I have bought all the tools, attended all the training sessions, and purchased templates, but I still can’t find the time to keep my law practice active on social media.”
We hear this all the time during our discovery calls with lawyers. We totally get it. For busy attorneys at small law firms, time is such a valuable resource, often eaten up by non legal tasks.
Can you believe that, according to the 2023 State of U.S. Small Law Firms Report, lawyers spend about 9% of their time on administrative tasks and another 6% on marketing? That’s 15% of their time that could be spent directly helping clients.
Interestingly, it’s actually less than the usual business standard, which recommends dedicating 20 to 30% of time and resources to marketing.
Running a small legal practice means you’re probably bombarded with chatter about how social media marketing is the hip, cost-effective alternative to billboards. However, it’s like everyone thinks your law degree came with a minor in Instagram.
Consequently, it’s easy to feel like you have to add this to your already never ending to do list. Yes, brand visibility, client engagement, and trust building are important, but they shouldn’t overshadow other vital tasks like, you know, actually being a lawyer. So, let’s dive into how to juggle these demands efficiently without feeling like you need an extra 10 hours in your day.
Begin by selecting the appropriate social media platform for your legal practice.
Popular platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads cater to distinct audiences. If you’re handling your marketing independently, focusing on a single platform that aligns with your target audience’s interests and characteristics is a strategic approach.
By mastering the tools specific to that platform, you can connect with your clients in a more meaningful way. Instead of trying to be everywhere at once, focusing on a single platform can lead to more effective results, kind of like putting all your chips on a winning hand. This focused strategy can help you build stronger relationships and foster more valuable interactions with your audience. So, how can you make the most of your chosen platform? Here are some tips to help you get started.
Setasa Tip:
After each consultation, ask your existing clients about their preferred social media platforms and which ones impact their buying choices the most, whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or another platform.
You can also go a step further and find out which influencers or local figures they follow. Engaging with communities that have already attracted your target audience is another effective strategy. For instance, if you’re an estate planning attorney, consider joining a Facebook group for parents or grandparents.
Developing a Comprehensive Social Media Strategy
It’s important to connect with your audience by understanding their needs and creating content that speaks to them. Make sure to keep a consistent tone that mirrors your company’s personality, whether it’s professional, friendly, or informative.
Authenticity is key. Nowadays, people are looking for real connections rather than perfectly curated social media profiles. Show the authentic side of your company to establish genuine relationships with your audience.
So, how can you make the most of your chosen platform? Here are some tips to help you get started
Setasa Tip:
Pick three types of content to focus on, like business tips, client feedback, or case studies. This way, you can keep things interesting and relevant for your audience. Share business tips to show off your expertise and give helpful advice, post client feedback to build trust and highlight the value you bring, and use case studies to share real success stories and how you’ve made a difference. By narrowing down your content to these key areas, you’ll keep your social media engaging and on point with your goals.
Here’s how you never run out of Social Media content
- Use a Notes App: Make sure to keep your notes app easily accessible for capturing any client inquiries or brainstorming sessions.
- Engage with Your Audience: Ask your clients and followers what they want to see. A great tip is to do a Q&A in your stories.
- Check Your DMs and Comments: Regularly review your DMs and comments to understand what your audience is interested in hearing from you.
- Remember Your Why: Always keep in mind why you started, and let that passion guide your content creation.
Setasa Tip:
Authenticity, transparency, relatability, expertise, and warmth are the five core values that shape our social media voice. We love giving you a behind-the-scenes look and sharing real-life moments because, let’s face it, nobody’s life is perfect all the time.
By being open about our process and sharing our knowledge, we aim to connect with you on a deeper level and build genuine trust. We want you to see the real us and feel like you’re part of our journey.
Let’s talk Batch Creation
One effective way to tackle social media is by embracing batch creation days. Setting aside specific days to create content in batches can save you a ton of time and help you maintain a consistent online presence. Instead of scrambling for posts every day, you can plan, create, and schedule content in one go.
How to Make the Most of Your Batch Creation Day
- Prepare Ahead: Keep a notes app handy to jot down ideas or client questions as they come up. This way, you’ll have a list of content ideas ready to go.
- Set Clear Goals: Decide how many posts you want to create in a single session.
- Content Pillars: Create core themes that resonate with your audience. Begin by understanding your target demographic: pinpoint their wants, aspirations, challenges, and traits.
This foundational knowledge is really the backbone of your content strategy. When you understand what clicks with your audience and what doesn’t, you can tweak things to hit the mark. Try organizing your topics into core content pillars, grouping similar ones together.
Make sure these pillars are broad enough to cover a range of content, like legal tips, case studies, and client testimonials. This way, your strategy stays fresh and relevant to what your audience cares about. The goal is to create content that’s not just informative but also builds trust and shows off your expertise in the legal world.
So, aim to deliver great content that your audience finds genuinely useful. Share your legal insights, brief case studies, or your thoughts on the latest legal updates.
Benefits of Batch Creation for your social media
- Consistency: Ensures a steady flow of content without the daily scramble.
- Efficiency: Saves time by creating multiple pieces of content in one go.
- Focus: Allows you to concentrate on content creation without distractions.
- Quality Control: Provides the opportunity to refine and polish content, maintaining a high standard.
- Strategic Planning: Enables you to plan content around key dates, events, and themes, ensuring relevance and timeliness.
- Reduced Stress: Minimizes the pressure of daily content creation, allowing for a more relaxed and thoughtful approach.
- Creative Flow: Enhances creativity by allowing extended periods of uninterrupted brainstorming and production.
- Flexibility: Provides a buffer for unexpected events or busy periods, ensuring that your content schedule remains uninterrupted.
Scheduling and Automation
Once you have your content ready, scheduling tools can help maintain consistency.
Set It and Forget It:Don’t stress about keeping up with your social media game during hectic times. Just schedule your posts in advance using tools like Metricool or Later. That way, you can focus on your clients without worrying about your online presence taking a hit.
Setasa Tip: Engage with your audience daily by replying to comments, liking posts, or congratulating connections.
Delegation
There’s no harm in delegating tasks that fall outside your zone of genius. Focus on being a lawyer and delegate non-essential tasks.
- Delegable Tasks: Social media management, content creation, scheduling posts, responding to comments.
Delegable vs. Non-Delegable Tasks
Non-Delegable Tasks: Client consultations, legal research, court appearances.
For the overwhelmed solo practitioner, this becomes even more challenging. Imagine spending most of your time on marketing efforts instead of legal tasks. It’s a constant juggle, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Hiring a social media manager or using an agency can ensure your social media remains active and engaging without taking up your valuable time.
Leveraging AI and Marketing Integrations
In today’s fast-paced world, AI technology is a game-changer for busy attorneys. By automating administrative tasks such as client communications, legal research, and billing, AI frees up valuable time for you to focus on what you do best: serving your clients and pursuing legal excellence.
practicing law. Partnering with digital marketing experts can take your practice to the next level. They can help streamline your marketing efforts, ensuring your online presence is as strong as your legal skills.
By embracing these modern tools, you can not only save valuable time but also substantially enhance the quality of your practice.
Conclusion
Juggling a hectic law practice and a killer social media game is tough, but totally doable. Setting up a system that lets your social media do its thing in the background is a game-changer. By doing this, you’ll make your marketing efforts more efficient without neglecting your lawyer duties.
Trying to keep up with a busy law practice and a killer social media presence is no joke, but it’s definitely possible. Making sure your social media is running smoothly in the background is essential. By doing this, you’ll make your marketing efforts more efficient without dropping the ball on your professional responsibilities.
