In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Robert Hanna discuss:

• Podcasting as a business development tool
• Building and engaging a legal community
• Strategies for growing a personal or firm brand
• Leveraging LinkedIn and legal technology for career advancement

Key Takeaways:

• Launching a podcast differentiates a business, builds client relationships, and establishes a brand by offering valuable content over direct sales approaches.
• Consistent content creation and social media engagement, especially on LinkedIn, enhances professional visibility and opens doors to opportunities and collaborations.
• Mistakes in podcasting, like generic episode titles or ineffective video strategies, limit growth potential, highlighting the need for strategic digital marketing efforts.
• Focusing on long-term benefits of building a community or brand is essential, as the cost of inaction (missing key opportunities) outweighs immediate return on investment.

"We were the first legal recruitment firm in the world to launch a podcast, and that was a great way to build thought leadership, produce content, and utilize social where certain people were behind." — Robert Hanna

Read Steve's past episodes as Blogcasts—visit now: https://www.fretzin.com/blog/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data (edited by Olga Mack, Humira Noorestani, and Memme Onwudiwe): https://www.amazon.com/Legal-Operations-Age-AI-Data/dp/1837230099/

About Robert Hanna: Robert Hanna is the Founder & Managing Director of KC Partners, a UK-based global leader in legal talent solutions and content creation. He helps legal professionals secure roles across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Far East, and the US, and has been featured in leading publications like The Lawyer and Law.com. Rob is a LinkedIn Top Voice, host of the Legally Speaking Podcast, and co-founder of the Great Big Legal Offsite. He advises legal tech startups, mentors, and advocates for mental health, diversity, and inclusion, drawing inspiration from his grandfather's legacy in law.

Connect with Robert Hanna:

Website: https://legallyspeakingpodcast.com/

Legally Speaking Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legally-speaking-podcast/id1485892170

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthanna/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ron Latz discuss:

• Challenges in business development and marketing for lawyers
• Aligning marketing strategies with law firm goals
• Choosing the right marketing vendors for law firms
• Personal branding and networking in law firm success

Key Takeaways:

• Lawyers often struggle with marketing due to a lack of business development education and being overwhelmed by running their practices.
• When selecting marketing vendors, firms should assess cultural fit, business alignment, scope of work, track record of success, and trust.
• Small law firms with limited budgets can achieve growth by focusing on community involvement, referral marketing, and low-cost marketing channels like social media.
• Law firms should base their marketing investments on specific goals, competition analysis, and available budget, as certain markets may be cost-prohibitive.

"[Lawyers] don't necessarily know what they don't know... there just not as many hours as we all want in each of these days to become a specialist at everything." — Ron Latz

Read Steve's past episodes as Blogcasts—visit now: https://www.fretzin.com/blog/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

Obviously Awesome by April Dunford: https://www.amazon.com/Obviously-Awesome-Product-Positioning-Customers/dp/1999023005

Positioning with April Dunford: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positioning-with-april-dunford/id1690104435

About Ron Latz: Ron Latz is a seasoned legal marketing consultant and the founder of LegalFenix, a consultancy dedicated to providing industry-leading marketing consulting and fractional CMO services to the legal community. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges lawyers face with their legal marketing, Ron has helped numerous law firms enhance their market presence, attract more clients, and transform their marketing results. His strategic approach and industry expertise make him a sought-after consultant and fractional CMO in the legal space.

Connect with Ron Latz:

Website: www.legalfenix.com

Email: ron@legalfenix.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronlatz/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/legalfenix/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Merry Neitlich discuss:

• Challenges in legal marketing
• Importance of branding in law firms
• Evolving marketing techniques
• Integration of branding with business development

Key Takeaways:

• Lawyers often misunderstand branding as a tagline, but effective branding requires a deep dive into what makes their services unique and meaningful to clients.
• Without integrating marketing and business development efforts, even the best branding will not drive results, as lawyers must raise visibility through thought leadership and client engagement.
• Short-form videos and data-driven social media strategies are increasingly important, with platforms like LinkedIn promoting interactive content that boosts engagement.
• One of the major obstacles to effective marketing and branding is lawyers' lack of time, which can be mitigated by using outsourcing and automation for content creation and promotion.

"A lot of lawyers think having a tagline like 'excellent experience wisdom' would be great, but that doesn't differentiate them from the person who cleans your pool or the plumber." — Merry Neitlich

Read Steve's past episodes as Blogcasts—visit now: https://www.fretzin.com/blog/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/

Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

The Ultimate Sales Revolution by Steve Lishansky: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Sales-Revolution-Differently-Change/dp/1599325519

About Merry Neitlich: For 25 years, Merry Neitlich has been assisting law firms to drive revenue by creating unique brands with unusual and deep differentiation. She then applies this clearly branded messaging to each client's website and social media platforms. Once the brand essence is clearly created, Merry develops unique and sustainable business development opportunities for her clients.

Merry, a founding partner of EM Consulting, frequent speaker, and author, was inducted into the Legal Marketing Association Hall of Fame in 2017 and is also an accomplished figure skater with multiple national titles.

Connect with Merry Neitlich:

Website: https://emconsults.org/

Email: merry@emconsults.org

Phone: 949-260-0936

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merryneitlich/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Justin Krane discuss:

• Challenges lawyers face with managing their finances
• The importance of automating financial systems
• The connection between lifestyle choices and financial health
• Strategies for building a financially secure law practice

Key Takeaways:

• Automating the transfer of funds between business and personal accounts helps remove emotion from financial decisions and ensures steady savings.
• Lawyers often struggle with personal finances because they lack clarity on their business model and revenue generation strategies.
• Over-spending on luxury items like vacations and yachts while neglecting long-term savings can disrupt financial stability.
• A reframe from thinking of business expenses as "spending" to viewing them as "investing" helps ensure lawyers prioritize sustainable growth and ROI.

"You have to be a prosperity thinker. You have to be able to believe that you can create and manifest the financial life that you want and make things happen." — Justin Krane

Read Steve's past episodes as Blogcasts—visit now: https://www.fretzin.com/blog/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

INspired INsider Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspired-insider-podcast/id729464589

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681

About Justin Krane: Justin Krane, a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, is the founder of Krane Financial Solutions. Known for his savvy, holistic approach to financial planning, he advises his clients on how to unite their business and personal money with their lives. Justin works with his clients to create purpose-driven financial plans, aiming for a "return on life." He manages his clients’ investment portfolios for their long-term goals, such as retirement. Justin is the author of the book Money. You Got This. It’s a book about everyday crazy, funny life experiences that we all have – with lessons for all of us.

Connect with Justin Krane:

Website: https://kranefinancialsolutions.com/

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkrane/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/krane-financial-solutions/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Gregg Goldfarb discuss:

• Evolving legal marketing strategies
• Non-lawyer ownership in law firms
• Revenue growth through referrals and partnerships
• Networking and education for lawyers

Key Takeaways:

• Lawyers can expand their revenue streams by engaging in referral marketing, where they identify cases outside their expertise and refer them to other firms, earning a fee for the referral​.
• Non-lawyer owned firms are now possible in states like Arizona, allowing lawyers to partner with marketers or business professionals to focus on legal work while leveraging external business expertise for growth.
• Legal professionals should invest in their personal growth through education, coaching, and attending legal conferences to learn new strategies for marketing, networking, and expanding their business horizons.
• The legal industry is seeing increased involvement from financial entities like Wall Street, which is providing capital to law firms for mass tort cases, highlighting the growing intersection of finance and law.

"The legal conferences now are much better... it’s entertainment, it’s information, it’s connections." — Gregg Goldfarb

Read more from Steve at Above the Law: AboveTheLaw.com/tag/Steve-Fretzin/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/

Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

The Daily Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736

About Gregg Goldfarb: Gregg Goldfarb is a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience, focusing on, among other things, mass torts. Gregg also hosts his own podcast called Cut to the Chase, which covers public interest issues ranging from law, the environment, and anti-Semitism to the arts.

Connect with Gregg Goldfarb:

Website: https://gregggoldfarb.com/

Phone: 305-374-7000

Show: Cut To The Chase Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cut-to-the-chase-podcast-hosted-by-gregg-goldfarb/id1551362164

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregggoldfarb/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masstortguy/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Douglas Wood discuss:

• Career transition planning for lawyers
• Effective planning and execution in law firms
• Challenges for senior lawyers in staying relevant
• Leveraging senior lawyers' expertise in law firms

Key Takeaways:

• Lawyers should self-assess to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities early to make informed career decisions and avoid unwanted retirement.
• Law firms can create cohorts for senior lawyers to share knowledge and discuss transitioning their practices, similar to support provided for other groups like veterans or LGBTQ+ professionals.
• Solo practitioners and small firm owners benefit from planning the transfer of their client base well before retirement to ensure service continuity and maximize the value of client relationships.
• A robust book of business greatly impacts a lawyer's career longevity and retirement options.

"Lawyers can get very lucky at times, but more often than not, if you're planning it, you're going to see the success that you need." — Douglas Wood

Read more from Steve at Above the Law: AboveTheLaw.com/tag/Steve-Fretzin/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/

Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

The Power of Positive Thinking: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Thinking-Norman-Vincent/dp/0743234804

About Douglas Wood: Douglas Wood, author of From Dawn to Dusk: How to Build a Multimillion Dollar Law Practice and Then Give It Away, offers guidance on building a multimillion-dollar law practice and transitioning to retirement or other pursuits. With nearly fifty years of legal experience, including over twenty in Big Law, Doug retired to mentor young attorneys and those preparing to leave the profession. A novelist with ten books—seven fiction and three non-fiction—he is currently writing his eighth novel. Doug holds a BA from the University of Rhode Island, a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center, an LLM from NYU, an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of New Hampshire, and has taught at UNH and University College Cork in Ireland.

Connect with Douglas Wood:

Website: https://douglasjwood.com/

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Douglas-J.-Wood/author/B00BCJRTV6

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djwood1976

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Paige Fox discuss:

• The importance of mindfulness and wellness in professional life
• The challenges lawyers face with time management and stress
• The impact of meditation on mental health and productivity
• Strategies for lawyers to maintain a balanced lifestyle

Key Takeaways:

• Chronic stress and long work hours often lead to burnout, highlighting the need to integrate mindfulness and wellness into daily routines to maintain mental health and job performance.
• Managing time through delegation, automation, and prioritization is crucial for professionals, especially lawyers, to allocate time for self-care practices like meditation and exercise.
• Incorporating a brief daily meditation practice, even if only for five minutes, can offer substantial benefits by significantly reducing stress levels and enhancing overall emotional resilience and clarity.
• The focus on billable hours and client demands often causes lawyers to neglect their wellness, leading to long-term health issues unless they balance professional and personal well-being.

"Be the energy you want to attract." — Paige Fox

Read more from Steve at Above the Law: AboveTheLaw.com/tag/Steve-Fretzin/

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/

Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

Bledsoe Said So podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bledsoe-said-so/id1573038290

About Paige Fox: Paige N. Fox is the founder of Fox Law, LLC, a remote law firm in Illinois, and does of-counsel work for Erwin Law, LLC, and DentCoulson Elder Law. She specializes in estate planning, special needs planning, and elder law. As President of the Illinois Chapter of NAELA and Chair of the CBA’s Young Lawyers Section Serving Our Seniors Committee, Paige is committed to professional development and community service. Recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers since 2022, she received the David C. Hilliard Award in 2023. Paige earned her JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and enjoys pro bono work, flying trapeze, sports, and dance.

Connect with Paige Fox:

Email: paige@foxelderlaw.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneypaigefox/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/paigefox_attorney

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.