In this blog, we feature insights into how plaintiffs law firms can solicit word-of-mouth referrals.

Word-of-mouth referrals are one of the most effective ways for contingency fee law firms to solicit new clients. When a satisfied client refers your firm to a friend or family member, they are essentially giving you a stamp of approval. This can be very persuasive for potential clients, who are more likely to trust a firm that has been recommended by someone they know and respect.

The most effective way for firms to solicit word-of-mouth referrals is to provide excellent client service, make it easy for clients to refer others, and incentivize referrals.

• Provide excellent client service: This is the most important thing you can do to generate word-of-mouth referrals. When clients feel like they have been treated well and that their case was handled professionally, they are more likely to recommend your firm to others.
• Make it easy for clients to refer others: Provide clients with referral cards, business cards, or a link to your website where they can refer their friends and family. You can also make it easy for clients to refer others by using a referral management system.
• Incentivize referrals: Offer clients a reward for referring new clients to your firm. This could be a discount on their legal fees, a cash reward, or a gift.

Some specific examples of how contingency fee firms can incentivize referrals are:

• Offer a discount on legal fees: Offer clients a discount on their legal fees for referring a new client to your firm. This is a common way to incentivize referrals and it can be very effective.
• Offer a cash reward: Offer clients a cash reward for referring a new client to your firm. This is another common way to incentivize referrals and it can be very effective, especially for smaller law firms.
• Offer a gift: Offer clients a gift for referring a new client to your firm. This could be a gift certificate to a local restaurant, a gift basket, or something else that you think your clients would appreciate.

When soliciting word-of-mouth referrals, make it as easy as possible for your client. Provide contact information, personalize your request, follow up during the referral process, and remember to update your client on the progress of their incentive. Although word-of-mouth referrals can be difficult to obtain, they often have a high success rate and can be an essential part of your omnichannel marketing strategy.