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Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business

Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business. December 8th, 2009 8:30 – 10:30 Santa Clara University, School of Law Part 1: Developing your practice/Randy Wilson -Resources: Ellen Platt

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Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business

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  1. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Going Out on Your Own: How to Develop a Book of Business December 8th, 20098:30 – 10:30Santa Clara University, School of Law Part 1: Developing your practice/Randy Wilson -Resources: Ellen Platt Part 2: How to build and strengthen a productive network: Donna Bedford <Break> Part 3: Get visible: establishing your web presence: Rocky Laber & Randy Wilson Part 4: Conversation with solo attorney: Jeffrey Janoff

  2. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Part 1: Developing your practice Randy Wilson

  3. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Developing your practice What kind of legal experience do you have? (include law clinic, mock trial, clerking) What aspects of the work do you like and/or excel at? What other interests do you have and could they serve your career? Are you well connected with the alumni program? Friends and family connections: informational interviews?

  4. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Reach out for help CLE: killing two birds: many programs focus on practice development • Also if attend in-person CLE, good way to meet other attorneys Reach out to local bar/state bar for information ABA Law Practice Management section has great resources Ask/research about good types of solo practices

  5. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Look to your local business community What kind of litigation is in your geographic area? • (check out Courthouse News, Pacer, Findlaw, Google Scholar) What are the big or growing industries and what are their legal needs? Look for industry or practice niches in your area: immigration and you speak another language Look for local industry/trade association, involved and learn area of business • Will make your legal expertise more valuable

  6. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Getting work Check out legal temp agencies Connect with attorneys at bar assoc. meeting or ones you know through alumni program • Ask for informational interview • Ask to contract w/ them Friends and family connections • Don’t be shy, need to get started so ask around Pro Bono • Good way to hone your skills/meet other attorneys

  7. Resources Competitive Intelligence: what you need to know for success Practice Development: learning what’s necessary for a successful practice Ellen Platt, Associate Librarian and Senior Reference Librarian

  8. Donna Bedford, 925/932-6825 Part 2: How to Build and Strengthen a Productive Network Donna Bedford

  9. Donna Bedford, 925/932-6825 Develop a Winning Game Plan • Play to your strengths and preferences • Develop a winning mind set • Prepare a situation analysis • Formulate goals • Select effective strategies and tactics • Develop quarterly and monthly action plans

  10. Donna Bedford, 925/932-6825 Build and Strengthen aProductive Network • Master the “little things” • Think expansively • Cultivate potential referral sources • Maintain personal contact with Top 20% • Look for creative ways to add value • Ask for leads and referrals

  11. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Part 3: Get visible: What a solo needs to do to establish a web presence Rocky Laber Randy Wilson

  12. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Why does my practice need a website? • It's 1905 – my business needs a phone! • Recent ABA panel states: website a must

  13. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 What are the benefits of a strong website and online presence? • Visibility to clients, prospects and colleagues • Credibility: shows you take your practice seriously • Differentiation: How to stand out from the crowd • Extend and Protect your Professional Reputation

  14. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Getting started with a website 4 essential elements: •         Domain name     •         Web host •         Development •         Strategy

  15. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 SEO Increases your visibility • No magic bullet • Make an investment and commitment to a strategy • Organic approach - sweat equity • PPC (Pay Per Click) Approach

  16. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Make your website’s message and content easy to read • Need to make an impression at first glance • Make sure it easy for people to learn about your practice • Make sure what you say is professional, engaging and proofread • Extend your brand into your web presence

  17. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 How to engage in social networking • Start with a strategy: what is the goal? • Follow-up with deciding your level of commitment • Is now the right time? • Create your social networking operational plan • Remember: social networking ISN’T advertising

  18. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Your website as a social networking platform • Your website as your social networking hub: • Make sure your website platform allows for blogging and embedded social networking links • If your blog integrates with your website, its content can publish out to your LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts etc. • Your website and social media presence will enhance your online reputation • Connect your email updates to your website and integrate with your blog

  19. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 Does your website support your growth strategy? • Make sure your website platform can accommodate the growth of your practice • Provide support for additional media • Allow effective use email marketing and paid search results 

  20. DSD Interactive: (510) 501-4883 It's live: now what? • Your web presence evolves •  Keep it current • Monitor your visibility •  Stay active: take the next steps •  Keep an eye on the competition • Stay connected to your developer

  21. Part 4: Conversation with solo attorney Jeffrey Janoff, Partner Bostwick & Janoff

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