The Lawmatics Blog

At first, the idea of combining data and law may seem entirely out of context. After all, when you think of practicing law, probably the last thing that comes to mind is a series of numbers or data-packed graphs. Yet, as new as the concept may seem, data analysis can be one of the best tools you have in your law firm to stand out against the competition. Advancements in data and analytics have made it more possible than ever to grow your law firm and become the most sought-after law firm in your area.More and more law firms are turning towards a data-driven approach to the way they do business. Because of the insight gained by looking at specific patterns in their practice, a data driven law firm can improve their performance, increase efficiency, and address any bottlenecks in their practice that come up in the legal data reports.And although the idea of deciphering data may sound intimidating initially, becoming a data-driven law firm is much simpler than it sounds. By using the right software, you can run data reports that are extremely easy to generate, and even easier to understand. By using visual analytics, you can observe valuable patterns in your practice and compare them to the competition. Visuals make it easy to process and understand your law firm's patterns from a glance, making it easy to guide your law firm towards growth.Running reports regularly can help you increase your referrals, encourage repeat business, and ultimately skyrocket your revenue. So, what exactly does being data-driven entail?

What is data-driven

A data-driven law firm prioritizes measuring its performance and addressing any issues by making use of data. A data-driven approach means examining any inefficiencies in your practice and where you have opportunities to grow. For example, you may choose to compare the amount of revenue that you're bringing in this year compared to last and find out what the cause is behind it. You may use data to identify where your most valuable leads are.Data can often help you find problems in your client intake process that you didn't even know were happening. It may also reveal that operations you thought were efficient may actually be hurting your law firm in reality. By arming yourself with the knowledge that data provides, you can better plan for the future and ultimately generate more business.How Your Law Firm Can Benefit From Being Data-Driven

Better planning

The only way to set yourself up for success is to think far beyond into the future. However, it's much more difficult to anticipate the future of your law firm without the help of data to go off of. Law firm reporting software can help you anticipate and plan for things that might have otherwise caught you off guard.For example, examining your data can reveal that certain times of the year are often slower than others. By observing this dip in your reporting software, you can better prepare for these less-than-profitable moments.You can also better understand your clients' behavior and plan accordingly. For example, you may notice that certain marketing campaigns have been more effective amongst a specific demographic of clients in the past. By using audience segmentation software, you can target and tailor your marketing emails based on demographics to get the best possible results based on past behavior.

Clear assessment of where you stand

Many law firms aren't producing the kind of numbers that they'd like to see; however, they have no idea where to begin when it comes to addressing the problem. Data can take the guesswork out of where your firm can make improvements and help you determine precisely what you need to do to reach your goals. What's more, you can stay accountable for how close you are to achieving your goals. By using goal tracking for law firms to track and assess your performance you can reach your objectives sooner.

Time gained

Statistics show that law firms spend a considerable amount of time each week on tasks that aren't billable. Between following up with leads, drawing up complex paperwork, answering phones, and all of the other administrative work that it takes to run a law firm, it's no wonder why lawyers feel like they never have enough time left for their clients.In fact, many lawyers don't even realize how much time they're spending on administrative tasks compared to working on their clients' cases. Often, data can reveal the shocking reality that they're losing a considerable amount of time on things that could have otherwise been automated.When you start to see where your firm's productivity stands, thanks to data, you begin to realize how much room for improvement you have. By implementing a CRM for attorneys and attorney intake software, you can save a considerable amount of time for your law firm and, in turn, create happier clients.

Improved client experience

Data can play a significant role in improving your clients' experience. By identifying the areas that you have to grow in, like your client intake process, you'll be able to make things as efficient as possible and, in turn, delight and retain your customers.Taking a look at metrics like what percentage of your clients come back for repeat business and how many referrals you're getting can help you determine whether your client's journey is where it needs to be or not. The more information you have, the better you can fine-tune the experience you provide for your clients.

Increased revenue

Efficiency and revenue go hand in hand. The faster and more efficient you can handle each client, the more revenue you'll be able to bring in. Key performance indicators like which parts of your firm are generating the most revenue and which aspects of your practice you're losing time on can help you maximize your workday and make the best possible use of your time— in turn generating more money for your law firm.[oxygen-template id="6132"]

Signs you can benefit from tracking your law firms data

Losing track of leads

The minute that a law firm gets contacted by a lead, whether through a legal client intake form or by phone, it's essential to follow up. Without a reliable client intake process, there's no way to keep track of each interested prospect. If your firm often has issues knowing whether leads have been followed up with or not and what stage of the intake process they're in, then chances are you could definitely benefit from data and analytics.Better insights into where the problem areas are can help you track each stage of your client's journey and deliver the best possible experience, pinpointing where you need to improve your process. From improved communication to a better idea of who your best leads are and where they stand, data-tracking can help you grow your practice and tackle challenges.

Dip in revenue

It goes without saying that profit is the ultimate goal at your law firm. Even though you may have a passion for getting your clients the best possible results for their case, ultimately, you're there to make money. However, if you find that you're not generating as much as you would like to despite how hard you're working, data can help you identify where the problem areas lie.By looking at your numbers under the magnifying glass of data and analytics, you can adjust the way you do things based on what the data is telling you. From knowing where your time is going to how much of your day is dedicated to client intake, key performance indicators can help you track the essentials and get your numbers back to where they need to be.

No idea where your leads are coming from

If you start to look at your law firm as a business (which is what it is), then you should have a clear understanding of your marketing efforts. Since marketing can be a significant investment, it's crucial that you have proof that your hard-earned dollars are giving you a return on your investment. If you have no idea where your leads are coming from or how they're finding your firm, then you most certainly will benefit from using data and analytics.Once you know exactly where your best leads are coming from, you can focus your energy and resources on those sources and spend less time putting your time and money towards efforts that aren't getting you any results.

Unhappy clients

The truth is that your job as a lawyer is much more than just getting the best possible outcome in your client's case. You should be focusing on the overall experience that you provide your clients throughout the time you work together. If you're producing unhappy clients, you're not going to get many referrals or positive online reviews.Data can help you identify holes in the client lifecycle that may be leading to their dissatisfaction. In turn, you can deliver the best possible experience that leads to repeat business and plenty of referrals.

Spending the majority of your week on administrative tasks

Regardless of what size your law firm is, it takes a lot of administrative work to keep your law firm running. A recent report revealed that lawyers spend nearly 50% of their workweek on administrative tasks. If you're losing your time on tasks that could have otherwise been used for your paying clients, then you could certainly benefit from data insights. Sometimes you may not even realize how much time you're losing in reality on menial tasks that could have efficiently been completed with tools like automated email workflows for law firms.Thanks to technology like law firm client intake software, you can take control of your workweek and let technology handle tedious administrative work so you can focus on what matters most— getting your clients the best possible results

Lacking goals

No business can expect to grow if they don't have clear goals set in place, and a law firm is no exception. In order to expand as a law firm, you should have a clear idea of what it is that you hope to do.The more specific that you can be, the more likely you are to reach success. If your law firm has no idea of the specifics of what it hopes to achieve, then data can help you identify the areas of your practice that need to improve. Thanks to the information provided by data analytics, you can pinpoint where your goals should be focused.

How to become data-driven

Now that you have a better idea of some of the benefits of being a data-driven law firm, it's time to start putting things into action. If you're ready to start making data-driven business decisions at your firm, then here are some of the best ways to get started.

1Set clear objectives

The best way to get started with using data is to decide what you're going to use it for. Be as clear as possible when setting your objectives in order to get the best results. Where do you hope to see improvements in your law firm? Is your primary concern your clients' experience? Would you like to see an increase in referrals? Maybe you'd like to see an improved email marketing performance. Perhaps you'd like to make your client intake process as efficient as possible with fewer errors. Whatever objectives you decide on, make sure that you are as specific as possible. Specifics are vital to the success of using data to make improvements.

2Run regular reports

Running a data report once isn't enough to make improvements. You'll need to run regular reports to stay on top of whether you're meeting your targets. Checking your data is a repetitive cycle that involves revisiting your data repeatedly until you see the results you want to see.Depending on what metrics you're tracking, you may need to run the numbers weekly, monthly, or in some cases, even yearly. Get to know the frequency for each to make sure that you're staying accountable. By regularly repeating the reporting cycle, you'll ensure that your efforts are really making an impact.

3Embrace change

Often technology and the business side of law firms are severely overlooked. In order to make the most out of what data can do for your firm, you'll have to embrace change. It's not uncommon for lawyers to resist changing the way they do things. Introducing things like technology into their practice can be an uncomfortable change from what's familiar. Yet, if you hope to keep up with the competition, you must switch your mindset and embrace evolution at your law firm.Although change can be uncomfortable and often completely alter the way that you do things in your practice, particularly when it comes to marketing and onboarding clients, the only way to reach your goals is to challenge yourself. Instead of allowing yourself to believe that just because your business model worked up until now that it will continue to work, focus on becoming more efficient. By embracing innovative new methods like becoming data-driven and constantly striving to innovate, you won't just stay ahead of the competition, but you'll downright thrive.

4Prioritize efficiency

Any lawyer can tell you that there never seems to be enough hours in the day for everything that needs to get done. From accounting to marketing to administrative tasks like billing, there's a lot that goes into keeping a practice running. Unfortunately, far more often than they would like, lawyers are forced to choose between administrative work over tasks they can bill for. The end result is often a law firm dragging in efficiency and pulling their attention away from what matters most at their law firm.Running regular data reports can identify where most of your time is being lost and show you opportunities where you can be more efficient. From individual performance to tracking how many open matters you have, you can learn to manage your time better and use technology to your advantage to automate tasks instead of losing time doing them manually.

5Adjust fees accordingly

Although the pandemic has changed the way that law firms will operate forever, many law firms were already moving towards a different law pricing model before COVID hit. The reality is that traditional law firm data pricing doesn't appeal to all budgets, and in many cases, doesn't prioritize client satisfaction. Now more than ever, clients want to see value-based pricing that focuses on the client's needs above all else.If you don't offer a flat fee system, many people will turn elsewhere to a firm that does because flat fees are much easier to understand and are perceived as better value.However, many lawyers are hesitant to move towards a flat fee system because they fear that they may not be fairly compensated for the amount of work that they put into a case. With the help of data, you can look at your previous cases and estimate the total value based on how much work was involved depending on the case type and client.By having actual numbers in front of you from prior cases, you can develop a fair pricing system for you and your clients and keep up with the competition in your area.

6Readjust goals regularly

Data-driven law firms know the importance of measuring, repeating, and adjusting their goals accordingly. Over time, your goals will likely change as you make improvements in different areas.As you collect data and make improvements along the way, change your goals accordingly. It makes no sense to run data reports on areas of your firm which are no longer a concern. Keep things simple and only focus on data that is relevant to what you hope to make improvements on. Get to know each KPI and make sure that it's pertinent to your firm's current goals. Otherwise, there's no point in wasting your time including that in your reports.

7Keep it simple

One of the biggest reasons why lawyers are resistant to incorporate data into their practice is because it seems overly complicated. However, by using law firm data analytics, you can digest data in an easy-to-read format that keeps things simple.By using law firm performance management software that anyone in your firm can understand, you'll lighten the load and keep things easy to digest and easy to make changes with.Lawmatics CRM for lawyers reporting and insights software makes it easy to glance at the key metrics at your firm that make it easy to strategize growth and room for improvement. From seeing where your best clients are coming from to how close you are to reaching your monthly revenue goals, legal reporting software simplifies your processes and makes changes in your law firm's performance easy.

Best tips for running data and analytics reports

Create S.M.A.R.T. goals

The best way to follow your law firm's progress is by being as specific as possible about what it is you're tracking. To get the best results out of data, you should create goals using the SMART system.

S

Specific

It helps you stay focused on your progress by setting clear and specific objectives that are relevant to your firm. In addition to specifying precisely what your goals are, you should also include what it will take to get there. What will you need? What are you set out to do? Most importantly, how can this goal help you achieve your overall vision as a law firm?

M

Measurable

In order to make sure that your goals can be met with the help of data, you need to ensure that they are measurable. How can you hope to keep up with your progress if you don't have a goal that can be measured? Ensure that any goals you set include quantifiable details, such as how much of something you'd like to create or achieve within a certain amount of time.

A

Achievable

Any goals that you set for your law firm should be realistically achievable. Ultimately, anything that you set out to do that isn't an attainable aim will only frustrate you in the end. Set goals with your data reports based on where your firm currently stands and set out to achieve daily or annual targets that can realistically be accomplished with the resources you have.

R

Realistic

Make sure that any goals you set out to are reasonable and realistic. For example, setting out to eliminate all administrative work at all in your law firm probably isn't realistic. Although you can rely on features like marketing automation for law firms to free up a considerable amount of your law firm's time, eliminating administrative tasks altogether isn't a reality.Instead, create a realistic goal that includes streamlining and automating your processes to reduce the amount of time you spend on administrative work rather than setting out to remove it altogether.

T

Time-bound

Any goal that your law firm sets needs to have a target date. Deadlines help you stay focused on working towards what you set out to achieve. Always attach a date or period of time to your goals. That way, you know how close you are to your deadline and whether or not you're going to achieve what you set out to do.

Run a report on a schedule

Data can be incredibly valuable for improving and streamlining your law firm's operations. However, running a report once isn't enough to make a difference. You'll need to run reports on a schedule to get the most out of data. A data-driven firm is laser-focused on running reports frequently to ensure that they're on the right track. From billing targets to productivity targets, running reports on his schedule will help you better form your strategies.

Act immediately

Gathering data for your law firm to better understand your clients and any holes in your processes can only make a difference if you take action on it. The key to becoming a data-driven law firm is to be agile and reactive. You're not fully taking advantage of the value of your data unless you act immediately to make changes.Data has the power to help you improve your strategies from drip email marketing to client delight and reduce lost time and money, and can improve your bottom line— but only if you act right away!

Become a data-driven law firm with Lawmatics reporting and insights software

Becoming a data-driven law firm means gathering information about your law firm's patterns that can help you make better decisions for your growth. Taking advantage of data can improve your relationships with your clients and significantly increase your law firm marketing efforts.Despite data being relatively new in the legal world, the truth is that the best-run law firms in 2021 are data-driven, and because of this, they set themselves apart from the competition. If you're ready to see how Lawmatics legal reporting software can help you track, manage and improve your law firm's performance, then sign up for a free demo today.

Lawyers are well aware of how important it is to foster client relationships. Each client you take on is an opportunity for future business. And these repeat clients can also serve as helpful referrers that bring in new business to your firm via word of mouth. This means that providing a great customer experience from beginning to end — especially during every stage of the sales process — should be high on your list of priorities.Recently, Lawmatics CEO, Matt Spiegel, joined Moshe Amsel, host of the Profit with Law podcast, to discuss the importance of delivering a great client experience throughout the entire sales process. This enlightening conversation covers:

1. The differences between CRM and practice management systems
2. KPIs and metrics your law firm can use to evaluate the success of your sales process
3. How a positive client experience is more important than the legal outcome

What you will learn when you listen to this episode of the profit with law podcast

Some of the many highlights from this discussion are:

• A CRM is designed to engage, nurture, and build relationships with your clients throughout the sales process.
• There needs to be a balance between transactional interactions and relationship-building moments with your clients throughout the customer journey.
• The three phases of the client customer journey: Intake, Active Case, Case Complete. The final phase is often the most overlooked, and yet, it plays a key role in turning clients into repeat customers and bringing in more referral-based business.
• Not all CRMs are built the same. A legal-specific CRM provides more functionality and support for the unique needs of law firms.
• Creating a seamless series of automations and methods of communication is essential to providing a positive customer experience that scales with the growth of your law firm.
• It’s important not to lose your humanity when setting up automated messages. Your clients want to feel like you’re supporting them 24/7 - even when you’re not!
• Don’t forget to measure the impact of your efforts on a regular basis - what are your conversion rates? How much is the cost per lead and cost per client? Your law firm’s data provides a wealth of information that can help you make better-informed decisions for your law firm.

“It's not the result that they remember; it's the experience that they remember.”— Matt Spiegel

There’s so much more you can learn from this conversation. Listen to Moshe and Matt’s full conversation on the Profit with Law podcast below!

When you dreamed of being a lawyer, naturally, you imagined spending your days practicing law. After all, that’s what you’re trained to do in law school. Yet many lawyers find out once they start their own practice that being a lawyer is so much more than just practicing law.A law firm is a business and should be treated like one. In order to stand up against the competition and attract clients, you’ll need to start thinking like a CEO.Although your job is winning your clients’ cases, your job is also to market your law firm because, let’s face it—you need to continuously bring in more clients if you expect to continue making revenue. With all of the competition out there, law firm marketing is a crucial part of keeping a steady stream of clients coming to your practice.Yet, it can be tricky to balance prioritizing current clients while still making time for attracting new ones. That's why it's important to ensure when you do invest your time and money into marketing that the efforts pay off.If you hope to expand your law firm and increase your revenue, it’s more important than ever that you know the most important marketing statistics of 2021 and the best tools you’ll need to make informed marketing decisions.

1. 26% of law firms don’t track their leads

When a lead contacts a law firm and inquires about their services, it’s a huge opportunity. However, without an efficient client intake process in place, it’s a huge lost opportunity. The key to success is keeping track of every lead that comes in as well as how they found you. Otherwise, how can you hope to track what works and what doesn't?Before you pull out a pen and start writing down leads that call your law firm, consider a more efficient system. While a pen and paper may have worked once upon a time, there are more modern methods in place in 2021 that are considerably more reliable.[oxygen-template id="6129"]When there are multiple people in your law firm dealing with the same leads, it can be difficult to know who's been followed up with when and at what stage they are in the client journey. Regardless of what size your firm is, trying to keep track of every lead and contacts information on a spreadsheet or in your email inbox can become chaotic

The solution The only way to effectively track where leads are and what needs to be done next is by using a law firm CRM and attorney intake software. With technology that's designed specifically with lead tracking and client conversion in mind, it's one of the most important tools you need in 2021. A CRM for attorneys ditches piles of paper and streamlines your practice so that you can put your energy where it matters most — getting your clients the best possible results.A legal CRM tracks all correspondence with leads and clients as well as any important information regarding their file. One single database tells you whether a lead needs to be followed up with or not and if they've scheduled a consultation. The CRM database can be accessed from anywhere at any time, giving you a complete 360 degree view of where each lead stands — reducing the chances of anyone falling through the cracks.

2. 42% of the time law firms take an average of 3 days or more to respondto leads

Statistics show that the longer it takes to get back to leads, the narrower your chances are of closing a sale. Time is everything when it comes to converting a lead into a client. The longer that you wait to get back to someone, the more likely that they are to reach out to a competing law firm.

The solution Although the statistic that 42% of the time law firms take more than three days to get back to leads can be surprising, it's also understandable. Lawyers have extremely busy schedules and a lot going on. Getting back to leads can often sit on the back burner of their priorities.The best way to make sure that you're still giving your full attention to your clients without neglecting your leads is to rely on automation. The minute that a lead is entered into your CRM system, they get followed up with immediately, without you having to do at thing. That way, you don't have to worry about going down a list and calling people back. Law firm client intake software does it all for you so you can focus on what matters most at your law firm.

3. 33% of clients start looking for legal counsel online

While traditional marketing efforts like billboards and print ads still have value, over a quarter of clients look for their lawyers online. Failing to market online is throwing away a huge portion of your potential clients. Even though your old marketing efforts may have worked fine in the past, the truth is that times are changing, and you need to modernize the way you do things if you hope to keep up with the competition.

The solution The best way to start implementing a strong digital marketing strategy into your law firm's efforts is by using workflow automation for law firms. Lawmatics sends out personalized and relevant emails to leads so that they are much more likely to open the message. You can set up drip email marketing campaigns that send out a different message at different points in time based on client and behaviors.For example, when someone visits your website or signs up for your newsletter, they receive a trigger-based drip email marketing message. Marketing automation for law firms powered with audience segmentation software makes it possible to keep your online leads engaged continuously by sending out the right content to the right people when it's most likely to get a response.

4. 86% of the time, law firms fail to collect prospects’ email addresses

Grabbing someone's phone number isn't enough. In 2021, an email address is incredibly valuable. Failing to get this crucial part of a person's contact information is missing an opportunity to build a loyal client for life. In many cases, people may prefer email as their method of communication, so it’s critical that you always ask. An email address also provides you the opportunity to send out marketing content to keep prospects engaged. Don't miss out on a client because you forgot to get their email.

The solution The right legal client intake software can get all of your prospect's information at once and input it into your database without any spreadsheets. From that point on, all you have to do is type in a person's name, and you'll be able to see everything from their contact details to whether they've been followed up with or not. They'll continue to receive marketing materials on a schedule of your choosing based on whatever criteria you decide. Because email automation for law firms keeps them engaged through consistent communication, they are much more likely to use your services when they need a lawyer as opposed to going with the competition.

5. 35% of the time, phone calls from prospective clients aren’t answered

It's pretty unbelievable to imagine that as many as one out of three calls in most law offices aren't answered at all. Instead, they often go into the abyss of voicemails that never get listened to or called back. If you put yourself into the shoes of a prospective client, ask yourself how you would feel if you called a law office and no one even picked up the phone. Chances are you would call another law office who does answer. When no one picks up the phone at your firm, you're much more likely to lose that client.

The solution Smaller law firms who don't have the luxury of a large staff or a receptionist may find it challenging to answer the phone every time that it rings. The fewer staff you have, the more difficult it can be to be available to handle incoming calls from leads. However, if you rely on technology to automate a huge portion of your daily tasks, then you'll be much more available to answer the phone when prospects call.

Grow your law firm with Lawmatics CRM and client intake software

If you’re surprised by some of these recent law firm marketing statistics, then you're not alone. The great news is that by learning from your competitors' mistakes, you can make better-informed decisions for your law firm. By knowing what everyone else is up to, you can offer superior client-centered marketing.[oxygen-template id="6132"]Regularly familiarizing yourself with the latest marketing statistics won’t just help you make more informed marketing decisions for your law firm but you’ll also stay ahead of the curve.By incorporating technology like Lawmatics legal CRM for lawyers and client intake software, you can ensure that no lead gets left behind, and no opportunity is missed. Relying on automation to get back to your prospect is the key to having enough time to focus on what matters most— getting the best outcome for your clients.If you're ready to see how Lawmatics can help you take your law firm marketing to the next level, sign up for a free product demo today!

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

I’m an Account Executive/Sales Engineer. I am responsible for understanding the needs of our potential clients and how Lawmatics can help their firm.

How did you end up working for Lawmatics?

I started working with Matt, Sarah, Roey, Fred, Anna, Johnny, and Zsolt at a previous company. When they started working on Lawmatics, I was at another startup here in San Diego. I was in the middle of a fist bump with my boss celebrating my one-year anniversary when Matt sent me a message, “It’s time…..you got a good sales guy for me? ” Like the bat symbol in the sky...I was called.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part in my role is that it's more than sales. Firms will tell me their process, and I get fulfillment from showing them how we can automate and save them time. This job allows me to think outside the box and find a way to integrate our platform into a law firm's current processes.

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

I feel like covid does not have a negative impact on my work. Working remotely allowed me to be more focused on tasks and less stressed to the outside noise. It also taught me how adaptable I could be and realigned my priorities.

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

I’m originally born and raised in Chicago and moved to the Bay Area in 2010 for a change of scenery and to be closer to family. I ended up moving down to San Diego from San Francisco 6 years ago and have loved every second of it.

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

Until 2 weeks ago, not a lot due to working on my BS in Information Technology. I am happy to say that it is over now, and I plan to focus on some continued learning, specifically strengthening my coding skills.

When I have some free time, I like to spend it with my better half and nerd out with some online gaming (FPS mainly). I also love cooking and use it as a way to unplug and not look at my phone or slack.

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

I used to be a DJ and was very passionate about it for nearly two decades. It started when I was 16, and I ended up visiting my older brother in San Francisco. He was playing gigs all over the city and really loved it. One day he played a record called “Around the World” by my favorite group, Daft Punk, and that was pretty much it. When I got back to Chicago, my brother sent me a DJ starter pack, including two turntables, some vinyl records, and a pair of headphones. The rest was history.

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

Pizza…. It’s simple, really. I have had some good times with family and friends, eating a pie and watching a Bears game. Pizza is also the one thing I try in every new city I visit and love how each city/region/country has their own spin on it.

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

I’m a huge sci-fi person and love the original movie Tron from the ’80s and the sequel Tron: Legacy from 2010 that featured Daft Punk as the composer of the musical score. I always viewed Kevin Flynn as a combination of real-life technology personalities in today’s world (e.g., Musk, Gates).

"Together, we're gonna change the world, man." — Kevin Flynn

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

This was pretty early on in my time with the company. By the time I arrived at Lawmatics, I had experience selling software across multiple industries and have come across a variety of tools. Lawmatics builds on this but in an intuitive way that lends itself well to firms and the legal space as a whole. The platform is easy to navigate and provides the firm flexibility to shape the software to their practice.

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?

Automate...automate...automate. Do this with any repeatable task and look for ways to save time on processes that drown you with admin work. I also recommend viewing intake as a sales process that involves not just acquiring information through intake but having visible tracking and automated follow-up.

Although it's relatively new in the legal world, businesses have been embracing the power of data to make better-informed business decisions for quite a while.Analyzing your law firm's individual data can not only save you time from identifying areas of your process that are wasting your energy, but it can also save you money by identifying where you're wasting resources. When you can pinpoint the areas of your practice that are working and what areas need improvement, you can make better-informed decisions that will ultimately hope you reach your goals as a law firm.At first, the idea of embracing data at your law firm can be daunting since you didn't exactly go to school to be a data analyst. After all, you were trained to practice law, not study complicated graphs and data analysis. The great news is that technology has made it easier than ever to digest your firm's data in a way that works best for your law firm. You don't have to be a scientist to understand data and metrics, thanks to easy-to-read visual analytics.Data analytics can help you track important metrics like how many lead-to-client conversions you've had in one month or which marketing strategies are generating the best results. By having an overall idea of where you stand in the areas that matter most, you can make changes wherever necessary and target your unique goals by implementing features like audience segmentation software.

5 benefits of analyzing your law firm's data

1Better insight for the future

Planning for the future is nothing but guesswork unless you have solid data to go off of. Law firm reporting software can help you make improvements where they matter most. When you analyze patterns, you can better prepare for the future. For example, if you know that certain times of the year have proven to be less profitable for your firm, you can better prepare for them in the future by anticipating them before they arrive. Data makes it possible to arm yourself with better anticipation of eventualities.

2Clear assessment of where you standas a law firm

If things aren't working as well as you might like them to in your law firm, it's not always easy to say why. However, delving into data and analytics can help you identify where the problem areas are and compare yourself to other firms similar to yours to make data-driven decisions. You can determine how close you are to reaching your goals and where you need to make changes to get where you want to be.

3Less time wasted

Many law firms realize that before they start analyzing their data, they are losing time on things that were a waste of resources. However, when you start looking at the total picture, it's not long before you realize the things you should eliminate from your process and what you need to devote more time to. Simply put, running regular data reports pinpoints problem areas rather than speculating on them.

4More revenue

The key to increasing your profits is to be as efficient as possible. Tracking key performance indicators will reveal what parts of your firm are making you the most money and what parts are draining your time and resources. In the end, information is power, and power is money. Arm yourself with the most amount of insight possible and watch your revenue soar.

5Better client experience

Many law firms assume that they're doing a satisfactory job for their clients. However, data and analytics software like Lawmatics offers often reveals the opposite. Measuring data can help you determine if your clients are receiving the best possible experience in reality. Metrics like how much repeat business you have and whether clients are referring you to other clients is an excellent indication of whether you're delivering a solid client journey or not.In order to make the most out of analyzing your law firm's data, here are some of the best tips and practices.

11 tips for analyzing your law firm's data

1Set goals

Don't make the mistake of trying to grow as a business without being as specific as possible about what it is that you hope to achieve.Without having goals set in mind, analyzing data is useless. You'll need to know what your specific targets are to measure how close you are to achieving them. Having a precise goal set in mind will help you continue moving towards your goals and track how close you are to reaching them thanks to goal tracking for law firms.If you're unsure about what kind of goals you'd like to create for your law firm, you should start by determining where the problem areas are. Identify parts of your business that aren't working and that you'd like to improve on, and never forget the importance of being S.M.A.R.T.

S

Specific

Your law firm's goals should be as specific as possible; otherwise, you won't be able to stay focused. Clear goal setting helps you stay motivated and in tune with why your goals are important, what's involved in achieving them, and what you'll need to do to accomplish what you're setting out to do. The more specific you can be and the more details you can add to what you hope to accomplish, the more realistic it will be to achieve your law firm's goals.

M

Measurable

Goals must be measurable in order to make sure that you're making progress. When setting goals, make sure that it's something you can actually track. Measurable goals include details like how much of something you'd like to achieve and how you will know when it's been done.

A

Achievable

At the end of the day, you can set all varieties of goals for yourself, but they won't be worth much good if they're not realistic. Make sure that anything you set out to do is indeed attainable. Any goal that you set should require stretching your limits to a certain extent, but it should not be impossible, or you'll lose motivation. Set goals based on where you currently stand to ensure that it's worth your while.

R

Relevant

Your goals should be relevant to your overall vision and long-term goals as a firm. Everything that you set out to do should align with how worthwhile it is in the long run. Don't waste your time setting out to do things that won't ultimately take your law firm closer to where you want to be in the big picture.

T

Timely

Lastly, every time you set a goal, it should have a timeline attached to it. When you put deadlines on your goals, you can determine whether you're working as quickly and efficiently as you need to. If your deadline is approaching and you're nowhere near the targets you've set for yourself, it may be time to reassess what you're setting out to do.

2Think through how you're spending your time

Time is your greatest asset when it comes to being an efficient law firm, and one of the most valuable things that data can provide for your law firm is telling you where and how you're spending the hours of your week.It's critical that you track where each portion of your time is going, from the intake process to sending out marketing emails. Set your data and analytics software so that you know exactly how much time you've spent on each task throughout the week. You may be shocked to find that you're spending far too much time on administrative tasks that can easily be automated through the help of law firm client intake software and a law firm CRM.

3Measure regularly

Data can be one of the most valuable tools for growing your legal practice. However, in order to get the most out of the information, you'll need to make sure that you measure it regularly. Make sure that you run a law firm data analytics report at least once a month so that you can track your results. Tracking your data is an essential part of staying accountable for your progress. After all, how can you be sure that what you're doing is working unless you measure the results on a regular basis?[oxygen-template id="6132"]

4Consider adjusting your fee system

One of the most significant advantages that data-driven firms have over those that don't embrace data is that they're up to date with the latest pricing. More and more firms are moving towards a flat fee system rather than billing by the hour. Nowadays, flat fee billing is a client-friendly and straightforward pricing system. Clients no longer have to wonder whether they're going to receive a massive bill at the end of their legal services. Yet, many lawyers hesitate towards moving towards charging flat fees because they feel that what they get paid may fall short of the total amount of work that they put in.Use data to explore the idea of a flat fee system in your legal practice to stand up against the competition. Data will help you look closer at your cases and how much time you put into each—having an idea of the average amount of work that a case requires can help you develop a fair price that doesn't scare leads away. In order to make sure that you're not selling yourself short, make sure that you carefully go over your data reports to determine how much you should be compensated for a particular type of case.

5Update your goals regularly

In order to make sure that you're continuing to move forward as a law firm, you'll need to update your goals regularly. As you make advancements towards your long-term targets, you'll naturally need to change your goals as you achieve them. Therefore, make sure that you change the metrics that you measure as you go along.There's no point in wasting your time following data that is no longer relevant to your current goals. It's a good idea to revisit where you stand at least once a month so that you know where you need to make any changes in the metrics you're pulling up on your reports.It's also important to pay attention to client behavior and change the appropriate metrics to "crack the code" of why they may be responding the way that they are. Data can provide an enormous wealth of information to help you better predict and understand your leads and clients' behavior. Pay attention to what behaviors to look out for in order to achieve your goals.

6Look for connections

Analyzing data at your law firm can be exciting because it's an opportunity to put on your detective hat. Sometimes analytics may not necessarily spell things out for you explicitly, so it's up to you to put the connections together and realize how the puzzle fits together. By observing connections between any potential issues in your firm and client behaviors, you'll be able to detect what factors are attributing to these situations. For example, if you're experiencing a considerable amount of client no-shows, it may be time to start questioning your follow-up process.Automated legal client intake software offers SMS for law firms to ensure that everyone stays on the same page by sending a message to the right person at the right time. Alternatively, you may find that you've been losing clients recently. It may be time to start following the productivity of your staff and see how well they're performing their tasks. By increasing your awareness of the total picture and piecing together the connections, you can make changes where they matter most in your law firm.

7Make productivity a priority

Productivity in your law firm is the key to success. Your lawyers must be spending their time on the tasks that matter most and get the most results for your clients. Law firm performance management is critical for gaining a better understanding of the workings of your staff and how to make things more efficient. How much time are your lawyers spending actually practicing law and time face to face with your firm's clients? How much revenue is being generated by each lawyer, and where is there room for improvement? Reviewing everyone's performance, including your own, is a critical part of increasing productivity.Law firm data analytics can help you understand that there are many different factors that come into play when measuring staff productivity. Most importantly, metrics can help you recognize that many of the things your staff members are spending their time on could be delegated to workflow automation for law firms. A CRM for lawyers and attorney intake software can automate tedious administrative tasks for your law firm so that your staff can focus on what matters most— turning their attention towards clients.

8Simplify whenever possible

A common misconception about data is that it's confusing. People who aren't familiar with data and analytics software may be fearful that it will be a piece of massive information coming at them that they don't know what to do with. However, the truth is that data and analytics is there to simplify data for you. Anyone in your office can easily digest visual insights without having to be a data specialist, thanks to data and analytics software.Make it easy for everyone in your law firm to understand the reports that you're running by filtering through information that isn't that relevant and simplifying with the most important metrics that your staff needs to be paying attention to. Make it as easy as possible for everyone on your team to understand, and you'll get the most out of analyzing your data.

9Act immediately

Data can be very revealing in showing you how your firm can make improvements. Often you may not even realize your weak points until you see them laid out in a graph. The important thing is that once you see these bottlenecks in your practice, you must act immediately. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is sitting on useful information that could help your firm become more efficient. Although change may often require updating the way you do things regularly, it's the only way to make improvements that will ultimately help you reach your long-term goals.

10Re-build your client intake process

One of the most critical parts of your firm is the client intake process. Unfortunately, this is where many law firms get it wrong. Analyzing your law firm's data can help you make improvements where necessary and start treating your client intake process as a business. A poorly executed client intake process doesn't just lower your chances of lead to client conversion— it can wreak havoc on your law firm. It's vital that you are organized, consistent, and, most importantly, that you use technology to your advantage.

Qualities of an effective client intake process

It's efficient

Gone are the days when law firms take down leads' information on a legal pad or post-it notes and pile it somewhere on their desk where it may or may not get followed up. There is an incredible amount of room for error when you're relying on an old-fashioned system. A solid client intake process is efficient and reliable because it depends on the power of client intake software.

It is client-focused

More and more law firms are taking on a client-centered approach to their intake process. Striving to meet your clients' needs is a must if you hope to deliver a positive client journey that results in repeat business and client referrals. Your client intake process should strive to provide the best possible client experience by focusing on tracking a client's journey. Client intake software tracks leads and clients every step of the way to ensure no one gets forgotten.

It's automated

Regardless of the size of your firm, all lawyers are busy. Between keeping up with administrative work, attending meetings, and finding and retaining clients, it can get difficult to focus on what you were actually trained to do— practice law. The only way that you can expect to keep up with all of the tasks that come your way on a daily basis is to delegate the administrative work to software.

Automation for law firms can take the hassle out of repetitive daily tasks like following up with leads and sending out marketing emails. Not only does it take work off of your plate by relying on tools like automated email workflows for law firms, but it ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.

11Prioritize the client experience

Your law firm's data can be one of your greatest tools for mastering and enhancing your clients' experience. By observing where the bottlenecks are in your processes and how you can improve the client journey, you can delight, retain and attract clients better than ever.The most reliable way to provide an excellent client experience is to break down each stage of the client journey and make it as efficient as possible.

The 3 stages of the client journey

1

Intake

The minute that a lead contacts your firm, whether through a legal client intake form or by phone, the client journey begins. Analyzing your law firm's data can provide valuable insight into how well you're doing at making a good first impression.For example, are you following up immediately? Are you relying on a manual intake process to take their information? The first stage of the intake process is critical for starting things on the right foot. That's why features like email automation for law firms through a CRM for attorneys and attorney intake software is vital.

2

Active matter

Once a lead becomes a paying client, they start the second stage of the journey, known as active matter. It's an opportunity to show how you can live up to your promises that got them to sign a contract with you in the first place.Your firm's data can help you focus on how well you're delivering at this stage of the client journey. Take this opportunity to delight them by giving them direct access to you through features like automated appointment scheduling, electronic signature for legal documents and client e-signature tools that takes the hassle out of the client journey.

3

Former client

Although many law firms see this as one of the least important stages of the client journey, smart law firms know that in reality, it's one of the most important.Look closely at your data and pay attention to how many former clients are still engaged. Don't close the door on the opportunity for repeat business and referrals and get to know important engagement tools like drip email marketing.

Analyze your law firm's data with Lawmatics

Growing your law firm starts with knowing where your firm stands and where it can grow. Analytics and data provide valuable insight to help you take your firm to the next level and skyrocket your revenue.Are you ready to learn more about how the best CRM for law firms can help you get the most out of your practice? Sign up for a free product demo today!

Clients are the blood that keeps a law firm's veins pumping, so it's critical that you have a steady stream of leads coming in at all times. Regrettably, many lawyers may be excellent at practicing law, but they’re clueless when it comes to capturing and converting clients. The fact of the matter is that a law firm is a business just like any other. In order to succeed and keep up with the competition, you'll need to start thinking like a CEO.If you observe the most successful law firms out there, you'll notice that they share critical similarities.

7 characteristics the most successful law firms have in common

They have a solid client intake process

Once upon a time, law firms had to depend on a good old system of a telephone, paper, and pen, and file cabinets to keep track of all of the leads coming in. It goes without saying that this system left a lot of opportunity for human error and things getting forgotten. It's impossible to keep track of all of your leads coming in when you're relying on an old-fashioned intake process like this. How can you possibly know where each client stands in their part of the client journey when you're busy handling open matters?

They use technology to their advantage

The answer to how to take on the maximum amount of matters while still keeping meticulous detail on each lead and where they stand? — With a client intake software.The second a lead fills out an intake form or calls your practice, the first part of their client journey begins. It's critical to be as sharp as possible during your first interaction since first impressions are everything. A timely response is everything when a lead first comes your way. Successful firms know the importance of getting back to leads quickly and efficiently, which can only be done with automation.Not only do they get back to their leads immediately using automation, but they track every step of the process carefully and can tell you at any moment who's been followed up with when. They don't use spreadsheets or their email inbox, but rather a sophisticated and robust software that gives them total control over their leads in clients' information. With so much control over where each lead stands, their conversion rates are significantly higher, and therefore so is their profitability.The strongest firms know that client intake software isn't the only technology that can help boost and optimize their process, either. A client intake software pairs with a CRM for lawyers, which manages all client information and tracks each interaction in one single database.Rather than losing hours of their workweek on monotonous administrative tasks like data entry, they rely on their CRM for attorneys to turn potential leads into loyal clients by automating and streamlining processes. Without technology, managing the progression of client relationships would take significantly longer.They also make use of tools like case management software which tracks all of the details for each case in one place, from billing to essential documents and legal timekeeping software to help improve productivity. There's no need to dig around in multiple file cabinets or search desperately through their email inbox. Everything is on a cloud in one place and can be accessed from anywhere at any time.

They have a clear intake strategy

Regardless of the size of your law firm, you need to have a strategy in place. Attempting to expand as a law firm is impossible without a clear and intentional system set in place. Think of your intake strategy as a plan that serves as a road map for you to reach your objectives and optimize your legal client intake process. A strategy means inspecting your strengths and weaknesses and discerning where to make changes for improvements.The most thriving practices know that strategies are best created through the help of observing their data. Data can help you uncover any bottlenecks in your law firm and sharpen your strategy so that it's the most future-oriented possible.

They aim for referrals

The best strategies are the ones that strive to meet the clients' needs as a top priority. In turn, high client satisfaction leads to referrals. When a business model is built around the client, it creates excellent reviews and loyal customers who provide plenty of referrals. If you can manage to keep and retain clients, they, in turn, tell their friends, family, and colleagues—bringing in even more business.

They are data-driven

When people think of data, they often think of complicated charts or an alarming amount of numbers that they don't know how to decipher. The truth is that with the right technology using data isn't as hard as you think it would be. Law firm data analytics make it possible to see your law firm's trends and identify any places where you're in trouble.Yet looking at data alone isn't enough to call yourself data-driven. A strong strategy takes data and metrics and puts them into action. The best law firms identify where the bottlenecks are in their practice and make changes immediately rather than hoping it will get better.

They pay attention to what's going on around them

In addition to paying attention to their own data and marketing analytics for law firms, the most competitive law firms know the importance of also paying attention to market trends. By studying trends inside and outside your firm, you can build a stronger strategy that stands up against the competition.

They put their clients first

The most forward-thinking strategies are the ones that keep clients in mind above all else. Law firms who hope to keep up with the competition will have to start adopting a customer-centered mentality. In a world of online reviews and competing firms with client-centered business models, it's no longer acceptable for a practice to give a mediocre client experience. Customers expect more than ever now, so it's your job to not only help them resolve their legal concerns but also make sure that every step of the way is completed efficiently and to their delight.The best strategies are client-centered and well thought out, and consider how the client will be affected every step of the way.[oxygen-template id="6131"]

6 most common client intake mistakes

Relying on outdated processes

Despite all of the technology out there available to optimize the legal intake process, an alarming amount of law firms are still relying on outdated processes. For example, if your law firm takes down clients' information with a pen and paper, you're already headed in the wrong direction. Not only are you opening yourself up to the possibility of human error, but you're also wasting precious time that you could be practicing law. If you're running a small practice, chances are it's you that's handling most of your incoming calls. So, when you have to do it all manually yourself, you’re losing hours a week when you add it all up together.Leave the legal pad and ballpoint pen in the past and catch up to us here in 2021. It's time to embrace technology to optimize and streamline your intake process through a client intake software and law firm CRM!

Failing to deliver a consistent intake process

If you have multiple people working in your firm who all take part in the intake process, then everyone must be on the same page. The most successful firms have their intake process down to a T so that there is no confusion about what needs to happen.When your practice lacks a consistent client intake process, you risk leads falling through the cracks. There's nothing more frustrating or inefficient than trying to figure out whether a lead has been followed up with or not. If you're still relying on things like post-it notes to share information about leads with other staff members, then your clients' experience will be impacted but the lack of efficiency in communication.When everyone is approaching legal intake differently in your firm, then you won't wind up with the same information. You should always have the same person answering the phone, and everything should be entered into a legal CRM system. That way, your whole team knows exactly where each lead stands in the client journey.

Wasting time on data entry

Your client intake process should be as quick and efficient as possible so that you can go back to taking care of what matters most at your firm— getting the best possible results for your clients. If your intake process involves manually entering a client's name, contact information, and information like where they heard about you from into a spreadsheet, then your intake process is taking too long.Not only are you wasting time on an overly long client intake process, but you're also wasting your client's time. Nobody wants to take more than a few minutes to give you their details. The point of client intake is to take down a lead's needs and make sure that you're a good fit, not wasting an hour of your day on a questionnaire.

Taking too long to follow up

A startling amount of lawyers take far too long to get back to inquiring leads. Statistics show that as little as 52% of law firms call leads back. It goes without saying that this is a considerable opportunity thrown away. After all, how can you expect to turn a lead into a client if you don't even call them back? Ideally, you should get back to leads immediately to increase your chances of conversion. Studies prove that taking any longer than a few minutes can lower your chances of a sale significantly.This is where workflow automation for law firms can come in to take care of the hard work for you. A legal CRM can send a follow-up email immediately after a client fills out a legal client intake form. The best part is that it's personalized in a way that best targets your lead. All this can happen without you having to lift a finger thanks to automated email workflows for law firms.

Not relying on data

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make in 2021 is failing to make use of data. The most successful firms are the ones that are data-driven and use analytics to make better business decisions. Without data, you can only guess what the best marketing sources are for your firm and what methods attract the most clients.With visual analytics, you can observe things like how many clients you've acquired this year compared to last year and how many are currently in the pipeline as opposed to the previous month. Tracking critical data like this will help you strengthen your strategies and stand a chance against the competition.

Wasting time on back and forths

Once you manage to establish that a lead is a good fit for your firm and you're the right fit for them, it's time to make an appointment. This is the part where many old-fashioned law firms lose time on a lengthy back and forth proposing an appointment time. Between your schedule and the leads, you lose precious time sending emails back and forth, trying to find the right time that works for everyone. Eliminate this waste of time in your client intake process and automate your appointments instead. It's as simple as using self-scheduling software that allows your clients to choose the best date and time based on your availability.Not only does it make your life easier, but it also makes your clients' lives easier. Chances are they have busy schedules too, and the last thing they want to do is waste time emailing back and forth.Now that you've got a better idea of why the client intake process is so critical for your firm's success let's explore the 13 best tips for how you can improve yours.

13 tips for improving the client intake process

1First impressions are everything

First impressions are everything when it comes to onboarding clients. With so many different law firms out there for clients to choose from, you must shine as a lawyer. If you can manage to present yourself as easy to work with, friendly, and fast-paced with cutting-edge legal technology, you're already off on the right track.Clients will love that you offer them a seamless intake that doesn't require long phone calls or scanners and printers. Fast, efficient, and polished is the best possible way to make a great impression on your leads from the minute they contact your firm.

2Pre-screen your clients

Ideally, you should pre-screen your clients before the actual consultation. The reality is that not every lead that comes through will be the perfect fit for you and your team. Before taking time out of your schedule to see a client, make sure that you pre-screen them to ensure that you're a good match.If you have a receptionist, make sure that they pre-screen clients. If you don't have the luxury of someone at your front desk, you should try to get as much information as possible through custom templates. That way, you can get whatever pre-screen answers you need quickly without having to lose time you could be practicing law.

3Stop manually entering contact information

Need we repeat it? Put that pen down and stick that legal pad in a drawer! —That also includes spreadsheets. It would be best if you weren't manually entering anything about your clients. It's time to start relying on a CRM that automatically intakes your clients' information for you. No more wasting time on manual data entry when you can rely on automation and never lose track of a client again

4Let your clients self-schedule

Stop wasting time trying to find an appointment slot that works for everyone's schedule through email. Clients will love having direct access to your schedule and being able to set an appointment time based on whatever you want them to see is available thanks to automated appointment scheduling.A solid client intake process is all about eliminating bottlenecks and offering the most efficient and smooth process possible. Self-scheduling is one of the most convenient features that you can offer your leads and clients.It's as simple as syncing your personal calendar with your attorney intake software. Choose only the dates and times that you want your clients to see, and allow them direct access to you by automatically setting up an appointment themselves.

5Be a good listener during the consultation

One of the first things that people look for in a lawyer is strong communication skills. It's critical that you're an effective listener so that all of the essential details of the case are discussed upfront. One of the most powerful ways to show leads and clients that you value them is to listen. Avoid interrupting and ask plenty of questions. During the consultation, make sure that you allow your client to do most of the talking.The last thing you want to do is miss critical information because you weren't listening closely enough. This is your moment to clearly understand what your potential client needs and show them why you're the best person for the job. Make sure to show them a healthy balance of listening and participating.

6Discuss fees upfront

One of the points you should ensure that you go over during the consultation is your fees. Whether you charge a flat fee or by the hour, you must cover basics like these upfront. Discuss how you accept payment and any other important details like payment plans. That way, you'll easily be able to draft up a contract already having gone over everything.

7Automate email replies

Email automation for law firms is the easiest and fastest way to ensure that your clients are followed up with promptly. Use a CRM for lawyers and follow up with your clients automatically. Use audience segmentation software to tailor each massage to your client with a personalized and targeted approach.

8Track each lead’s status

The most effective method for strengthening your relationships with clients and ensuring that they are delighted every step of the journey is by tracking every single interaction. From the moment your lead first fills out an intake form to the moment they sign a contract, a CRM will show you each step of the way. That way, you never miss an opportunity.

9Use e-signature tools

As any lawyer knows, drafting up contracts can be a lengthy and tedious process. Use automation software to eliminate the risk of errors and make the process go much faster. Quickly fill out document templates using custom fields, and get important documents out in a fraction of the time thanks to legal document automation.Simply export the information from your CRM directly into the custom form builder. Once it's time for the client to sign, make things even easier for them by offering a client e-signature tool. E-signature technology makes it simple to onboard your client without having to worry about printers and fax machines, and scanners. — oh my!

10Don’t assume all leads are the same

You can't expect to get the kind of results you want from an all-in-one marketing approach. The truth is that every lead is different and needs to be targeted in a unique way. Use audience segmentation software to take your marketing to the next level. Separate your leads into different categories that work best for your firm and send the right message at the right time to the right person using marketing automation for law firms.

11Send out reminders

One of the biggest frustrations that lawyers have is time lost on late or missed consultations. Lawmatics law firm client intake software makes it easy to keep everyone on track with automatic reminders. You'll never miss a beat or waste time on missed appointments again thanks to SMS for law firms and automated follow ups.

12Make sure your everyone on your team is consistent

Get everyone on board on your team and deliver a consistent, reliable intake process. Using the right legal client intake software, anyone on your team can access where lead stands in the journey and anything they need to know about their client details. Consistency is the key ingredient when it comes to delivering a superior client intake process free of errors.

13Use data to see your most valuable lead sources

Run regular reports through law firm reporting software to see where the bottlenecks are in your client intake process. Goal tracking for law firms makes it easy to keep track of the most important metrics like where your leads are coming from and how many of them are being converted. Without data, business decisions are nothing more than guesswork. The only way to take your client intake process to the next level is by tracking the most critical metrics and becoming a data-driven firm.

Take your firm’s legal client intake process to the next level with Lawmatics

The success of your law firm relies on the most important part of the client journey— the intake process. By embracing technology and becoming data-driven, you'll not only kick your client intake process up to a notch you didn’t even imagine was possible, but you'll also have more time to dedicate to what you're trained to do best— practice law.Are you ready to see how best CRM for law firms Lawmatics can help you step up your firm’s client intake game? Sign up for a free product demo today! We have solutions for every practice area — personal injury software, family law software, immigration client management software, and more.