6 Effective Blog Content Ideas for Law Firm Blogs

17 Feb 6 Effective Blog Content Ideas for Law Firm Blogs

Still wondering if your law firm should have a blog? The results are in from the American Bar Association 2019 Legal Technology Survey Report. Of the nearly 11,000 attorneys surveyed, those lawyers who reported having a legal topic blog stated that 49% got clients as a result of blogging. Those results are not surprising. Most people search for legal information on the web before hiring an attorney. Over 96 percent of people with legal questions start with an internet search. For this reason, legal blogs that answer simple questions can drive enormous organic (free) traffic to your firm’s website.

As this blog has previously mentioned, every law firm needs a blog. But when it comes to deciding what to blog about, many lawyers get stuck. Even the most niche practice areas provide a seemingly unending list of possibilities. Faced with these overwhelming options, most lawyers have no idea where to begin with writing blog articles to help market their law firm.

Lawyers need not fear blogging. The key is to keep things simple. A good legal blog has content that attracts potential clients, provides relevant information to give them some general guidance on issues they have, and establishes the attorney as a trusted and knowledgable resource in their specific practice area. Here are seven easy content ideas for law firm blogs that meet each of those goals.

Content Idea #1 – When to Contact a Lawyer

Lawyers know when a person needs professional legal help. But laypeople often aren’t sure if legal representation is worth the time, cost, and effort. Therefore, blog posts about when to contact a lawyer should perform well.

Posts about reaching out for legal help should be straightforward and help you generate potential clients with a thoughtful call to action at the end of such a post. For instance, a personal injury attorney might write about when to contact a lawyer after a car accident. A trusts and estates attorney might write about when to contact a lawyer for help with planning or probating an estate. No matter the practice area, posts about when your services might be needed will draw clients to your site. At the end of the blog post, provide your contact info, a link to your contact form, and/or your law firm’s phone number.

Content Idea #2 – How Hiring a Lawyer Prevents Common Mistakes in Self-Representation

The proliferation of do-it-yourself legal websites has made it easier for people to handle legal matters themselves. As a result, today’s law firms must not only advise readers about when to contact attorneys, they must also explain why professional legal assistance is the best way to resolve an issue.

Writing a post about why clients need your services is as simple as explaining the pitfalls of pro se representation. Publications such as Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur, and Forbes have all concluded that documents prepared using do-it-yourself tools have major flaws. A blog post that explains the downside to self-representation could convince readers that professional representation is the best choice. One that could save them thousands, help them get more money, or avoid common, costly mistakes.  

Content Idea #3 – What to Expect at an Initial Consultation

Less than fifteen percent of Americans with legal issues actually hire an attorney. Therefore, very few people know what to expect when they make their first visit to a law firm. Because working with lawyers or going to a law office can be an unfamiliar and intimidating place, posts about what to expect during the first visit will reassure potential clients.

Posts on this topic should address several subjects. First, explain the ethical issues regarding confidentiality, conflicts, fees, and other such matters. Second, explain what the client should bring to the initial visit. (For example, a personal injury firm might instruct clients to bring relevant medical records, photos, or the like.) Finally, explain the “warning signs” clients should look for (pressure to immediately sign a retainer, unwillingness to discuss prior results, etc.) and why your firm does not engage in those tactics. These posts not only help clients prepare, they assure clients that you are caring, competent, and professional.

Such articles become great time-saving resources to your firm as well. You or your legal assistant could make forwarding such articles to all clients after an initial consultation has been booked. There will be no need to repeat such information each and every time.

Content Idea #4 – Dos and Don’ts

The average person doesn’t understand complicated legal rules. This lack of legal knowledge can lead to costly mistakes. As people begin to research legal issues, blog posts about the “dos and don’t” of certain legal issues will provide helpful guidance.

A “Dos and Don’ts” post need not be overwhelming. It can simply list a few common mistakes clients make and ways to avoid them. For example, a family law attorney might write a post called, “The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media During Divorce.” These simple questions will demonstrate your expertise and persuade clients to contact you for more advice.

Content Idea #5 – Frequently Asked Questions

Most company websites likely have a list of frequently asked questions that they get from potential clients or customers. Lawyers are no different. Even your website doesn’t have an FAQ section (which we wouldn’t be surprised at), you likely have a mental list of the most common questions your clients ask early in the representation or during a consultation. These questions can be an excellent source of numerous articles for blog content.

These inquiries can easily be turned into a series of blog posts that answer these questions. Sample posts from a family law blog might be titled, “The Most Common Questions About Divorce” or “Answers to Your Burning Questions About Custody and Visitation.” Then you could probably write multiple articles from each of those broad articles. For example, on the topic of divorce, you could write FAQ type of posts for the issue of alimony, such as, “Will I have to pay my spouse alimony?” or, “How to Determine if I am Entitled to Alimony,” then, “Common Types of Alimony Awarded in Maryland (insert the state you practice in, of course). You get the point. One topic can result in several related articles for your blog.

Write out all your FAQs which will take you little time to do. Don’t be surprised if you come up with more than 20 potential articles in a short period of time. Nearly any practice area can generate a seemingly unlimited number of “FAQ” type of posts. Posts should end by mentioning that your firm is available to answer questions and provide counsel.

Content Idea #6 – “What to do When . . .”

People become involved in tricky legal situations every day. While “When to. . .” posts are great for situations that require a bit of foresight or planning on the client’s part (e.g., when to hire an attorney after an accident), “What to do” posts can help people who are struggling with unexpected – and possibly unpleasant – legal issues. Because people in these difficult situations want answers quickly, these posts should perform well.

“What to do” posts can succeed for firms in nearly any practice area. But given their target audience, practitioners in areas with unexpected events will likely find this to be a key content area. Criminal defense attorneys can write articles like, “What to do if You Are Arrested.” Personal injury firms can generate thousands of views with posts like, “What to do if You are Injured in a Car Accident by an Uninsured Driver.” Of course, these types of posts should end by suggesting that the client contact your firm for further advice.

Blogging is a key marketing tool for any law firm. Well-crafted blog posts drive traffic to your website. Increased web traffic leads to more clients which leads to more revenue for your firm. If your firm needs content ideas or wants to create better blog content but has struggled to do so, Social Channel Marketing Group can help. Our team of expert professionals will create quality, customized posts for your blog that will help drive traffic to your law firm and help you secure more clients. Contact us today for a free consultation.