Speakeasy Authority Marketing
Speakeasy Authority Marketing

EPISODE 319 – A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL?: HOW GOOGLE SCREENED ADS CAN HELP (& HURT) YOUR FIRM

EPISODE 319 – A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL?: HOW GOOGLE SCREENED ADS CAN HELP (& HURT) YOUR FIRM

A new ad format called Google Screened has been in the works for some time now, but is it worth it? What are the pros and cons? What are you really getting with this service, and perhaps more importantly, what are you risking?

A Google Screened ad is pretty basic: it’ll contain the number of reviews you have, your picture, the number of years you’ve been in business, whether you’re currently open, and the name of your law firm. It’ll also have the words “Google Screened” followed by a green check mark. What does that mean, and will potential clients even know what it means?

The verification process for a Google Screened ad is extensive and could take four to nine weeks, or even longer in light of delays due to COVID-19. While most people probably don’t know what it takes to qualify for a Google Screened ad, they’ll see the green check mark and know you’ve been verified by Google, which certainly isn’t a bad thing. Another positive about this ad format is that you can take a screenshot of your Google Screened ad, blur out the other attorneys who are in that screenshot, and use it on your website, in literature, or as part of your email signature.

Whether you get your money’s worth for it is still unclear, especially considering that they are pay per lead ads, and use only commercial keywords. Since they are pay per lead ads, it’s likely that Google will track the calls you get, and may even listen in to make sure you’re handling things properly. On top of that, Google will have the authority to pull down your ad at any time, leaving you with nothing.

Richard Jacobs recommends doing what he’s been helping countless attorneys do for years now: catch potential clients in the very early stages of their search for an attorney when they are typing question keywords rather than commercial keywords. By waiting until a potential client is searching commercial keywords, you’re surrounding yourself with a nearly insurmountable amount of competition with other attorneys.

For all the details and to learn more about how to market yourself wisely, call (888) 225-8594 or visit https://www.speakeasymarketinginc.com/.

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Richard Jacobs

About Richard Jacobs

My name is Richard Jacobs, and I've discovered quite a bit about the plight of solo practitioners and small, 2-5 attorney firms like yours these past 12 years.

I've come to understand the unique challenges in marketing ethically and effectively that attorneys face because I have:

  • Helped over 180 attorneys author their own practice area book and become the 'implied expert' in their practice area
  • Helped hundreds of attorneys successfully navigate Google's search algorithm changes, growing their websites from 2 potential clients calling a month to 4+ calls per DAY for some clients.
  • Interviewed and promoted over 507 attorneys nationwide, in practice areas such as:
  • DUI / DWI
  • Family Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Bankruptcy
  • Auto Accidents
  • Social Security Disability
  • Slip & Falls (Premises Liability)
  • Real Estate
  • Estate Planning / Probate
  • Wage and Hour Claims
  • Expungements / Post Conviction Relief

Before you decide to invest in your marketing, it makes sense to first request your complimentary, custom, no obligation video website review.

Richard is the author of 6 books published on Amazon, Kindle and Audible.com

Richard is available for speaking engagements on direct marketing for attorneys and has recently spoken at the following legal conferences:

  • PILMMA (Personal Injury Lawyers Marketing & Management Association)
  • Las Vegas DUI Summit – Private event for DUI attorneys
  • New York Boutique Lawyers Association
  • Perry Marshall & Associates Marketing Academy (Marina Del Rey, CA)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)