Like it or not, speaking engagements are a very important component of a public relations plan of any law firm intent on growth. Whether you fear public speaking, or your workload leaves little free time, it is important to find a way to make room for speaking.
Well-known marketeers such as Dan Kennedy and countless others agree that speaking engagements are one of the fastest ways to get new clients. Firms need to expose their areas of expertise to prospective clients.
By speaking at conferences and forums put together by professional and industry trade groups, attorneys can increase their firm’s visibility and consequently its prospects for attracting new business. What speaking does is give the speaker special status, thus making it easier for speakers to meet prospects. Attendees expect speakers to reach out to the audience, in turn they give speakers respect and credibility. According to the American Society of Association of Executives, the conferences and meeting industry is a $56 billion dollar market.
However, a word of caution. If you are expecting overnight success, think twice: public relations, like gardening, requires nurturing, pruning and weeding out. So how and where do you begin?
I agree 100% that speaking engagements are a great way to get your name out there as an attorney. CLE programs and conferences can really attract the right kind of attention and associate your name with a particular field or area of expertise. Even more, being part of an online CLE program means that you increase your online exposures as well.
Posted by: CLE Courses | Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 11:23 AM