Have been attending a lot of networking with events. Keep running into lawyers who ask what is the magic bullet to business development. I keep telling them the magical combination varies for everyone. You must know your strengths and weaknesses and get HELP, rather than fumbling about like a chicken with its head cut off.
Here are some other tips:
- Are you planning to fail or planning to suceed? Have a plan. Nothing complicated just a simple plan. Create 90 days or monthly goals (actions)
- Plan and schedule business development every day. Decide what you plan to do and then schedule it on your calendar
- Join trade and/or community associations/organizations and seek leadership positions. Join just a few organizations and be active to raise visibility. (This will help your bio for starters!)
- Stay in contact. Do what you said you were going to do. First impressions count. If you promised an introduction then make it within 24 hours.
- Add links to all published articles on your website bio. You want perspective clients to read them.
- Create Google Alerts for clients and for your specialty. An associate of Linklaters was attending a CLE that I gave at New York City County Lawyers and he came up to me and asked more about this.
- Do your homework! Read what your clients read. Find out their industry publications and read them. Starting point would be to get familiar with them.
- Write Thank You notes and make it a habit. Let clients/strategic alliances/referrals know you appreciate them. I never realized how important this was as part of business development until I read Keith Ferazzi book Never Each Lunch Alone. I always thought it was good manners, at least that’s what my headmistress Mrs. Hinchcliffe taught us at Handsworth Wood Girl’s School.
- Return phone calls and emails immediately Clients do not want to wait. We live in an instant gratification world.
- Be Bold. Atten events you would rather skip. You never know where and when you will run into opportunities.
The above mentioned 10 tips for young lawyers are very effective, practical and useful to be a successful lawyer. Your efforts and guidelines are very encouraging for us.
Look forward your continuous support and guidance.