Recently, Lexis Nexis and other companies with a vested interested in the outcome have released surveys about how people fine attorneys. Now comes the ABA with its survey which I trust will be more objective and non-biased.
People Ask Other People for Attorney Recommendations
This is the number one way people find attorneys for personal matters – 46%. 34% rely on using attorneys they have used before. Looking online or in the yellow pages – and both are about equal in this survey which surprises me. Also older people use the yellow pages LESS than younger people do. But for yellow pages its 8% and for searching online its 7%.
Bottom Line
Trust is critical to hiring an attorney. People trust their friends and family to give them good information about hiring attorneys. They also trust their experience with an attorney they have used previously. They don’t trust the attorneys that pop up first in search results or with big splashy ads in yellow pages.
Use Your Web Presence to Build Trust
I believe that that your website, your social media outreach and directory listing should all point to building trust with potential clients. If someone recommends you, make sure that your website builds on that trust. Have a photo on your home page preferably but somewhere on your website that shows off your personality so that people can feel your presence. Use clear and bold text to make the point about your experience and expertise. Use your LinkedIn profile and other badges from organizations you belong to or honors you have received. And then make it very easy for clients to contact you. Its not necessary to look desperate – no need to have flashing boxes, saying, “Call me now!” but make sure that your phone number or email is place at the top of the your home page.
