Law Blogging, Deconstructed

If you want a peek behind the curtain at this humble little blog, law firm marketing expert Jayne Navarre has kindly featured it in her case study "Build a Blog - Build a Law Practice: One Lawyer's Journey."

It tells the tale of how and why I produce this blog, how it has helped me to build a practice, and more importantly, why it was essential in creating relationships with colleagues across time zones.

I've been blogging for over three years now, which in internet terms makes me an old timer. Practice was fun before launching the blog, but as Jayne notes, something did change after I launched:

Robert’s been in private practice for 30 years. Up until four years ago, he published articles, gave presentations, was active in the American Bar Association, and hit the local cocktail circuit as much as he could in order to build his practice. Marketing was slow going. Then, in 2006, he published his blog, inversecondemnation.com, and everything changed.

Inquiries accelerated and the pace of his workload intensified. Today, he tracks almost ALL of his new business and ALL of his connections with journalists, including national and global media interests, back to his blog.

. . . .

Contrary to his prior networking experiences at ABA events, people began approaching him as if they already knew him. They read his blog, they knew his voice, something about him, and it made him much more approachable. His networking effectiveness increased noticeably.

What I appreciate most about this form of communication is that it has opened the door to meeting and regularly communicating with other eminent domain and land use colleagues. I've had the pleasure of meeting some awfully neat people because of this blog, and even if I had never garnered a single client from the effort, that alone would make it worthwhile.

Finally, what's with the "footwear mandatory" sign? It is my favorite sign in the Second Circuit (Maui) courthouse. Jayne reprinted it to reflect my thing for courthouse and other signs. I post pictures of them on my Facebook page when they strike me.