Did You Ever Think of a "Virtual" Business Card?

Thanks to JibberJobber we meet Christopher Penn who took the idea of a business card one step further. He created a 'virtual' business card whereby he uses the standard business card as a tickle and invites them to a specific page on his site fashioned as a more content-rich business card. 

We've talked before about how a business card needs to 'Jolt' the potential client into taking action giving you the opportunity to convert this potential client (PC) into a paying client.

It was also discussed it is your job not so much to hand out business cards but to collect business cards and information on PCs so you can follow up.  This is your responsibility as you cannot control what others do with your business card but you can control what you do with theirs.

The only conceivable way I can imagine using this concept is after you've given someone your business card, and you have collected their information first and foremost, you send them an e-mail with your actual 'virtual' business card which contains the picutre reminding them of your meeting picture to help them make the connection and giving them the real lowdown on the services you can provide to them, all the information you couldn't possibly include or want to include in your conversation with the potential client or on your business card.  Otherwise, if you just direct them to your URL via your business card this is no different then sending them to your About Page on your Website/Blog.

In the e-mail ask them to bookmark the website/blog because you are continually updating the site with valuable information they may find useful and ask permission to e-mail them periodic updates via an application in the body of the e-mail which allows them to agree.

It's an interesting seed of an idea and one when used properly could be quite effective.  Anyone have ideas to take this further?

Technology Challenged? It's Time to Move Ahead

Although I have discussed this subject in a prior post, this is the column as it appeared in the Connecticut Law Tribune - June 8, 2007

Technology can be very daunting and intimidating to lots of lawyers. Quite frankly, beyond a laptop, a cell phone, maybe a Blackberry or Treo, and finally acknowledging they need a web site, most lawyers are just screaming, "I'm not into this stuff! How am I supposed to go solo without help? When will I have the time to actually practice law?

By way of a blog post from The Great American Lawyer quoting Dennis Kennedy's popular blog comes a very valid statement:

"by the end of 2007, we will be talking about a clear and growing digital divide between technology-forward and technology-backward lawyers and firms and a subtle restructuring of the practice of law." (original post here)

That being said, being a solo practitioner doesn't mean "no help." Nor does it mean that solos have to get on board with every electronic advancement or new software sensation.

It does, however, mean finding some balance. I will not get into what is "essential" for a law office because that is always debatable and subjective. However, when investigating new technology, lawyers should always do a cost-benefit analysis on the value of their time to carry out these tech-oriented tasks versus hiring someone to do them on their behalf.

There are a lot of brilliant lawyers who are techno-junkies, getting their fix with every new electronic toy out there, spending hours updating their current systems with every new program that emerges. But not all of us are like them and it really is okay that we aren't.

There is a new site, www.tenminut.es, that is like speed-dating for the newest technology. On the site, users get a brief introduction to the latest technology with a summary as to whether they should explore the product further. The idea is, if the maker of a product can't prove the product's worth to potential buyers in 10 minutes, it's not worth buying. Like dating, you are either intrigued and want to learn more, or you move on. I think this site will prove its value.

When lawyers go high-tech, they can earn more and keep more of what they earn because of the incredible efficiencies that certain technology creates.

One of my former students told me how he has a "paperless" office. Every document that comes into his office is immediately scanned into his computer and directed to the appropriate client or administrative digital folder. He has a flash drive that he carries around his neck so wherever he is, as long as he has access to a computer, he can insert his flash drive and have access to whatever documents he needs to work on. He has similar backups in a safe place. He is not bound to his office.

Other solos use a system called "Basecamp." All documents stored in Basecamp can be accessed by their clients through a password-protected system, so that, at any given time, the clients can review their file and know the status of their case.

Understand this reality: solos can move quickly because every decision they make isn't by committee. That means they can create a state-of-the-art law practice much faster and jump to the top of the heap selling these advancements to their clients long before Big Law can convene a committee to determine if there is even a problem that needs to be addressed.

Even if they suffer from Technoshock, lawyers can no longer afford to not take advantage of new technology. They need it to keep competitive and stay profitable. If technology still remains the great intimidator, they need to recognize that they will have to pay others to compensate for their "chosen" or "perceived" shortcomings. This is the new reality.•

Susan Cartier-Liebel is solo practitioner, adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University School of Law and a business consultant for solo and small firms. Her blog, Build A Solo Practice, is at susancartierliebel.typepad.com. She can be reached at SCartier_Liebel@comcast.net. Copyright © Susan Cartier-Liebel (2007) All Rights Reserved. No portion of this material may be copied, transmitted, posted, duplicated or otherwise used without the express written approval of Susan Cartier-Liebel.

"Tip of the Week" - Pre-Produced TV Commercials at Rock Bottom Prices

No joke.  I was solicited the other day by a company called MPowerMedia who, for $500, will provide to you a high quality TV commercial which you can customize to your needs.

If you are a solo or small firm who believes you would like to have TV exposure but felt the costs for producing a high quality commercial were prohibitive, check out their selection of pre-produced television commercials and see if one might fit the bill.  In addition, they will customize an existing commercial for your needs. Or, if you don't like what you see, they could probably create one for you. They also will help you air your commercials in your selected geographic areas taking all the stress out of the process.

Personally, I think these high quality commercials would look great on a website/blog!

I know nothing about the company or their reputation so I am not endorsing them.  However, the idea has some appeal for the appropriate marketing campaign because it is certainly manageable within any budget.

"Tip Of The Week" - Reputation Damaged? Contact ReputationDefenders.com

There is a new danger lurking on the internet called 'Cyber-Slamming," malicious destruction of your good name forever tattoed on the internet whenever your name is searched by a potential client, employer, lover, whatever.  You, your family, your children can be permanently scarred, although defenders of the first ammendment tell would-be destroyers to call it 'an opinion.' Regardless of what you call it, your reputation can be destroyed, such as the Yale Law Student who was systematically and maliciously violated on AutoAdmit impacting her job opportunities.  Or this young lady, Stacy Snyder, who just filed a lawsuit against Millersville University for denying her a degree based upon a photograph of her drinking. And for the solo lawyer who could easily be attacked by a disgruntled client or vindictive colleague, this could be a nightmare.

"Cyber-slamming is a recent phenomenon (that is) going to create an entire area of legal issues for people who were denied potential employment because someone decided to publish slanderous information on them,"

That is why there is Reputation Defenders, a new company who will seek and destroy those damaging references.

Anyone can post any information about anyone, however false, on any one of the thousands of Internet sites with modifiable content. Once posted, defamatory information can be stored on the Web forever, accessible to anyone via a simple search.

Under current law, a court cannot oblige the owner of a site hosting defamatory postings to remove the offensive content......

ReputationDefender (www.reputationdefender.com), which was founded last fall, charges $29.95 to try to remove each item from the Internet, and a monthly fee of $9.95 to continue to monitor postings about an existing client.

My suggestion is, the same way you check your credit report on an annual basis, Google your name and your company's name on a weekly basis to see if there is any information circulating that you find is potentially threatening to you.  You must stay proactive and aggresively stamp out any malicious virus threatening to infect and destroy your good name on the internet.  If Reputation Defenders, which seems to have established a good reputation already, can aid in that effort, it is worth every penny.

Tip of The Week - E-faxing a Must Have for the Solo

Since solos are all about efficiency and high-tech here is a great side-by-side review of all the efax services out there. 

"There are many reasons to consider employing a fax service, including:

• Save Money – Most fax services require a yearly fee that is less than just two toner cartridges for a fax machine.
• Reduce Paper Use – Reducing paper waste saves money and helps the environment.
• Send Faxes Through eMail – Online fax services can send faxes through an email account or from a fax machine to an email address.
• Reduce Long Distance Charges – Web based fax transfers, which use Internet services, eliminate costly long distance charges.
• Manage Faxes – With a fax service you can review inbound/outbound faxes and their send/receive times from your computer.
• Upgrade to Electronic Communication – Through a fax service, you can evolve to complete electronic communication, utilizing a myriad of formats and storage options.
• Maintain Privacy/Security – Many fax services support advanced encryption methods and deliver to specific email addresses. With a fax service, you do not have to worry about sensitive documents printing on a shared fax machine.
• Achieve Portability – Since faxes can be checked from an email account, you no longer have to wait at the fax machine to receive an important fax."

Get the most bang for your buck and save a few trees while you're at it.

Tech Tidbits for a Titillating Tuesday

I saw so many valuable technology-based posts today so I thought I would just put the links all together for you.

Grant Griffiths is back with a powerful Mac-rebuttal to Rick George's and Ben Cowgill's PC punches.

Chuck Newton made Tech-advisor for his advice on tech-ing out your Home Office.

Another great post by Dave Canton's E-legal- Paperless Office - Myth or Reality?

Kevin O'Keefe reports that 20% of the most popular websites on the internet are blogs which is a powerful statement to lawyers weighing the value of blogging versus a static website. 

I am in the process of editing an interview I did with the unsinkable Liz Strauss of Successful-blog.com, the undisputed reigning queen of the blogging universe (Technorati ranking of 1,000!...can even claim Alexa traffic ranking of 29,000 for her blogs!  35,000 to 50,000 hits a day!)  She will be telling us the real secrets of successful blogging so look for it!

If you happen to be in Chicago May 11 & 12, then try to go to SOBCon07, where the ROYALTY of the blogging world will convene....outside of the legal profession, that is :^).

(Liz hates this analogy because...well, because in blogging's truest purpose, there is no royalty, hierarchy or status. When I call them royalty, I'm implying an incredible wealth of knowledge, invaluable instruction from which we all can learn.)

Million Dollar Solos....No, that is not a typo!

Hat tip to Carolyn Elefant at MyShingle for scoping out this article which features million dollar solos and their secrets.  I won't repeat the 'not so secret' secrets here because you've heard it so many times already on many of your favorite solo bloggers' sites.  But now you can meet those solos in this article. (And these solos are just the ones they found to interview for this piece :^)  How many other closet solo millionaires are out there just minding their own business and enjoying their lives on their own terms?

Do You Love Your Virtual World?

I don't know when it actually happened. It was painless, pleasurable and now both socially and economically profitable.  Part of my everyday is spent in my "virtual reality" and I suffer withdrawals if I'm not furiously typing on my key pad relating to those I've never met in person.  It's almost worse than not getting my daily chocolate fix.

Liz Strauss at the Blog Herald brings us a thought-provoking post regarding our lives in a virtual world entitled, "We feel fine in Virtual Reality" discussing how everyday we are reaching across the globe, 'talking with," helping and learning and doing business with acquaintances, friends and clients we would never have had occassion to connect with until the advent of the internet, e-mail, blogging and the like.

I can't tell you the wonderful associations I've made, the business opportunities that have blossomed, the friendships and the joy of meeting and helping people who I would never have found but for my 'living in a virtual world.'

Read Liz's article.  She always writes great stuff.

Flat Fees More Profitable To Small Firms

Once again, on the heels of my last post, Law.com comes out with an article stating due to technology small firms are moving away from the billable hour to flat fees (and how far away from flat fees is the leap to project-based fees or budget-driven fees) because it is more profitable to the law firm...and more client-friendly.  Technology allows legal services once requiring two hours to now take ten minutes.  If lawyers billed for ten minutes they'd lose money.

It's a great affirmation of shifting from the archaic model of the billable-hour to more creative billing practices which benefit both the lawyer and the client.

"It's a desirable structure for all firms, but it is much more practical for small firms, said Alexander.

"It's much easier for us to implement it than a large firm because we have no bureaucracy to go through," she said. "Everyone wants to go in that direction, but they don't know how to get there." In the past, something that would have taken two hours, we can now do it in 10 minutes," he said. "If we only bill for that 10 minutes, obviously, we lost that revenue."

It's a desirable structure for all firms, but it is much more practical for small firms, said Alexander.

"It's much easier for us to implement it than a large firm because we have no bureaucracy to go through," she said. "Everyone wants to go in that direction, but they don't know how to get there."

I'm sure this article will fuel a great commentary across the blogosphere from value-billing proponents who have been spreading their gospel for years.  You should check out their collective wisdom and response to this article when it emerges. 

The Beauty of Technology Lies in the Eyes of the Solo.....and the Client

If you have a practice-based blog you are already light years ahead of your professional peers.  But technology is very daunting and intimidating to a lot of lawyers.  Quite frankly, beyond a laptop, cell phone, maybe a blackberry or treo, and finally acknowledging they need a website, most lawyers are just screaming, "I'm not into this stuff!  How am I supposed to go solo without help.  When will I have the time to actually practice law?  I just can't KEEP UP!" 

Well, you are not alone in this anxiety-inducing hysteria.  Sometimes I feel like I have one foot in yesteryear and one foot in tomorrowland and if I move the wrong way I will fall into the great abyss. Now there is a real term for it: Technoshock - when the advancement of technology is so fast-paced that it outstrips the ability of the individual to comprehend it. This term, believe it or not, I've been told is in psychology books.  (Where did I learn it?  Well, I have a confession, I'm considering crossing over into an alternate universe called Mac-world and went to CompUSA to get an education.  When I explained my 'hysteria' the gentleman told me I wasn't alone.  Apple even has a paid representative there with his nifty black sweater vest with the Apple emblem teaching people about the benefits of the Mac universe and helping them deal with their 'Technoshock.')

I even recently saw an advertisement for a technology seminar which stated e-mail may actually be disappearing as a way of communicating, one reason - the high volume of spam so people just throw up their hands, hit the 'delete all' button and throw out their e-mail addresses.  But the ironic part is most lawyers and law firms are just realizing maybe they should use e-mail as a regular tool for communication. The train has left the station but we are still contemplating if we should get on the train?  See my point.  Technoshock.

Regardless of Technoshock, you can no longer avoid bringing state of the art technology into your practice. You need it; your client's need it. So, just capitalize on your strengths and if technology still remains the great intimidator, then you have to pay others to compensate for your "chosen" or "perceived" shortcomings.  But you no longer have the option to decline technological advances.  This is the reality.

Remember, becoming a solo practitioner doesn't mean 'no help.'  Nor does it mean that you have to get high on every electronic advancement or new software sensation.  It does, however, mean finding some balance.

Well, I found a nice little blog post by Techno-lawyer listing the 10 essential technological advancements a lawyer needs in her practice. Another great list is suppliced by Rick Gorges. And my friend, Ben Cowgill has excellent advice as well.  You can also join in the Mac v PC wars on both Ben Cowgill and Grant Griffith's sites. In addition, learn about Basecamp.

In addition, there is a new site called tenminut.es which is like 'speed-dating' for the newest technology.  On this site you will get a brief intro (and as objective a subjective commentary can be) on the latest technology with a summary as to whether you should explore the product further or not.  Like dating, you are either intrigued and want to learn more or you pass.  I think this site will prove its value.

"Essential" is always debatable and a subjective term but it also gives a cost-benefit analysis on the value of your time to do these tech-oriented tasks versus hiring someone or getting the technological assistance.  And I personally appreciate the acknowledgment that sometimes we have to have others assist us in office management, whether an individual or the actual physical technology. There are a lot of brilliant lawyers who are techno-junkies, getting their fix with every new electronic toy or software package out there, spending hours updating their current systems with every new program that emerges.  Well, we are not all like them and it really is okay that we aren't. 

Again, as a solo practitioner you can no longer ignore getting relatively up-to-the minute technology into your office in order to be more cost-effective, streamline functions, stay competitive with your peers, and present 'large.'  The Greatest American Lawyer discusses this here when he quotes an interesting observation; "

"By the end of 2007, we will be talking about a clear and growing digital divide between technology-forward and technology-backward lawyers and firms and a subtle restructuring of the practice of law."

And dollar-for-dollar, it also means you get to earn more and keep more of what you earn because of this efficiency. 

Understand this reality:  Solos can move quickly because every decision you make isn't by committee. This means you can create a state-of-the-art law practice much faster and jump to the top of the heap and sell these advancements to your clients long before Biglaw can convene a committee to determine if there is even a problem that needs to be addressed!

Again, this is a subjective list of technologies and software and others may offer their opinions based upon their personal experience and ease of use versus what was suggested by those I've linked to who are very heavily involved in these technologies.  Please feel free to contribute as all ideas and opinions are welcome.