Why Reputation Management for Lawyers is Critical

As a lawyer, you have a job where people rely on your expertise and knowledge of the law. Whether it’s for a criminal or civil case, it’s important to make sure your reputation is sterling. Because you’re always in the middle of situations that can have life-changing effects when the final judgment is decided.

This guide will focus on reputation management for lawyers. We will discuss key reasons why it is so critical to make sure it is managed properly. If you are unsure of how it all works, we put this guide together for you to explain why it all makes sense.

Ready to get started? Here we go.

Understanding Reputation Management For Lawyers

Reputation management involves active monitoring, influencing, and shaping the way you are perceived by the public. This also includes any prospective and existing clients as well as your colleagues. It’s not just about playing defense against negative publicity or mitigating the impact of bad reviews.

You need to proactively build a strong brand and positive online presence. If you are able to do that, people may trust you more to handle their legal situation.

Online Reviews Matter

In today’s digital age, online reviews are often effective. It will have the ability to influence the decisions a prospective client makes. Especially when they need to consult with an attorney for any legal business.

Nine times out of ten, a person in search of legal services will find someone online. Not surprisingly, online reviews are strong enough to help them decide whether a lawyer will be a good fit for them or not. For this reason, you want to actively manage your reputation and encourage positive reviews.

When addressing negative feedback, you want to be as professional as possible. Don’t turn it into a battle ground where it’s a back-and-forth argument. Save the arguments for the courtroom.

First Impressions Always Count

In your line of work (and almost any line), first impressions are key. When it comes to legal cases that carry weighty consequences for involved parties, nailing the first impression will be the goal. But here’s the caveat - this can be done by way of the work you put in for your clients.

If the top results showcase news articles that are positive, client testimonials, and awards you have won - these can be helpful in establishing trust and credibility. Right out of the gate, your chances of building that first impression have increased - long before a prospective client walks into your office.

Competition Is Fierce

The legal field is a competitive one. And you’re going up against solo practitioners and even larger firms. Depending on the type of law you specialize in, the competition may be fierce.

You and other competitors are vying for the same clients. When it comes to reputation management, doing so properly will give you a leg up. You’ll be able to stand out and draw in the desired clients that are in need of your legal expertise and services.

Maintaining Ethical Standards

As a lawyer, you need to uphold ethical standards. This is super important to anyone in your field. Managing your reputation should allow you to be as accurate as possible.

You want your professional values and accomplishments to be reflected by the reputation you have online. Creating a false image is out of the question. When it comes to handling legal issues for clients, you want to have excellent integrity.

Integrity goes a long way. Without it, no prospective or existing client will trust you. If there is any false or misleading information tied to your firm, you need to address it as soon as possible.

Strategies for Effective Reputation Management

Whether you do it yourself or enlist the help of a reputation management service, having the best strategy is key. Here are some effective strategies that need to be followed:

• Claim And Optimize Your Online Profiles: Your online presence should be taken seriously. It’s important to include yourself in legal directories such as Avvo. LinkedIn is also acceptable when connecting with colleagues or prospective clients.

• Monitor Your Online Presence: This needs to be done regularly. You should consider setting up Google Alerts for your name and law firm. This will keep you in touch with any content that mentions you or your practice - whether it’s positive or negative.

• Encourage Positive Reviews: It’s important that you do this with new or existing clients. You can do this by way of sending follow-up emails once a case is successful. You can also make it easier for clients to leave reviews by providing direct links to a platform that you prefer to use (Google, Yelp, Avvo, etc.)
  
  
• Engage With Negative Reviews Professionally: Negative reviews can and probably will happen. Instead of ignoring them or becoming defensive, you can respond to them with professionalism and empathy. Inform them that you take feedback seriously and are willing to resolve the issue.
  
  
• Produce Quality Content: While it should never be a substitute for legal services or advice, content is king when it comes to online presence and providing good value. Creating or even sharing high-quality legal content can positively boost your online reputation. You can also contribute to high-authority legal websites as a guest blogger. It will provide you the opportunity to showcase your expertise along with pushing down any negative search results that may arise. It should also be noted that SEO or search engine optimization should be considered so you are found easily online.

Let Leadarm Help With Your Reputation Management

At ReviewArm, we understand that reputation management can be a challenge. That is why we offer reputation management services for lawyers like you. We know that you need to be on top of your online game when you are looking to attract clients while maintaining a positive reputation.

Let us handle the heavy lifting while you handle the priorities that make your job important. For more information, contact ReviewArm today and we’ll point you in the right direction.