Acronyms overload? If it’s not "OMG" or "LOL" then it’s B-O-G-O-F, 2-4-1 or 3-4-2. It’s difficult to know where to draw the line when offering something for free. So, now the legal sector is starting to offer free legal advice, we thought the following article on the Legal Futures website offered an interesting POV. (That's 'Point of View' to you and me!)
http://www.legalfutures.co.uk/blog/sprat-and-mackerel-solicitors-purveyors-of-free-advice
According to Duncan, are there any appropriate times to give away free work in the legal sector?
- Maybe to a loyal or repeat client.
- Where the advice is information to help a client decide whether to obtain legal advice or not.
- Where the free advice is in connection with a separate service or feature that the firm uses to advertise itself.
And the problems?
- The ideology of getting what you pay for; if you pay nothing, the service is useless.
- That the firm might be devaluing a service which later they would want to charge for.
However, we feel that the key question is not whether it is right or wrong to offer free legal advice, but does this free advice get you in front of your prospective client?
While giving away free work in the legal sector might be problematic, outside of the legal world offering free content or advice is more common. For Conscious, it’s through Tips Booklets; either available to download free from our website or offered at events, talks and seminars.
And remember, before you dismiss giving away free advice, keep in mind that this could be how you will meet your next client…