The Basics of Legal Advertising: What You Need To Know

Legal advertising can be a complex and overwhelming process, but understanding the basics is critical to creating effective and compliant campaigns. It’s crucial in a highly competitive industry where every win matters.

The latest numbers show there are 449,633 law firms in the United States, posting a 0.7 percent increase from last year’s number. The State of Small Law Firms Report showed that 75 percent of law firms regard similar-sized companies as their biggest competitors.

Given this, law firms must exert extra effort to remain competitive and relevant among their clients.

This article will discuss the basics of legal advertising so that you can create a compelling and compliant campaign for your law firm. You’ll know what types of ads are allowed under the law and how to craft an effective ad message. You’ll also learn how to ensure your ad complies with all applicable regulations.

The Ethics of Legal Advertising

Advertising is meant to elevate one’s brand to attract more clients to avail of their services. Regardless of industry, ethical and responsible advertising is a must. However, more attention is given to law firms as their services can significantly impact one’s life.

Rules and regulations are in place to prevent lawyers from making misleading or false statements. It’s meant to check that their claims do not undermine the legal profession’s integrity.

The American Bar Association (ABA) set the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which include advertorial provisions.

For example, Rule 7.1 states that no lawyer should make “false or misleading communications” about their services. They cannot make claims about success rates, which may be impossible to substantiate.

Since clients are bound by attorney-client privilege, lawyers must also ensure their advertising materials don’t disclose any confidential information. This means they cannot use client testimonials to improve their website ranking.

Creating a Legal Advertising Strategy

Advertising is an integral part of a lawyer’s marketing strategy. Here are some tips.

Understand your target audience

Knowing your target audience before starting your marketing campaign is essential. It will dictate how you should plan your campaign. It will give you the direction you need about the messaging that will work best for your target audience.

For example, you want to target those likely involved in mass tort cases. Your ads should focus on reaching these people by providing them with content they’re likely to perceive as valuable for their needs.

Using language and messaging that resonates with your target audience, ads are more likely to prompt potential clients to take action.

Set goals for your advertising campaign

First, define your objectives. Be aware of the goals you have for your advertising strategy. Some common goals include increasing website traffic, generating more leads, or building brand awareness.

Be specific about what you plan to achieve. Make sure to have a clear timeline. One example would be to increase website traffic by 20 percent in the next three months. From there, you can list down the activities you plan to have to make this happen.

Create a budget for your advertising efforts

With a specific goal in mind, look at your budget. Your budget will play a role in setting goals for your advertising campaign. Make sure your objectives can be met within your budget limitations. Will it allow you to run ads on different platforms? If not, you should study which platforms get more traction so you can focus your efforts there.

Crafting Effective Legal Ads

With the right approach, crafting compelling legal ads can be a surefire way to attract new business and grow your practice. Here are a few essential tips and tricks to maximize your legal ads’ impact.

Invest in keyword research and optimization

When crafting effective legal ads, keyword research and optimization play a huge role. Be aware of the terms that potential clients use when searching for legal services online. Look for keywords and phrases that have high search volume and low competition. These will be the most effective in driving traffic to your ad.

Remember, effective keyword research and optimization is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor the performance of your ads and adjust your keyword strategy as needed.

Attract with a compelling headline and ad copy

Your headline is the first thing potential clients will see, so make it attention-grabbing and relevant to their needs.

When crafting your headline, focus on the unique value proposition of your legal services. What specific benefits and outcomes can potential clients expect from working with you? Use this information to craft a headline that is both compelling and informative.

Once you’ve captured the attention of potential clients with your headline, it’s time to focus on ad copy that is engaging and informative. Avoid using legal jargon or overly technical language. Focus on creating ad copy that is easy to understand and relevant to their needs.

When crafting your ad copy, consider the specific pain points and challenges potential clients may face. How can your legal services help alleviate these challenges and solve their problems? Use this information to create an informative and persuasive ad copy focused on the unique benefits of working with your firm.

Create a clear call to action

A clear and effective call to action (CTA) is essential to the success of your legal ad. Your call to action should be tailored to your target audience’s specific needs and interests, providing a clear and actionable next step for potential clients.

Consider the specific legal services you offer and the needs of your target audience. Are potential clients looking for more information about your services, or are they ready to take the next step and schedule a consultation or appointment?

Use this information to create a call to action that is both compelling and relevant, such as “Schedule a Consultation Today” or “Learn more about our legal services.” Make sure your call to action is easy to find within your ad.