How To Network at Legal Marketing Conferences in 2024
It’s always a great idea for attorneys to get out there and network with peers and industry leaders to learn more about legal marketing trends, technology, and social media platforms that can impact your law firm’s lead generation and conversion rates.
Now more than ever, with the meteoric rise of AI and social media influencers, a law firm can’t rest on its laurels and get left behind in the highly competitive field of legal marketing. One of the best ways to network effectively as an attorney is to attend legal marketing conferences.
7 Tips for Effective Networking
Your effectiveness at networking will depend on your approach, and you want to make the most out of every hour at a conference. Here are some handy tips for effective networking:
Be Prepared
Dress well, be confident, make sure your technology is working, and plan ahead for unexpected contingencies.
Set a Target/Goal
What do you hope to accomplish at a conference? Whatever it is – land two new clients, meet an industry titan, get invited to speak at next year’s conference – make sure you have a target and achieve it.
Always Be Ready to Give Your Pitch
Be equipped to market yourself on the spot. Have your 30-second elevator pitch memorized and speak persuasively about your legal services when the opportunity arises.
Ask Questions and Actively Listen
Express interest in other attendees’ work and they’ll be more likely to express interest in yours.
Give Referrals
When you meet new people at a conference and learn about what they do, you can offer to pass on their name and contact info to any of your current or future acquaintances that might need their services. This builds goodwill.
Keep Track of Time
Each segment of a conference has a limited amount of time. A break-out session may be 45 minutes; breakfast may be 30 minutes; a cocktail reception may be 90 minutes. Make sure you accomplish your networking goal in each session – don’t let the time slip by while you are reading emails on your phone or thinking about other things.
Stay in Touch After the Conference
Networking continues even after the conference is over and you return home. Follow up with emails or texts to the new people you met at a conference and look for ways to stay in touch in the future.
The LinkedIn QR Code: Your Digital Business Card
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, it’s well worth your time to create one. This is an easy way to market yourself, provide easy access to your CV, and establish yourself as a leader in your legal specialty. A profile is free, and each LinkedIn member has their own unique QR code associated with their profile. Rather than swapping business cards at a conference, you can simply offer your LinkedIn QR code on your phone to a new person you meet at a conference, they can scan it with their phone’s camera; just like that, they have your digital resume and contact info. It’s easy to access your LinkedIn QR code and use it. Start by downloading the most current version of the LinkedIn mobile app. Then follow these simple directions.
Gladiator Law Marketing has put together this list of upcoming conferences in 2024, and we hope it is useful to attorneys. If you want to take your law firm marketing to the next level, need help writing legal blogs, or want to redesign your website, give our award-winning Gladiator team a call for a free consultation at 859-203-8440.
1. Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Conference
When: April 3-5, 2024 Where: San Diego, CA (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina) What: With many break-out sessions and dozens of speakers over three days, this conference offers insights and useful tools for business development and legal marketing strategies. Link: https://lma24.legalmarketing.org
2. American Bar Association (ABA) Annual and Midyear Meetings
The American Bar Association (ABA) has various meetings and networking events throughout the year across the country. Consider these:
What: 2024 ABA Annual Meeting When: July 31-Aug. 6, 2024 Where: Chicago, IL
What: 2024 Midyear Meeting When: Jan. 31-Feb. 5, 2024 Where: Louisville, KY Link: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/departments_offices/meetings_travel_dept/future-past-meetings/
4. American Bar Association (ABA) TechShow 2024
When: Feb. 14-17, 2024 Where: Chicago (Hyatt Regency) What: Brings together lawyers and technology professionals to explore the latest apps, software, and tech tools available to build your practice. Link: https://www.techshow.com
5. International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference 2024
When: Sept. 15-20, 2024 Where: Mexico City (Centro Citibanamex) What: With more than 5,000 attendees from around the globe, this conference offers networking, best practices, innovative marketing, and exposure to thought leaders in the legal industry. Link: https://www.ibanet.org/conference-details/CONF2421
6. 39th Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference
The International Bar Association partners with IFA to host a conference in the U.S. in 2024.
When: May 7-8, 2024 Where: Washington, D.C. (Grand Hyatt) What: Practitioners share invaluable information about international business law and its importance to franchising. Link: https://www.ibanet.org/conference-details/CONF2261
7. ESG: The Role of Lawyers Today and in the Future
The International Bar Association hosts a New York City conference.
When: Feb. 28-29, 2024 Where: New York, NY What: Explores legal issues surrounding the rapidly emerging trend of ESG (environmental, social and governance) and how this affects investing, marketing, and other legal trends. Link: https://www.ibanet.org/conference-details/CONF2427
8. International Legal Technology Association Conferences
What: Microsoft SharePoint Symposium 2024 When: Feb. 21-22, 2024 Where: Chicago, IL
Link: https://www.iltanet.org/live-events/sps24#register
What: Catalyst: Women Leading Change When: March 21, 2024 Where: New York, NY
9. Clio Cloud Conference 2024
When: October 7-8, 2024 Where: Austin, TX What: Networking, panel discussions, technology tradeshow, and keynote speakers discuss new and emerging trends in the legal industry. Link: https://cliocloudconference.com
10. Great Legal Marketing Programs
When: Throughout the year What: Information, coaching, and master groups for marketing small law firms and solo practitioners. Link: https://www.greatlegalmarketing.com/glmprograms
11. Association of National Advertisers (ANA) 2024 Masters of Advertising Law Conference
When: Nov. 11-13, 2024 Where: Scottsdale, AZ (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess) What: Explores issues around advertising, marketing and the law. Link: https://www.ana.net/conference/show/id/BAALAW-NOV24
12. Law.com Legal Week 2024
When: Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2024 Where: New York City (New York Hilton Midtown) What: With more than 8,000 attendees, legal professionals gather to network and discuss the changing legal landscape with keynote speakers and break-out sessions featuring an exploration of return on investment, legal trends, marketing and other timely topics. Link: https://www.event.law.com/legalweek
14. Content Marketing World
When: Oct. 21-23, 2024. Where: San Diego, CA. What: Content is king when it comes to marketing your law firm online. Content must be informative, well-researched, authoritative, and trustworthy. The field of content marketing is growing exponentially. Now in its 14th year, Content Marketing World (hosted by the Content Marketing Institute) brings together marketing leaders, content creators, agencies, and creative professionals. Topics include AI in marketing, analytics, brand strategies, content ROI, and many more.
