Melanie Leonard public
[search 0]
Download the App!
show episodes
 
What if you could spend time with experts in law firm marketing and practice management, ask them about their successes and failures, their tools and strategies; then take an insight or two to inspire your own business growth? That’s what we do each week on Your Law Firm is a Business... Take it to the Next Level. Hosted by Melanie Leonard, Esq (practice management maestro) and Mark Homer (law firm marketing master), every episode is an in-depth look at how to run a strong business, not just ...
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
Join us as we celebrate the journey of our podcast and express our heartfelt thanks to all our listeners for their unwavering support and for spreading the word about our show. As we usher in the New Year, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the milestones we've achieved together in the past year. In this episode, we're reflecting on some of the …
  continue reading
 
Have you ever felt like you’re drowning in work, yearning for a vacation, yet dreading the thought of the chaos that might ensue in your absence? This episode is here to show you how to plan for time away from the office effectively. We'll walk you through the importance of proactive planning for your leave and how to leverage your calendar. Don't …
  continue reading
 
Want to dial up your law firm's profitability? Let's explore how time tracking can make a significant impact on your bottom line. We unpack the importance of investing in automatic time tracking software and strategies to effectively implement it in your firm, regardless of whether you bill hourly or work on a flat fee basis. We help you see the bi…
  continue reading
 
Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence can revolutionize your law firm's growth? Get ready to have your mind expanded as we have a discussion with our resident AI guru, Michael Green. As GNGF's project manager and AI lead, Michael takes us through the innovative ways he's deployed real-time marketing strategies and AI to yield impressiv…
  continue reading
 
Prepare yourself to venture into the fascinating domain of Google's Search-Generated Experience (SGE) and grasp the profound effect it could have on your law firm's digital marketing approach. We touch on the remarkable AI-powered search model, empowering you to leverage it to your advantage. Get ready to gain fresh perspectives on the shift toward…
  continue reading
 
Imagine a world where a 32-hour workweek was the norm for law firms. Intriguing, isn't it? Well, that's one of the things we're discussing with Corine from Streamlined Legal on our listener questions episode. We dissect the complexities and cultural shifts needed for this dream to become a reality. From tackling inefficiencies such as attorneys doi…
  continue reading
 
Join Kelly Meerbott and guest Morra Aarons-Mele — known as The Anxious Achiever — as they discuss Morra’s two missions in life for the world of work. First, Morra helps leaders who manage anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, OCD, mental illness and more thrive at work — and discusses why people with different brains need to work differently. Secon…
  continue reading
 
Ever wondered why DIY videos have caught fire in marketing strategies? Imagine harnessing the power of such tools to elevate your brand's visibility! In this episode, we decipher the wonder behind DIY videos, and we'll guide you on how to craft your own DIY videos and where to showcase them for optimal exposure. We also show how DIY videos can help…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we started off at ClioCon 2023 with our special guest, Melissa Shanahan, founder of Velocity Work. We take you through the top highlights so far. We were captivated by Del Friday's enlightening talk on mental health and the power of micro steps, a vital tool for navigating through the stressors of our industry. The connections and …
  continue reading
 
Join us as we continue to tackle the topic of ownership in the legal marketing landscape. We share our experiences in assisting clients to understand and take action on key marketing assets, and we dissect how to ensure your law firm retains secure ownership of vital assets such as websites, social and directory platforms, content, analytics and da…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we bring to light the important role of ownership and control in law firm marketing. As we navigate the transition to a new agency, we uncover the significant marketing assets every law firm should consider, including websites, social and directory platforms, content, analytics, and data platforms, as well as chat and call services…
  continue reading
 
Join us as we tackle the vital subject of leadership in the second part of our two-part series. This episode aims to help listeners navigate the intricacies of effective leadership by sharing our experiences and techniques developed over the years of running our businesses. We begin with the concept of engaging in honest and open communication, whi…
  continue reading
 
Unlock the truth behind the struggle of leading in a dynamic business environment in this episode. We shed light on the underlying causes and provide practical solutions to address this issue, underscoring the importance of recognizing leadership issues and how an external viewpoint can be instrumental in identifying areas requiring attention. We a…
  continue reading
 
Listen in as we welcome Thomas Schaffer, partner at Schaffer & Associates, a successful three-attorney law firm based in Toledo, Ohio. Tom shares his journey of establishing the firm, surviving the initial years, and the growth they've achieved with a dedicated team and effective internet marketing. He also discusses the unique operating principles…
  continue reading
 
Does your workspace feel like a chaotic mess that drains your energy and productivity? You’re not alone! Today, we're getting real about the relationship between workspace, productivity, and overall life satisfaction. You’ll hear about the stress-inducing impact of disorder and practical strategies to manage your work environment, whether it's a co…
  continue reading
 
Join us for an engaging chat as we unlock financial tech and process hacks to optimize both your business and personal life. In the world of business, we're putting a spotlight on corporate card platforms, like Ramp, which provide a seamless interface for managing company credit cards and virtual cards. We also discuss integrations with Quickbooks …
  continue reading
 
Get ready to unlock the secrets of transforming your law firm’s online presence! Our special guest, Ashleigh Achor from GNGF, walks us through a captivating real-life success story of a Utah-based criminal defense firm's journey from obscurity online to the spotlight. With her expert guidance, this firm leveraged the power of Search Engine Optimiza…
  continue reading
 
Elevate your law firm's success by mastering the art of KPIs in flat fee firms. We guarantee you'll walk away with valuable insights on how to select and track the right KPI that will truly drive your firm's growth. Not only that, but we'll also share our expertise on how to overcome the common challenges of tracking KPIs and how to ensure their ac…
  continue reading
 
Listen in as we unlock the secrets to effective nurture campaigns for your law firm. With a focus on continual connection and introducing your firm to prospects and leads, we share examples and practical advice to build a strong and beneficial campaign. Learn why leading with optimism is vital and how a well-structured nurture campaign can provide …
  continue reading
 
Join us as we dissect the differences between advances and retainers, flat fees and fixed fees, and how the American Bar Association (ABA) defines these types of fees. We stress the importance of checking with your state and jurisdiction for any differences in their rules regarding fees and billing. Listen closely as we dig into the challenges and …
  continue reading
 
Ever feel like you're trudging through the weeds of daily tasks without having time to strategize for the big picture? We're here to tell you it's time to pause, look up, and take that much-needed skyward glance. This episode is a deep dive into the importance of strategic meetings where the collective wisdom of the team comes into play. We're givi…
  continue reading
 
Join Kelly and Leonard Brody as they discuss the media, entrepreneurship, and the power of resilience. Leonard is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and two-time Emmy award nominee. He acts as Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Caravan, where he oversees the building of new ventures, and a Co-Founder at hai, a smart home shower product. D…
  continue reading
 
Join us on a captivating journey as we dissect the ABA Opinion 506 on non-lawyers in the sales and intake process. Listen in as we break down the implications of this opinion in a way that's easy to understand and practical to apply. We'll explore the importance of understanding and adopting best practices to ensure your firm's growth while maintai…
  continue reading
 
We're celebrating our 100th episode and two-year anniversary of Your Law Firm is a Business. Take it to the Next Level, and we're incredibly grateful for the support from all of our listeners! To show our appreciation, we're joined by Corine Rogers, the problem solver extraordinaire at Streamlined Legal, to answer some great listener questions that…
  continue reading
 
In this engaging episode, we explore how AI can help law firm marketers become more efficient and effective. We discuss different ways to incorporate AI into law firm marketing, covering the caveats and warnings of using AI, use cases of using AI safely for marketing, and specific examples of how to speed up content research and content outlines. W…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we tackle the vital topic of protecting your law firm's website from being stolen. Listen in as we break down the concept of an internet domain, the importance of domain name servers (DNS), and website hosting. It's essential for business owners to understand these basic internet concepts to prevent website loss and ensure smooth o…
  continue reading
 
Is managing your law firm's email inbox taking up too much of your time? Are you constantly juggling court filings, client communications, and incoming leads from website forms or answering services? In this episode, we tackle these challenges head-on and provide practical solutions to streamline your email management process. We kick off by discus…
  continue reading
 
Are you ready to hit the road or take to the skies but not sure how to make the most of your journey? Fear not, fellow travelers! We have got you covered with our top travel tips and tech hacks to make your trips efficient, enjoyable, and stress-free. We start by discussing the importance of lightweight laptops and tablets, such as the Apple MacBoo…
  continue reading
 
No matter the industry, AI has been the topic of many conversations lately. We aren’t sure what it is, how to use it, if it’s beneficial, or if it’s a threat. We held out on talking about it on the podcast because we like to be able to provide action steps to take law firms to the next level. We have now tested the use of AI at GNGF and finally fee…
  continue reading
 
When your firm receives a call, how is it handled? Does it go to an automatic receiver, or does a receptionist answer it? What is the conversation like? Do you think your firm makes a good first impression, or do you lose more potential clients than you gain? In this episode, we have a conversation with Maddy Martin, the Senior Vice President of gr…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we have Marissa Portuondo from streamlined.legal to discuss one particular firm's journey to improving its intake process. The case studies involve real, small to mid-sized law firms that were struggling with their growth, intake, employee management, and more. With streamlined.legal’s help, these firms have been able to take benef…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, Mark talks about one of the most mission-critical systems for any law firm - email. Email is a system that doesn’t get the respect it deserves and is often overlooked. However, there are some things to consider before diving into using email in your law firm. Mark shares all the important information you need to know before setting…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we are breaking down flat fees! Flat fees serve as a great opportunity to provide more certainty and benefit to your client. They are also beneficial to you if you understand how much time, effort, and expenses go into every case. It will take a little work to know how much you put into every case, but the more you know, the better…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we discuss the book, “The Checklist Manifesto,” by Atul Gawande. Gawande is a doctor, so the majority of his examples are from a doctor’s perspective. However, many concepts are transferable between industries, including the legal field. Listen in as we go into where checklists came from, how they are beneficial, and their legal ap…
  continue reading
 
Can you believe we are already celebrating the second anniversary of Your Law Firm Is a Business? We certainly can’t! In this episode, we spend some time reminiscing on the past two years of episodes and going over a few of our favorite moments. We will wrap up by discussing what we anticipate for the next two years. We couldn’t have made it this f…
  continue reading
 
We had some fun at the 2023 ABA Tech Show! We went to many sessions, discovered many new and interesting vendors, and, of course, learned about a lot of new technology. From the keynote to the lunch and learn, every session was informational. There was also a notable thread throughout the sessions surrounding AI and what its impact has been and wil…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Danny Ozment from Emerald City Productions. We discussed many aspects of getting started in podcasting as a lawyer, including how a podcast can turn into actual prospective clients for a law firm. A podcast helps to gain listeners' trust, build relationships and eventually generate leads and referr…
  continue reading
 
This episode is a bit meta because it’s a podcast about podcasts! We have a conversation with trusted expert Danny Ozment about how law firms can leverage podcasts to grow their business. The conversation was so good that we had to split it into two episodes. Danny is the founder of Emerald City Productions, which in full transparency, is the compa…
  continue reading
 
In today’s episode, we have a special guest – Corine Rogers, the Problem Solver Extraordinaire at streamlined.legal! She is on the show to help us with one of our favorite segments, answering your questions. As a reminder, if you ever have questions for Mark and Melanie, you can email us at hello@nextlegal.legal or tweet us at nextlevel_legal. We a…
  continue reading
 
We have another real world example client to break down with you! In this episode, we have a conversation with one of our GNGF account managers, Josh Schuler, who walks us through an example of a full-service marketing client. We go over when the law firm started, where they were struggling with a strategy, the different strategies Josh uses with t…
  continue reading
 
In episode 69, we covered the first three levels of influence from Robert Cialdini’s book “Influence.” The first three are reciprocity, liking, and social proof. Go back and listen to that episode for a further breakdown of those three if you’d like to hear them before diving into the final four. In this episode, we are continuing with a breakdown …
  continue reading
 
We are back with another episode of tech hacks! These episodes are becoming a fun addition to each quarter, so please continue to send your tech hacks over to us. Each episode is sharing technology tips that will help make life as a lawyer a little easier. In this episode, Melanie and Mark share smartphone hacks for lawyers to improve productivity,…
  continue reading
 
Marketing funnels are a powerful tool for bringing in new business. There are workshops and courses dedicated to teaching business owners how to use them. Because marketing is tied to your business goals, you have to know which tools are the right ones to grow your practice. Shiny object syndrome can create distractions. While some cutting-edge too…
  continue reading
 
How much time could you save if you could automate some of the tasks in your practice? What would you do with those extra minutes or hours? It could change your ability to continue to grow your firm. Software automation is getting easier to use. You no longer need an API to connect your apps. Instead, you can use one app to manage several tasks at …
  continue reading
 
Melanie has a busy schedule, so finding time to listen to an audiobook can be difficult. Surprisingly, though, when a popular memoir was recently released, she found the time to listen to several chapters. Our priorities shift according to what’s important to us, and sales in your law firm business are no different. If you are not prioritizing your…
  continue reading
 
We hear it all the time: Writing down goals makes them more achievable. Before you write down the goals, you have to identify what they are. What if your goal this year was to make this your best law firm year ever? Creating more revenue or profit isn’t necessarily the goal that will motivate you. Instead, as you’re planning out your year, you shou…
  continue reading
 
Identifying trends in any industry is vital for forecasting where your law practice may be going and where you want to take it. Clio is a company specializing in legal software, and they also release a yearly report to pinpoint trends in the legal field. This episode of Your Law Firm is a Business. Take It to the Next Level is part two of a deep di…
  continue reading
 
Welcome to Hidden Human, where we reveal our personal humanity to reconnect with our shared humanity. Let's begin our conversation with Jerome Myers, Financial Planner, Business Coach, and Chief Inspiration Officer in episode 45, “The Power of Inspiration.” Join us to explore the topic of inspiration and the exciting path that lead Jerome Myers to …
  continue reading
 
Identifying trends in any industry is vital for forecasting where your law practice may be going and where you want to take it. Clio is a company specializing in legal software, and they also release a yearly report to pinpoint trends in the legal field. This episode of Your Law Firm is a Business. Take It to the Next Level is diving into legal tre…
  continue reading
 
As a law firm owner, you saw a problem and decided to try and solve it by starting your business. When you did this, you had to work hard. You had to put a lot of effort into professional development just to get your firm up and running. In this way, professional development comes naturally to many entrepreneurs. The problem is, this makes the prof…
  continue reading
 
Loading …

Quick Reference Guide