The Lawmatics Blog

Legal podcasts are a great way to expand your knowledge, get industry insight, and even just commiserate about *those* moments in the day-to-day life of a legal professional.This month we asked Lawmatics customers to share their favorite legal podcasts to help their fellow legal professionals expand their podcasting horizons.Without further ado, here are some of the podcasts our users recommend to their colleagues.

Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

Hosted by digital marketers Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam, Lunch Hour Legal Marketing is jam packed with tips and tricks for attracting more clients and business to your legal practice. Catch LHLM twice a month for expert advice to turbocharge your firm’s ability to generate cash money.

What our community said: “Super informative about marketing your law practice or law firm.” – Anonymous

#SistersInLaw

Politicon brings the brilliant team of political and legal masterminds together for Politicon's #SistersInLaw.

Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barb McQuade, and Kimberly Atkins Stohr will pull back the curtain on how our government actually works, take on the corrupt, share their wisdom and give us their rulings on the latest in politics, law, and culture.

What our community said: “Great legal commentary about current issues in law.” – Taylor E. Darcy, Attorney, ThinkLegal, P.C.

Accountants Law Pod

Accountants Law Pod is a podcast for legal accountants and financial professionals who want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, best practices, and entrepreneurship in accounting and finance for law firms.

What our community said: “Very concise and relevant information.” – Dave Owens, Planner, Maia Wealth

Settlement Nation

Conversations with leading trial lawyers and settlement professionals on topics ranging from advice and strategies from top trial lawyers, settlement planning for plaintiffs, tax planning for attorneys, and future innovations in the legal and insurance industries.

What our community said: “This is a very insightful podcast that focuses on best practices, personal development, and listener engagement. There is such a wide variety of guests ranging from national power attorneys to startup solo practitioners, some guests are from outside the legal community that share leadership and storytelling strategies. This is truly a podcast that I count down waiting for new episodes to enjoy on my commute. I recommend it to all of my clients and colleagues.” – Mikel Taft, President, Delta Settlements

Maximum Lawyer

Maximum Lawyer is a podcast created by law firm owners, for law firm owners. Whether you’re starting your firm or years into law firm ownership, you’ll hear the latest news, game-changing tips, and business strategies to give you support, grow your confidence, grow your team, and grow your bank account.

What our community said: “Good perspective on how to run a law firm so that it doesn't run you.” – Curtis Kleem, Attorney, Kleem Law, LLC

Lawyer 2 Lawyer

Lawyer 2 Lawyer is an award-winning podcast covering relevant, contemporary news from a legal perspective. Host J. Craig Williams invites industry professionals to examine current events and recent rulings in discussions that raise contemplative questions for those involved in the legal industry. Launched in 2005, Lawyer 2 Lawyer is one of the longest-running podcasts on the Internet.

What our community said: “Lawyer 2 Lawyer is always such a thoughtful conversation about the legal industry, from how attorneys can strike that work-life balance to major legal developments in the news.” – Anonymous

Advisory Opinions

Advisory Opinions is a new podcast from The Dispatch. Hosts David French and Sarah Isgur have a weekly conversation about the law, culture, and why it matters.

What our community said: “The podcast does a good job of providing neutral analysis rather than just commentary.” – Josh Swafford, Associate, Meridian Law

Lawyerist

The Lawyerist Podcast is a legal podcast about the future of lawyering and law practice hosted by the Lawyerist team. Every week they feature conversations with successful lawyers, innovative thought leaders, and other creative people helping to shape the future of legal practice.You’ll find business and leadership author interviews, strategy and coaching calls with Lawyerist Lab members, and discussions about the trends and tactics pushing the legal industry forward.

What our community said: “Great podcast to get interesting conversations about taking your firm to the next level. It covers marketing, management, technology - you name it!” – Karol Brown, Managing Attorney, World One Law Group

Non-Eventcast

This weekly podcast from Above the Law is focused on how technology can benefit your bottom line and geared for an audience of luddite-leaning lawyers. “Fun” may even ensue — within reason, of course.

What our community said: “Focuses on technology in the legal field and how it impacts our business. Host is witty and able to keep the attention of listeners.” – Kerri Koen, Founding Attorney, Koen Law

The Law Firm Owner Podcast

Host and founder Melissa Shanahan shares insights and practical advice on how to organize your numbers, grow your team, increase your revenue, and achieve a better work-life balance. Through quarterly strategic planning, accountability, and coaching, Melissa shows listeners how to create sustainable success for both their firms and their personal lives.

What our community said: “Very helpful for focusing on the business side of running a law practice. Melissa is very positive and encouraging while at the same time stresses accountability and accepting reality, the good and the bad.” – Brian Waller, Principal Attorney, Sequel Law LLC

They Don’t Teach This in Law School

Host Charley Mann hears it all the time from the law firm owners he coaches: "They didn't teach us this in law school!" With this show, Charley brings outside business ideas and advice into the world of entrepreneurial law firm owners.

What our community said: “Great information about marketing that is specific to the legal industry.” – John Hicks, Owner, The Hicks Law Firm

Final thoughts

Thanks to everyone in our community who took the time to share their thoughts!The legal industry is experiencing rapid technological and operational changes, and resources like these podcasts are invaluable in staying up to date with all things legal.Do these podcasts have you thinking about how to keep your firm growing while staying on the cutting-edge? Schedule a personalized live demo of Lawmatics today to experience how the #1 legal CRM can drive your firm’s growth.

We're excited to shine a spotlight on the latest additions to Lawmatics! In an ever-evolving digital landscape, these new features are here to empower you to stay at the forefront of innovation. Get ready to discover what's fresh and game-changing from the Lawmaticians!

Redefine your Reports and Audiences with Advanced Conditional Logic

Take your data analysis to the next level by combining multiple criteria with Advanced Conditional Logic. Filter your Reports and Audiences by layering both “and” and “or” conditions to uncover hidden insights, track trends, and make data-driven decisions. Whether you're running campaigns or segmenting clients, this feature gives you unparalleled control. Stay tuned to see where Advanced Conditional Logic is incorporated into the platform next!Learn more here

Clean up your CRM by Merging Matters

On the heels of our recent Contact Merging feature, you can now easily merge two Matters. If you end up with a duplicate Matter, you can simply click the Merge button on the duplicate Matter to combine the duplicate and original Matter. If there are any conflicting fields, you’ll be able to select which Matter’s data should persist.Driven by user requests, this new feature keeps your pipeline accurate and tidy.Learn more here

Tailor your texts with multiple SMS numbers

Your firm can now send text messages using multiple phone numbers via Lawmatics. If your firm has a presence in multiple geographical areas, this feature ensures you can reach out to clients with an area code that feels local, trustworthy, and familiar. To activate this feature, simply email us at support@lawmatics.com and let us know what area code(s) you would like to add.* Once enabled, you can start connecting with each client a bit closer to home.*Note: Additional fees apply.Learn more here

And more!

• Leave notes on Contact and Company profiles with the new Notes tab
• Customize your built-in appointment confirmation and reminder emails even further by selecting a user for the emails to send from
• See which user deleted a Matter in your Recovery Bin with new “Deleted By” column
• Rearrange the options in a custom picklist field by dragging and dropping in your Custom Fields settings

Thanks for taking the time to explore our latest feature release! We admire your commitment to staying at the forefront of legal innovation. Rest assured, there's much more in store – and we can't wait to share it with you.

Picture this: A client is anxiously awaiting an email containing documents they need to sign before a fast-approaching legal deadline. The clock is ticking but that crucial email is lost somewhere in cyberspace or trapped in a spam folder and the window of opportunity is getting smaller with each passing minute. What do you do?

What is email deliverability?

The scenario above is a classic email deliverability nightmare. To better understand what’s going on, let’s back it up a step. You may have heard the term ‘deliverability’ thrown about, but how much do you know about it?At its core, email deliverability is the successful delivery of an email to the intended inbox.But there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make this possible. Achieving good deliverability means navigating the intricate dance between technical aspects, such as server configurations and domain reputation, and the nuances of content quality and data cleanliness. Achieving high deliverability is both an art and a science that often requires wearing a lot of different hats.Because of this, we have a dedicated team that is constantly working to make our platform better and support you through resolving tricky deliverability problems. If you’ve ever run into a high bounce rate issue or needed to solve a last-minute missing document mystery, you’ve likely spoken to myself or one of our amazing support specialists.We’re heavily focused on making sure we deliver emails as consistently and reliably as possible for you and your firm. We know that it's not just about sending messages; it's about ensuring they're received and received well.

Why does it matter?

1Essential communication and trust building

Email is a crucial communication channel between your firm and its clients. When important updates or time-sensitive documents don't reach their intended recipient, it's not just a missed connection. It's a lost chance to build trust, display your expertise, and nurture invaluable client relationships.

2Business impact and reputation

A tarnished email reputation can have lasting consequences. In my experience, it can take up to a month (in some cases, even longer) to mend the damage caused by sending emails to an outdated or purchased list. Even accidental missteps can tarnish your firm's overall reputation, diminishing client confidence in the long run and creating logistical headaches.

3Efficiency and productivity

The need to constantly follow up or resend emails isn't merely an inconvenience. It's a drain on your team's productivity, diverting time and resources away from essential tasks, direct client engagement, and achieving a better work-life balance.

4Revenue and engagement

Marketing emails continue to be a major revenue driver for all sorts of businesses and the legal industry is no different. A well-timed email campaign, even a minor one, can significantly boost your firm's ROI. But for maximum impact, it's vital that your emails reach their intended inboxes. Every email that doesn’t reach its intended inbox represents a missed business opportunity.

Guiding principles

There are some key factors that heavily influence how your emails land and your reputation as a sender:

Permission

How do you collect your lists? Having explicit, up-to-date, and verifiable permission from your subscribers is the foundation of good deliverability. It helps build trust while also ensuring that you’re compliant with email regulations and standards. Consider using a double opt-in mechanism whenever possible to reinforce permission and reduce risk, as sending to recipients who haven’t opted in can result in significant consequences for your firm.

List hygiene

How do you make sure that your lists are up-to-date? Email lists naturally decay over time. On average, you should expect around 25% of your email database to degrade each year as people change jobs, abandon old email accounts, or unsubscribe. Maintaining a clean and current email audience helps you avoid problems like high bounce and spam complaint rates.

Engagement

Are you sending to subscribers who are engaged with your content? Engagement rules all in the deliverability world. Different metrics can help provide some insight into who is engaged with your content and lets you know who you should be targeting with your campaigns.We’ll dig deeper into what this means in our next installment, but it’s a good idea to start thinking about these questions if you’re not already.

What’s next?

This series will break down deliverability terms, strategies, and best practices, aiming to help law firms and anyone else interested in effective email communication. Some topics on the horizon include: domain and IP reputation, a deep dive on authentication methods like SPF and DKIM, and how to avoid accidentally spamming your clients. Whether you're a law professional, a marketer, or just someone looking to elevate your email game, stay tuned.Have a question or want to share an experience? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at mail@lawmatics.com.

Bankruptcy law firms face mounting competition and pressure to stand out. With a few dominant players controlling a large share of the bankruptcy market, niche practices must get creative and strategic with their marketing to attract clients and grow their business.This article provides practical tips and techniques to help bankruptcy law firms enhance their efforts across key areas - from understanding the shifting bankruptcy law landscape and changing consumer behaviors to implementing targeted niche marketing leveraging their unique expertise, crafting compelling, unique value propositions, streamlining intake through optimized digital touchpoints and automation, choosing the right digital marketing and advertising platforms to connect with potential clients, and creating data-driven PPC campaigns optimized for ROI.With the right approach, firms can level the playing field, carve out their niche, and boost quality leads. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, firms can set themselves apart, improve client conversions, and build a thriving bankruptcy law practice.The insights here aim to empower legal marketers and firms with actionable tips to help them navigate the competitive landscape. Let's dive in and explore how thoughtful positioning, streamlined processes, and calculated digital marketing can drive growth even in a concentrated market.

Understanding the bankruptcy law landscape

The bankruptcy law industry has undergone major shifts in recent years. Changes in bankruptcy legislation, the rise of dominant national firms, and evolving economic conditions have significantly impacted bankruptcy filings and the competitive landscape. As a result, firms must adapt their marketing approach.For instance, recent data indicates that while overall bankruptcy filings decreased in 2021, many bankruptcy practices are preparing for potential liquidity crises as pandemic aid runs out. This unpredictability means firms must stay nimble and adjust their outreach accordingly. Additionally, industry consolidation has resulted in a few prominent law firms holding a majority share of the bankruptcy services market. National powerhouses like Kirkland & Ellis and FTI Consulting handle high-profile restructuring cases across the country.Smaller firms can compete with the dominant national players by tracking market trends and continuously honing their online presence. Standing out requires strategic positioning and optimizing your website and digital marketing, It can be done!

Targeted niche marketing in bankruptcy law

Given the concentrated nature of the industry, niche marketing can provide smaller firms with a competitive edge.Potential clients actively research to find expertise specific to their needs. Targeted search terms like "small business bankruptcy lawyer" or "Chapter 7 bankruptcy help" present lucrative opportunities for firms specializing in these areas.However, niche focus should be balanced with flexibility. Specializing too narrowly could mean missing out on wider opportunities. Firms should determine key practice areas based on their strengths and local market needs. For example, a firm could build a niche in bankruptcy services for restaurants and hospitality businesses, a sector struck by the pandemic. But they also need to serve other struggling companies in their region.The key is in-depth expertise positioning coupled with adaptability. This empowers firms to attract clients seeking specific guidance while also meeting broader market needs.

Crafting a compelling unique value proposition

With few firms dominating the adviser space, clearly communicating what makes your bankruptcy practice unique becomes critical.An effective unique value proposition (UVP) should answer the following:

• Who is your target clientele?
• What specific problems can you help clients solve?
• How does your firm's approach stand out in a crowded market?

The defined UVP should feature prominently across all marketing materials, website pages, and communications platforms. This ensures your differentiating strengths are conveyed consistently to potential clients. A firm could position itself as specializing in personalized Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection for consumers and families. Their UVP would then showcase their expertise in navigating personal bankruptcy, their focus on customized debt relief solutions, and a compassionate approach during a vulnerable time.A compelling UVP empowers firms to get precise with their positioning. When underpinned by niche expertise and delivered consistently, a unique value proposition is a cornerstone for standing out even amongst dominant national players.

Streamlining intake for bankruptcy law firms

An efficient and empathetic intake process is a cornerstone of success for bankruptcy law firms. How potential clients are greeted and onboarded during those critical first interactions sets the tone for the relationship. Firms implementing a streamlined, understanding intake approach see higher conversion rates, reduced loss of leads, and improved productivity.

Optimizing digital touchpoints for seamless client acquisition

A law firm's website and online intake platforms are often the first touchpoints for potential clients. An intuitive, easy-to-navigate website and contact page are crucial for connecting with website visitors and capturing leads.Here are some tips for optimizing online intake:

• Simplify contact forms. Remove any unnecessary fields and only gather essential information like name, contact details, and a brief background of their situation. Keep forms short and concise to encourage completion.
• Assure confidentiality. Communicate that user data entered into online forms will be kept fully confidential. This helps provide reassurance, especially when sharing sensitive financial details.
• Mobile optimization. Many users access firm websites from their phones. Ensure forms are mobile-friendly with tap-to-call features, legible fonts, and minimal data fields to quicken completion.
• Live chat functions. Consider adding live chat support on your website to immediately address visitor queries and guide them on the next steps.Payment integration. Allow users to secure partial payments or deposits through your intake forms to begin securing their business.
• Thank You landing pages. After form submission, provide an automated thank you/confirmation page detailing the following steps and contact timelines.

Also, effective call handling requires staff knowledgeable in bankruptcy specifics and can field inquiries accurately yet empathetically. Some best practices include:

• Answering calls quickly and responding to web queries within the hour. This quick response can reassure clients you are reliable, and- remember- if you aren't answering quickly, these potential new clients are calling other law firms.
• Having trained staff well-versed in bankruptcy options who can answer common questions or direct calls properly.
• Collecting only essential information and summarizing the next steps before ending a call. Follow up promptly.

Have the marketing team or firm owner listen to call recordings periodically to monitor quality and identify any areas for improvement to use in training. Call handling is an important touchpoint, so ensuring calls are fielded properly and empathetically is key.

Leverage client portals and tools to automate intake

Automating intake processes through secure client portals can revolutionize client onboarding. These portals allow clients to self-enter their case details and documents seamlessly transferred to the firm's systems. This eliminates tedious manual entry and minimizes errors.Automation enables attorneys to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time crafting a customized legal strategy for clients.But personalization should still be prioritized through:

• Client segmentation to send tailored communications based on case specifics.
• Scheduling follow-ups and check-ins as critical junctures.
• Customized questions or client questionnaires to account for unique situations.
• Adding personal touches to automated emails like name, case details, special instructions, etc.

Optimizing their intake process for firms struggling with bottlenecks in capturing and converting leads can significantly amplify qualified leads, reduce losses, and streamline operations. In an increasingly concentrated market, efficient onboarding processes are imperative for competitive advantage and client retention.

Digital marketing strategies to connect with clients

In today's digital era, embracing online marketing is non-negotiable for bankruptcy firms looking to attract clients and maximize ROI. But with countless platforms and strategies to choose from, it can get overwhelmingly fast.The key is to avoid shotgun approaches and carefully select channels that align with your audience. Meet clients where they already are online. Provide value through educational content that speaks to their pain points. And remember - employ data, not guesswork, to guide your efforts.Let's break down actionable ways modern bankruptcy practices can up their digital marketing game.

Track and optimize marketing efforts with data

They say you can't manage what you don't measure. That's why constantly monitoring and analyzing performance data is crucial for bankruptcy law firms looking to refine their digital marketing strategy. Leverage tools like Google Analytics and Lawmatics to extract key visitor and customer metrics. Review website traffic sources, audience demographics, content engagement, lead conversions, and more.Pay attention to your website's bounce rate, which indicates the percentage of visitors leaving quickly. High bounce rates often mean your content or pages aren't resonating. Test different elements like page layouts, calls-to-action, email subject lines, and ad variations to see what performs best.Essentially, let data guide your marketing decisions - not guesses or assumptions. Look for patterns and insights that reveal opportunities to improve results. Perhaps a landing page isn't converting well, or an ad campaign exceeds your cost-per-acquisition target.Continuous optimization based on real data is the key to cost-effective marketing. Tweak campaigns, allocate budgets to what works, and eliminate what doesn't. The numbers don't lie - so let them direct your strategy to the greatest success.

Establish yourself as a leading authority with a strong online presence

Your law firm's website is the anchor of its marketing strategy and critical for attracting clients. A modern, polished website with compelling content shows you're a credible, tech-savvy firm ready to partner with clients.Ensure your website is mobile responsive, easy to navigate, focused on your unique value proposition, and contains client testimonials that build trust.

Develop a content strategy that shows thought leadership

Alongside a well-designed website, create and distribute content that provides value and establishes your bankruptcy expertise.

• Blog regularly with topics addressing common client concerns and questions.
• Produce engaging content like videos explaining complex processes or podcast interviews with experts.
• Share and repurpose content across platforms - email newsletters, social media posts, and more.
• Make content easily scannable for readers with headers, lists, visuals, and more.
• Promote content consistently to widen your reach over time.

This value-driven content positions your firm as a trusted leader clients can rely on.

Employ SEO best practices for greater discoverability

Leveraging search engine optimization (SEO) helps maximize online visibility and discoverability.On-page optimization

• Target relevant bankruptcy-related keywords in titles, headers, content, etc.
• Craft meta descriptions that engage searchers and boost click-through rates.
• Use proper alt text and image optimizations.

Technical SEO

• Ensure mobile responsiveness and fast site speeds.
• Build quality backlinks from reputed sites to boost domain authority.
• Leverage local SEO and schema markup for better local rankings.

Monitoring search results and traffic sources provides insight to refine SEO efforts further.With an authoritative website, strategic content, and SEO best practices - firms can become the go-to resource clients turn to in times of financial distress.

Social media for bankruptcy law firms: a calculated approach

Every business today needs some presence on social media. It's like a big, shiny "OPEN" sign that says we're here, we're real, and we care about our community. For law firms, especially those in the bankruptcy space, juggling every social media out there feels like a never-ending task. And the truth? Only some platforms may be worth the time and effort, especially when the marketing team is juggling a lot already. While you can be everywhere, why not try to be where it matters most?

Reddit: navigating the communities of shared experiences

Reddit, often termed 'the front page of the internet,' is home to communities discussing almost everything. For those grappling with bankruptcy, subreddits like r/personalfinance and r/smallbusiness become sanctuaries to discuss financial troubles and seek advice.

• Anonymity & empathy: Reddit provides users a veil of relative anonymity, allowing for open discussions about personal financial struggles without the fear of judgment. A law firm can make an impact by participating in these candid discussions.
• Engage & educate: Hosting AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions) or simply being proactive in answering questions can position a law firm as a supportive entity. It's not about immediate client acquisition but building trust and offering genuine assistance.

TikTok: quick tips in cool clips

TikTok's algorithm, often praised for its precision in content delivery, provides an excellent platform for firms to reach a wider audience.

• Quick informative videos: Start with bite-sized informational clips. For instance, a 30-second video explaining a particular aspect of bankruptcy or a myth-busting session can resonate well.
• Engage & personalize: As the engagement grows, pivot to community-driven content. Answer questions, host quick Q&A sessions, and, most importantly, let the human side of the firm shine through. Clients don't just buy services; they invest in people. Showing off the personality behind the legal facade can create deeper connections.

Leveraging PPC ads to reach motivated clients

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising allows bankruptcy law firms to connect with potential clients already searching for legal help online. With PPC, you only pay when someone clicks your ad. Well-targeted Google/Bing ads can put the front and center of your service for searchers seeking terms like "file chapter 7" or "debt relief attorney."

Determine potential value and ROI goals

The average bankruptcy case earns a firm $1,250. Lower-quality leads may cost $30-60 each, while high-quality leads run over $200. To determine potential value, estimate your average client lifetime value based on your typical fees. Then establish a target ROI - for example, aiming to earn 50% over your ad spend. If 4 in 10 leads convert to clients, you may need to spend $2,000 in advertising to acquire 4 clients and hit your ROI goal.

Set an optimized budget

Calculate your marketing budget based on target revenue, projected conversion rates, and desired ROI. While the math can get complex, the concept is simple - spend enough on advertising to meet your ROI and revenue goals based on your expected conversion rate.For example, if you aim for $10,000 in revenue and expect a 40% conversion rate based on your historical data, then you estimate you will need 25 leads to achieve that revenue goal (25 leads x 40% conversion rate = 10 clients).If your data shows your cost per lead is around $200, then you would need $5,000 in advertising spend to generate those 25 leads (25 leads x $200 cost per lead = $5,000 in ad spend).This $5,000 spend would achieve your $10,000 revenue goal at a 100% ROI. Any additional conversions above the 40% rate would further increase your ROI.So, in summary:

• Define your revenue goal.
• Estimate conversion % based on data.
• Calculate the number of leads needed to achieve the revenue goal at that conversion rate.
• Determine the ad spend required to generate those leads based on cost per lead.

Tools to track performance

Analytics like Google Ads and Google Analytics provide data on clicks, conversions, costs, and ROIs. Review frequently, and make data-driven decisions to optimize efforts. Improve performing ads and pause less effective ones.

The power of optimized PPC

With the right messaging, targeting, bids, budget, and optimization, PPC flexibly fills the gaps around organic traffic and builds your client pipeline. Treat it as an investment into your firm's growth and revenue.

The road ahead - ongoing optimization for bankruptcy firms

More than just driving leads, marketing done right builds trust and lasting client relationships. So regularly test new platforms and strategies - but keep a firm handle on ROI. Measure data and double down on what works. Be willing to pivot away from poor performers.While great marketing brings in clients, an efficient intake process truly sets firms apart. From user-friendly web forms to compassionate call handling, ensure each touchpoint makes clients feel understood and supported. Automate intelligently to scale operations without losing personalization.The best marketing and intake processes work hand in hand. Firms willing to test new approaches, focus on ROI, and optimize based on data will gain a competitive advantage. They'll forge genuine connections with clients while positioning themselves for sustainable growth.To learn more about streamlining your bankruptcy marketing and intake processes, contact Lawmatics for a demo. Our dedicated team can help firms modernize client acquisition and onboarding.

Effective communication lies at the heart of every successful law practice. From providing timely updates to ensuring seamless collaboration, staying connected with clients is a must. While email can be a necessity, text and Portal messages can take direct and customized communication to the next level.That's why we're excited to delve into the realms of texting and Portal messaging, and unveil our brand new Message Center that's set to transform how you engage with clients.

SMS text messaging

Text messages are delivered (and usually read) almost instantly, making them a fantastic tool for communicating with your prospects and clients. Most people have their cell phones with them 24/7, and often view texts with much more frequency and urgency than emails.Lawmatics empowers your firm to send and receive text messages right from your CRM. When following SMS best practices, texting can result in an excellent client experience and increased conversion rate while also making things easier for your team.

Text messages sent via Lawmatics will not come from your firm’s phone number. Instead, they’ll send from a randomly generated phone number with the area code of your choosing. This number will remain the same so clients will be able to save it as a contact in their phone.At this time Lawmatics offers SMS (short message service) texting, but not MMS (multimedia message service) texting. SMS allows you to send text-only messages, which can include hyperlinks. This means that you cannot share images or other media via text message.If you aren’t using Lawmatics for texting yet, feel free to email us at support@lawmatics.com to get started with this feature. Simply share your firm’s zip code and our team will activate a texting phone number for your account with no additional charge. (Note: only U.S. phone numbers available at this time.)

Automating text messages

You might choose to send texts instead of emails for client communication, or you may use a combination of both. Lawmatics makes it easy to send templated text messages directly from your automated workflows.To send an automated text message:

1. Navigate to your Automations page
2. Create an Automation
3. Select the Send SMS action item

When composing your text message body, as shown above, you’re encouraged to use Merge Fields to address the recipient by name and include any other pertinent information, such as appointment time or other Matter-specific details. This text will function as a template, with each specific target’s information merged in if and when they run through this Automation.When writing your text message template, you also have the option to skip sending the text if the target doesn’t have a valid phone number saved on their Contact in Lawmatics. Enable this selection to avoid causing a failed Automation due to an absent phone number. The workflow will just skip the text and proceed with the rest of your Automation.

Above, you’ll see the Skip toggle as well as the option to set a Delivery Window. Whenever you are using automated text messages, it’s best practice to set a Delivery Window to make sure texts are sent at a time when they are most likely to be seen (and to prevent your texts from sending at inappropriate times).In addition to the Send SMS action item, you also have the option to send many of your assets as a text and/or email. For example, when sending a Form via Automation you’ll see the option to Send as Text or Send as Email.

When sending an asset as a text, you’ll still have the option to create your custom text message body template using Merge Fields.In addition to forms, this also works for automated documents, e-signature requests, appointment requests, and more.

Two-way texting

Now that you know how to send automated text templates, let’s dive into our optional two-way texting add-on. This feature allows you to engage in back-and-forth text message exchanges right from Lawmatics. It also gives you the ability to initiate a one-off text to a client rather than relying solely on automated templates.Whether or not you opt for two-way texting, we suggest turning on your email notification for SMS Received in your Settings page.

Without the two-way texting add-on, this notification will let you know that someone has responded to an automated text. You can then call, email, or manually text them from outside of Lawmatics.With two-way texting — in addition to receiving this notification — you’ll be able to engage with the conversation directly from the appropriate Matter (and the new Message Center) in Lawmatics.

For firms with two-way texting, all text message threads are saved on the SMS Chat tab found on the Matter’s profile.

Client Portal Messaging

In addition to text messaging, Lawmatics also has a messaging function within our Client Portal. (If you’re not yet familiar with the Client Portal, review our past Deep Dive session to learn all the ins and outs of using the Portal.)The Portal is a powerful tool that lets your clients login to view their Matter details such as Forms, Appointments, Documents, and, of course, messages.Remember that you can invite Contacts to the Portal either via Automation…

…or by manually clicking the Portal button on their Matter profile:

Once a Contact has been invited to the Portal, you can then share any important items with them via Portal, including messages.

Portal Messaging 101

Use our Portal messaging feature to send a message directly into a client's Portal. They can easily view it within their Portal and reply if needed.Unlike our SMS Texting feature, Portal messages do not send to the recipient’s phone as a text message. Rather they can only be viewed within the client’s Portal, as shown below.

This can be a great option for clients who don’t use texting, opt out of text messages, or just prefer to be more hands off when it comes to their Matter.Previously, Portal messages could be viewed on their own designated page under the CRM tab in Lawmatics. They can now be found in our brand new Message Center.

Introducing the Message Center

The Message Center is your new hub for viewing both SMS text messages and Portal messages across your whole firm. With this powerful feature, staying connected with your clients has never been more seamless.Let’s set off on a guided tour of the Lawmatics Message Center, demonstrating how it centralizes all client communications into a single organized space.To access the Message Center:

1. Hover your mouse on the CRM tab near the top left of your screen
2. Click Message Center

Here you will see a dashboard of all of your firm's messages with clients, tailored to your user's specific access level (read more below about setting users’ access levels).If your firm is using the Client Portal, you’ll be able to view all messages sent and received via the Portal. Note that you can use the button at the top right to create a new Portal message.You can also manage SMS text messages via the Message Center. All text messages sent via Lawmatics will be visible here. If your firm utilizes two-way texting, then you’ll also see message threads exchanged between your firm and the client.

With two-way texting you’ll also have the ability to send out new text messages and reply to threads from the Message Center.

User viewing permissions

As mentioned briefly above, your firm's various users will only be able to view messages in the Message Center for Matters that they have access to. Each firm’s admin will define user roles on the User Management page in Settings.

When editing your roles, you can choose the Matter Access level for each role, highlighted above.Whether you have chosen to give certain users access to only Matters that they own, created, etc, or if you wish to give them access to all Matters, this selection will also be reflected in their viewing capabilities for the Message Center. Any user roles that have been granted access to all Matters will be able to view messages exchanged with all Matters in the Message Center.

Filtering and sorting messages

By default, each user will see all messages for Matters that they have access to. However, the left sidebar of the Message Center provides options for filtering messages. You can use this menu to view only:

• SMS messages
• Portal messages
• Messages for one particular Contact

The options on the top right will filter messages by date or message status (i.e. unread vs. read), as well as sort your messages by either newest or oldest first.

Conclusion

As you navigate the landscape of client messaging and communications, know that you are not alone. Lawmatics is here to help you maximize benefits of text messaging and Portal interactions, including the innovative capabilities of our new Message Center feature.As you adopt this new feature, brace yourselves for streamlined communication strategies that can take your law firm's client relations to unprecedented heights.Get started with the Message Center today to dive in and discover the latest tools from Lawmatics that are reshaping the future of client communication in the legal world.

We are thrilled to bring you the latest bountiful harvest of fresh features and enhancements from the Lawmaticians! This latest release is ready to be plucked off the vine and enjoyed, so get ready to feast your eyes on a variety of enhancements that will cultivate efficiency, nurture collaboration, and help your law firm flourish.

Simplify client communication with the Message Center

Say hello to the Lawmatics Message Center, your all-in-one dashboard for tracking and managing client communication. Stay on top of your inbox with centralized client messages — spanning texts and Client Portal interactions — in a single organized hub. You’ll be able to filter and sort messages, and even set permission levels for which messages your staff can view. With this powerful feature, staying connected to your clients is hassle-free.Learn how to get started with the Message Center.

Unlock internal visibility with User Activity Timelines

Meet the User Activity Timeline, a dynamic tool that brings enhanced oversight and collaboration to your law firm. With this exciting addition, administrators can now access a comprehensive view of each user’s activities, presented in a timeline format. From Matter updates to Task completions, client interactions to internal collaborations, this feature empowers administrators to stay informed and ensure optimal productivity across the board.Learn how to use the User Activity Timeline.

Fine-tune your sales cycle by tracking Time in Stage

Tracking time isn’t just for billing — it’s instrumental in unlocking the power of data-driven decision making. Our new Track Time in Stage feature allows you to automatically log the duration of time each of your leads spends in each stage of your firm’s Pipeline(s). With this new capability, you can now easily identify bottlenecks or delays in your sales cycle. Armed with these insights, you’ll be able to fine-tune your processes and make informed changes that simplify your client journey, ultimately accelerating conversions.Learn how to start tracking time in a stage here.

Streamline Conflict Checking even further

We understand that exact matches are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to conflict identification. That's why our enhanced system now closely examines flexible search term matches as well as Contact relationships on Matters, ensuring that you have a holistic view of potential conflicts. Seamlessly navigate the complexities of your clients' networks, uncover connections, and make informed decisions that safeguard your firm's reputation and ethics. Say goodbye to missed connections and hello to a more comprehensive approach to identify potential conflicts that may have been overlooked previously.Learn how to conduct more thorough conflict checks here.

Delegate your to-do list with Email Assigning Inbox update

Our newly released Email Assigning Inbox feature is now even more robust, as you can now select another user(s) or role(s) to assign your incoming emails for you. Remember that most emails will automatically attach to the appropriate Matter. For Contacts with more than one Matter, the Email Assigning Inbox allows you (or your delegate) to manually assign emails to the proper Matter. When your delegate goes to their Email Assigning Inbox, they will see your emails in addition to their own. This flexibility allows you and your staff to prioritize and focus on the matters at hand.Not using the Email Assigning Inbox yet? Learn how to get started here.

And more!

• If you’ve opted to show the ‘No Stage’ column on your Pipeline, it will remain visible when you return to the Pipeline page after leaving
• Custom Sub-Statuses can be edited and/or removed in the Matters Settings page
• When using appointment-based Automations, choose to send an automated email from the Appointment host (and likewise for Events)
• Access email marketing campaign stats in your own custom integrations with the latest addition to our Open API

From elevated client interactions to improved behind-the-scenes firm functions, we've cultivated a collection of updates that will make your legal practice thrive even more. We hope you indulge in the richness of this month’s release!