Law Firm Lead Generation: What You Need to Know Going into 2022
Law Firm Lead Generation: What You Need to Know Going into 2022
Forecasts are always difficult, but we're lucky enough (in this age of relative chaos) to be seeing some strong, sustained trends in law firm marketing. In this article, we'll look at the following predictions and how they might impact your strategy for generating legal leads in 2022:
● Further Increased Civil Case Volume
● More Emphasis on ADR
● Sustained Demand for Video Conferencing
● Increased Demand for E-Sign Virtual Document Sharing
● More Clients Wanting Online Payments
● More Competition, Especially for Smaller and Specialized Firms
● High Prices for Law Keywords on PPC Advertising Platforms
● Lower Average Costs for Professional Marketing Services
Legal Locator provides pre-qualified, exclusive, real-time leads. Contact us when you're ready to start generating revenue from what's very likely to be a highly increased demand for your services in 2022.
Further Increased Civil Case Volume
The main news here is that civil case volume should increase in 2022. That means that you should have a wider pool of potential clients — and probably a larger number of the exact type of cases that your firm handles best.
With the trial schedules in civil courts backed up for months longer than normal, it's no surprise that civil case volume is at least remaining stable. Most would-be litigants don't usually feel the need to settle quickly without an imminent court date.
The other aspect of this higher volume is on the supply side — most notably in family law with increased domestic strife over 2020 and 2021. These issues are coming to action now that people feel safe trying to leave an untenably conflict-filled situation at home
More Emphasis on ADR
Along with the higher case volume and backlogged dockets has come a nearly nationwide push for alternative dispute resolution from the courts. Although this has been a trend in many practice areas and jurisdictions for years, we're seeing more of an emphasis recently.
If your firm has seen pressure to resolve cases out of litigation, and if your counterparts are usually amenable, it could be a good idea to underline the basics of ADR when consulting with your potential clients. Pre-qualified lead services do a lot of the work for you, but setting client expectations is still an important part of the intake process.
Sustained Demand for Video Conferencing
Video conferencing should continue to be a priority for legal clients in 2022. There are indications that video is especially important for first consultations.
If you haven't done so already, now might be a good time to integrate your video conferencing software with your record keeping, automating some of the note-taking work that goes along with intake. Getting some nice lighting and camera equipment might also help you give a good first impression.
Increased Demand for E-Sign Virtual Document Sharing
Another ongoing trend for many years has been a demand for virtual documents. People continue to want a secure and convenient way to authorize, examine, and archive the paperwork related to their case.
There are plenty of services that offer assurances of safety, availability, and ethical compliance. Most will be compatible with your current office software, and some will even integrate with your business management suites. With all of the choices these days, it typically comes down to preference, convenience, and additional bells and whistles.
More Clients Wanting Online Payments
Along with virtual documents, there has been a sustained trend of increased demand for online fee payment options. For firms without an internet-ready payment acceptance and accounting system, it is usually better to get a legal-profession-specific processing service. Most options these days will clearly advertise their compliance with your local jurisdiction's ethical rules.
More Competition, Especially for Smaller and Specialized Firms
The legal profession has become more competitive, but the past few years have been somewhat of an exception. First, there was the initial chaos caused by the pandemic. Now, we are starting to feel the effects of the home office phenomenon.
Quite a few attorneys have left larger practices to start single-attorney offices or form small firms. Working from home, some have been able to take on cases independently. Some of these new practices have been successful enough to compete with existing businesses.
What that means is that there's more competition for the average small firm. The clients are out there, but there are also more lawyers with the time and inclination to respond to leads quickly.
High Prices for Law Keywords on PPC Advertising Platforms
Over the next year, we should continue to see high prices for legal advertising online. This is certainly no surprise, as lawyers have always been among the most competitive internet advertisers.
Leads that convert cost money, whether you're generating them yourself or you're purchasing them from a service like Legal Locator. If you want a predictable cost-to-lead ratio and predictable quality, buying leads makes more sense. If you want to generate traffic for a website as well as create potential leads, PPC is more appropriate.
Lower Average Costs for Professional Marketing Services
Buying leads for law firms is far from the only way to generate potential clients. Lead generation online happens through a variety of channels, such as social media, websites, live chat platforms, email campaigns, paid lead services, and search engine advertising.
One of the things we expect for 2022 is an increase in the number of businesses that provide these services specifically for attorneys. We also expect to see more automation. The higher competition and the higher level of automation should lower the cost on average for existing professional marketing services
. You might be surprised at the type of lawyer marketing and lead generation for your law firm you can now afford. Please contact us to get started today.
