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Message: Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article I found. Networking for Attorneys: How to Make Money with Your Personality Small law firms are always looking for cost effective ways to attract prospective clients. Networking is one of the best ways to establish relationships that will lead to new business for your law firm. Attorneys who regularly attend networking events are not only improving their chances of client acquisition, they are also developing powerful reputation within their community. This reputation will further enhance the likelihood that someone will think of their law firm when the need arises. Surprisingly, many attorneys are intimidated – or at least a little “put off” by the prospect of entering a room full of strangers and making friends. In many cases, it reminds them of the first day of school or some other less-than-enjoyable experience. In other cases, they feel as though the entire experience will be unproductive and uncomfortable. It doesn’t need to be that way. Below are six rules for effective networking. Attorneys who follow these simple rules tend to develop new business quickly with little more than a firm handshake and a winning personality. The Follow-Up Rule Every meeting or encounter should be followed by three other interactions. The more frequently you interact with someone, the more they begin to trust you. If you want people to give you business, you must begin with a foundation of trust. This foundation can be developed with three brief interactions during a short period of time. When you are introduced to someone you should always try to get their business card. After the event has ended you should immediately send them an email letting them know that it was nice it was nice meeting them. That’s the first interaction. About a week later, you should find a reason to call them. The reason can be as simple as asking them a question or inviting them to have coffee. The key is to interact with them again, soon. The third contact is best handled by sending them a handwritten note. Include another copy of your business card in the note – just in case. This three step follow-up sequence is simple yet powerfully effective. If you follow this sequence with everyone you meet at a networking event you will have developed a group of people that not only knows who you are and what you do, but they will also have started to develop a trusting relationship with you. The Vendor Rule People who sell you things should be excellent sources of business. They all have friends and relatives who may need your services. You should immediately make a list of all of the vendors that sell to your law firm. This list should include everyone from the copier sales rep to the electrician who changes the light bulbs. After you have made your list, begin calling them one by one. Set up informal meetings with them. Again, having coffee is the perfect way to break the ice. In these meetings, let them know about your firm’s areas of expertise. After the meeting is over, apply the follow-up rule as we described above. If these people have any sense at all, and they like the business they receive from you, they will send you a few referrals. For the remaining rules of networking, please click on continue reading. Link: http://www.rainmakerlawyer.com/site/permalink/networking_for_attorneys_how_to_make_money_with_your_personality/