Free Ride: What Are You Trying to Accomplish with Your Initial Consultations?

Law firms often offer initial consultations because that’s what law firms do.  But thinking a little more deeply about the purpose for your initial consultations makes some sense.

There is still a lot of debate in legal over whether you should be offering free or paid consultations.  And it’s a legitimate question.  But it’s also a question that depends on your purpose for providing consultations in the first place.

If you want your consultations to be a separate, additional revenue stream, then, of course, you charge as much as you can without much regard for conversion.  If you want to get access to as many potential clients as you can, and are just seeking a way to vet them more effectively, then, yes; you probably reduce your charges and take more calls.  Or, set up free consultations.  Many startup law firms, for example, will not charge for consults, in part, because new attorneys want to talk to as many people as possible in order to build their networks and their email lists.

So, if you’re not sure about what to do with initial consultations, and you’re afraid that you might be wasting your time, consider what you ultimately want out of those conversations. Then create your system around your end goals.

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Speaking of free consultations . . . You can get one from the Wyoming State Bar’s law practice management consulting partner! The Wyoming State Bar offers free law practice management consulting services through Red Cave Law Firm Consulting.

To request a consult, visit the Wyoming State Bar’s law practice management page, and start running your law firm like a business.

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