|
||
All you have to do is to get out and do some work. Mostentrepreneurs start out without a clue; a hundred thousand questions andclueless ness. A knock on your head can just be the thing that might push youto jump-start your business. Here are some quick tips that can jump start yourbusiness:
Sell First, Advertise later: Most entrepreneurs still followthe herd, don't they? They look to advertise. I have nothing againstadvertising; it works for me sometimes. But to get that jump-start and to seecash flowing in relentlessly, it is safest, cheapest and most effective tohard-knock doors and get your business.
Later, you can moveon for advertising in your local B2B/B2C directory and the local searchengines. Advertising in the right place through the right medium also attractsthe right kind of customers.
Have a customized web page and email id: Having a free emailid does not leave a good impression on your visiting card is not even close tobeing professional. Since most of the communication and business happens overthe internet, having a webpage of your company that describes what yourbusiness is all about and having a customized email will pay you in leaps andbounds.
Go creative: Think of new ways to get business. CorporateTie-ups, strategic joint ventures, events and exhibitions are just the tip ofthe iceberg. What are you thinking about? Make the right clients contact you bytapping the correct market potential. Do not limit yourself to advertising inthe local newspaper or in the local directories.
Advertising on radios and on the internet through banner adsand Google adwords is fast catching up.
Build channels ? one example of a channel can be a fullyautomated with expert content, search engine marketing driven and salesoriented e-commerce site; develop a sales force and train them well ? channelnumber 2; tie-ups and joint-ventures can be channel 3; and so on.
Let your customers do the talking: Dedicate a portion ofyour website to reviews given by satisfied customers about the service you haveprovided to them. Give out references to new clients about your extremelysatisfied customers. This actually builds your image and your customers do themarketing for you. So treat your customer with undivided attention and care.
1. Testimonials
Read the testimonials in his advertising. Do they sound authentic? Or are they attempting to create an unrealistic picture.
2. Certification
Is the lawyer certified in personal injury in the state where he practices. Many states don't have certification but for those who do it is an opportunity for a lawyer to gain special expertise in his chosen field.
3. Limited Number of Practice Areas
Go with a lawyer who works exclusively in personal injury or who has at most two areas of practice.
4. Published Works
Has the lawyer published books or articles on personal injury subjects? It takes work to research and write a technical article on injury law. And it helps a lawyer develop expertise in his chosen area.
5. Speaking Engagements
If the injury lawyer has spoken to lawyers on the subject of injury law that's a great sign that he has a successful reputation among fellow lawyers.
6. Bar Service
Activity in state or national bar associations shows a lawyers willingness to give back to the community.
7. Representative Cases
Has the lawyer handled a high profile case? You want to know that the attorney you are considering has been successful. Lawyers who handle high profile cases have usually already distinguished themselves in some way before getting that "big" case. It's evidence of success.
8. What claims does the lawyer make about his service?
Claims like "we answer the phone" don't cut it. You expect him to answer the phone. However, more personalized claims can give clues about what the lawyer and his firm consider important. Here are some that, if true, carry some meaning:
a. We return client phone calls within 24 hours.
b. We utilize a "team approach" in our firm.
c. We provide you the cell phone number of the lawyer assigned to your case (this shows an unusually high degree of dedication).
d. We speak Spanish, or Italian or Greek.
e. We offer weekend and evening appointments (at my firm we've found that clients who insist on late evening or weekend appointments don't make good clients so we don't offer this service but if you absolutely can't make it on a weekday then this service will be critical for you.
f. We have 20 years experience (there's no substitute for experience in the injury business as experience translates into getting the best possible dollar on the client's case).
g. We provide help on property damage claims (some injury firms won't touch a property damage claim and this can be a problem if you get offered a clearly inadequate sum for your totaled Suzuki Samurai).
h. We offer home and hospital visits if you are unable to travel because of your injuries.
9. Personality
From his website you should be able to gather some clues as to what this lawyer is like. Are there photographs of the lawyer? Has he shared why he became a lawyer? Has she described cases that were important to her?
Has the lawyer been involved in the community? Are there inspirational quotes on the site that help to define the lawyer's values? What do the testimonials say about the lawyer?
10. Guarantees
Lawyers are not permitted by their rules of ethics to make specific promises about the outcome of a case. However, they can guarantee a prompt response to your request for information. What about guaranteeing that there are no upfront costs?
Summary
With a little bit of care in perusing the qualifications and characteristics of your prospective injury lawyer, you have a much better chance of picking one who will work well with you and get you the result you are hoping for.