Are you look to stand out from your competitors and capture quality leads? If so, you need to know the ins-and-outs of lead generation and when and how to use outbound or inbound leads.
Both of these marketing strategies have their pros and cons, so knowing how they work and what they work best for is essential for acquiring quality leads.
Not sure how lead generation works, or what the differences are between outbound and inbound leads? In this article, we’re covering everything lawyers should know about these two marketing strategies so you can grow your legal practice in the best way possible.
What is a Lead?
A lead is any person who has expressed interest in your company’s service or product in some way.
Lead generation is the process of finding and converting people into these leads. This can be done through many types of lead generators such as online content, blog posts, social media, coupons, and even job applications.
Why is Lead Generation Important?
Lead generation is important because it connects your legal with people who are actually interested in or in need of your services. Without proper lead generation, finding the right lead becomes a game of chance.
Lead generation helps drive specific, high-value potential customers to your website when they’re at their highest level of intent, which means they’re more likely to request a free consultation or read your blog.
What are Outbound Leads?
Outbound leads are the leads you explicitly reach out to via a messaging strategy. It’s you, not the lead, who determines the type of interaction that occurs, and when it occurs. Which is why outbound lead generation is also referred to as interruption.
Outbound lead generation is the more traditional marketing strategy of the two. It often involves generation techniques like direct emails and phone calls. These strategies often cost more than inbound lead strategies, and the conversation between you and the potential customer can be quite limited.
Outbound lead generation is often used when companies need to acquire new leads in a short period of time. It’s the more aggressive of the two, and this short-term strategy often requires additional financial resources, which makes it less sustainable.
What are Inbound Leads?
Inbound leads are the people who are drawn to your website because of the content you offer like blog posts, social media, and SEO.
In essence, it’s lead generation done on the terms of the lead. They choose when and how they’ll interact with you, and with this strategy, there is more of an emphasis on the value you offer customers beyond just the product.
Outbound vs Inbound Leads: What’s Right for Your Law Firm?
In the past, law firms have relied on outbound lead generation techniques like paid advertising and direct emails to acquire customers. But inbound lead generation is actually much more effective at attracting potential customers and convincing them to convert. It’s also a much more cost-effective strategy if you’re on a budget.
Inbound works better because it helps solidify trust with prospective clients, and grow your smaller law office. By posting blogs, you can establish your expertise on relevant and helpful topics, and establish yourself as a thought leader in the legal world.
You can also improve your search engine ranking positioning, which will make you more visible to people actively seeking legal assistance.
How to Create a Solid Intake Process
The intake process for any law practice or organization serves as the critical point of entry for new clients. The first meeting or consultation with a prospective client is where you get to make that all-important first impression on them. The intake process, however, usually begins at or before the first client meeting and may involve a few additional steps afterward.
An important thing to keep in mind is that lead generation isn’t just about finding leads, it’s about keeping them as clients. That’s why proper intake is essential. It helps you demonstrate your firm’s communication and values and build trust with your clients.
During the intake process, you can gather crucial information and identify any existing conflict with the case. By doing this, you can create a timeline for checking conflicts, identify follow up strategies, and gather all the information from your client. All of this will bolster your client’s impression of you and make the whole legal process more efficient.
Final Thoughts on Lead Generation
When it comes to your legal practice, you need to understand how to use lead generation the right way. And while inbound leads can take a little longer to generate, they can generate more for your business over time. Which can help you grow at the rate you’re aiming for.
Are you in need of prospective clients? Not sure how to source leads? Contact us and we can help create a customized lead generation solution for your firm!