As the end of 2015 approaches, here is a list of 10 things you can do this month to prepare for the new year and kick off 2016 with a bang.

#1  Your 2016 Marketing Plan

If you haven’t already, draft it and fine tune it. Your roadmap toward achieving your goals is a numbers game! Start with your financial goals for the year, determine how many clients you need to retain based on your average fees, set a marketing budget, then identify your marketing activities. Finally, plug it all into your annual marketing calendar with dates you’re committed to having those events and activities take place. Be sure to add all of your supporting activities to your calendar as well.

#2 Schedule a Law Firm Retreat

Consider scheduling a full day retreat for all law firm team members where you can review your accomplishments in 2015 and set goals for 2016. This team building meeting is a great kick-off for the new year and energizes attorneys and team members.

#3 Update Your Bios

Review your attorney and law firm bios on your website, social media accounts, Avvo, seminar presentations, handouts, reports, brochures and other promotional items to make sure they are updated with the latest information. These may include new designations or awards, advisory boards, published books, other accomplishments, and community activity. Don’t forget the human connection! Be sure to include why you do what you do and something personal. After all, we are in the relationship business.

#4 Update Your Website

Fresh content keeps your website on search engines’ radars! Add law firm news postings, press releases, articles, seminars (public or private) to keep your website updated.

#5 Update Your Social Media Pages

Add content to your law firm Facebook page to keep fans engaged and connected. Post year-end offers or tax planning tips for the new year. Don’t forget to include YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay connected to your entire network.

#6 Send Out Year-End (or New Year) eAlert for Clients, Prospects & Professionals

Email and/or blog your own Year-End or New Year reminders:

• Like us on Facebook
• Client Review Meetings
• Don’t re-title any assets after a death – contact our office first
• Do re-title real estate back into Trust name if refinanced in the last few years
• Pull together important information for tax purposes now
• While families are together for the holidays, review estate plans and encourage second generation planning

#7 Implement a Client Referral System

Kick off next year with a solid client referral system in place! Include a practice of asking clients to provide reviews and testimonials on Avvo, Yelp and Google+.

#8 Create Endorsed Seminar “Hit List”

Which new groups do you want to speak to next year, and which old groups do you need to get in front of again? Groups and organizations are preparing their calendars now, so you need to get a jump on them! Create your list and start calling now. The contacts you make in December will show up on your marketing calendar throughout the year.

#9 Track Your Clients’ Charitable Giving Donations!

Estate planning attorneys assist clients in gifting millions of dollars to organizations every year. Compile your estimated totals to show non-profit organizations why your office makes a difference and why it is important they work with you!

#10 Assess Your Workflow Systems

Get your whole team involved in a conversation about what’s working and what’s not working about your workflow systems. Then brainstorm and collaborate on what can be done next year to increase efficiency and productivity. This leads to not only an expanded capacity from your team, meaning increased revenue, but also less stress and happier team members.

Please share in the comments below any other tips you have on your end of year hit list to prepare for a new year.

Happy Holidays!

Lillian Valdez
Practice Leadership Coach
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com