How do you Find Attorney clients?

[TinaThelen]

Hello everyone. Say I have a question. Do you who have attorney clients work from a local standpoint? Or are they several states away? And with that being said, how do you promote your self and services to attorneys over the internet?
What types of documents or services do you offer to attorneys?
I am a paralegal with a paralegal certification, although have not been in the legal field for several years due to the past 10 years being in real estate. I live in a rather small community, but there are several attorneys. I don't see them using "virtual" assistants, but perhaps if they knew more about a virtual paralegal, they might be more inclined to use my services.

Anyone out there have any suggestions on how I can market my skills to local attorneys?

Thanks so much for the input!
tina

[dynastyww]

I was lucky enough to start with a pretty large client base from my last job. So I have 3 clients already (who I befriended in the 5 years I worked with them). Two of them are in different states. That's the beauty of being a VA - since everything is done remotely, your clients don't have to be in your backyard.

I am being picky about who I try to market to. I don't feel like high profile law firms with huge offices downtown are going to go for this - rather those solo practioners and smaller law firms who are still working to build their clientele and looking to save money would take advantage of our services.

I feel like emailing is the best way to market since it doesn't cost any money. I don't have a ton of money to spend on marketing, so what I started doing (just 2 weeks ago) was going through the phone book and searching attorneys. I started by seeing if they had a website, and trying to get their email address from it. Some do not put their email address on their website, (some don't even have a website) so I actually called a few and simply asked who ever answered the phone for the main attorney's email address. It's a slow process but I'm building a list.

Anyway I threw together a really nice email, marketing myself and my business. It has pictures and everything and looks like an actual ad you would get in the mail, only I didn't have to pay anything for it cuz I did it online. I read somewhere that you probably need to email someone 7 times before they get interested. I figured I'll send out an email once a week for a while and hopefully someone will bite.

***There are posts/threads in here that talk about LEGALLY emailing people so it's not spam, etc. I suggest reading up on it. I actually got a deal through godaddy.com when I did my website for 3 months free email marketing, all of which is totally legal and guaranteed to go to the recipient's inbox and not their spam folder.

I am not a great sales person, but two of the attys I did call (trying to get their email address) actually answered the phone. When they asked why I wanted their email address I gave them a short but interesting little summary of what I do and how I can help them. I explained how easily a VA can lower their overhead and still accomplish everything a traditional employee can. I actually engaged both of them in a good 5-10 min conversation.

I also got a coupon in the mail for staples copy/print service (something like buy 50, get 50 free). I'm going to see how much it would cost to do a little half page ad and mail it out to those attorneys in my area.

So my suggestions:

cold calling (which I hate but the two I ended up doing weren't as bad as I thought it would be!)

email marketing

traditional mail marketing

social networking - don't forget about facebook and blogs and such. I am still learning about these but the more I learn the more I am amazed at how huge this type of networking/marketing is becoming.

Maybe someone else can give their marketing ideas as well. This website has been a HUGE help to me. I have found that most of the questions I have (if I search for them) have been answered in some form or fashion already. There are lots of threads about marketing also.

Good luck to you and remember - THINK POSITIVE!

[jdcole1106]

Hi Tina,

I am also just starting to market to lawyers myself....someone suggested buying lawyer info through Lawyer411.com - you can get the lawyers particulars in your area for a pretty reasonable fee. As I live in B.C. Canada I am able to buy a Lawyer Directory for all lawyers located in B.C. - so definitely comes in handy when you're marketing your business.

Stasie has suggested some good things to try.....

Good luck on your new venture!

Jenni

[TinaThelen]

thanks gals! Great info.... keep it coming, and I will post my results once I decide what avenue to take! Thanks again...

[dawndmd]

I have no attorney clients in my area. In fact, in the 3 years I have been working as a virtual paralegal, I finally got a client located in my state, 5 hours away. Your biggest and best marketing, a web site.

[joywilder]

Cold calling sends shivers up my spine!

I've been in business a little over a year and haven't marketed to attorneys at all. A friend of mine suggested taking advertising in the local legal newspaper.

[jdcole1106]

A local legal newspaper would be worthwhile (I would think??). There isn't one in my area but sounds like a great place to advertise.

Joy - you don't market yourself at all to attorneys? Why is that if I may ask?

[Penelope and Partners]

Hi

Google attorneys and get a list of attorneys in your county/state. Then send them e-mails with your VA ad. You could also join a legal secretary or paralegal group.

Good luck,

Penelope PLS = Professional Legal Secretary

[E-Savvy SBS]

I'm the Office Manager of a law firm in addition to starting my VA business on the side. Joining a legal secretary and paralegal group may help you hear about job openings, but you probably need to target the type of firms that would hire an off-site paralegal.

I'm not sure exactly who that would be, but I would guess a small one or two attorney firm that is starting out and can't afford to hire a full-time paralegal or perhaps a firm that has many ups and downs with workload where they need help sometimes, but again not enough to hire someone full-time.

Perhaps you could focus your advertising on consistent help only when you need it kind on thing.

Good Luck!

Tammy
e-Savvy Small Business Solutions