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8 Simple Ways to Raise Your Profile in 2010

Visibility, or lack thereof, is a common problem for lawyers who work in mid-to-large sized law firms.

Attorneys have a tendency to believe that colleagues will be eager to cross-sell their services.

They're wrong.

It happens often than you might think.

Why?

They fear the competition. Or,  they just don't know what you do.

Whatever it is that is preventing other lawyers from touting your services - now is the time to take a good look at yourself and your visibility within the firm.

Before people will refer work to you, they need to be clear about what you do.

Sara Holtz, author of Bringin' in the Rain, offers very sage advice on how to maximize your visibility.

Holtz writes that lawyers need to embark on an "internal PR campaign" by following these simple 8 steps:

1. Set clear objectives.

Ask yourself why you want to increase visibility. Do you want to build your book of business? More referrals?

2. Highlight what you want to be known for.

Try to develop a clear message highlighting the desired reputation you want among your colleagues.

3. Get to know your target audience.

Who will your message reach?

Once you answered that question, summarize your strategy into one sentence.

For example: I want to educate the partners in my practice group about my recent success negotiating a complicated lease for a biotech company so they will refer their technology clients with real estate needs to me.

4. Cultivate relationships within your target audience.

Ask questions about their practice, really get to know them.

Take the opportunity to share your strengths and emphasize why you're a good choice for a referral.

5. Share what you've learned.

Don't be shy about sharing what you've learned in a recent success case with others who might be interested.

6. Present to other practice groups.

Be sure to focus on issues that are useful to them and their clients.

7. Spread the word.

Talk up your achievements to other lawyers using in-house newsletters, ect.

8. Speak at all-firm or all-practice group events.

Again, make sure comments should be relevant to the group.

Raising your profile won't happen overnight. It takes time and diligence. But once word of your talent spreads across the firm - watch out!

Your book of business may burst at the seams!