5 Ways Solo Attorneys Can Stay Productive When Business Is Slow

Staying productive is key when it comes to getting new business and impressing existing clients. But when you don't have a lot of work on your list, how do you fill up that time as a solo attorney?

It's not as if you're working for a firm where the billable hour is king. In a solo practice your clients likely don't want to see the hours racking up as you rack your brain for other work to do for their legal matters.

When your to-do list for the cases you currently have is getting thin, you need to find a way to occupy your time that is still productive for your practice. Luckily there are lots of ways to fill those hours and improve your practice at the same time. Here are five suggestions:

• Join your practice's section of the local bar association. Membership isn't just something you can brag about on your website. Join a committee, attend meetings, and go to networking events. Those are all opportunities to meet like-minded attorneys and get helpful hints on how to grow your practice.


• Write a blog. Publishing your ideas will get your name out and give potential clients a reason to like you before you even meet them. Not sure how to do it? Our lawyer marketing team can help with that.


• Publicize yourself on social media. Don't have time to blog, or want to take your online presence to the next level? Then make a Twitter page or Facebook account to get your name out there. Commenting on legal issues and pointing people toward interesting material are great ways to get publicity, and our lawyer marketing experts can help with this too.


• Engage with others. Reach out to local organizations that fall within your practice area. Offer to do an afternoon of consultations or a free evening lecture about how the law affects them. Worst-case scenario: You pass out some business cards and get to show off your expertise. Best-case scenario: You gain more clients.


• Keep learning. If you don't have any pressing legal work, prepare yourself to better serve your future clients. Check out free CLE events in your area or work on pro-bono cases through a local volunteer legal-services organization. Find learning opportunities in your field so that your downtime is just as productive for clients as the hours you put into their cases.

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Related Resources:

• Going Solo: 3 Things to Consider Before Taking the Plunge (FindLaw's Strategist)
• How Much Should a Solo Lawyer Charge? (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Top 5 Online Resources for New Solo Lawyers (FindLaw's Strategist)