5 Key Marketing Strategies To Build An Online MarketingBlueprint

Are you looking for a way to attract more clients?

Do you want to build a thriving law firm?

If so, keep reading as I outline five key marketing strategies to build an online marketing blueprintto help you attract more clients and build a thriving law firm.

Why Build an Online Marketing Marketing Blueprint?

Build it and they will come only worked in "Field of Dreams." If you want to attract more leads andrun a thriving law firm, you must learn how to strategically market online and offline.

We are all in the business of marketing -- intentionally or unintentionally. Marketing is simplyactivities and content designed to make more of your ideal prospects know, like, and trust you, sothat they are more likely to try, buy, and refer your services overtime. Intentional marketing isstrategically building a marketing blueprint that promotes your services. Unintentional marketing isthe reliance on the word-of-mouth or "hope strategy."

Marketing can be done in a variety of ways and far too many lawyers are relying on word-of-mouthmarketing. Without a strategic plan in place, you are simply hoping that a lawyer in your network orpast client will refer out your services and leave reviews. It just won't happen because people needreminders. Implementing a strategy and creating a system to market your services and ask forreviews and referrals is intentional marketing.

Key #1: Establish a Web Presence

According to Google, 97% of consumers use the web to search for local businesses, and your firm isconsidered a local business. An online presence is important because it reinforces your brand andwhat you offer to your target market. An online presence includes a website, an opt-in offer, emailmarketing, a chat client, and much more.

It's no longer "just enough" to be online. Lawyers must use their online presence to provideinformation that is educational, relevant, and builds authority. This also involves keyword research,onsite optimization, and a simple design.

Most important is establishing keywords before building the website. If you're not ranking for thekeywords that your prospective clients are searching for, then your chances for attracting your idealclients will be minimal.

Key #2: List Your Firm in the Online Directories

Ten years ago, you could place a BIG ad in the Yellow Pages and connect with a large percentage ofyour local clients when they were in need of your services.

Today, people go to a number of places including Google, Yahoo, and Bing, but they also go to onlinedirectories.

Yellow Pages Are No Longer Effective

It used to be that the #1 place clients looked when they needed a lawyer was the Yellow Pages. Intoday's market, very few people still reference the printed Yellow Pages. In fact, the new generationhas not even been exposed to the Yellow Pages and only knows the Internet as a way to search forlocal businesses.

There are free and paid directories, and at a minimum we suggest that your law firm is listed inGoogle My Business, Yahoo Local, Bing Local, Avvo, YP.com, and Superpages.

Key #3: Use Social Media

There is a lot of BUZZ around social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), but how can social mediabe leveraged by a lawyer? How can you actually use social media to grow your law firm?

It all starts with understanding that social media is the new word-of-mouth. The best way to usesocial media is to enhance the engagement / loyalty of your existing clients, and by extension of thatand social media platforms, you will grow your repeat business and word-of-mouth business.

Set up and optimize your social media profiles on the major social sites for your company: LinkedIn,Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and SlideShare.

Be sure to post valuable content. This may be the most important component of your social mediastrategy. If you have thousands of fans and followers, but don't add value... you will haveaccomplished nothing. You need to post relevant updates, tips, ideas, techniques, news, and calls toaction on a daily basis. Try to keep 90% of your posts informational and 10% (or less) promotional.

Key #4: Implement Video Marketing

In order to be found on the Web, you need to put information there that your prospective clients willfind. That information has to be relevant and useful, and it needs to be distinctive and representativeabout your firm.

You likely have been told that videos can improve your Internet marketing results, but how?

Have you ever considered answering legal questions on video? You can also use videos to introduceyour firm on your website, social media sites, and online directories. That's providing real value.That's a real differentiator from your competition -- building authority, providing educationalcontent, and engaging with your prospective clients online through video.

Key #5: Direct Mail Marketing

We're not just talking postcards here. This is about staying "top of mind" with your current clientsand implementing a strategy to ask for referrals and reviews. Consider implementing a monthlynewsletter that is one or two pages that highlights community events, monthly events that you maybe hosting or speaking at, new hires, and case studies. Monthly newsletters are a great way to buildtrust and relationships with your current clients.

Conclusion

Effective marketing leads to an end result. Before you build your online marketing strategy, we dorecommend that you consult your state bar rules. Simply visit your state bar website and downloadthe rules so that you have a reference point. If you are working with an online marketing agency,make sure that they understand legal marketing. Lawyers can not do everything online thattraditional marketers recommend.

Well, there you have it. Five key marketing strategies to build an online marketing blueprint to helpyou attract more clients and build a thriving law firm.

Montina Portis of Creative Internet Authority, LLC, provides full service marketing services forlawyers and law firms so that they can attract new clients, generate more referrals, and make moremoney using online and offline legal marketing strategies. With a strong blend of education,technology, and marketing with her 15 years in the business world, Montina is focused on targetedand efficient results. See her website for more information, or email her atmontinap@creativeinternetauthority.com.