In today’s world, gone are the days when you could simply put out a sign showing that you had opened your law firm and were taking new clients. With the advent of the Internet, more and more people are turning to online research before picking up the phone to schedule a consultation with an attorney.
Online reputation — that is, what people are saying about your law firm on the internet — is irrefutably one of the most important aspects of any internet marketing strategy, yet it’s one area in which many fall short. So how can lawyer reputation management help you?
The Importance of Client Reviews
Every day, people are taking to the web to share the experiences they had with a doctor’s office, coffee shop, day care center, plumber, etc. You name the business, there are consumers talking about it somewhere online.
According to the Pew Foundation, the majority of consumers conduct online research before making a purchase choice or using a service. Perhaps even more important to note, 2022 Brightlocal Local Consumer Review Survey found that 49% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family. That can include reviews on local listing websites as well as social media mentions (think Facebook, Instagram, and X, formerly Twitter).
Further, according to recent data, incorporating reviews into your law firm social media strategy can significantly boost conversion rates. To put it into perspective, reviews shared on LinkedIn contribute to conversion rates that are 5.3 times higher, while on Twitter, the figure jumps to an impressive 8.4 times higher. However, the real standout is Facebook, where the integration of reviews leads to conversion rates a whopping 40 times higher.
This underscores a crucial point — social media is not just a tool for building brand awareness; it’s a dynamic force that can drive sales in a substantial way. By seamlessly weaving reviews into your social media strategies, you have the potential to elevate your conversion rates and create a powerful synergy between customer feedback and sales success. It’s a strategy that goes beyond mere engagement, turning your social platforms into a formidable catalyst for business growth.
Clients Reviews Can Build Your 5-Star Online Reputation
When it comes to reputation marketing, the key is to be proactive. You can’t leave reviews to luck, just hoping that clients who appreciated your services will go to Google or Yelp and write about an amazing experience. In fact, the No. 1 mistake attorneys make when it comes to reviews is not ASKING for them.
Clients are more likely to go online to share a negative experience than a positive one. You are only one negative review away from a bad online reputation. The key is to implement a reputation marketing program that will put asking for and getting reviews on auto-pilot.
There are several effective methods of getting reviews from your clients that you can use for reputation marketing purposes, including:
- QR Code Cards — Replace traditional counter cards with QR code cards at your reception desk. Clients can easily scan and leave reviews on preferred platforms.
- Personalized Follow Up Emails — Send a personalized follow-up email to clients within a week after their case has concluded. Express gratitude, seek feedback, and provide links to review platforms like Yelp, Google, Facebook, or other sites where you want their feedback.
- Website Review Integration — Seamlessly integrate review links on your law firm’s website. Make it easy for clients to share their experiences directly.
- Newsletter — If you regularly send clients a newsletter, include a section inviting clients to share their experiences and feedback on various review sites.
- Social Media Engagement — Leverage social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to request recommendations from your followers. Regularly engage with your audience to foster a positive online presence.
Get Help Setting Up the Review Program For Your Law Firm
While you can certainly manage your online reviews within your legal practice, this can be a time consuming task. Online reputation is important and having professionals who are constantly revitalizing the approach to reputation marketing can save you time and increase your client base.
When utilizing the reputation marketing services of Thunderhead Marketing, you’ll have an even better resource to help you get online reviews for your law firm. We will set up an online review program for your clients to leave reviews on key websites. This method has had tremendous impact for our clients, significantly increasing the number of reviews received each month!
Online client reviews and reputation marketing are a vital part of growing a law firm. Don’t leave your online reputation to luck! Contact Thunderhead Marketing today to build your 5-star reputation across the web and get a FREE reputation report for your business.
