A smart investor looks for opportunities that will yield returns for years to come. While many software products promise a “get rich quick” type of instant success, the best software tools for law firms are built to provide continuous value over time.  

Legal CRM (client relationship management) software is that kind of investment. Rather than a trendy feature that will fall out of fashion, legal CRM has the capacity to improve your firm’s new client pipeline and existing client relationships. Indeed, law firms that choose the right legal CRM could see a return of $8.71 for every dollar spent.  

But the trick is using it well. 

So, how can law firms make the most of their legal CRM? Let’s talk about how you can turn your CRM into a truly strategic investment for long-term success. 

What features are included in a legal CRM? 

Most industry-agnostic CRMs act as a repository for client data. They may also include features to contact clients and potential leads more efficiently. However, these CRMs often require significant upfront investment to customize them for your law firm’s needs.  

Legal CRM, on the other hand, is designed specifically to help law firms manage and grow client relationships. For example, CosmoLex’s legal CRM provides a number of features designed to support a law firm’s marketing efforts, including: 

• Customized online intake forms 
• Personalized follow-up messages 
• Text and video messaging 
• Email drip campaigns 
• One-click electronic signature 
• Detailed data analytics 

All of these features empower law firms to build profitable client relationships from initial contact to retention.

Achieve positive ROI with these legal CRM features  

An effective legal CRM isn’t just a database of client information—it can help you increase efficiency and profitability across client acquisition and retention. 

Faster speed to lead 

Otherwise known as “speed to lead,” the ability to connect with potential clients as quickly as possible is critical for generating business. Responding to a potential client inquiry within five minutes can increase your lead qualification by 80%.  

But for busy law firms, this can be a difficult feat to pull off.  

That is, unless they have some help from a legal CRM. A legal CRM can reduce speed to lead with:  

• Automated follow ups via email, text, or phone call 
• AI-powered chatbots to engage leads immediately 
• Real-time alerts to keep inquiries top of mind  
• Quick lead qualification to prioritize leads most likely to convert 

Streamlined client intake 

Your client intake process is your first opportunity to build a trusted relationship with new clients. The easier and faster the intake process, the more your clients associate your firm with convenience and efficiency.  

With legal CRM software, build strong relationships with the following steps:  

1. Implement customized online forms that ensure you’re gathering the right information about potential clients. This allows you to quickly determine if they are a good fit for your firm’s services.  
2. Use automated text and email reminders to schedule consultations and follow-up appointments to keep matters moving forward. 
3. Find yourself playing phone tag with an important lead? No problem. If you miss a call or email, the CosmoLex CRM can immediately send personalized follow-up messages via text or email.
4. If a lead seems on the fence, use email drip campaigns to educate your new client about your firm’s services, and guide them through the intake process. 

This improved intake process increases the likelihood of conversion and retention, but there’s more ROI to be found here. When you use a fully integrated legal CRM like CosmoLex, all your data is connected to your practice management system. This eliminates manual data entry, saving time and reducing manual error throughout the process.  

Automated client communications 

Client intake doesn’t move forward spontaneously. It requires deliberate engagement to move leads down the sales funnel. Similarly, client relationships don’t maintain themselves. They also require intentional communication.  

Yet, as you well know, lawyers are busy, and reaching out takes time that you don’t always have.  

Legal CRM software can alleviate this quandary by automating key areas of communication. Some of its valuable features include: 

• Text message reminders for upcoming appointments, deadlines, and court dates 
• Email campaign groups that send out relevant information about news, updates, and legislation specific to different types of case matters 
• Secure, one-click eSignatures that make signing and returning documents easier than ever 

How to enhance the ROI on your legal CRM 

A legal CRM can have all the features in the world, but is your law firm ready to use yours in a way that delivers the most benefits for the least amount of stress? The following strategies can guide you: 

Focus on your goals, not the bells and whistles 

Legal CRMs have a multitude of tools and features that support a variety of law firm goals. But adopting every single feature and process at once can lead to confusion, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed.  

Instead, approach your legal CRM as a way to address your law firm’s specific needs.  

Are you looking to… 

• Increase lead conversions? 
• Build your referral program? 
• Use metrics to enhance your marketing efforts? 
• Streamline your client intake process? 
• Reduce the number of missed appointments? 

Once you identify the precise issues you want to solve, prioritize them based on the most pressing needs. Pinpoint which features can help you meet these goals and map out a plan.  

For example, if your priority is building a stronger referral program, you can use your CRM’s email marketing features to create a segmented email to your referral partners. For referrals from past clients, use email automations to send out referral requests following the conclusion of matters.  

This strategic approach will improve firm-wide adoption—you’re actively solving a problem!—and provide an immediate ROI for your legal CRM investment.  

Make CRM training part of the process   

New technologies will always require an adjustment period. Before you roll out the technology for your clients, give your team plenty of time to explore the legal CRM’s use cases and user interface. Invite users to attend training sessions hosted by the legal CRM’s support team.  

CosmoLex also provides tailored training sessions to ensure that your team has everything they need to take full advantage of the software.  

Don’t leave training to the adoption phase, though.  

Legal CRMs often provide software updates to provide improved security, new features, and other changes based on user feedback. Consider appointing a CRM champion in your firm who can lead team members through any new updates or features as they arise.  

Additionally, many firms may experience high rates of initial adoption, but best practices may fall to the wayside over time. Organize a monthly or quarterly review for your team to discuss what is going well and what standard operating procedures should be adjusted or reinforced to achieve optimized ROI from your legal CRM. 

Invest in your law firm’s growth with CosmoLex 

CosmoLex’s suite of practice management software has the tools you need to improve your law firm’s efficiency and profitability. From legal CRMs and custom-built websites to billing and accounting software, CosmoLex makes it easier than ever to build a productive, streamlined legal practice.  

Start your free trial today!