Customer Reviews

Bringin' in the Rain: A Woman Lawyer's Guide to Business Development

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I rarely post a negative review, but I had eagerly ordered this book after reading the great reviews and am incredibly, incredibly disappointed. Not only did the author do herself a disservice by even putting "women lawyers" in the title as what is contained in the pages is very, very general information on how to network and develop business that is almost completely independent of gender or industry--there was little here that is not in a free networking 101 article on the Web--and the book is TINY--making me really feel pretty tricked. Other than a few references to others in the practice, virtually everything mentioned about how to triage and assess the value of your time spent on some generic marketing efforts, there was little here that was specific to law practices and the author cheated herself of getting other male readers as there was no real need to target women in the title even if the bulk of her clientele is female. I feel a bit uncomfortable writing a negative review, but to have such a truly, tiny book (few pages and small ones) at such a high price with basic info that almost any chamber of commerce might dispense for free about how to network and target new clients or mine existing ones for additional billings (regardless of industry) at this price seems to be something many might wish to know before buying this.

First, let me say that Sara Holtz is a friend and law school classmate of mine. But that is absolutely NOT why I'm writing this review. I am not one to give false praise - EVEN for a friend. (Just ask anyone who knows me.)

That disclosure made - this book is just fabulous. ANY lawyer in private practice - young or old, female or male - would benefit from following Sara's marketing strategies.

The book is a distillation of the stuff Sara gets paid beaucoup bucks to share with women lawyers around the country. Yes, it is a slim volume - but its conciseness is a major PLUS for "too busy to market" lawyers. The book is an absolute STEAL at $30.

"Bringin' in the Rain" is clear, concise and presents a WIDE VARIETY of ways to market. It is well-organized, practical and realistic.

One of the book's best features is that it provides the reader with many helpful "scripts" to follow in various marketing situations. Sara puts words in your mouth - words that are true, sincere and easy to say. But words that will advance your marketing so much more than the unhelpful scripts most lawyers follow.

I'm something of a devote of self-help books, and this one is first-rate. It never requires the lawyer to do anything that he or she doesn't enjoy doing. Don't like golf? Not required. Would prefer not to do public speaking as a marketing device? No problem.

Sara also assures women that it's fine for them to have PERSONAL relationships - and personal CONVERSATIONS - with clients and other people to whom they wish to market. She even has a fascinating discussion (complete with script) about how to market your services to people (especially other women) with whom you are already personal friends.

If lawyers will just TAKE the steps Sara sets out, their "book of business" will grow.

I'm a solo practitioner who needs to start marketing in the new very slow economy. This book was long on what to do if you work in a big law firm but short on how to adapt ideas to solo practice or if you are just a regular lawyer. There were some helpful tips and reminders and lots of Just Do It lessons that we ALL need to follow, but I was left with - Oh, yeah, I already knew I needed to follow up with my former clients... what else?

Most lawyers know business development is critical to your practice's long-term viability, and, if you're an associate, to your success within a firm, but we learn nothing about how to do it in law school. This book will teach you how - and you'll like it! Holtz teaches how to expand your business in ways that work well and feel natural, rather than in ways that feel like we are selling used cars. The book isn't so long that it feels daunting, but contains a lot of practical advice that make it enormously worth the cost (although law firms should really provide this book free to every associate). The author's in-house experience and years of coaching women lawyers really pays off for the reader. It's a must-read for anyone in private practice.

Sara Holtz has drawn on her extensive experience, insights and acumen as a business development coach for lawyers to write the quintessential guide for growing a book of business. Whether you are a woman or a man, novice or an accomplished rainmaker, mentoring someone who wants to become one, or endeavoring to build a practice group or a firm full of them, Bringin' in the Rain is a must read. Bringin' in the Rain will undoubtedly become the most dog-eared book in your library, as you repeatedly turn to it for practical steps in finding, winning, and growing successful and profitable client relationships.

This book is a must read for any lawyer in private practice -- male or female. It provides clear, concise, workable solutions for lawyers who want to take control of their careers, and find, cultivate and service the clients they want. Rather than overwhelming the reader with unworkable solutions, the book provides a realistic and practical approach to attack the greatest challenge of most private practice lawyers -- developing your own business, to enhance the joy of the job, the balance in life, and the independence needed in a law firm.

Sara Holtz manages in a succinct book to coach readers on growing their law practice, in a way that is insightful and adoptable. One walks away after reading it with a set of concrete action steps (beyond just all those things that we know we should do) and most importantly, the motivation to take them. I have bought copies of this for a number of colleagues and will continue to do so. While she focuses on women lawyers, her lessons are just as applicable for men. I highly recommend this book for any law firm partner, as well as for more junior lawyers who are trying to sort out how to build a brand and a pratice out of the gate.

Wow! This book by Sara Holtz is wonderful. It is full of practical tips and provides great guidance on rainmaking. I definitely recommend this book to other female (and male) attorneys.

Bringing' in the rain helped me to understand what people have been saying to me about marketing. It put it nicely into perspective. It's well written and builds on our individual strength.

The book could have included more "internet" strategies.

Bringin In the Rain is a short book jam-packed with information. It is clearly written, practical, and even, at times, humorous. Finding time to market is often what a lawyer doesn't "get around to." Sara Holtz knows how to maximize limited marketing time. Her examples are well targeted to her audience; she gives the reader manageable action steps; she focuses on results. But, most importantly, Sara understand the psychology of motivating lawyers to do what is critical for future success in these tough financial times, i.e. bring in the business.