So I was driving home yesterday from a meeting in Orlando and a Miami phone number popped up. I answer these unknown calls about 50% of the time, and I figured, why not.
Unfortunately, my answers didn't fit Scott's script:
"Hi is this Brian?
"Yes."
This is Scott from Yodlelaw."
(Smirk, and then...)
Silence
"So Brian, have you heard of us?"
"Yes."
"Well then you know we work with lawyers, including criminal defense lawyers.
"Yes."
"I'd like to know whether you are taking on any new clients?"
"No."
"No? Well, is that because you're filled up and can't take on anymore?"
"Yes."
"So you're not interested in more business right now?"
"No."
"Well, that's great, sounds like you're doing very well. Let me ask you so if someone called you for a DUI case you wouldn't take it right now, you'd refer it to another lawyer?"
"Yes."
"Wow, sounds like you are very successful, is there another practice area you're looking to build where you would be interested in more clients?"
"No."
"So the lawyers you refer cases to, can you give me the name of one of those lawyers?"
"No."
"Brian, it sounds like you're on the road, is there a better time to reach you?"
"No."
"Um, OK, well...thank you for your time."
"OK."
Anonymous comments are welcome as long as they say something relevant and half-way intelligent and arent a vehicle for a coward to attack someone. I trust you understand.
Located in Miami, Florida, Brian Tannebaum practices Bar Admission and Discipline and Criminal Defense. He is the author of I Got A Bar Complaint.
7 comments:
That's the approach I've started to take, too. I tell them I'm covered up and can't possibly take on any new business. Sometimes I ask them if there is any way they can help get lower in the search rankings.
I love it. I think I may add that and also ask if they can just refer me the clients willing to spend less than $500 on their case.
I think I'll start telling the marketers, "My workload is busting at the seams already with all the clients I've found on the 'Legal Help Wanted' section of Craigslist."
I think I'll start telling the marketers, "My workload is busting at the seams already with all the clients I've found on the 'Legal Help Wanted' section of Craigslist."
I hate those kind of "What do you mean you don't want more business?" type sales pushes for a service that I know won't pay back its charges.
I'll try this script myself next time.
Has no one noticed the dubious quality of the web sites they provide? Rakofski had one of those and in my mind he will always be my exemplar of Yodle quality.
I would think that cold-calling lawyers in the age of Do Not Call lists would be... precarious.
IANAL
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