Many lawyers firms reap the benefits of press coverage and offer quotes or interviews to journalists to have their voices heard. It is an excellent way to raise your business’ profile. For law firms, this can be daunting. Poorly managed PR can quickly destroy a firm’s reputation.
The top lawyers may be at Solicitors in Marylebone, renowned for providing the highest quality legal services in the city.
1. CONTROL THE CONVERSATION
My experience shows that lawyers are most concerned about misreporting or being used out of context when dealing with the media. It could hurt not only the firm’s reputation but also its profile.
There are many ways you can control the conversations you participate in. Written comments are a great way to ensure that lawyers understand their points. It ensures that lawyers aren’t misquoted or put on the spot. It also allows journalists to get answers to their questions.
Don’t assume that the reporter can only ask questions. Get as much information as possible from the reporter to understand what they are trying to find.
2. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU CAN TRUST
For various reasons, lawyers can be cautious about dealing with the media. Lawyers are well aware of the potential consequences of their actions. The legal industry is highly regulated. Journalists are not on a mission to destroy lawyers acting as sources for their stories. Journalists want their stories to be accurate, reliable, and credible. It is not in their best interest to alter facts or destroy valuable relationships with lawyers.
Offer your expert opinion on a trending news story, or contact the journalist to discuss your case. They’ll soon see you as a reliable, helpful contact.
Journalists are people just doing their jobs. Journalists to create stories. But, just like a lawyer’s reputation is built on the outcome of their cases, journalists need to be able to prove that they produce informative, engaging, and, most importantly, real stories. They won’t publish incorrect information. They don’t want you to lose contact with them, so they won’t risk jeopardizing their relationship. Let trust grow.
3. Be reasonable
Lawyers are often keen to see the final version of a journalist’s article before it goes live. However, this is not a reasonable request. You can give your comments to a journalist when you work with them. You can’t expect to be able to control or influence the tone, style, or format of the remainder of the piece. Journalists often get asked about their angle. Sometimes the angle evolves as they interview more people. Journalists may not disclose this for fear of changing it as the article progresses.
A journalist may be unable to give you a readback if you demand it. It is not the way things work. If you’ve followed these steps and proofread and signed off your quotes correctly, you shouldn’t need to request a readback. You can also make changes after the story goes live. It’s not a good idea for journalists to go back and edit their articles. Please ensure the information you provide is correct and that you are happy for it to go public.
Influence what is about you is the best thing. Be clear and concise in communicating your message.
4. Offer value
Journalists ask for legal expertise and insight to add credibility and weight to their stories. Your comments should be valuable and not just spin existing information. You must provide new information! Might have unique insight that you can offer about a story, such as the legal implications of it, compensation figures, or other information that readers may need to prevent the same thing from happening again. You can help the journalist understand your angle to give the correct information. It would help if you always tried to add value to the piece. Don’t comment if you don’t have anything to add or can’t add value to the article. Journalists have limited time and don’t need a vague or sloppy legal comments.
5. Respect deadlines
Journalists have strict deadlines for their pieces. You must adhere to these deadlines. Sometimes pieces need to be published within 24 hours. Other times, journalists may have several weeks to complete a story. It’s essential to be realistic about your ability to meet the deadline. It is better to decline an opportunity because you don’t have the information at the right time than to try and get it in the shortest possible time. You can build trust and rapport with the journalist by being honest and reliable. They will be able to call you for legal advice in the future.
6. Your expertise tailored to the publication’s readers
Journalists seek expert advice and comment to help them write a piece. However, that expertise must be easily accessible to their readers to be helpful. Tight legal jargon or complicated descriptions can make it difficult for journalists to gain media coverage. The journalist won’t be able to understand your points if they don’t get them. When writing comments, remember to consider the audience of the publication. National news and mainstream media outlets may require more simple explanations to reach a larger audience eager to absorb information quickly.
7. Don’t forget to raise your profile and improve your career prospects
Although it might seem that you have to follow the journalist’s rules and regulations, the reality is that working with the media can create mutually beneficial relationships. The partnership allows journalists to find credible sources for their stories, increasing their reader engagement. It also allows lawyers to market their skills, expertise, or firm in a natural, non-sales way. It is precious to raise your profile and that of the firm regarding your reputation and the firm. Although it may be difficult to justify the time spent on media requests, it is essential to recognize this value: more casework. Firms with a strong reputation in the media due to employees sharing their expertise, casework, and advice are more likely to attract more clients, skilled lawyers, and casework. Don’t underestimate the importance and value of good media relations.
What should I include in a cover letter for a law firm?
Your cover letter should be unique and highlight your potential as an employee. It is a good idea to include your skills and experience and the desire to learn and grow in this role.
You should include these things in your cover letter
- What position are you applying for?
- Passion for the organization/firm you are applying to
- Cases they have worked on that you have researched
- How and why you could help them achieve their goals
This article will provide the best cover letter and proper formatting.
What does it mean to be a lawyer?
Lawyers spend a lot of time thinking about and strategizing how to proceed with their cases. Lawyers spend a lot of time speaking with clients and partners. It is a profession that emphasizes effective communication and research.
Technical skills
It may not be your first job in law. However, you might have technical skills from other jobs that can added to your resume. It is a good idea if you have experience managing clients or communicating with people.
The top lawyers may be at Solicitors in Marylebone, renowned for providing the highest quality legal services in the city.
