Marketing for Law Firms Podcasts - Legal Talk Network

Networking and Referrals, the Forgotten Marketing Channel

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:00:15 +0000

A part of the legal marketing landscape we don’t talk about enough is referral marketing. Sure, we focus on digital marketing, search engines, and paid advertising. But maybe one of the best – and cheapest – forms of marketing could be referral marketing, working with other layers who know, like, and trust us.

Guest John Reed is a former practicing attorney and the founder of Rain BDM, a marketing firm that helps lawyers build exceptional relationships. Hear how professionals learn and play “the referral game.”

Asking for referrals may not feel natural, even a bit awkward. But like any marketing campaign, it can be planned, initiated, and tracked. And it can be fun and rewarding. Don’t try to make a relationship “transactional,” just go out and meet and help people. Let it be more relaxed and natural.

Hear about the “four questions” and a personalized “grid” plan that can get the ball rolling when you meet another attorney. If you’ve struggled with building intentional relationships with other attorneys and expanding your network, you’ll want to hear this free “relationships 101” lesson from a proven, experienced pro.

Turn Expertise into Clients: Building Authority That AI Recognizes, with Karin Conroy from Conroy Creative

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:06 +0000

In episode 603 of Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser sits down with Karin Conroy to examine how AI is changing the rules of law firm marketing and what that means for lawyers who want to stand out for the right reasons.

Karin explains why expertise, not automation, is what rises to the top in an AI filtered world. As large language models reshape how potential clients search for answers, shortcuts like keyword stuffing and mass produced content are quickly losing their impact. What stands out instead is real authority built through credibility, third party validation, media appearances, and consistent messaging across platforms.

The conversation also challenges the idea that your website is your first impression. In today’s landscape, visibility often starts elsewhere. Zack and Karin unpack how referral systems support a larger authority strategy and what it truly means to move from building, to stabilizing, to growing your marketing in a deliberate and sustainable way.

Listen to our previous episodes with Karin:

#559: The Imitation Trap: Lessons from 15 Years of Top Law Firm Websites , with Conroy Creative Counsel (Sponsored) Apple | Spotify | LTN

#546: Unlock Law Firm Growth: AI marketing Secrets with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN

#584: How to Stay Human in the Age of AI-driven Law Firm Marketing, with Creative Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN

Links from the episode:

https://conroycreativecounsel.com/

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters / Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Karin Conroy
02:30 – AI, Agents & The Content Explosion
04:15 – The M Dash as a Trust Tell
07:00 – Why Google Isn’t the Front Door Anymore
09:00 – Knowledge Panels & Online Authority
12:30 – You Can’t Fake Expertise
15:00 – Stop Chasing SEO Tricks
17:30 – Authority Through Media & PR
21:00 – Who Needs a Media Kit
23:00 – Referrals Are a Marketing Strategy
25:00 – Build Before You Scale
28:00 – AI Rewards Real Experts
32:30 – Closing Thoughts

The One Where Gyi and Conrad Rock the Boat

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:00:06 +0000

Hey, friends. The hard truth of it is—It’s bad for business if there’s no rule of law. We’re grateful for the voices in the profession that have shown a willingness to defend our nation’s laws in the midst of uncertainty. Later, Conrad shares tips for making friends.

We’ve been heartened to see a variety of voices standing up for the rule of law in recent weeks, and working in legal, we know the pressures firms feel as they consider how to engage in our current political climate. But, on this we can all agree: The rule of law is essential for the health and prosperity of our nation. Gyi and Conrad take a moment to share stories and amplify the voices of those who have shown their commitment to uphold the Constitution.

Next, Conrad really opened a can of worms on Facebook this week. Come for the drama, stay for the tactical tips on standing out in a world of private equity-backed agencies. Grab some popcorn.

The News:

Bob Ambrogi digs into the hopeful thought that legal-specific tech platforms can do a better job for lawyers’ AI needs – Anthropic’s Legal Plugin for Claude Cowork May Be the Opening Salvo In A Competition Between Foundation Models and Legal Tech Incumbents
Multiple clients have seen a 40% drop in their local visibility. Seems shady, eh?
If you don’t control your WordPress site, there’s a problem, folks. Gyi & Conrad explain how to own your stuff from the get-go.
Announcing the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit in Nashville, Tennessee! It’s gonna be a great time, everyone. Get your tickets before they’re all gone!

Mentioned:

NCBP discusses the rule of law: Presidential Check-In – A Conversation with Patrick Palace
Sign the Pledge!

Listen Next:

Local Love, Review Realities, and the Truth about Google’s PMax Campaigns

Connect:

Al Ludwig’s LinkedIn post

Community Table: Explaining the Process to a New Client The Correct Way

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:30:53 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table, explaining to clients what to expect, marketing, and getting your tech up to speed.

With new clients, take the time to set expectations and explain the process. Assumptions and miscommunication can lead to lower satisfaction when a client’s uninformed expectations don’t meet reality, even with a successful outcome
Starting with a clear explanation of the process can lead to more favorable outcomes. Will the case go to trial, our would a settlement be better? How much would one route cost vs. another? Give clients the big picture. Real life is not a television TV drama.
Is your marketing attracting the clients you want? Casting the widest net isn’t always the best choice. Explain who you are and what you do honestly. And then live up to those promises. (And for Heaven’s sake, get your tech in order. Clients today expect at least that: Hear the common tech shortfalls that turn clients off.)

Local Love, Review Realities, and the Truth about Google’s PMax Campaigns

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:30:57 +0000

As you advertise locally, advertise your localness! Then, what’s a small firm to do in the sea of reviews? And, we really hate Google’s Performance Max nonsense.

Lots to cover today, folks! Being connected to your community matters, and consumers respond with notable positivity to ads that emphasize all the local feels. Gyi and Conrad have plenty of insights on making the most of where you’re planted.

Next, fake reviews keep pouring in, and you need a clear strategy to rise above the flood. The guys share tactical tips for directing your resources to become a strong competitor in your marketplace.

And, lastly, Google’s PMax campaigns are a mighty unfunny joke. Ugh. The data is in, and—surprise, surprise—Google might not have your best interest at heart. Gyi and Conrad pick apart the latest data to help you understand what these campaigns are (not) doing for your law firm.

The News:

OpenAI put this out there: Our approach to advertising and expanding access to ChatGPT. And, just to remind you all, at one point they told us ads were definitely not in the game plan. But… qué será, será, eh?
Near Media’s “Near Memo” podcast welcomed our very own Gyi for a chat you should definitely go listen to: AI Is Breaking Local Search—But Google Still Decides Who Gets Chosen

Mentioned:

Listen Next:

Conrad’s Crystal Ball V: Lawyer Marketing Predictions for 2026

Connect:

Encore – Marketing Is More Than Billboards And Blogs

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:00:40 +0000

This week, the ladies of Heels in the Courtroom are bringing back on one of the most popular episodes of The Jury is Out, which explores how your most effective marketing tool is y our own genuine interest in the people you interact with every day. Heels will be back next time with new guests and new topics for 2026!

What Can Today’s Tech and AI Do for You? Expert Insights (and Predictions)

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:11 +0000

The world of legal technology can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, we have a guide in Chelsey Lambert, founder and author at the legal tech education, consulting, and guidance platform Legal Tech Decoded, which features articles, reviews, and opinions on the latest in legal tech.

This episode is kind of about marketing, but kind of about operations, but also kind of about AI, because tech is coming for every aspect of your legal practice. What developments will drive your firm forward, and what’s smoke and mirrors?

Lawyers who’ve been in the business long enough have gone from reviewing cases on paper and in books, maybe even yellow legal pads, to the Internet revolution, to online research and filing, to today’s AI revolution. Is AI remaking the practice of law, or just the next progression? (Spoiler, it’s kind of a big deal.)

“I don’t know that we’ve ever trained lawyers how to buy technology in the first place,” Lambert says. Now add the complexity of AI, a tool you have to train, guide, and trust. Hear about the evolving world of legal tech, even developments you probably haven’t heard of, and the evolution of the profession, including the potential for non-lawyer ownership and private equity. Don’t fear or ignore the revolution, embrace it.

How Podcasting Can Change Your Business || LHLM Takeout

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:00:04 +0000

How did our delightful little pod become what it is today? Gyi and Conrad chat with Ben & Brian Glass at The Great Legal Marketing Summit about their respective entrances into the legal marketing world and the story of the podcast’s growing-up years. They discuss what podcasts can & can’t do as a marketing tool for your business and how to create a conversation worth listening to.

Father-Son duo Ben and Brian Glass are prominent personal injury lawyers and business partners at BenGlassLaw in Fairfax, Virginia. They are known for their trial work, business acumen, and innovative marketing.

Conrad’s Crystal Ball V: Lawyer Marketing Predictions for 2026

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:20:51 +0000

Mystic for hire! Conrad dusts off the ol’ prophetic orb for a look at what 2026 has in store for lawyers and legal marketers.

We know you’re itching to hear those future fortunes, but hang on a second! First, Gyi and Conrad look back at their previous predictions to see how well they forecasted 2025. I mean, you want to know whether you can trust these guys, right?

And, well, those results aside, the guys then gaze into the depths to pick out the important marketing trends to watch in 2026. More AI stuff, new law firm business structures, anybody who could do anything about fake reviews will do absolutely nothing about it… and more! Cheers to a New Year!

The News:

Quite the play, Google. – Official: Apple Intelligence & Siri To Be Powered By Google Gemini
Better pay attention to this one, folks. Commercial environments are changing, but watching this trajectory should help us wrap our heads around it: New tech and tools for retailers to succeed in an agentic shopping era.
And, Jay Ruane wrote a stellar book! – Analog Marketing in a Digital World: A Blueprint for Attorneys to Dominate Local Markets by Being Human

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Conrad’s Crystal Ball IV | Lawyer Marketing Predictions for 2025 – Legal Talk Network

Connect:

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online!

Community Table: Getting Teams on Track and On the Same Page

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:00:10 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table, getting a worrisome associate, and the entire team, on track. Plus, communicating with clients and assuring them you have their back:

A manager struggles to help an associate manage tasks and produce work on time, could tools help through redundancies and accountability.
Daily “standups” or “scrums” can help legal teams clear logjams and stay on track. Christopher offers a concise explanation of how time management and accountability systems drive productivity.
Assuring clients you have their best interests at heart is vital, especially when they think you’re “part of the system.” What are “The Four Agreements” and how can they help you understand clients and communicate? Ask, listen, and explain.

Our Favorite Lawyerist Episodes of the Year, with Stephanie Everett & Zack Glaser

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 12:00:07 +0000

As the year comes to a close, Stephanie Everett and Zack Glaser look back at the Lawyerist Podcast episodes that stood out most to them in episode 594 of the Lawyerist Podcast. From practical AI workflows and ethical guidance to mental health, communication, and leadership, this episode highlights the conversations that sparked new thinking and delivered real value.

Stephanie and Zack revisit standout moments, share why certain episodes resonated, and reflect on the themes that shaped the year—while inviting listeners to share which episodes made the biggest impact and what topics they’d like to hear more about in the year ahead.

Listen to some of the episodes highlighted this year:

Episode #585 – First Aid for the Mind: Mental Health and the Law, with Sumia and Jill — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Episode #577 – Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Episode #565 – Becoming the AI-Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Episode #553 – AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use, with Catherine Sanders Reach — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Episode #579 – Knee Deep in Escheating: Intricacies of Lawyer Trust Accounts, with Amy Woods — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Episode 539 – This VOICE HACK Will Transform Your Legal Career!, with Reena Cook — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Episode 554 – Competence and Diligence in Light of Changing Laws and Regulations, with Craig Dobson — Apple | Spotify | LTN

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters / Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Year-End Reflection

01:35 – Why These Episodes Stood Out

01:56 – AI Tools and Practical Tech Takeaways

02:59 – Building Community and Adult Friendships

04:28 – Mental Health First Aid for Lawyers

07:06 – Ethics, Flat Fees, and Changing Scope

09:14 – Voice, Presence, and Communication Skills

11:46 – Becoming an AI-Driven Leader

14:36 – Rethinking Growth in the Age of AI

18:00 – Trust Accounting and Compliance Essentials

20:03 – Listener Feedback & Looking Ahead

21:07 – Closing Thoughts and Thanks

What Would the Brand Do? Marketing Without a Big-Firm Budget

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:00:53 +0000

Every firm knows it should be marketing. But go deeper. How should you be thinking about your firm’s own individual goals, brand, and budget?

If you’re at a smaller or mid-size firm, you don’t get a pass on marketing. You still need to reach potential clients. But you’ll have to do it on a smarter, scaled level. Guest Erika Steinberg spent decades developing marketing strategies for large firms, then she formed her own company, CMO2go, which helps smaller and mid-size firms develop and execute marketing strategies that fit their budgets.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the word “strategy” or be intimidated by the very idea of marketing. Strip it down to the essentials and take it step by step. A good marketing brainstorming can help you not only focus your strategies but also understand your firm’s goals and target audience.

Are you committing the sin of “random acts of marketing?” Find out on this episode of the Un-Billable Hour.

Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern.

Roasting Buckeyes || If You Screw Up the Honeymoon, You’re Headed for Divorce

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:00:42 +0000

First—watch out, Ohio. The guys are sore losers, so they’re taking it out on one of your websites. Later, what should law firms be doing during the honeymoon phase with new clients?

Sour grapes, for sure: Following Michigan’s painful loss to Ohio State, Gyi and Conrad take revenge on Ohioans with a teardown of the Buckeye Law Group’s pathetic website. (Eesh—harsh, guys.) From ineffectual “Buckeye” branding to affinity-building misses to a phone number that leads to SOMEONE ELSE’S LAW FIRM, it’s not great. So, basically, Ohio drools, Michigan rules.

Later, Gyi and Conrad want you to have a long and happy marriage with your clients, so you’d better not bungle the honeymoon. During this new, formative time, there are certain things you should and shouldn’t do! The guys talk about building trust through great first impressions, exceptional communication, clear expectations—all the things that create a delightful customer experience for your new clients.

A Wee Bit o’ News:

Huh, Google is now allowing anonymous reviews. So, we’re wondering hard about whether this might encourage a mass influx of fake reviews… ya think? A few silver linings might exist, but let’s all just plan for the worst, shall we?

LHLM’s Top 5 Episodes of 2025!

Listen Next:

Does My Website Suck? | Law Firm Website Teardown

Connect:

Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Newsletter! – The Bite

Why Authenticity Builds Better Client Connections || LHLM Takeout

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:00:06 +0000

Authenticity can be a powerful differentiator in legal marketing. Many lawyers hesitate to share their personal story, but doing so can create real connection and trust with the right clients. Gyi sits down with Chris Earley to talk about his marketing journey and why authenticity matters. They also dive into Chris’s involvement in masterminds and coaching programs, his commitment to integrity and positive firm culture, and how those values show up in the way he connects with clients.

Read Chris’s book! – Scaling the Wall: One Man’s Journey of Healing Childhood Trauma to Find Fulfillment and Success: Earley, Christopher

Chris Earley is the founder and CEO of the Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts.

Know Your Enemy—Or Your Competitors, At Least!

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:00:32 +0000

Where are your competitors spending their marketing money? Gyi and Conrad’s insights into this valuable data can help you stay ahead of the rivals in your market.

Competitive research is an oft overlooked marketing activity, but you should definitely be focusing on this valuable information to make smarter decisions for your law firm’s marketing efforts. However, getting your hands on this research might not be as easy and obvious as you’d like it to be. So, how do you find out what you need to know? The guys talk through what to keep in mind as you pursue your research.

The News:

This is looking like a smart new venture: Rankings.io has acquired Gladiator.
Aw, shucks—Chris Dreyer named us as top SEOs. Thanks, Chris!
Aaaaand, another acquisition, if you care to know — SEMRush (an SEO tool) was purchased by Adobe.
Still steadily sinking toward the inevitability of your AI overlords? Welp, with new updates from both ChatGPT and Gemini, we’ll all get there eventually.
Conrad’s spidey senses are tingling… Floyd Mayweather got into the law through The Money Team Law Firm, and is now entering the legal marketing realm. Hmm.
Last, more thoughts on exclusivity with Gyi and Conrad. And, we want to know what you think! Leave us a comment on LinkedIn or YouTube.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Local SEO 2024: How to Rank with Local Falcon

Connect:

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online!

Community Table: Client Relations From First Call to Alternative Fee and Payment Methods

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:31 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table, recorded in person at the October 2025 ClioCon legal tech conference:

After a new client comes on board, within a week, your team needs to check back in. This is your chance to delight. If there’s an issue, a misunderstanding, or a question, this is an opportunity fix it. Delighting a client is always better than simply satisfying a client.
The right team answering incoming calls is vital. But how do you outsource that? How do you pay someone and where do you find them? And when is it time to hire your own, in-house, full-time employees to convert those calls to clients?
Modern times lead to modern solutions. Today’s buy now, pay later tools can help your firm retain clients by helping them manage payments. Alternative fee arrangements work, and innovative payment methods can remove barriers to attorney/client relationships.

Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. Eastern.

The Truth About Marketing Attribution || LHLM Takeout

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:00:02 +0000

Craving a sneak peak of our live recording from Filevine’s Lex Summit? This year, Filevine’s Josh Hostilo and Stefanie Minter joined us at the table table to tackle one of the most confusing—and most important—topics in legal marketing: accurate attribution. Gyi and Conrad dig into how Lead Docket approaches first-touch, last-touch, and dual-source attribution, why “How did you hear about us?” still matters, and how UTMs, web forms, call tracking, and client feedback all get folded together to give firms real visibility into ROI. We even get into Google Ads optimization, Zapier webhooks, and the surprising disconnect between what clients say and what the data actually shows.

This is just a small appetizer. Check out the extended interview on YouTube!

Don’t Get Duped: How to Spot BS Marketing Metrics

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:00:16 +0000

It’s surprisingly easy for a marketing agency to make underperforming campaigns look like wins. How do you guard yourself against marketers who exaggerate your results? Also, NAP consistency—the definitive answer!

Yeah, it’s scummy, but not all marketers have your best interests at heart. More perniciously, data can be spun and credit can be misattributed. Less so, inexperienced consultants misinterpret your campaign data and draw the wrong conclusions. Either way, bad insights lead to bad decisions—and those decisions can cost your firm big. You, dear lawyer, need to know enough about your marketing data to avoid being taken advantage of. Gyi and Conrad are here to help.

Later, the guys answer a YouTube question on NAP (Name-Address-Phone) consistency. So, is your NAP consistency negatively affected by using a call tracking number along with your primary phone number? Usually, no! Unless you screwed something up on your site—Gyi tells you how to make sure everything’s as kosher as a pickle.

The News:

Darnit—the robots aren’t supposed to solve your legal problems anymore: OpenAI is no longer giving legal advice.
To retract, or not to retract… For now, we’ll call it a news update: Scorpion confirmed that they do break out branded vs. non-branded campaigns in their reporting, so that’s good.

Listen Next:

Mindful Gifting || Resolutions Past and Future

Connect:

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online!

What Are You Working For? Money, or Wealth. There’s a Difference.

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:00:56 +0000

Today’s episode is about you and your mindset as it pertains to generating wealth through your business. Guest Lauren A. Klein was a corporate attorney when she came to a crossroads, would she follow the corporate path and accept a paycheck, or strike out on her own and build wealth on her terms.

She started by asking questions about how lawyers make money and build wealth. What does it actually mean to make partner at a firm? And she came to the conclusion that there had to be more, that she could do better on her own, knowing full well, as she says, running a law firm is “not for the weak of heart.”

In addition to driving the elder law and estate planning firm Flourish Law Firm she co-founded with her best friend, she’s also the host of the podcast “The Wealthy Law Squad.” She learned from corporate law that getting a salary and spending it on lifestyle isn’t wealth. Wealth is investing, creating tools that generate passive income, and building net worth.

What can you invest in today that gives you the financial freedom to do whatever you want later? A “wealth mindset” is about creating freedom, not being chained to the golden handcuffs of a paycheck. What are you working toward?

Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern.

Practice Smarter, Not Harder: 411 Tips for Modern Lawyers, with Jordan Couch

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:11 +0000

In episode 588 of the Lawyerist Podcast, discover how small shifts in mindset and management can make law practice less chaotic and more rewarding. Zack Glaser sits down with Jordan Couch of Palace Law to explore lessons from his book, 411 Tips for Solo and Small Firm Lawyers. They cover everything from client service and writing habits to creativity and innovation, offering real-world advice to help lawyers build stronger, happier firms.

Listen to our previous episodes about Law Firm Innovation & Sustainable Growth:

Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN

#553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach Apple | Spotify | LTN

#550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam Apple | Spotify | LTN

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters / Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction with Stephanie & Zack

05:52 – Meet Jordan Couch

07:12 – 411 Tips for Lawyers

09:48 – Pick Your Lane

13:51 – Client Service Matters

16:26 – Handling Client Frustration

21:12 – The Trial Is Always Happening

24:35 – Write Like a Human

34:20 – Practice Creativity

37:38 – The Future of Law

46:00 – Closing Thoughts

Stuff You NEED to Know to Rank in Local Search with Darren Shaw

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:30:44 +0000

Whitespark’s Local Search Ranking Factors Report surveys the best and the brightest SEOs (and Gyi and Conrad) to gain a clearer picture of the latest drivers of local search rankings. Understanding how to rank in Google’s local search results is critical to every single one of your marketing plans, so the guys welcome Darren Shaw to nerd out on this year’s report findings and teach you what to prioritize in your marketing efforts.

Darren and the guys have plenty of great knowledge tidbits to hash out–from the importance of accurate business hours to maintaining a visible address online to current AI search observations, and much more. Stick around to the end of the episode for some tactical tips on making LSAs work for your law firm!

The News:

Top Dog Acquires Keller Swan – Always a good day for an acquisition, buuut… Florida? Really?
AIO Impact on Google CTR: September 2025 Update – Click-through rates are way down—Should you care? It might be time to shift your focus elsewhere.
Great insights here, folks: Future-Proofing Your Firm in the Age of AI, with Jack Newton – Lawyerist #587

Listen Next:

How to Rank with Google AI Mode

Connect:

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online!

Community Table: From ClioCon 2025, Navigating a Tech Show

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:00:36 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table, recorded in person at the October 2025 ClioCon legal tech conference:

When you attend a legal tech conference such as ClioCon, how do you keep from being overwhelmed by the firehose of information and new tech tools. AI? E-discovery? Vendors? Marketing? It’s a lot.
Working in a rural area, it can be difficult to find and hire new attorneys. Step up your recruiting marketing and consider that with today’s remote tools, maybe your next hire doesn’t have to live in your region.
When hiring a non-attorney salesperson, how do you prepare them? Trying to teach them “the law” can be both irrelevant and perilous. Listening to potential clients and demonstrating how your firm can solve their problems is what matters.

Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. Eastern.

Marketing Metrics That Matter for Law Firms | ClioCon 2025

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:00:28 +0000

The reality is, if you don’t understand your metrics, you aren’t getting the most out of your marketing tactics. Gyi Tsakalakis welcomes fellow marketing pro, Margarita Eberline, to discuss her talk on how to leverage metrics to improve your law firm’s advertising strategies. Margarita explains how to effectively measure and engage with metrics to increase your ROI, make quality connections for better leads, get the visibility you need in your market, and much more.

Margarita Eberline is the founder of Marketing Boss and offers coaching, teaching, and training for companies through fractional CMO services and workshops.

Not All Leads Are Created Equal

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:00:14 +0000

Bungling lead follow-up and neglecting to learn AI’s many, many profitable uses in your law firm will definitely come back to haunt you. Learn how to do it right!

Changing the way you handle your leads can be a game changer for your business. Gyi and Conrad talk through the latest trends in AI-powered lead qualification and how to recognize the most valuable—and profitable—potential clients in your marketing channels.

Later, in a world where data-informed decision making is critical for business success, do small firms have enough data to make it useful, whether it be for AI or other business growth needs? The guys discuss.

The News:

New lead products offer plenty of variety for your growth strategy! Check out the latest lead scoring products from Lawmatics (Qualify AI), Filevine (Lead Docket with LeadsAI), and Clio (Clio Grow Leads).
Check out Bob Ambrogi’s detailed article for more on Lawmatics: Exclusive: Lawmatics Announces Qualify AI, A Sophisticated Lead Scoring Platform for Law Firms | LawSites
Clio’s 2025 Legal Trends Report is ready for your perusal! We’ll dig into it here on the pod at a later date.
Acquisitions… vLex & Clio Library are joining forces, and ShareDo joins Clio’s fold.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Clio’s All-In with Scorpion – Who Gets Stung? | Legal Industry | Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

Connect:

The AI Marketing Cookbook for Lawyers

How to Stay Human in the Age of AI-Driven Law Firm Marketing, with Conroy Creative

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:00:32 +0000

In episode 584 of Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser sits down with longtime legal marketing expert Karin Conroy of Conroy Creative Counsel to talk about the evolution of law firm marketing in the age of artificial intelligence.

Karin explains why lawyers shouldn’t fear AI, but should learn to use it strategically. From the “Iron Man vs. Terminator” analogy to practical steps for improving your firm’s marketing funnel, she shares how attorneys can blend technology and human insight to build trust, attract the right clients, and stay ahead of the curve.

They also dig into how AI is reshaping SEO, the importance of authenticity, and why marketing fundamentals still matter more than ever.

Links from this episode:

Conroy Creative Counsel

Listen to our previous episodes with Karin:

#559: The Imitation Trap: Lessons from 15 Years of Top Law Firm Websites , with Conroy Creative Counsel (Sponsored) Apple | Spotify | LTN

#546: Unlock Law Firm Growth: AI marketing Secrets with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters / Timestamps:

0:00 – The evolution of law firm marketing
3:50 – AI’s rise and the Iron Man vs. Terminator analogy
9:50 – Understanding your marketing funnel
12:00 – Why referrals are marketing
17:00 – Finding weak points in your strategy
21:00 – Adding AI without losing the human touch
25:30 – How AI is changing SEO and “Search Everywhere Optimization”
37:40 – The value of authenticity and human connection

Live! From LHLM Summit 2025

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:30:14 +0000

Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit 2025 was an awesome time, and we are incredibly grateful that we got to see so many of you in person. If you couldn’t make it this time around, or are feeling that post-conference sorrow that can only be remedied by reliving the LHLM Summit (YAY!), then this is the episode for you. Gyi and Conrad responded to your most pressing marketing questions live at the conference. Listen in for an abundance of on-the-spot marketing wisdom, covering everything from Google business tips to unreasonable hospitality to ad fatigue and so, so much more.

The News:

Legal Talk Network is a Signal Award finalist for the For the Innocent podcast featuring Amanda Knox! We’d love to get your vote on Signal Award Voting, and you can listen to the full episode here: The Amanda Knox Story: Her Fight for Justice on the Global Stage.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Tasty Tactical Tidbits || Don’t Call It a Rebrand

Connect:

Reddit Is Said to Sign AI Content Licensing Deal Ahead of IPO – Bloomberg

Smarter Law Firm Marketing: AI Tools That Actually Work, with FirmPilot

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:11 +0000

In episode 580 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack sits down with Jake Soffer, CEO and founder of FirmPilot, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping law firm marketing. Forget generic blog posts and robotic content, Jake shares how FirmPilot uses AI and data science to build smarter, measurable strategies that actually attract clients.

You’ll hear how law firms can leverage AI beyond parlor tricks, why “moonshine marketing” doesn’t cut it anymore, and what lawyers need to know about AEO (AI Engine Optimization) versus traditional SEO. Zack and Jake also discuss the future of client search behavior, how to avoid overhyping trends, and why sticking to fundamentals will always matter.

If you’re curious about using AI in your practice, but don’t want to waste time on gimmicks, this episode will give you a roadmap to experiment wisely, protect your marketing investment, and grow sustainably.

Listen to our other episodes on Law Firm Marketing, Growth and AI:

#577: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN
#550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis & Conrad Saam Apple | Spotify | LTN
#434: Leverage AI to Stay Ahead, with Greg Siskind Apple | Spotify | LTN

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction with Zack Glaser
1:27 – Meet Jake Soffer of FirmPilot
2:17 – How AI Is Changing Legal Marketing
3:12 – Data-Driven Law Firm Growth
4:46 – The Limits of ChatGPT Content
7:12 – Building Smarter AI Workflows
9:23 – AEO, GEO, and the Future of Search
11:59 – Why Fundamentals Still Matter
14:45 – Writing for AI vs. Writing for Clients
17:05 – First Steps for Lawyers Using AI
18:33 – Do Your Research Before Choosing Tools
19:10 – Where to Find FirmPilot

r/LHLM: Reddit Feeds the AI MACHINE

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:00:08 +0000

Reddit has major SEO power, and you should definitely be using it for your firm! But, dear lawyers, for good karma, avoid megaspammer agencies who attach your name to every annoying post. It’s a bad look.

The industry is moving heavily toward Reddit because of AIOs, boosts in search, etc., but how do you use it effectively? Conrad and Gyi talk through the tenets of Reddit Karma to help you build your Reddit reputation. They demystify the Reddit community’s engagement style, the upvote/downvote system, and more, to help you understand the platform’s potential for marketing your law firm.

Later, the guys share their favorite tactical tips for optimizing Reddit as a tool in your marketing mix.

And, be sure to look us up, too: r/LHLM

The News:

Suing for “business model theft”—who will win? Anyone? Two High-Profile Personal Injury Law Firms Sue… Each Other
Cringey lawyer behavior in the extreme: Prosecutor SHOCKED That Being A Lawyer Does Not Stop Cops From Arresting Her In Embarrassing Viral Video
Smith.ai launched an AI receptionist service. Might be worth a look, folks.
Always something… Google Search rank and position tracking is a mess right now.
From Joe Giovannoli: CMOs didn’t sign up to be the CTO.

Mentioned:

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

How To Do Social Media Marketing the Right Way

Connect:

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online

Lights, Camera, Marketing! Making a Better Impression on Camera.

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:00:18 +0000

How you appear on camera is how you appear to future clients. And today, you’re pretty much always on camera. Guest Kerry Barrett, an Emmy Award-winning television journalist, helps attorneys present their best self on camera, whether that’s on a Zoom call, on YouTube, or when being interviewed by a TV crew. Project authority, build trust, and attract high value clients through video.

As Barrett says, that “little red light” can seem like the devil. It’s hard to avoid looking camera shy and stiff. But she taps into 20 years of on-camera experience to coach and guide attorneys. Being on camera doesn’t come naturally, it takes training and practice.

Barrett’s lessons apply across the board, whether you’re a lawyer offering an expert opinion, a law firm marketer producing content, or an attorney coaching clients to appear on video in recorded depositions.

Think it’s not important? The reality is that today we’re all pretty much on camera all day. You are how you look, and connecting with your audience matters. When the camera turns its eye on you, do you look genuine and engaging, or do you look like you’re reading a hostage note? Improving your video skills is no longer an option.

Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern

Lunchtime Hors D’oeuvres || Salacious Scorpion Speculations

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:00:25 +0000

We’ve got more delectable nibbles of knowledge to whet your appetite for the LHLM Summit! And, Conrad’s got a Clio/Scorpion conspiracy theory you definitely don’t want to miss.

This is pure speculation on Conrad’s part… but what’s the real play behind the Scorpion and Clio union? Could there be more to this “sole preferred partnership” than they’re letting on? No spoilers here, folks. Listen in for the intrigue!

Later, more mouthwatering morsels from your upcoming LHLM Summit speakers! Gyi and Conrad offer their commentary on some great advice pertaining to LinkedIn engagement, newsletters, client experience, local influencers, and so much more.

The News:

Gyi was at 8am Kaleidoscope, the inaugural customer conference following their rebrand.
And, catch the guys here, there, and everywhere at a bunch of upcoming conferences—especially this really cool one called the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit. We hear it’s gonna be a good time.
Two great legal leaders, Brett Trembly and Ryan McKeen, have partnered to launch Virtual Case Managers!
Googly googs dodged a bullet: Google avoids breakup, but has to give up exclusive search deals in antitrust trial.
Hmm… Did Google’s share of general search really fall from 73% in Feb to 66.9% in August? – ChatGPT, AI tools gain traction as Google Search slips: Survey
Reddit is on the rise, folks. What’s your strategy?

Mentioned:

Gee, thanks, Jonathan Hawkins!

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

What’s in a Brand?

Connect:

Vote For a School – Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers

Tasty Tactical Tidbits || Don’t Call It a Rebrand

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:00:52 +0000

Get ready for a pu pu platter of the legal marketing genius on the menu at the LHLM Summit! And, later, the guys pick apart AffiniPay’s rebrand to ‘8am’.

We know not everyone can make it to the LHLM Summit, so Gyi and Conrad want to share the love! Four Ignite Talk presenters serve up delightfully tactical tidbits you can put into practice right away in your legal marketing schemes. Listen in for nuggets of wisdom on meaningful metrics, Google Local Search, naming & trademarks, and social media.

Cracker Barrel, HBO Max, Jaguar. There’s been quite the array of rebranding missteps of late. Ladies and gentlemen, AffiniPay has entered the chat. So, when is a rebrand a good idea? Without a very compelling reason, the brand could suffer mightily. The guys process through AffiniPay’s name switcheroo to ‘8am’, and Conrad shares insights on Mockingbird’s upcoming refresh—a much more brand-friendly tactic for those looking to freshen up their presence in the marketplace.

The News:

AffiniPay rebrands as 8am. Good idea? Bad idea? You be the judge.
Keep an eye on this one, folks. It mostly sounds like a bummer—Google Ending Manual Language Targeting.
Another sad tale of private equity gone wrong: On The Map CEO Resignation
Effective October 20, Google Local Service Ads Will Have a New Google Verified Badge. So many change-ups, Google. Make up your mind!
Come one, come all (if you’re a legal marketer) to the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit September 22-24!

Mentioned:

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

What’s in a Brand?

Connect:

HELP! My Marketing Agency Was Acquired — What You NEED To Know

Clio’s All-In with Scorpion – Who Gets Stung?

Adam Lockwood — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:05:02 +0000

“Sole Preferred Partners”—does this new relationship mark a culture shift for Clio? Come for the puppy, stay for the hard-hitting analysis.

Clio and Scorpion’s efforts to fill a perceived void between law practice management and marketing has led to the inception of their sole preferred partnership in the legal marketplace. Is this exclusive relationship a culturally dissonant move in Clio’s previously open ecosystem?

The guys question Harsha Chandra Shekar of Clio and Kirby Oscar of Scorpion on the details of this partnership and how their promise of deep integrations and data sharing will affect both clients and competing marketers in the legal space.

Afterward, Gyi and Conrad give their takes on the interview, discussing both its potential and their persisting concerns. Is this really the partnership that will lift all boats in the legal industry, or is it just promoting your competitor down the street?

The News:

A recently fired summer associate tastes the bitterness of life: Who Knew Biting Other Lawyers Was Frowned Upon? – Thinking Like a Lawyer
Google LSAs have been removing the trust/verification marks we worked so hard for—another ploy for cash?
Get ready, folks. AIO ads are coming to…everything. Google briefs brands on AI Mode ads ahead of Q4 rollout
Shocker! Google is pushing more Google: Google Search Indexing & Ranking Near Me Google Maps Results
The GLM Summit is coming right up. Conrad is a speaker, LHLM is recording live, and it’ll be a great time all the way ‘round!
And, come on down to the Kaleidoscope 2025 conference by Affinipay to hear from Gyi!
What, another conference plug? This one might be our favorite—the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit takes place 9/22-24, and August 22nd is the absolute drop-dead date for the early bird discount. Sign up now!

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Connect:

Diary of an In-House Marketing Director

Are You Thinking Long Term? – Empowering Your People & Building Legacy

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:00:43 +0000

Investing in your people is the absolute best thing you can do in your law firm. Later in the pod, you want your business to grow for years to come, so what are the key ingredients to make that happen?

When your people feel valued and are given the opportunity to learn and grow, your business will reap the benefits right alongside your thriving, fully engaged employees. With that in mind, Gyi and Conrad have lots to talk about today. First, how can you convince your firm to send you to the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit? Astute marketing tactics lead to long-term business growth, so investing in the in-house marketer is the smart thing to do! Later, as a law firm owner, what other future-minded perspectives should you be pondering? The guys talk through brand development strategies and everyday tactics that give you staying power in your market.

The News:

Ben Sessions’ social media vendetta resulted in a win! – County prosecutor resigns amid misconduct fight with judge
Google Local Ranking Documentation Updated, but it’s kinda/sorta just a nothingburger.
This is a thing now: Google Business Profiles Automatically Adding Social Media Links To Businesses

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Connect:

AI Features and Your Website | Google Search Central | Documentation

How to Rank with Google AI Mode

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:40:43 +0000

How do you get AI overviews and AI mode to promote your content? Gyi and Conrad detail out all the current guidance for better content performance.

The way people use search is changing. You definitely want to make sure your content is getting to your audience, and AI search experiences like AI Overviews and AI Mode may require a change in your tactics. Gyi and Conrad talk through the current guidance from Google to help you stand out in your market. Finding ways to provide genuinely unique content and a great site experience are key! And, learn how to employ the E-E-A-T principles for even more good content boosts in search.

Learn more about Google AI Content Guidelines:

Google Search’s guidance on using generative AI content on your website

The News:

Fear, uncertainty, doubt? Nah, it’s just the Google Core Update of June 2025.
A recent bunch of Google LSA notifications caused confusion and delay. Sheesh.
Ben Sessions’s very public vendetta against the shady behavior of some folks operating in his local courts is a sight to behold! Check out Ben’s Facebook page for more.
Another acquisition! Clio buys vLex, and this could be an exciting game changer.
Clio and Scorpion recently reached an exclusive partnership agreement for marketing services — More on this to come.
In the wake of the tragic Texas Floods, there are ways you can help. The Texas Disaster Legal Help Group will need more volunteers for years to come.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Big Money — Who Owns the Future of Law? – Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

Connect:

Riverside.fm video editing

Summer Assignment: Get Comfortable With Video and Launch Your Content

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:00:56 +0000

Guest Jared Correia of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting helps law firms run better and helps lawyers live their best lives. In addition, he’s both an attorney and an avid podcaster and writer. In this episode Correia and good friend, host Adriana Linares, dive into how law firms can leverage video content to build their business and how to outsource tasks and maximize technical efficiencies.

Correia explains step by step how lawyers can get in the video content game. Buy a tripod, fire up your cell phone, and get started. Modern platforms are your friend, from YouTube to LinkedIn, Loom to VideoAsk, even Zoom.

Make mastering the art of video your goal this summer. Hear where you can find subject ideas, edit and publish, and use AI to turn recordings into articles.

Plus, managing remote contract workers to streamline your business, creating “role-based access” to your files, automating tasks and workflows, and getting the most out of the software that’s already on your desk.

Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com

Topics:

If you’re not leveraging video content to build your business, you’re probably losing out to someone who does. Make mastering video production and distribution your summer goal (hear how to get started).
Make use of the newest tech tools – and learn how to use the tools you’re already paying for – to automate, streamline, manage, and outsource your daily tasks.
Plus, a special guest, Legal Talk Network producer Adam Lockwood drops by to share some pro podcasting and video tips for beginners.

Resources:

YouTube

Loom video

VideoAsk

Microsoft Office tools

Acuity scheduling

Kevin Stratvert on YouTube

ABA Techshow 2026

Clio Cloud Conference 2025

Clio Legal Trends Report

Legal Late Night podcast

Above The Law podcast

Legal Toolkit podcast, Legal Talk Network

“How Law Firms Can Leverage Video Content To Drive Business”

“How Remote Staff Can Help Small Firms Punch Above Their Weight”

“Helping Hands: The Value Proposition Of Remote Work For Law Firms”

Previous appearance on New Solo, “Solo, But Not? Shared Office Space (Plus, Chatbots and A.I.)”

Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network, Un-Billable Hour, “Separating The Wheat From The Chaff In Legal Tech (And AI)”

Big Money — Who Owns the Future of Law?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:30:17 +0000

Non-Lawyer ownership, alternative business structures, venture capital pushing out the little guy… scary, right? Yeah, we get it—but should you be so worried about these new trends coming to law-firm business management? And later, Gyi and Conrad dig into Google’s content guidance to help you understand how to effectively leverage content for your business & marketing strategies.

For attorneys, the very thought of non-lawyers profiting off the practice of law is pretty darn repugnant. So, naturally, most lawyers are united in their distaste of venture capitalism, private equity, and big business making its way into digital marketing and law firm ownership. Is this resentment justified? Gyi and Conrad talk through the changing landscape of law firm business structures and what lawyers need to consider as they navigate this new reality.

Next, what can you do to make sure your content stands out amongst your competitors? The guys discuss Google’s SEO fundamentals for creating content their algorithm will promote. Figuring out how to drive traffic to your website might feel like a guessing game, but there are real, tactical methods for creating expert, trustworthy content that gets boosted by search engines. Check out more from Google: Creating Helpful, Reliable, People-First Content | Google Search Central | Documentation

The News:

Jason Hennessey’s firm Hennessey Digital was purchased by private equity.
Answering Legal has launched a free AI-powered chatbot. You don’t have to be a customer to use it, so you might as well check it out.
The Lunch Hour Legal Marketing website is live! And, coincidentally, you can sign up for the very exciting Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit right on our website! Hurry on over for that sweet early bird discount.
CallRail’s Voice Assist comes out of beta mid-July! Keep an eye out for it.
Hit us up to do an Ignite Pitch at the LHLM Summit! If you’ve got 5 minutes worth of quirky, nerdy insights on a relevant topic, Gyi and Conrad would love to consider your pitch.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

HELP! My Marketing Agency Was Acquired — What You NEED To Know

What’s In a Brand?

Connect:

Google’s Search Monopoly in Jeopardy: This New Antitrust Ruling Changes Everything

Chapters (Times Approximate)

0:00 Gyi Griswold Goes Michigan Roadtrippin’

2:48 The News

8:47 Is Venture Capital Getting Greedy?

21:30 Help With Google’s Helpful Content

Stand Up to Stand Out

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:00:52 +0000

Is standing up for a cause you believe in a help or a hindrance to your business? The fear of losing clients who think/believe differently might keep you from publicly supporting the things you value, but is that actually good for your business (and you)?

When it comes to support and activism, many professionals shy away from proclaiming anything that could narrow their market, but fine-tuning your appeal is exactly what you need to do to grow your business. Gyi and Conrad discuss why standing for something is much better than standing for nothing, and it even helps you position your brand in your market. If you’re perceived as a generic lawyer of no distinction, you’re going to have a tough time connecting with your community. Authenticity is good for business, and the guys share how leaning into your values can really help your law firm grow.

The News:

Our esteemed friend Eric Goldman wrote up a great piece on the latest court ruling on brand name conquesting: NJ Supreme Court Blesses Lawyers’ Competitive Keyword Ads (With a Baffling Caveat).
A new partnership between CallRail and RingCentral looks promising for all those involved. Here’s the deets: RingCentral | CallRail Integration
Well, we’ve had a good run. Zuck announces AI for ad management (to end Gyi and Conrad).
Don’t believe anything you see on the internet, kids. Nancy Mace’s Astroturfing is deceptive marketing at its worst—ick.
Register now for the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit at the Bellagio in Vegas! We’ll kick things off on September 22nd. Hope to see all you in-house marketers there. Today, we’re announcing some of the great speakers and timely topics you can look forward to. Tune in for more details!

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

What’s in a Brand?

Connect:

The Unbillable Hour — Rebranding: Define Your Firm, Define Your Practice

What’s In a Brand?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:00:19 +0000

Branding, re-branding, brand refresh… What does it all mean? Well, a rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but your business could really stink if your branding strategy is lacking. Learn how to optimize your brand, master your messaging, and position yourself for success.

Branding, positioning, and messaging are distinct and essential elements for your law firm’s strategy, but not all lawyers have a handle on the meaning and functions of these components in the scope of their business. Gyi and Conrad take us through the basics of branding and explain the critical (and perhaps greater) importance of positioning and messaging. Learn how being true to yourself can help you create a meaningful, intentional path forward for your legal business.

Come see us! The Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit will be held September 22-24 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Register now!

The News:

Well, Avvo’s been sued (again). Do we care?
Allegedly, AI is screwing businesses over left and right by publishing utter falsehoods. Yay.
Kevin Indig has some good insights here: The first-ever UX Study of Google’s AI Overviews: The Data We’ve All Been Waiting For.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Marketer vs. Marketer

Links:

rebrandingexperts.com

Connect:

How To Do Social Media Marketing the Right Way

Ultimate LinkedIn Guide for Lawyers

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 21 May 2025 08:00:58 +0000

LinkedIn is really working for lawyers these days, so Gyi and Conrad bring in the pros to school you on how to leverage it for your business. Learn how to create content that truly resonates with your audience from our dear friends Purna Virji and Tony Albrecht.

LinkedIn has become a powerful platform for growing legal businesses, but how exactly do lawyers go about it? The guys talk with Purna Virji, a principal consultant at LinkedIn, about how to make the connections you’ve been hoping for. What does your audience care about? What do they want to hear? Purna shares her tips for creating easy, engaging video and text-based content in just a few hours per month.

Later, why should you care about being active on LinkedIn? Gyi and Conrad dig deeper into what you need to know about LinkedIn engagement with Tony Albrecht, the Yoda of LinkedIn lawyering. Learn about what LinkedIn growth could look like for you, dear lawyer! Tony explains the surprising supply/demand deficit for interesting content and how stimulating, genuine posts can significantly further your reach.

The News:

Congrats to Erin Levine! – Hello Divorce is now in all 50 states.
Will marketers be replaced by AI? FirmPilot Reaches $11.7M in Funding, As Thomson Reuters and HubSpot Ventures Join As Investors
New(ish?) launch from the Googs: Google AI Max
The New York Times reports A.I. Is Getting More Powerful, but Its Hallucinations Are Getting Worse, so… cool cool cool…
Thoughts on AI impacts for Local Pack from Greg Sterling and Barry Schwartz, respectively: AIO Pack, AIn’t No Threat, Double Divestiture, Automation Blues and Google Tests Replacing Map Local Pack With AI Overviews.
Just what you need! Our LHLM Conference is in the works for September 22-24 in Las Vegas.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Connect:

LinkedIn – Purna Virji

LinkedIn – Tony Albrecht

www.conroycreativecounsel.com

#559: The Imitation Trap: Lessons from 15 Years of Top Law Firm Websites , with Conroy Creative Counsel (Sponsored)

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 13 May 2025 14:40:34 +0000

In this conversation, Karin Conroy, a legal marketing strategist, discusses the evolution of law firm websites and the importance of unique branding in legal marketing. She emphasizes the pitfalls of copying competitors and the need for firms to develop their own unique selling propositions. The discussion also touches on the significance of being first to market and avoiding shortcuts in marketing strategies. Karin provides insights into how firms can differentiate themselves and succeed in a competitive landscape.

Links from the episode:

https://conroycreativecounsel.com/blw/

Community Table: The Five Commandments of Law Firm Marketing

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 13 May 2025 11:00:15 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:

Grappling with a marketing refresh? Start with understanding you are an experiment of one. Asking someone else what’s working for them is a doorway to blind alleys. There is nobody just like you, so explore all options, ask yourself what you want to get out of it. You can’t copy what someone else does.
Learn and live “The Five Commandments of Marketing.” Have a call to action, know what you want to get back for the marketing spend, evaluate your results, learn from the outcome, and commit to the full process (don’t skip a step).
Hiring a marketing agency is tricky. Manage the agency. Don’t let them take over. Hold them accountable with weekly meetings and reports. Make sure the agency has worked in your field and knows your market. Understand where your money is going, what amount of your spend buys marketing and what pays the agency.

When to DIY & When to Call in the Pros — Mailbag Edition

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 07 May 2025 08:00:33 +0000

Should your agency be charging you for managing your LSAs? Are there things your in-house marketing team should be leaving to the experts? Today, the guys open the mailbag and answer these two great listener questions.

Is it worth paying an agency anything for Google LSA management, or are you getting scammed out of a chunk of your marketing budget? Well, it depends, and the guys’ opinions may vary. Gyi and Conrad dig into a listener question to explain what LSA management could/should look like, what value it may bring to you, and whether ongoing fees are appropriate.

Later, question 2! Should lawyers with an in-house marketing team entrust all their digital marketing to said team, or do they need to call in an expert agency for certain advertising channels? The guys talk about the realities of expertise gaps and how partnerships can really take your marketing efforts to the next level.

Stay tuned to the end for a special announcement from Gyi and Conrad!

The News:

Brilliant or clueless—did this lawyer do this for the news hype & free advertising? Judge Rejects Lawsuit With Dragon Logo, Calling It ‘Juvenile and Impertinent’ – The New York Times
Google, just… ick. Here’s our take on this extremely problematic Google overstep:
- Video: BREAKING: Google Expands Use of LSA Intake Data
- Audio: BREAKING: Google Expands Use of Local Service Ad Data

Connect:

Youtube: Segmenting Your Audience in Search Console

Ranking Your Local Competitors – Hot or Not?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:00:50 +0000

If lots of site traffic isn’t leading to lots of clients, something’s off. Learn how to get the traffic you want! Later, Gyi and Conrad unpack the marketing impact of publicly ranking all your competition—genius or folly?

You want website traffic that could turn into actual clients for your law firm, but how do you make sure you’re reaching the right audience? Gyi and Conrad talk tactics for segmenting your audience to make sure you get the qualified leads that can turn into profitable business for your law firm.

Next, in a bold move, a Seattle family lawyer pulled a Zuckerberg and rated all of his local competitors, except himself. What do the guys think about the Hemmet Trends Report? While it may be a sure-fire way to torch some of your local relationships, this kind of friction marketing can be a very successful way to get your name out there.

The News:

Google quality raters now assess whether content is AI-generated. What does this mean for your copy/pasted ChatGPT posts? You might want to seriously do that human edit.
This could be big for local business, folks: TikTok takes on Google Maps by surfacing reviews in the comments tab.
What do we think about Sponsored Youtube Comments? So far, it seems like a pretty solid tactic.
If you like poking fun at the dirty, rotten ethics of certain marketers, you’ll like Brian Glass’s podcast episode, too: Brian Glass – CaseConnect
PILMMA – come see Conrad!

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

The Lawyer’s Guide to Conversions || Listener LSA Queries

Apple | Spotify | Youtube

Connect:

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online

BREAKING: Google Expands Use of Local Service Ad Data

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:30:32 +0000

Just when you thought you understood Local Services Ads (LSAs), Google changes the game. Gyi and Conrad sound the alarm on the latest shift in LSA terms—and this one’s a doozy. Google now claims the right to tweak, repurpose, and plaster your ad content wherever it wants. Cool cool cool… unless you’re a lawyer who cares about things like client confidentiality and ethics.

Is this a harmless update? A marketing landmine? Or just another “oops, didn’t read the fine print” moment? The guys debate what opting in *really* means, how it could affect your firm, and why blind trust in Big Tech is looking less like a best practice and more like a liability.

Takeaways:

Google’s changing the rules on LSAs—again.
Your ad content? They can now modify and use it freely.
Ethics red flag: This could compromise client confidentiality.
Most lawyers have no idea this is happening.
Opting in might mean opening a can of worms.
Google’s rollout? Vague at best.
Legal marketers are losing faith.
Ad performance and trust are both on the line.
Law firms must weigh ethical risks before opting in.
Transparency isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Community Table: Firing an Employee, Ever-changing Marketing, and Moving to a New City

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 11:00:42 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:

An attorney realizes she’s waited too long to fire someone and knows there may be repercussions. But sometimes, the cost of keeping a problematic employee outweighs the consequences of letting them go. What’s best for the firm? What if you can’t fill the position and work piles up?
Nothing stays the same, even in marketing. Attorneys question the value of “pay per click” online advertising. Hear what firms are seeing, especially in Google ad words. Is the “golden age” of pay per click over? As rules change, you are one algorithm change from trouble. Communicate with your marketing team and diversify.
Imagine if you had to move to a new city, or if you simply wanted to. If it’s not a corporate gig, and you’re hanging out a shingle, it takes some work to ramp up. Network, network, network. Develop a marketing plan that ensures your name gets out and clients can find you.

Cliocon 2025

Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind?

Show Me the Clients! — Holding Your Marketing Accountable

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 08:00:53 +0000

Feeble marketing tactics are a major waste of your law firm’s ad spend! Make sure your budget isn’t being squandered by understanding what marketing quality and accountability should look like.

If your marketer’s data looks like a success but isn’t resulting in new clients for your law firm, you might be getting shammed. The guys join us from the road at two of the legal industry’s finest conferences, ABA Techshow and Mass Torts Made Perfect. In their talks, Gyi and Conrad each presented the perils of marketing misinformation and what lawyers need to look for to ensure transparency and accountability in their marketing schemes.

Leave us a comment on the LHLM LinkedIn page if you’d like to have Gyi and Conrad’s slide decks from their conference presentations!

The News:

Google Business Profiles are switching things up – Ask Maps Is Google Q&A’s AI Replacement: Here’s What It Means For Marketers
It’s probably a good idea to opt in to Google’s experimental AI Mode to see where things are headed – Expanding AI Overviews and introducing AI Mode
Notebook is expanding access all over the place – New in NotebookLM: Discover sources from around the web
It is a very good thing that we are a country with laws, and though we’ve always been loath to get too political, we feel that we have to recognize current dangers and stand up for the rule of law. Read through The ABA supports the rule of law, Statement from SBM Leadership on Unprecedented Threats to Rule of Law, ABA condemns remarks questioning legitimacy of courts and judicial review, and more at the ABA’s Rule of Law page.
On a lighter note, Jessica Hawkins from Consultwebs created a post on the Best Legal Podcasts of 2025. Jessica gave LHLM a really nice write up, and we are super thankful to be featured with some other great shows!
And, Conrad is desperately seeking an awesome Customer Success person. Just go see if you can find the hidden job listing on Mockingbird Marketing.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Bull$#!% You Hear at Legal Conferences

Apple | Spotify | Youtube

Connect:

Google Local Service Ads: To Brand or Not to Brand?

Marketing in the Age of AI — Lawyerist Invasion!

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:00:34 +0000

AI is majorly, seriously, (annoyingly?) impacting law firm marketing, and it’s not just about content generation. What’s a lawyer to do?

In this special LHLM episode, Gyi and Conrad air their chat with Zack Glaser of the Lawyerist Podcast. Artificial intelligence has its sticky fingers in everything nowadays—even the world of law firm marketing. It’s changing the way consumers behave and changing the way ad agencies strategize in your market. So, how do you continue to compete, and where can you leverage AI to make a real difference? Zack, Gyi, and Conrad hash out how to make AI work for you, not against you.

The News:

Google’s still working toward world domination: Google makes its biggest-ever acquisition | CNN Business
Joy Hawkins noticed some data anomalies in CTRs. What’s up?
Come see us at some upcoming conferences! Gyi will be at ABA Techshow in Chicago, and Conrad’s headed to Mass Torts Made Perfect in Las Vegas. Then, they’ll both get together (virtually) at Infotrack’s Legal Up for another delightful website teardown.

Links Mentioned:

Lawyerist Podcast

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Connect:

Subscribe to Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

Is Your Law Firm Marketing Actually Working?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 08:00:26 +0000

Live from the American Association for Justice conference in Miami, Lunch Hour Legal Marketing is back with another deep dive into law firm marketing strategies that actually move the needle.

Conrad Saam and Gyi Tsakalakis break down the biggest questions they tackled at the event:
How much should lawyers spend on marketing?
Brand vs. non-brand marketing—why it matters
Are you tracking the right metrics, or just vanity numbers?
Lawyer referrals vs. digital marketing—what’s the real ROI?
Why law firms MUST use a CRM to stop missing leads

Plus, we expose how some legal marketing agencies try to take credit for leads they didn’t earn. (Yes, we see you.)

If you’re serious about law firm growth, you won’t want to miss this one.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more legal marketing insights!

#550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:00:52 +0000

Zack talks with the hosts of the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Podcast, Gyi Tsakalakis, and Conrad Saam about how artificial intelligence is affecting consumer behavior and how your law firm should adjust to the changing market. Additionally, they discuss how to leverage AI to your advantage against your own marketing data to be more deliberate with your legal marketing spend.

Additionally, Zack and Jennifer discuss the Lawyerist’s annual Best Law Firm Website contest, where they dig into what makes a website “work.”

Links from the episode: 

https://www.youtube.com/@LHLM

https://www.gorillaz.com/

How Law Firms Use Google Ads to Poach Your Leads

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 08:00:18 +0000

Lead thievery! How on earth could your competitor’s ad have YOUR name in it? Brand conquesting is a real thing, and it sucks. Later, is Gyi completely wrong about direct brand search in LSAs? The guys fight it out.

Having a competitor’s brand in your ad is some super shady lawyer marketing and violates Google’s trademark policies, but it still happens. What’s the deal? Gyi and Conrad talk about the ins and outs of brand conquesting, how it should be viewed under lawyers’ rules of professional conduct, and whether this kind of dirty campaigning is actually successful for the law firms who engage in it.

Next, does having direct brand search turned on in Google Local Service Ads negatively impact your visibility? Maybe so, maybe no… it’s complicated! Gyi and Conrad argue their viewpoints and nerd out on a variety of marketing scenarios that could affect those pesky LSA outcomes.

The News:

If you’re amongst the crowd of laid off federal lawyers, Ben & Brian Glass are offering their assistance in helping you start your own gig.
The Diversity Update from Google might be causing a drop in your organic results.
Everybody’s noticing an uptick in AIOs in legal, so—yay!
Lawyerist Podcast with Gyi and Conrad is coming soon!

Links Mentioned:

Google “Diversity Update” Live Stream

Google – Trademarks – Advertising Policies Help

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Google Local Service Ads: To Brand or Not to Brand?

Connect:

Request a demo from NetDocuments

#549: A Journey into Video Marketing, with Temi Siyanbade

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:00:03 +0000

In this conversation, Temi Siyanbade, founder of TOS Legal, discusses the importance of video marketing for legal professionals. She shares her journey into using video to connect with clients and build her brand, emphasizing the need to overcome the fear of being on camera. Temi explains how video can enhance legal marketing by building rapport with potential clients and providing valuable information. She also offers practical advice on starting with basic equipment and measuring success in video marketing, encouraging lawyers to embrace this medium to better serve their clients.

Additionally, Zack talks with the folks at NetDocuments about the importance of organizing your digital files and recent advancements in document search.

Links from the episode: 

Show, Don’t Tell by Temi Siyanbade

Meh, Links — Busting Link Building Myths for SEO

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 09:00:55 +0000

Today, we unpack Gyi’s beloved catchphrase to see how “meh” he really feels about the significance of links in local SEO. Later—the strategic guide you need for top-knotch link building in 2025.

A whole lotta folks like to say links don’t really matter anymore, but are they right? In practice, the guys have seen the positive effects of link building for clients for many, many years, and it’s still a piece of the pie today. However, there’s a ton of misinformation out there, so Gyi and Conrad debunk the most common misconceptions to get you on track for optimized, relevant, business-building links.

And, later, what’s working best for link building in 2025? The guys share some great stories of businesses who engaged their local communities through service, scholarships, sponsorships, and more—all while getting awesome PR and plenty of links.

The News:

More mergers & acquisitions! Places Scout was purchased by Yext… so are we all in for some price jacking? Sigh. Probably.
ABA is standing up for the judiciary, and you should too: ABA condemns remarks questioning legitimacy of courts and judicial review
Quit ruining our weekends, Googs. Sheesh. Google Confirms Business Profile Reviews Outage
Super grateful to Ahrefs for this really well done post: Google Says “Links Matter Less”—We Looked at 1,000,000 SERPs to See if It’s True

Mentioned:

Google Cites Scholarship Links in a Manual Action Penalty

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Is Link Building Worth It Anymore? || Top 10 Link Building Tips

Connect:

Check out Conroy Creative Counsel

#546: Unlock Law Firm Growth: AI marketing Secrets with Karin Conroy

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:00:58 +0000

In this conversation, Karin Conroy and Zack Glaser discuss the integration of AI in marketing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human touch while leveraging technology. They explore the significance of a unique brand voice, particularly the value of female perspectives in marketing. The discussion also covers Google’s EAT principles, the need for content optimization for AI search, and the importance of regularly reviewing and refining marketing strategies. Finally, they stress the necessity of defining an ideal client to enhance marketing effectiveness.

Links from the episode: 

Winning LinkedIn Strategies for Lawyers | A Lawyerist Podcast Re-Broadcast

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Jared may be too busy to write personalized Valentines for each member of the Legal Toolkit community, so, instead, he’s gifting you with a special rebroadcast of an excellent episode from our friends over at Lawyerist.

In this episode, Stephanie Everett sits down with Matthew Hunt on Lawyerist Podcast to break down the art of creating high-impact, snackable content for LinkedIn. Because let’s face it—if you’re not using LinkedIn to boost visibility, generate leads, and build real connections, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.

Matthew shares his best strategies for turning LinkedIn into a powerful tool for growing your law firm, attracting referrals, and making sure you stay top of mind in your network. Get ready to rethink how you use LinkedIn!

Lawyer Marketing Nightmares: Dirty Tricks, Ponzi Schemes & Backstabbing

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:26 +0000

Gyi and Conrad share the scary legal marketing stories you definitely wouldn’t want to find yourself entangled in. Later, don’t throw the attribution out with the bath water! It’s not impossible to track, and the guys explain how to go about it.

Sometimes you have to wallow in the muck of the digital marketing world to learn how to avoid the scum. All law firms should ask themselves this question: Do you know how your ad agency is spending your money? Gyi and Conrad dive into the allegations surrounding some very iffy third-party dealings to help you, dear listener, traverse the perils of the marketing world.

And later, it seems that some LHLM words to the wise have been misconstrued! Don’t hear what we’re not saying—attribution is an essential marketing element, and your agency should absolutely be monitoring your advertising channels with careful attention. But, there’s more to it than just a simple pie graph. Gyi and Conrad share how to get the fullest picture possible for tracking attribution.

The Quasi-News:

Ownership v. Partnerships: A Connecticut lawyer is embroiled in some painfully messy business.
American Association for Justice Winter Convention – Look out for LHLM LIVE!
PILMMA Super Summit – Conrad’s Ski Invitation for April 28th.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Marketing Attribution: Follow the Data or Trust Your Gut?

Connect:

Conrad’s Crystal Ball IV | Lawyer Marketing Predictions for 2025

TV Ads or Digital? The Champion Lawyer Uses Both

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:00:37 +0000

If your game plan is offline advertising, but your website sucks—you’re fumbling your growth strategy. And, later, Conrad shares his origin story!

There is often a significant imbalance between law firms’ offline and online marketing investments, but things simply won’t work as well if you don’t synergize both aspects. Gyi and Conrad talk through their recommendations for diversified online and offline expenditures that can maximize your firm’s potential for growth.

Later, how did Conrad become Conrad? The child of Australian immigrant parents, Conrad shares his life’s journey from Vegemite sandwich-toting lad to MBA grad to SEO pioneer to Mockingbird Marketing owner—and everything in between!

The News:

We are brilliant crystal ball pontificators! Cases in point:

Non-lawyer participation in the legal world – KPMG Law Firm
Low firm consolidations – Sweet James purchased Jenn Gore’s firm.
Chaos and confusion! – TikTok – Gone and Back Again
Report bad business conduct in GBP – Google Maps New Report Business Conduct

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Connect:

Conrad’s Crystal Ball: The Re-Re-Return — Sponsored by CallRail

Conrad’s Crystal Ball IV | Lawyer Marketing Predictions for 2025

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:00:53 +0000

Gaze into the depths with Gyi and Conrad, so you, too, can be prepared for the legal marketing days to come. This one’s all about the future, folks!

Well, and the past. First, an in-depth retrospective on whether Gyi and Conrad’s 2024 predictions showed true seer potential (or phony-baloney tendencies). Then, the guys turn a preternatural eye to what lies ahead. What mystically foretold trends will dominate the legal and marketing landscapes of 2025? From super-spammer AI avatars to, of course, another Michigan win—Gyi and Conrad can see it all.

The News:

Happy New Year from the Googly Googs. They kicked off 2025 with an infestation of Google Business Profile bugs. Yaaay.
A Cautionary Tale: Deceptive marketing tactics could seriously come back to bite you in the you-know-where – “Strong Arm” Frank Azar wins $1.55 million in Google keyword lawsuit against Alabama law firm
LHLM was selected by Feedspot as one of the 30 Best Legal Marketing Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025! Thanks, we think.
Gyi’s GBP got suspended—again.
ChatGPT for clients: MJ Morley shared that 3 out of 7 consults found her firm through ChatGPT – fascinating stuff!
New CallRail launch – CallRail broadens attribution capabilities to include AI-powered search engines
Is the truth about to get even muddier? Meta backs away from fact checking in the U.S. : NPR

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Connect:

Playing With the Social Media Algorithm || Drafting Your Marketing Dream Team: Round 2

Law Firm Marketing — How Much Should Your Associates Be Doing?

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:08 +0000

You’ve got a talented legal team at your firm, but should they also be involved in your marketing schemes? Later, we recently realized that some of you want a bit more backstory on the guys, so, Gyi reveals how his mysterious past made him into the marketer he is today.

Should your lawyers stick to lawyering? Sometimes, an associate is super interested, tactical, and talented at marketing, but sometimes… they’re not. So, how do you avoid potential misuse of resources and make the most of your relationship with marketing partners? Gyi and Conrad talk through how to build trust, optimize your assets, and learn to be on the same team with your marketer.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Gyi Tsakalakis! Who is Gyi, anyway? Every super hero has an origin story, and so does every marketer.

The News:

The Google algo update is finished—FINALLY. And, honestly, the results are a bit of a snoozefest.
Gemini 2 is out and about! And, similarly—Zzz.
Apple launched its ChatGPT integration with Siri. Useful? No? Yes?
And, Gyi and Conrad’s Google Business Profiles are back on track. What happened?

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Dial M for Mystery Shopper

Connect:

Connect with Travis on LinkedIn

#536: UNVEILED: Law Firm Marketing Secrets!, with RizeUp Media

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:24 +0000

Travis Hoechlin, CEO of RizeUp Media, shares game-changing tips from 15+ years of legal marketing experience to help your practice thrive.

Learn how simple changes—like better phone protocols—can boost your conversion rates, while smart moves like optimizing Local Service Ads (LSAs) and choosing the right marketing plan set you up for success.

Links from the episode: 

RizeUp Media

Dial M for Mystery Shopper – Sponsored by CallRail

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:00:33 +0000

Intrigue! Drama! Suspense! Our victim, Paul Robinson Law, gets put through the wringer again with an after-hours secret shopper call plotted by Gyi and Conrad.

Before you get too delighted at the thought of hearing about the missteps of a fellow firm, remember—if you haven’t taken the time to fully engage with training and testing your in-house or third-party reception, your client intake might be dead in the water. So, did Paul’s firm successfully escalate the undercover shopper’s legal need? Gyi and Conrad analyze the experience and break down its good and bad elements to showcase how proper intake training, scripting, coaching, and emotional connection can foster a superior customer experience that will win you more clients.

The News:

Digital marketing luminaries Rand Fishkin and Greg Sterling have insights you need right now! Rand – The SEO opportunity pie shrinking and more insights and Greg – 300 Million Queries, Old Google, Cyber Week, Location Data Is Like Ground Beef
Bluesky is really on the uptick. With 24 million users, a burgeoning SEO Community, and all your favorite legal tech peeps, is it the new place to be? – Amid X X-odus, Nothing But Bluesky from Now On | LawSites
We’re getting used to disappointment – A Week Overdue, Google November 2024 Core Update Still Causing Volatility
The TLTF Summit has wrapped up for this year, but keep an eye out for next year’s event for a chance to rub elbows with the best and brightest in legal tech.
Thank you, loyal listeners! Spotify Wrapped showed stats that just make us uber grateful for you all.

Also, the dirty, underhanded, belly of the internet turned on Gyi and Conrad in the form of Google Business Profile suspensions on the SAME day. Coincidence? They think not. But, that’s it for today—let’s hash all that out in the next episode.

Other Episodes in the Paul Robinson Trilogy:

Lawyer Website Roasted

Ring, Ring! What to Expect When You Call Up a Marketing Agency

Connect:

Ring, Ring! What to Expect When You Call Up a Marketing Agency

Chapters – Times Approximate

(0:00) Planting our Flag / GBP Suspensions

(6:59) Legal Marketing News

(17:53) Mystery Shopper Call

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Lawyers (2024)

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:30:06 +0000

The stockings are hung, the cocoa is steaming, and the time has come to talk about gifts! In this festive bonus episode, Conrad and Gyi are giving Santa Claus a run for his money with their epic gift guide. Find the best gadgets, books and gear for the lawyers who have everything and clients who you want to wow. Sleigh your holiday gifting game with Gyi and Conrad’s shoppable Amazon list here: https://amzn.to/4gndoJf

Lawyer Website Roasted

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 09:00:49 +0000

If the bio pic you chose for your website shows you standing in front of a shelf of law books… you might be in need of a website teardown.

Folks, we have a volunteer! As promised, the guys devote this episode to an in-depth diagnostic of a law firm website—one that might just look a whole heck of a lot like yours. Paul Robinson of Paul Robinson Law, PLLC offered up his personal injury law firm site to the merciless scrutiny of Gyi and Conrad. So if you, too, have been wondering whether your site is up to snuff, take a listen to the guys’ detailed teardown. From the first Google search to the nitty-gritty details of Paul’s site pages, they discuss both the failings and successes and explain smart, effective strategies all lawyers can employ to improve web presence and reach target clients.

Watch on YouTube

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Does My Website Suck? | Law Firm Website Teardown

Local SEO 2024: How to Rank AND Expand Your Law Firm

Connect:

What is Dark Social and Why it Matters

Get Comfortable, Get Busy: Networking And Media Relations. Yes. You. Can.

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:00:07 +0000

What can you do to attract more business to your firm? Let’s talk about acquisitions through networking. Guest Janet Falk, Ph.D., is a communications professional with more than 30 years of experience helping small and solo firms get better at finding (and signing) more clients. Falk is the chief strategist at Falk Communications and Research.

This is a free lesson in media and public and personal relations, from being the “go-to” for news reporters, mastering marketing communications, and acquiring new clients through personal relationships. This is all about meeting and exceeding your business goals. Falk is a frequent author, speaker, and an industry-leading communications consultant.

How do you shape a news story that boosts your case? Who are you trying to reach in the media, and how do you get out front? How do you keep your firm top-of-mind? How do you present yourself at networking events?

Even if you’re a secret introvert, this episode is for you. You can “get out there” and build your business, make connections, attract referrals, and tell your story. Learn techniques to prepare and benefit from networking events from the minute you walk in the door. These are valuable tips you won’t find anywhere else (hint, it includes the two things you must bring to any event).

Game Changing Insights for Brand Building Success

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 20:15:30 +0000

Join Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam live from the Crisp Game Changer Summit, where they dive into game-changing insights for law firm marketing and branding success. From Michael Mogill’s big announcement of Streaming Stack to strategies for building your brand through digital and omni-channel advertising, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.

Watch on YouTube

You’ll hear our thoughts on:

The value of brand-building before clients need you
Effective targeting strategies to make the most of your marketing budget
Why retargeting and leveraging first-party data are gold for law firms
Fresh insights on how to connect with your audience and stay top of mind

Whether you’re a solo attorney or part of a growing firm, these tips will help you stand out in a competitive legal market. Don’t miss our scoop on the quiet LawRank acquisition and our take on branding do’s and don’ts for lawyers.

Pro tip: Stick around for creative marketing ideas you’ve never thought of before!

Hit subscribe and drop your questions or comments below—we love hearing from you.

Recommended Episodes:

HELP! My Marketing Agency Was Acquired — What You NEED To Know

Chapters

(Times Approximate)

(0:00) LHLM at Crisp Summit 2024

(1:54) Crisp Announces Streaming Stack: TV Streaming, Digital Campaigns

(4:02) EverService Invests in Law Rank

(10:50) Brand Building 101

(15:46) Optimizing Audience Segments and Targeting

(19:07) Retargeting and Lookalike Audiences

(24:11) Targeted Saturation

(30:27) Brand Affinity > Brand Awareness

(34:57) Forbes – Best Lawyer Near Me

How Can a Fractional CMO Transform Your Law Firm’s Marketing? with Angelo Ponzi

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 05:00:17 +0000

In this episode, I’m joined by Angelo Ponzi, a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at Kraft, and together we delve into the strategic methodologies behind effective law firm marketing.

Angelo explains the importance of starting with comprehensive market research to understand customers, competitors, and opportunities. He emphasizes the critical nature of a robust strategy before diving into tactical actions such as website design, social media, and PPC campaigns. The conversation also explores the evolving role of fractional CMOs, the misconceptions around their services, and how tactics must follow strategic vision.

The episode includes discussions on integrating AI in marketing, the significance of consistent and clear messaging, and the importance of tracking data to drive marketing decisions.

Angelo gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:31 Understanding the Role of a Fractional CMO
04:09 The Importance of Strategy in Marketing
06:46 Common Marketing Mistakes and Misconceptions
12:31 Building an Effective Marketing Plan
19:53 Tracking and Analyzing Marketing Data
22:49 The Role of AI in Modern Marketing
24:16 Understanding the Role of Chat GPT as an Intern
25:04 The Importance of Prompt Engineering
26:51 Effective Use of AI in Content Creation
28:56 Budgeting and Cost Structures for Fractional CMOs
31:57 Comprehensive Marketing Strategies Beyond Websites
35:16 Book Review: The Revenue Growth Habit
38:19 Common Misconceptions About Fractional CMOs
41:55 The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Revenue Growth Habit by Alex Goldfayn

Connect with Angelo here:

Connect with me

Ring, Ring! What to Expect When You Call Up a Marketing Agency

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:30:36 +0000

Get the 411 on everything you need to think through before you get on the line with a prospective ad agency.

This episode is off the hook, y’all. Working with a professional marketer could be the key to unlocking new possibilities for your law firm, but sometimes it’s tricky to dial in on the most important questions to ask as you vet an agency. In a bit of LHLM Theatre, Gyi and Conrad play the parts of curious lawyer and potential marketer engaging in the right business conversations as they begin their fruitful working relationship. Lawyers will learn how to ask questions that give meaningful insights into future growth and hear the sort of tactics marketers should be serving up in your consultation.

Stay on the line—our next episode features another law firm website teardown!

The News:

ChatGPT Search is available now! Go check it out.
A GenAI question box from Google looks to be a pretty promising tool: Google Business Profiles Learn Something Specific Question Box.
More Conrad & Gyi on some special podcast appearances – Answering Legal: Law Firm Reboot Camp Podcast and Profit, Scale, Thrive.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

LinkedInGPT || Red Flags for Firing Your Agency

How Not To Use TikTok For Your Law Firm || 5 Tips to Increase Referrals

Connect:

BEDLAM – Mockingbird Client Conference

GA4 Uncovered: The Ultimate Guide for Lawyers to Master SEO and AI Search with Pete Everitt

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 05:00:02 +0000

In this episode, I’m joined by Pete Everitt, and we dive into the intricacies of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), AI’s role in the legal industry, and strategies to boost SEO and conversions for law firms.

We discuss key differences between GA4 and Universal Analytics, setting up Google Analytics effectively, and optimizing website conversions. Additionally, we explore the impact of AI on search, creating meaningful content, and leveraging AI for enhanced digital marketing.

Pete also shares insights from ‘The Million Dollar Weekend’ by Noah Kagan and stresses the importance of sustained client relationship management.

Pete gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:18 Understanding GA4: Basics and Differences
02:19 Challenges and Criticisms of GA4
05:16 Setting Up GA4: Key Steps and Tips
09:04 Tracking and Analyzing Traffic Effectively
15:17 Conversion Optimization Strategies
19:06 Real-World Examples and Best Practices
23:20 Customer Service Frustrations
24:16 Website Conversion Essentials
25:17 Understanding Calls to Action
27:09 Optimizing Client Interaction
32:03 Marketing Funnels and Strategies
34:18 The Role of AI in SEO
39:14 Book Recommendation: The Million Dollar Weekend
41:12 Final Thoughts on Conversions

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan

Connect with Pete here:

Connect with me

SHOCKING Insights from Clio’s 2024 Legal Trends Report

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 08:00:08 +0000

AI replacing lawyers… undercapitalized marketing budgets… unanswered calls… the horror! Clio’s 2024 Legal Trends Report is a scary-good resource for attorneys, and the insights from its massive data set are super helpful from oh-so many angles. The guys unwrap their top fun-size tidbits for discussion and offer tips for applying them in your law firm. They discuss the AI revolution, stats on law firm communications, tactics for higher conversion rates, and more.

Read the full report! It’s here, and it’s free: Clio’s 2024 Legal Trends Report

Mentioned in this Episode:

Connect:

Collbox: Lawyerist’s go-to Solution for Getting Law Firms Paid

#528: Building a Law Firm from Scratch, with Allyson Kitchel

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:00:08 +0000

Stephanie sits down with Lawyerist Labster and law firm owner Allyson Kitchel as she shares the challenges and triumphs of establishing her practice in a competitive market.

Discover how Allyson found her niche in personal injury law by focusing on cyclists, a unique approach that set her apart and helped grow her client base and hear about her remarkable victory in a landmark wrongful death case.

You’ll also get practical insights on leveraging digital platforms and remote work to enhance your firm’s marketing strategy, even on a shoestring budget.

Links from the episode:

Diary of an In-House Marketing Director

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 08:00:41 +0000

Your underutilized, underappreciated marketing directors are writing quite the sob stories in their journals every night. Is your law firm worthy of their complaints?

Today, we’re picking the heart-shaped lock of every law firm marketing director’s innermost desires and disappointments. Gyi and Conrad unpack the age-old issues between marketers and those they serve to (hopefully) broaden understanding for both sides. They outline some of the common mistakes made by each party—lawyers v. marketers—and give tactical advice for collaboration that encourages the bloom of efficiency and profitability. They pick apart the faulty ideology around referrals, search, and marketing budgets that could be stunting your firm’s growth and your marketer’s potential.

Later, which should you pick—Ahrefs or Semrush? The guys answer a listener question on which, if either, of these tools is best, but not without a few caveats.

The News:

Search Engine Land Acquired by Semrush – Eh, this probably isn’t great for Search Engine Land’s readers.
There’s got to be some sort of stupid Type-A ego B.S. going on with this whole situation: WP Engine asks court to stop Matt Mullenweg from blocking access to WordPress resources – The Verge.
Allison McKeen, Ryan McKeen, and Brittany Green launched a great new book (and may, or may not, be Mando fans)! – The Way: A Simple Roadmap for Leading a Healthy Law Firm

Suggested Episodes:

Dear State Bar Regulator – South Carolina Edition

Connect:

Online Legal Directories, Worth Your Time (And Dough)?

How Can Your Law Firm Stay Ahead of Digital Hackers? with Jonathan Steele

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:00:31 +0000

In this episode, Jonathan Steele, a Chicago-based divorce attorney and partner at Behrman LLP, shares crucial insights on cybersecurity tailored for law firms. The discussion covers prevalent digital threats like phishing attacks, business email compromises, and domain security issues.

Jonathan stresses the importance of identifying suspicious emails, employing preventive measures such as DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records, and the vital role of modern techniques like pen testing. The conversation highlights the generational challenges in adopting security practices such as zero trust and multi-factor authentication, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance, updated security systems, and proper training.

Practical advice on protecting sensitive client data and personal information from identity theft and data brokers is offered, alongside a recommendation for Michael Basil’s ‘Extreme Privacy’ book. This episode provides a well-rounded approach to maintaining robust cybersecurity in the evolving digital landscape.

Jonathan gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:50 Common Cyber Threats to Law Firms
02:59 Recognizing and Handling Phishing Attempts
08:18 Email Security and Domain Protection
12:47 Updating IT Practices for Modern Security
14:07 Challenges with Legacy IT Systems
17:34 Legal Implications of Cybersecurity
18:15 Personal vs. Business Cybersecurity
19:04 Reputation and Legal Risks
21:25 Evolving Threat Landscape
23:34 Book Recommendation
29:58 Ongoing Cybersecurity Practices
31:17 Final Takeaways and Conclusion

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Extreme Privacy by Michael Bazzell

Connect with Jonathan here:

Connect with me

EP 519- Conversation with Ed Herman Part 3

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:00:08 +0000

Ed Herman discusses the power of brand affection in marketing. The firm’s Emmy Award winning corporate videos, “Three Layers Eating Sandwiches” “Ed Versus” “Terry’s Safety Squad” and others have been watched for over 1.8 million hours. That’s a lot of name recognition!

Are You Wasting Money on Legal Directories?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:45:27 +0000

In the wake of yet another legal tech acquisition, the guys offer up tactical insights on legal directories. These paid listings for attorneys have been around for ages, but are they actually bringing customers to your law firm?

Steeper and steeper prices for online legal directories are making many lawyers really question whether the juice is worth the squeeze. So, is it? As the old attorney saying goes—it depends. Gyi and Conrad outline the potential value and downsides of directories and how to vet these services to ensure your investment is worthwhile.

The News:

Instability, uncertainty… not a good look. What’s going on, WordPress? – WP Engine vs. WP
Google AI Overview ads launch on mobile in U.S. – Because, you know, they’ve got to keep up in the AI arms race.
Apparently, Conrad has powers of divination! – Internet Brands buys Findlaw
Conrad wrote a great article on brand costs in PPC for SearchEngineLand – Branded keywords: How Google Ads drives up CPCs

Suggested Episodes:

5 Ways To Make Your Google Profile Pop || Is Your Chat Service Selling Your Leads?

Mentioned in this Episode:

Guide to Escaping FindLaw – FindLaw Jailbreak Guide | Mockingbird

Press Release: Scorpion Acquires GNGF

Is Your Law Firm Prepared for a PR Crisis? with John P. David

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:00:41 +0000

In this episode, John P. David, president of the David PR Group, discusses how law firms can prepare for and manage public relations crises. He outlines the importance of having a media policy, preparing for predictable and unexpected crises, and ensuring a single, clear point of communication during such events.

John also emphasizes the role of PR professionals in handling crises effectively, by understanding media dynamics and delivering consistent messaging. The conversation provides vital insights into crisis management planning for law firms, including addressing regulatory challenges and the significance of updating privacy policies. Finally, the discussion touches on the importance of hiring experts for crisis situations and includes a book recommendation for personal reading enjoyment.

John gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
00:39 The Importance of PR for Law Firms
01:14 Handling a PR Crisis: Initial Steps
03:20 Predictable vs. Unpredictable Crises
04:03 Creating a Media Policy
12:26 Regulatory and Ethical Considerations for Law Firms
13:24 Unexpected Crises and Communication Strategies
21:32 The Role of a PR Expert in Crisis Management
26:41 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Connect with John here:

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HELP! My Marketing Agency Was Acquired — What You NEED To Know

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:15:13 +0000

What do you do if the marketing agency you are engaged with gets acquired? Legal marketing experts Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam break down the news of Scorpion’s acquisition of Get Noticed Get Found and get into the potential pitfalls of YOUR marketing agency getting bought out. Learn the crucial things to watch for, like loss of data control, hidden fees, and potential conflicts of interest. Don’t get caught off guard—stay informed and protect your firm’s interests!

Conrad’s Blog Post

: Watch on Youtube

The LHLM Q&A Extravaganza — LIVE! From LEX Summit 2024

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 08:00:44 +0000

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

Gyi, Conrad, and a roomful of attorneys got together for a Q&A session addressing real lawyers’ most pressing legal marketing queries. Every law firm has different resources, assets, liabilities, niches, advantages, connections, etc. So, how do you take your uniqueness and make your firm stand out? This episode showcases highlights from their session, where the guys offered tactical advice on the marketing issues that are consistently top of mind for law firms.

The News:

Big money flying around in the agency world — Scorpion acquired Get Noticed Get Found. Here’s the news bit: Scorpion Strengthens Commitment to Legal Industry with Acquisition of Get Noticed Get Found, Advancing its Consolidation Strategy. And, Conrad’s thoughts: What to do when your Agency is Purchased by Scorpion.
Filevine has big news… and we beat Bob Ambrogi to the punch—ha! (Oh, you know we love you, Bob.) Now, what news, pray tell? Filevine’s got a lot going on:
- Even better end-to-end automated workflows
- AIFields: Instant Legal Document Analysis & Insights
- Filevine Revolutionizes Depositions with Depo CoPilot, an AI-Powered Second Chair for Litigation Attorneys

Mentioned in this Episode:

How Can Client Engagement Strategies Drive Revenue Growth for Your Law Firm with Mark Stern

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 04:00:47 +0000

In this episode, Mark Stern, CEO of Custom Box Agency, discusses strategies for enhancing client engagement and optimizing the customer journey to drive faster results and better experiences.

The conversation covers the application of marketing funnels, the importance of physical experiences, and how to create premium customer interactions. Mark emphasizes the role of strategic client engagement in driving revenue, particularly for law firms, and illustrates the impact of customized box experiences in different stages of the marketing funnel – acquisition, delivery, and retention. He provides practical examples of how this approach can improve client onboarding, educational efforts, and long-term client retention.

Mark gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:47 Middle of the Funnel Tactics
02:38 Effective Use of Swag and Creating a Box Experience
03:53 Examples of Middle Funnel Strategies
04:47 Physical vs Digital Experiences
09:37 Drip Driving Revenue
13:41 Retention Strategies
20:14 The Importance of Clear Guidance
22:55 Reinforcing the Client Journey
23:47 The Role of Content in Client Education
25:55 Acquisition Strategies for Law Firms
31:44 Book Recommendation
36:20 One Final Takeaway

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Who Not How by Dan Sullivan

Connect with Mark here:

Connect with me

LEX Summit 2024: Easy Marketing Ideas You Can Implement Today

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:30:27 +0000

Getting your law firm’s name in front of prospective clients is essential to your success, but it’s not always easy to make it happen. Craig Goldenfarb shares simple, easy to execute ideas for attorneys looking to market their law firms in creative ways. Craig shares tips for social media, community outreach, newsletters, swag, and more.

Craig Goldenfarb is founder and CEO at Gold Law.

Local SEO 2024: How to Rank AND Expand Your Law Firm

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 08:00:10 +0000

“Rank Number One!”—an all too easy promise made by SEO agencies, but probably only deliverable while they’re standing in your lobby. What happens when you walk down the block? The guys talk about real, meaningful ranking results with Local Falcon.

How is your law firm showing up in local search? Gyi and Conrad give an extensive explanation of Local Falcon, their go-to data visualization tool for seeing how your firm shows up in the local map pack (those three neatly featured business profiles you see at the top of your search results). You’ll learn how to figure out who your main competitors are, how to use Local Falcon metrics to make ranking improvements over time, and insights into the many effects of proximity and your area’s geography on ranking factors.

Later, the guys dig in even deeper to explain how Local Falcon can be used to help you figure out whether you ought to open another office, or, perhaps, close one down. They hash out how to assess your metrics to determine the success (or lack thereof) of your investments.

The News:

A very long, drawn-out Google Algo Update is finally done, and it was big—according to people who care about that stuff.
Yelp has never been fond of Google, and the recent ruling against the Googs gave them the ammo they needed for a lawsuit – Yelp sues Google for antitrust violations – The Verge.
And, the compulsory AI mention: Semrush Launches AI Overview Tracking in Organic Research.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Local Falcon

Does My Website Suck? | Law Firm Website Teardown – LHLM Episode

LEX Summit Digital Marketing Q&A / Live Taping of Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

How Can Social SEO Generate Free Traffic and Improve Your Law Firm’s Conversions? with Paul Counts and Shreya Banerjee

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:09 +0000

In this episode, Paul Counts and Shreya Banerjee return with excitement to discuss the evolution of SEO and its critical role in marketing strategies for law firms.

They delve into the concept of ‘Social SEO’, which emphasizes creating keyword-focused content to improve search engine visibility on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The episode also compares past and present SEO practices, such as the shift from using purely hashtags to incorporating relevant keywords in social media posts.

More practical advice includes the importance of writing for human readers rather than AI, using tools like Google and Instagram’s search features to find popular keywords, and having a critical ‘above the fold’ section on websites that captures visitor attention. The discussion also covers the foundations of conversion rate and sales optimization (CRSO), with an emphasis on understanding customer pain points, designing powerful calls-to-action, and using tools like Inspectlet to track site performance.

Paul and Shreya gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:33 Understanding Social SEO
02:52 Evolution of Social Media and SEO
05:49 AI and Social Media Search
06:47 Finding the Right Keywords
08:41 Common Mistakes in Social SEO
08:58 Importance of Human Touch in SEO
11:29 Conversion Rate and Sales Optimization (CRSO)
15:32 Effective Website Strategies
23:27 Call to Action and User Engagement
25:05 Book Recommendation and Final Thoughts
28:51 One Big Takeaway

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy

Connect with Paul here:

Connect with Shreya here:

Instagram

Connect with me

Perfect Albums, Vol 6; Straightforward Marketing for Your Law Firm; & “Don’t Sweat It!”

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:00:07 +0000

If you’re not marketing your law firm well, you’re sitting on a whole lot of untapped potential for income and growth. Jared talks to Ashley Robinson of Green Cardigan Marketing about the need she saw in the legal world for honest, straightforward marketing tactics that help law firms bring in new clients and greater profits. She explains engagement strategies, effective intake processes, essential marketing technology, and more.

Later on in the Rump Roast, Jared and Ashley play “Don’t Sweat It!”––a delightful round of sweater-related trivia.

And, it might seem like Sheryl Crow got a late start to her music career, but she was deeply involved in the music industry for many years before her breakthrough solo album, “Tuesday Night Music Club” rocketed her to fame at age 31. That first album was pretty fun, but Sheryl’s perfect album came later with “The Globe Sessions.” Jared digs into the exceptional appeal of this deliciously hard-edged pop/rock album.

Yes, Jared does have a playlist of his favorite Sheryl Crow songs.

Our opening song is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing song is Golden Light by Reveille

Does My Website Suck? | Law Firm Website Teardown

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 08:00:40 +0000

You may be losing prospective clients if their experience on your website is mediocre—or just plain bad. The guys share how to fix things up to grow your business.

What do marketing pros look for when they check into a law firm’s website? Gyi and Conrad take us through their processes as they take a deep dive into the structure and content of a Denver PI law firm website. They explain what to be on the lookout for, how issues with both site content and coding negatively affect a user’s experience, and tools they use to assess the visibility, credibility, and success of a site.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

The News:

Will there be any enforcement behind this? We hope so: FTC Fake Reviews Rule and the End of “Fake Reviews”? (John Henson).
Looks like Google AI Overviews Are Impacted By Core Updates, but will it change anything?
Joy Hawkins writes about How Links Impact Organic Results and Local Packs, but Gyi’s got beef.
AI Overviews Research: Analyzing sources in Google’s AI-generated answers—Are you tracking this stuff? You should be!
Clio Sets Legal Tech Funding Record with $900M Raise at $3B Valuation. Someone’s got to compete with them, but can they, really?

Mentioned in this Episode:

Get a free Marketing Plan Template from Spotlight Branding!

The Long Game: Strategic Approaches to Sustaining Client Relationships with Cindy Chang

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 04:00:13 +0000

In this episode, Cindy Chang, a personal brand coach and marketing strategist, discusses sustainable client relationships and strategic branding for business owners, particularly those in service-based industries.

Cindy shares insights from her experience working with Fortune 500 companies and running her own business, The Hustling Heart. Key points include the importance of distinguishing oneself from the company, the role of problem-solving and thought leadership in branding, and practical strategies for maintaining client relationships. The discussion also touches on utilizing one’s network effectively, the value of feedback, and balancing reputation with personal connections.

Cindy gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:36 Transitioning from a Firm to Your Own Business
03:37 Establishing Your Unique Identity
07:07 Gathering Feedback and Building Reputation
09:45 Maintaining Client Relationships
13:45 The Value of Personal Connections
15:17 Starting and Sustaining Your Own Business
23:31 The Role of Referrals and Networking
25:05 Thought Leaders Library: Book Recommendation
33:16 One Big Takeaway

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Grit by Angela Duckworth

Connect with Cindy here:

Connect with me

#519: How to Build a Brand Beyond the Courtroom, with Jordan Marsh

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 11:00:06 +0000

In this episode, Lawyerist Lab Coach Sara Muender chats with Jordan Marsh, a civil rights and personal injury attorney and the author of Try Your Own Case. Jordan shares how he’s expanding his 100% contingency-based law firm by developing the Try Your Own Case brand into a new revenue stream.

Learn about Jordan’s innovative plans for an online course and get tips on turning your legal skills into profit. This must-listen episode is perfect for law firm owners looking to diversify their income and boost their practice.

Links from the episode: 

Check out Jordan’s Book: Try Your Own Case

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

#518: Why Every Lawyer Needs to Master Storytelling—And How to Do It, with Kate Tellers

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:00:29 +0000

Stories are powerful—not just in the courtroom, but in business, with your team, and your life. And, yet, telling a great story is hard!

Stephanie chats with Kate Tellers, senior director and a host of the Peabody Award winning Moth Radio Hour and co-author of How To Tell a Story, about bringing our stories to life.

Links from the episode: 

The Moth

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Best Practices for Law Firm Exits with Kevin McGoff

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 15:45:33 +0000

In this episode, writer and lawyer Kevin McGoff discusses the complexities and best practices surrounding law firm exits. Drawing from his extensive legal career, Kevin emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, and seeking professional advice when contemplating a career change.

The conversation also delves into the ethical considerations and strategic planning necessary for both leaving the legal field and starting a new firm.

Kevin McGoff is the author of Find Your Landing Zone – Life Beyond the Bar, published in 2023. He is a writer, speaker, and lawyer. Kevin is also an avid cyclist and inveterate traveler. During his career, Kevin worked for a state agency, ran a solo practice, and started a law firm. Later he served as General Counsel to a large midwest firm.

Kevin developed a successful program to complement his book designed to motivate lawyers and other professionals to progress from thinking about what’s next in life to creating a personal plan to make it happen.

Kevin gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
06:49 Understanding Your Strengths and Interests
09:53 Taking the Leap: Transitioning Careers
13:16 Starting Your Own Law Firm: Financial Planning
17:45 Ethical Considerations and Client Relations
22:56 Setting Up a New Firm: Practical Advice
31:05 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts
36:38 One Thing That Works

Resources mentioned in this episode:

From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks

Connect with Kevin here:

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Google’s Search Monopoly in Jeopardy: This New Antitrust Ruling Changes Everything

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 16:00:06 +0000

Has Google finally been dethroned? Greg Sterling of Near Media joins Gyi and Conrad to hash out the DOJ’s ruling on Google’s search monopoly.

So, is the government going to break Google up? Greg begins by explaining the nuances of what actually makes a monopoly illegal and whether Google has acted in opposition to the law. Later, the guys discuss the spectrum of remedies that could come into play in Google’s future and whether new competition will be able to break through in the search space. For more on Greg’s perspective, read his article: Google Loses, AI Ankle Biters, GBP Menu Optimization. Gyi and Conrad also ask Greg to give his take on critical things lawyers should do to be easily discoverable by prospective clients and reduce their dependence on Google.

The News:

Google has an illegal monopoly on search, US judge finds

Mentioned in this Episode:

nearmedia.co

localdialogue.com

Interested in attending Auto Crash Litigation 2024? Check out the 360 Advocacy LHLM Discount.

Check out NetDocuments

How Can Neuroscience-Driven Messages Improve Your Engagement? with Aurora Winter

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 04:00:34 +0000

In this episode, Aurora Winter joins me to talk about the importance of appealing to the ‘croc brain’ to grab attention, using social proof for validation, and delivering messages concisely.

Aurora explains the significance of storytelling, particularly the hero’s journey structure, for making messages memorable and engaging. She discusses common pitfalls in communication, provides practical templates for enhancing engagement, and highlights the profound impact of effective storytelling. The episode also touches on the value of making reviews and testimonials compelling. Aurora challenges listeners to focus on improving their communication skills by being mindful of their words and structuring their messages strategically.

Aurora Winter, MBA, is a successful entrepreneur, bestselling author, TV writer-producer, and the founder of www.SamePagePublishing.com. Her award-winning books include “Turn Words Into Wealth” and “Magic, Mystery, and the Multiverse.” Using her expertise in film and neuroscience, she helps people tell memorable stories that build brands, books, and businesses.

Aurora gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
02:38 Common Communication Mistakes
05:45 Understanding the Croc Brain
08:37 The Power of Social Proof
12:15 Crafting Effective Messages
14:27 The Hero’s Journey in Storytelling
21:01 Connecting with Empathy, Translating Neuroscience into Effective Messaging
23:48 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing
26:48 Crafting Memorable Reviews and Testimonials
31:02 Book Recommendation
32:41 One thing that works

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer by Michael Stockham

Connect with Aurora here:

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#515: Simple Marketing Hacks Lawyers Swear By, with Gyi Tsakalakis

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:00:13 +0000

A law firm’s marketing efforts are never-ending! That, coupled with the fact that algorithms and tools seem to also always be changing can leave lawyers with a marketing headache. In this episode, Stephanie chats with the host of the popular podcast, Lunch Hour Legal Marketing, Gyi Tsakalakis about the latest things to know in law firm marketing.

Links from the episode: 

Listen to the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Podcast

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

How does Google know who you are? | Authorship v. Expertise

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 08:00:21 +0000

You wrote some stuff, have great expertise, have great content… but does Google care? The guys hash out how to establish your cred and boost your content with tactical authorship strategies.

Conrad still values the bygone era of Google’s authorship attributions, but Gyi’s all about the latest on expertise with E-E-A-T. Who’s right, and how is authorship recognized by search engines across the breadth of the internet? Gyi and Conrad throw down on best practices for helping your content demonstrate Google’s E-E-A-T criteria and solidify the importance of your authorship. And, it’s not just about you publishing on your own domain. The guys explain how to effectively expand out onto other reputable platforms/publications to help search engines value and promote your expertise.

Learn more here:

Creating Helpful, Reliable, People-First Content | Google Search Central | Documentation

And here:

Author markup best practices

The News:

There’s not a lot of control over how brands show up on Google—will this change anything? – Maximize performance on Search with updates to query matching
Google killed off its business messaging. What’s the deal? – Changes to Google Business Profile Chat
Gyi and Conrad will both be at some upcoming events! Come see them at Auto Crash Litigation 2024 and Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp.
And, for even more of Gyi’s mellifluous tones (oh, and marketing know-how), check out his appearance on the ABA Legal Rebels podcast.

Mentioned in this Episode:

LHLM Episode – Google’s Algorithm EXPOSED – What Matters and What Doesn’t – Legal Talk Network

How generative AI can help you market your legal practice

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:00:31 +0000

There has been a lot of talk and concern about generative AI tools and how they are changing the legal industry.

A major worry for many lawyers is that these tools could replace them or make them redundant.

But what about the potential of generative AI to help lawyers generate business, market themselves more effectively, and make more money?

On this month’s episode of the Legal Rebels Podcast, Gyi Tsakalakis, founder of AttorneySync and EPL Digital and digital marketing expert, talks about how generative AI can help lawyers generate business and market themselves.

Why Aren’t Your Meta Ads Working? The SEO Mistakes Costing Law Firms Clients with Nicki Sciberras

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 04:00:38 +0000

In this episode, Nicki Sciberras from Digital Exchange shares insights on how law firms can leverage Meta ads to grow their businesses. The discussion covers the importance of understanding marketing funnels, the types of Meta ads and how they work, common mistakes in ad campaigns, and the significance of website optimization.

Nicki emphasizes the need for proper testing and targeting in ad campaigns, highlights the impact of a positive money mindset on marketing budgets, and provides practical advice for improving conversion rates. The episode also underscores the role of agencies in achieving optimal results from Meta ads.

Nicki is a Meta Ads and SEO strategist and coach. An expert in her field, she helps online businesses profitably grow and scale their brand so they can live life on their own terms.

Monica gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
01:06 Understanding Meta Ads
03:07 Exploring the Marketing Funnel
04:25 Types of Ads and Their Purposes
07:56 Retargeting Strategies
11:53 Common Mistakes in Ad Campaigns
14:33 Optimizing Your Website for Conversions
18:58 The Importance of Testing and Optimization
24:22 Budgeting and Money Mindset
31:31 One thing that works

Resources mentioned in this episode:

- Get Rich, Lucky Bitch! by Denise Duffield-Thomas
- Done-for-you Traffic and Sales Calculator and Planner. It can help users determine exactly how much traffic they need to hit their sales revenue goal this year and beyond (and an action plan to get there): https://www.thedigitalexchange.co/traffic

Connect with Nicki here:

Connect with me

How To Do Social Media Marketing the Right Way

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:45:37 +0000

Which platform is best for marketing your law firm? Facebook? TikTok? Insta? Reddit? Well, it depends… And later, hold on to your data, folks! Does a vendor’s use of tracking pixels benefit you or them?

Now, depending on your practice area, certain social media platforms may be better suited to connecting you to your target audience. The guys zero in on which creative strategies work well for differing areas of law and explain how to determine the social media platforms you should be focused on.

Later, what can tracking pixels (like from iHeartRadio, etc.) do for you? Every pixel seems to have a tradeoff, and some of them most likely aren’t worth your while. Gyi and Conrad discuss the benefits and the possible lurking downsides in pixels.

The News:

At the time of this recording, Google’s Search Console had been down for 81 hours. Get it together already, Googs.
And, more Googliness: Google Search Ranking Volatility Over June 28th & 29th Weekend
Is AI search declining? – AI searches around 9% and zero click at 59% and Search Engine Land – AI Overviews
Ryan McKeen launches Best Era and you don’t want to miss it!
Last, but not least, Conrad made an appearance on Charlie Mann’s podcast – They Don’t Teach This in Law School

Mentioned in this Episode:

LHLM Episode – 5 Fresh Takeaways from Clio’s Legal Trends Report || The Case Against ROI – Legal Talk Network

Community Table: Troublesome Employees, Offshoring, and Atypical Marketing

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:00:47 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:

A firm owner dealing with discipline problems stemming from her firm’s understaffing is frustrated. Feeling they have the upper hand, some employees are taking advantage of the situation. How can the owner regain control?
What’s the best way to staff up? In-office, remote, or even offshoring some tasks? Christopher and guest Joey Seeber of Level Legal share tips about building a team, from in-house to offshore.
An attorney wants to know if he should borrow to expand his firm in a competitive market. It’s OK to borrow money, but only if you start knowing how you plan to pay it back and what you expect in return.
Evaluating the results of an affinity or educational marketing plan when there’s no direct call to action. It all comes down to new client acquisition and the Five Commandments of Marketing!

How to Fix a Law Firm Website That’s Not Delivering Results with Monica Pitts

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 04:00:04 +0000

In this episode, Monica Pitts, founder of MayeCreate Design and host of the ‘Marketing with Purpose’ podcast, shares insights on transforming a non-performing website into a powerful business tool.

She discusses the evolution of website design since 1998, emphasizing the importance of a website acting as a virtual salesperson. Topics covered include understanding client awareness and interest, the importance of mobile-first design, avoiding stock photos, compliance issues, and regular website auditing. Monica also stresses the importance of including FAQs, using Google Analytics to measure performance, and ensuring team coherence.

Monica is a techy, crafty, aerial dancer with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Monica possesses a rare combination of design savvy and technological know-how. She puts her down-to-earth problem solving skills to work providing solutions to marketing and communication challenges through technology. When she’s not running her business she’s raising her two daughters, 9 and 13, petting her puppies, traveling with her husband, Mike, dancing in air or digging in the dirt!

Monica gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
00:47 The Evolution of Websites
01:16 Websites as Sales Tools
02:49 Understanding Your Clients
05:46 Common Website Mistakes
07:33 Mobile Optimization
10:08 Compliance and Privacy Policies
12:00 Using Analytics to Improve Performance
13:00 The Importance of Authentic Imagery
21:17 FAQs and User Engagement
23:16 Book Review: The Power of a Positive Team
25:37 One thing that works

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Power of a Positive Team by Jon Gordon

Connect with Monica here:

Connect with me

How Much Marketing Is Enough? – Legal Marketers Explain

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:00:25 +0000

Lawyers can’t just take a backseat when it comes to marketing, but what do you actually need to know to make sure your marketing approach holds water? Later, how do you go about marketing for two distinct practice areas in your law firm?

Depending on your role in your firm, you may need to know much more or much less about the way the marketing world works, but you absolutely need to have some basic knowledge to ensure that your tactics/data/vendors/potential hires/etc. make sense. Gyi and Conrad talk through what you need to know to be able to hold your marketing people accountable for delivering on your law firm’s objectives.

Next, if you have more than one practice area in your law firm, what’s the best way to make sure each one is marketed effectively? The guys answer a question about how to grow different aspects of your law firm with well-thought-out marketing, resource allocation, and web content.

The News:

Hona succeeded in raising $9.5M, so there’s all sorts of new potential there.
Get more of Conrad and Gyi! The guys will be speaking at Answering Legal Summer Camps – July 24th and August 14.
Gyi told you so on LSAs! Go listen to these episodes: Google Local Service Ads: To Brand or Not to Brand? and The Lawyer’s Guide to Conversions || Listener LSA Queries

Mentioned in this Episode:

Gyi’s Google Leak Threads on X

What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Online Reputation and Referral Growth with Gert Mellak

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 04:00:56 +0000

In this episode, Gert Mellak joins me once again to talk about the crucial importance of online reputation and referral growth for law firms. The discussion revolves around common misconceptions law firms have about separating word of mouth from marketing, and how a firm’s reputation is inherently part of its marketing strategy.

Gert elaborates on the insights from his book ‘Fix Your Online Reputation,’ explaining how to manage and improve online reputation through proactive measures such as generating positive reviews and strategically using ads. The conversation also touches on the role of SEO, knowledge panels, and social media in shaping a firm’s online presence and credibility. We conclude by stressing the importance of maintaining a clean brand profile and the potential financial impact of neglecting online reputation.

Gert gives listeners actionable tips on:

00:00 Intro
00:50 The Importance of Online Reputation for Law Firms
02:12 Understanding and Managing Negative Reviews
04:22 Strategies to Improve Online Reputation
11:42 Google Knowledge Panel and Business Profile
17:21 Leveraging AI and Consistent Information
21:54 Starting the Internal Audit
23:59 Quick Fixes to Save Money
24:49 Common Mistakes in Reputation Management
26:57 Proactive Strategies for Positive Reviews
31:24 Thought Leaders library
35:14 Managing Social Media and Personal Life
42:08 One thing that works

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande

Connect with Gert here:

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The Caitlin Clark Experience; Being a Camera-Ready Professional; and “Candid Camera”

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:00:56 +0000

Getting in front of an audience to communicate on camera certainly doesn’t come naturally to all (most?) attorneys, but if you’re feeling embarrassed by your lackluster video presence, there are ways to overcome those on-camera nerves. Jared talks with Kerry Barrett about how she helps professionals sharpen media skills to increase their visibility and present confidence and credibility to their audience.

In the Rump Roast, they play “Candid Camera”, where Jared asks Kerry questions on the history of all things video. What was the last truly silent film? What band played the first-ever music video on MTV? Listen in to find out if Kerry’s up to the trivia challenge.

And, lastly, hating on Caitlin Clark is utterly ridiculous. Jared expounds upon the many reasons why WNBA players (including Caitlin’s own teammates) need to take advantage of the hype and bask in all that Caitlin Clark is bringing to women’s basketball.

Since Video Killed The Radio Star, here’s a playlist featuring songs that had some of the best music videos.

Our opening song is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing song is Just Like Me by Thruline.

Google’s Algorithm EXPOSED – What Matters and What Doesn’t

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 08:00:29 +0000

The secrets of Google’s algorithm are out! So, what (if anything) should you do?

Is this the biggest news to hit the SEO industry ever? Google has had their first high-profile leak, courtesy of one of their very own engineers, and now SEOs are working all kinds of angles to leverage this new information. So, how juicy is it? Is all the hype justified? There’s a lot to unpack here, and you should certainly proceed with caution if some sort of SEO professional has flashy “leak secrets” for sale. Gyi and Conrad dig into the pile to explain how to process this news and make smart, tactical decisions moving forward.

The News:

For the first time, Google has had a major leak.

Quite a few AI Overviews have been scarily bad, and could be considered hilarious, dangerous, or future lawsuit fodder—especially if you’re the unlucky fellow who takes AI’s advice about eating rocks or adding glue to your pizza sauce.

The ABA has a new ethics opinion on Listservs, so here’s what you need to know:

ABA issues ethics guidance on a lawyer’s use of listservs, particularly for pending matters

And, LocalU Detroit is coming up on June 24th!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Secrets from the Algorithm: Google Search’s Internal Engineering Documentation Has Leaked – Mike King / iPullRank

Local Search Implications of the Google API Leak – David Mihm / Near Media

5 local SEO insights from Google’s API documentation leak – Andrew Shotland / Search Engine Land