Podcasts about be that lawyer

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Claire Parsons discuss:Integrating mindfulness into high-pressure professional environmentsNavigating mental health challenges while maintaining demanding careersRethinking traditional views on business development for introvertsBuilding emotional resilience and clarity through intentional daily practices Key Takeaways:Starting with just one minute of daily meditation can create subtle but lasting shifts in emotional regulation, clarity, and resilience under pressure.Mindfulness doesn't eliminate stress but reshapes how it's processed, making space for more grounded decisions and healthier coping habits.Emotional regulation skills gained through meditation reduce fear of rejection, making business development feel less risky and more authentic.Practices like breathwork, body scans, and loving-kindness help professionals stay centered during conflict, reconnect with purpose, and act from intention rather than reactivity. "A lot of law practice involves a gut check… and you have to consistently check in with your values to make sure you're representing your client as best you can." —  Claire Parsons Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Claire Parsons: Claire E. Parsons is a Cincinnati-based attorney practicing in school law, employment law, and litigation. In addition to her legal work, she teaches mindfulness and compassion to lawyers and professionals and frequently shares her insights on these topics through her blog, Brilliant Legal Mind, and her published books. Claire draws on both personal experience and formal training to make mindfulness practices accessible, practical, and effective for busy professionals. Her work blends deep legal expertise with a commitment to well-being, helping others find clarity and resilience in high-pressure environments. Connect with Claire Parsons:  Website: https://brilliantlegalmind.com/ & https://www.brickergraydon.com/team/claire-parsonsBook: How to Be a Badass Lawyer: https://www.amazon.com/How-Badass-Lawyer-Development-Mindfulness/dp/B0BLQYNBXZLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireeparsons/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricker-graydon/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Shireen Hilal discuss:Navigating modern law firm strategy in a rapidly evolving legal marketImproving internal operations and team culture to boost law firm performanceEnhancing client engagement and retention amid budget constraintsLeveraging cross-selling and business development tactics within law firms Key Takeaways:Law firms that prioritize understanding and responding to their clients' future needs instead of mirroring competitors can unlock unique opportunities for differentiation and growth.Clear and value-based billing practices—paired with proactive scope, time, and budget alignment—are essential to reinforcing client trust and maintaining healthy payment cycles.Structured programs like internal expert briefings and strategic client lunches can make cross-selling more natural and effective by focusing on solving client problems rather than pitching services.Communicating pricing changes with context and care rather than through generic finance memos helps strengthen client relationships and reinforces long-term loyalty. "The problem with obsessing about your competition instead of your clients is that, if you do, you are almost, by definition, falling in the middle. So the better way to get ahead, I think, is to be client-obsessed." —  Shireen Hilal Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Shireen Hilal: Shireen is the CEO of Maior, a boutique consultancy that helps law firms with their pain points and plateaus with strategic and operational support, ranging from go-to-market solutions and profitability programs to process improvement and enhancing employee engagement.Before starting Maior, Shireen spent a decade practicing at AmLaw100 firms and then had the privilege of serving in several executive roles: COO of a national law firm (where she increased revenue by 20%, profits per partner by 30%, and achieved "best place to work" accolades), pivoting strategy and operations for enterprise firms (KPMG and BDO), and building out the growth division of a communications consulting firm.Through Maior, she now helps growing firms skyrocket, early-stage firms maintain their "special sauce" as they scale, and mature firms with a fresh perspective.Shireen also serves on the advisory board of a Top 100 accounting and advisory firm and writes a quarterly column for Law360 answering law firm leaders' questions. Connect with Shireen Hilal:  Website: https://www.maiorconsultants.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireenhilal/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/maior-consultants/Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Christopher Anderson discuss:Urgency and intentionality in how professionals approach time and life decisionsOperational and structural challenges faced by small and large law firmsPersonal clarity and value-driven goal setting in legal careersMisalignment between perceived business needs and actual areas for growth Key Takeaways:Many law firms suffer from an inefficient cycle of over-marketing when caseloads are low, followed by frantic hiring when they surge, resulting in chronic instability.The most common and damaging mistake lawyers make is hiring help in areas they enjoy, rather than where they truly lack capability, such as fixing the "butterfly stroke."True work-life alignment comes from clearly defining three things: how much income you need, how much time you're willing to trade for it, and what you're trying to accomplish personally and professionally.Holding on to underperforming team members not only hurts your business but also deprives them of the opportunity to thrive elsewhere, and it's often best addressed through a third-party assessment. "Too many people just go after the money, and then they realize, okay, I'm trading time for money. So the more money I want, the more time I trade, and that leads to misery." —  Christopher Anderson Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Christopher Anderson: Christopher T. Anderson is a lifelong entrepreneur and attorney with a deep passion for helping law firm owners build practices that align with their goals, values, and vision. With nearly 30 years of experience, he draws from both wins and lessons learned across his ventures—including New Leaf Family, AndersonDodson, and Sunnyside Services, where he remains actively involved.Known for testing every strategy on his firm before advising others, Christopher combines business acumen, legal insight, and a pilot's clarity of focus to help law firm owners take control of their time, teams, and trajectory—on their terms. Connect with Christopher Anderson:  Website: http://www.sunnysidelaw.com/Email: christopher@sunnysidelaw.comShow: Un-Billable Hour: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/un-billable-hour-business-management-strategies-for/id335971413LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawfirmbusiness/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunnysidelawTwitter: https://x.com/LawFirmBusinessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewLeafFamilyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/newleaf.family/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Adam Ouellette discuss:The long-term impact of unmanaged stress in the legal professionShifting from reactive to responsive behavior in work and lifeThe necessity of integrating systems, organization, and delegation in law practicesExploring effective breathing and mindfulness practices for emotional regulation Key Takeaways:Most lawyers suffer from nervous system dysregulation due to chronic stress, which leads to physical symptoms like migraines, arrhythmia, and burnout.Heart-focused breathing, specifically the “Quick Coherence” method, can physiologically shift the body from fight-or-flight into healing mode in just minutes.Using modern legal tech tools like CRMs, automation software, and client management systems can drastically reduce workload and prevent burnout, but most lawyers resist adopting them.Implementing micro-pauses every 50 minutes for breathwork and short breaks can significantly reduce mental fatigue and boost long-term performance. "It's so critical that lawyers start to quiet their mind and regulate their nervous systems, because if you don't, you're gonna hit a wall at some point in your practice, and you're not gonna like it. Most people won't change until they have to." —  Adam Ouellette Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: Getting Things Done by David Allen: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280 About Adam Ouellette: Adam Ouellette, Esq. is a former law firm owner turned transformational consultant for lawyers. With over 28 years of experience in the legal field, Adam now helps law firm owners eliminate stress, increase productivity, and build balanced, fulfilling practices. He is the creator of Esquire Academy, the Stress Less Plus course for lawyers, and author of Raising the Bar – Turning a Law Career You Hate Into a Life You Love, In or Out of the Law. His new book, Transform Your Law Firm, Transform Your Life, will be published later this year. Adam specializes in law firm growth, time management for lawyers, lawyer wellness, and stress reduction for attorneys.Connect with Adam Ouellette:  Website: http://adam.law/Raising The Bar by Adam Ouellette: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Bar-Turning-Career-Hate-ebook/dp/B00I9K1J58Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamJOuelletteEmail: ajo@adam.lawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjouellette/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esquireacademy Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Viki Johnston discuss:Navigating the transition from individual contributor to effective leaderDeveloping communication skills that foster trust and clarityUnderstanding how mindset and self-awareness shape professional successUsing behavioral tools to improve collaboration and team dynamics Key Takeaways:Role-playing in training helps managers safely practice difficult conversations, allowing them to fail, debrief, and improve without real-world consequences.Poor listening is a critical leadership flaw; most people are merely waiting to talk instead of truly hearing others, especially in virtual settings.Paraphrasing not only shows active listening but also gives the speaker space to correct misunderstandings, reducing conflict and enhancing clarity.Undervaluing your services, often due to internal narratives or low self-worth, can hurt both your business and client relationships—a lesson learned after undercharging for years. "We think we can multitask. We really can't. We can't think and listen to somebody at the same time." —  Viki Johnston Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Viki Johnston: Viki Johnston is an entrepreneur, Training Consultant with over 25 years of her career dedicated to professional training. She designs and delivers soft skills classroom training that is customized to a client's exact requirements, across a range of subjects. Her in-depth knowledge of Customer Service and Business Management allows Viki to provide an exceptionally high level of learning facilitation and consultancy across a wide range of industries.Viki is British, a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), DiSC certified, and Certified in Applied Improvisation. She currently lives in Irvine, Southern California, with her husband and daughter. She is a self-confessed lifelong learner with a passion for helping others experience light bulb moments and achieve their own goals. Connect with Viki Johnston:  Website: https://www.exelorate.com/Email: viki@exelorate.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikijohnston/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vikiajohnstonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exelorate2015/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ben Chiriboga discuss:Career reinvention for lawyers beyond traditional legal rolesRelationship-building as a foundation for personal and professional successInternal mindset shifts needed for meaningful career growthFear as a driving force behind both success and stagnation Key Takeaways:Building a sustainable legal career requires deliberately cultivating professional relationships rather than relying on coincidence or default connections.Success in and beyond law depends not only on delivering excellent work but also on ensuring others perceive the value of that work.Many lawyers unknowingly use fear to fuel perfectionism or people-pleasing behaviors, which ultimately leads to emotional burnout and professional dissatisfaction.Embracing authenticity and aligning your work with personal strengths creates more meaningful opportunities than following narrow conventional paths. "Some way, somehow you're going to have to face your fear. Either reality will come crashing on you, or... you work with the fear... but there's no getting around it." —  Ben Chiriboga Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: This Legal Life: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-legal-life-lessons-learned-from-a-life-in-legal/id1679451845 About Ben Chiriboga: Ben Chiriboga is a lawyer turned legal technology executive at Nexl, an all-in-one legal CRM that helps lawyers, marketers, and business development professionals turn their growth ambitions into action.Alongside his work at Nexl, Ben speaks, writes, and podcasts about the evolution of legal careers. A seasoned conference speaker, Ben presents to legal professionals around the world about the future of law.Check out Ben's podcast, This Legal Life, where he interviews legal professionals about their lives in legal. Connect with Ben Chiriboga:  Website: https://nexl.cloud/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benchiriboga/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Nick Augustine discuss:Authenticity in legal careers and professional identityBranding, marketing, and business development in lawCareer reinvention through personal values and experienceThe connection between human storytelling and client trust Key Takeaways:Lawyers should humanize their brand by sharing personal interests (e.g., hobbies, family life) on social media to create relatability and trust with clients.Many attorneys fail at marketing because they attempt to outsource it without contributing their personality or narrative, which is what really attracts referrals.To identify your authentic brand, listen closely to client compliments and peer feedback—these often reveal your true differentiators.Attorneys overly dependent on digital marketing (like Google ads) should step back and re-engage in grassroots relationship-building to avoid a fragile business model. "Your brand is how people know you, who are the types of people who call you, who are the types of law firms who give referrals to you, who you are, differentiated among the others in the community." —  Nick Augustine Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: The Joe Rogan Experience: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joe-rogan-experience/id360084272About Nick Augustine: Nick Augustine is a lawyer who doesn't practice law and instead launched a digital marketing agency in 2005 to create the best content for lawyers and business professionals.Connect with Nick Augustine:  Website: https://lonestarcontentmarketing.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickaugustinetx/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/2884978/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnNicholasAugustineJDConnect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Howard Ankin discuss:The strategic use of media and marketing in legal servicesThe evolving role of lawyers in both legal practice and business developmentBuilding personal and firm-wide brand equity in competitive industriesAdapting to modern client behaviors and expectations Key Takeaways:Focus on ethical, long-term brand visibility rather than chasing the latest marketing gimmicks. Consistency and integrity build lasting trust.Use traditional and digital media together to reinforce brand recognition, especially by being present where your audience already is.Develop deep professional relationships by aligning your identity and messaging with authenticity, so clients know exactly who you are and what to expect.Stay current on technology and regulations impacting outreach, but avoid tactics that risk client privacy or cross ethical lines. "There's no question that the success of any lawyer, anywhere and anytime, comes from having and associating with great people." —  Howard Ankin Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 About Howard Ankin: Howard Ankin is the principal owner of Ankin Law, a leading Chicago-based firm he co-founded with his father in 1997. A third-generation attorney, Howard has deep roots in the legal community and longstanding relationships with many clients. Ankin Law has grown to become one of Illinois' largest filers of injury and workers' compensation cases, supported by over 90 attorneys and staff. Howard is also a recognized legal leader and active community member, serving on multiple legal boards and earning numerous professional honors. Connect with Howard Ankin:  Website: https://ankinlaw.com/Phone: 3126000000LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-ankin-9671743/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/ankin-law/Twitter: https://x.com/ankinlawFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnkinLawOffice/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ankinlaw/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Cecilia Poullain discuss:The intersection of personal transformation and professional identityNavigating and overcoming fear through self-expressionThe power of storytelling in reclaiming one's voiceShifting from traditional career paths to more authentic, purpose-driven lives Key Takeaways:To overcome fear of public speaking or visibility, engage in practices like vocal training or performance-based activities that reconnect you with your physical voice and sense of self-expression.Before pursuing a major career opportunity, reflect deeply on whether the role aligns with your true values and identity, rather than simply accepting it based on prestige or external validation.Avoid falling into perfectionism by giving yourself permission to make mistakes, take small experimental steps, and speak up even when your contribution feels imperfect or incomplete.Create intentional professional communities where you can actively contribute, connect with aligned individuals, and develop visibility, rather than waiting passively for recognition or advancement. " A real destroyer of confidence is perfectionism." —  Cecilia Poullain Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed: https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Ideas-Power-Diverse-Thinking/dp/1473613949 About Cecilia Poullain: Cecilia Poullain is a certified executive coach and former finance lawyer who helps women in law make partner and lead with confidence. Qualified in Australia, the UK, and France, she brings decades of legal experience to her work coaching female lawyers on the path to partnership.Cecilia supports women in building confidence, navigating firm politics, and developing a strong client base to succeed at the highest levels. Through her 1:1 coaching, Pathway to Partnership program, and Firm Women breakfasts in Paris, she empowers women lawyers to rise, lead, and drive change in the legal profession. Connect with Cecilia Poullain:  Website: https://www.ceciliapoullain.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliapoullain Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Mark Murphy discuss:The challenges and nuances of hiring the right talent for law firmsThe critical distinction between attitude and skills in recruitmentHow leadership traits can hinder effective hiring decisionsPractical strategies for improving the legal hiring and interview process Key Takeaways:Eighty-nine percent of new hires fail due to attitude issues like entitlement or resistance to feedback, not because of technical skill gaps, showing why firms must prioritize attitude in hiring.Top-performing teams rely on five key roles—director, trailblazer, harmonizer, achiever, and stabilizer—each providing distinct behavioral strengths that drive success.Interviewers can quickly spot problem solvers by asking about a past mistake and seeing if the candidate naturally explains how they resolved it without prompting.High performers use first-person and past-tense language when describing real experiences, while weaker candidates rely on vague, hypothetical answers using second-person phrasing. "I always tell leaders this: ironically, the better the leader you are, often the worse hirer you are, because you have to dial down your natural optimism and desire to see everybody be great." —  Mark Murphy Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: Think Again by Adam Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107 About Mark Murphy: Mark Murphy is a New York Times bestselling author whose groundbreaking book Hiring for Attitude has transformed the way companies hire and build high-performing teams. His pioneering research revealed that nearly half of new hires fail within 18 months — and a staggering 89% of those failures result from attitude, not a lack of skills. His insights have reshaped hiring strategies for Fortune 500 companies, fast-growing startups, and government agencies worldwide. Connect with Mark Murphy:  Website: https://www.leadershipiq.com/Book: Hiring for Attitude: https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-Attitude-Revolutionary-Recruiting-Tremendous/dp/1259860906LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markamurphy/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-iq/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Susie Pontefract discuss:Evolving leadership across generational landscapesEmbedding purpose-driven organizational strategiesBuilding cultures of human potentialPersonal values shaping leadership impact Key Takeaways:Leadership requires letting go of ego and creating intentional space for others to step in, lead, and grow through a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and genuine empowerment.Effective leaders must prioritize understanding and supporting their team's holistic development by recognizing individual potential, nurturing personal growth, and creating environments that transcend traditional workplace boundaries.Organizations should transform their approach from treating employees as human capital to cultivating human potential by embracing each individual's unique strengths, aspirations, and capacity for meaningful contribution.Successful leadership demands continuous learning, deep empathy, and adaptive strategies that bridge generational differences, foster inclusive communication, and create collaborative environments where diverse talents can flourish. "If you want to be a rainmaker out there doing your own thing, then give your people the power to get the rest of it done and make sure you're giving them the kudos and credit when they do." —  Susie Pontefract Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: Good Boss, Bad Boss by Robert I. Sutton: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Boss-Bad-Learn-Worst/dp/0446556076 About Susie Pontefract: Susie is a dynamic and results-oriented leader and mentor with over 20 years of demonstrated success in strategic leadership, team management, and value delivery across a wide range of industries and company sizes. She is recognized for empowering teams, inspiring leaders, and building strong, collaborative partnerships across all organizational levels—from front-line employees to executives, board members, and external stakeholders. As the founder of Cohearence Consulting, Susie is dedicated to helping small to mid-sized companies strengthen their organizations through cohesive strategies, aligned teams, and exceptional execution. Connect with Susie Pontefract:  Website: co-hear-ence.comEmail: susie@co-hear-ence.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susiepontefract/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/cohearence-consulting Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with returning guest Steve Fretzin—legal business development coach, author, and host of Be That Lawyer—about the core lessons shared in his new book, Be That Lawyer. Steve explains why the book begins with mindfulness and time mastery, stressing that business development success starts with managing stress, mindset, and structure. Drawing from years of coaching lawyers, Steve outlines how burnout, disorganization, and lack of clarity are major barriers to rainmaking—and offers practical systems for time tracking, delegation, and habit-building to counter them. The conversation also explores how introverts can succeed in business development through preparation and repeatable routines, and how podcasting serves as a powerful tool for networking, content creation, and credibility. Steve shares insights on how lawyers can amplify their brand by repurposing podcast appearances and building long-term visibility. This episode is filled with real-world tactics for becoming a focused, productive, and well-positioned rainmaker. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/p-d0GTEEy-s ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ ---------------------------------------- Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks. The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ https://fretzin.com/ https://fretzin.com/podcast/ https://fretzin.com/101-top-rainmakers-secrets-to-growing-a-successful-law-practice/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textlovethylawyer.comA transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com. In collaboration with theAlameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with:Steve Fretzin Steve Fretzin is a business coach who only works with lawyers, teaching them how to bring in clients and run their practices. He also hosts the “Be That Lawyer” podcast, where he shares advice from top rainmakers. After the 2008 recession, Steve narrowed his sales‑training firm to focus on the legal world and never looked back. He built the “sales‑free selling” method so attorneys can win work without feeling pushy, and he now coaches lawyers across the U.S. and in countries like Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. In this episode he explains why a clear step‑by‑step process beats a hard sell, how to spot clients who will drain your time, and why every lawyer needs their own “book of business” for long‑term security. Tune in to hear simple, real‑world tips you can use right away to attract better clients, charge what you're worth, and feel confident about the future of your practice. You'll leave with fresh ideas on networking, pricing, and building a career that works on your terms.Steve Fretzinhttps://fretzin.com/    Alameda County Bar AssociationThe Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is a professional membership association for lawyers and other members of the legal profession. The ACBA provides access to ongoing legal education; and promotes diversity and civil rights in the Alameda County legal community. Our mission is to promote excellence in the legal profession and to facilitate equal access to justice.Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you'd like us to cover.  Louis Goodman www.louisgoodman.comhttps://www.lovethylawyer.com/510.582.9090Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, MauiTech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, OaklandAudiograms: Paul Robert louis@lovethylawyer.com

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and John Morgan discuss:Business growth and scaling strategiesImportance of partnerships and accountabilityTechnological innovation in professional servicesEntrepreneurial mindset and vision Key Takeaways:Successful businesses balance proactive growth (“catching fish”) with strong operations (“cooking fish”) for sustained efficiency.Clear, data-driven systems with dashboards and accountability can transform culture and boost individual and team performance.AI adoption should be cautious, tested, and iterative, with room for learning from early-stage mistakes.Long-term resilience requires financial reserves, backup strategies, and readiness for unpredictable “Black Swan” events. "What 'Only the Paranoid Survive' means is: be aware. Do [not just walk] down the street with blinders on and not see it coming, because it can come from anywhere. A problem can come from anywhere, and so you just have to be prepared." —  John Morgan Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Swan-Improbable-Robustness-Fragility/dp/081297381X About John Morgan: John Morgan moved to Central Florida as a teen and was forever changed when his brother Tim was paralyzed while working at Disney and mistreated by both the company and legal system, inspiring him to fight for the powerless and seek justice against big corporations. He earned his law degree from the University of Florida in 1983 and, with his wife Ultima, founded Morgan & Morgan in 1988; over 34 years, it became the nation's largest injury law firm, recovering over $13 billion for 300,000+ clients. John authored two books — You Can't Teach Hungry and You Can't Teach Vision — reflecting the principles behind his success, and he's also a political advocate and philanthropist supporting marijuana reform, minimum wage increases, and aid for abuse survivors and the hungry. Connect with John Morgan:  Website: https://www.forthepeople.com/Email: jmorgan@forthepeople.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmorganesq/Twitter: https://x.com/johnmorganesqFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnMorganESQ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Gerard Virga discuss:Navigating emotional complexity and client crises in family lawEvolving business development practices in solo and small firm legal settingsExpanding legal services through education, technology, and content creationManaging personal and professional balance to prevent burnout in law practice Key Takeaways:Direct, relationship-focused communication—such as sharing personal contact info—can build trust, drive referrals, and deepen client loyalty.Implementing educational tools like AI videos and podcasts helps clients understand legal processes and significantly lowers their anxiety.Developing and signing a litigation strategy plan early in the case helps align client expectations, reduces unnecessary conflict, and clarifies legal goals.Carefully qualifying clients based on emotional stability and willingness to follow advice helps reduce burnout and improve case outcomes. "If we don't alleviate that pressure early, we don't answer those questions, we don't get to the root of the problems, then it's going to fester." —  Gerard Virga Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: The Game Changing Attorney by Michael Mogill: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Changing-Attorney-Competition-Obvious-ebook/dp/B07JWGX3YB About Gerard Virga: Gerard Virga is a seasoned family law attorney and the founding partner of The Virga Law Firm, where he leads a team of dedicated legal professionals across offices throughout Florida. With a passion for advocating for families during life's most challenging transitions, Gerard has built a firm known for its commitment to excellence, personalized client care, and aggressive representation in family law matters. Connect with Gerard Virga:  Website: http://www.thevirgalawfirm.com/Phone: 850-818-0236Show: The Florida Family Law Attorney Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-florida-family-law-attorney-podcast/id1799493137LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-virga-006a9263/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/thevirgalawfirmTwitter: https://x.com/TheVirgaLawFirmFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerard.virga.5 & https://www.facebook.com/virgalawfirm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevirgalawfirm/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Tim Sawyer discuss:Mentorship and mastermind groups as catalysts for professional growthUniversal business models shaping success across industries including legalEmotional authenticity as a foundation for impactful branding and client engagementDiscomfort as a necessary stage in the journey toward meaningful progress Key Takeaways:Professionals who admit their blind spots and join mastermind groups grow faster by learning from shared experiences and direct peer feedback.The simple model of finding, converting, and keeping clients consistently drives growth across industries, including legal.Lawyers who lead with authenticity, such as personal storytelling or community involvement, build trust and stronger emotional resonance.Intentional preparation and embracing discomfort during networking lead to better conversations, more opportunities, and long-term business impact. "AI will not replace lawyers, but lawyers who are using AI are definitely going to have an impact on lawyers who don't." —  Tim Sawyer Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-Cheese-Mazing-ebook/dp/B004CR6AM4 About Tim Sawyer: Tim is a two-time Inc. 500 co-founder with two successful private equity exits, a professional speaker, and an expert in business sales and growth strategies. As EVP of Sales and an investor at FasterOutcomes, he helps law firms leverage AI-powered legal intelligence to drive efficiency and profitability. With a strong background in digital marketing, Tim has led high-performing sales teams and scaled businesses through innovative strategies. He is also the host of the Legal Keys podcast, where he explores the intersection of law, technology, and firm success. Connect with Tim Sawyer:  Website: http://www.fasteroutcomes.com/Email: tim@fasteroutcomes.comShow: Legal Keys: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legal-keys-unlocking-time-revenue-and-results/id1791762308LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawyertim/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/faster-outcomes/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Steve Fretzin joins up for Episode 93 to discuss coaching for Personal Injury Attorneys. Steve works with solo attorneys on up to multi-million dollar firms with multiple attorneys. In this podcast, Steve discusses planning, business development, administration, intake, tech stack, systems and creating time. He helps attorneys learn leadership, hire the right people and scale with peer groups, accountability & one on one coaching. We also touch on his podcast, "Be That Lawyer". It's a great episode. Tune in now. Visit Steve online and check his podcast out here: https://fretzin.com/. See all episodes or subscribe to the Personal Injury Marketing Minute here: https://optimizemyfirm.com/podcasts/. Transcript coming soon.

Steve is an Illinois State University graduate who currently works as the president of Fretzin Inc. and is the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast. Steve's journey does not involve passing the Bar, nor any time in Law School, but signifies that anyone can be entrenched in the legal field, no matter what path you go down!Steve and I started early in his career, before opening up Fretzin Inc. By entering the sales field, Steve would learn as much as he could about sales, building relationships, and those all-important soft skills. Steve would then open Fretzin Inc, with its original intentions being to help business owners be successful, as a business broker. But after gaining lawyer-client, after lawyer-client, Steve decided the bulk of his work was to be to help attorneys reach their full potential in sales, showing off just another route one can take, to secure an essential position in the legal industry. Steve would then present a spectacular masterclass in sales-free selling, getting rid of the friction that sales can bring between the buyer and seller, and focusing more on whether someone is a right fit. He would discuss topics such as identifying gaps, finding solutions, and removing the nervousness that comes with selling. Steve would then talk about the content he has, the articles he writes, YouTube videos, as well as his extremely popular and successful podcast Be That Lawyer, which focuses on Life-changing strategies for growing a successful law practice. Steve and I would talk about the immense power of podcasting for marketing, building relationships, and the importance of taking the step of putting yourself out there. Finally, Steve and I spoke about second chances in life, as Steve was part of a plane crash, giving us all the reason to not squander the one life we get. This episode with Steve is one anyone can learn from, from top to bottom, Steve delivers sales and business insights that can last a lifetime! Steve's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzinBe that Lawyers Podcast: https://fretzin.com/podcast/Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science: https://a.co/d/1m2qu8gSales-Free Selling: The Death of Sales and the Rise of a New Methodology: https://a.co/d/f5OXoHgThe Attorney's Networking Handbook: 14 Principles to Growing Your Law Practice in Less Time with Greater Results: https://a.co/d/4mUVQBQThe Ambitious Attorney: Your Guide to Doubling or Even Tripling Your Book of Business: https://a.co/d/0abTHykBe sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast:Rhetoric - takes user briefs and motions and compares them against the text of opinions written by judges to identify ways to tailor their arguments to better persuade the judges handling their cases. Rhetoric's focus is on persuasion and helps users find new ways to improve their odds of success through more persuasive arguments. Find them here: userhetoric.comThe Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa's recorded course!Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 21-year-old super-star, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110 you get yourself the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10 you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use code LITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course!Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to episode 263 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Steve Fretzin, a business development coach. Steve Fretzin is dedicated to helping lawyers grow their practices without the discomfort of traditional sales tactics. Through his coaching, books, and BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve focuses on empowering attorneys to develop sustainable client acquisition strategies and improve time management while maintaining strong client relationships. With over two decades of experience and a passion for teaching, Steve has become a trusted advisor for attorneys aiming to achieve greater success and fulfillment in their legal careers.  What you'll learn about in this episode: Why Building Lawyer Referral Networks Is Essential for Growth Identifying lawyers in complementary practice areas ensures referrals are more effective and relevant to your target clientele. Focusing on reciprocal relationships with like-minded professionals creates a steady pipeline of new business. How Testing Referral Partners Maximizes Success Giving small tasks to potential referral partners helps assess their reliability and networking skills. Filtering out less reliable partners ensures your network consists of high-performing and mutually beneficial relationships. Why Helping Others Firsts Strengthens Professional Relationships  Offering value first, such as connections, resources, or insights, builds trust and encourages reciprocal actions. Sharing personalized gestures, like relevant articles or thoughtful gifts, deepens connections and creates lasting bonds. How Consistent Follow-Up Secures Referral Opportunities Scheduling regular check-ins with referral partners keeps relationships active and top of mind. Using tools like CRM software to rank and manage contacts ensures no valuable connection is overlooked. Why Diversifying Your Referral Team Is Crucial Maintaining multiple referral sources in key practice areas mitigates risks of dependency on a single partner. Always recruiting new contacts ensures you have backups ready when existing partnerships falter.     Resources:  https://www.fretzin.com/ https://www.fretzin.com/letstalk/ https://www.fretzin.com/podcast/episodes/ https://www.facebook.com/fretzinsteve/ https://x.com/stevefretzin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/    Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

"When I started LawHer, only 18% of law firm partners were women. Just 3 years later, it's 22% - and that's just the beginning." - Sonya Palmer. Listen to LawHer here. From intake mastery to AI implementation, Rankings.io's VP of Operations Sonya Palmer shares the systems and strategies that actually move the needle in 2024. If you're looking to scale your firm while building a culture that attracts top talent, don't miss this special partner episode from Be That Lawyer with Steve Fritzen. In this special partner episode of Personal Injury Mastermind, we're excited to share a powerful conversation from Be That Lawyer with Steve Fritzen featuring Sonya Palmer, VP of Operations at Rankings.io and host of the LawHer podcast. From scaling operations to empowering women in legal leadership, Sonya shares insights on building successful teams and transforming law firm culture. We discuss: Why diversity in leadership leads to better client service and business outcomes How the pandemic has transformed opportunities for women in law Practical strategies for creating content and leveraging AI in legal marketing Building effective hiring and onboarding processes that identify top talent Managing underperforming employees and creating accountability The importance of establishing clear KPIs and performance metrics Why authenticity matters more than traditional networking approaches How to scale operations while maintaining quality and culture Dominate your market today. Grab a copy of Chris' latest book, Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT.  Chris Dreyer and Rankings Details Chris Dreyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, the elite legal digital marketing agency.  Rankings: Website, Instagram, Twitter Chris Dreyer: Website, Instagram Newsletters: The Dreyer Sheet  Books: Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing: From Good to GOAT; Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize Work with Rankings: Connect Time Stamps 00:00 Intro  01:03 Leadership Philosophy & Vision  04:41 Women in Legal Leadership 09:12 Marketing & Content Strategy  13:34 AI Tools & Implementation  15:32 Hiring & Team Building  20:36 Performance Management  24:27 Scaling Operations  28:05 Future of Legal Industry  31:00 Closing Thoughts Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy 80. Mike Papantonio, Levin, Papantonio, & Rafferty — Doing Well by Doing Good 84. Glen Lerner, Lerner and Rowe – A Steady Hand in a Shifting Industry 101. Pratik Shah, EsquireTek — Discovering the Power of Automation 134. Darryl Isaacs, Isaacs & Isaacs — The Hammer: Insights from a Marketing Legend 104. Taly Goody, Goody Law Group — Finding PI Clients on TikTok 63. Joe Fried, Fried Goldberg LLC — How To Become An Expert And Revolutionize Your PI Niche 96. Brian Dean, Backlinko — Becoming a Linkable Source 83. Seth Godin — Differentiation: How to Make Your Law Firm a Purple Cow 73. Neil Patel, Neil Patel — Digital A New Approach to Content and Emerging Marketing Channels

Acting as a kind of “business development therapist,” Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results. The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ www.theplacementclub.com Links: https://www.fretzin.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 62 of the "Everything Except The Law" podcast has arrived! This time we're speaking with Steve Fretzin, the President of FRETZIN, INC. This conversation was recorded live at Answering Legal's 2024 Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp.In this episode, Steve and host Nick Werker discuss the importance of being able to develop your own clients, how to create new business opportunities from past client relationships, tips for making the most of your networking time and much more!About our guest: Acting as a kind of “business development therapist,” Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results.The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.Learn more about FRETZIN, Inc. here: https://www.fretzin.com/Check out Steve's book "Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science" here: https://ow.ly/fLjB50PpkQ9Subscribe to the Answering Legal Channel so you never miss an episode of Everything Except the Law! Check out audio versions of the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor. Learn more about the show here: http://ow.ly/Eni250LekLgInterested in learning more about Answering Legal? Book an appointment to speak with us here: http://ow.ly/LSUq30sjviNYou can also give us a call at 631-400-8000 or go to www.answeringlegal.comThis podcast is produced and edited by Joe Galotti. You can reach Joe via email at joe@answeringlegal.com.

What could happen if non-lawyers start running law firms and how would it reshape the legal landscape? With Arizona's groundbreaking shift to allow non-lawyers to bring in business for law firms, this episode dives into the broader implications of such industry changes and how they might affect everything from competition to investment opportunities in the legal field. Today we're showcasing an episode of Be That Lawyer hosted by Steve Fretzin, a renowned legal business development coach. Steve invited our host, Gregg Goldfarb, on his show to explore how these changes impact the future of law and law firm ownership. Steve Fretzin has been at the forefront of legal tech discussions and recently participated in a cutting-edge legal tech roundtable. His expertise in leveraging AI to boost firm efficiencies and tackle new business opportunities makes him an invaluable resource for any legal professional. In this episode, you'll discover how non-lawyer owned law firms could transform the legal business model, the potential for collaborations with major corporations like Google and Deloitte, and the essential role of networking and continuous learning for today's lawyers. What to expect in this episode: Overview of Arizona's pioneering law changes that allow non-lawyers to own law firms. Potential ripple effects of these changes across other states and the associated boost in tax revenue. How major players such as Google and Deloitte might enter the legal sector, increasing competition for traditional law firms. Interest from Wall Street and insurance companies in investing in the legal industry. The value legal conferences provide in terms of practical knowledge and networking opportunities. Importance of financial advice and support from lenders for diversifying practice areas and growth. The evolution of legal marketing & How you can adapt as a law firm owner. Steve's and Greg's personal perspectives on investing in yourself to boost business growth. Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firms: Expand Networking: Identify strengths and leverage them to form strategic partnerships and referral networks. Stay Informed: Continuously educate yourself on industry changes and new technologies, especially AI. Diversify Practice Areas: Consider branching out into different legal fields with the help of financial lenders. Invest in Marketing: Hire qualified marketers and make use of social media and TV ads to capture potential clients. Participate in Conferences: Attend legal conferences to gain practical insights and build valuable connections. Adapt Quickly: Embrace the fast-paced nature of client expectations and emerging business models like non-lawyer owned firms.   Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss our next deep dive on Cut to The Chase: Podcast with Gregg Goldfarb! Subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast to stay ahead in your legal practice!   Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5C6csBcVpc&t=41s Listen to Be That Lawyer: https://podcasts.apple.com/mx/podcast/be-that-lawyer/id1498488978 Visit Steve's website: https://www.fretzin.com Connect with Steve Fretzin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin Follow him on Twitter/X: https://x.com/stevefretzin Subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc   This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.

In this episode of The Black Letter Podcast, host Tom Dunlap is joined by Steve Fretzin, founder of Be That Lawyer, to discuss the importance of specialization in the legal profession. Steve shares his journey from working across various industries to focusing exclusively on coaching lawyers, demonstrating how narrowing your focus can lead to greater success. He explains why trying to juggle multiple practice areas can be counterproductive and how honing in on a specific niche can enhance both your effectiveness and satisfaction. Steve also underscores the critical role of business development and marketing in building a successful law practice. This episode is packed with practical insights for lawyers looking to refine their practice and achieve greater fulfillment in their careers.

Driven, focused, and passionate about helping attorneys reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer, and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER. He also has monthly columns in Above the Law and Legal Biz World Magazine.Connect with Steve Fretzin:Website: www.fretzin.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesresults/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevefretzin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ TurnKey Podcast Productions Important Links:Guest to Gold Video Series: www.TurnkeyPodcast.com/gold The Ultimate Podcast Launch Formula- www.TurnkeyPodcast.com/UPLFplusFREE workshop on how to "Be A Great Guest."Free E-Book 5 Ways to Make Money Podcasting at www.Turnkeypodcast.com/gift Ready to earn 6-figures with your podcast? See if you've got what it takes at TurnkeyPodcast.com/quizSales Training for Podcasters: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sales-training-for-podcasters/id1540644376Nice Guys on Business: http://www.niceguysonbusiness.com/subscribe/The Turnkey Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turnkey-podcast/id1485077152 Partner Links -- We use these apps and get amazing results and huge time savings too!Design tool: Canva Pro: Create Stunning Design in Minutes!Check out Headliner to create social media posts with video easily- make.headliner.appSimplecast is the easiest way to set up your podcast hosting- Simplecast.comZoom is the easiest way to schedule meetings and record your podcast interviews. Zoom.usAcuity is the easiest way to schedule your podcast interviews, meetings, and life.Acuityscheduling.com

In this episode of The Black Letter Podcast, Tom Dunlap sits down with Steve Fretzin, a renowned coach for lawyers and host of the "Be That Lawyer" podcast. They explore one of the most challenging aspects of a legal career—business development. Tom and Steve discuss why many lawyers struggle to build a client book despite their legal brilliance and how the lack of a plan often leads to frustration and missed opportunities. Steve shares his insights on the importance of having a strategy, the role of personality in business development, and how even the most introverted lawyers can learn to succeed with the right guidance. Steve also opens up about his personal challenges and the pivotal moment when he realized the power of focus in his own career. Whether you're a lawyer, entrepreneur, or business professional, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to thrive in your career without burning out.

In this episode of The Black Letter Podcast, host Tom Dunlap sits down with Steve Fretzin, the mastermind behind the "Be That Lawyer" podcast. Steve shares his unique journey from a competitive shoe salesman to a successful business coach specializing in sales-free selling. With a background in franchising and an unexpected pivot to working with law firms, Steve has developed a winning approach that resonates with attorneys who often shy away from the sales aspect of their practice. Discover how Steve's philosophy of helping without selling has transformed his career and how his podcast has become a powerful tool for branding and building relationships.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Ray Koenig discuss:Developing a successful practice while remaining authentic to yourself. Integrating your charitable and civic pursuits into your successful private practice. Picking your extracurricular organizations intentionally and meaningfully. Benefiting from bar association participation and leadership.  Key Takeaways:Try things you're afraid of - they're never as bad as you think they will be.You don't always need to tell people what type of lawyer you are - for the general public you can build yourself up as a trusted advisor who solves problems. Being part of organizations is not enough - you should be building relationships and participating actively in those organizations. It's not all about you. Be authentic, but also spotlight other people's successes too.  "Pick a board, pick an organization, that's doing the things that you're really interested in, but at the same time, has kind of the audience - the donors, the board members - that are people that you want to get to know for professional reasons as well." —  Ray Koenig Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Rankings: https://rankings.io/ Episode References: Roy Sexton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/royesexton/@theBar Podcast: https://www.chicagobar.org/CBA/YLS_Law_Students/_theBar_Podcast.aspx About Ray Koenig: Ray Koenig represents individuals, families, financial and medical institutions, charities and governmental agencies in probate, trust, and guardianship controversies, including complex matters which require practical solutions. Ray continually provides quality, responsive, and efficient representation to his clients. Ray is dedicated to the needs of his clients, whether that requires aggressive advocacy in a courtroom, skilled negotiations to prevent or conclude litigation, or effective counseling to avoid future trust and estate controversies. Ray seeks ways to resolve difficult issues in the most effective manner possible. His success has resulted in appointments by judges as Guardian Ad Litem and defense counsel by judges in complicated guardianship matters, and as Special Administrator in problematic probate matters. Ray has decades of experience in a variety of aspects of controversies involving trusts, probate, guardianships and related fiduciary issues including will and trust contests, will and trust construction and reformation actions, citations to recover, breach of fiduciary duty claims, charitable disputes, and guardianship litigation. His years of practice have also resulted in his retention as an expert witness in matters involving guardianship and probate issues. His depth of knowledge has been informed by and led to many speaking engagements and publications. Ray serves as Co-Chair of the firm's global Litigation practice, and as an elected member of the firm's Executive Committee. Ray proudly served as Managing Member of the firm's Chicago office from 2011 to 2023. Connect with Ray Koenig:  Website: https://www.clarkhill.com/people/ray-j-koenig-iii/Email: rkoenig@clarkhill.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raykoenig/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clark-hill-law/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Randa Predergast discuss:Committing to your processes no matter how busy or slow your firm is. Why many lawyers struggle with billing and accounts receivable. Perceived value in your costs with your clients and setting expectations around billing with them. Handling difficult AR and collections with clients.  Key Takeaways:Lack of processes, lack of time, and thinking emotionally about your costs are three of the biggest issues around lawyers receiving their proper payments. Lawyers make exceptions more than any other professional industry leading to higher levels of AR. You are not being exceptional when you make exceptions.You can have your clients on ACH and autopay as long as it is kept securely. This will nearly eliminate your AR. Book keeping and collections should not be done by the attorney. They are delegatable to other professionals. "We want to remove the attorney from this process as much as possible. I only like to bring them in on making decisions about stopping work because of non-payment. So all the tasks up until that point should really go to a legal assistant, admin, billing clerk, or something of that sort, not even a paralegal." —  Randa Predergast Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Rankings: https://rankings.io/ Episode References: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann: https://thegogiver.com/ About Randa Predergast: Providing expert services in law firm and case processes (including implementation and training), paralegal support, and billing clerk services on a 1099 basis. Connect with Randa Predergast:  Website: https://mrsjunelegal.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrs-june-legal-llc/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneywhisperer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@attorneywhisperer Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Phil Fornaro discuss:Following the flow of everything in the industry. Understanding who your community is leveraging them. Core mistakes people make when networking. Building trust and providing value to clients in legal services. Key Takeaways:People are interested in talking about what they do, but if you're not listening, you can't figure out what their problem is, and you can't help them. Being a giver is great, but making it reciprocal with networking partners is even better. Giving your card at an event is like 1/10 for making something out of it. Making a connection and writing down information on their card with a follow-up later increases that drastically. The key to conversion is to provide a solution.  "Client development and business development have resulted in my best and most fulfilling relationships." —  Phil Fornaro Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Rankings: https://rankings.io/ Episode References: Phil Fulton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipfulton/Doug Sandler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-sandlerKen Levinson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenlevinsonatty/Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://www.buybackyourtime.com/ About Phil Fornaro: Philip M. Fornaro, a seasoned legal professional with 29 years of experience, serves as the Managing Attorney at Fornaro Law. His commitment extends beyond the practice of law; it's about delivering comprehensive solutions, fostering structure, and forging meaningful connections. Philip's ultimate aim is to enhance and optimize every situation, ensuring that everyone involved experiences profound satisfaction throughout the entire process and embraces the end result. Connect with Phil Fornaro:  Website: https://www.fornarolaw.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fornarolaw/Light Bulb Moments Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/light-bulb-moments-its-all-about-the-energy/id1748362429 Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and MerriLyn Gibbs discuss:Staying focused on your goals.How Assistants 4 Hire works differently from a recruiting firm to help your law firm succeed.The art of delegation.Business lessons from the game of golf.How you show up every day will determine the results you get. Key Takeaways:Delegation starts slow - you don't have to delegate and forget, you can start with smaller tasks and check the work before the trust is built and you can truly let go of those tasks.If you're looking for easy lead generation, start with your existing clients - reach out to them first, that's where the low-hanging fruit is.Recognize the value in the bad shots - it's not about how good your good shots are, it's how quickly you can recover from the mistakes.Making mistakes is important. The key is not to keep making the same mistakes over and over. "There's so much more learning in the errant shots. And that is what makes you a better golfer. Because the next time you see that, it's easier and easier and easier. And it's really fun when you pull off those impossible shots." —  MerriLyn GibbsTake the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen SinceroAbout MerriLyn Gibbs: MerriLyn's passion is simple: she is driven to help her fellow business owners thrive by empowering them to focus on what they love. As founder and owner of Assistants 4 Hire, MerriLyn has plenty of experience with managing her team and assessing the needs of her clients - but it doesn't stop there! She also offers business seminars and productivity coaching for those not in need of outside assistance. Her know-how and unrelenting attention to detail make MerriLyn a pro at setting others up for success. Connect with MerriLyn Gibbs:  Website: https://www.assistants4hire.net/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilyn-gibbs-50283642/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/assistants-4-hire/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrilyn.gibbsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Assistants4hireInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/assistants4hire/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Nathan Ohler discuss:Moving past the status quo to something different.Saving yourself pain and frustration by crowdsourcing your problems with peer advisory groups.Topics that come up frequently in lawyer peer advisor groups.Top benefits of peer advisor groups for the members. Key Takeaways:In peer groups, you can realize that your firm's problems are not unique to you and those problems are solvable.Goals and tactical plans are related but are not the same thing. You need to have a tactical plan in place to achieve your goals. It is 2% about the goal and 98% about the tactics and habits.Finding and retaining talent now, both young attorneys and support staff, is different than it was in the past.There are many different ways that peer groups or masterminds - not every type will work for every person, but there is a benefit in actively participating in these groups. "It is just linking back to these problems, and getting solutions to them. Hearing what is working from my peers who are living something similar to what I'm living. And I want to hear a diversity of solutions. So then I can go internalize which of those I want to test out. That environment of being able to hear not just one example, but maybe 10 is really powerful." —  Nathan Ohler Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: Atomic Habits by James ClearGetting Things Done by David AllenProVisors: https://provisors.com/Sleep: Redefine Your Rest, for Success in Work, Sport and Life by Nick Littlehales About Nathan Ohler: Nathan Ohler is the President/COO of Nuooly, an exclusive Community for experienced independent/small firm professionals, such as attorneys and accountants. With prior experience on Wall Street and as an executive of multi-billion dollar businesses, he now focuses on enabling Nuooly member success by facilitating peer connections and providing business assistance. Connect with Nathan Ohler:  Website: https://www.nuooly.com/Email: nathan@nuooly.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-ohler/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuooly/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Karl Seelbach discuss:The way you do one thing is the one way you do everything.Building out and being consistent with expectations through SOPs and accountability charts.Setting aside time specifically to work on your business, not just in it.Hiring a coach to remove your blinders. Key Takeaways:Focus on the solutions - if something goes wrong, look at why and see how it can be fixed.Everyone and every firm is a work in progress. The little things that are sometimes forgotten are the things that need the most attention because they will make the biggest results.You don't have to be the one to wear every hat. You don't have to execute on every idea. Delegate what you can't (or don't want to) do.Attorneys are responsible for the work they file with the court. If you utilize AI the same way you would utilize a paralegal or law assistant, you can let the tech work for you."You can't just keep doing the same thing, it's not going to change, and you're going to burn out and end up in a bad spot. You have to hit the brakes and say, ‘Okay, look, I've got to figure out how to solve this.'" —  Karl SeelbachTake the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Ready to go from good to GOAT? Attend PIMCOM, the inaugural personal injury mastermind conference Sept 15-17, 2024. Use promo code BeThatLawyer to get $200.00 off at https://www.pimcon.org/ Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: Traction: https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-bookeMyth: https://www.emyth.com/Who Not How: https://whonothow.com/ChatGPT Enterprise: https://openai.com/chatgpt/enterprise/Casetext: https://casetext.com/Lexis+ AI: https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/products/lexis-plus-ai.pageUnreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573Mention Steve's name and get $500 off your first deposition or upload at Skribe: https://skribe.ai/ About Karl Seelbach: Karl Seelbach is a LegalTech founder and seasoned litigation attorney with over 17 years of experience in the courtroom, representing clients in personal injury, business, and employment litigation. He is a skilled advocate and a tenacious fighter who handles cases with precision and an eye toward trial from day one. His adversaries describe him as "skilled" and "whip-smart." But Karl's legal expertise doesn't stop there - he's also the founder of Skribe.ai, a software platform for capturing testimony that's changing the game for attorneys and their clients. Prior to launching his own law firm in 2015, Karl worked as a litigation partner at one of Texas' largest law firms, Winstead PC, where he was mentored by some of the state's top litigators, including former appellate judges and veteran trial lawyers. Karl received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston and his undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. In his free time, Karl enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters in Dripping Springs, Texas as a #GirlDad who proudly cheers on his kids in volleyball, basketball, and more!  Connect with Karl Seelbach:  Website: https://skribe.ai/Email: karl@skribe.aiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwseelbach/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skribe-ai/Twitter: https://x.com/KarlSeelbach Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Chelsea Williams discuss:Why personal finance is so key to living a healthy, balanced life. The formulas for success at your firm and as an individual.The most common mistakes lawyers make around money. Tips for taking control of your money today. How to stay on top of your finances.  Key Takeaways:Watch out for lifestyle creep. It doesn't matter how much you make if you keep spending more than you bring in. Track your money. Having a personal budget is not restricting, it is setting a financial boundary. There are only two ways to change how much money you spend: you can trim the fat (even if it is just a rogue subscription) or through negotiating your expenses. It is the small things that bite into your spending. The biggest takers are Amazon, software, and subscriptions.  "It doesn't just stop at the money story, we have to hold all of our numbers accountable." —  Chelsea Williams Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: Rocket Money: https://www.rocketmoney.com/Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/Justin Krane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkrane/Mindvalley: https://podcast.mindvalley.com/ About Chelsea Williams: Chelsea has invested ten years of expertise into understanding law firm finance in order to create a framework that any law firm owner can follow to achieve time and money freedom. She's uncovered the common mistakes and struggles law firm owners face that keep them from profitability. Her company partners with law firms to establish a solid financial foundation and works with them to build the framework that gets them to a place of financial clarity, direction, and freedom. Connect with Chelsea Williams:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_money_whisper/Website: https://www.yourcoresolution.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseamwilliams-themoneywhisperer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/core-solutions-group-inc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.zeschkeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourcoresolutionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/core_solutions_group/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Dennis Kennedy discuss:The intersection of the legal system and technology. Utilizing technology in ways that enhance the customer experience.Recognizing where you can free up time to do higher-level legal work. Why every lawyer should have a good, well-utilized CRM.  Key Takeaways:Using technology for things like scheduling meetings, paying invoices, receiving payments, and other things not specific to the legal field is a great place to start if you're unsure of where to begin. There are technology applications that can make your life easier and free up time to do the creative legal work that you want to do. Legal students and younger lawyers are used to using more technology and when they start working, at many law firms, it feels like taking a step back in their use of technology. Don't let the fear of the unknown around technology stop you from leaning into and using it.  "Figure out some problem that you have - something or some way you'd like to make your life easier that you think a technology might be to help you - then decide that you're not going to learn all of the technology, you're just going to learn one thing." —  Dennis Kennedy Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: Chuki Obiyo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chukiobiyo/Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick - https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick/dp/059371671X About Dennis Kennedy: Dennis Kennedy is the Director of the Center for Law, Technology & Innovation at Michigan State University and a widely-known expert on law and technology. He teaches AI and the Law and other technology and innovation classes at MSU, and also teaches a legal technology literacy class at the University of Michigan Law School. Dennis has co-hosted The KennedyMighell Report podcast since 2006, wrote the book Successful Innovation Outcomes in Law and many other publications, and, before joining MSU, retired as Senior Counsel at Mastercard, where he focused on technology law. Connect with Dennis Kennedy:  Website: https://www.denniskennedy.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismkennedyBlog: https://denniskennedy.blog/Podcast: https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/kennedy-mighell-report/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and John Sciaccotta discuss:Building relationships everywhere you go. Connecting authentically and building trust in the community. The time of building relationships and expected outcomes. Breaking out of the billable hour hampster wheel. Controlling your destiny.  Key Takeaways:Get active, get involved, and maintain friendships within the legal practice. Wherever you have a relationship, give them a business card and tell them what you do. Tell them to think of you first. Make significant touches every single day - social media will allow you to do that easier than ever before. Step one is to be a great lawyer. But that's not all there is to building your own business. You will need to understand more about business and sales than law school has led you to believe. It is never too early to start learning networking, relationships, and non-verbal communication. They are the ingredients to success as a human being, as well as in your law firm.  "Life is about needs. If you can identify the need of a potential client or a referral source, and you can fulfill that need, you're going to get what you want." —  John Sciaccotta Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: Start with Why Series by Simon Sinek - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VVJF819 About John Sciaccotta: John C. Sciaccotta has more than 37 years of trial and litigation experience advocating for clients in complex civil litigation, arbitration, mediation and business counseling matters with a special emphasis on complex civil trial and appellate cases brought in federal and state courts and tribunals throughout the United States. John represents publicly and privately held domestic and foreign business entities, business owners, lenders, employers, municipalities, government bodies and individuals in transactional matters and disputes, which include: Counseling and advocating for business entities and their owners in disputes involving Business Divorce issues, including corporate control, valuation, corporate squeeze-outs, minority oppression, dissolution actions and breaches of fiduciary duty and business tort claims. In addition, John has been appointed as a Neutral Arbitrator and Mediator for many years to resolve and arbitrate business-related disputes. He serves on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators. Connect with John Sciaccotta:  Website: https://www.agdglaw.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-c-sciaccotta-7472535Twitter: https://x.com/ScilawFacebook: https://facebook.com/JohncsciaccottaInstagram: https://instagram.com/jcscilaw   Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Erin Andersen discuss:Why lawyers have a hard time finding and retaining great talent.Hiring for personality and culture, not just skills.Hybrid work, salary transparency, and why you should be using LinkedIn to hire your next talent.Seeing hiring as an investment, not just an expense. Key Takeaways:Don't just hire to fill a seat - understand your culture, understand your needs, and hire the right person for that right position.If a firm is open to training in certain areas, a personality fit may be a better hire option for longevity and retention as the person will be the right fit for your firm.Use LinkedIn (and other social media platforms) to scan your hiring candidates. You can learn things that they may not include on their resume, application, or cover letter.Many recruiting firms, like Erin's, have a 90-day guarantee on your hires. Working with a recruiting firm can help you to find the right fit for your law firm. "I think it's actually better to look where you want to be in 10 years, and then backtrack and figure out how to get there." —  Erin Andersen Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com/BTLChallenge! Episode References: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza - https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Habit-Being-Yourself-Dispenza-ebook/dp/B006M7A8JI/ Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/ Episode References: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza - https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Habit-Being-Yourself-Dispenza-ebook/dp/B006M7A8JI/ About Erin Andersen: Erin Andersen is a hiring specialist for law and accounting firms. She specializes in hiring both support staff and Associate Attorneys on a flat-rate basis to make hiring more accessible for law firms which in return lets them scale more efficiently. In addition, she is certified in workplace culture and therefore makes this a part of her hiring process. Erin offers free consultations which can be booked by emailing: info@yourbrandnetworker.com Connect with Erin Andersen: Email: info@yourbrandnetworker.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourbrandnetworker/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrandnetworker Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Matt Campobasso discuss:Preventing problems before they have a chance to happen repeatedly. Assessing the risks you want to take when your company is growing and evolving. Pros and cons of private practice versus an in-house career. How to successfully network with a general counsel.  Key Takeaways:Good prevention doesn't eradicate all risks but stops many unnecessary risks. All risks aren't bad, but you want to have the option of which risks you want to take. Working at a larger law firm right out of school allows you to learn from many other lawyers and can give you a broader perspective on different aspects of legal. In your own practice (or in a law firm in general) you want to be working on and building your book of business - rarely are clients going to fall into your lap with no relationship building on your end. When reaching out to a potential client, do your homework first. Try to understand where they are at and what their pain points are.  "I've said this for a long time, the best lawyers know the best way to protect their clients is to know their clients, and there's no better way to know your client from the inside." —  Matt Campobasso Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath - https://www.amazon.com/Upstream-Quest-Problems-Before-Happen/dp/1982134720 About Matt Campobasso: Matt Campobasso is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Enfusion, Inc., a publicly traded fintech company headquartered in Chicago. He also serves as a member of Enfusion's Executive Committee and as Co-Chair of its Operating Committee. Campobasso joined Enfusion in September 2020 as Deputy General Counsel and assumed the role of General Counsel in November 2022. During his time with Enfusion, the company went public via an October 2021 IPO and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. As General Counsel, Campobasso oversees a team of nine lawyers who manage Enfusion's legal operations and risk for a global organization with offices in eight countries. The team prioritizes a business-first approach that combines “range” and “upstream thinking” aimed at solving problems before they arise and employing legal strategies that safeguard and advance business strategy. In addition to Enfusion, Campobasso's 18 years of legal experience include time spent as a government prosecutor, as an associate and then partner with Freeborn & Peters (now Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP), and, most recently, as general counsel for TruQua Enterprises (acquired by IBM in 2020). Campobasso earned a J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Connect with Matt Campobasso:  Website: https://www.enfusion.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrc1921/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enfusion-llc/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this special episode of Law Subscribed, I was joined on LinkedIn Live by Steve Fretzin of the podcast BE THAT LAWYER where we talk about common mistakes lawyers make when building a book of business and how to avoid them.Check out my new show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Get Connected with SixFifty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Remember to use the code LAWSUBSCRIBED when signing up to save 10% on your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gavel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ annual subscription!Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Law Subscribed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to subscribe to the Substack newsletter to get notified about every episode, listen from your web browser, and for additional content.Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lawsubscribed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠everywhere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscriptionseminar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mathew Kerbis'⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ law firm ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscription Attorney LLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Adrian Mendoza discuss:Flipping the script on sales to professional development. Spending your time in the best way for your skills and interests. The importance of qualifying questions and building the right relationships. Tips for networking effectively.  Key Takeaways:Networking is about building relationships, not just about getting the business. It's planting seeds to see what grows over time. In order to know what to give, you have to listen. Don't be so focused on giving your pitch that you're ignoring what the other person's needs and concerns are. Ask the qualifying questions. If they are not the right fit for you, it would be a waste of your networking time. You can say no and it be kind. You may not be the right fit for someone, but you may be able to introduce them to someone who is.  "If we believe that networking is about developing those relationships that you want, then it has to be based on trust. And if you're not sincere, people will see through it right away. People know when you're when you're putting on a front, when you're putting on an act. And honestly, nobody likes that." —  Adrian Mendoza Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: ProVisors: https://provisors.com/In Our Time Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/598SVYJ2smP8qJlpH29y7Vj/podcasts About Adrian Mendoza: Adrian is the managing partner of Lillig & Thorsness, Ltd. where he leads the litigation group. His practice includes business disputes, trust and estate litigation, fraud claims, and employment law matters. Adrian represents clients in the manufacturing, hospitality, real estate, legal, banking, and construction industries. Connect with Adrian Mendoza:  Website: https://www.lilliglaw.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmendoza/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillig-&-thorsness-ltd./ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Erik Reid discuss:Why you should consider international hiring for your US-based company. What to consider in doing remote versus in-house staffing. The red flags to catch if you did make a wrong hiring decision. Changing the stigma around international hiring.  Key Takeaways:Using an aptitude test can help you understand someone's potential within your organization even before you understand if they are the right fit for your organization. Every role is different and different personalities will thrive in those different roles. Communication and clear instructions can give you amazing experiences with virtual staffing and help you delegate the things on your list that are not worth your hourly rate. Any role that can be worked remotely, can be worked internationally.  "If you want to break staffing down into the simplest form, it's 50%. Are they able to do the job? Are they cognitively able to do the job? Do they have the skills for it? And then the other 50% is, are they the right fit for the role? Is the role the right fit for that? And that's very subjective." —  Erik Reid Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: Atomic Habits by James ClearHow to become 37.78 times better at anything | Atomic Habits summary (by James Clear) About Erik Reid: Erik Reid is the Co-Founder and Owner of Virtustant, a company dedicated on staffing exceptional international talent with companies worldwide. Starting the venture at 24 in the height of Covid, Erik has built a fully remote global business that staffs hundreds of individuals with dozens of companies. Under his leadership Virtustant has established itself as an innovative tactical solution in the realm of HR, empowering enterprises to expand operational teams swiftly and cost-effectively, ensuring sustained excellence and competitiveness.  Connect with Erik Reid:  Website: https://virtustant.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-reid-b0a077126/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtustant/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Miriam Airington-Fisher discuss:Building your business on your own or under a firm umbrella. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. Growing and scaling in different ways. Advice for those lawyers going out on their own.  Key Takeaways:You get a higher return when you're the one that you're investing in. Even though we are all important in our own ways, we can still delegate to others. You do not need to be the person talking to every single person on every single issue. Take yourself out of the day-to-day equation. You can do that with technology, a small staff, or a large staff. Regardless of your goals, getting out of the whirlwind counts as scaling. There is never a perfect time to pull the trigger. Draw a line in the sand, bet on yourself, and go do it.  "When you're an entrepreneur and you're in control, you can you can shape how the business looks." —  Miriam Airington-Fisher Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: Fireproof: A Five-Step Model to Take Your Law Firm from Unpredictable to Wildly Profitable by Mike MorseThe Game-Changing Attorney Podcast with Michael Mogill About Miriam Airington-Fisher: Miriam is a lawyer, firm owner, speaker, and best-selling author. She started a practice in 2016 as a new mom in the middle of a divorce, and over the past 8 years has grown it into a 12-person, multi-million dollar firm specializing in immigration and civil rights. Today, she runs the Virginia-based firm, Airington Law, and consults with lawyers and law firm owners who want to build or scale family-friendly law firms. She is the author of Mom's A Lawyer: How to Start a Firm and Take Control of Your Life.  Connect with Miriam Airington-Fisher:  Website: https://airingtonlaw.com/Website: https://www.momsalawyer.com/Book: https://www.momsalawyer.com/bookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyer-like-a-mother/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyerlikeamother Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Laura Sauter discuss:What branding really is and what it really means. Personal branding to stand out authentically. Building and protecting your reputation and brand. Reflecting on your personal brand and values to elevate your law practice.  Key Takeaways:People hire lawyers, not just law firms. To stand out, you must have your own branding, not just that of the firm. You only know what your brand is when it is reflected to you by those who love you and those who hate you. Dig deep, understand yourself, and be you. That is your biggest differentiator. You don't need everyone as a customer. You just need the right ones.  "No matter what the company, no matter what the size, I'm still going to go through those core values and help those entities, the person or the firm, understand how they are unique within the plethora of offerings out there." —  Laura SauterTake the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: The Power of You by Chris MichaelsThe 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy FerrissThe Brand You by Tom Peters About Laura Sauter: Meet Laura Sauter, a seasoned brand expert, educator, and speaker passionate about the power of personal branding. With over two decades of experience in brand strategy and design, Laura empowers entrepreneurs, non-profits, and seasoned company founders to navigate growth, transition, and conflict with confidence. Laura's expertise lies in strategic brand positioning, naming, corporate identity, and associated marketing. She has consulted for multinational corporations such as Fidelity, Biogen, and TJX, as well as numerous small and mid-sized companies across New England and nationwide. As a dynamic speaker and educator, Laura shares actionable insights and strategies to help individuals and businesses amplify their personal brands. Her approach combines precision, creativity, and empathy to drive tangible results in today's competitive landscape. Whether you're looking to enhance your personal brand or elevate your company's identity, Laura Sauter is your trusted partner in achieving lasting impact and success. Connect with Laura Sauter:  Website: https://agencybel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-sauter-58a341/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agency-bel/Twitter: https://twitter.com/agencybelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.sauter.5/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agencybelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/designerlulu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agencybel/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and David Aaronson discuss:Why sales has a bad reputation in the legal industry. Being human before selling. Properly utilizing the Universal Seven Principles of Persuasion. Understanding the emotional decision-making that happens before the intellectual decision-making.  Key Takeaways:Sales has changed from hard selling to consultant selling. There is power in social proof and in having authority. What are you doing to build relationships and authority in your area of expertise?Look at what your competitors are doing and be an authority against those competitors. If they are creating lots of content online, you should be as well to compete with them. Do your research on those you want to build relationships with to create unity with something beyond the superficial.  "Just because the seven principles are there, doesn't mean they're going to happen naturally, you have to affect them." —  David Aaronson Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: ProVisors: https://www.provisors.com/HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com/Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555Yes! By Robert B. Cialdini: https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Scientifically-Proven-Ways-Persuasive/dp/1416570969 About David Aaronson: As the owner of Digital Inbound, David is a Cialdini Institute Certified Coach, trainer, and practitioner, specializing in the field of marketing. Our focus is leveraging the Universal 7 Principles of Persuasion (PoP) to help get more prospects to say yes. We are dedicated to demonstrating how to utilize the 7 PoPs not just for marketing and sales, but for everyday decisions we all make. We utilize insights from both Robert Cialdini, Ph.D. author of Influence, the Psychology of Influence and Daniel Kahneman, Ph.D. winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics and author of Thinking, Fast & Slow. Connect with David Aaronson:  Website: https://www.digitalinbound.com/Email: david@digitalinbound.comPhone: 323-428-2015LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcaaronson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-inbound/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Sarah Victory discuss:Building your business without imploding. What to focus on whether you're running a small or large firm.The biggest problems lawyers face when scaling. Getting business and leads from speaking and presentations.  Key Takeaways:Become better in the face of hard challenges. Don't wish your challenges were easier when you can get stronger. You can find great people, but you have to dare to do it. Do something brave every day to grow your business. Hire somebody before you think you need them. You can also look for people outside of the US and are not constrained by only those in your area.At speaking engagements, connect with people before and after. Network, connect, build relationships, and show your expertise.  "I believe there's a form of marketing for everybody. And that usually is something you love to do." —  Sarah Victory Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck About Sarah Victory: CEO of The Victory Company & international best-selling Author, Sarah Victory, has spoken to over 3000 distinguished audiences, including 3 ½ million people, in Europe, the US, and South America, and is sought after for popular Podcasts, and TV and Radio Shows. She is the author of Double Your Business in One Year or Less! and Do Something Brave Every Day. Connect with Sarah Victory:  Website: https://www.thevictorycompany.com/Email: sarah@thevictorycompany.comBook: How to Be Powerful: Insider Secrets to Brilliant Leadership, Sales, and SpeakingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspiringvictoryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahvictory/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahvictory/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiringvictory/ Connect with Gary Johnson:  Website: j2marketingconsultants.comEmail: garyj@j2marketingconsultants.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/j2marketingconsultantsTwitter: twitter.com/j2consultants Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Robert Friedman discuss:Focusing on the client and what their needs are, both physical and psychographic. The five questions Robert asks each of his questions.  Setting your aperture appropriately. Understanding your positioning and making it work for you.  Key Takeaways:When you can position yourself precisely, you won't attract everyone, but you will attract the right clients to your firm. You have to do both the strategy work and the research work to know that you're landing in the right space with your branding. If your message is not resonating with your potential referral sources and clients, then workshop it. Ask for feedback and be willing to listen. You don't want to spin your wheels when a simple change could bring business growth. Focus on what makes you unique and make sure that comes across to your clients and potential clients.  "The number one way to differentiate is to really think about what you value and what you stand for and put that upfront." —  Robert Friedman Take the BE THAT LAWYER challenge at Fretzin.com! Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Green Cardigan Marketing: https://greencardiganmarketing.com/ Episode References: The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair EnnsTake Robert's Brand Strength Assessment for more information: https://www.fearlessbranding.com/resources/ About Robert Friedman: I am the founder of Fearless Branding. I work with experts in law and consulting who are at the top of their game, but whose firms are not realizing their full potential. They want bigger clients and more lucrative cases/engagements but they struggle to get traction with their ideal clients. Here's what I find: Frequently, professional services and consulting firms deliver powerful, unique expertise but they don't reap the rewards because the way they define their value is generic. They're not controlling their own narrative. For over 20 years, I've worked with expert firms to transform the way they present themselves to their market. We define their unique brilliance and develop a winning narrative that answers their prospects' most important question: “Why should we choose you.” My work delivers a complete brand transformation: I deliver firms a new way to talk about themselves and position themselves precisely in the minds of their ideal clients. Deliverables include brand identities, website (including all messaging), thought leadership marketing and guidance for the right language for business development conversations. Results are significant increase in average engagement size, driven by increased clarity and confidence. Before Fearless Branding I was in brand management for Kraft and other major food companies, and I was a “Mad Man” for big New York City advertising agencies. Connect with Robert Friedman:  Website: https://www.fearlessbranding.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfriedmanfearlessbranding/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Are you a lawyer struggling to compete with law firms spending millions on marketing? How can you up your game and grow your practice– without breaking the bank?   In a rapidly changing legal industry, lawyers need to adapt and learn essential business development skills that aren't taught in law school.   On this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast, we have Steve Fretzin, a master lawyer coach with 15 years of experience, to discuss the importance of lawyer coaching and how it can help lawyers excel in their careers.   Steve Fretzin has worked with lawyers from various practice areas and different personality types, proving that coaching works for everyone.   In this episode, you'll learn about the value of lawyer coaching, who can benefit from it, and how it can transform a lawyer's career.   On this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast, Gregg and Steve discuss:     - The need for coaching and skill development beyond legal education    - The benefits of lawyer coaching for business development and client growth    - How coaching helps lawyers create sustainable and efficient practices    - Identifying gaps in business development skills and how coaching addresses them    - The importance of motivation and commitment in successful coaching    - The upcoming workshop on unleashing potential in 2024 and its benefits   Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firms:    - Develop a comprehensive business development plan to achieve growth    - Learn effective networking strategies to build relationships and engage potential clients    - Use sales-free selling methods to connect with clients and pitch your services without feeling salesy    - Utilize coaching and training programs to bridge the gap between legal education and business development skills    - Embrace technology and leverage AI to streamline operations and enhance client services   For lawyers looking to take their careers to the next level, coaching and skill development in business development are essential. Reach out to Steve Fretzin via email [steve@fretzin.com] or LinkedIn [www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin] and explore how his coaching programs can help you unlock your potential and achieve success in the legal industry. Details On Steve's Upcoming Workshop Below: Ever feel like your success is just around the corner, waiting for the perfect moment to shine? Well, guess what? The time is NOW, and we've got the key to unlock your triumphs in 2024!    Join Steve Fretzin, the powerhouse behind BE THAT LAWYER and a four-time bestselling author, as he spills the beans on supercharging your success. Craft a killer plan, build an unforgettable personal brand, and learn the art of selling without the hard sell – all backed by Steve's proven strategies.   Ready to harness the power of low-hanging fruit and foster client loyalty that lasts? Steve Fretzin, the maestro of lawyer coaching, is here to guide you to new heights! Don't miss your chance – enroll in the FRETZIN train now and make 2024 YOUR year! Again the event is on, December 18th 2023 and to sign up for the Business Development Workshop go to www.fretzin.com/events!   

Steve Fretzin is the founder of FRETZIN, Inc., the premier lawyer coaching, skills trainer and peer-advisory leader for highly motivated attorneys. He is also the author of the book "Sales Free Selling" and hosts the podcast "Be That Lawyer." In this episode, Kevin Daisey interviews Steve Fretzin about the importance of business development for attorneys. Steve shares his background in business development and how he discovered the need for business development coaching specifically for lawyers. He explains his philosophy of "business development," which focuses on building relationships, understanding client needs, and guiding them through the buying decision process. Steve emphasizes the importance of learning business development skills and how it can lead to greater success and control in a law practice. He also discusses the challenges lawyers face in business development and offers tips for qualifying clients and asking for referrals.

Steve Fretzin is the President of Fretzin, where he provides legal business development services for attorneys. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Steve works with lawyers in all practice areas, ranging from startups to attorneys at large firms amassing over $6 million in billable hours annually. As a best-selling author and the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast, he has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio.  Steve has authored four books on legal business development and written articles for the Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Focusing exclusively on advancing lawyers' business development skills, he offers two programs: an MBA-level coaching and training session on business development and a peer advisory roundtable for experienced attorneys looking to further their success. Steve collaborates directly with lawyers to create custom plans that deliver tangible results based on their specific business goals. His methods help attorneys develop a more successful law practice, and he shows them how to turn contacts into clients. In this episode… Most lawyers aren't well-versed in the art of sales, which can hinder their firms' growth potential. They join associations to develop connections but can become uncomfortable when faced with soliciting clients and partnerships. How can you obtain the most value from these opportunities and acquire new clients to grow your practice? Although not a practicing attorney, Steve Fretzin has spent his entire career coaching attorneys on networking, client acquisition, and business development. He encourages lawyers to shift their approach and target their ideal audience. This includes engaging with prospective clients, referral sources, and circles of influence to build trust and likeability. But true business growth occurs when you convert associates and friends into clients. Steve suggests listening to and understanding your prospects' needs and demonstrating authority to establish relationships. Join Elise Holtzman in this episode of The Lawyer's Edge Podcast as she interviews Steve Fretzin, the President of Fretzin, about turning friends into law firm clients. Steve shares the most recent business development trends in the legal industry, how to influence buying decisions, and how to avoid discomfort when asking clients for referrals. 

In this episode, Wayne Pollock, the founder of the Law Firm Editorial Service, interviews Steve Fretzin, the premier coach, skills trainer, and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 18 years, Steve  has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's, and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio, and has written articles for Legal Business World, Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.In their discussion about how Steve is able to be such a prolific content creator, Steve and Wayne talk about, among other things:- The relationship between marketing and business development;- The process Steve followed for writing his four books, including his first book, a parable;- The decision whether to self-publish a book versus enlist a publisher;- What your content should do instead of giving the 20,000-foot view of a topic;- Why podcasting is especially effective for lawyers and other professional services providers;- What being a prolific content creator has meant to Steve's business;- The process for determining which marketing and business development tactics a lawyer should pursue; and - Trends Steve's seeing in marketing and business development for lawyers.Watch the episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e9upn4Tx9UAbout Steve FretzinSteve's online bio: https://www.fretzin.com/aboutSteve's Be That Lawyer podcast: https://www.fretzin.com/podcastSteve's books: https://www.fretzin.com/resources/booksSteve's Chicago Daily Law Bulletin columns: https://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/search?searchtext=fretzinSteve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzinAbout Wayne Pollock/the Law Firm Editorial ServiceLearn more about Wayne Pollock, the host of Legally Contented: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynepollockLearn more about the Law Firm Editorial Service: http://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.comDo you have any idea how much money your firm is losing when its lawyers write thought leadership marketing and business development content themselves? Learn how much with the Law Firm Editorial Service's Thought Leadership Cost Calculator:  https://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/thought-leadership-cost-calculatorCheck out blog posts and videos designed to help you and your colleagues improve their content marketing and thought-leadership marketing efforts: https://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/bloghttps://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/videosDo you know a lawyer, law firm, or company serving the legal industry doing big things with their content marketing and/or thought leadership marketing that we should feature? Please email us at hello@legallycontented.com

In this podcast episode, host Gary welcomes Steve Fretzin, a renowned business development expert for lawyers. They discuss the importance of lawyers developing their own book of business and personal brand. Steve explains that being a great attorney is no longer enough to attract clients and that having control and freedom over one's career is crucial for success. He shares strategies for lawyers to grow their practice, including building relationships with clients and marketing themselves through social media and public speaking. Steve emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and having a business development coach. He also addresses common objections and encourages lawyers to prioritize their own success. Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 18 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Legal Business World, Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Episode 50 of the "Everything Except The Law" podcast has arrived! This time we're speaking with Annette Choti, the Owner of Law Quill, and Steve Fretzin, the President of FRETZIN, Inc. This episode was recorded in front of a live virtual audience at Answering Legal's Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp.  In this episode, Annette, Steve and podcast host Nick Werker discuss what lawyers tend to get wrong when it comes to business development, the best place for attorneys to begin with their digital marketing efforts and much more!About our guests:Annette Choti is an attorney of 20 years, and the President & Owner of Law Quill, a legal digital marketing agency focused on law firms. Law Quill is a full-service digital marketing for attorneys, and provides websites, SEO-optimized content, SEO audits, social media marketing, branding, and pay per click advertising. Annette hosts the podcast Legal Marketing Lounge. Annette used to do theatre and professional comedy, which is not so different from the legal field if we are all being honest. Annette can be found on LinkedIn or at annette@lawquill.comLearn more about Law Quill here: https://lawquill.com/Learn more about Annette's book "Click Magnet" here: https://ow.ly/XEpJ50PpkWKSteve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results.The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.Learn more about FRETZIN, Inc. here: https://www.fretzin.com/Learn more about Steve's book "Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science" here: https://ow.ly/fLjB50PpkQ9Interested in learning more about Answering Legal? Book an appointment to speak with us here: http://ow.ly/LSUq30sjviN

In this Episode of Counsel to Counsel, I'm bringing you the feed from Steve Fretzin's great podcast, Be That Lawyer. Steve is an outstanding business development coach for attorneys. He is an author and friend who has taught me a lot about BD coaching. In this episode, Steve interviews me about why coaching can be a great tool to help lawyers achieve higher levels of career satisfaction and marketing success.  I talk about one of my favorite topics: why lawyers need to wear a different hat when they are not giving out legal advice (and why that can be hard for some attorneys.) Steve has been a guest on Counsel to Counsel and this is my second time as a guest on Be That Lawyer. Steve has also been great about inviting me to participate on his panel of attorney coaches called Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner. He is a practitioner of co-opetition and very generous with his time. Additional Episodes Steve Seckler: Coaching to the Next Level (on Be That Lawyer) Episode 44-Getting the Most from Networking Meetings and Troikas (Steve Fretzin on Counsel to Counsel)  

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Luis Scott Jr. discuss:Leveraging others to help you focus and grow the business.Making the sale in a natural way.Distinguishing yourself from the pack.Delegating without exploiting. Key Takeaways:When you are engaged in too many things, it is hard to be excellent at any of those things.Niching down within a niche becomes a unique selling proposition. When it comes to sales, people want to know there is something unique, but they need to know the full value.Most people do not know how to delegate, and lawyers are not any different. Becoming the master delegator is the key to growing your business.You are in absolute control of your future. "There's a difference between a unique selling proposition and a value proposition. First of all, understanding what your value proposition is, and then, the second thing, learn how to deliver it with confidence." —  Luis Scott Jr. Thank you to our Sponsors!Legalese Marketing: https://legaleasemarketing.com/Moneypenny: https://www.moneypenny.com/us/Practice Panther: https://www.practicepanther.com/ Episode References: Book: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319Email Luis at luis@8figurefirm.com and mention hearing him on Be That Lawyer to get a FREE copy of his book: The King of Growth: How to Dominate Your Market, Increase Predictability, and Unleash the Power of Your Law Firm for Personal and Financial Freedom!!! About Luis Scott Jr.: Luis Scott is a respected attorney ad consultant. He is the owner of Bader Scott Injury Lawyers and 8-Figure Firm Consulting and specializes in helping legal professionals optimize and grow their practices. He has been recognized by various legal organizations and has 20 years of experience, including as the owner and managing partner of a successful law firm with almost 200 employees. Connect with Luis Scott Jr.:  Website: https://luisscottjr.com/Website: https://baderscott.com/Website: https://www.8figurefirm.com/Books: https://luisscottjr.com/books/Show: https://luisscottjr.com/podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwpUZsAwYm3bff5HVJc3rEQLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-scott-bader-law/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8figurefirm/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/8figurefirmInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/luisscottjr/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8figurefirm/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Driven, focused, and passionate about helping ambitious Attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer, and thought leader in business development. Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers learn what they never learned in law school; business development and marketing. The goal is for Steve's clients is to live the best possible life with balance, control, and happiness. In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ Links: https://www.fretzin.com/podcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/ https://www.facebook.com/salesresults https://www.youtube.com/@SalesResultsInc/

Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice. In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. You can connect with Steve on LinkedIn or Facebook. In addition to listening to the episode, you can watch a video of their discussion on our YouTube Channel.  And be sure to subscribe to support the podcast! For general information about the podcast, send an email to info@beinhakerlaw.com To follow Mitch and the podcast, go to linktr.ee/beinhakerlaw. You can subscribe and listen to episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and most other directories. Please review us whenever possible and thanks for your continued support! Sponsorships and paid guest appearances are available. Connect with us by email or on social media. The Accidental Entrepreneur is brought to you by Beinhaker Law, a boutique business & estates legal practice in Clark, NJ. To learn about shared outside general counsel services and how to better protect your business, visit https://beinhakerlaw.com/fractional-gen-counsel/ Opening music written and performed by Howie Moscovitch and Made to Order Music. For more information about Howie and his music services, visit https://howiemoscovitch.com/made-to-order-music/ Please support our affiliate sponsors (https://beinhakerlaw.com/podcast-affiliates/). Also, support the show and get your own podcast merch! (https://beinhakerlaw.com/podcast-store/) One of One Productions - a New Jersey-based studio, just over the George Washington bridge, that caters to the booming business of podcasting. Be sure to check out the guesting kit that they've created exclusively for our listeners! https://one-of-one-productions.myshopify.com/products/mitchell-beinhakers-guesting-kit North Authentic - NorthAuthentic.com is a conscious hair care marketplace offering the cleanest brands from around the world. Their pro stylists curate only the most fabulous non-toxic hair products. Use our affiliate link for all your purchases! https://shrsl.com/38heu The Healthy Place - Findyourhealthyplace.com has thousands of supplements to help you live a better quality of life; as well as natural solutions for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, sleep and much, much more. Need guidance? Use their Live Chat feature and talk to a Wellness Consultant right on their website. The Accidental Entrepreneur is a trademark of Mitchell C. Beinhaker. Copyright 2018-2022. All rights reserved.

Is balance realistic for lawyers? How can lawyers create space in their lives for work, family, vacations, and living fully, with clients and scaling their practice? Joining me for this conversation is Steve Fretzin. Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.  In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Legal Business World, Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Steve gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:55] Business development vs. marketing [4:40] Why sales can feel so icky  [7:40] How to find balance between all of the moving pieces of being a lawyer and running a firm [12:40] How to re-plan and re-evaluate as business changes [16:40] Putting systems and programs in place to create more balance [22:55] The power of delegating  Resources mentioned in this episode:Getting Things Done by David AllenConnect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Is balance realistic for lawyers?   How can lawyers create space in their lives for work, family, vacations, and living fully, with clients and scaling their practice?   Joining me for this conversation is Steve Fretzin.   Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.    In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Legal Business World, Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.   Steve gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:55] Business development vs. marketing [4:40] Why sales can feel so icky  [7:40] How to find balance between all of the moving pieces of being a lawyer and running a firm [12:40] How to re-plan and re-evaluate as business changes [16:40] Putting systems and programs in place to create more balance [22:55] The power of delegating  Resources mentioned in this episode: Getting Things Done by David Allen Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.fretzin.com   Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Is balance realistic for lawyers?   How can lawyers create space in their lives for work, family, vacations, and living fully, with clients and scaling their practice?   Joining me for this conversation is Steve Fretzin.   Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.    In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Legal Business World, Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.   Steve gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:55] Business development vs. marketing [4:40] Why sales can feel so icky  [7:40] How to find balance between all of the moving pieces of being a lawyer and running a firm [12:40] How to re-plan and re-evaluate as business changes [16:40] Putting systems and programs in place to create more balance [22:55] The power of delegating  Resources mentioned in this episode: Getting Things Done by David Allen Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Relationships drive business. But how do you identify the connections that will generate more business for your firm? Enter Steve Fretzin. He works with start-up solos to attorneys at large firms - originating over $6 million in billables a year. He is also the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast and a four-time author. Business development - or connecting one-to-one - is based on soft skills that might not come to every attorney naturally. But that's okay. Steve is here to help give you insight and practical tools to help your business grow. He covers best practices for business development and how to stay accountable to your own priorities. What's in This Episode? Who is Steve Fretzin? How to define business development for law firms. What are the most important actions when developing a book of business? How to make decisions based on priorities and not the inbox? What is the best thing solo attorneys can do for business development? What secret power do introverts have? What soft skills are needed to make the sale?

In this episode of the Wealthy Woman Lawyer® podcast, I welcome Steve Fretzin, the Founder and President of Fretzin Inc., a company that helps lawyers become better business developers and rainmakers with sales-free selling. For the past 18 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their law firm growth goals, He's the author of multiple books on rainmaking for lawyers, and the host of the “Be That Lawyer” podcast.“We need to get business and we need to get business fast, and if you follow a proven process of how to do networking more effectively, social media more effectively, walking buyers through buying decisions, client loyalty, these are all learned processes and lawyers are just totally unequipped, out of law school and even at the law firm level, to do it.” - Steve FretzinListen in as Steve and I discuss… Why Steve niched down to work only with lawyers after decades in sales. How both introverts and extroverts can be good rainmakers (Hint: adapting to your audience is the key.) Strategies for building relationships with referring professionals. How best to communicate to other professionals that you want a reciprocal business relationship with them. (There's specific language you'll want to use!) Agenda-setting for networking meetings so you get better results than winging it. How to add value for someone in your network even when you can't make direct referrals. Handling common objects without icky sales vibes. Time management tips for busy attorneys who “don't have time for business development”. And much more!The Wealthy Woman Lawyer® Podcast is sponsored by Wealthy Woman Lawyer.®  We help women law firm owners scale their law firm businesses to and thru $1M in gross annual revenue with total ease so they can fully fund—and still have time to enjoy—the lifestyle of their dreams! If you want to know more, visit our website at www.wealthywomanlawyer.comor follow us on Instagram @wealthywomanlawyer.  Also, you are invited to join our free Facebook group, Wealthy Woman Lawyer. See you on the inside!Warmly,DavinaMentioned in this episode: Visit Steve's website Connect with him on LinkedIn Listen to BE THAT LAWYER Podcast Steve Fretzin's books The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Getting Things Done by David Allen

Steve Fretzin, four time author, podcaster, and legal development coach, joins The Free Lawyer to talk about: -How to be a confident, authentic and skilled rainmaker -Building your own book of portable clients -The importance of effective consulting relationships with your clients - How to do what you love to do for others -Creating your own personal and financial freedom This is a can't miss episode! Driven, focused and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice. In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER, and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's, and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Are any of you suffering from burnout and a difficulty in setting boundaries? If so, obtain my free tips on how to set boundaries and avoid burnout here: https://www.garymiles.net/burnout

lovethylawyer.comA transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com.Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.Steve Fretzinhttps://fretzin.com/about/Acting as a kind of “business development therapist,” Steve Fretzin coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results.The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com and has appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.Steve's Books:https://www.amazon.com/Legal-Business-Development-Rocket-Science-ebook/dp/B09PZHBY6T/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1K79N3XYGSEAC&keywords=steve+fretzin&qid=1650481389&s=books&sprefix=steve+fret%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-3  Louis Goodman www.louisgoodman.com louisgoodman2010@gmail.com 510.582.9090 Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, OaklandAudiograms & Transcripts: Paul Roberts    We'd love to hear from you.  Send me an email at louis@lovethylawyer.com. Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you'd like us to cover.  Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.    

Steve Fretzin is the President of Fretzin Inc as well as the host of the “Be That Lawyer” podcast. Steve actually isn't a lawyer by trade but after finding out that lawyers made up the vast majority of his business he decided to work with the legal industry and help them get the results they want. He is also the survivor of a horrible plane crash, which motivated to live everyday. Steve joins host Molly McGrath to talk about how to not sound as sales-y to potential clients.   Takeaways:  When building up your client list, you need to have the soft skills to talk to them such as relationship building, question, qualifying, and listening. Most Attorneys are afraid of coming off too much like a salesperson and that will prevent them from landing more clients. You need to be motivated, committed and coachable when it comes to learning how to get more clients. It takes time to learn. If you want to become a great lawyer, you need to put the time in and practice over and over again. When it comes to learning, paying attention is a key aspect of it. You won't retain the information if you don't pay attention. If you are not motivated in your business then you won't be focused, and if you aren't focused your business will suffer. It's ok to fail at something, as long as you make it a learning experience and figure out why it didn't work. Quote of the Show:   12:06: “Learning comes at a cost and part of the cost is paying attention.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ Website: https://fretzin.com/ Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Legal-Business-Development-Rocket-Science-ebook/dp/B09PZHBY6T Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music - https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-and-Empowering-Solutions/dp/B08JJSLJ7N Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hiring-and-empowering-solutions/id1460184599 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3oIfsDDnEDDkcumTCygHDH Google Podcast - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vMTc4MTM2L3Jzcw Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/hiring-and-empowering-solutions

 The major problem with delegation is that you have to develop a rhythm for how you delegate, the same way that you develop a rhythm for how you pay your bills or a rhythm for how you hire your staff or how you market your law firm. If you just kind of pinch-hit and do it here and there, you get pinch-hit results.   In this episode we discuss:   Develop a rhythm for how you delegate. Practice intentionality around delegating so you can trust your team members. Explain to your team the why behind your system in your law firm. Empower others to be a force for your delegation benefit. SEE THE FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW Allison Williams: [00:00:05] Hi, everybody. It's Allison Williams here, your host of The Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast. Law Firm Mentor is a business coaching service for solo and small law firm attorneys. We help you to grow your revenues, crush chaos in business and make more money.   Allison Williams: [00:00:26] Welcome, my dear Steve Fretzin to the Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast.   Steven Fretzin: [00:00:31] Hey, Alison, how are you doing?   Allison Williams: [00:00:32] Hey, I'm doing well. You know, I'm excited to have you on. We've had you on before. Every once in a while, you get a really great guest. We have a great conversation and a lot of value to the audience. So you're definitely one of those people I wanted to have come back, but even after I made the decision I was going to invite you back, I saw that once again. You're at it in this, in this author biz that you're in. And I wanted to talk to you specifically about your book, because I know that it is starting to get a lot of buzz in the legal industry.   Steven Fretzin: [00:01:03] Yeah, it was a, it was a blast to do. And I got a really big kick-off even without doing like a book launch party, which I would normally do. Non-covid I got a really big international bestseller status in four countries and I was just so excited about it. And it's six years of work into this book, so really thrilled about it and I appreciate you having me back.   Allison Williams: [00:01:24] Yeah. So congratulations on the international bestseller status. For those that are watching us on YouTube, you can actually see the title of the book over Steve's right, right Shoulder. But for those of you that are listening on the podcast platforms, the name of the book is Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science 250 plus easy and actionable ways to grow your book of business in less time and with greater results. So I know that was a, that was a mouthful, but it tells you everything you need to know about why this is going to be such a great resource for those of you that really want to expand your legal career and generate more business. So let's talk about the book and let's start first by giving some people that have not been introduced to you before or have not heard you on this podcast before. Learn a little bit about you. Right? The fact that you are not a lawyer, but you play one on TV, I think is remarkable because you blend right in with us. But tell us about you, Steve.   Steven Fretzin: [00:02:20] Yeah, so I'm someone who got pulled into the legal industry in 2008, never realizing or even considering that lawyers needed help with business development. My father is a retired attorney now, but he always, as a solo, had plenty of business, plenty of work, he made plenty of money. There was all, he was the total package, not having to network, not having to do. It just was natural that relationships would happen for him. So he didn't really have to think about it. He never wrote a plan. He never considered time management or any delegation skills or anything that we're teaching lawyers on a daily basis just wasn't a part of his makeup in the seventies, eighties, and nineties. And so I got pulled into this in 2008, working with an individual attorney in the real estate space. And what he loved about working with me is that I actually Teach Sales Free Selling, which is one, which is the name of my first book. I love to work with lawyers to teach them, you don't have to pitch, you don't have to convince, you don't have to sell. It's all about relationships. It's all about being consultative and understanding and walking people through a buying decision to see essentially if it's a fit.   Steven Fretzin: [00:03:26] So one lawyer turned into two, two and a three, then a firm, then another, and it just took off. And within about a year and a half to two years, Allison, I looked at my numbers. I was like, Wait a second. I think 80% of my total business this year are attorneys. And I didn't even oh my God. So I had been teaching lawyers about specialization and all that. I said, you know, maybe I need to practice what I preach a little. So I pushed my chips in, changed my name from a very salesy name. Sales Results Inc Which lawyers go you to Frets and Inc, which they were like, okay, that's just his name. We're used to that, right? So that's how I got going in. Even recently, I've adapted even more where I've, I've stopped working with law firms a couple of years ago. I only work with highly motivated and ambitious individual attorneys at all levels and all practice areas. And I also run peer advisory groups to help them win their successful to maintain and continue to develop even after they've become a great, be that lawyer type of lawyer.   Allison Williams: [00:04:25] Yeah. Well, since you mentioned be that lawyer, for those of you that don't know, Steve has an amazing podcast affectionately known as Be That Lawyer. And so a lot of your work actually does stem from some of the major concepts that I always learn about as a, as an avid follower of your podcast. So talk to us a little bit about the podcast and then we're going to shift back into the book. So I really want to get some of those, those meaty topics covered in your book talked about today.   Steven Fretzin: [00:04:52] Yeah. So the show, you know, jeez, you know, it's one of those situations I think you can you can understand where I'm coming from or I wish I had started at five years ago, not two years ago, but we're coming up on 200 episodes at the end of this month. And I'm doing two a week right now. And the reason is, is I keep meeting so many amazing people like you, Allison, and others that have so much to share and so much to give to the legal community that it allows me to get to three or four takeaways from every single show because I'm drilling down similar to you to get to the, the nuts and bolts tactical stuff. How does, how does this actually work? So it could be anything from time management to health and wellness to marketing, branding, and of course, business development, networking, and developing that book, that almighty book of business, which we all know is so important. So that's the podcast and I just love doing it similar to like you and I just we enjoy it. We enjoy meeting people, we enjoy interviewing people, and having these fun conversations. And sure enough, if we can get sort of like to the middle of that onion from peeling away some layers, it ends up being a really interesting show with lots, again, takeaways for the audience.   Allison Williams: [00:06:01] Yeah, yeah. So and you are such a great interviewer, Steve. I had the pleasure of not just being on your podcast, but also you did a celebration for Women's History Month and you brought together an amazing panel. And we talked about a lot of different topics relative to business development in the law. And I just I wanted to make a special nod to you for that program because I don't think a lot of people really refine the art of being a good interviewer, and I think that you really excel at that exceptionally.   Steven Fretzin: [00:06:29] I appreciate that. And it's funny because if I'm going to do a 200 episode special and if you go back and listen and I've done this a couple of times to like the first ten or 20 episodes, they're very different than the last 20 or even the last 100 because as you know, it's, it's one of these skills that you have to keep refining. You have to keep considering how am I getting more out of the guest? How am I getting so I might ask someone to explain something to me and then I'll say, Hey, do you have a specific example of how you did that? And then they talk about how they worked with the client to get a result. Well, that's going to resonate with people more than just an explanation of something. So that's the kind of stuff that Howard Stern and Oprah and some of the best interviewers on the planet do. And I, and I'm just trying to emulate what I'm, what I what I'm hearing from others, and what I'm what I know will resonate with my audience.   Allison Williams: [00:07:21] Yeah, well, we definitely want people to check that out because we have I have had the pleasure recently of some of my clients saying, oh, yeah, you know, you have gotten better at this. And I say, God, well, how bad was I? And said, Well, it wasn't that it was bad, but it has gotten better. And so I love getting that feedback and I know that it's something that it's kind of the universal experience of people that do what they love and love what they do and really lean into it. So let's now shift back to the book because, you know, when when you think about the idea of a legal business development book, I am sure lawyers have thoughts about what that means, what that could be. But why don't you kind of in a nutshell encapsulate for us, what does the book offer to someone who wants to learn about legal business development and why is it a resource that you recommend that people check out.   Steven Fretzin: [00:08:09] I would say in the most important part of the book is that you can read it cover to cover, but it's not a book you have to read cover to cover if you're in a solo practice and it's really important for you to get out in network, well then there's some chapters on networking and you can just read those chapters as a starting point to kind of start get your skills together, your mind together, your plan together as it relates to networking, best practices. And what I do when I write, and I write articles for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, I write for impact lawyers out of, out of the UK and stuff like that is I try to write in a very simple tactical, here's what you do, here's what you say. And it's not that I have all the answers, but it's evolved over time where I'm, I'm getting feedback from clients, what's working, what's not, what I do, what that's working, and what's not. So that when I put together an article or a book or a chapter, it's going to, it's going to be something that people don't just, Oh, that was a great idea but I don't know how to execute on that. No, no. Here's what you do and here's what you say. And just do what I'm saying and tweak it for your own personality, tweak it for your own practice area, whatever you want to do. But I try to write in that, in that type of here's three bullet points that you can follow, and here's the actual quote of what you would ask or say so that it's going to hit home for the people that read it.   Allison Williams: [00:09:30] And so when you say 250 plus examples, I mean that, that is a lot. So you're calling this information where, where are these examples or these strategies coming from?   Steven Fretzin: [00:09:42] So what I try to do, and this is in every chapter, but most chapters I try to pull from an experience in my life. So this one isn't in the book, but I'll give it is because it's such an easy one for me to pick on. I'm dealing with a teenager at home. All right? And I was a teenager and I was difficult. And guess what? I'm getting it back. It's coming back to me now. So my teenagers up here, moody and Dad, come on, I want to talk about it. And then he's down here where he's like, Hey, you want to hang out and want to do this? And then the other. I don't necessarily always know what teenager I'm going to get from day to day, from hour to hour. So I'm like, Where's the support group for this? So I decided, you know what? I had like an experience with him recently where I was like, You know what? I'm just at the end of my wits. Here I am. Teaching lawyers, building $1000 plus an hour how to build a successful law practice.   Steven Fretzin: [00:10:30] They're listening to every word I have to say. They're at the edge of their seats, but my teenager thinks I'm a moron. My teenager thinks that everything I say is just the dumbest thing, one after the other. So it's like, All right, there's an article here and there are some takeaways here from this so that I think the article is like, are lawyers really just moody teenagers? And then, of course they're not, but I make a goof about it, and then I give like, here are some things that we need to consider as it relates to how to how to do legal business development and keep a straight mind about it. So then I'll break it down and give some bullet points on that, on that topic. So it could be fishing, it could be a sport I'm playing, being competitive. It could be swinging a golf club. It could you know, there's all different ways to create content. And I just try to use my own life experience as a way to make it a little more interesting for the reader.   Allison Williams: [00:11:19] Well, and I think that that's just really the key point there, right? Because as soon as you say teenager, you know, you heard me sigh childfree by choice and revolves around the idea that teenagers are not something I ever experience intentionally. But as, as somebody who is a father, and a business person, and somebody who works with lawyers, you know, you have a lot of, of your unique personality that comes through in what you read and what you write and what you say. And I think that bringing that to the legal marketplace, it's just going to make for an entertaining read. And if not just the immense value that, of course, I know you bring from your years of experience doing this.   Steven Fretzin: [00:11:58] Yeah, I mean, think about business development for lawyers. So they're not taught in law school. They're generally not taught at the law firm level. And you know this because you're in that you're in the space that it's a learned skill. But then the question is how many attorneys are interested in learning the skill or putting time into this skill? 5% of the population, maybe. So this is a book that if you're going to learn business development and you're interested in business development, you need a place to start or you need a place to kind of like, I'm doing it, but I want to just kind of check how I'm doing and see if there are maybe some additional ways to do things better or more efficiently, etc. Well, that's what I'm doing. I'm not giving ideas that aren't going to move the needle. I mean, I'm working with attorneys, you know, 8 to 10 hours a day, every day, five days a week. So I'm in the weeds with the lawyers. It's just a matter of, of what can, what can we all keep improving? We all need to keep improving. And so why not learn from someone who's been in the, in the in that, you know, in the weeds with attorneys as long as I have. And see if there's nuggets that you can pull out of it that, that you can use that are going to improve your game or make it more fun or interesting to do business development. Not such a drug, such drudgery.   Allison Williams: [00:13:08] Yeah. Well, so I love that you put the phrase put fun together with business development, because I don't think that most people, when they hear that, especially most attorneys, are going to think of fun and business development. But that's really your approach to it. So talk to us about when you say you're kind of been in the weeds with the lawyers, you know, you've been in the struggle with us. What are some of the things that lawyers really struggle with that you help with? And how do you help them to ultimately over overcome those struggles so that they can get to the success that they desire?   Steven Fretzin: [00:13:40] Yeah. So what I do is I sit down with an attorney that I meet through a presentation, through referral, through whatever, and I always do like a 30 to 40 minute evaluation. And it's interesting to go through these evaluations every week, multiple times, and hear the same things over and over again. So I'll give you the top three and then if we can go from there. But number one, poor time management, they're not really they never learn time and so again, learn skill time management to learn skill. I am the perfect example because I'm a feather on the wind. I am the least organized person you would have met 15, 16 years ago. And it took really learning and dedicating time and energy. And now I don't have an open email. At the end of the day, everything's been been handled. There's no paper on my desk. Everything's done through my remarkable two, through Dropbox, through whatever. So organization is something that's number one on the list. Number two is how are they spending their time doing business development? And in most cases, it's not being done in the most efficient way. They're not in the right place with the right people. They're out spinning their wheels, presenting all over. They're networking haphazardly. There's no plan in place of how to go after low-hanging fruit, how to go after where the business is. So I say this to attorneys all the time. You realize there's a table right in front of you with a pile of money on it, and you're walking around it all day and they go, What? I go, Yeah. Like all the business you ever need and will ever need is right in front of you and you're not taking it. They go, Well, why? Well, okay, so you have 250 clients that think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread and you're not asking them for introductions to people they know to get new business. Well, I'm not comfortable with that. Well, there you go. There you go. So where's the gap? Well, the gap. Is the lack of process and lack of language to make it comfortable, to make it easy. So that's where we're in the weeds, that's where we're working every day, and most importantly, getting in front of decision-makers and, and having a process to walk them through a buying decision. So most lawyers call it a pitch meeting. Hey, we're going on a pitch meeting. Right. And I hate it. I hate pitch, I hate convince. I hate sell. I'm very anti-sell. My first book is Sales Free Selling. Why? Because I'm teaching lawyers, you don't have to go out and be a salesman. All right? You can do it through relationships, consultative, questioning. You can do it through empathy, listening, and most importantly, qualifying. They go qualifying. What do you mean? Well, you're presenting and giving solutions to people that aren't qualified and they go, What do you mean? I go, Well, they're not the right decision maker. They're not committed to sign up with you. If, if they, if they, even if they wanted to and they don't have any money to pay you, but yet you're spending a year chasing after this person that's never going to work with you. So how quickly can we figure out that someone's real or not is a huge part of where lawyers spin their wheels and spend their time inefficiently.   Allison Williams: [00:16:32] Yeah. So a lot, a lot there that you just shared with us. And the thing that I think that of all that you just describe that really resonated with me is the idea that it sounds like just having a system and an approach to doing things can take away the stress of the unknown, right? It can give you a certain level of you might not immediately feel comfortable, but it can at least give you the bravery to get out there and do it. Scared, right?   Steven Fretzin: [00:16:57] Yeah. Yeah.   Allison Williams: [00:16:58] And then the other piece of it is having someone like you to actually not just hold them accountable, but to actually guide them through what to say, where to go, how to be, what to, what not to overlook. Because, you know, there are so many things in this that are self-evident when you're looking from the outside in. But, you know, when you are in the center, right, when you're the epicenter of your own life, you oftentimes can't see what you're missing. So we just go right past it without help.   Steven Fretzin: [00:17:24] And it's interesting because I'm not only working with lawyers in every practice area, but I'm working with the most extroverted lampshade on the head at the party fund lawyers. And what are they lacking? Well, they're lacking process and structure, similar to what I was lacking because I was that person. So I need to bring them into process and structure so they can leverage their personality and their energy in a way that's going to be efficient with their time. Now, on the other side of it, I work with some of the most introverted like IP attorneys and people that don't want to go anywhere, do anything. They don't want to be in front of anybody. But they also recognize that the key to freedom and success and control in a career, whether you're at a big firm or a solo, is having more of your own business, selecting your clients and having that. And so they love the fact that I'm giving them the structure, the language, the process to follow because they are scared and terrified of winging it and failing, or they've already tried winging it and failed. And now it's like, well, why bother? Well, so the structure works for everyone that's willing to put the time in to learn it and execute on it, internalize it. It's all there. They just have to have they have to draw a line. I mean, literally, I need people to kind of convince me that they're going to work with me. It's not just about me saying convincing them to work. They need to convince me that they're going to put the time in and they're going to follow the structure to get the results. Because if they're not, then I don't have the time to spend with them or want to spend with them because I'm only as good as my players, right Allison? That's what it comes down to. We need to find the right players. That's how we win.   Allison Williams: [00:18:57] Yeah. And it sounds like no matter what type of lawyer you are, no matter what type of personality you have, whether you are an introvert, extrovert, and I would dare say andover, right, those folks in the middle that kind of go both ways. You know, there's a strategy for you and it really just takes finding someone who has the dedication and the talent to be able to guide you to the right strategy for who you are.   Steven Fretzin: [00:19:16] Yeah. And the best part is and I don't if you find this too, I work with the best, smartest, most enjoyable attorneys that exist. Now, why is that? Well, think about who wants to learn. Think about who wants to achieve. Think about who can get their ego in a place where they can take advice and they can take coaching. Those aren't the crazy people at the law firms that everyone's afraid of. Right. These are people that are humble, and open, and modest, and interested in developing, and that makes them the best people for me. I just every day I get to enjoy my job and enjoy my career helping these attorneys take it to the next level. So it's just like I wake up every morning just excited to go to work.   Allison Williams: [00:19:59] Yeah, well, I think that that is really the difference between someone who chooses a path where you chose lawyers. Right. So it's one thing to be a lawyer and to experience the different shades of our personalities and the different types of lawyers that there are. But for somebody who's on the outside, right, you start to experience what it is to work with lawyers and you start to see the complexity and the wide diversity of people that we are. The same way you find in every other profession and you chose to stick around. So I think, yeah.   Steven Fretzin: [00:20:27] I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere. So, you know, my my legacy is, look, I'm only a one man band. I'm not going to work with more than maybe 30 lawyers in a year for my main like coaching and training program. However, when I as I go through this industry and as I eventually leave the industry and when I'm 100 years old or whatever it's going to be, I want there to be a legacy. And the legacy is that I'm helping lawyers all over the world figure out something that they were denied in law school and they were denied at the law firm level. And that is a proper education and proper motivation to build the future and the life that they dreamed about when they went to law school. And it isn't always happening. As you know, for most lawyers, they're not always happy. They're in there, in, you know, in the crap dealing with multiple partners, yelling at them, and forcing work on them. They're in a bad culture environment. I mean, the great resignation is obviously helping to kind of weed, weed out the bad firms or weed out the, the egomaniacs that no one wants to work for anymore. Happiness has come to the forefront and I want to be a part of that future.   Allison Williams: [00:21:35] Yeah, well, you're absolutely taking the right steps to let people know who you are, how you are, and what immense value that you add. I mean, I have I've exposed quite a few of our audience, obviously have have heard you on our previous podcast. You were somebody that got a lot of favorable ratings and I got a lot of very good feedback from the show before. And of course, I know that you offer immense, immense value in the books that you read that you write. So, Steve, thank you so much for being on. Thank you for sharing with us about your book, Legal Business Development. I want everyone that's listening to check that out. It's a great resource. And Steve, I would like you to let everyone know if they are interested in learning more about you, not just the array of your library, but also how they could work with you to please let them know where they can find you.   Steven Fretzin: [00:22:21] Yeah. So the easiest way is, is one of two places. One is my website, which is essentially my last name. So Fretzin and F, R, E, T, Z, I, N dot com. And that's going to give you the information on my programs, videos of my clients talking about the programs I run and how they kind of viewed it from before they joined and after they went through it. And then, of course, I'm a big LinkedIn guy, so if you want to connect with me on LinkedIn, just type in Steve Fretzin on LinkedIn and give me a little message saying you heard me on The Crushing Chaos in Allison show and that would be fantastic and happy to connect with lawyers all over the world and I do and again, then then you're able to see all my content real-time.   Allison Williams: [00:22:59] Yeah. All right. Thank you so much, Steve Fretzin. You have always been a friend of the show and a great guest. And once again, we, we delivered on our great promise to offer you to the world. Everyone, all of Steve's information is going to be in the show notes, so please do check that out. You are watching The Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast. I'm Allison Williams. Everyone have a wonderful rest of your day.   Allison Williams: [00:23:28] Thank you for tuning in to the Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor podcast. To learn more about today's show and take advantage of the resources mentioned, check out our show notes. And if you enjoy today's episode, take a moment to follow the podcast wherever you get your podcast and leave us a rating and review. This helps us to reach even more law firm owners from around the country who want to crush chaos in business and make more money. I'm Allison Williams, your Law Firm Mentor everyone. Have a great day. Allison Bio: Allison C. Williams, Esq., is the Founder and Owner of the Williams Law Group, LLC, with offices in Short Hills and Freehold, New Jersey. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, and is the first attorney in New Jersey to become Board-Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in the field of Family Law. Ms. Williams is an accomplished businesswoman. In 2017, the Williams Law Group won the LawFirm500 award, ranking 14th of the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, as Ms. Williams grew the firm by 581% in three years. Ms. Williams won the Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017. In 2018, Ms. Williams was voted as NJBIZ's Top 50 Women in Business and was designated one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. In 2019, Ms. Williams won the Seminole 100 Award for founding one of the fastest-growing companies among graduates of Florida State University. In 2018, Ms. Williams created Law Firm Mentor, a business coaching service for lawyers. She helps solo and small law firm attorneys grow their business revenues, crush chaos in business and make more money. Through multi-day intensive business retreats, group and one-to-one coaching, and strategic planning sessions, Ms. Williams advises lawyers on all aspects of creating, sustaining, and scaling a law firm business – and specifically, she teaches them the core foundational principles of marketing, sales, personnel management, communications, and money management in law firms.   Contact Info:     My favorite excerpt from the episode: TIME:

When I was early in my career, I had this recurring anxiety dream where all my teeth would fall out, one at a time. Later in my life, that dream morphed into being thrust back into high school unprepared for a test while naked (Freud would have a field day with me). These days, anxiety dreams take the form of doing down in a plane crash. Why am I sharing all of this? Today's guest, Steve Fretzin, knows what it's like to go down in a plane and survive—and that event changed the course of his life forever. MEET STEVE FRETZIN Steve Fretzin is the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast. After surviving a near death experience in a small plane crash in 1996, Steve vowed to turn each day into an extraordinary experience. Today, he is one of the most respected business leaders and advisers on sales effectiveness. Steve has transformed thousands of sales professionals, entrepreneurs and professional service practitioners into business development stars through his proprietary system of Sales-Free Selling. He joined me to talk about his life, career, and latest book Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science. How did he characterize his life before the plane crash? How did such a life changing event impact the trajectory of his career? What drew him to sales and to later become a successful sales trainer? Listen in to find the answer to these questions as well as enjoy a bit of nostalgia as Steve talks about his first sales job ever at Kinney Shoes. GET IN TOUCH Get in touch with Steve at his website Follow him on Instagram @Fretzinsteve Buy his books at Amazon If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Instagram @uncorkingastory. Visit us at https://uncorkingastory.com

After surviving a near death experience in a small plane crash in 1996, Steve Fretzin vowed to turn each day into an extraordinary experience. Today, he is one of the most respected business leaders and advisers on sales effectiveness for attorneys. Acting as a “business development therapist” Steve coaches and trains lawyers modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results. The host of the BE THAT LAWYER podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business and Entrepreneur.com. He has also appeared on NBC News and WGN Radio. He is the author of three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the American Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association

Make More Money and Have More Fun as a LawyerIf you want to make more money and have more fun as a lawyer, you cannot miss this episode of The Inside BS Show.On today's show Dave Lorenzo and Steve Fretzin share some great ideas for growing a law firm and managing your practice. They also  talk about the value in creating a lifestyle practice.  If you want to get some great ideas and have a few laughs, you need to join us.Chapters00:00 Intro: Make More Money and Have More Fun as a Lawyer01:24 How a Plane Crash Inspired Steve to Do What He Does06:00 How Can a Lawyer Structure a Business to Live Life on His/Her Terms?09:00 The Myth of Working Hard vs. Working to Enable Your Lifestyle11:40 You Don't Get Extra Points for Doing Things the Hard Way13:00 Steve Debunks the Myth that You Can “Just be a Good Lawyer” and the Clients Will Come17:00 The Story of How Someone Bought into the Myth of Having Lots of Employees19:00 The Danger of Winging It23:15 What is the Value in Learning from Your Peers?28:00 What is the Value of Looking at The Practice of Law with Fresh Eyes?31:24 Why Do Failed Lawyers Go Into The Practice of Law? Should You Trust Them?35:30 We Don't Sell Professional Services Work. People Engage Us.38:30 Who is Steve's Ideal Client?Steve FretzinAuthor & Podcast HostBe That Lawyersteve@fretzin.com(847) 602-6911About Steve FretzinDriven, focused, and passionate about helping attorneys to reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer, and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER, and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's, and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Driven, focused, and passionate about helping attorneys reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer, and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.Over the past 17 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing three books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's, and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Steve Fretzin discuss:Making every day count. Sales-free selling. The best experience for buyers. Developing relationships takes intention. Key Takeaways:Sometimes, being aware that life is truly fragile and short is what we need to realize how we could live our best life. Don't wait for a crisis, make every day count starting today. If you're analytical and a natural problem solver, you might be inclined to solve without listening first. However, the best way to get sales is to listen and make the client feel like they're being understood and see if your solution would be a fit. The best experience for a buyer is for them to not be sold anything, but for them to buy what they want and what is a fit for what they need. If you want to have interesting points of discussion, a good and simple idea is to research that person and ask questions about the things they put out there.   "Lawyers love to solve problems, fix things, get creative over language - that's all fine and dandy… the problem is what they're doing is giving free consulting, what they're not doing is… ask questions, listen, let them feel understood." — Steve Fretzin  See Dean's TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Steve Fretzin:  Website: http://www.fretzin.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/stevefretzinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesresults/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SalesResultsInc  Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/Twitter: https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.comPhone: 1-800-926-7370

Happy 2022! If your goal for the year was to grow your firm, this episode is a great place to start. Our guest this week, Steve Fretzin, is a lawyer coach who helps firms hone in their business development skills and teaches them the art of sales-free selling.Check out Steve's "Be That Lawyer" podcast and learn more about his program at www.fretzin.com

Happy 2022! If your goal for the year was to grow your firm, this episode is a great place to start. Our guest this week, Steve Fretzin, is a lawyer coach who helps firms hone in their business development skills and teaches them the art of sales-free selling.Check out Steve's "Be That Lawyer" podcast and learn more about his program at www.fretzin.com

Steve Fretzin is the Managing Partner at Fretzin, Inc. He coaches and trains lawyers the most modern-day business development skills, providing precise tips, fresh ideas and actionable tasks that drive tangible results. As the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, NBC News and WGN Radio. He has written three books on legal business development, is a regular contributor to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and has published articles in Attorney at Law magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Learn from his expertise and what trends are helping grow his firm on this episode of The Managing Partners Podcast! —- Array Digital provides bold marketing that helps managing partners grow their law firms. arraylaw.com Follow us on Instagram: @array.digital Follow us on Twitter: @thisisarray Call us for a FREE digital marketing review: 757-333-3021 SUBSCRIBE to The Managing Partners Podcast for conversations with the nation's top attorneys.

In this episode, I speak with Steve Fretzin, who is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys. Over the past 17 years, Steve has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.  We talk about: How networking has changed in the last two years How networking is different from sales Tips to conducting effective networking sessions How to make sure you're always talking to the decision makers Tips to ensure your networking sessions are hitting maximum impact   In addition to writing three books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Attorney's Networking Handbook by Steve Fretzin You Are the Brand by Mike Kim and Todd Herman   Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Be That Lawyer Podcast www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

In this episode, I speak with Steve Fretzin, who is regarded as the premier coach, skills trainer and keynote speaker on business development for attorneys.   Over the past 17 years, Steve has devoted his career to helping lawyers master the art of business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.    We talk about: How networking has changed in the last two years How networking is different from sales Tips to conducting effective networking sessions How to make sure you're always talking to the decision makers Tips to ensure your networking sessions are hitting maximum impact    In addition to writing three books on legal marketing and business development, Steve has a highly rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.   Resources mentioned in this episode: The Attorney's Networking Handbook by Steve Fretzin You Are the Brand by Mike Kim and Todd Herman    Connect with Steve here: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Be That Lawyer Podcast www.fretzin.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Does the term "Sales" make you shiver? Are lawyers, law firms, and legal services somehow above a lowly sales process?  Sales is all about need fulfillment, and your clients have needs! That you can fulfill! You're not selling them on something they don't need, you're helping them solve their problem, or move their needle on an important issue.  Steve Fretzin is here to explain why sales isn't, in fact, a four letter word, and why you don't need to play used car salesman. Steve runs Fretzin Inc., where he acts as a “business development therapist,” coaching and training lawyers in modern-day business development skills. On this show, we talk all the time about how systems are key to keeping your firm running smoothly, and the sales, marketing, and biz dev side of your firm is no different. Steve delivers some tactics for approaching and setting up those systems, and some common missteps that he sees his lawyer clients making before they come to him. Steve really wants you to email him your prospecting plan, which he'll review for free (listen around 19:00 in the show)! Email it to steve@fretzin.com Find Steve at https://fretzin.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ and the Be That Lawyer podcast at https://fretzin.com/podcast-episodes/ ----- FiveStarCounsel.com Get our FREE client service whitepaper! Join the Five Star Counsellors FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1575616019297055 Here's a link for you to get 20% off your first year of using TextExpander! - https://fivestarcounsel.com/textexpander

Resource Links:Improve your networking skills with FRETZINLearn how to set - and meet - internal sales goals with Double Your Case Files MasterclassEstate planning attorney? Get online leads and sales coaching with Seminar 2.0Time is money, especially when your hours are billable. Growth-minded attorneys are constantly looking to increase billable hours, which means engaging in the right business development activities. But in a noble profession like law, “sales” is often viewed as a four-letter word. Still, attorneys know they have to be able to sell themselves to clients, even if it’s indirectly. When Steve Fretzin first started attending networking events, he saw how attorneys grappled to make the right connections by just “being out there.” And if you’ve ever attended an event just to leave empty-handed and frustrated, you know the struggle is real.Knowing that attorneys couldn’t afford to waste their time for long, Steve began to educate attorneys on how to make networking “work”. With 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, he’s helped attorneys in all practice areas (from start-up solos to large firms) double or even triple their books. Today he’s sharing tips on how you can do the same. In this week’s podcast, Steve Fretzin of FRETZIN, Inc joins us to discuss a very important question: What separates good networkers from bad networkers? In this episode, we talk about the three types of people you’ll meet at networking events and how to identify them… Why most attorneys fail to build lasting and mutually beneficial relationships… And how you can implement effective processes to develop the right connections.There’s much more to learn in this episode about scaling your firm, so tune in now!About Steve Fretzin:Steve Fretzin is a three-time author, host of BE THAT LAWYER Podcast, and top business development coach for attorneys. For the last 16 years, he has helped hundreds of attorneys to double or triple their books through highly engaging programs created specifically for attorneys to crush it in business development. At FRETZIN, he helps clients to BE THAT LAWYER– confident, organized, and a skilled rainmaker.If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Steve Fretzin is a three-time author, business development coach for attorneys and President of FRETZIN, INC. He is also a ProVisors Group Leader and host of the podcast, BE THAT LAWYER. Steve has 16 years of experience helping attorneys double or triple their books through engaging programs and free resources.  At FRETZIN, INC., Steve uses his 20 years of coaching experience to work with attorneys in all practice areas. He provides business development coaching and training, peer advisory, strategy consulting, business planning and much more. In this episode: In a competitive industry, how do you make your business stand out? What steps can you take to leverage your network and become an expert in your field? It turns out that law school doesn't teach you everything you need to know about the industry—and that's where Steve Fretzin comes in.  According to Steve, if you want to be a successful attorney, you have to create a niche for yourself. To do so, you must build your personal brand and network. This allows you to specialize in your area of knowledge, become memorable in the community and be the go-to attorney for your field of expertise. Want to learn more? Tune in to this episode of Spill the Ink, where Michelle Calcote King interviews Steve Fretzin, President of FRETZIN, INC. Steve shares advice on personal branding through business development, tips for time management (and other things that law school didn't teach you) and how to leverage your digital networks. Plus, Steve reveals his process for helping lawyers find their niche. Stay tuned.

Platform tennis, golf, ironman competitions, fishing; no sport is safe in this conversation about marketing and building a book of business as a lawyer. Passionate about helping attorneys reach their full potential, Steve Fretzin is regarded as the premier coach and skills trainer on legal business development. Key moments:Making changes and taking chances as an attorney (03:57)Succeeding without running yourself crazy (12:35)Past-Present-Future of marketing for law firms (22:20)The Three Ps: Planning, Process, Performance (31:17)What Steve Fretzin wants to see changed in the legal profession (47:55) MEMORABLE QUOTES“I think the biggest misstep that's happening is lawyers are afraid to miss something, they're afraid to leave something out for fear that if they do, that they're going to miss out on the business. And the reality is that listing off five or ten things that you do, pretty much just falls on deaf ears.” “It's all about organization. And it's all about leveraging resources…. Whether it's work that you shouldn't be doing that you should be…handing over to associates, paralegals assistants, etc. or it's the idea that… you haven't made the proper hire, to be able to delegate and then go out and get more business.” “Into the simplest form: it's about having a great plan. Something that you can look at every day that you can execute on every week, that speaks to you. And it's the lowest hanging fruit. It's not about how many hours you put into it. It's about a plan that's focused and targeted, as well as having a tracking system, because as we talked about earlier, if you don't measure it, you can't manage it.” CONNECT WITH STEVE FRETZINOver the past 16 years, Steve Fretzin has devoted his career to helping law firms and lawyers master the art of legal business development to achieve their business goals and the peace of mind that comes with developing a successful law practice.In addition to writing three books on legal business development, Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's, and Entrepreneur.com. He has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio, and has written articles for Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. You can also find his monthly column in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. You can also find his podcast show BE THAT LAWYER, where Steve interviews rainmakers and legal marketing experts. Fretzin, INC.: https://fretzin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevefretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinBe That Lawyer Podcast: https://fretzin.com/podcast/ KEEP READING:“Two Growing Trends In America: Platform Tennis And Legal Business Development” Be That Lawyer with Fretzin, 30 September 2020https://fretzin.com/two-growing-trends-in-america-platform-tennis-and-legal-business-development/ “The Bryson DeChambeau Effect: Ready or not, the game is about to change” Golfworld, 22 September 2020https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-bryson-dechambeau-effect-how-golf-is-about-to-change-us-open “Spanx founder Sara Blakely learned an important lesson about failure from her dad — now she's passing it on to her 4 kids” Business Insider, 17 July 2018https://www.businessinsider.com/spanx-founder-sara-blakely-redefine-failure-2016-10 After recording this episode, legal industry journalist Roy Strom posted an article also equating the legal profession to DeChambeau. Read his in-depth and well researched thoughts here: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/dechambeaus-big-miss-at-masters-is-lesson-in-successful-failure Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at feedback@1958lawyer.com