These days, the most successful lawyers are those who are comfortable in the role of businessperson. It's easy to focus on an impending meeting or dispute--not that that's necessarily a bad thing, unless you do so to the exclusion of important business matters.
The key is striking the perfect balance between serving your real estate clients and creating a solid business foundation for your practice; otherwise you risk alienating your clients and your ledgers.
Some steps, such as hiring a Bellingham, MA accountant for real estate lawyers, are more involved than others and yield dramatic improvements almost instantly. Others are simple actions that can be undertaken daily between meetings or during brief periods of downtime. By dedicating your "on the clock free time" to making your office more productive, you're one step closer to a balanced business model.
Cultivating Your Online Presence
For the most part, website development and maintenance is best left to tech-savvy types. That doesn't mean that you can't do your part to help things along. A blog is an excellent resource for prospective and current clients even without delving into complex legal principles. Share your posts and other relevant links on your social media profiles to ensure maximum reach and visibility. You needn't make each post a manifesto; good blog posts can include:
- Case studies and reflection, as long as privacy is maintained
- Recaps of new regulatory requirements that affect clients
- Attorney spotlights
- Interesting news and updates in law and relevant industries (i.e. real estate)
- Details about upcoming events that may interest your clients
Tackling Continuing Legal Education
Completing mandatory CLEs is a necessary evil, and it's an excellent task to fill in the occasional lull in activity. The good news? CLE providers are beginning to realize the need for business education for law professionals, making it easier to locate modules that are relevant to your needs. It certainly beats last-minute cramming and the risk of incurring the wrath of your local bar association.
Networking, Minus the Schmoozing
While attending the occasional after-work local networking events is advisable, not all networking has to take place over cocktails. Social media makes connecting with other legal professionals a breeze, even during the workday. Spend a few hours each week participating in online discussions and Q-and-A sessions in pertinent LinkedIn groups. You'll quickly expand your network to include potential referral sources, interesting opportunities, and a better return on your time investment.
Listening to the Voice of the Client
It's understandable that reading an unfavorable review rubs you the wrong way, especially if you're a new lawyer working hard to make a name for yourself. Still, who better to suggest areas for improvement than those who've directly benefited (or not) from your skill and expertise? What works? What doesn't? How do your reviews compare to those of competing firms? A few places to start:
Considering outsourced accounting for your Bellingham law firm? To learn more about hiring a CPA, or to schedule a meeting with Ann Irons, CPA, LLC, contact us at (508) 966-0700. We serve individuals and businesses in Bellingham, Woonsocket, Medway, Milford, Worcester, and the surrounding areas.
Ann spent over 25 years in the financial service industry, gaining knowledge and experience that allows her to provide an array of tax, bookkeeping, and accounting services for her clients. Relying on a stringent code of ethics and a dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards, Ann works hard to ensure her clients receive the quality service they’ve come to expect. A member of AICPA and MSCPA, Ann has also had an article featured in the renowned publication, Banker and Tradesman. 
