Lawyers: Post successes at your own risk

The Florida Bar has thrown a monkey wrench into legal marketing once again. Web sites have been treated as ‘information upon request’ for years, but the Supreme Court has decided that they must now comply with the advertising rules. Recognizing some of the confusion the new rule has caused, the Bar requested a six month [...]

Time to get in the spirit: Appreciating clients during the holidays

As the holidays approach, we usually think about special connections with other people. We commonly think of friends and family first, but other relationships — even those of a commercial nature — may be very important as well.
Providers of professional services are unique in the level of intimacy they have with their clients. That’s why [...]

Florida Bar gets it right with social networks

The Florida Bar Association surprises me on a regular basis… but rarely in a good way. Over the last couple years, there has been a lot of discussion in the legal marketing community about client testimonials - those that appear in directories like Avvo and social networks like LinkedIn.
The rules on advertising prohibit testimonials, statements [...]

Up & Comers 2009

Last night, I was honored to be named one of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2009 ‘Up & Comers’.  Reviewing the list of winners, I am humbled by the recognition.
With winners’ ages spanning two decades (20 to 39), I was also struck by the fact that my days as a “young professional” or “up and [...]

Tampa Bay Marketing Spotlight - Michael Kilgore

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Broadway musicals, so I consider myself so lucky to live in an area that boasts one of the nation’s best theaters with annual seasons full of Tony winners.
And who is responsible for promoting these shows and all of the fantastic entertainment at the Tampa Bay [...]

Build top-of-mind awareness with an e-newsletter

There are some kinds of businesses that are a part of their customers’ weekly, if not daily routine—grocery stores, drycleaners, and gas stations to name a few. Other companies, such as clothing and hardware stores or even restaurants, also typically attract mostly repeat business. As long these operations offer competitive prices, good service and are [...]

Tampa Bay Marketing Spotlight - Summer Taylor

I had the good fortune of meeting Summer Taylor at Leadership Florida’s first Connect Florida meeting in Orlando several years ago. As the Lead Dog of Good Dog/Bad Dog Creative Design, Summer is incredibly talented and provides exceptional service to her clients. But it was her vision to create biz-e-chicks with fellow entrepreneur, Liz Bollinger, [...]

Tampa Bay Marketing Spotlight - Jennifer Malin

I met Jennifer Malin a couple years ago when I re-joined the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) after the local city group came back to life. She immediately impressed me as a seasoned professional who has a firm grasp on the unique challenge of helping lawyers develop their practices.
As Marketing Director of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, [...]

Try social networking – for business and pleasure

Almost everyone in business has heard how important it is to “network.” But for many people, the idea of making the rounds at the local chamber of commerce luncheon isn’t at all appealing. Now, thanks to online social marketing, it’s easy for anyone to make hundreds (if not thousands) of contacts.
Whether or not you’re active [...]

Creativity can solve anything!

The poor people at Art & Copy… I’ve been stalking them!  I saw this trailer online for the movie a couple months ago, and cannot wait to see it.
Some of the industry’s most interesting people are featured, including my hero, the legend, Mary Wells Lawrence.
You can read the synopsis here, but the trailer says it all. [...]