

BE THAT LAWYER
Steve Fretzin
BE THAT LAWYER is for attorneys who want more freedom, enjoyment and most importantly, control in their career. Topics will include business development, marketing, branding, technology, and law firm growth. The goal is to educate, entertain and share best practices related to these topics, so that you, the listener can get real value. This is primarily an interview show with great guests (attorneys and legal marketing professionals), sharing stories and analogies, as well as engaging in personal discussions that will keep you entertained and coming back week after week.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2021 • 26min
Scott Rahn: Farming Roots to Law Firm Culture
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Scott Rahn discuss:The importance of people and community. Building law firm culture. Benefits of great culture, detriments of a poor culture. Modernizing the suggestion box and put your money where your mouth is. Key Takeaways:You can only do so much well. Focus on what you do well and hunker down in that area.Your law firm culture is the glue that binds you. Show your employees that you care and that they matter. While we are all separated this is especially important to double down on your culture.As people, we are stronger together. "If you haven't made people feel welcome, safe, and appreciated, you're gonna have a hard time retaining them." — Scott Rahn Connect with Scott Rahn: Website: https://rmolawyers.com/Email: rahns@rmolawyers.comPhone: 424-320-9444YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClDQzEOOKbGFULmXpdIPEnA/videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-rahn-trust-estate-probate-litigator-7b71602/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmolawyers Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 30, 2021 • 26min
Sami Azhari: Becoming a Thought Leader to Grow Your Business
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Sami Azhari discuss:Networking as a referral source.Qualifying referral sources and keeping an open mind.There is always time to be a thought leader - the law is always evolving.The power of social media and leveraging your work. Key Takeaways:You can be the most brilliant lawyer, but if you can’t generate business you’re not going to be successful.There's always opportunities to be made, there's always a way that you can network with someone and get something out of it.Look at how you are leveraging the interactions you have, the people you meet, and the work you do. There is time and effort that goes into all of your networking.The biggest way to get noticed is not necessarily getting people to view your profile, but by showing that you're active and commenting on other people's posts. "You have to want it. If you don't want it bad enough, there's somebody else out there that wants it worse than you do. If you're not out there hustling, it's just going to be a little difficult to sustain a practice and it's certainly going to be impossible to build one." — Sami Azhari Connect with Sami Azhari:Website: azharillc.comEmail: sazhari@azharillc.comFacebook: facebook.com/AzhariLLCTwitter: twitter.com/SamiAzhari1LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sami-azhari-60157525 Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 26, 2021 • 29min
Steve Adams: Becoming a Peak Performer
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Steve Adams discuss:The cultural addiction to distraction and how it is affecting your work. Productive and destructive health habits. Using your prime time for your prime tasks. Living a healthier, better life. Key Takeaways:Physiology, psychology, and engineering your lifestyle are key to your peak performance. You've got to take care of the billion dollar asset, which is you - your body. You only get one brain and one body, and it is a big part of being highly productive. Automate everything you can. Every decision you make in the morning wears down your capacity for what you can do in each day. Sleep needs to become your number one task every day. "Your addiction to distraction is costing you your fortune." — Steve Adams Connect with Steve Adams: Website: https://tigerpi.com/Book: https://tigerpi.com/bookpdf/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveladams Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 23, 2021 • 28min
John Strohmeyer: Going Above and Beyond in Customer Service
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and John Strohmeyer discuss:Recognizing how lawyers and law firms are different from other types of companies.Definition of customer service for a law firm. Minimize the things that don’t help you solve the problem your clients bring to you.Take care of your referral partners with exceptional service as that is where your primary business comes from. Key Takeaways:We are all selling some sort of product and it is, primarily, one of three flavors: stuff, results, or entertainment and fun. Understanding what type of business you are changes how you do customer service. By focusing on what you do, you aren’t getting distracted with other areas of law that are outside your area of focus. Consider what is good for your staff, not just your client. Get the right people in the right jobs to do things for you - you, as the lawyer, cannot do everything all the time. "Most of this service isn't about spending more money. Clients aren't looking for you to shower them with gifts and making sure your office is decked out in marble and glass. It's taking care of things for them and making it easy." — John Strohmeyer Connect with John Strohmeyer: Website: https://www.strohmeyerlaw.com/Show: https://www.fivestarcounsel.com/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 19, 2021 • 32min
Tom Latourette: Maybe "Sales" Isn't a Dirty Word
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Tom Latourette discuss:The three levels of why and looking beyond the apparent reasons. Finding the quantified cost, not just the story of what happened. Generating traction to get in the door for the sales call.Questioning, curiosity, and focusing on the client for best results. Key Takeaways:The first or second conversation you have with a client or potential client should be a discovery call - it should be all about them, not about your credentials. Take the time to explore both the hard costs, as well as the soft costs. When prospecting, think about what is going on in someone else’s world. Reinforce the initial pain point from the discovery call to remind clients and customers why they are continuing to work with you. "We need to get customers to really see that price is different than the total cost of what I pay when I'm working with somebody." — Tom Latourette Connect with Tom Latourette: Website: https://www.m3learning.com/Phone: 847-528-2738Email: tom@m3learning.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-latouretteTwitter: https://twitter.com/tomlatourette Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 16, 2021 • 32min
John Yaworsky: Video Production for Today’s Lawyers
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and John Yaworsky discuss:Lessons John has learned from big budget projects and has been able to apply to small budget projects. The evolution of video marketing and production.Getting more content out of your videos and three tips for the DIY attorney. Understanding when to DIY your videos and when to work with a production expert. Key Takeaways:Media literacy now includes being able to produce a video. Blogs aren’t getting as much attention as they used to, but video and audio are becoming more common and more efficient for many individuals.It is better to do three one-minute videos, than one six-minute video.An audience will forgive bad lighting and bad camera angles, but they will not forgive bad audio. "For business, it makes sense to get the point across quickly or mention you're going to get the point across quickly. It's better to do three, one-minute videos than one, six-minute video. Keep it short, keep it concise, keep them wanting more." — John Yaworsky Connect with John Yaworsky: Website: http://nimbledigitalmedia.com/ Email: john@nimbledigitalmedia.com Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 12, 2021 • 29min
Alex Stamatoglou: The Power of Questions and Relationships
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Alex Stamatoglou discuss:Making the decision to work with a coach.Understanding what you want to actually do and accomplish in your career. Business development - it’s not selling, pitching, and convincing.Developing business and sustaining the work you are bringing in. Key Takeaways:Do the little things that you know you need to do, trust the process, and it will lead to clients and revenue. Business development is more than “just get out there.” Working with a coach can help you to find structure and direction in your business development. Offer help to others and follow through. You are not the right person for everybody, but you are the right person for some people. "Many people are willing to help as long as you ask, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask." — Alex Stamatoglou Connect with Alex Stamatoglou: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstamatoglou/Phone: (708) 228-6284 Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 9, 2021 • 30min
Lana Manganiello: Building a Fulfilling Career Based on Choice
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Lana Manganiello discuss:Why business development matters as an attorney.Control and how it makes or breaks your career.Tips to keep your business development going even while you’re busy.Business development can be as formal or as informal as you make it. Key Takeaways:Business development gives you control over who you work with and what matters you work on.Take a moment to look at the bigger picture and look at the value that you provide. What you do is more interesting than you may think.Hyperfocus on what type of work that you want to do more of and go after that specifically.The key to business development is intentionality, no matter how you choose to do it. "Business development is the key to career fulfillment in the legal profession." — Lana Manganiello Connect with Lana Manganiello:Website: equinoxstrategy.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lanamanganielloEmail: lmanganiello@equinoxstrategy.com Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 5, 2021 • 29min
Deb Smolensky: Pivoting with Empathy and Curiosity
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Deb Smolensky discuss:Missteps companies are making as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retraining our brains to be our best, authentic self. Mental health and mental wellbeing. Bringing positive energy into the micro-moments of your life. Key Takeaways:We need to show up with empathy and curiosity as we meet with people. Pause to get your footing with each scenario and each individual. We are in a period of awareness. We are not the same person, things are not the same. Ask the curiosity questions, don’t just default to the old way. You can’t do two things at once. Your brain is not at peak performance if you are doing more than one thing at a time. When you are in your head in a conversation, that is when you stop listening. Put yourself in your shoes and deep listen to what they are actually saying. "For those leading an organization, remember that what you're feeling or thinking isn't exactly what other people are feeling or thinking. Role model, and then pivot with curiosity and empathy, because they might not be there." — Deb Smolensky Connect with Deb Smolensky: Website: https://www.nfp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiesmolensky/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.

Aug 2, 2021 • 29min
Karin Conroy: Strategic Website Design for Success
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Karin Conroy discuss:How websites have changed from the beginning brochure style to how they work best strategically now.Where lawyers and law firms are missing the boat on website design and strategy. Being unique and memorable from the first look of your website. Connecting your message with your design. Key Takeaways:Website technology is constantly changing. Whenever you learn it, learn the principles and concepts about marketing and design and evolve with the changes. Don’t pretend that you know what you’re doing in building your website - work with someone who can strategically help you design your website for what you want it to do.Not everyone uses websites the same way you use a website. Conversion does not mean the same for every firm. "Your calls to action need to be aligned with your positioning." — Karin Conroy Connect with Karin Conroy: Website: https://conroycreativecounsel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinconroy/Twitter: https://twitter.com/karinconroyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/conroycreativecounsel/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: The Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business 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.