How To Tell If Your Law Firm Business Model Is Broken

Name: Solicitor
Rating: 5
Author: Solicitor

I have had quite a few chats with solicitors over the years during which I discover that their business model is broken.

They don’t use these words, but I soon discover that this is the truth of the matter.

The conversation usually goes something like this:

“Nick, I don’t need any more clients. I don’t have enough hours in the day for the ones I already have.”

“That is fantastic”, I reply. “So things are going really well for you and you have a continuing supply of new enquiries and are making really good profits then?”

“Oh no, I am working six or seven days a week and I am barely breaking even.”

“Oh no. Would you like me to tell you how to fix that then?”

“I would love you to!”

“Start by putting your prices up.”

“Oh no, it’s not that simple Nick. I can’t do that; I would lose all of my clients.”

It really can and is that simple; well almost.

If we have learned anything from this dreadful pandemic, it is a reminder that time and life are precious. We need to make the most of every second of every minute of every hour of every day.

When you automate or outsource your marketing so that it produces a steady and consistent flow of ‘the right types of’ new client instructions (not just anyone who will say yes to your cheapest rate), you can dramatically increase your profits and your time away from your law firm.

The key thing is to:

Have two or three automated marketing tactics working for you day and night to drive prospects to your website.
Ensure that your website pre-sells your expertise so that when your prospect has that first conversation with you, they know you are not going to be the cheapest, but that you are going to be one of the best.
Hold the Meaningful Conversation with your prospect, so that you get to the ‘nitty gritty’ of their challenges and concerns and explain why you are the best solicitor for their needs. This is Blueprint 2 inside the Marketing4Solicitors
Follow up in the right way to land more instructions.

When you put these practices in place, you can charge a proper price for your services, reclaim your weekends and generally have a lot more fun.

I have worked with conveyancing solicitors, possibly the most commoditised legal service in the country, and they have successfully done this, so it works for all legal services.

To discover more about growing your law firm fast, please click the button below.

FREE BOOK: The Law Firm Owners Guide To Growing A Law Firm – Click to download now:>>

“Nick had been advising me to start an email newsletter for ages but I was put off because I wanted to prepare a list of all of my old clients first. I finally took action when he reminded me and said “just start the list today”, so I did.

Nick was right. Within four months I have an email list of 1,000 people and it is growing all of
the time, as are my referrals!”

Solicitor
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“Nick showed me how to get 50% more clicks at the same time as saving money every month using Google Adwords. That’s what I call a result – well done Nick!”

Sarah Young, Partner, Ridley & Hall Solicitors
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“I have been working with Nick Jervis for well over a year now. I am a subscriber to the Marketing for Solicitors Service which has taught me integral techniques and tricks of the trade to grow my firm.

I can honestly say that Nick Jervis taught me a number of techniques that I would not ordinarily have thought of.
I feel that Nick Jervis is essential if you are serious about growing your business.

I would recommend his services to anyone who is serious about growing their firm.

I feel that Nick has totally transformed the way we now think and he is a genius in the world of marketing for law firms.

In my opinion, the consultancy offered by Nick Jervis will drive real value to your business.”

Imran Ali
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“I went to see Nick in 2012 when I need to drastically change my publicity strategy generally and my website. He gave me a great deal of very wise advice and as a result my turnover has increased considerably. My website was also revamped and this is now regularly at the top of the Google Adwords site resulting in far more enquiries in a week than I previously had in a month! I cannot thank Nick enough for this and will thoroughly recommend his firm to anyone who enquires”

Martin Smith, Martin T Smith Solicitor
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Having spoken to Nick before my meeting with him I felt sure he’d come up with a good marketing plan, and I wasn’t disappointed.

As a solicitor he understood the challenges we face immediately, and came up with two or three quick fixes that have already brought in additional fees.

His plan was very clear, practical, and tailored to the needs of my firm.

Thanks to Nick’s advice I feel much more confident in the future and would heartily recommend his services.

Charles Fuchter - Stephens & Son LLP
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“It is good to have a professional relationship with someone who understands the legal profession and has the experience to know what marketing works.

We have spent a lot of money previously coming to the same conclusions and if we had worked with Nick sooner no doubt it would have saved a lot of time and money.

Nick is knowledgeable and enthusiastic and is able to provide sound advice in the specialist field of solicitors marketing.”

Simon Jenkins - Curtis Legal Ltd
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“I think Nick’s service and focus on the solicitor market is excellent. He clearly “gets it” as regards promotion of legal practice in the current age.”

David Gordon - DG Law
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I have now worked with Nick Jervis for a little while and find his no nonsense approach and expertise particularly helpful, a breath of fresh air in an industry populated to a large extent by ‘marketing consultants’ who are really only interested in feathering their own nest!

Q1: What were your perceptions or concerns before you joined Marketing4Solicitors?
I was reticent having been contacted by many ‘legal marketers’ over the last 15 years

Q2: How has that perception changed?
considerably – Nick provides no nonsense solutions

Q3: What is the biggest benefit of Marketing4Solicitors so far?
Resources – it has given me the impetus and confidence I need to create a proper marketing plan and implement it

Ian Hass, Ellis Hass Solicitors
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I used Nick Jervis’ Pastor Advertising Formula and generated 2,500 queries within one week of two newspaper ads!

Paul Doran - Doran Law Solicitors
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Nick Jervis at Samson Consulting a non practicing solicitor has a straight forward and pragmatic approach to marketing which is fresh and easily absorbed. Again if you don’t sign up for his free marketing guide it’s your loss.

Paul Hajek, Clutton Cox Solicitors
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Nick Jervis was recommended to me from a well respected colleague who had also received advice and assistance in relation to the development of her practice. Her words to me were something like; “Use Nick he will get you results.” As a new practice specialising in an extremely competitive area of the law I was eager to give ourselves the very best chance of growing the business. It seemed to me that as Nick was a former solicitor who had years of practising experience he would already know the marketplace. Unlike other marketeers, he would also have a real appreciation of what my job entails on a day-to-day basis giving him a very good head start. Nick’s initial “health check” was certainly a worthwhile exercise. In the first instance I found Nick very personable and easy to get along with. After asking me a series of questions about our practice he produced suggestions in relation to how we should go about growing the business. What I liked about Nick’s approach was that he came up with a number of practical suggestions that we could start working on straight away and these did not necessarily involve any expense. He kept things simple and did not overload me with too many ideas and unrealistic targets. I have no hesitation in recommending Nick Jervis and his company enthusiastically and wholeheartedly (my only reservation is that if too many other people get to know about him it may make life more difficult for us!).

Chris Carter, Carter & Carter Solicitors
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Before the meeting I thought the fee was too expensive but was persuaded to go ahead by the no quibble money back guarantee. In my book that shows someone who has confidence in his own service. And I was not disappointed! Within 15 minutes of meeting Nick I realized his fee was real value for money. He opened my eyes to the steps I could take that would make a difference. If you want to spend a day at the end of which you’ll have an action plan with the tools and precedents to kick start you into activity, then Nick is the man for you. If you want to spend a day achieving nothing then he’s not!

Elizabeth Kingsley-Smith - Kingsley Smith Solicitors
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The decision to involve an “outsider” in the running of our firm was a big step for us to take. The thought of giving someone the opportunity to potentially criticise your efforts is never easy. We are however delighted to say that working with Nick has been refreshing and enlightening.

His knowledge and understanding of the nuances of a legal firm has enabled us to work in partnership to improve the marketing of our practice to both new and existing clients alike. Many of his ideas have been simple and relatively inexpensive to incorporate.

We have no doubt that our partnership with Nick has improved the profile of our firm.

Pearson Rowe Solicitors
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We were unsure of the benefits that might accrue from the Hidden Profits Discovery Day and concerned that the day would peter out. We were also suspicious that we might find that we would not be able to take advantage of what might be on offer. However, the day was pretty much full-on and we had all of our preconceptions overturned.

The three biggest benefits of the Hidden Profits Discovery Day were that:

We are now putting more concentrated effort into marketing

We are producing much improved decision-making on our marketing ideas

Our business plan has more focussed marketing objectives than previously

It is a worthwhile investment if you are serious about improving the marketing of your business.

We particularly liked Nick’s honest and open approach to the whole subject and the fact that he is prepared to ‘tell it like it is’. Nick’s experience with this area of the law was invaluable and saved a lot of time. He provides a refreshing way to look at marketing and a practical way of doing things better.

Our investment has already been repaid and we fully expect to cover the cost many times over.

Bakers Solicitors
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Tim Bishop
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When I started receiving Nick’s advice on pay per click advertising, I followed some of it [with a considerable degree of success] but really didn’t think it was necessary to follow it all. Well, not for the 1st time, I have had to eat my words. In the last year or so I have mended my ways and now follow Nick’s advice to the letter. The statistics speak for themselves.

In the period 19/6/10 to 18/7/10 my monthly pay per click campaign cost me £1,831.58 [that’s 735 clicks at an average of £2.49 each]. I thought that was pretty good. However, since taking on all of Nick’s advice, the identical period this year saw a massive improvement in broadly identical campaigns – 1,078 clicks at an average of just £1.64 each, totalling £1,764.77.

So not only have I saved myself over £50 every month, but I also get almost 50% more clicks! That’s what I call a result – well done Nick!

Tim Bishop, Bonallack And Bishop Solicitors
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1. What made you decide to attend a Steady Stream Of New Clients Meeting?

I was suitably impressed with the various emails that I received giving Solicitors marketing advice. In addition once i became a member of Marketing4Solicitors i found a wealth of marketing information from someone with enough experience to know what works and what does not work when marketing a Solicitors Practice.

2. Are you glad you attended? If yes, please explain why.

I am delighted I attended the meeting. I found the advice both relevant and practical in relation to my goals for the business.

3. Any other comments?

I am delighted with the expert guidance and advice which Nick has provided ranging from advice on the proper format of print advertising, cross selling of services to the many other services he provides. His enthusiasm for marketing is infectious and his ideas and advice are well thought out and relevant. I have no doubt that his advice and guidance will prove beneficial to my business going forward.

Patrick O'Hare - Paschal O'Hare Solicitors
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Nick has a wealth of practical experience in helping solicitors to generate the kind of business they seek.

In the increasingly competitive post-ABS world, marketing is becoming a vital issue not just for growth but the very survival of many law firms.

Nick is a really cost-effective resource to help guide law firms through the coming business environment.

Martin Wyatt
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Up to 2009, our marketing strategy amounted to little more than a brass plaque and an advert in Yellow Pages. Whilst this had been perfectly adequate in the 1990s and before, we were beginning to notice that it was no longer paying dividends. Our fee income was starting to dwindle. We contacted a friend of ours who had already used Marketing4solicitors, and were introduced to Nick Jervis. For the next three years we received invaluable advice from Nick. We totally revamped our website and started a Google Pay Per Click campaign. We revised our office and reception area and joined networking groups. We started a regular campaign of e-flyering our clients, and built up a substantial database. We contributed articles to magazines all over the internet, began an active blog page, got onto Facebook and Twitter, and improved our customer capture procedures. Within a few months our fee income had begun to rise sharply, and we began to see a substantial increase in new enquiries. After a few years we merged with a larger firm, but there is no doubt that we would have been of little interest had we tried to continue without the benefit of Nick’s advice.

Consultancy Client - Anonymous
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1. What made you decide to attend a Steady Stream Of New Clients Meeting?

Always happy to find out if someone else has a fresh view on the age-old problems of proffessional firm management.

2. Are you glad you attended? If yes, please explain why.

Yes, good meeting, firmly grounded in ‘do-able’ actions rather than the creation of some grand – and unfeasible – masterplan.

3. Any other comments?

Very worthwhile meeting. Nick was enthusiastic, fast paced and set-out a clear series of steps to be taken and a sensible plan to achieve them. Nick is refreshingly free of management-speak, invigorating and reassuringly demanding.

David Edwards, Managing Partner, Burt Brill & Cardens
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Nick Jervis’s Golden Rules of Marketing4Solicitors Webinar is interesting, entertaining and motivational. It has spurred me to action, and I’m excited about putting it into practice.

Andrew Park - APP Wine Law
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Before I joined Marketing4Solicitors I thought it would be really expensive and that I would be tied into something long term, oh and that it would be geared towards the big firms.

It is a very reasonable cost for what is offered and provided, plus the help has been very much tailored towards the set up that I have here, ie one man and his old english sheepdog.

The three biggest benefits are that:

The real impression that someone was on board to provide me with a much needed ‘outside looking in’ perspective on what I was doing and how to change that for the better

the precedents, which I can adapt if needed

the knowledge of how to maximise internet potential eg writing articles, add pages of information.

I would tell any solicitor considering joining to join without hesitation! I fully expect to make a return on investment although I have no idea as to how much at this time.

David Madams Solicitors
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I have over the years dealt with many people who profess to understand how to market legal services without really understanding how the profession works. I found it very refreshing not only being a solicitor and knowing how a legal practice operates but also you have a very sound grasp of the various marketing strategies which work within our profession. You came very highly recommended by, a friend of mine, Tim Bishop who to put it bluntly does not suffer fools and he speaks very highly of you. It was as a result of that that I contacted you and I have been similarly impressed by firstly the wealth of information which is on your Marketing4Solicitors website and the numerous downloads which will provide me with invaluable tools to market my practice.

Your one hour telephone consultancy was very informative. In a space of an hour you gave us a very good grasp on search engine optimisation and removed a lot of mystique around the same. We now feel confident that we can implement a lot of the strategies ourselves as a result of your advice. I would not hesitate in recommending you to other solicitors although unfortunately it will not be to my competitors.

Denis Stevenson - Rowlinsons Solicitors
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Dear Nick,

Before I joined Marketing4Solicitors I had concerns because of people I have hired in the past (at some expense) for marketing advice whose advice and material I found ineffective. I was also concerned that by subscribing there would then be pressure to purchase other services and material and without spending additional money the M4S membership would not be that useful.

I honestly think joining M4S has been the best thing I’ve done in terms of investment in marketing. I find all of your material very thought provoking. You provide us with templates and very specific tips but in addition if someone fully absorbs what you have to say then it changes the way we think about our practice specifically and marketing generally. I found your recommendation of Michael Gerber, whose books I’ve since read, particularly instructive and any solicitor (or any business person) would gain a lot from his books about how to organise a business.

The biggest benefits of membership of Marketing4Solicitors are:

The information provided is very focused and very well explained – its practical and can be put into practice by any solicitor immediately;

The interaction between you and your members is very good and I like the way I can contact you with questions;

I find that your regular blogs and updates keep me motivated; and

What you present us with gives us all we need to put together a complete marketing strategy, rather than just get a couple of techniques for increasing business.

It is impossible to quantify the likely return on investment because I don’t think there’s any limit to the extra income which can be produced from a strategy inspired by your recommendations. I’ll be disappointed not to have doubled my turnover in the next twelve months.

Especially with your recommendations on writing (client guides, articles, blogs etc) there’s no limit to the depth of what you can do to market and improve your practice. It’s something that will grow organically (and at little expense) over time. I particularly like the way that your strategies are not based on ‘selling’ as such but by lead generation and ‘serving’ prospective and current clients.

Regards, Simon

Simon Newman

N A Commercial Solicitors
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I find the M4S, materials and toolkits very practical and useful and a month after signing up I have made significant progress: written up some case studies, requested some new testimonials and drafted the core of what will be my new website. I am now contacting web designers armed with the confidence that I know what I want to achieve and what functions the site will need. This is a break through, as I have for the past 2 years planned and researched sporadically but always got stuck before getting anything done. Many thanks.

Marie Huntley, Huntley Legal
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Your Marketing4Solicitors has been very helpful and informative and I would certainly recommend it to other solicitors

Helen Rowett
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My chosen field of Personal Injury, has for many years been fiercely competitive, against a backdrop of intense Defendant lobbying, bringing downward pressure on costs. Changes in the regulatory framework herald further pressures on time, and the advent of Alternative Business Structures is an unknown quantity, but will surely bring the risk of Big Business with its big budgets and slick advertising, to a place near me, trying to sweep up my potential clients. I have been in business 38 years and the challenges are greater than ever, but as I could not even sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo, even if I had the time, I decided help was needed.

On approaching Samson Consulting, I was struck by Nick’s energy in presenting his ideas in a readable, matter-of-fact format, in which he displays on one hand, an uncanny knack of fingering the obvious (to a 5 year old, but not to a practising Solicitor) marketing opportunities that are there for the asking, but at the same time displaying a depth of proven experience and originality of approach in real-world or Internet marketing, with an enthusiasm that is both infectious and confidence-inspiring in these most challenging times.

Rob Ashton, Personal Injury Litigation Consultant
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Thanks, Nick, for constantly reminding us to send emailing to our clients and contacts. I recently sent one about the need to have a Will, popped out for an hour and returned to 5 emails from people wanting updated or new Wills. It made my day! We will now be sending regular emails to all our clients, prospects and contacts as we now realise this really is a great way to ‘increase solicitors’ profits’! Thanks again.

A Satisfied Marketing4Solicitors Member
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My concerns before joing M4S was that it was a ‘con’ at worst or at best a waste of money.

The impression was due in part to hearing of you on LinkedIn, and I am just suspicious of any business advertised on there (but that is just irrational prejudice on my part). My view has changed due to the following-

The free information you gave was very detailed;

Your regular emails kept your company in my mind;

Since joining your site the information was been good and well structured; and

Your marketing critique of my website today was brilliant, better than I could hope for.

I have already told other solicitors about M4S and I am sure I will more than recover my investment in the service.

Udu Emmanuel Edada, Emmanuel & Co Solicitors
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Nick, I have already provided you with a testimonial about your excellent Marketing4Solicitors service, but I had to write to you again to say that I really appreciate the time you have taken to provide your “marketing critique” to make very important amendments to our marketing letter. We have already had an excellent response to our offering.

Denis Stevenson, Rowlinsons Solicitors
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Not only is Nick Jervis a marketing expert, but as a former practising solicitor, he is someone who understands how solicitors work and through Marketing4Solicitors offers practical marketing advice that the average solicitor has a realistic chance of implementing. He has played a significant part in setting our firm on the path to creating and implementing a successful marketing strategy.

Jerome Dodge, Blanchards Bailey Solicitors
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My name is Roger and I am a happy member of Marketing4Solicitors from Samson Consulting.

We are creating/designing a new Website for our business at the minute. I needed sound advice concerning the layout and general appeal of our design and content, and I wanted these tips from someone who walked the talk.

Anyhow, I asked Mr. Jervis for a telephone conversation to give me some tips (Marketing4Solicitors members are entitled to a one on one with Nick).

I didn’t get the phone call, I got something better. I sent our draft new website link by mail to him and he assessed our draft website with the benefit of Youtube (so I got the visual aspect of his advice and could hear his advice ). It was crystal with great advice.

It’s great to be surprised and I was surprised with this service.

Thank you.

Roger Cleary, Cleary & Co. Solicitors
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Why join Marketing4Solicitors?

1. Nick’s enthusiasm and never-give-up attitude is infectious and crucial to us as we are often tempted to ‘give up’ or at least be lazy in relation to marketing.

2. The precedents provided and the structured approach to his teaching so that gradually you come to see how everything in his scheme fits together logically.

3. The fact that through our own testing over time and becoming aware of other “expert” opinions on issues in the marketing world, we have not had any cause to doubt that Nick truly is an expert in relation to the marketing of solicitors’ firms.

Peter Brash, Grigor & Young, Elgin
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Marketing4Solicitors seemed a good system worth a go. I am satisfied that although (I am) not a solicitor can adapt principles with ease.

An efficient well run service with lots of good practical tips to enhance your marketing.

Supporting SME Leaders
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Great value for money.

Jemma Lloyd Solicitor Direct
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I knew that marketing would become extremely important for solicitor firms and the old mentality of “the work will come to you” would be long gone, however I did not know where to start with my marketing plan.

So I joined Marketing4Solicitors and found the marketing templates and documents are very detailed and make you think about what you will be doing, which makes a huge difference.

The benefits for me are a better understanding of marketing solicitor firms, the importance of keeping in touch with your current client database and if you put the effort into marketing you do see the rewards!

I think the service is excellent!

Manoj - Athi Law LLP
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We have never once regretted having Nick as our marketing consultant. He is just brilliant at thinking out of the box and making us do the same. We decided very early on that we just had to trust him because we are lawyers and not so good at selling things!

Nick is enthusiastic and extremely pro active which is infectious and makes us want to excel at attracting the clients we really want.

He is now an integral and indispensable part of our team.

Julie Glynn, Partner, Glynns Solicitors
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I visited Nick because I wanted to know how and which resources to apply to an effective marketing strategy appropriate to my practice.

Nick was very focussed, asked very astute questions and knew what I needed I felt. This was crystallised in the excellent report he generated and I now am confident in my planned approach to marketing.

The meeting was well worth the trip to Bristol from London! Nick really took on board my concerns in this area and I felt he was very caring, enthusiastic and confident about the track I should be on marketing-wise. As a result I now have a plan I am confident about which means I will not waste time or money on an inappropriate strategy so it has abeen a very valuable exercise for my practice: Bravo!

Michael Crilly, Bulldog Law
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I have worked with Nick now for over a year and he really has made a tremendous difference to my business and the way I approach same. He has assisted me greatly in developing a clearer vision for the business and in executing a plan so that the vision may be materialised.

His advice has directly led to a substantial increase in the profitability of my practice and, as such, I have no hesitation of recommending his services.

Daireann Gibson, Gibson & Associates Solicitors
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I have been enjoying learning from your insights over the past while since joining Marketing4Solicitors. I have been impressed by your service and wanted to thank you for all of your help to date.

Duncan McFadzean
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The m4s subscription service was worth much more than the price I paid. There is a lot of information on the internet about marketing but a lot of the methods are incredibly expensive. Nick’s ideas are superior for one main reason, they are done from a business perspective, everything is done with a return on investment in mind and none of the methods are financial black holes.

I would recommend this service to anyone looking to grow their business.

Mr R McKenzie
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Clever and intelligent without any nonsense.

A very helpful and enlightening service.

Donald Maloney
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Unlike other marketing services the emphasis seems not to be all based on ‘finding hidden profit in existing clients’ (which doesn’t help me as a new firm with few clients) but rather an all encompassing strategy to increase client base and thereafter profit.

Nick certainly appears to know his stuff and he is willing to share the lurve.

Anvil Legal
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I have worked with Nick for over a year. As well as being a thoroughly nice person to deal with he is also full of good ideas that work – and which can be implemented without costing the earth.

David Edwards. Burt, Brill & Cardens
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I have worked with Nick now for over a year and he really has made a tremendous difference to my business and the way I approach same. He has assisted me greatly in developing a clearer vision for the business and in executing a plan so that the vision may be materialised.

His advice has directly led to a substantial increase in the profitability of my practice and, as such, I have no hesitation of recommending his services.

Daireann Gibson, Gibson & Associates
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I have been using Adwords for sometime without any meaningful results. However, as soon as Nick took over the management for me, we started generating a lot of new client instructions.

Ian Hass, Ellis Hass Solicitors
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