What Audience is Your Blog Addressing?
I get asked a lot about why I write towards other trial lawyers, rather than the general public. A few reasons, first I don’t think the general public thinks about negligence, tort law or safety issues until they have been hurt. I think when someone has been hurt, they get on the internet and google these issues to see what is out there. I am seeing more and more clients doing internet research on their injuries, the seriousness of them and the appropriate medical treatment.
So, I write about trial techniques, practice tips and the use of technology, both in the courtroom and in the office because that interests me. I also think a lot of cases are referrals from other attorneys. The referrals might be for geographic purposes (the other lawyer isn’t in Myrtle Beach or even South Carolina), or the case is outside their area of practice, or possibly they don’t have the resources to handle a substantial case. By writing the blog, they think of me and my practice, rather than other lawyers in the area. I think potential clients will also search for the blog and while they might not be interested in the topics I write, will be able to see that I’m a competent lawyer that cares about his clients.
I have a friend that wants to start a real estate blog. For her, I would recomend a more consumer oriented blog. While they’ll change over a period of time, it’s important to think out the categories and what the overall feel of the blog will be. For a real estate blog I would suggest starting off with the following:
- Mortgage Rates
- Housing Trends
- Tips for Homebuyers
- Tips for Homeowners
- Real Estate Law
With these categories, you could help people that are looking to buy, help them know when to buy, know when to sell, give information concerning owning a house and then also give updates on the real estate law. I think dirt lawyers get their business from real estate agents, mortgage brokers and individual consumers, so you want to write a blog that will interest them.
