We have interviewed attorneys nationwide for two decades to learn their perception of our client's business. We have learned what they do to find an investigator, what they look for before hiring one, and what they expect once they hire an investigator.
Like all business leaders, attorneys do not want to look bad; therefore, they reach out to their network for referrals when looking for an investigator. They do not go to the phone book or the Internet unless they need an investigator in another state. Once they have names, they go to the prospective investigator's websites. Websites are the “business card of the 21st Century”. A website tells many things about a company. Other than a face-to-face meeting with an attorney, your website is the first impression of your company. They look to see if it is professional and well written. If they are impressed by your website, they place a call. They move on to the next candidate if they get voice mail, which happens nine out of ten times. Why? They want to work with someone they can reach when they need to. Once they hire an investigator, they expect a thorough investigation followed by a well-written, detailed, grammatically correct, concise report delivered in a timely manner. Your work product is your investigation and report. That is what you are selling.
I have heard from one attorney after another that they have to go through several investigators to find one who provides a good work product. If you do not provide your clients with an excellent report in a timely manner, you run a high risk of losing them as clients. Worse yet, they will advise other attorneys not to use your services on their message board. At best, it is difficult and costly to repair an unfavorable reputation.
Everything you do, don’t do, say, don’t say, deliver or fail to deliver impacts your reputation in the marketplace. Your first priority should be to provide a work product signed with excellence. Remember, the most valuable asset your company owns is its reputation.
You might be saying, “I am an investigator, not a writer.” Yes, this is true. However, you have to provide a written account of your work, and this written account is the best way to show your clients what a great investigation you have done. Don’t let a poor repost cost your business and your reputation. Hire someone to edit your report if need be. This service will pay for itself over and over.
