A virtual office New York needs to be a major source for your referral stream. Here are a few steps to maximizing its potential.
Office arrangements can vary for every small firm and solo attorney. Virtual offices have become a more frequent option as the market changes. Physical offices are no longer the rule in commercial real estate for attorneys and this is proving to be a very lucrative alternative.
A virtual office New York is beneficial with respect to referrals also. With some strategy, you can find yourself on the receiving end of a referral that keeps your income consistently flowing.
The biggest challenge for the virtual office NYC lawyer is getting known by your peers. No one can send you referrals if they don’t know who you are.
Virtual clients typically are virtual because they do not have the time to frequent the office every day, meaning it can be difficult to know everyone. A variety of reasons may precede this such as distance or scheduling. But with effort, comes the rewards.
1. Get your information on the office directory.
Many virtual office NYC providers have client directories they sometimes post around the office or online. If there is a place for you to describe what you do, make sure you include your practice area expertise in lieu of describing yourself simply as an attorney. If you are given a little more room, use the profile to communicate your “elevator pitch”. Make it short, to the point, and memorable.
If your provider doesn’t have a directory, ask if they would consider putting one together, or would allow you to do so.
2. Attend as many community events as possible.
Office centers typically hold community events every so often. You should always be trying to attend these events, especially when you first join. Bring your list of potential referral partners and have an office center employee introduce you to some of the people on your list.
3. Go to the office as much as possible.
The more often people see your face in the executive office NYC center, the more likely you are to strike up conversations with the other attorneys. Every time you are in the office, whether for a client meeting or to pick up your mail, do a “walk-around” to make yourself known.
You can regularly interact with those you now in the office, but be sure to make it a point to interact with those who are new to you. Also, strategically network with those on the preferred client list and even get onsite staff to schedule a time to meet other clients within the space.
4. Interact with the office staff, they are your quickest route to referral opportunities.
The office staff is going to be your best resource in shared office space. The staff deals with every client, and is frequently in the middle of a potential opportunity when it comes up. You would be surprised just how often clients come to us to ask us for an introduction to a lawyer to whom they can send a referral (or even ask a question). Make sure every member of the office staff knows who you are, what your practice area is, and why types of clients you service. The more specific you can make this description, the more likely they will remember what you do.
Remember to always be cordial if not kind to the office staff. These people are there to make your life easier and it’s common to get frustrated and take it out on the staff on site. These people are human and if you blow up too often you’ll end up biting the hand that feeds you in terms of referrals. This is all because of reputation. It doesn’t mean you’ll be out of the office, but it may mean you putting yourself outside the referral network.
