Starting your own law firm can be a great business adventure, but it can be challenging at first, like most things. Without any experience or loyal clients, showing the world you are professional and reliable can be difficult. However, it is possible. You just need to spend time planning everything out before you get started.
Want to learn more? Then keep on reading. In this article, we are going to discuss eight things that you should avoid when starting your own law firm.
Let’s get started!
Believing people will come straight to you
Just because you have received your qualifications doesn’t mean that you can simply set up a firm, and people will roll in. Establishing any business is complicated, and you’re going to have to put in some hard work before you begin getting regular work.
Instead of stressing out, take the time and plan out everything correctly. Establish a marketing plan, think of unique ways to generate interest, and create a website that is easy to navigate. It may seem like a lot, but it really will pay off in the long run.
Working entirely from home
Running your firm virtually while working from home certainly has its benefits, but it can be a huge mistake for new businesses. Most clients want peer-to-peer interaction when dealing with personal issues and may avoid contacting you if you work solely online.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it at all, but instead think of it as a tool to meet new people. For example, you can speak with them online first, then offer to have them come into your physical office. Trust us when we say you will generate a lot more interest.
Not focusing on your expertise
You may be tempted to take on all cases that come your way, but it’s better to stick to a niche and focus on your own expertise. Take Larmoyeux & Bone, for example. They assist with personal injuries, such as car accidents, dog bites, and medical malpractice. By becoming known in one specific field, you’ll bring in more work and generate great testimonials. Some other areas you can choose from include:
- Finance
- Family/Divorce
- Criminal
- Corporate
- Estate Planning
Taking on too much responsibility
You may be excited to start your own practice, but it’s crucial not to take on too much responsibility. If you try doing everything yourself at a fast pace, you’re going to burn out and make mistakes with your clients.
Remember to take things slowly and set realistic goals. If things go well, spend the money to get some extra help. Even hiring a freelancer to assist with basic administrative tasks can be a wise decision.
Not communicating effectively
Communication is one of the most critical skills to have when being a lawyer, and while you might already know this, you need to remember that it’s even more vital when you run your own firm. It’s up to you to send through information, gather evidence, and report back to your clients. Without doing so, you’re risking your entire reputation.
Not following up
One of the main reasons lawyers lose clients is that they don’t take the time to follow up on specific inquiries. It might seem irritating, but taking half an hour out of your day to call back and check on potential customers will really make a big difference. You would be surprised about how many individuals change their minds! Even a simple email that takes two minutes to write is worth it.
Not growing your skills
You might think that going through law school is enough to establish your firm, but the reality is, you never stop learning. Laws consistently change, and new ways to discover evidence emerge frequently. It’s up to you to continue growing your skills so that you can become the best lawyer possible. Want to learn more? Check out these skills for new lawyers that are wanting to start a business to get started.
Thinking it will be easy
Lastly, one of the biggest mistakes that many lawyers make is thinking that starting a firm will be easy. By reading through the above, you should now have an understanding of all the different aspects that are involved in the process. However, try not to get overwhelmed. The best way to manage everything is to take things slowly and grow at a steady pace. You’ll have an incredibly successful business set up in no time!
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