Frankly, if you’re asking this question, you have some catching up to do. Hopefully, it’s obvious to you that not all blogs “work” for all lawyers. Here’s an example of one that does.
I’ve known Steve Gursten for 4 years now. He’s an outstanding lawyer and a good person. But I consider him a friend, so give my opinion whatever weight you deem fit. He has some attention from articles written about him on sites like https://www.injurylawpalmbeach.com. Many peolpe are expecting great things from him and his entourage.
Regardless of what weight you give my opinion of Steve, he’s developed an impressive presence on the web. And a big part of his presence has been earned by blogging.
Today, Steve has given us all a peak behind his blogging curtain. If you’re interested in understanding some ways that a blog can work for a lawyer, you ought to read it.
Here are some of my observations.
I drink the real law firm stuff kool-aid. And Steve’s blog is just that.
- His posts stand for something.
- He uses his blog to communicate his community activity.
- He uses his blog to educate the public.
- He posts to inspire social change.
- He helps real people.
- He posts to communicate his partnerships with organizations that further justice.
- He raises awareness of important social issues.
- He works to maintain the dignity of the profession.
- His posts communicate his involvement in public service.
And here are some of the things that happened to him:
Newspapers and television usually ignore civil cases. But (and I sound like my Fox news-loving father-in-law when I say this) the “mainstream media” did start reading my blog. Newspaper reporters would do internet research on stories and were finding my blogs. Stepping into the legal field, legal newspapers like Michigan Lawyers Weekly were reading my blogs, and some reporters would frequently call me about the cases I was writing about.
***
When I started blogging, we were a law firm that was nearly 100% dependent on other lawyers referring us automobile accident cases. We did no advertising. Almost all of our cases came from other lawyers, or from happy clients. Now, thanks to my blogging, we have a third referral source. This is all the people who are turning to the internet when looking for answers to questions they have. And it’s the people who actually want to do research before they hire a lawyer.
In other words, he:
- Gained an audience.
- Developed relationships.
- Got interviewed.
- Got talked about.
And to the lawyers who are interested in SEO, he gets linked to… regularly… from real and authoritative sites…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/detroit-city-charter-auto-insurance-rates_n_1190959.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2014/07/crash_hot_spots_what_intersect.html
https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=276&t=85747
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/24535822/let-it-rip-pattersons-detroit-comments-in-the-new-yorker
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/tortsprof/roundup/
But does blogging really “work?” I mean work in terms of client development? I mean do lawyers, any lawyers at all actually make the phone ring from blogging? Quote from a real lawyer:
My phone is ringing because of it.