Implementing a results-driven marketing strategy can help you boost revenue, expand your client base, and build greater brand awareness. With the right resources, you can grow your practice and reach new clients.
But where do you start?
There’s no shortage of resources to help you develop marketing and business development strategies. The most effective marketing resources are based on case studies and provide a solid framework where lawyers can apply out-of-context ideas. So when searching for the best resources, choose marketing and business development books written by lawyers for lawyers.
These legal marketing books have anecdotes and actionable lessons to help inspire and guide you to achieve your marketing and sales goals. They provide an added layer of industry know-how you won’t find in general marketing books.
We’ve rounded up our top 13 marketing and business development books that every lawyer should read.
1. 50 Lessons for Women Lawyers - From Women Lawyers: Career and Life Lessons from 50 Successful Women Lawyers
Author: Nora Riva Bergman
Available on: Amazon
Bergman is a law firm coach and former attorney. Her book is a collection of anecdotes and lessons from 49 women lawyers from different practice areas. The contributors share advice covering leadership, career success, wellness, and personal branding. Download a free chapter from the book by our Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Ivy B. Grey, here.
2. The Power of a System: How to Build the Injury Law Practice of Your Dreams
Author: John Fisher
Available on: Amazon
Fisher shares tried-and-true technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial methods to help you grow your law firm. His book includes trade secrets he’s learned from running his own successful personal injury law practice.
3. The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Business Owners, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs
Author: Mitch Jackson
Available on: Amazon
Southern California top attorney Jackson shares his approach to business on social media, which has helped him bring in million-dollar cases. The book also curates lessons from 47 top social media and communication experts who share insights and real-world examples to help professionals in branding and business growth. Download a free chapter about newsjacking from the book.
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4. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Author: Susan Cain
Available on: Amazon
If you’re an introverted legal practitioner, give this book a read. Cain shares invaluable advice to help introverts understand themselves better and thrive in today’s marketing world. She inspires readers with success stories of introverts, including a solitude-loving public speaker and a record-breaking salesman who overcomes his introversion by leveraging the power of questions.
5. Personal Branding in One Hour for Lawyers
Author: Katy Goshtasbi
Available on: Amazon
Any successful marketing effort depends on the presence of a strong personal brand. In this quick read, personal branding expert and experienced attorney Goshtasbi explains how you can stand out in a crowded market by building a unique personal brand.
6. Lawyer Forward: Finding Your Place in the Future of Law
Author: Mike Whelan, Jr.
Available on: Amazon
If you aren’t interested in a traditional solo practice, then you’ll enjoy this inspiring personal narrative by attorney Whelan. Mike shares his thoughts on the future of legal practice and introduces the idea of the “Legal Supply Chain” to help lawyers find their place, either as entrepreneurial solo practitioners or subject matter experts. Download a free chapter from the book.
7. Law Office on a Laptop: How to Set Up Your Successful Mobile Law Practice
Authors: Catherine Hodder and Kelly C. Sturmthal
Available on: Amazon
There’s never been a more critical time to have a mobile law practice that addresses client needs wherever they are (and wherever the lawyer is!). Attorneys Hodder and Sturmthal share their insights on using the latest technologies and other resources to set up and grow a flexible, mobile law practice.
The book’s second edition discusses topics like establishing a solo practice and successful legal marketing on social media. It includes sample forms, helpful links, website information, and checklists attorneys can use when growing their practice.
8. Solo By Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be
Author: Carolyn Elefant
Available on: Amazon
Solo by Choice covers setting up and growing a solo law practice and discusses relevant topics, such as digital marketing, networking, and dealing with clients. It’s a good legal book to read for any lawyer who wants to go solo but is unsure about how to make it work. Lawyers who want to practice law on their own and use technology to serve clients better will love reading this book.
9. Tiger Tactics: Powerful Strategies for Winning Law Firms
Authors: Jay Ruane, Ryan McKeen, Billie Tarascio, William Umansky, and Theresa DeGray
Available on: Amazon
The next legal marketing book on our list is written by five lawyers who run million- and multi-million-dollar legal practices. Tiger Tactics encourages you to pursue success and growth through actionable techniques. By reading this book, you’ll learn powerful strategies like how to grow your firm online, streamline your workflow, and define your branding guidelines.
10. The Legal Side of Blogging for Lawyers
Author: Ruth Carter
Available on: Amazon, Attorney at Work
Carter walks you through the world of legal blogging and provides helpful insights about its unique approach to legal marketing. Some topics discussed in The Legal Side of Blogging for Lawyers include blogger rights, real-life examples of issues bloggers face, and avoiding common legal blogging mistakes.
11. Make LinkedIn Work for You: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Other Legal Professionals
Authors: Dennis Kennedy and Allison Shields
Available on: Amazon
LinkedIn is a great way to build the relationships that are key to marketing, but lawyers don’t understand how to use the social media network well. This book helps lawyers learn to use Profiles, Connections, and Participation to create meaningful connections and find value. Download the free chapter about developing a strategy from the book.
12. The Lawyer Marketing Book
Author: Matt Starosciak
Available on: Amazon
Lawyer Matt Starosciak has over two decades of experience in legal marketing. The Lawyer Marketing Book has a conversational tone and touches on the most essential areas of attorney marketing.
In this book, Starosciak shares the best marketing tools for lawyers, how to convert prospects into clients, and setting the right marketing goals. He’ll teach you how to measure return on investment (ROI), so you can measure the success of your practice.
13. Originate: Business Development for Lawyers
Author: Michelle Cotter Richards
Available on: Amazon
Originate focuses on Big Law, but it discusses ideas applicable to any practice, regardless of size. For example, you won’t find anything related to search engine optimization or digital marketing here. Instead, it explains the importance of having a unique selling proposition, client persona, and meaningful business development goals.
The book includes fascinating insights from Daniel Pink, Dr. Larry Richard, Susan Swaim Daicoff, and other legal and marketing experts.
Set Your Law Practice Apart with Effective Legal Writing
Once you’ve equipped yourself with the legal marketing fundamentals, you must make sure that you’re crafting a clear message that resonates with your target audience.
Use editing software like WordRake to help you polish and tighten helpful content like blog posts or case studies that showcase your thought leadership and authority. Our editing software improves brevity and simplicity, providing suggestions in a familiar, track-changes style. It’s compatible with Microsoft Word and Outlook. Try it today—start your 7-day free trial.
Which legal marketing book would you add to this list? Tweet us @wordrake with your recommendations!
About the Author
Nicole Abboud-Shayan is the Business Development Associate for WordRake. Prior to joining the team, Nicole practiced law for several years and then launched her own media and marketing company. Follow Nicole on Twitter @nicoleabboud or connect with her on LinkedIn.
What if you had an in-house editor at your fingertips?
WordRake enables you to create precise, highly polished writing.
