Why Reviews Mean Trusts for Law Firms and Solicitors

This survey echoes what I have been telling clients for years... Reviews are extremely important. They provide social proof that a company is good, honest and trustworthy. They are so useful because one of the easiest ways of selling is to say, "we have hundreds of clients that have written about what a great job we did for them." What a great thing to be able to say to the dithering prospect! This proof answers the question, "why should I choose you and pay your rates?" And before you say you don't have time to collect hundreds of testimonials and get a review from every single client think again. Because this firm in Chipping Sodbury has done it and is under the same time pressure as every other firm. And this firm has a unique way of doing it... The point is that they ASK, even before working with a client... They simply say "our clients are happy to give us a testimonial when we have done good work, will you be happy to give us one at the end of our work for you?" So maybe you could spare 1 minute to send an email to your clients asking for a testimonial? Ask them the three magic questions. What were you looking for by working with us? What was the experience like? What would you say to others considering working with us? If you can get some factual answers like, "We wanted to reduce our inheritance tax liability by 50,000 pounds" then it's great. If you only have "nice people to work with" testimonials that's not as great, but can be effective if you can get people to rate you 5 stars on Google. (More about that below). If I only had one tool to sell it would be a box of testimonials or hundreds of videos of people saying I am wonderful and I helped them make 100,000 pounds. (Well I do have an email one of those here) Being known as the best because that's how people see you moves you a long way toward becoming a successful brand. In fact, claiming to be 100% The Best Solicitors is possible if you have proof. Let me ask you, "Who would you rather go to? A brain surgeon with 100% success rate or one with 85% success rate?" A law firm with a 95% success rate or one with an 80% success rate(see this) So I apologise for the firms already doing this stuff. (I hope you don't mind me reminding you to continue your great work). And to other firms I ask that you spend just a few minutes a week getting reviews and testimonials. *** This is my last newsletter before the summer holidays. I know I haven't been in touch much over the last few months. But I have been really busy setting up a network of designers to produce videos, email newsletters, logos etc. I hope you have a wonderful summer with your family and I'll come back raring to go again in September when I'll also be offering a review monitoring service, text marketing services, and a whole host of marketing tools. The reason for this is that I realise most firms want a done-for-you service. So I've committed to make this happen for a handful of success minded firms. More details come September. Thank you for sticking with me so far. Boyd ************************************************************* Here's an unscripted video I did about Google Plus and your listing and reviews...don't have to watch all 10 mins...just first 4 will give you the info you need. http://screencast.com/t/1zOkmol3utrn And here's a reminder about why getting reviews that are good is valuable. I hope no-one has left you a bad review online. But if you have online reviews there's a good chance at least one of them is bad and possibly unfair. (Although this restaurant owner in Australia has successfully sued for a review) Reviews do two things. Firstly they help your rankings. Secondly, they help people decide to click on your website link. Or not. It would be great if your clients just decided all by themselves to write outstanding positive reviews about your business. It would also be great if money grew on trees. You’re going to have to ask your clients to give you positive reviews (unless you believe in the tooth-fairy.) So here’s some things you’ll want to bear in mind. Firstly, what reviews do you want? (I’d suggest Google reviews but there are other review websites.) Secondly, have you got a simple process that allows all your employees to strike whilst the iron is hot…e.g. when your client is smiling about your work? Thirdly, do employees understand that more reviews that are positive means more business means more money and success for them and the firm? Fourthly, getting reviews won’t be really easy at first. You’ll have to adapt your strategy. But it’s a major factor in managing your online reputation so it is worth doing. There may be reviews about your already on the internet. It might be worth Googling your company name plus the word review. You might find fake reviews, negative reviews, positive reviews or no reviews. Whatever your thoughts are about reviews, you’ll surely realise that they are important factors in helping people decide where to spend their money. Here's a good article from a solicitor Yair Cohen about fake reviews... And here's a quick video about getting more reviews on Google. http://screencast.com/t/a2Or1oCvvk