A podcast on thought leadership and brand visibility for professional services firms

Legal marketer spotlight: A servant leadership approach to law firm marketing

Law firms are relationship-driven businesses — and not only in terms of attorney-client relationships. Aricia Gallaher’s recipe for success is to approach marketing with an understanding that nurturing connections is kingpin, both internally and externally. In this episode, Aricia discusses how being a servant leader has supported business growth at her law firm, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel.

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Architecture marketer spotlight: Winning AEC business with tailored proposals

Professional services buyers want to see more than simple boilerplate to inform their decision about why they should hire you. Marketing needs to be tailored as much as possible to address their specific needs and concerns. Derek Goodroe, Marketing Director at Ashley McGraw Architects, shares his perspective on tailored marketing and proposal writing for architecture firms.

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Why a DEI strategy is a competitive advantage for law firms

The legal industry isn’t known for its trailblazing progress on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) front — but it is improving. Many law firms are integrating DEI strategy into their core business model, and the benefits of this shift are touching nearly every area, from prospecting and marketing to recruitment and talent development.

In this episode, Lee Watts joins us to talk about her new role as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Bass, Berry & Sims. She discusses the firm’s strategy and reflects on how DEI influences a firm’s brand, reputation and competitive advantage.

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How law firms are using videos to generate and nurture leads

You don’t need to work in an extremely visual industry to make video content that drives revenue and brings in new business. You don’t even need to hire a fancy, high-tech production team. Michelle invites Philip Fairley of The Rainmaker Institute to share the best practices and video strategies that have helped his law firm clients grow their businesses.

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Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion opportunities in AEC

AEC Unites is a new organization working to bridge diversity, equity and inclusion gaps for Black talent and Black-owned businesses in the AEC industry. In this episode, Michelle invites Executive Director Tia Perry to share about AEC Unites’ mission and ongoing initiatives. They discuss available resources, DEI’s impact on job site safety, unconscious bias, and advice for improving hiring, advancement and retention practices.

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Architecture marketer spotlight: Insights into strengthening a firm’s identity and positioning

Ten years ago, Jill Davis left the grocery store industry to join the marketing department at a large architecture firm. Today, she’s the marketing director at Cline Design, an interdisciplinary architecture, planning and interior design firm. Jill joins us to talk about her role leading Cline’s recent web redesign project, what marketing tools have the biggest impact on the firm’s reach, how to engage subject-matter experts, why Cline is investing in thought leadership and more. 

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How to run a better law firm business

Running a business is hard. Now try being a lawyer on top of it all. In this episode, Michelle invites business coach Gary Mitchell to discuss the many facets of running a thriving law firm business, including efficient management, succession planning and employee engagement.

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Building genuine connections as business developers and marketers

Professional interactions that feel like one-off transactions will only get you so far. Authentic connections are the true keys to success in business development and marketing.

In this episode, Michelle Hamilton, VP of Business Development at Vessel Architecture, talks about how BD and marketing complement each other and how to make genuine connections that go beyond transactional interactions. She and Michelle Calcote King discuss industry trends, including artificial intelligence (AI) and LinkedIn videos. Hamilton also opens up about her background as a glass sculptor and her recent ADHD diagnosis.

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AI for law firms: The good, the bad and the future

Artificial intelligence tools are reshaping how many marketers perform their work, but not all businesses are on board with their prevalence at work. In fact, it’s a particularly controversial subject in the legal sector. 

In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle Calcote King interviews Jessica Aries, a seasoned legal marketer, about how her digital marketing agency uses AI to enhance the team’s marketing expertise and simplify workflows. They discuss if and how law firms are using AI, the impact of ChatGPT on the sector, and also break down best practices, risks and their favorite tools.

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How AEC firms can use employee phone videos to fuel connection and engagement

Thanks to smartphones, shooting high-quality video is easier than ever. Jessica Whitlock, a studio leader at RS&H, captures candid behind-the-scenes moments from her projects this way, and the results have exceeded expectations.

In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle Calcote King interviews Jessica about how her firm uses employee-generated videos to establish meaningful connections with current and prospective clients. They discuss advice for getting started, how to capture great video, and how AEC firms can foster active participation from their field employees. 

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Architecture marketer spotlight: Building client experience into a firm’s brand

The client experience is at the heart of GBBN Architects’s brand and marketing strategy. Jennifer Sebranek, the firm’s chief marketing officer, says they make every decision with relationship-building in mind and to give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work with and for GBBN.

In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle interviews Jennifer about the firm’s brand evolution and what tools and strategies her team leverages to communicate GBBN’s brand with prospective clients, vendors and talent. They discuss social media, video, email marketing, public relations, and more.

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Architecture marketer spotlight: Knowledge management and marketing in harmony

We continue our architecture marketer spotlight series with Katie Robinson, a principal and the chief marketing officer at LS3P, an architecture, interiors and planning firm. She and Michelle discuss the firm’s marketing evolution, including how their focus on marrying communications and knowledge management has driven their success, elevated their marketing efforts and helped them provide greater value to clients. They also discuss how to engage subject-matter experts in marketing efforts as well as podcasting, social media, career development and artificial intelligence.

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Architecture marketer spotlight: The warp speed evolution of AEC marketing

The marketing industry is evolving at warp speed, as Jennifer Haferbecker, the chief marketing office at HGA, tells Michelle in this episode. Role specialization, branding, research and technology are increasingly important players in an architecture firm’s strategy. Keeping pace in this constantly changing landscape means being more intentional with both strategy and professional development. Michelle and Jennifer discuss a wide range of topics, including managing a national team as well as leveraging analytics, brand ambassadors and professional development initiatives to improve the client experience.

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Insights on scaling and selling multimillion-dollar professional services firms

Running a business isn't just crunching numbers; it's an art form. For professional services firm owners, having a solid strategy in place to nurture growth could be your ticket to one day cashing in on your hard work. Back in 2017, Greg Alexander achieved a remarkable feat by selling his consulting firm for a staggering $162 million. In this episode, Michelle and Greg talk about what business owners can learn from his story.

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The value of market research for architecture, engineering and construction firms

Making a decision? Research is key. Market research empowers architecture, engineering and construction firms to make strategic business choices that set them apart from the competition. From envisioning the future to penetrating untapped markets, market research provides key insights to guide your firm’s growth.

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Virtual communication for legal professionals

Remote work and virtual meetings are the new norm, and legal professionals should be equipped with the right communication skills to engage and connect with these different audiences. Michelle and Marsha Redmon, a legal communications and business development consultant, discuss best practices for improving your virtual presence, common mistakes lawyers make, must-have technology, and more.

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Branding your architecture, engineering and construction firm

How a potential client perceives your AEC firm holds significant sway over their decision-making process. If your brand seems outdated or inconsistent, it could be the decisive factor that sends new business into a competitor’s arms. Michelle and Mark Wierda discuss the importance of brand evolution, executing successful rebranding campaigns, common mistakes, and more.

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Shifting mindsets: Scaling your law firm business as a female owner

Intricate gender dynamics exist in a lot of industries, but they’re especially prevalent in male-dominated fields like the legal profession. How can female law firm owners approach their growth strategy to navigate these challenges and achieve success? In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Wealthy Woman Lawyer CEO Davina Frederick shares how she coaches her clients to do exactly that.

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Ditching the billable-hour model with the ADVOS Pro P3 Method

Could a world exist where law firms don’t operate under the constraints of the hourly billing model — and they’re more efficient for it? ADVOS Pro co-founders Whitney Harper and Gwen Griggs have developed a system to help firms transition to a deliverables-based model that grows profit margins while preventing attorney burnout.

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Reducing stigma and promoting wellness in the legal industry

The legal industry is known for its competitive nature. Sadly, the high-pressure environment can take a deep toll on the mental health and overall well-being of legal professionals. Recognizing these challenges, the Legal Marketing Association established a Well-being Committee to promote healthier work environments, reduce stigma and provide valuable resources.

This episode features a conversation with Cynthia Voth, a key figure in launching the LMA committee, explaining the committee’s goals and highlighting the importance of breaking down barriers to mental health conversations. Cynthia also shares with host Michelle Calcote King how her own law firm is making efforts to provide resources for its attorneys and professionals.

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Building resilience and wellness in law firms

Legal professionals face high pressure in their work environments, which can have severe impacts on their mental health and well-being. However, there is a growing recognition of the issue, and more firms are implementing wellness programs and strategies to help their employees build resilience.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Michelle Calcote King invites Renee Branson, the founder and principal of RB Consulting, to share her insight and strategies for addressing and coping with common mental health and wellness challenges in the legal industry.

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Using legal tech to improve marketing and operations

Should law firms invest in legal tech for their marketing? Which ones?

The legal tech field is booming, which means there are more software platforms available to support law firms and legal departments than ever before. For legal marketers, the right technology can enhance campaigns and ensure firms attract and onboard their ideal clients.

In this episode of the “Spill the Ink” podcast, we invite Lawbrokr co-founder and CEO Daniel Steinberg to explain how his platform supports law firms in pre-qualifying leads and talk all things legal tech. He and Michelle Calcote King also discuss ChatGPT, the future of the legal tech industry and the technologies lawyers should pay attention to.

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Mastering proposal writing with the A3 format

Rooted in lean principles, the A3 format challenges proposal writers to eliminate jargon and summarize only the most important information on a single 11- by 17-inch page, instead of 20-plus pages. In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle Calcote King and Ann Leiner discuss how A3 proposal writing works, best practices and the challenges of adapting to the new process. They also delve into the ways the AEC industry is evolving and discuss what today's companies are looking for in exceptional RFP responses.

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Do partnership and video marketing strategies work for law firms?

How can law firms cut through the noise to stand out in a highly competitive market? Answering Legal has found success in integrating partnership and video marketing into their strategy. Tune in to hear Nick Werker, Answering Legal’s marketing director, talk about how they’re doing it and what success they’ve had.

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Building better AEC teams by leading with emotional intelligence

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Brent Darnell to discuss how emotional intelligence impacts culture and success in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. With over 20 years of experience coaching AEC professionals on the matter, Brent shares valuable insight and actionable advice to help firms improve their leadership, project and operations.

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AEC business development trends and strategies for a constantly evolving market

Reaching your company’s growth targets requires hustle, but putting in the work without a clear business development strategy might be doing more harm than good. Michelle Calcote King invites Lori J. Sullivan, the President of BluePrint Growth Consulting, onto Spill the Ink for an insightful conversation about how industry trends are changing the way architecture, engineering and construction firms approach their business development and sales plans.

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Legal tech trends: How technology is transforming the legal industry

Are you keeping up with the latest trends in legal tech? In this episode of Spill the Ink, our featured guest, Jared Correia of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting, dives into the latest trends and developments impacting how and why law firms use new technologies.

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Happy holidays! A marketer’s reflection on the legal industry

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King and Kevin Aschenbrenner, the Senior Director of Public Relations at Reputation Ink, discuss the evolution of the legal industry and the trends that will shape the next decade of marketing and branding. 

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Bye 2022! A marketer’s reflection on the AEC industry

Supply chain bottlenecks, labor availability, rising costs and an influx in federal spending on infrastructure projects are a mere few of the variables that shaped how AEC firms operated (and marketed) in 2022. As the new year approaches, what do AEC marketers need to know to prepare for 2023 and beyond?

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Building AEC websites that attract new business and support operations

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King and Scott Jacques discuss best practices and considerations for website design in the AEC sector, how firms can build functionality into their websites to meet a range of needs, website development and design trends influencing B2B buyers, and more.

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Niching and podcasting: Tools for attracting new legal clients

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Robert Ingalls, the Founder of LawPods, to discuss the value of being niche-focused and how podcasting can be used to a firm’s advantage.

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Developing a strong strategic plan for your law firm

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King interviews Wendy Merrill, the Director of Strategic Consulting at Affinity Consulting Group. Wendy shares her experience working with law firms to develop strategic plans in the post-pandemic world, insight into what areas firms should prioritize during their strategic planning process, and what she sees attorneys commonly do wrong. They also discuss how technology can help — or hurt — a firm’s ability to adapt to challenges.

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How to improve your legal marketing strategy for the Hispanic market

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Michelle Calcote King talks with Liel Levy, the co-founder of Nanato Media and award-winning author of Beyond Se Habla Español: How Lawyers Win The Hispanic Market. They discuss best practices for marketing to a Hispanic audience, the common mistakes firms and attorneys make when they’re first starting out, and what lawyers can do to keep these new clients once they have them.

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Insights into today’s facility owners with Howie Ferguson, executive director of the Construction Owners Association of America

Michelle Calcote King interviews Howie Ferguson, the Executive Director of the Construction Owners Association of America, to discuss the association and its members: public and private owners who manage facilities development and capital improvement projects. They discuss a variety of topics for AEC firms, including facility owners' priorities and how the procurement process for large projects is changing. Hear all this and more on this episode of Spill the Ink.

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The role of sales in professional services firms with Mark Wainwright of Wainwright Insight

In this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast, Michelle Calcote King talks with Mark Wainwright, the founder of Wainwright Insight. Mark provides fractional sales management services to AEC firms and other professional services firms, serving as a part-time sales professional who works with firms to manage their sales pipeline and coach their sales leaders. 

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Nurturing leadership and culture within law firms with Marcie Borgal Shunk of The Tilt Institute

In this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast, Michelle Calcote King hosts Marcie Borgal Shunk, the President and Founder of The Tilt Institute, to discuss how to further develop leadership and culture in law firms. The two talk about the current challenges that firms are facing and how to overcome them. They also touch on the tenants of a great culture, how to use data and what it takes to be a good leader.

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Digital marketing tips for AEC firms with Lindsay Diven of Marketers Take Flight

Michelle Calcote King invites Lindsay Diven, the founder of Marketers Take Flight, onto the podcast to discuss digital marketing for AEC firms. They go over Lindsay’s background and how she’s trying to fill holes in the industry. They then go into key topics such as generating leads, niching your firm and the best tactics for digital marketing. Hear it all on this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast!

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How law firms can master responding to RFPs with Matthew Prinn of RFP Advisory Group

Michelle Calcote King talks with Matthew Prinn, the Principal of RFP Advisory Group, about RFPs and best practices for responding to them. They discuss the different trends happening right now, how law firms should establish their value proposition in their responses and how alternative legal services providers (ALSPs) affect RFPs. They also touch on the mistakes that law firms make early on and how to avoid them. Hear the rest by tuning into this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast.

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The legal media series: Valerie A. Danner With Legal Management Magazine

In this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Valerie A. Danner, the Senior Managing Editor of Legal Management, to discuss her publication and how PR professionals can work best with her. They go through the topics and interests of the publication before digging deep into what makes a great pitch. Valerie also talks about the other content she reads to stay informed.

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The market for 'revenue enablers' in today's law firms with Jennifer Johnson of Calibrate Legal

Michelle Calcote King invites Jennifer Johnson, the Founder and CEO of Calibrate Legal, onto the Spill The Ink podcast to talk about revenue enablers and how to find them for your law firm. They discuss the current trends of the legal marketing world and how to stay on top of them. They then go into detail on what makes a revenue enabler, flexible work arrangements and why so many are leaving the legal industry.

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Teaching you how to write and manage winning AEC proposals with Matt Handal of Help Everybody Everyday

In this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast, Michelle Calcote King interviews Matt Handal, the Founder of Help Everybody Everyday, to talk about the secrets behind writing a winning AEC proposal. They start by discussing what most people miss and the small changes they can make to improve. Then they break down the details such as non-technical people writing technical proposals, the newest trends and using data to your advantage.

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Account-based marketing for AEC firms with Perryn Olson of REX.one

On this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast, Michelle Calcote King talks with Perryn Olson, the VP of Marketing for REX.one, to hear about account-based marketing and how he uses it in his AEC firm. The two go through a plethora of topics, including niching your firm, the best content for ABM and which tools can help along the way. They also touch on the integration of business development and marketing and how to do it right. Stay tuned for more!

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Leadership, education and diversity in architecture with Marc Teer of Black Spectacles

Michelle Calcote King interviews Marc Teer, the Founder and CEO of Black Spectacles, to hear his thoughts on leadership and education in architecture. The two go over pertinent topics including diversity, connecting architects with firms and how to work as a fully remote company. They also discuss the work that Black Spectacles is doing and how it’s made an impact. Check out this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast to hear the rest for yourself!

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Navigating the legal industry’s rapid changes with Gerry Riskin of Edge International

On this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King interviews Gerry Riskin, a Co-founding Partner of Edge International, to hear his advice on optimizing law firms. They go over the common stumbling blocks in the age of remote work and how to adapt. They then go into detail on how to keep up with technology, alternative legal services and the benchmarks of a healthy culture. Stay tuned!

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How to make virtual events more engaging, interactive and magical with Ken Sky

Michelle Calcote King talks with Ken Sky of Ken Sky Unlimited to hear how he makes the most of Zoom calls and other virtual events. He goes into detail on his process, how he utilizes his background in magic and keeps participants engaged. He then dives deeper into tips for online presentation and where remote events are heading in the future. Hear it all on this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast!

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How law firm culture impacts business development with David Freeman

In this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King interviews consultant David Freeman to hear his thoughts on business development for lawyers and law firms. The two touch on topics of cross-selling, improving your leadership and excelling in the virtual age. They also talk about the culture of your law firm and how to transform it from the ground up. Stay tuned to hear it all for yourself!

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Business development tips from a former big-law attorney turned coach with Elise Holtzman of The Lawyer’s Edge

In this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King speaks with Elise Holtzman of The Lawyer’s Edge to hear her thoughts on business development for law firms. The two go over some of the common pitfalls and the three pillars to focus on to avoid them. They also dive into topics like marketing, setting new goals and women in the legal industry. Stay tuned to hear it all for yourself!

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How law firms can survive a PR crisis with crisis simulations featuring Bill Coletti of Kith Crisis Management

Michelle Calcote King talks with Bill Coletti, the CEO of Kith Crisis Management, to learn how law firms can survive crisis situations. The two discuss how to prepare for a crisis, the important steps of dealing with one and how to recover afterward. They then break down Kith’s process, including simulations and handling social media. Find out the rest by listening to this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast.

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How law firms can make lasting changes in diversity and inclusion with Chris Kirby and Dominica McGinnis of Bridgefield Group

Michelle Calcote King hosts Chris Kirby and Dominica McGinnis of BridgeField Group to find out about their approach to diversity and inclusion. They go over the unique challenges of diversity and BridgeField’s process for building relationships. The three also touch on pressing topics such as mental health, the hiring process and making lasting changes. Find out the rest by listening to this episode of the Spill the Ink podcast.

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Marketing tips for solo attorneys and small firms with Allison Williams of The Law Firm Mentor

On this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Allison Williams, the Founder of the Law Firm Mentor, to learn more about how to improve your marketing as a smaller law firm. They start by talking through Allison’s own rocky start as a lawyer and finding other good lawyers to work with. They transition into marketing advice, going through how to improve your social media, smoothing out your marketing cycle and answering the question “is buying leads worth it?”

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How to improve your law firm’s LinkedIn with Stefanie Marrone of Stefanie Marrone Consulting

Michelle Calcote King hosts Stefanie Marrone to find out her approach to improving your law firm’s LinkedIn profile. Together they go over the full process, from how often you should post to creating multimedia content to LinkedIn groups and more. Stefanie goes into detail on her story and how she found success on her own LinkedIn page. They even find time to discuss the specific content that performs well on the website. Learn all of this and more on this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast!

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How to become a reliable media source with Christopher Melcher of Walzer Melcher LLP

On this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Christopher Melcher, a Partner of Walzer Melcher LLP, to learn the secret behind becoming a legal source for media outlets. Christopher talks about finding his start as a source and how he leveraged it into the career he has today. They go over the pitch process, preparing to speak on television and the importance of relationships. Stay tuned for more!

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Raising the standards for legal surveys and awards with Kerry Benn of Law360

Law360 is a news source that commits themselves to a greater level of quality and integrity. Their website has grown considerably over the years, expanding their reporting to every corner of the legal industry. They recently launched Law360 Pulse to dive even deeper into the business of law, including in-depth surveys and research. Along with their trusted rankings, they have set the bar high for legal journalism. Now they’re willing to talk through their process for the law firms that want to get ahead.

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The power of research in content marketing with Michele Linn of Mantis Research

In this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast, Michelle Calcote King interviews Michele Linn, the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Mantis Research, to find out more about how research can transform marketing and more. The two go through research and the common mistakes to avoid early on. They then dive deeper into the process, talking through strategy, finding the right people to survey and promoting your research.

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Holding law firms to a higher standard with Elizabeth Petit of Best Lawyers

Michelle Calcote King hosts Elizabeth Petit, Director of Research and Development and Managing Editor at Best Lawyers, to learn more about how they rank law firms. They go over their qualifications, how they consider diversity and their response to feedback. Elizabeth then goes over the common mistakes and best advice for law firms to help their rankings. Find out all this and more on this episode of the Spill the Ink! podcast.

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The thorough process of ranking law firms with Michael Rafalowich of Euromoney Institutional Investor

On this episode of Spill the Ink!, Michelle Calcote King interviews Michael Rafalowich, the Litigation Managing Editor at Euromoney Institutional Investor. Together, they dive into how Benchmark Litigation researches and ranks law firms across the United States and Canada. Michael discusses his criteria, why he visits firms in person and how they can improve their standing. They also talk about how Michael responds to feedback from firms about their rank. Stay tuned!

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How to differentiate and market your law firm with Ken Hardison of PILMMA

Michelle Calcote King talks with Ken Hardison, President of PILMMA, to walk through his approach to legal marketing. The two discuss how to find your niche as a law firm, some common mistakes lawyers make when advertising and how best to use grassroots marketing. Ken even goes into rising trends in legal marketing that you should be on the lookout for. Find out all of this and more by listening to this episode of Spill the Ink!

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Revolutionizing marketing through meaningful videos with Melissa Costello of melissacostello.com

On this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Melissa Costello, Creative Lead and Chief Storyteller of MELISSACOSTELLO.com, to talk about how to sell through storytelling. From knowing how to use emotion to learning how she makes her videos, Melissa walks listeners through her in-depth process. They also dive into Melissa’s early career and how she found her unique passion. Stay tuned!

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Making the most of your social media with Adrian Dayton of Clearview Social

Michelle Calcote King interviews Adrian Dayton, the Founder and CEO of ClearView Social, to break down his advice for improving your professional social media. They discuss how to work LinkedIn to your benefit, which platforms you should use and how to strike the balance between being personal and being professional. They also get into how COVID has changed the social media landscape — and how to adjust. Tune in to hear it all on this episode of Spill the Ink.

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Accelerating business development for law firms with David Ackert of Ackert Inc.

On this episode of the Spill the Ink Podcast, Michelle Calcote King sits down with David Ackert, Founder of Ackert Inc., to find out his approach to business development. They talk about what separates PipelinePlus from other CRMs, the psychology behind lawyers and legal marketers and where technology is heading from here. Stay tuned to learn all this and more!

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Cultivating the next generation of lawyers with Wendy Merrill of DRI

Michelle Calcote King takes the time to interview Wendy Merrill, the Executive Vice President of Growth Strategy & Branding at DRI, and get her perspective on the changing world of law. They discuss what DRI offers to defense attorneys, how to use LinkedIn to build your brand and how millennials are changing the landscape. Find out the details on this episode of the Spill the Ink Podcast.

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Managing partner series: Aaron Y. Strauss of A.Y. Strauss

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King is joined by Aaron Y. Strauss, Founder and Managing Partner of A.Y. Strauss, to talk about building your law firm’s brand and culture. Aaron discusses how to succeed and adapt to changes as a young lawyer, what to look for when hiring your team, his social media tips for smaller brands and how to develop a culture that aligns with your firm’s values. Stay tuned!

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Managing partner series: Ken Levinson, Levinson and Stefani

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Ken Levinson, Founding Partner of Levinson and Stefani, to talk about the value of finding your niche and the best way to market your business. Ken discusses why having an area of expertise can help your practice thrive, the way that he uses social media and how to market your company — even if you’re not a marketing specialist. Plus, Ken shares his expert tips for adapting to the changing industry of law. Stay tuned!

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Managing partner series: Jamie Rubin, InfoLawGroup LLP

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King is joined by Jamie Rubin, Partner at InfoLawGroup LLP, to talk about how a small law firm can find success. Jamie discusses how he found his niche, the importance of communication with clients and different ways to market your business. Stay tuned for more!

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Building your personal brand through networking and business development with Steve Fretzin

Tune in to this episode of Spill the Ink, where Michelle Calcote King interviews Steve Fretzin, President of FRETZIN, INC. Steve shares advice on personal branding through business development, tips for time management (and other things that law school didn’t teach you) and how to leverage your digital networks. Plus, Steve reveals his process for helping lawyers find their niche. Stay tuned.

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Managing partner series: Andrew Schpak, Barran Liebman LLP

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King talks with Andrew Schpak, Co-managing Partner of Barran Liebman LLP, about hiring strategies and marketing for your law firm. Andrew discusses his firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion, explains how to develop your expertise and offers pointers for getting everyone involved in the marketing plan. Plus, Andrew shares his tips for managing social media and building a personal brand. Stay tuned.

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Managing partner series: Eido Walny, Walny Legal Group LLC

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Eido Walny, Managing Partner, Founder and Estate Planning Attorney at Walny Legal Group LLC, to talk about strategies for developing your firm. Eido shares advice on leadership, social media trends and marketing tactics to help your firm build a better culture and attract ideal clients. Stay tuned.

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Market positioning for law firms with Great Jakes

In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King talks with Robert Algeri, Co-founder of the marketing agency Great Jakes, about strategies you can use to gain strong market positioning for your law firm. Robert discusses the three different types of positioning, his approach to digital marketing and how you can generate more revenue by focusing on your expertise. Stay tuned. 

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Law firm finance for marketing professionals with Tim Corcoran

In this week's episode of Spill the Ink, host Michelle Calcote King sits down with Timothy Corcoran, the Principal of Corcoran Consulting Group, LLC. Together, they discuss the transformation of outdated business models in law firms, how the pandemic has accelerated change in the legal industry and what marketers need to know to navigate the shifting landscape. Tim also offers some practical advice for updating the way your firm makes money and allocates resources. Stay tuned

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How professional services firms can leverage live video to build their brands online

Stephanie Liu is a Live Streaming Strategist and the host of Lights, Camera, Live on Facebook, where she teaches professionals to transform their social media marketing strategy. She is the Founder of Stephanie Liu Marketing, an agency dedicated to helping you captivate your audience and master the art of social marketing. Additionally, Stephanie is the Co-founder and Co-organizer of Leap Into Live Streaming Bootcamp, a virtual event designed as a crash course in live video. 

Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and is a certified Neuro Linguistic Programming Trainer. Stephanie’s work has been recognized and awarded by Forbes, Online Marketing Media and Advertising (OMMA), PR Daily, Forrester, Gartner and 1to1 Media. She has spoken at many events, including Social Media Marketing World, VidCon, and Podcast Movement. Stephanie is also the co-author of the book, The Ultimate Guide to Social Media.

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Best practices in business ethics to keep you out of trouble

Kevin Foster is the CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in helping individuals and organizations make ethical decisions. Kevin founded the company based on his own experience of ignoring ethical traps, which led to him spending 37 months in a federal prison. He now uses his business ethics expertise to train leaders to identify, assess and mitigate ethical risks while promoting ethical decision-making and risk management.

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Personal brand, alignment and building a better firm

Luis has helped hundreds of firms to level up their clientele and reach. He understands how to guide lawyers to take charge of their practice and build long-term relationships rather than simple business contracts. And, it all starts with alignment. 

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Marketing insights and ideas to create more traffic for your firm

Richard Jacobs is the Founder and President of Speakeasy Marketing, Inc. He specializes in helping attorneys break free from 70 hour work weeks and marginal law practices. Richard has helped over 1,000attorneys regain balance in their lives and turn their law practices into successful businesses. He is also the founder of The Good Night’s Sleep Project, a company dedicated to helping busy professionals get their best sleep with custom-tailored pillows.

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An in-house legal recruiter provides insights into in-house counsel

Amy Rowland is the Founder of Varia Search, a boutique legal search firm that uses a bespoke approach to fill in-house department roles, from general counsel to paralegal. Amy’s expert matchmaking method results in candidates who love their new jobs and satisfied clients who value their new hires. Prior to starting Varia Search, Amy held in-house roles at two large international companies and was a staff attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. 

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Creating websites that get people to convert

Chris Dayley is a Neuromarketer and the Owner of Smart CRO, an agency that specializes in helping e-commerce companies create profitable websites and build high-impact A/B testing programs. With over seven years of experience with Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Chris is an expert at improving website profitability using psychology-based testing and analytics. 

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How to be a law firm thought leader and win clients

Michelle Calcote King, the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, knows that showcasing your track record as a thought leader is the key to law firm growth. Michelle and her skilled team of writers and editors have the marketing expertise to help lawyers establish themselves as influential thought leaders in their industry—and, ultimately, get more clients.

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How to win the war against legalese

According to Michelle Calcote King, the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, clear and concise writing is the key to helping law firms effectively communicate with their clients. With all the information that people are consuming every day, it is especially important for businesses—specifically law firms—to take the time to simplify and shorten their content. As Michelle says, “clarity wins the game” when it comes to successful marketing.

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LinkedIn advertising for law firms: What you need to know

AJ Wilcox, the Founder of B2Linked, has built countless ad campaigns in the last 15 years. After discovering the power of advertising on LinkedIn, he decided to create an agency that helps businesses and entrepreneurs stand out and build stronger customer relationships on the professional platform. With AJ’s expert advice, you can start creating LinkedIn Ads that tap into your ideal target market—and stop spending money on the intrusive ads that don’t work.

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Building the world's first expert witness search and referral firm

Using Round Table Group’s extensive collection of Nobel Prize winners, presidents of universities, and many more, lawyers can easily find the expert they need for their next case. What’s more, Russ has not only hacked the process of connecting lawyers and attorneys, but he has also transformed his company into a valuable marketing, branding, and business development resource. 

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How lawyers can get more speaking engagements

Speaking opportunities are, without a doubt, a strong marketing, PR, and business development tool for attorneys and law firms. That’s why Steve Markman created his valuable coaching and training programs at Markman Speaker Management, LLC—to help hundreds of lawyers land speaking engagements that boost their visibility and improve their firm’s bottom line.

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Using reader data to inform law firm marketing and business development

Unless you're Adrian Lürssen, Co-Founder and VP of Strategic Development at JD Supra, who understands the importance behind tracking what your readers want and giving it to them. Adrian has spent the last 12 years working with firms to broaden their readership and build connections that align with their view of success.

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Data quality best practices for law firm CRMs

As an expert on CRM systems, Dave Whiteside has helped countless firms take their businesses to the next level. With an up-to-date CRM system and well-maintained data quality, law firms can successfully achieve year-over-year growth—and Dave and his team at CLIENTSFirst Consulting are here to help them do just that. 

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SEO for personal injury law firms

Chris Dreyer, an SEO expert, has been crafting stellar content strategies for personal injury attorneys over the past several years. He knows all the secrets and strategies for dominating first-page rankings on Google, driving traffic to your website and building your credibility online. So, what is his expert advice for lawyers and law firms looking to optimize their online presence?

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Best practices for lawyer media interviews

Michelle Calcote King, the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, knows the ins and outs of giving stellar interviews and building lasting relationships with journalists and reporters in your field. Her best practices will save you time and effort—and help you avoid any misrepresentations or technical snafus. 

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Media relations for lawyers

Michelle Calcote King, the Principal and President of Reputation Ink, has just the right tips and tricks for getting your story to the right news source. She knows the benefits of a featured article, and that’s why her team is here to serve as matchmaker between the attorneys at your firm and top media publications.

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Ghostwriting for law firm thought leadership marketing content

So, how do you effectively market yourself to potential clients while still staying billable? According to Wayne Pollock, the Founder of Law Firm Editorial Service, the solution is simple: hire a ghostwriter.

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How to start a law blog

When someone is looking for a lawyer, they want to know that they’ll be working with a professional that understands their needs and can help with their unique challenges. One of the most effective ways for a lawyer to share their expertise and engage with these potential clients is to start a legal blog.

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ABOUT THIS PODCAST

On Spill the Ink, Reputation Ink’s Principal & President Michelle Calcote King interviews lawyers, architects, engineers, construction professionals, marketing and business development pros, journalists, and a range of consultants and experts, discussing ways law firms, AEC firms and other professional services firms can grow through thought leadership-fueled marketing and public relations.