Summary
- Competition for clients means to publish or perish.
- Boost your reputation by writing articles for blogs, journals, and newsletters.
- Syndicate your writing online at websites and in print publications.
Voice of Experience
Why You Should Write Articles for Clients
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In 2018, the American Bar Association amended its model rules on lawyer marketing to simplify restrictions, recognize technologies, and promote uniformity among states. The amended rules govern marketing activities like publishing articles. Article writing can attract prospects, facilitate client contact, and drive traffic to websites. Read on for tips about article writing and resources for marketing your legal services.
Tips
- Articles – write articles for blogs, social media and firm websites.
- Audience – stay in touch with clients and attract prospects.
- Calendar - create an editorial calendar to publish articles on a regular basis.
- Frequency – set a goal of publishing articles monthly or quarterly.
- Handouts – distribute your articles at meetings and seminars.
- Newsletters – use newsletters to inform readers about legal developments and planning opportunities.
- Notes – send short handwritten notes to clients and referral sources for holidays and special occasions.
- Press Releases – announce new hires and bring attention to significant firm developments.
- Style – avoid legal jargon, keep articles short, and use bullet points and sub-titles.
- Support - consider hiring a writer and licensing content; use apps and services to automate.
- Syndication - republish articles at your firm website and in your LinkedIn profile.
- Topics – write about legal developments, planning opportunities, and successful cases.
Conclusion
Prospective clients use articles to research legal problems and find legal representation. Stand out from the competition by writing articles that demonstrate your expertise and show how you solve legal problems. Article writing is a low-cost way to attract and retain clients. Consult the resources mentioned at the end of this article to get started.
Articles
- MileMark Explains Latest ABA Rules on Attorney Advertising, MileMark, Jan. 7, 2025
- Content Writing for Law Firms: A Best Practices Guide (Part 1: The Basics), PaperStreet, Jan. 18, 2022.
- How to Create a Successful Email Marketing Strategy at Your Law Firm, JD Supra, May 12, 2022.
- Tips for Writing Law Firm Web Content Using AI, Lawlytics, Jun. 6, 2023.
- Seven Ways to Improve Your Marketing for 2025, Law Practice Magazine, Jan. 1, 2025.
- A Complete Guide to Law Firm Content, Clio, Apr. 8, 2021.
- Plan and Organize Content Using an Editorial Calendar, ABA Law Practice Magazine, Mar. 1, 2024.
- Writing in Law Reviews, Bar Association Journals and Blogs (Part II), 72 Journal of the Missouri Bar 88 (2016).
Books
- Building a Law Practice One Article at a Time, ABA Book Publishing, Jan. 14, 2021.
- Content Marketing for Lawyers, Adin Publishing, Jan. 21, 2016.
- Lawyer Marketing: An Ethics Guide , McGuire Woods, Feb. 8, 2018.
- Handbook on Lawyer Advertising and Solicitation, The Florida Bar, Aug. 16, 2023.
- Plain English for Lawyers, Carolina Academic Press; Sixth Edition Feb. 1, 2019.
Samples
- Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld (General Practice, Bethesda, MD)
- Chinn & Associates, PC (Family Law, Jackson, MS)
- The Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth (Personal Injury; Chula Vista, CA)
- William Kroger Attorney at Law (Criminal Defense; Beverly Hills, CA)
- Peck Ritchey, LLC (Elder Law, Chicago, IL)
Videos
- Digital Marketing for Law Firms, Clio, Feb. 15, 2023.
- Lawyers, Revolutionize Your Practice with Chat GPT, Justia, Mar. 31, 2023.
Websites
Author