As I was doing my daily legal marketing research I can across a informational package from another legal marketer. To my knowledge, there is not a specific lawyer website chat software that is just targeted towards lawyers and attorneys. What this marketer presented to me in terms of what lawyer chat software ChatViaLegal  presents is out of this world!

Not only is it the standard text based chat, but now lawyers can actually engage in a real live video chat with a client or prospect. This is the first of its kind on ANY level and as long as the person on the other end at the law office can bring the client in, this software is the next big thing in website marketing for lawyer websites.

What ChatViaLegal also offers is a lawyer directory that offers all sorts of information about the lawyer and connects people looking for lawyer directly to the lawyers whole online presence right then and there.  This isnt your standard boring lawyer directory that just has information, what ChatVialegal is doing is innovative and the first of its kind. And whats even better then that, they can chat with the lawyer live on the website as well! So a double bonus to any lawyer looking for chat software for their website.

In my previous posts I have talked about a lot of traffic and search engine ranking how tos. This time around I am going to tell you abit about how to get your law firm marketing in shape and where it should be this far into 2010. Let’s take a look at what were your goals for 2010 and how you are coming along with them.

Lawyer Online Marketing has to deal with so many aspects, it is quite hard to wrap your head around it right? Well wrong! I have been working with lawyers who typically need to have a blog and need to be generating content everyday. Is this the right or wrong method you say? Well, from my experience in working with metrics that measure success, and keyword research for certain areas of law in different cities around the US, it is astonishing how many websites have tons of content, but yet to be on the first page of the search engines. What are they doing wrong? What could they be doing better? Below is my feedback for you guys. Take this from this post if you take anything at all as this will be shocking to hear for some law firms trying to be the online marketing generators.

Things that DO NOT WORK:

1. Telling people to link to you. Don’t waste your time and efforts. It is hard to get people to link to you but it is also hard enough to get the correct anchor text and link to the specific area you want on your website. ( Get 25 FREE Links HERE)

2. Stealing keywords and content from the most successful competition for you search terms. This is being done even now! If your content is not relevent to the meta descriptions and keywords you are stealing, then why bother?

3. Adding fancy style to your website rather then focusing on what actually works. The internet is a fierce place to practice law. If you are wanting to generate clients from your website, focus on what is working rather then what looks nice. Just because a site looks nice does not mean it converts well.

Things that DO WORK:

1. Creating quality content so people will actually link to you! This is the most important aspect. Why do all the top law firms that do not have the highest amount of content rank better? This is because they have stuff that is actually linkable! People pay more attention to quality rather then a huge load of crappy content.

2. Addressing people’s concerns about what area of law your website deals with. Convey a message, and stick to it. Help people rather then try to help someone. Give them guidance.

3. Give them something for free. Reports, how tos, consultations. Give them something to get their information. This builds leads into clients. Enough said there.

Lawyer online marketing is a how to market of everyone doing something wrong and right. The ones who do the most right are the ones who suceed. If you are one of the law firms or lawyers who are doing something from the above DO NOT DO list, don’t worry. It is not too late for you to turn it around and give your prospects what they want.

You see these lawyer directories all over the place when trying to market your law firm. You think to yourself, do these really work? You also wonder why so many lawyer directories have the same reoccuring theme over and over again, in which they sell the front page to the highest bidder and take your money as well to have a quality link to your website. Well, I am going to tell you what you need to know about lawyer directory websites and if they really work or not, in terms of getting what you paid for.

Let’s start by defining a lawyer directory website. A lawyer directory website is a resource of a combined list of lawyers and attorneys from all over the world, for which consumers or clients can research a law firm and make a informed decision about which lawyer they should choose. Some of these have added features like intergrated blogs and other design aspects, but most are all the same in all avenues. They list the top paying firms on the homepage to grab your attention, and try to drive you back to the firms website. Some examples of this type of site is Hr.org and Martindale.com.  The more of a highbred lawyer directory is considered Avvo.

Ok do these lawyer directories actually work Jesse? Well let me tell you this, if you are gaining any business from these sites ( which you should be measuring if you are or not) then I guess you could say that they are working for you. If you also are gaining a quality linkback to your website, that is also a win in my eyes. As long as the linkback contains quality anchor text to your law firm website, you should have a impact on the search engines in your niche area. *Remember – when linking to your website, use the most targeted word searched for your site and focus on building that up. When you dominate the search engines for these words, you should then move your focus on other areas of practice.

Ok now what? Show me how I should be using these types of websites. These types of websites are all over the net. List your law firms on all of the free ones first (if you want help on listing your firms on these types of sites, contact me). Then focus your marketing dollars on the top lawyer directories. These may be a good ROI based on the price paid. Market and research. See what worked best for you. Using these types of sites is really hit or miss. Use your metrics and measuring to your advantage. And if you are not measuring your search metrics, you may want to reconsider doing any marketing because you need to learn how to measure before you can jump. EasyLegalMarketing can help with a effective marketing campaign lawyer directory services. If you need this type of search use the contact page on this website. Also, if you are a lawyer that needs help measuring their metrics, you can also contact us to help you with this as you will not move forward without doing this first. Overall, use these to your advantage but do not sink a lot of money or investment in these types of sites as they are only good as one quality link to your site. Choose wisely!!

TextLinks is a newest link building product from BackLinks.com. TextLinks, just like Backlinks and their other related products, offers textlinks for the cheapest prices to drive your link building campaign and this one seems to be more innovative – at least as a whole package.

This new product was launched only last month and now they are offering a 21 days FREE trial period which is completely risk-free (not charged for the first 21 days). Basically this 21 days free link building campaign may be good enough to boost your page strength and rank before the next Google PR update which is due anytime now. They offer 25 Free for life links with this offer. More over the monthly package comes with a lot of other goodies as well.

How TextLinks works?

Unlike Backlinks, which has both buy and sell links options, TextLinks (referral link) offers only buy links option but they come at the lowest possible prices and biggest packages. Compare it with services such as Text-link-ads and you will see the huge difference.

Once signed up as an advertiser you will get to use 99 text link credits for 99 dollars monthly fee (after the 21 days trial). These link credits can be exchanged for one way links (Homepage links $3, other links $1) during this period.

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Yes, you know who you are. Your that lawyer who likes to send out direct mail to all your prospects, telling them how great you are at what you do. You think it is a great way to market your law firm but in reality, people DO NOT WANT TO KNOW HOW GREAT YOU ARE. Your an attorney, and people know that you are a educated professional person, and they want to hear what you are going to do for them rather then what you did for yourself of your own firm.

Direct mailing from lawyers and attorneys is a hit or miss area. You can either successfully reach your prospects in a non advertising manner, or ruin it by promoting youself, rather then what type of service or quality of service you can provide to your prospect. Take it from someone with direct marketing experience, show them you actually want to help them, and it will convert more then any other method of direct mail marketing for your law firm. The proper method is to give and support, rather then brag and advertise. This method almost never works, inless you are in a heavily competitive network with highly skilled law firms with endless marketing dollars to spend. Basically, they buy their clients.

Some direct mail marketing for lawyers tips:

1. Use direct mail as a support source. Show them that they need help and you are their for them, and not their to brag about how good you are. People need to know that you will take care of them.

2.  Use aggressive and professional design tactics. The more professional your design the better, but do not make it seem like it came right off the paper mill. Use some personalized touches to show them that you actually did it yourself. This goes a long way in terms of how they view your loyality.

3. Test and Test some more. Use a couple different designs in your direct mail campaign. People will almost never convert on the first mail piece you mail out. Be Repetitive in your marketing. The more times someone views your mailings the better, and the better the chance they remember you name.

4. Think outside the box. Use something different then what you would prefer. Typically lawyers and attorneys know nothing about design elements or tactics of converting with direct mail.

Those 4 tactics will get you going in the right direction with a good base of knowledge. Again, the most important point of this article is to not send junk advertisement. BE PERSONAL!! Follow the above guidance and you will do well in your direct marketing campaign. This method is a old but great method and way to send a personal message. When looking at a design element, have a graphic designer help you or someone who has knowledge of conversion tactics.

EasyLegalMarketing has experience with direct mail marketing with lawyers and attorneys. Use it to your advantage. Be patient, repetition is key in this area of marketing. Read more Direct Mail Marketing for Lawyers Articles.

A great new legal wiki site (thats short for encyclopedia) has just been launched with the opportunity for its users to create their own information and legal definitions. Not only can you list your law firms website and information about the firm, you can also help the community by leaving your imput about legal definitions and resources for the consumer who will come across the legal wiki.

This is a great way to promote your law firm website, but at the same time connect with your prospective clients with legal information.

Lawfo Legal Wiki promotes interaction between lawyer and consumer. Taken directly from the same idea of Wikipedia, it offers a easy user interface that everyone can use and understand.

Take a look! I think lawyers and attorneys have the chance to explain what some legal terms means in their eyes. Click the link to the right of this post! >>

Easy Legal Marketing shows lawyers and attorneys how easy it is to navigate the marketing world of the web with its helpful articles and interaction with its subscribers. Sign up today to take a big step in the right direction for your law firm marketing.

In the fierce world of online marketing for lawyers and attorneys, the intial impression you leave in a prospective clients mind about your law firm intially comes from your website or web design. Making this a key point in your plans on building a effective online campaign is crucial for not only getting traffic to your site, but to be able to convert those who visit your site into clients.

The key to any marketing effort in the legal industry is having identified goals. This is no truer than when it comes to marketing your law firm through a website. So ask yourself, what are your goals for your website? Here are just a few examples:

Getting your Point Across

Some law firms just want what I describe as “an online business card” or “static site. Their website goal is to have something to show people who want to see something up on the internet about their website. They don’t care or plan whether or not their site will get visitors, leads, or generate new clients. This is the term known as a ego that wants to serve just a single purpose of seeing their name on a website.

Using a Blog To Boost Your Site

Some lawyers recognize that merely having an online static site or frontpage is not enough for them to be profitable. They want to be the next great blog author. They want a following of people to read what they have to say. Perhaps they want to generate advertising revenue. They understand some basics about law firm internet marketing, but aren’t really ready to completely commit to a full-scale online marketing campaign. Typically, they’re less excited about practicing law than they are about writing about it. Read a previous article about the best lawyer blogging tools.

Improving Your Practice Online

That brings us to the main goal of any law firm marketing on the internet, making money from prospects from the internet. Many law firms are learning that the internet can be an excellent source of new clients and new sources of referrals. They need comprehensive web marketing services utilizing SEO and online marketing projects and plans. These typically include a website and blog, contact form integration built into the website, link building best practices, and other features designed not only to help the website get found online, but to turn more traffic into leads and clients.

These are only a fraction of the different goals amd projects that a law firm website can be used to achieve. The key is to identify these goals band plans before you even start. Jeff Bermanof AttorneySync states “Your goals for your website can take you in completely different directions and change your prioritization of time investment, monetary investment, and overall implementation. That is why it is critical to establishing these goals before diving into an expensive and time consuming law firm website solution.” Wow what a great statement about a law firm design aspect.

Need an Attorney or Lawyer Website Designed?

It is hard to find someone with the knowledge of designing a website for a law firm. I typically do not recommend having just any website design company taking this task, as they do not know the audience a lawyer or attorney is typically going after in clients. Lawyer Website Design by JLG Marketing Solutions is a tried and true website design company that can help you with your needs. With the trend of web 2.0, you need a up to date website to keep up with the times and JLG does great work! Click the link above to contact them to help develop either a blog or a full functional website for your law firm.