Happy Valentines! Can you believe we’re already in the second month of 2007! The fleetness of time underscores how important it is to identify goals and create a plan to achieve them.

Are you setting business development goals? Are you writing them down and systematically implementing the strategies necessary to reach your goals? Client often tell me that there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. They wonder how they can use their time and resources more effectively. One often under utilized resource is your assistant or secretary. This month’s article explores ways you can make your valuable assistant a player on your marketing team.

10 WAYS YOUR ASSISTANT CAN ASSIST WITH MARKETING

Start by preparing a list of marketing activities that are your assistant’s responsibility. Sit down with your assistant and explain that you want her
to be a valuable member of your team and these duties are part of his or her job. Below are 10 ways your assistant can help you market:

1. Maintain your master contacts database and mailing lists. Provide your assistant with names and numbers directly following networking events and meetings so she can enter them into your database.

2. Draft press releases and maintain your media list. Media contacts change frequently so be sure to have your assistant update your media list at least every three months.

3. Prepare marketing materials for potential clients, seminars, etc. This includes keeping your bio, practice description and representative matters list up to date,

4. Create form letters or have cards on hand for you to send acknowledging promotions, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Your assistant can have these ready for your signature if you have entered important dates in your contact list.

5. Review newspapers and the Internet for mention of your clients, contacts and you! Be sure to send these mentions to the appropriate people.

6. Calendar time weekly in your calendar for marketing. You can use this time to call clients to see how things are going, write an article or newsletter, review news items to send to your contacts, the list is endless.

7. Arrange and assist with client audits. Your assistant can help by setting up meetings, and helping with follow through on clients’ suggestions for improvement.

8. Research organizations to book speaking engagements. As speaking is the number one active marketing strategy, this time consuming task is critical to your marketing success.

9. Assist at seminars. Your assistant can handle RSVPs, registration, name tags, compiling and distributing presentation materials, jotting down names of individuals for follow up.

10. Look for opportunities for improvement in providing great client service. Your assistant is on the front line with most everyone who comes in contact with your office. She will often have great ideas to improve communications.

Most assistants like to feel that they are a necessary part of a team. Giving her (or him!) new skills and responsibilities boosts morale and increases productivity while helping you make the most of those precious few hours available to dedicate to marketing.

Speaking. Boy have I been busy with speaking engagements! In the past couple of months I have facilitated several firm retreats, presented four in-firm business development training programs, and spoken to numerous associations and organizations. If your company or group is interested in having me speak on business development, please contact me. The topics are endless and together we can determine what best suits your needs. Barbara@Rainmaker-Stragegies.com or 858-566-5585.

Booklet Information. To purchase your copy of my booklet, Business Development: 97 Quick & Easy Tips For Lawyers, go to my web site at www.rainmaker-strategies.com or send me an email at Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com and I’ll be happy to process your order. Cost is $5.00 for a single copy (plus tax where applicable and shipping).

Making Rain Out of Mist Program.
If you are a lawyer ready to take your business development efforts to a new level, my Making Rain Out of Mist step-by-step practice building program may be just the thing. Consisting of a comprehensive workbook and four audio CD’s, the program is designed to help you clearly identify the vision of your perfect practice, including the type of clients with which you wish to work and in what area of law. The program then helps you determine the best marketing strategies to make that vision a reality, and helps you master the subtleties of converting a prospect into a paying client without coming off like a salesperson.

Want to know more? Please contact me directly at Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com or go to my web site at www.rainmaker-strategies.com and click on the Products link.

Barbara Nichols Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
www.rainmaker-strategies.com

If you’ve enjoyed this article and learned a valuable business-building tip, please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.

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