In addition to my law practice, I also provide strategic communication consulting and content creation services on behalf of other law firms and/or their clients, subject to all applicable ethical rules of professional conduct. This page provides an overview of the types of strategic communications services I offer.
Quick Snapshot of Credentials: In addition to my law degree and LL.M. in taxation, I have a Ph.D. in Mass Communication and an extensive portfolio of freelance writing and marketing communications work dating from 1996 through July 2006. I also produce and host 4 podcasts.
I recognized the necessity and power of effective communication a long time ago:
Dateline: 1973-74 school year, Russellville Junior High
Imagine you’re in a 7th grade social studies classroom. 25-30 adolescents wearing bell-bottom jeans and cap-sleeve t-shirts surround you.
What’s the first thing a bunch of cave people would need?
That was the gist of the question posed by Coach Whitfield, the teacher, to start off a class discussion one day.
I eagerly raised my hand to offer the first response:
Some way to communicate.
The teacher (in short-sighted fashion) rebutted my response.
No way. They’re going to be worried about food, shelter, staying warm!
My inner Hermoine Grainger sprang forth:
It would be a lot easier to find food, shelter and build a fire if they had a system for communication.
The point:
I’ve been focused on the power of effective communication for a long time.
My services in communication/media law and communication consulting are comprehensive. Communication is one the focus areas of my law practice and professional consulting work and I offer a comprehensive range of services related to both communication/media law and the broader realm of communication strategy, content creation and publishing for marketing, issues management and public advocacy.
Effective communication doesn’t usually involve legal issues or require legal representation, so I’ve structured my services to accommodate strategic communication more broadly, as well as legal issues involving communication and media matters.
Testimonial is for writing, not legal services.
Communication Strategy, Content Creation and Delivery
I often refer to my consulting focus as strategic communication, to emphasize that it’s communication with a purpose in mind.
In practical terms, however, communication is simply communication.
Effective communication is the outcome of an interactive and ongoing process. Effective communication is not about a message, but it can be the outcome of a thoughtful conversation.
Effective communication is always the result of the synthesis of these basic attributes:
Clarity of Purpose: The Why.
Connection: The Who: Understanding your audience and how to reach and connect with them person or larger audience you want to engage with.
- The when and where comes after you know who your audience is and have listened to that audience enough to have an idea of what matters to them.
Message: The What you say and how you say it that resonates with that audience.
Listening: The How: Making it a conversation by engaging with your audience., Taking their feedback, considering it in a meaningful way, and continuing the conversation.
In other words, effective communication is always strategic, even if the strategy is intuitive and not spelled out in any formal sense.
I offer strategic communication consulting services for clients in my law practice and for non-law clients who do not need any type of legal counsel. In the old days, this might be called public relations with a hint of marketing communication, but those distinctions have crumbled.
My Focus Areas for Strategic Communication Consulting:
Inbound Marketing for Businesses, Professionals & Nonprofits
Your inbound marketing efforts must be built on the foundation of a digital platform where you publish valuable content that helps customers and clients understand your products and services
Your digital platform begins with your website and extends through other internet channels—from YouTube and Vimeo to the multitude of social media options and new digital channels emerging every day. Unless you’re a large, global consumer brand, you don’t need to be everywhere, but you do need a website that’s responsively designed and features useful, long-form content that’s updated on a regular schedule.
Testimonial is for writing, not legal services.
Public Advocacy, Issues Management and Thought Leadership
This can encompass:
Position papers, white papers, slide decks, case studies, webinars, short video for social channels, on-demand audio (stand-alone or “podcast” RSS distribution), guest editorials, guest blogging.
I am an experienced podcast host and producer, with four active podcasts in my portfolio. Learn more about how your law firm can benefit from podcasting (on-demand audio).
Traditional news releases and media relations, feature articles for trade publications.
Blog posts and other content for your website is also vital for public advocacy, issues management and thought leadership.
- Position papers, white papers, slide decks, webinars and audio/video content can easily be adapted into a series of blog posts
Email is a centerpiece of all digital communication, whether for advocacy or marketing or some combination of the two. You need a formal email management system, not a Gmail or Outlook email contact list. Several free options exist, if you have budget concerns.
What I Do As a Consultant:
I help you do any one or more of the following:
- Develop strategies for communication and, if desired,
- Create and publish the media content related to the strategies we develop
- Train and supervise your in-house team of content creators
- Assemble a team of independent contractors to create content for you under my supervision or under your supervision.
- Select and implement the necessary digital tools to create and publish your content on your digital platform
- We start by building or update your website, if you don’t have a responsive website built on a content-management system.
- Implement a media relations campaign to publicize your brand or cause through traditional, corporate-owned media.
Testimonial is for writing, not legal services.
Marketing & Communication Resources
In addition to consulting and working with you directly, I am putting together a series of online courses and educational resources to empower professionals, small business and nonprofits to DIY inbound marketing and digital communications.
If you’re interested in learning more about these courses and resources, please sign up for my free newsletter where I’ll be announcing what’s available from time to time. I will be providing these standalone, premium marketing and communications resources through a separate website, specifically set up for delivering online courses.