| Marketing | Websites & Campaigns

Websites and Marketing Campaigns

We have many marketing campaigns being developed and/or tested. For example, when a client comes to my office, I tell the client: 'Let me ask some questions about myself that you might be thinking but out of politeness, don't ask. Question #1: 'What makes you different from any other bankruptcy attorney?'

Now the client can't see that you have had favorable rulings on consumer issues that might have been appealed to the Circuit Court level and were poised for a Writ of Certiorari. They really won't have any appreciation for that and it's irrelevant to them. (Even though you have established 'law' in your circuit which really could have greatly helped them. It's too abstract.)

Here's what I tell them: Well, after years of practicing bankruptcy law, it finally dawned on me that one of the top questions a new client will ask me, 'If I file for bankruptcy, will I ever be able to buy a home? Will I have no credit for 10 years?'

At one time I would just assure them that they would be able to buy a home after a bankruptcy but finally, after many hundreds and hundreds of experiments in working with clients on a pro bono basis post bankruptcy, I discovered how to effectively use the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. And to that end, we created a website, www.PennyWatchers.org, which is an e-learning website for budget skills and learning how to use the FFCRA to improve their credit scores.

I actually have a whole program for credit score improvement and I tell clients that most attorneys will tell you to just file for bankruptcy and you'll have a 'fresh start' and I tell clients that I see it as a two-step process. First, you burn the field and get rid of the debt and in the second phase, you on the land and clear it, plow it and plant in order to get a good credit score.

What has been the consistent comment from clients about this: 'You really want us to succeed." This is as high a compliment as I believe I can receive and, indeed, the ability of this approach to build a strong word-of-mouth referral is excellent. Most attorneys just 'file the bankruptcy' and 'collect the fee', thank you and good-by. TQM (Total Quality Management) means that you look at the total needs of the client and you have to give extra and do more than anyone else, but that's what gives you the strong referral system.

I'm using my materials to help clients improve their credit scores post-bankruptcy and buy a home and, of course, closing business is always an additional bonus to the bottom line. This website and all materials are available to our members and we only charge the cost of hosting the website. There's a small fee to customize the site and brand it as your site. We, also, have other websites and materials which are available only to our members and due to the confidential nature of our marketing campaigns, I only discuss these options on our secured message board.