The conventional wisdom among lawyers is to not bother marketing just prior to the Christmas Holiday and during the week before New Year’s.   People aren’t paying attention; they’ve checked out; they’re spending time cleaning up – you’ve heard (and perhaps spoken) all the reasons typically given for pausing your legal marketing activity this time of year.

However, as marketing consultant Caryn Kopp points out, lawyers who take this position are missing an opportunity made possible by the very fact that most professionals have backed off.

In fact, the next week and a half is an excellent time to reach decision …

The ability to quickly establish and deepen rapport is one of the most important skills you can develop in your legal marketing toolbox. From making a strong favorable impression upon meeting a new prospective client or referral source to cultivating trust with key stakeholders on a complex project, your on-going success is as dependent on interpersonal dynamics as it is on the technical expertise you bring to the table.  The same can be said, of course, for anyone with whom you want to influence during a face-to-face meeting.

And this is where attention to non-verbal behavior comes in. Language – …

Here’s a BFO (a Blinding Flash of the Obvious): attorneys who are great at lawyer marketing tend to value social networks. Whether an inborn trait or a learned behavior, they regularly take advantage of opportunities to get to know – and become known by – lots of people. And one of the most familiar – if under-utilized – networks is the venerable Alumni Association.

Think of all the people from your pre-law school days who don’t know you’re an attorney, much less what kind of law you practice, or even where you are. And how about all of your …