In this year of 2022, it is more important than ever for our law firms to be as efficient as possible. At the Academy, we often have brainstorming sessions on what we can do to save time for our members. One of the biggest changes we’ve begun implementing over the last year is the implementation of Zapier.
For those unaware, Zapier is a program that integrates hundreds of applications and allows for the automation of many processes. For example, you can easily transfer data from one program to another. Another example is having Zapier send out an email when a new lead comes in a program like MailChimp. While we are still exploring more use cases of Zapier at the Academy, we’ve developed one procedure that is sure to save you time with data entry.
Most firms have an online pre-consultation form that they have their clients fill out by hand before coming in for a personal consultation meeting. This allows you to collect information from the prospect so that you have an understanding of what their needs and current situation are. The information is then manually entered in CounselPro™8. The Academy has created an integration between this online form and CounselPro 8. This aims to save time by automating the data entry into CounselPro 8 and minimizing human error. After your prospect completes the online form, a zap is automatically initiated. The zap will add the new contacts to your Actionstep site and will complete all the contact information they have filled out. Not only that, but it will then create a New Client matter and will tag the contacts into the proper roles. A note will be auto-created in the matter to let you know that the matter was created using the Zapier integration. You will also receive an email letting you know that the form has been completed.
We have many firms that are already using the integration and are enjoying the time saving benefits. If you are a CounselPro™8 user and would like this zap setup for your firm, just email cp8@aaepa.com and we’ll help you get this setup. There is no cost for the setup of the online form and zap, or for the ongoing use of the zap. For those with a login to the Member’s Only site or the CounselPro™8 Knowledge Base, you can see a video of the integration in action at the following link: https://help.aaepa.com/knowledge-base/zapier-cp8-demonstration/
This is the first of many timesaving Zapier integrations developed by the Academy. We hope to find additional use of Zapier in the future. Are you successfully using Zapier for any other purposes at your firm? What other time saving technological solutions have you implemented? Let us know as we are always looking for new innovations to make your practice more efficient.
Taylor Jones
Technical Support Specialist
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com
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