Why In the World Would You Give Away Your Expertise For Free?

One of the great mysteries for many lawyers is why attorneys would blog and give away their expertise for free.  Lawyers like to play this game with clients where they play hide the ball.  They spend a lot of time impressing on the client that they have a big problem that requires representation.  They share little information on the solution afraid the client might take that information, strategy or advice elsewhere. 

But a strange thing happens when you share your expertise online.  Instead of looking for other attorneys or representation options, the clients are able to tangibly see that you know all about their problem.  They read about their possible solutions on your blog.  Instead of engaging in self-help, they become convinced that you are the person for the job. 

It is certain that some people simply use the deep and rich information on our blogs to educate and help themselves.  Some perhaps are even able to avoid legal representation as they learn about their problem and engage in some sort of self-help.  But isn’t that part of our pro bono obligation?  Aren’t we supposed to be helping a certain percentage of people for free? 

It is my belief that blogging is the singular most effective way to establish your expertise and reach new prospective clients.  The fact that many others simply benefit by your willingness to share is merely icing on the cake. 

Comments

[GAL]

Just had another thought. The easiest way for any client to determine whether or not the attorney they are speaking to is actually qualified to handle the subject matter they are speaking about is to do a Google search. One risk lawyers face in this new information age is the increasing likelihood that clients will lean heavily towards previously published attorneys whose thoughts about their very legal issue are available online.

Let me say it another way. Whether you've written tens or hundreds of posts about a particular legal issue, the client knows that you are, in fact, what you purport to be, an attorney qualified to handle their legal matter.