It has been about two years since I stumbled onto blogs and began my own. I can heartily attest that it has been a very rewarding experience in several ways.
I realize my style of blogging is much different than many other people. Other people may tend to have more of a news gathering and linking service, where they provide links to other web pages and some commentary. I have morphed into writing almost pure content with very little linking outside of my blog.
I enjoy the process of writing, and I enjoy having the time to answer particular client questions or problems in this format. It usually helps me to clarify and make sense of sometimes complex issues.
I do this for a number of reasons. My main goal has been to develop a repository of topics that can be used to educate and help my clients, both current and future ones. There are many ideas floating around in my head and the blog is a mechanism for getting some of those ideas into a tangible form. Maybe some day, I might take some of the ideas and rewrite them into a brochure, pamphlet, or book.
My primary business is practicing law, particularly patent law, and the blog fits well into my business plan. I do no advertising to speak of, but the blog gives potential clients a sense of who I am and my mindset before they make contact with me. They know a good bit about my style and priorities, and many have commented on my blog in my first discussion with them.
This type of blog has yielded two very good benefits. The first is that a potential client who responds to the blog has a much deeper loyalty and respect for the relationship. This decreases the ‘sales cycle’ and increases word of mouth advertising once the engagement begins.
The second benefit is that it attracts the right kind of clients. I want clients who understand my thought processes and see a value in the type of counsel that I provide. Those who do not understand it are probably better off with another attorney to whom they can relate. Those who do understand it will get deeper, more thorough, and ultimately more valuable help from me.
As I begin a third year blogging, my plans are to keep the same general overall style. I always have plans to tweak the look and feel, but I like the focus on content and it seems to be working for me. I have met so many interesting and incredible people through this blog, both as professional contacts and clients, and I look forward to meeting many new ones in the future.
