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Reputation Management for Success

Michael L Goldblatt

Reputation Management for Success
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Reputation is a major theme in Shakespeare's Othello. The word is used several times in the play, including Iago's observation:

"Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving." 

Iago used reputation to his advantage but was destroyed by his dishonesty.

Reputation is a building block for successful law firms and legal careers. A good reputation helps persuade clients, colleagues, and the judiciary. It attracts cases, adds authority, and improves interactions. Following is an action plan and resources to manage reputations for successful firms and careers.  

Action Plan

Branding - use a tagline on business cards, brochures, and websites.

Listing - list in legal directories and social media; update at least annually.

Monitoring - conduct weekly searches for inaccurate and negative information (e.g., Google, Bing, and social media).

Planning - create a personal development plan to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Publishing - publish articles on blogs, periodicals, social media, and websites.

Reviews - encourage reviews, reply to negative ones, and report fakes.

Surveying - survey client satisfaction and respond to comments.

Volunteering - pursue volunteer opportunities to develop your reputation.

Conclusion

Reputation can make or break careers and firms. Be proactive to achieve positive interactions with clients, judges, and lawyers. If you deliver a positive experience, their word-of-mouth will bring goodwill and help you stand out from other lawyers. Take the actions mentioned above to manage your reputation and use the resources below for more help.

Resources

Articles

Willie Peacock, Strategies for Efficient Lawyer Reputation Management, Clio Blog, Jun. 10, 2022.

Michael Reddy, Lawyer Reputation Management, Digital Authority Blog, Oct. 26, 2020.

Jonas Sickler, How to Google Yourself and Fix Negative Content, Reputation Management Blog, May 12, 2016.

Daniel Siegel, Taking Control of and Managing Your Online Reputation, GP/Solo Magazine, Sep. 2021.

Staff, Client Reviews and Reputation Management, Lawyerist, Sep. 1, 2022.

Staff, Online Reputation Management FAQ's, Reputation Communications, Aug. 10, 2022.

Books

Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Pocket Books (Oct. 1, 1998).

Chris Komisarkevsky, The Power of Reputation: Strengthen the Asset that Will Make or Break Your Career, Amacom, Apr. 11, 2012.

Gloria Origgi, Reputation: What It Is and Why It Matters, Princeton University Press, Nov. 12, 2019

(Lori Stradtman, Online Reputation Management for Dummies, Wiley, Oct. 9. 2012.

Young Lawyers Division, Social Media Pocket Guide, The Florida Bar, Feb. 1, 2021.

Software

Birdeye

Google Alerts

Hootsuite

Review Ninja

Webinars

Building a Gold Reputation, The Florida Bar, May 14,2020.

Protecting Your Online Reputation Without Losing Your License, ABA, Apr 23, 2019.

Strategically Building Your Reputation, ABA, Jun. 12, 2015.

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