Your firm’s website is the single most important component to your firm’s marketing communications efforts. Period.

It’s the lynchpin on which all of your other mar/com efforts rest, it’s your “first impression”, your opportunity to communicate with targeted clients on a regular basis via blogs, and hopefully it supports your firm’s business development efforts.

An RPF contains many different types of questions. Recently, we were invited to submit a proposal to a firm and their RFP had many interesting and thought-provoking questions. However, there was one in particular that struck a chord with us: “In your opinion, what should be the lifespan of a website?”

Any branding agency knows that this is not an easy question to answer. Is it a trick question or does the firm truly want to know a distinct number for the lifespan of a website? Do you give a simple answer or do you give an answer and elaborate on your reasoning? 

I have been pretty “hot” on infographs as of late. As a visual learner, the graphical essence of an infograph helps, in many cases, illustrate an idea and/or a point. Not to mention it is a unique and interactive way to present information. I have seen many infographs, from research driven ones to ones that have a purely humorous angle with no education purpose at all. Yet, they are both considered infographs and both have a distinct purpose or objective.

GUEST BLOGGER: Debra Baker, Principal - Legal Vertical Strategies

My first job in legal marketing was as a “writer” for Heller Ehrman. They wanted someone with a law degree who could work with the attorneys to strengthen their messaging. At the time I was a senior writer for the ABA Journal and was doing pro bono work on the side. The fit seemed perfect.

Have you ever Googled yourself? There is no shame in admitting it. I have, and not because I am completely self-absorbed, self-centered or have a grandiose view of my own brilliance. I am just curious as to what information pops up when someone enters my name. What is it about me that stands out among all the other Lilli Ceasers in the world? (Of course there couldn’t possibly be any other Lilli Ceasers like me in the world. Right? Right!).

GUEST BLOGGER: Amanda Acevedo, Director of Marketing and Business Development - Niles Barton

Over six months ago, I moved from a global law firm with a marketing department of 20+ professionals to a midsized regional firm with a marketing department of just one: me.

Agency: Thank you for thinking of us for your project. Is there an RFP that we can work from to provide you with the best possible answer to your needs?

Client: I am sorry, no, we do not have an RFP.

Agency: Ok, no problem, We have a few questions for you about the project that will help us answer your needs. Do you have some time to chat further?

Client: Yes, of course.

Every time I hear someone in marketing or advertising talk about "best practices" for website design, I roll my eyes.

Now granted, many of the do's and don't's of web design have merit. They've been tried, tested and proven to work. And I believe that certain best practices such as ease of navigation, making good use of white space, ensuring that site text is easy to read and building for fast loading times are sarcosanct. But I also believe that best practices are helping to hold marketers back.

Cook your way to the top with wireframes

GUEST BLOGGER: Kimberly Alford Rice, President - KLA Marketing Associates

How wise would it be to leave on a road trip without programming your GPS first with the “end location” or without Google driving directions? Not very wise, but that is essentially what law firms do when they spend on marketing without a written plan and annual budget.