There are 1.35 million lawyers in the U.S., according to statista. Obviously, the legal field is a very competitive one, so it’s critical to stand out. One way to do this is to win one of the legal industry’s many prestigious awards such as Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite, Daily Business Review’s Most Effective Lawyers, and many more.
While these awards increase a firm’s credibility, just being recognized isn’t enough. At Fort Lauderdale and Aspen-based public relations agency Durée & Company, celebrating 20 years in business, we have worked with many esteemed law firms and lawyers to publicize their awards and accolades in the most effective manner, with the ultimate goal to attract more clients.
Below, we are happy to share three PR tips on how to maximize exposure of the legal awards for which you and/or your law firm are recognized:
1. Get the word out via a press release. Write a press release (following the awarding organization’s guidelines) about the recognition. Once the press release has been distributed and media placements are secured, you can share the information about the award on social media, e-blasts, etc. If you are featured in an online article, this is ideal for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When people search a lawyer’s name, they will see the reputable media outlets which featured the lawyers and/or law firm, which builds credibility.
Make sure the announcement is off embargo before distributing the press release to the media. In many cases, publications will announce their winners, but will ask for you not to announce the win until after the embargo is lifted – which could be a few months.
2. Create “evergreen” content to post on social media. You can post throughout the year about how the law firm and/or lawyer was recognized. When the year is over, use this information as a #ThrowbackThursday or #FlashbackFriday. If you do a year-end review on social media, you can include the award in that roundup as well. This post will live on your social media, so when potential clients are checking your credentials, they will see the honors you have received. Also, don’t forget to add the award to your bio, CV and LinkedIn profile, plus update your website, too!
3. Use E-marketing. Let your clients (former, current and potential), business colleagues, referral sources, friends, family, etc. know about your award by sending a direct e-blast to your contacts. This will keep you top-of-mind for past, present and future clients, as well as keep the conversation going. When people hire an attorney, they want to know they can trust him/her and that he/she has a record of success. It’s important to share these successes and continue to build your credibility.
When looking into award opportunities, be sure to vet them and uncover which ones are legitimate. Through our experience and research at D&Co, we’re able to spot if an award opportunity is worthwhile, or if it’s simply not one that is wise to pursue.
With so many award opportunities out there, D&Co is here to help you navigate the opportunities. If you’re interested in hiring a PR firm to help maximize these legal award opportunities, contact us.
About Durée & Company
Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm founded in 1999. The firm has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. Durée & Company serves the corporate, agency and nonprofit arenas for local, national and international clients. Services include public relations, social media, marketing, content development, advertising, special events, branding, radio promotions and more. Durée & Company clients include well-known names in business, fashion, hospitality, travel, wellness and CBD, marine & yacht, art and culture, nonprofit organizations, legal and professional services and real estate. Durée & Company is a member of PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), an international network of boutique PR firms. To learn more, go to https://dureeandcompany.com/, visit Durée & Company on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DureeCoPR/, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dureecopr Twitter at https://twitter.com/dureecopr or YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/DureeAndCompany, or call 954-723-9350.