Online reputation management is vital to your law firm’s success. Does your law firm actively monitor its online reputation? If not, it is time to act! Your online brand is one of your most important assets, and you should be proactive in protecting it.
Online Reputation Management (ORM) & Online Brand Image
Your online brand image is the overall impression of your law firm, which online browsers gain when they search for your attorneys or your firm’s name. What is the snapshot Google gives to users? It is critical to have a Google Business Profile that is complete and kept updated. In addition, your firm should compile positive reviews, which is essential for your online reputation.
If you think online brand image supervision is simple, you are partially right! The Google snapshot is easy to set up, but you must also consider online reputation management (ORM). Due to the ease of using smartphones anytime and anywhere, clients can give reviews and comments without much effort, which can significantly impact your law firm’s reputation.
If a browser sees numerous negative comments or stories about your firm, you can bet you will not be getting their business. However, positive and happy clients promoting their success in working with your attorneys have the power to persuade online browsers immediately. Your firm cannot ignore the power of online reviews. You must constantly manage your reputation. Below are a few tips:
1. Monitor Consistently
Monitoring the internet for any time your law firm or attorneys are mentioned can feel overwhelming, but below are a few simple steps to take:
- Google your firm’s and each attorney’s names to see what pops up.
- Appoint a staff member to perform daily checks – or, better yet, work with a Rainmaker expert to handle this task and many more!
- Create alerts that send email notifications when a new mention of your firm appears online.
- Check your Google Business Profile often so you can respond to comments, questions, or reviews in a timely fashion.
- Monitor websites created for reviews to be posted – particularly those that are specific to the legal industry.
2. Engage with Online Users
Online browsers are looking for communication and feedback, even though it occurs online. Law firms that engage with potential clients are more likely to have a successful brand and to convert more leads. If a former client or online visitor leaves a review or comment, whether positive or negative, it significantly improves your online presence to respond to it.
If the comment is negative, your response should be professional, respectful, and polite. Easing the tension and demonstrating that you care enough to attempt to make things right can go a long way with other online visitors. Remember, however, that you do not want to have an online battle. If a complex response is warranted, indicate that you will contact that person directly to discuss the matter. After a conversation has occurred, the commenter will hopefully amend their review.
3. Lead with the Positive
If you receive negative feedback, push it down with numerous positive reviews and stories. Many browsers only read the top few comments, so make sure those are positive. If your law firm wins a big case, donates to a charitable cause, or performs community services, make sure your local media discusses it. This type of publicity significantly helps your brand image.
Additionally, your law firm’s social media accounts can assist with populating your firm’s online searches with positive feedback. Your firm should claim a company page on as many business directories as possible. Consistently updated information in business directories helps Google identify your firm, place them as results for searches for your brand, and potentially assist with pushing any negative feedback down in the results.
4. Request Client Reviews
Reviews are key to online reputation management. Clients may not think to give positive reviews, but typically they will agree to do so if you request it. Therefore, make it easy for the client by providing a direct link. This allows you to accumulate helpful reviews that can far outweigh any negative ones.
The above tips are just a few examples of simple ways you can monitor and improve your online brand image and perform consistent reputation management.
How The Rainmaker Institute Can Help
We have covered just a few examples ways to manage your online brand and reputation, but the experts at The Rainmaker Institute can create a strategy tailored specifically to your firm.
Your digital presence – especially your reputation – is crucial in generating and converting leads. You have worked hard to get where you are, so learn to use technology to your advantage so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor more often while also generating new clients!
The Rainmaker Institute manages your legal marketing so you can focus on lawyering. We can set-up live chat services and improve your website. We will provide content that contains top legal focus keywords, proper page titles, appropriate meta descriptions, target length of content, and images that will boost your attractiveness to Google. We will also consistently manage your online brand and protect your firm’s reputation.
If you are ready to take your law firm to the next level, we can help. Whether you choose to attend one of our live events or you want a free, confidential consultation, we are here to help!
