Law firm management consultant Ronda Muir‘s blog, Law People, occupies a unique space in the blogosphere. Ronda uses her blog to discuss challenges in the legal workplace and innovative people management strategies.
She’s seen the readership and response to her blog grow over the last two years, and marvels at the extensive reach of her blog.
"The great thing about blogging, at least in my case, is that it is a marketing tool that actually helps build my expertise," Ronda says. "I write about what I am learning from breaking developments, which I am particularly attuned to in order to write about them.
"Also, at one locus, I am accumulating a very useful body of information on a very focused area that can be reached interactively by virtually everyone internationally who has an interest in this topic. Can’t say that for many other marketing tools."
We caught up with Ronda for this LexBlog Q&A to discuss the response to her blog and her brainstorming strategies.
See our e-mail exchange with Ronda (after the jump).
Lisa Kennelly: Why did you decide to start a blog?
Ronda Muir: I am a senior consultant with Robin Rolfe Resources and provide custom legal consulting services in a number of areas. I decided to start a blog in order to have a forum to regularly discuss pressing issues arising in law firms and law departments specifically related to managing our major asset — our people. My blog reports on innovative people management approaches across the country and applies behavioral science research to the unique challenges of the legal workplace. The blog is also a great vehicle for announcing awards and upcoming speaking engagements and presentations, and has proved an effective marketing tool.
Lisa Kennelly: What has been the response from clients, attorneys, bloggers or anyone else?
Ronda Muir: I have watched with great satisfaction over the last two years as the readership, hits and contacts from potential clients have steadily increased. Those increases have been spurred by the increasing number of and importance of people management developments spotlighted in the legal profession over that time — record attrition rates and mergers followed by record layoffs and firm failures. Thankfully, managers in the legal field more and more recognize what their corporate clients have long known — how critical talent management is to an organization’s success. It is also gratifying to see how often my blog entries are quoted or reprinted in various law-related resources.
Lisa Kennelly: What is most rewarding about blogging? What is most challenging?
Ronda Muir: The most rewarding part of blogging is that my determination to regularly publish entries help keep me very highly informed and succinctly articulate about these issues all around the globe. The most challenging part of blogging is my determination to regularly publish entries — there are times of pressing client work when I’m tempted to put it off.
Lisa Kennelly: In your experience, how does blogging compare with more traditional forms of marketing? How is it similar or different?
Ronda Muir: The great thing about blogging at least in my case is that it is a marketing tool that actually helps build my expertise. I write about what I am learning from breaking developments, which I am particularly attuned to in order to write about them. Also, at one locus, I am accumulating a very useful body of information on a very focused area that can be reached interactively by virtually everyone internationally who has an interest in this topic. Can’t say that for many other marketing tools.
Lisa Kennelly: How do you come up with ideas for your blog posts and what do you do if/when you get writer’s block?
Ronda Muir: I have more ideas and applications than I have time to write about. I can’t say that writer’s block has been much of a problem, although I do often "cook" entries for awhile until they feel ready to see the light of day. I always think a walk on the beach solves most anything.
Lisa Kennelly: What other blogs do you enjoy reading, and why?
Ronda Muir: I regularly read a large group of blogs primarily on legal matters and try to cite them or link to them often. Part of the value I want to offer to readers is the challenge and synergy of different viewpoints.
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