For many law firms, thought leadership content is driven primarily by marketing. The goal? Stay visible, stay relevant and ensure the firm is top of mind. While this approach serves a purpose, it often sacrifices long-term value for short-term visibility. A thought leadership strategy driven by business development, on the other hand, offers a more targeted, strategic and lasting approach.
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your brand’s performance and lay the groundwork for an even more successful 2025. Whether you’re running a business, managing your personal brand or overseeing a company’s marketing efforts, the steps you take now can significantly impact your success in the year ahead.
In a world where competition among law firms is fierce, the way you pitch matters more than ever. Unfortunately, many law firm pitches fall flat, not because they lack information but because they lack customization and genuine focus on the client. Most pitches are formulaic, using the same slides, templates and recycled content. They showcase the firm’s accolades and previous deals but fail to address the client’s unique needs and pain points.
In business development, the past, present and future all hold valuable lessons. Past habits can sometimes haunt us, current best practices keep us on track and emerging trends offer a glimpse into what’s next. By learning from each of these, legal marketers and lawyers can craft strategies that are thoughtful, forward thinking and responsive to the times. Let’s explore the “ghosts” of business development past, present and future, and discover what each can teach us.
Business development can sometimes feel like walking through a haunted house, especially in the high-stakes environment of big law. Just as you think you’re making progress, opportunities seem to vanish, conversations go cold and the outreach you thought was vibrant appears to drift into the business development graveyard. For legal marketers and lawyers, keeping outreach efforts alive is essential to sustaining growth and client relationships. Here’s how to avoid the dreaded graveyard and keep your business development initiatives breathing with life.
Here’s the truth: if you’ve been invited to pitch, they already know you’re qualified. Instead of spending your time proving your worth, you need to focus on building a relationship, understanding their needs and showing how you can provide solutions.
While pitch materials, like bios, decks or brochures, are nice to have, they’re often skimmed at best. The real opportunity lies in the conversation and connection you build with the potential client. So, how do you shift your approach to make a lasting impact?
In today’s legal market, standing out from the competition is more challenging than ever. To succeed, law firms need more than legal expertise—they need strong relationships with their clients and a clear strategy for growing their business. Whether you’re running a small boutique firm or managing a large practice, developing new business and keeping current clients engaged is key to long-term success. Here are 10 practical strategies to help your firm strengthen client relationships, attract new business, and continue to grow in a crowded market.
When it comes to optimizing your LinkedIn profile, most people focus on their headline, profile picture and work experience. But one of the most impactful sections often goes unnoticed—the LinkedIn Featured section. This underutilized section is a hidden gem for showcasing your work, highlighting achievements and driving more engagement to your content.
Building a successful business in any field takes more than just doing great work. It’s about taking proactive steps to get your name out there, staying top-of-mind with key contacts and showing up where it matters. Sitting at your desk all day won’t get you the clients you need, and in today’s world, simply relying on referrals or word-of-mouth isn’t enough. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your established business, these practical, effective strategies will help you attract clients and grow your network. The key is to take action – consistently and confidently. Here’s how you can do it.
Asking for business isn’t always easy, even for lawyers who prefer to let their work speak for itself. Whether it’s worrying about sounding too pushy or not knowing how to start the conversation, it can feel uncomfortable. But if you want to grow your practice and strengthen client relationships, learning to confidently ask is essential. It’s about offering value, choosing the right time and staying authentic—because, in the end, people prefer to work with those they know, like and trust.