Our View: Ann Prax, our head of marketing, on why businesses need to be brand savvy…

The Law is a sector like many others that has seen the way it works and communicates change massively over the past decade. Historically, law firms have relied on word of mouth and recommendation to attract new business. That always tended to be enough but competition is getting tougher and with new, more aggressive entrants coming into the market the challenges are set to get a whole lot worse.

It sounds all doom and gloom but it’s not, honestly. As a marketer, I’m passionate about branding and communication. To me, a brand isn’t just a logo; it’s a state of mind and a vision that runs through an organisation – from the very top to the bottom. The visual representations of that are – of course – the logo and website but they need to be carefully considered so they encapsulate the business and its people.

A company’s online presence is now its key marketing window. There’s no point investing in an expensive website or brand proposition if it’s not going to be utilised and tweaked constantly. To both new and existing clients, a firm’s branding – whether it be in law, manufacturing, professional services or any other sector for that matter – provides reassurance and confidence; it’s all about personality as well as conveying skills and experience. This is something we keep at the heart of everything we do.

One of our key objectives is to also add value to our clients and not just provide legal advice. We do this in a whole host of ways from bespoke events, to clinics and newsletters. We try and get under the skin of our clients so we really understand what makes them tick. The content of our website is also updated regularly and we’ve invested more heavily in PR, social media, such as Twitter (@DBF_LAW) and by launching our new mobile enabled website.

All of this may sound simple, but effective marketing and client engagement can be forgotten as senior management time is often spent actually running the business – and who could argue with that?! However, my advice is to take some time to sit back, look at your organisation and identify what it stands for. If you can work that out and devise a way to convey your philosophy – based on why you’re different/better than your competitors – then the future could take an even more profitable direction!

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Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.

Ben Armitage

“Very approachable, practical solutions to problems, but most of all very responsive which I personally think is very important because if you need help, you need it quickly, or at least to know someone is looking at it for you”.

Joanne Rowe, Finance Director, Greater Manchester Chamber

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Nives Feely, JAM Recruitment

“I believe I have been able to establish a professional working relationship with everyone I have come into contact. Importantly, I sense the relationships which have been established give me the confidence that I can make contact with Davis Blank Furniss at any time and on any matter. I would also like to express my thanks to the very impressive “gatekeepers” who work in reception, not only for making me very welcome, but also for their professionalism”

Bill Pryke, CEO, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

“Thank you for your efficient and friendly help throughout this process. We have had it easy but your approach has been part of that”.

Robert Amsbury (Conveyancing Client)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”

Valerie Fisher (Probate Client)

“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”

Peter Fernandez, Corporate Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”

Anon (Personal Injury client)

“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.

Anon (Family client)
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