The Lawmatics Blog

Before computers and other legal technology, running a legal practice was laborious and time-consuming. From searching for documents to communicating with clients, lawyers had their work cut out for them.However, as technology has continued to progress, there are more and more programs available for facilitating the legal process, and legal work has become much more efficient. One of the most significant advances in legal technology is electronic signatures— especially during these times of social restraints as a result of COVID. Lawyers have had to make adjustments to continue to carry out their work while still respecting social distancing measures. Thanks to E signature, lawyers can get what they need from their clients without having to think twice about catching a deadly virus.Beyond the convenience of offering an alternative way to sign legal documents during a worldwide pandemic, there are also other benefits that electronic signatures deliver for law firms.

Benefits of eSignature

They’re easier

In the absence of an electronic signature, getting a signed document back from a client involves asking them to print, sign and scan or fax back to you. Since there are so many steps involved, sometimes lawyers find themselves waiting hours and sometimes even days to get important paperwork signed and returned. Unfortunately, the longer the wait, the longer it takes for lawyers to get started on a case.eSignatures streamline the contract signing process and speed up your client's case, getting the ball rolling even sooner. Rather than having to go through a lengthy back and forth, lawyers can easily get what they need from their clients in a matter of a few clicks. The best e-signature software makes it easy to create, sign and keep all important documents in one single space, ensuring they get things done quickly and securely, making everyone's life easier.

Improved communication

Unfortunately, one of the most common complaints that clients have about lawyers is poor communication. Since some law firms stubbornly remain loyal to their traditional paper signing process, they often fail to follow up properly, and the progress of their client's case is significantly hampered as a result. Electronic signatures reduce the need for going back and forth in communication and potentially missing a follow-up with the client for an important document. It's as simple as signing a document on the spot and sending it back with zero effort or stress on anyone's part. The end result is better communication and the elimination of wondering who got back to who and what needs to be done next. eSignature means things get done right away, so you no longer have to wonder if it's been done— giving your clients the best possible experience.

Better protection of data

Believe it or not, law firms are one of the biggest targets of cyberattacks. Because they have such large amounts of highly confidential information stored from their clients, law firms need to make sure that security is a top priority. As more and more law firms turn to more efficient methods for protecting their clients' data, the more popular that electronic signatures have become.Rather than sending legally binding contracts through places like unencrypted emails, eSignature provides a safe way to receive and send important data. Beyond being instant, clients and lawyers can rest assured that their data is protected from third parties trying to access sensitive information.

More convenience

You never know where you or your client may be when you need to get a document signed quickly. It's incredibly convenient to know that you can get whatever you need to get done from wherever you are. The convenience of signing contracts on the go means that you don't have to be restrained by your physical location. eSignature allows for getting things done on the fly regardless of where you are geographically. Needless to say, it's a much more convenient option than having to deal with printers and scanners.Not only does it make it easier for everyone in your office to keep the ball rolling on cases, but it makes your clients happier too. This speed of electronic contract signing shows your firm offers a modern approach to law.The simplicity of being able to sign from the palm of their hand rather than having to deal with printers scanners and lengthy back and forths says a lot about your law firm’s approach.

Better relationships with clients

When it comes to building a strong relationship with your clients, communication is key. Speedy communication methods like eSignature mean that your client has direct access to you at any time from anywhere. Traditional methods can leave clients and lawyers both wondering whether the other party has even received an important document yet or not. Offering digital signatures means better organization, increased communication, and ultimately stronger relationships with your clients.

Lowered costs

Paper and ink cost a lot of money. It goes without saying that digital signatures are a much more cost-effective method of getting an important document signed. Beyond paper and ink costs, you may also save on postage. When you add up all of your clients over the course of a year, the savings can be significant, which is certainly something to keep in mind.

More time saved

Every time that you use digital signature technology as opposed to manually using a pen and paper, you're saving yourself and your clients a significant amount of time. The end result is more time to focus on what matters most at your law firm and increase efficiency. eSignature means fewer time-consuming and repetitive tasks in your routine.It's as simple as creating a document, sending it to your client, and receiving it back immediately, all from the palm of your hand. When you compare this process with all of the steps involved with printing, signing with a pen, and mailing or scanning back, it's easy to see how much faster it is.

More eco-conscious

More and more law firms are taking a modern approach to serving clients and embracing a paperless workspace about as modern as it gets. People are more environmentally conscious than ever, and the more that you can take on an eco-conscious mentality in your law firm, the more you can show that you're a brand that’s ahead of the times. Simply put, appealing to eco-conscious clients is a great way to modernize your practice and prove that you're doing your part for a greener earth.

Better planning

The truth is that with traditional document signing methods that require printers and scanners, you never know when you're going to get what you need back from your client. However, when you offer instant eSignature technology, you know that the wait won't be long. Digital solutions are a great way to improve your planning and speed up processes that won't just save time for your firm but also your clients.As a result, you can start anticipating taking the next steps in your client's case, knowing that important signatures won't take hours or even days to get back.[oxygen-template id="6130"]

Tips for getting the most out of eSignature software

1Identify bottlenecks

Understanding how you can benefit from technology like eSignature and actually implementing it into your law firm's routine are two different things. In order to get the most out of e Signature software, you'll need to know why you need it to optimize your process and start implementing additional tools like workflow automation for law firms.The first step is reviewing where your process currently stands and what isn’t working. Identify any bottlenecks in your law firm's processes, and then ask yourself how the right technology can make things easier. Take note of where the delays and setbacks are, and you'll start to recognize how the right software can make a difference.

2Develop a routine

Once you have a better idea of where the problem areas are and where you could benefit from better efficiency, it's time to start rethinking your client intake process. The first step to getting everyone on the right page is establishing a more effective routine through the help of software that does it all for you.When switching to a more modern approach in your practice, some of your team who are used to traditional processes may be hesitant. However, once your team starts to see the benefits that a CRM for lawyers and law firm client intake software provide, like electronic digital signatures, it won't be difficult to get everyone on track. Once you establish a better workflow with your CRM for attorneys and client intake software, you’ll keep the ball continuously rolling.

3Anticipate uncertainty

Even though eSignatures are hardly brand new, some people may be hesitant about them. People may not understand the technology behind it, or they may simply prefer the comfort of what's familiar. Therefore, it's important that you anticipate some uncertainty and prepare for having to do a little convincing here and there.Arm yourself with the right information to advocate for the technology. Get to know how it works, what the technical details are, and of course, understand the security. One of the biggest concerns people have about eSignature is that it's not as safe as a traditional handwritten signature. The truth is it is much safer, and the more that you can explain why, the less resistance you'll meet within your firm and with your clients.

4Prioritize security

Not all legal software is built the same. You want to make sure that you choose the right legal CRM with built-in eSignature technology to get the most out of it. Since you're looking for something extremely secure, you only want to work with a company that offers top-notch security. Your clients deserve their sensitive data to be protected with state-of-the-art security features.From encryption to two-factor authentication, make sure that any platform you choose is adequately protecting your private information with robust security.

5First impressions count

First impressions are everything, and the way that you handle your client intake process will set the tone for what your client can expect for the rest of their time working with you. The client intake process is a critical area of your law firm. Relying on software is the best way to ensure that everything gets done on autopilot. Outdated manual methods result in lost valuable time that you could otherwise be spending serving your clients. However, with the right technology like a client e-signature tool, something that would have taken a considerable amount of effort to do manually can be done with a few clicks.Offering immediate digital solutions like electronic signature for legal documents will set you apart from other firms because of your modern approach. Most clients are eager to get their case started as soon as possible, so the faster you can get the intake process completed, the sooner you can get your clients the results that they are paying for. eSignature makes it possible to get what you need signed to keep the momentum going on your client's case. No more leaving your clients waiting or causing them to struggle to find time to print, sign and scan back lengthy documents. An effective client intake process that uses tools like legal file request automation and eSignature is the best way to make a good impression by asking less of your clients.

6Tracking client's important documentsare a must

In the absence of the right law firm CRM and legal client intake software, it's extremely difficult to track every client’s information. When your process relies on spreadsheets, spread out emails in your inbox, and papers spread on your desk, it gets difficult to know where your important information is and who needs to be followed up with. However, with a legal CRM like Lawmatics that has built-in features like eSignature, you can store all your important documents in one place. Once you receive a digital signature from your client, the document goes directly into the database, where it can be accessed at any time from anywhere.You can effortlessly see which clients have sent back important signed contracts and which ones still need to do so. The end result is better organization and meticulously tracked client journeys.

7Keep everyone on track

Lawyers aren't the only busy people— their clients have busy schedules too. It can get challenging to keep everyone on track without the right software. Using a legal CRM and attorney intake software will show you exactly what needs to be done and even send out reminders for important events.No more wondering whether an important consultation may be missed or whether you've received a signed contract or not. Software gives you a birds eye view of everything you need to know so that nothing slips through the cracks.

8Discuss details in advance

During the consultation process, it helps to explain how the process will work. Discussing details in advance, like what paperwork you'll need signed when and what sort of fees you'll charge, helps avoid issues down the road. Make sure that your client clearly understands what's expected of them and that you give them an opportunity to explain their expectations as well. Going over everything in the beginning greatly reduces the chances of misunderstanding and encourages a smooth process where nothing gets forgotten or misinterpreted.

9Save time with document automation

The right legal document automation software makes it easy to get important paperwork signed by your clients in a fraction of the time. Custom fields make it easy to extract data from your matters and contacts and autofill directly into your document, all with a few clicks of a mouse. The end result isn't just more time saved on documents that may have potentially taken you days to draft up but also increased accuracy.Automation makes it easy to generate documentation that can quickly be reviewed, signed, and sent back with eSignature, free of human error. Generating, sending, signing, and receiving documents has never been easier.

Why law firms are making the switch to eSignature

Better impressions on clients

There's no shortage of lawyers to choose from in today's competitive market. A common stereotype about lawyers is that they're old-fashioned, so when your law firm offers a fast and streamlined process by offering something like eSignature, you’ll make a big impression. Starting things off on the right foot by offering a tech-savvy approach to their case will show your clients that you're up to date with the latest technology and capable of a modern approach as much as the competition.

Better organization

Outdated methods full of manual processes aren't doing anyone any favors. You're losing time, and ultimately revenue. Making the switch to technology like eSignature means you can cut back on time lost getting things done the old way and make way for what matters most at your law firm by improving your workflow.No more chasing after clients to get important documents signed or digging through your inbox to find important documents. Technology makes it easy to stay organized and easily access whatever you need from wherever you are.

Improved experience

The better of a client experience that you can deliver, the better of a reputation that you'll build for your firm. Offering modern solutions like eSignature is considerably appreciated by clients who want to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible on their cases.No more time wasted on lengthy back and forths or losing track of what you need from your client. The right legal software provides a faster and more streamlined process for clients looking for a more modern approach. By leveraging technology, you'll make lasting impressions and happy clients who will refer you to their friends and family.

Less stress

Let's face it; no lawyer wants to have to take time out of their day to chase after their clients to get important documents signed. Playing phone tag trying to get contracts signed isn't something any lawyer with a busy schedule wants to have to do.When you make the switch to a legal CRM, you no longer have to worry about manually creating contracts and asking your clients to print, sign and send them back to you. Thanks to automation, everything moves faster, and there's less to worry about.The most successful law firms know the importance of a powerful client intake software that takes care of the heavy lifting for them. An efficient law firm prioritizes speed and leverages technology to get things done as quickly as possible.When your law firm is a chaotic place, your clients can sense it. So when you make use of tools like a legal CRM, you're able to deliver a stress-free experience that your clients will benefit from. Less stress for you means less stress for your clients— it's really that simple.

Give your clients a client-focused experience with the right technology like Lawmatics

Although a common stereotype is that lawyers spend most of their day in court, the truth is that most of their time is taken up with administrative tasks. The right software like Lawmatics takes care of the tedious time draining work for you so you can focus on what matters most— your clients. What would have normally taken you hours or even days can be completed instantly thanks to legal technology like Lawmatics.Seamlessly input contact information using templates, and send it to your client to be signed on the spot— it's as easy as downloading and emailing documents from wherever you are without having to bother with printers or scanners. The end result is a streamlined process that saves you and your clients time.The overall success of your law firm depends on each stage of the client experience. By delivering a top-notch and efficient journey, you'll create delighted clients and more time to dedicate to what matters most at your practice—getting your clients the best results for their case.Are you ready to see how embracing technology like eSignature can help you take your law firm to the next level? Sign up for a free product demo today!

So, you know how to fervently defend your clients in a courtroom and you can draft up complex legal documents with your eyes closed— but do you know how to get a buzz going on social media?If you thought social media was just for filters that shoot rainbows out of your mouth and posting photos of your lunch, think again. With over 4.2 billion active social media users, smart marketers know that a presence on social media should be a critical part of any marketing strategy. On average, social media users spend approximately 2 hours a day online, so that window of time is your big chance to be seen. Surveys show that more and more lawyers are including social media as a part of their marketing strategy.However, having a presence on social media alone isn’t enough. In order to leverage its full power, you’ll need to build a following by producing the right social media content for law firms.

Why social media is a must for law firms

It’s an opportunity to connectwith your target audience.

Unlike other one-sided marketing methods, social media doesn’t just offer a chance to increase your law firm’s visibility, but it uniquely offers clients an opportunity to directly communicate with their favorite companies, solidifying relationships and building trust.The first step to finding new clients is building awareness around your law firm, wherever your target audience is, and social media is where they’re at. When people get to interact with their favorite brands on social media, they feel more connected, which breeds loyalty.

You get to present yourself as an authority.

Regardless of whether you’re a lawyer or an industrial designer, your presence on social media is an opportunity to establish yourself as an expert. Presenting yourself as a thought-leader in your area of practice gives you credibility and promotes trust.Rather than simply reposting content, you should establish your opinion and point of view. Doing so gives you the upper hand with competition by standing out as an expert.

Your firm stays top of mind.

Continuous exposure breeds familiarity, which in turn encourages preference. Simply put, if you manage to stay visible to your target audience on social media, the next time they require legal services, you’ll be the first lawyer that they think of.Staying on top of mind is one of the most powerful marketing tools you can arm yourself with. If you manage to stay active and consistent on social media, you can encourage preference over other firms, and in turn, boost your sales.

Increased website traffic.

Social media is one of the most reliable ways to drive traffic to your law firm’s website. As long as you include your website address in a post, prospects can easily navigate towards your site in one simple click.The more traffic you get on your website, the more business you’ll bring in; it’s really that simple.

More leads.

Leads generate clients, and the more you can bring in, the more revenue you’ll produce. With billions of active users on social media, you’re casting a wide net on potential clients who may be looking for exactly what you offer.

Increased sales.

Smart law firms know how much their sales funnel relies on their social media presence. As the amount of active social media users on platforms like Facebook continues to increase, the more people rely on social media to find goods and services.

Eliminates outdated selling techniques.

Known as social selling, establishing a presence on social media allows you to zero in on your ideal prospect and build a connection that eliminates outdated outbound selling strategies like cold calling. It’s a modern form of relationship-building that creates meaningful interactions that result in increased sales and less knocking on doors. If you manage to play your cards right, prospects come directly to you![oxygen-template id="6129"]

Best social media platforms to consider for your law firm

As more and more social media platforms emerge every day, it can get confusing knowing which ones to focus on. Rather than spreading yourself thin across every new one that comes out, it's only necessary to focus on the ones that matter most. Some social media platforms appeal more to certain target demographics. Let's take a look at some of the different options best suited for law firms and how to make the most out of each.

Facebook

If you haven't heard of Facebook, then you're probably living under a rock under a pile of leaves, in a cave…. under another rock. Simply put, Facebook is everywhere. In fact, Facebook has become as common of a household name as Google. With billions of active users, it's considered the most popular social media platform for a wide variety of demographics.Because of the wide outreach, Facebook is the best place to start targeting customers. Not only can it be very effective for getting your law firm’s name out there, but it's free! However, if you are willing to invest some of your marketing dollars, you can run Facebook ads that link to your website.The first step to getting started marketing your law firm on Facebook is to create a page. Remember, a page is not the same thing as a personal profile. You'll need to specify, but you're a business and brand rather than a community or public figure. Once you have a profile photo and a cover photo with your law firm's logo and name, you can publish, and you’ve got yourself a page. For a more detailed explanation of the setup process, check out this article.Facebook is all about creating and sharing content to spark engagement. We'll go over some of the best kinds of posts later in this article.

Instagram

The majority of law firms don't have a presence on Instagram. However, Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, has 500 million active daily users full of potential clients. It goes without saying that this is a huge opportunity for visibility and a chance to connect with a younger audience that may not be present on Facebook.Unlike Facebook, which relies heavily on text-based content sharing, Instagram is a visual sharing platform. Many people believe that Instagram is the future of social media because of its rising popularity.Although your first impression may be that it doesn’t make much sense for a law firm to rely on a visual platform, the truth is it can make sense. Instagram can be a place to give an impression of approachability to people who may otherwise be wary of lawyers. Instagram puts a human face behind your business and can be a great way to show behind-the-scenes news at your law firm. For example, you may choose to include photos of recent community involvement or even speaking at a conference. You can share humorous and relatable content and even legal tips.Before you dismiss Instagram, consider that a recent survey revealed that over 25% of lawyers use Instagram as part of their marketing strategy, and out of the top 20 law firms in the United States, over half of them have Instagram accounts. It goes without saying that Instagram can be a legitimate place to market your law firm. Here is a page with some more information on how to set up a business Instagram account.

LinkedIn

Over 80% of lawyers asked in a survey responded that they are active on LinkedIn. Because LinkedIn is an entirely business-focused social media platform, it's a favored destination for professional networking. Made strictly with businesses in mind, LinkedIn is a great way to promote yourself and build connections with other professionals. However, although it can be a great place to establish yourself professionally, it may not be the best place to find clients. LinkedIn is designed to build connections with other professionals and less designed with the intent to advertise to potential clients.Regardless, it's considered a staple for law firms to promote their credibility and achievements in their area of practice. It's a place to highlight your knowledge and authority as a lawyer.

Twitter

Twitter is a platform used to quickly get your message across in 280 characters or less known as “tweets.” Your Twitter profile consists of your handle, your username, bio, and your profile picture. Each of these comes together to represent your law firm. Twitter can be one of the most powerful tools you have for getting your message across and gaining insight about your customers. You can follow trends, get to know what your competitors are doing, and ultimately win fans through following the right strategies.Be careful, though— it's quick. You need to know the best strategies to hold your followers' attention in such a fast-paced environment. Twitter can be intimidating at first since it takes some getting used to. From abbreviations to hashtags, to trending slang, to figuring out your feed, there are many different components that go into a successful Twitter experience.Although it's one of the lesser-used platforms that lawyers use, it's still incredibly valuable and a great way to spread brand awareness by serving as a place to send out quick spurts of information. You'll need to make sure that someone is keeping an eye on your Twitter account at all times so that there are no gaps in responses. Often clients turn to Twitter to get quick customer service about their questions and concerns.

YouTube

Videos are a great way to share valuable and shareable content about your law firm. A recent survey showed that nearly 75% of people admitted purchasing a service or product based on a video, so it would be a missed opportunity not to dip into this realm of social media.YouTube, although less popular than platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, is a fantastic tool for influencing potential clients. Video marketing can be useful for any industry; however, it can be especially useful for lawyers. One of the most popular forms of video marketing is sharing valuable tips relevant to your practice area. One idea is to create a weekly video with legal advice that gives prospects shareable and useful information free of charge.The great part about YouTube is that it hosts your videos for you, and you can easily share your embedded content with a simple link on other platforms like Facebook and Twitter.Now that you have a better idea of some of the options out there available to you, here are essential tips for leveraging social media marketing to promote your law firm, regardless of the platform.[oxygen-template id="6130"]

7 ways to leverage social media marketing for your law firm

1Create a goal

All good strategies begin with goals. Before you get started posting, establish what it is that you hope to achieve to get the best results. Having specific and measurable goals in mind will help you track whether you're making progress in your marketing strategy or not.Some goal ideas include:

Increase brand awareness

Generate more leads

Drive more website traffic

Increase sales

Gain customer insight

When you have a clear idea of where you hope to grow as a result of social media, you can fine-tune your strategy and make changes where necessary if you’re not making progress.

2Create a calendar

The first place to start is creating a social media calendar. That way, you schedule when you want to post on each social channel. Your content calendar shouldn't just include when you want to post, but it should outline what you want to post.Planning ahead simplifies your social media efforts and removes the hassle of trying to come up with a content idea spontaneously. Third-party social media tools make it easy to pre-plan your social media activity for the week or even month in one sitting so that you can focus your energy on your clients the rest of the time.You already have enough administrative tasks to worry about in your law practice— from answering emails to scheduling meetings to handling incoming inquiries; the last thing you need to add to your plate is coming up with social media content on a daily basis. Calendars keep you organized and intentional in your social media efforts. Take a look at this list of some of the best content calendar tools to choose from.

3Use hashtags and keywords

Hashtags should always be a part of your social media equation. Think of them as breadcrumbs to lead people to your profile who are organically searching for your content just like yours.Depending on the platform, you’re allowed to use up to 30 hashtags— so use them! The more hashtags that you use, the more you’ll appear in prospective clients' feeds. When choosing hashtags, make sure that they’re relevant and applicable to whatever you’re posting about. If you manage to use the right ones, you can gain considerably more outreach than you would have without.Along with useful hashtags to help people find you, also use SEO keywords. Keywords send Google searches to your page if you manage to use the right ones. Ideally, your page should be the first law page that comes up on a local search. For more tips on how to use SEO to increase your social media page’s visibility, go here.

4Engage with your audience

As Captain Jean Luc Picard says, “engage!” Unlike traditional outbound marketing methods, social media is all about engaging with your customers instead of a one-sided conversation.Interaction is an important part of keeping your audience interested in what you're posting about. So, rather than shamelessly self-promoting all the time, post content that encourages conversation. Whether it's an article that relates to your practice area or you ask a question that encourages your followers to give their opinion, the idea is to invite and inspire conversation.In addition to posting content that encourages interaction, you should also be commenting on your followers' content. When you comment on other user's content, you’re being social, which is the entire point of social media. Simply put, the more you interact, the more you'll be interacted with.

5Build a community

Rather than only focusing on building a following, go one step further and build a community. Unlike the following, a community is a group of loyal social media users who interact and share your posts. They resonate with your brand and are loyal to your page, which are the best kind of followers there are.The best way to build a following is to be authentic. Post engaging and genuine content that encourages people to interact. Rather than trying to post whatever the latest trend is, stay true to your business and brand, and people will appreciate the sincerity.The more that you can create a space but invites and encourages an exchange, the more buzz you'll gain on your page. Remember that you should always reply to comments and respond to any incoming messages since a lack of response on your part could lead to people losing interest in your page. It may feel like a lot of work, so you may want to delegate social media to someone in your office who has the time and skills. Building a social media community is like growing a garden. You can't simply plant it and walk away— it needs attention to flourish.

6Research your competitors

Part of a good marketing strategy is paying attention to what your competitors are doing. Take a look at some of your heavy-hitter competitors and get to know what they're doing on social media.

What kind of wording do they use?

What sort of content are they posting, and with what frequency?

What hashtags are they using?

What kind of keywords are they using?

Who are they following?

What kind of images are they using on their page?

What social networks are they on?

The more that you can study their every move, the more that you can build on the tactics that are already working for them and making them even better.Conducting a competitive analysis is all about identifying who you're up against. A great place to start is by searching specific keywords on Facebook that are most relevant to your law firm and seeing who comes up. That will give you a better idea of who the big names are in your industry and what you can imitate and improve about their strategy.

7Measure and evaluate your results

Smart law firms know how important it is to pay attention to the results they are yielding on their social media efforts. Even if platforms like Facebook are free to use, they still require a time investment. You want to make sure that you're putting in what you're getting out of it by evaluating your results. Tracking your return on investment is essential for ensuring your resources are being appropriately spent.Your ROI results are calculated by determining how much time was put into your social media strategy and how many new clients you received as a result of it. Tracking and measuring your social media progress is the best way to know whether you need to make changes and turn your attention towards another area of marketing. Some platforms may yield better results than others, so a data-driven approach to your social media efforts is the best way to ensure you don't waste your time where you're not yielding results.

Grow your firm with the right marketing strategies paired with the right tools

Social media is a great place to bring in more clients for your law firm. However, once you manage to gain their interest, it's important that you follow up correctly to avoid leads falling through the cracks. You’ll need to engage, retain and delight them by equipping yourself with the right tools like a robust CRM for lawyers and attorney intake software that ensures your clients have an exceptional journey from start to finish.By establishing yourself as a law firm that values a service-centered and attentive approach through tools like automation, you'll build a credible reputation for your firm, and in turn, produce more revenue.There are many other inbound marketing strategies that can help you grow your brand in addition to social media. Are you ready to see how Lawmatics can help you fine-tune your marketing strategy? Sign up for a free product demo today!

What is your role at Lawmatics, and what does your job entail?

I’m the Chief Creative of Lawmatics, a.k.a the in-house designer. I’ve been shaping the app from day one and everything that has to do with our branding and marketing, with the occasional lending a helping hand to our dev team with front end polishing.

How did you end up working for Lawmatics?

I’ve been a long term member of the Matt-and-the-gang, so when things transpired to start a new business venture, it was only natural to go along.

What’s the best part of your job?

I get to do a lot of different things, which for me is pretty much essential to be happy in a job. I enjoy shaping the company’s image and because it’s such a never ending process, it gives me lots of opportunities to explore new solutions, new ways of doing things all the time. When I’m not doing design work, I try to help out as much as I can with front-end development, which for me is just another creative outlet. It keeps things always interesting to be able to switch between different workflows, it assures me I won’t get bored :)

What challenges have you faced or opportunities you’ve uncovered working remotely during COVID-19?

Well, I’m one of the people who has been working remotely for years before the pandemic, so it was pretty much business as usual for me. Not being able to visit the office and hang out with the team might have been the biggest difference.

Where are you originally from, and how did you end up in San Diego?

I was born and raised in Transylvania (Romania, Eastern Europe) and I currently live (and work remotely) in Bend, Oregon with my wife and doggo. I can’t confirm nor deny the allegations that I’m 400 years old...

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Designing is my passion, so when I’m not doing it at work I still just want to design and build stuff. Lately, doing projects around the house proved to be a great creative outlet, and a great way for me to get my hands dirty. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we find ourselves outside a lot and we enjoy the great outdoors around us — like floating the Deschutes river or paddle boarding one of the many Cascade Lakes is something we enjoy to do as often as possible.

What is a fun fact most people may not know about you?

I knew very early on that I wanted to become a designer and it’s pretty much all I wanted to do growing up. Getting a computer was key in this endeavor so I was on a mission to build one. Coming up with the money was all on me and I managed to do it in the end by ransacking old scrap metal from my parent’s farm which I then sold to a scrap yard and bought the components to build my rig. Good times :)

What is the one thing you can’t live without and why?

Probably music. I couldn’t imagine a day without music or working without music for that matter. It’s part of my creative process and it keeps me focused. There’s also a dance party in my office pretty much every day. In fact there is one right now as I’m writing this :)

If you're keen on diving into an eclectic world of sound, check out the playlists I hoarded over the years on Spotify.

Do you have a favorite saying, quote, or personal mantra and if so, what is it and why?

"Aut inveniam viam aut faciam" is Latin for "I shall either find a way or make one" — there’s probably no saying that encompasses creative problem solving better. Gotta love it.

Can you walk us through your "Aha" moment - the moment when you realized how powerful the Lawmatics platform is for lawyers and law firms?

There are numerous CRM systems out there which are targeting all businesses, small to large. They offer all the bells and whistles, mostly very broad features that are intended for all sorts of ventures, but they’re not really a tool for a law practice unless you invest time and effort to hack it into what you need. A dedicated platform that is tailored specifically to the practice of law is where the game-changing really happens! We have lawyers on our team who aid every step of the project to be as useful as possible for the legal industry specifically — and we've barely scratched the surface! We’re going to the moon ;)

Based on your experience, what words of wisdom or advice do you have for legal professionals looking to help their law firms win more business, impress clients, and be more efficient?

So much of the day-to-day of a law practice is automatable! Probably the easiest way to be competitive as a law firm today is to embrace the advancements in technology. The time and effort saved really is invaluable.

If you don’t really know what exactly you could automate within your practice, or how to even approach this - I urge you to get in touch with any of my colleagues who have helped myriads of firms solve tons of inefficiencies with Lawmatics.

The legal services industry is a multibillion-dollar one that doesn't show any sign of slowing down. People will always need legal counsel regardless of the economic climate, which is why it's such a great industry to be in. Yet since there are so many people practicing law, it can be a competitive marketplace.It's critical that you stand out as a law firm by appealing to potential clients with modern solutions. Rather than settling for a generic legal brand and operating your firm with old-fashioned default methods, now is the moment to modernize your practice.There has never been a better time to commit to delivering an outstanding experience for your clients and shining in comparison to the competition. In 2021, the most successful firms know that the key to establishing yourself is using the right technology tools. With the right law firm client intake software, you can increase your visibility, streamline and automate lengthy tasks in a fraction of the time, and expand your firm.If you have a lower lead-to-client conversion rate than you'd like to see, then chances are it's time to start examining where you can make improvements. Usually, the first place to look is your client intake process. The client intake process is the most critical part of your client’s experience that should not be overlooked.Sadly, this is usually where most struggling law firms get it wrong. From the minute a lead first contacts a firm, they should be tracked carefully so that no opportunity gets missed. Yet, without a systematic client intake process in place with the help of technology, it's impossible to manually track every incoming contact.By knowing where every single lead stands and what actions need to be taken next, you'll have a birds eye view of your practice and total control over your customers' experience.

Where many law firms get it wrong

Slow response time

One of the biggest complaints that legal clients have about their lawyers is a lack of communication. Recent studies show that the majority of law firms have an alarmingly low response rate. As many as 60% of law firms contacted in a study didn’t respond to emails, and nearly 35% didn't even answer the phone. As a prospective client shopping around for lawyers, chances are you're not going to be very impressed by a law firm that doesn't even bother answering the phone.From a lawyer's point of view, it can get extremely challenging to get back to every single client right away, particularly if you're running a solo practice and you don't have the luxury of a front desk receptionist. With all the administrative tasks that it takes to run a practice, plus attending hearings, and conducting consultations, following up with leads can often get put on the back burner when you've got paying clients to attend to.

Lack of a systematic intake process

A systematic intake process is the only way to handle all of the incoming inquiries plus everything else that you've got going on at your law firm. The most successful firms rely on technology to follow up with their clients for them. Regardless of whether a lead contacts your law firm by phone, a legal client intake form, or sending an email, a quick follow-up is critical. The faster that you can reply to incoming inquiries, the more chances you have of converting a lead to a client, which is why client intake software is key.

Poor first impressions

So, how fast should you realistically get back to clients to make a good impression? As soon as possible! Think of it this way— every minute that you take to get back to a prospect is a minute lost that they could be turning to a competing firm. With the right attorney intake software, you can send a follow-up email immediately without having to do a thing. By setting up automated email workflows for law firms, you can trigger certain emails to go out to the right person at the right time. By setting the tone from the beginning that you're responsive and value lead's business, you’ll make a great impression.

Lack of organization

In the absence of a systematic client intake process, many law firms lose track of their leads. Because they rely on archaic systems like pen and paper to write down incoming contact information, there's no way to know whether someone's been followed up with or not. The only way to eliminate the risk of leads getting lost is to optimize your law firm with a law firm CRM. That way, a lead’s information is captured immediately and entered into a database.From that point on, your leads will be meticulously tracked and ensuring that no opportunities get missed.

Lack of effective marketing

Law school teaches you everything you need to know about being a lawyer, except one of the most important aspects of it— finding clients! Many lawyers are practicing law, but when it comes to thinking like a CEO, they're lost. Even though you're technically trained to be a lawyer, the only way to stand out to clients is to start thinking like a business person. You are a lawyer and a salesperson.A strong marketing strategy is a critical part of finding and retaining clients if you hope to meet with great success. with the help of modern legal tools like marketing automation for law firms and audience segmentation software, the more outreach your marketing efforts will have, and the more revenue you'll produce.

Lost time on manual tasks

It's no secret that lawyers are really busy people. Yet contrary to what most people believe about lawyers, the majority of their workload doesn't even come from what you might expect. In reality, lawyers spend much more time outside the courtroom than they do inside of it. Running a law practice requires a tremendous amount of administrative work that unfortunately takes up most of their workweek. With so many administrative tasks to take care of, it can get difficult to deliver a client-centered experience.The only way to stand out to your clients is to prioritize them over the administrative work. And since you can't stop doing the important administrative tasks that it takes to run your practice unless you want your practice to fall apart, you have to start adopting a tech-savvy approach to the way you do things. Automation is the only way to complete tedious processes so that you can turn your full attention towards clients and stand out from the competition.[oxygen-template id="6130"]

How to stand out to potential legal clients

Now that you have a better idea of what not to do let's examine what you should be doing to stand out to potential clients and encourage repeat business.

Know the best methods for attracting clients

There's a whole sea of potential clients out there just waiting to be found. The trick is knowing how to reach them. Even though traditional marketing methods like newsletters and paper mail may be effective for targeting certain potential clients, it doesn’t target every audience. You may see yourself as a lawyer; the truth is that if you hope to expand your practice, you’ll have to put your marketing hat on.Attracting and standing out to potential clients is all about using your resources wisely and trying out new methods to increase your outreach. Here are some effective ways to consider trying out.

Networking

Regardless of what industry you're in, networking is one of the best tools for bringing in new clients. Networking doesn't always necessarily have to be at networking events either. Sometimes finding new clients is as simple as striking up a conversation with a stranger. Remember, anyone that you come across could be a potential client. Branch out and make conversations in person and online.Consider joining Facebook groups and networking with other lawyers who are willing to refer clients to you. It's all a numbers game. The more people that you meet, the more opportunities you'll have to make a great impression.

Blogging

Nowadays, blogging is one of the best ways to attract new clients to your legal web page. Establishing an online presence starts with demonstrating yourself as an authority in your area of practice. Create shareable and buzzworthy blog posts that provide valuable information, and you’ll make Google your friend. The more that people share your content, the more that you'll stand out to potential clients as someone they'd like to hire.

Social media

Facebook and Twitter are great places to establish yourself as a law firm. The more followers and engagement that you have on your profile, the more credibility you’ll have. When potential clients see that you have a significant following, then they'll be that much more convinced that you're the right lawyer for them.

Respond immediately

It helps to put yourself in a consumer's shoes. When you reach out to a business to find out more information about their services, you expect a response. A timely response is the most effective way to get things started on the right foot right away. Not only are you increasing your chances of a lead converting to a client sooner, but you're building a solid reputation for your law firm.A few clicks around online review sites like Yelp can quickly reveal law firms that have terrible reputations for not getting back to inquiries. Standing out to potential clients means prioritizing a quick response time so that you don’t give them an opportunity to choose the competition over you.

Use automation wisely

Email automation for law firms is one of the best things that you can do for your law firm, without a doubt. However, it's important to be smart about how you use it. A generic automated message to a client that feels impersonal and unrelated to their inquiry isn't going to be as effective. However, by using a robust and intelligent client intake software for lawyers like Lawmatics, your automated messages will go out in a personalized and tailored style that engages them from one step to the next.Tools like audience segmentation software break your leads up into groups based on certain demographics of your choice. Since an all-in-one marketing strategy doesn't work for everyone, a tailored approach is the best way to follow up by engaging your potential clients in a way that feels more personal.Drip email marketing sends scheduled and targeted emails delivered on a schedule of your choice. Drip campaigns streamline your follow-ups and significantly grow your practice thanks to trigger-based features.Whether you're welcoming a client or sending a happy birthday message to a prior client, workflow automation for law firms keeps leads and clients engaged every step of the way. Personalized and memorable messaging is one of the most powerful tools you have for standing out and wowing prospects.

Prioritize the consultation

Every stage of the client intake process plays a crucial role in your client's experience. However, the consultation is one of the most defining moments since it's your opportunity to present why you're the best choice for your prospect's case. The better that you can prepare for your consultation, the better of an impression you can make.Prioritizing the consultation is as simple as thinking ahead and staying organized with the help of technology. One of the biggest frustrations that lawyers have are no-shows. Time last is money lost, particularly in a law firm that offers free consultations. If you block out a period of time and no one shows up, you've lost an important part of your day that you could have used for something else. One of the best ways to ensure that a consultation goes smoothly is by sending out a confirmation.Legal client intake software will automatically send out a confirmation once a consultation is booked. Not only does your client receive a confirmation email but so do you, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page. In addition to a confirmation email, a reminder email will also go out up to several days before a consultation, significantly reducing the risk of no-shows.During the consultation, make sure that you ask the right questions so that you know you have all of the most important information you need to get the case started. The better that you can prepare your questions ahead of time, the better of an experience you can deliver and stand out to your client.

Give your clients direct access to you

The truth is that even though lawyers are busy people, most of the time, their clients are too. Clients don't want to play phone tag anymore than lawyers do, so the more direct access you can give them to you, the better. Connecting with your clients through SMS for law firms builds better relationships with your potential clients and demonstrates responsiveness to their needs and concerns.Legal client intake software makes it possible to send, receive and manage all of your clients and lead interactions in one single location. Technology makes it possible to never keep leads waiting on a call back from you or waiting for you to email them back. By keeping your potential client connected to you every step of the way, you'll delight and engage them.

Offer self-scheduling

Wow your potential clients with a tech-savvy approach by allowing them to self-schedule their appointments. Software like Lawmatics makes it easy for potential clients to schedule or cancel meetings with you by choosing from time slots of your choosing with automated appointment scheduling.It's as simple as syncing your calendar and sending potential clients a link. From there, they can choose whatever time works for them without having to bother with the hassle of lengthy email back and forth asking which time works best for who— getting the ball rolling even faster in their case.

Identify your weak points

As a law firm, there are always areas to grow in. Law firm data analytics can help you identify any holes in your practice that may lead to client dissatisfaction or low conversion rates. Before the idea of data analytics sends you in a panic, rest assured that it's a lot simpler than it sounds. More and more law firms are turning towards a goal-driven approach that uses data to implement positive changes.From tracking productivity to where your best potential client sources are coming from, legal reporting software can be your best friend in finding out where you have room to grow. Visual analytics make internal activities at your law firm and fine-tune your processes as needed.With a visual representation of what your current client intake process looks like, you can make improvements where it counts most.

Set clear expectations

One of the best ways to avoid miscommunications and disappointed clients is to set clear expectations from the very beginning. Specify exactly what your client can expect throughout their working relationship with you, from how often you will communicate with them to what your billing system is.It also asked them what their preferred method of communication is and how often they like to be contacted. A one size fits all approach doesn't work for everyone, so make sure that you establish all of the most important details from the beginning.You’ll serve potential clients best when you set clear expectations upfront. That way, there's no confusion or room for frustration. Clients will appreciate clearly defined objectives and expectations and be wowed by your transparency.

Deliver quick service

The longer that you take to get back to your potential clients, the more time you're giving them to reconsider their decision. The faster that you can get the ball rolling on their case, the more delighted they'll be since chances are they'd like to get their legal concern handled as quickly as possible. One of the best ways to get things running is by using legal document automation. Manually generating important documents like attorney-client agreements can take hours to even days for lawyers to complete. Not only is it time-consuming and tedious, but there's plenty of room for error.Document automation software uses automated workflows to save hours of time, delivering speedy and error-free results that will wow your potential clients. Since most firms are operating on a traditional system of requiring their clients to print, scan, sign, and send, offering a more modern alternative can earn you significant points. No one wants to have to print, sign, and send documents if they can avoid it, so offering faster solutions like document automation and a client e-signature tool is a fantastic strategy for growing your practice.Simply choose a template that works best for your law firm and automatically generate whatever you need for your client's case. Lawmatics online text editor app ensures that anything you send is free of errors and ready to review, saving everyone time, and in turn, creating a memorable client experience.

Encourage online reviews

Most people looking for legal counsel perform a Google search before anything. If you hope for your law firm to stand out on Google, then you need to make sure that you have a high rating. IF your clients are happy, encourage them to leave reviews for your law firm. The more positive reviews you receive, the more you can start building a positive online reputation for yourself.[oxygen-template id="6129"]

Stand out to potential clients and create an unforgettable client journey with Lawmatics CRM and client intake software

Nowadays, clients expect more than ever. They expect excellence and a client-based business model that gives them the most value for their money. With so many other competing law firms, it’s more important than ever to be seen in a jungle of competition.By automating tedious processes, using intelligent marketing, and streamlining your client intake process, you’ll wow your potential clients by providing the attention that they deserve.Are you ready to see how Lawmatics can help you grow your law firm? Sign up for a free product demo today!

Happy June from all of us at Lawmatics. We’re thrilled to share this product release with you today as it’s a big one that’s been a long time coming. In fact, it includes the biggest update to appointment bookings ever! Continue reading for the highlights.

Custom Booking Forms

You can now customize the experience that someone has when booking an appointment on your calendar using legal calendaring software. We have leveraged the power of our custom form builder to give you unlimited flexibility with the fields that you place on a booking form.If you check out the Assets tab on your screen, you’ll see a new option called Booking Forms. From here, you can create booking forms centered around a calendar booking. You can add all the fields you want to the form, and even add fields before and after the calendar selection section. The calendar selection section will always be on its own page in the form.To learn more, check out the Custom Books Form help article.

Multi-Event Select

We are happy to announce that we have added the ability to have one form for multiple events. When you select multiple events for a booking form, the user will be presented first with different buttons for each event type, allowing them to select what type of event they would like to book.

Limit Event Types

You can now also limit the number of particular event types allowed for any given period. For example, if you only want to have four initial consultations per day, you can set Lawmatics up to not allow more than four to be booked. This is configured in the Calendar Settings section under My Settings on the Settings page.To learn more, check out the Event Type help article.

Embeddable Booking Forms

Custom booking forms can also be embedded on your site, just like custom forms! This makes it super simple to include a booking link directly on your site. You can even embed links with multiple event forms, adding the different options right to your site.

Two Factor Authentication

We take your security very seriously at Lawmatics. To that end, we are proud to announce the addition of 2FA to Lawmatics. You can now turn on 2FA from your user settings page. When 2FA is on, you will be emailed a code every time you sign into Lawmatics and will need to enter that code in order to login, after the username and password screen. This additional layer of security will go a long way to giving you the peace of mind you deserve when operating online.

RingCentral Integration

We are really excited to announce another great integration built by our team. You can now connect RingCentral to your Lawmatics account. This will enable you to track all your calls in Lawmatics, including the ability to add custom dispositions to each call along with call notes.Check in next month for more updates and improvements from the Lawmatics team! Not using Lawmatics yet? There’s never been a better time to start. Book a personalized demo to learn how we can help you grow your law firm!

It’s no secret that lawyers have extremely busy schedules and are some of the most hardworking people there are. It’s not uncommon for many lawyers to work well over 60-hour workweeks. From juggling phone calls to advising clients to attending court hearings, it’s no wonder why there never seem to be enough hours in the day for lawyers to get everything done.It's not surprising that law is one of the most common industries that result in burnouts. The pressure to get everything done by extremely rigid deadlines and always being “on” can lead to a significant lack of work-life balance, particularly if you run your own practice.Yet, out of everything that goes on in a lawyer’s busy schedules, statistics show that lawyers spend a significant portion of their week devoting their time to things they can’t even bill for. Is that even possible? Yep.Even though non-lawyers often perceive a day in a lawyer’s life as passionately defending clients in front of a jury and drinking leisurely coffees outside of the courtroom with other lawyers, the truth is that lawyers have much more going on than that.Since running a law practice is the same as running any other business, there’s a lot of work that goes into keeping it going. Although the daily tasks of lawyers can vary depending on their area of practice, some of the most commonly shared tasks for lawyers are:

Document preparation

Phone calls

Client meetings

Onboarding clients

Consultations

Email marketing

Billing-related tasks

Following up with leads

On average, lawyers spend less than three hours a day actually practicing law. In many cases, the tasks required to keep a practice running can start to pile up so much that lawyers are often forced to choose between serving their clients and completing administrative work. The end result is stressed-out lawyers, dissatisfied clients, and plenty of missed opportunities for lawyers to grow their practice.This is where automation can help. With the right client intake software, lawyers can run their practice much faster with greater ease, with much fewer errors. Instead of spending hours on repetitive and tedious manual tasks, lawyers can rely on software to do it instead, turning their energy towards their paying clients and expanding their firm—all thanks to automating their client intake process.

Signs that you should start automatingyour client intake process

Losing track of leads

A law firm that’s lacking a solid client intake process is one that lacks an efficient system for tracking leads. If you’re still relying on manual methods like a pen and paper or post-it notes to track incoming lead inquiries, then please accept our invitation to join us here in 2021! Manual processes aren’t just time-consuming, but there’s a tremendous risk of losing track of leads.Many law firms have no idea how many inquiries have come in and who’s been followed up with or not. As a result, they are missing out on the opportunity to grow their practice and increase their revenue.

Chasing after documents

Most lawyers know the headache of trying to get important paperwork signed and sent back in a timely manner. When clients have to use scanners, printers, and sometimes even fax machines to return important files, it takes much longer. As a lawyer, you need to get the ball rolling on cases as quickly as possible to get the most favorable outcome for your client— time is everything.

Low client retention

A lot of attorneys don’t realize that they need to treat their law practice as a business by focusing on client satisfaction. Client retention is only possible when you give them an excellent client journey with exceptional services and communication. If you rarely have return clients, then chances are there may be some holes in your client intake process you should examine closer.

You don’t know where yourleads are coming from

Marketing costs time and money. If you want your investment to be worth it, then you need to know what’s working and what’s not. Without a clear understanding of where your best leads are coming from, you risk squandering your precious resources in places that offer no return on your investment.Does this sound like you? Automating your client intake process could be one of the smartest decisions you’ve ever made.

Losing time on lengthy back and forths

If scheduling a consultation with a client involves a series of emails back and forth trying to find the best time that works for everyone, then you’re losing valuable time. Setting up appointments with time-consuming ping pong exchanges trying to make sure everyone’s schedule works for the appointment time is a thing of the past. Automation can set your appointments for you.

Lots of no-shows

When you rely on setting appointments without an automated client intake process, you risk people forgetting their appointments, often resulting in a no-show. As a lawyer, time is money, so if you set aside a part of your day to meet with a client and you end up losing that hour due to a no-show, that’s less money in your pocket.[oxygen-template id="6131"]

10 benefits of automating yourclient intake process

1Simplified processes

Don't overcomplicate things in your practice that could be simple instead. The client intake process doesn't have to be a headache unless you allow it to be. By using client intake software like Lawmatics, you can streamline your processes and make your law firm more efficient, giving you more time to prioritize your paying clients.No more running your practice out of your email inbox or on spreadsheets that hurt your eyes. The right client intake software will eliminate chaos in your practice and simplify, keeping track of every single contact, all while impressing your leads and clients.From capturing your clients' information to setting up meetings with them, Lawmatics makes everything simple so you can focus on what matters most: getting your clients the best possible results and providing an excellent customer journey.

2Saved time

Not every law firm has the luxury of a front desk receptionist to handle incoming inquiries. In many cases, solo-practice lawyers answer every call and follow up themselves, taking up a considerable amount of time that could otherwise be spent on your clients' cases. By automating your client intake process, you can follow up with leads on autopilot without having to do a thing.Medium to large-sized firms can also benefit from the time saved through automation. The more clients you have on your plate, the more you need to focus your energy on your clients' cases rather than administrative tasks.Regardless of the size of your firm, the right software will take the information provided by a lead after they fill out a legal client intake form and input the details into your law firm CRM database. They receive automatic follow-ups without you having to type anything. No more having to double-check your spreadsheet or your email inbox to see if a lead has been followed up with or not. The right client intake software can give you a full birdseye view of where each lead stands at a glance and do the busy work for you.Automating your client intake process means no more worrying about taking time aside from your busy schedule to follow up with each prospect. Easily set up drip email marketing that sends out personalized and targeted emails that reach the right person at the right time. Standard tasks and checklists make it easy to deliver consistent communication every step of the way without you having to do a thing, all thanks to automation.

3Fewer errors

One of the leading causes of client dissatisfaction is human error. Anytime that processes like data entry are manually typed in, you risk mistakes. In the legal world, the slightest error can be critical and, in some cases, even lead to malpractice, so it's essential to eliminate the potential for mistakes that could easily be prevented with technology. Automation means significantly lower possibilities of errors and greater client satisfaction as a result. Because you deliver error-free work, you'll build client trust, which in turn creates higher client retention, and more referrals, helping you build your practice.Custom form builders make it easy to get whatever information you need by only asking relevant questions. No more copying and pasting or manually entering fields. With Lawmatics legal CRM and client intake software, you can auto-fill important client documents like attorney-client agreements, using workflow automation for law firms that merge data from your matters and contacts, saving you hours of work and avoiding potential errors.Error-free, hassle-free, and instant legal document automation— what more could you ask for?

4Improved client experience

Many lawyers make the mistake of assuming that their job is only to practice law. The truth is that being a lawyer also involves being a business person. In order to thrive as a law firm, you'll need to start focusing on client satisfaction as well as practicing law. The best place to start with that is your client intake process. It's critical that you make a good impression on your clients from the minute they first contact your law firm. Since 35% of law firms don't even answer the phone when a client calls, it goes without saying that a speedy follow-up with your prospects can make a phenomenal impression.Even though representing your clients zealously may seem like the most important part of your job, the truth is that in many cases, it's not. Ultimately, happy clients equal a happy practice.Believe it or not, there are lawyers out there who don't manage to get their clients the best possible results on their case, yet their clients are still thrilled with them— why?It all comes down to the client's journey. By offering an attentive client experience that makes your customers feel valued, your clients will feel delighted. Automating your client intake process means that your clients never feel forgotten or put on the back burner to other priorities. By giving extra effort and a consistent and positive experience, you'll find yourself with more clients and more revenue; it’s really that simple.

5Greater efficiency

Studies show that the longer you take to get back to leads, the fewer chances you have for closing a deal. Automating your client intake process means taking advantage of every opportunity by reducing delays in response time.The client intake process is arguably one of the most critical parts of running your law firm, so if you have an inefficient and sloppy process, then it's only a matter of time until your practice becomes chaotic. Automation in law firms puts your intake process on autopilot so that you can focus your energy on what matters most at your law firm. By following the right steps done the right way, you'll have significantly higher conversion rates and boosted revenue.Law firm reporting software usually reveals that one of the biggest reasons for low conversion rates and dipping revenue is holes in your client intake process. By putting an optimized strategy in place with the help of automation, you’ll attract more leads, convert more clients and create a greater return on your marketing investments.Client intake software meticulously tracks each step of the client journey, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. Lawmatics shows you who's been followed up with and who needs to be contacted when. By having a 360 degree of each prospect, your law firm increases its efficiency and gives your leads a reason to choose you over the competition.

6Better communication amongst staff

Without an efficient client intake process in place, communicating among staff about where leads stand can be a nightmare. If you're relying on spreadsheets or paper to track where each prospect is in the client journey, then it's easy for miscommunications to happen if multiple people are trying to access a client's details. One of the most frustrating things for a client is when two people handling their case are giving conflicting information.A CRM for lawyers and client intake software ensures that everyone stays on the same page by allowing anyone in your law firm to access a client's details from anywhere through the CRM database. As a result, you'll have better communication among staff members and less risk of things falling through the cracks when following up with prospects. Keep everyone on board and deliver consistency amongst your staff by relying on technology to keep everyone in the know.

7Fewer no-shows

Finding a time that works for everyone can often be a nightmare for attorneys. Lengthy email back and forth asking “what time works for you?” can be a time-draining hassle. Not only can it be frustrating for lawyers, but also for their clients. Most clients have busy schedules, just like lawyers, so making appointment-setting a painless experience benefits everyone.Automated appointment scheduling software allows your clients to choose meetings based on your availability. It's as simple as syncing your outlook or Google Calendar to the CRM for attorneys, and your clients can choose a time slot of their choice.By giving them direct access to your schedule, you'll significantly reduce the possibility of no-shows and double bookings, not to mention you'll impress your clients with your tech-savvy approach to appointment scheduling. No more missing meetings or losing time for no-shows. Lawmatics automates the appointment setting process and even sends automatic follow-ups to keep everyone on the same page.

8Increased referrals

One of the things that they don't teach you in law school is that it's up to you to find leads for your practice. Networking is incredibly important if you hope to grow and expand your law firm, and referrals are one of the best tools you have. Leveraging the power of happy clients is a valuable form of word-of-mouth advertising. People are much more likely to trust someone directly in their network than they are to trust an advertisement.Statistics show that 62% of people looking for a lawyer ask around with friends and family before searching online.Simply put, if you can increase the number of referrals at your law firm, you can significantly grow your practice and increase your revenue.One of the best ways to increase your referrals is to provide an efficient and consistent client intake process with automation. Email automation for law firms makes it easy to follow up regularly with targeted messages tailored for each client. By tracking where each client stands at each stage of their journey, you'll thrill and delight them and encourage them to recommend your services to their friends and family.

9Greater organization

Law firms are often perceived as cluttered environments and for a good reason. Regardless of the size, law firms are incredibly stressful and high-performing places, so it’s easy for things to pile up. There's always something going on, and there's always a phone ringing. Between important documents, incoming emails, client hearings, consultations, and sending out invoices, it's easy to get disorganized without a system in place.One of the best ways to get organized is implementing an attorney intake software and CRM into your law practice. By automating your processes, you'll free up a considerable amount of your time and take control of any disorganization in your practice.Ditch the pen and paper and post-it notes taped all over your desk. Forget about having to visit multiple spreadsheets to access client information. Using a CRM for attorneys and law firm client intake software means you can access everything all in one place, establishing order and organization in your law practice.

10More clients

One of the biggest challenges that law firms have is finding clients. With so much of their time devoted to their clients, it can be challenging to market themselves and produce high-quality leads. Using the right software like Lawmatics can help you take your law firm marketing efforts to the next level and significantly grow your practice.When you have a legal client intake software that automates your marketing emails for you and tells you which source is your best leads are coming from, you can significantly grow your business. By streamlining your processes and taking the hassle out of repetitive tasks, you'll have more time to take on even more clients.Drip email marketing nurtures your leads from each stage of the client journey process to the next. Your law firm can choose custom triggers that send tailored emails based on certain actions. For example, if someone signs up for your newsletter, they'll receive an email with more information on your practice.[oxygen-template id="6129"]Customized marketing templates make it easy to extend your reach to even more leads and never miss an opportunity to convert someone into a client. Audience segmentation software increases your chances of someone opening an email by grouping contacts based on demographics like case type and career industry. Sending marketing materials based on criteria like matter type, age, and profession can help you deliver more personalized content that they’ll be more likely to open. The end result? More clients and more revenue.

Automate your client intake processwith Lawmatics

Automating administrative tasks can help you take control of your practice and focus your energy where it matters most. In turn, you’ll have a much more efficient practice that delivers what it promises, creating happy and loyal clients who will refer you to friends and family.There's a reason why more and more law firms are turning towards more Lawmatics, the most powerful legal intake marketing automation and law firm CRM for attorneys. Our robust software helps firms execute effective strategies based on their individual goals and attract and convert more clients through the power of automation. Integrated law firm reporting software makes it easy to see what parts of your efforts are working and which parts need work.Are you ready to see how Lawmatics can help you carry out your client intake process in a fraction of the time and take your law practice to the next level? Sign up for a free demo today!