You're an attorney, one of the thousands of attorneys in the United States today. How do you successfully introduce yourself so that you will stand out from all the others? You know that your approach should be dignified and professional, yet be memorable and motivating to those who might seek your services.
  You also know that you must be able successfully to market yourself and the legal services of your firm in any environment. But how? The answer is simple: networking.
  By definition, networking means to take an active role in systematically generating word-of-mouth advertising. It is the best and most effective form of advertising. It is also the least expensive, oldest and most powerful form of marketing over which we have control.
  Networking has long been a favored marketing tool for professionals.

"The Rule 250" states that the average business or professional person knows, or has influence over, about 250 people. Using these contacts to create or expand a networking system creates a potential gold mine for business growth.
  Each member of each firm has many occasions to make productive contacts with potential clients. All of these occasions are networking opportunities during which it is important to be memorable and to motivate.
  John Rockefeller said, "The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well." And, what could be more commonplace than introducing yourself to others?
  By first grade we have learned the rudiments of "showing and telling" who we are and what we are about. We learn to stand straight, speak up and not fidget. 

We are encouraged to draw as little idiosyncratic attention to ourselves as possible. We quickly come to understand the importance of making a "good" (innocuous) impression.
  Eventually, we reach adulthood.  Perhaps along the way we have participated in debating societies or presented learned arguments in one of our classes.  We also may have been involved in school or local politics and spoken for or against candidates and issues.
  Amazingly, none of this prepares us for the necessity to communicate who we are and what we do in a way that will quickly and succinctly describe our professional services to potential clients. The difference between rhetoric and communication rests in the success with which we make our listener understand our message. Sadly, very little emphasis is given to this difference.

ON BEING MEMORABLE

  As one of many attorneys in the United States, how do you use your civic and social involvements as marketing opportunities to carve a place for yourself? How do you make yourself attractive to those who would benefit from retaining your services?
  Because it should be your intent to market yourself and the legal services of your law firm in any potential networking environment, you should be prepared to use a short, focused introduction of yourself and your profession that will both be memorable and motivational. This may be a pretty tall order for a 15-second introduction.