Your SBM Member Directory powered by Zeekbeek is much more than a
legal directory. It is an online marketplace where lawyers can increase
their visibility and consumers can find lawyers. The directory provides
you with both free and paid-for products and services.
The free services:
Enhanced and searchable profile. To create
your enhanced profile, add professional photos, a biography, your
employment history, education, contact information, licensing
information—particularly if you’re licensed in more than one state or
U.S. territory, committees you work on, links to your social media
including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, your blog, and Skype. And
remember to indicate that you are accepting clients.
If you speak more than one language, identify which languages you
speak. The fact you are fluent in Spanish or French may bring in your
next big client. Define your practice areas for other lawyers,
consumers, and referral sources. Add your activities in the community
such as board positions you hold or places you volunteer.
Consumer conveniences. Consumers can quickly and easily see that you are available and ready to take their call. There are links on the site to an appointment scheduler
that encourages clients to contact you to schedule an appointment or
request a phone conference. If you authorize clients to write reviews, there is a form for them to use and submit for your consideration.
Join or create groups. Connect with like-minded lawyers or create a new group. Share ideas and meet possible referral sources.
Blog or post publications and videos. You
can add your blog posts, articles you’ve written, or links to published
items and videos from speaking events, interviews, or TV ads.
Badges. There are a number of new badges
that you can add to your digital resources. There is a profile badge, a
book-an-appointment badge, and text links that lead to your profile
page. To access this new feature, log in to Zeekbeek,
select “edit profile,” and scroll down the list of navigation options
to select “Share Your Profile.” Copy and paste the code onto your
webpage, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages to easily share your
member directory profile and to make it easy for consumers to book an
appointment with you. The badge library will continue to grow, so check
back often for updates.
Paid-for products and services:
Lawyer2Lawyer Referral Directory.
With this service, you can advertise your niche practice area to
fellow lawyers. The listings consist of two parts: a business card
listing and a listing for a small advertisement. For example, you might
list your practice area as appeals. That designation, along with your
contact information, would fill the box on the left. Add the premium
services and you can include up to five practice area advertisements in
boxes on the right. Use the directory to search for lawyers who
practice in a particular area or to advertise your specific niche
skills to other attorneys. The directory is now fully launched in
Michigan and is expanding to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois in the next
few months. Be a part of something big and join the new lawyer-to-lawyer
referral network.
ZB Web Archiver. Michigan Rule of
Professional Conduct 7.2(b) provides that an advertisement or
communication shall be kept for two years after its last dissemination
with a record of when and where it was used. Your SBM Directory makes
this easy. Zeekbeek has designed ZB Web Archiver, a screen capture tool
that automatically preserves the online content of your Zeekbeek
profile and any external websites you select and archives the data
electronically for least three years. The price is unbeatable! $5.99 per
month will archive all of your Zeekbeek profile pages, and you can add
in external website archiving for $5-$20 per month, based on the
number of web pages you need to keep track of.
Profile Builder Plus. No time to create
your profile? Zeekbeek will do it for you. The service includes a
personalized walk-through of all ZeekBeek site features.
Profile Builder. Not sure how to get started? Zeekbeek staff can answer your questions.
Your State Bar and Zeekbeek have created a site you can use as your
only online presence or as an addition to your website. Setting it up
is quick and easy. Log in using your SBM username and password to get started.
Roberta Gubbins has served as the editor of the Ingham County Legal News.
Since leaving the paper, she provides services as a ghostwriter editing
articles, blogs, and e-blasts for lawyers and law firms. She is the
editor of Briefs, the Ingham County Bar Association e-newsletter, and The Mentor, SBM Master Lawyers Section newsletter.
Read More Clear & Convincing Articles
Using the New Enhanced Member Directory
How to Login and Edit Your Profile
Zeekbeek For Lawyers Page—learn about all the new directory features
How to Contact ZeekBeek Support