultants Connect with David Ackert:  Website: https://www.ackertinc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidackert/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidAckert Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by  Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin, Walt Hampton, David Ackert, and Liz Wendling discuss:Staying consistent in your business development amidst the whirlwind of life.The top automations that are saving automations time.Scheduling made easier.Removing email as a friction point. Key Takeaways:Block time for you and your tasks, not just to accommodate others.Your calendar communicates your values. What you schedule time for is what you value the most.Consider listing out a singular date option, then linking your calendar if you are hesitant to move to the automated scheduling.ChatGPT should not be used for blog articles on your website. You want your blog to sound like you. "We're all busy, toddlers are busy, we have to create that time and make that time and the more you tell yourself, you're busy, the more you start to believe that and the more you stay in the pinball machine." —  Liz Wendling Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: ReMarkable2: https://remarkable.com/store/remarkable-2PipelinePlus: https://pipelineplus.com/Calendly: https://calendly.com/Acuity: https://www.acuityscheduling.com/Doodle: https://doodle.com/SaneBox: https://www.sanebox.comChatGPT: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/ Connect with Walt Hampton:  Website: Summit-Success.comEmail: Walt@Summit-Success.comFREE eBook: summitsuccess.lpages.co/the-power-principles-of-time-masteryLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/walthamptonPublishing Resource: http://summitpresspublishers.com/steve Connect with Liz Wendling:  Website: https://www.therainmakingcoach.com/Books: https://www.therainmakingcoach.com/lizs-book/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwendling/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizwendling4Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightbusinessconsultants Connect with Chuki Obiyo:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chukiobiyo/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lawchuki?lang=enInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/chuki_law/?hl=en Connect with David Ackert:  Website: https://www.ackertinc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidackert/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidAckert Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Joe Brocato discuss:Pursuing your passions, belief in yourself, and having a determination to succeed. Living authentically with balance in your work and passions.Conveying confidence.The three pillars of relationships. Key Takeaways:If you want to have a great book of business, you need to be a great lawyer first.Be who you are and have confidence in your ability and your desire to help your clients.You can be nice and be friends without needing to make a networking connection with everyone. Make a friend, but don’t feel obligated to sit with someone for longer than you want.Bring your authentic self into relationships. When you are that way, you are also able to set authentic goals - which makes you more likely to achieve it, and more likely to enjoy the process. "If you come into the relationship confident and upbeat, in a sincere way, because you truly are authentically happy, I think it really helps. It helps in your business development efforts." —  Joe Brocato Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Book: happy is cool.: How to Ignite True Happiness in You by J.B. Brocato- https://www.amazon.com/happy-cool-Ignite-True-Happiness/dp/0615906036Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 Connect with Joe Brocato:  Website: https://joebrocato.com/Website: https://www.gozdel.com/Email: j.brocato@gozdel.comBook: https://hititoffthebook.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joebrocato/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JB_BrocatoPre-Order Joe’s Latest Book Here!Hit it Off: 21 Rules for Mastering the Art and Science of Relationships In Life and Business - https://hititoffthebook.com/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Josh Fitch discuss:Taking educated risks. How Josh started his own firm directly out of law school. Networking as an allyship. Having a fit with you, your client, and your employees.   Key Takeaways:Having a partner takes away some of the isolation of running a firm alone. It also gives you a time to share in the victories and strengthen each other through the trials. Have a contract for your partnership, but also have written agreements as to what is expected from each partner that is measurable and specific. We live in a digital age, the power of a face-to-face connection is immeasurable. Look at what revenue you are losing by doing tasks that don’t need to be done by you. Get those off your plate.  How much are you willing to pay for the comfort of controlling everything?  "The book of business doesn't just come out of nowhere, it did require a massive effort of just kind of creating a presence here in Denver." —  Josh Fitch Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Book: Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday - https://www.amazon.com/Ego-Enemy-Ryan-Holiday/dp/1591847818 Connect with Josh Fitch:  Website: https://www.troxelfitchlaw.com/Email: josh.fitch@troxelfitchlaw.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-fitch-2953b5b0/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and RJ Curcio discuss:Growing up surrounded by lawyers. Being a millennial lawyer.Keys to getting a strong book of business in a transactional field of law. Adapting the modern workplace to the workforce in your company.  Key Takeaways:The way law firms were run in the 1950s was very different from how they are run today. Learn from the other generations, in both directions. A lot of personal injury attorneys get their clients via referrals from other attorneys. Network with those in other practice areas and make yourself top of mind with them. Networking with other 1-to-1 attorneys can help everyone to build a stronger book and to lift each other in their fields. Millennials are hard workers and creative, but they may think differently and work differently than the previous generations. Different generations require different tools to work most effectively.  "It comes down to understanding who your workforce is, who is going to be a big part of that, and how they want to operate. Ultimately, you want to make sure that you can provide those different options to that workforce in order to get the most out of them." —  RJ Curcio Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey - https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519 Connect with RJ Curcio:  Website: https://www.curcio-law.com/Phone: 312-321-1111LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj-curcio-2463648a/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ellen Freedman discuss:Learning and growing in all aspects of your law firm.Going out on your own as a solo firm.The automations and technologies that lawyers should implement in their business.The best approach to hiring and the growing trend of going virtual. Key Takeaways:Your best work never happens immediately, especially when trying something new. Keep a good attitude and keep trying at your business development and networking.Do your own needs analysis when looking to buy new technology for your firm. Don’t just go with what one friend said because that friend said it.Budget the time, when purchasing new software or equipment, to install and train everyone on your staff. This is the best way to adequately use all the resources and features of the software you choose.It takes time to do the right hire. Vet your candidates well and hire for all the necessary criteria, not just the most pressing criteria. "The must-have technology for every lawyer, from the solo on up, is to have either a document management or a good, quality desktop search engine." —  Ellen Freedman Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsVideo: Atomic Habits - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nzqnXWvSo Connect with Ellen Freedman:  Website: https://www.freedmanlpm.com/Email: ellen@freedmanlpm.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenfreedman/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PA_PMAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedmanconsultinginc  Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Steph Vaughan-Jones discuss:Hiring the right people for the right job.Being flexible to find success.Getting closer to your customer.Developing relationships and developing leaders. Key Takeaways:People fear mistakes - that is why they don’t take risks. Mistakes are not a failure, they are a chance to learn and further your success.Recognize the potential in the people on your team. If you put them in the right role, they will shine.Stay close to your client - ask questions and identify the needs they have (even if they don’t yet realize it).The best teachers are those who do it well. "62% of calls are for urgent matters. Nothing can beat that phone call, and that human interaction." —  Steph Vaughan-Jones Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Connect with Steph Vaughan-Jones:  Website: https://moneypenny.com/us/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievaughanjones/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Moneypenny Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Jordan Spear discuss:Common pitfalls lawyers make in digital marketing. The unique challenges to marketing for your unique way of doing business. Creative content creation to stand out in the market. What to look for in a marketing agency.  Key Takeaways:Marketing can help you to stabilize your inflow pipeline and allows you to bring in clients beyond just the referrals. Every law firm sees their business differently, even when they are in the same practice area. You need to know the firm to know how to market appropriately to their audience. When working with a marketing firm, they need to understand your firm - if they have a recommendation right out of the gate, they may not be the right one for you. You want to be able to trust that the marketing team behind you understands what your goal is and is bringing information to you about the market.  "Marketing is not just about placement in front of everybody. It’s about strategic placement in front of people that want to do business with that type of firm." —  Jordan Spear Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/Episode References: Book: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson - https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Sweat-Small-Stuff-Its/dp/0786881852SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham - https://www.amazon.com/SPIN-Selling-Neil-Rackham/dp/0070511136Connect with Jordan Spear:  Website: https://www.bolddigitalventures.com/Email: jordan@bolddigitalventures.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-spear-69a059a2/Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.