Compiled by Lisa Rory, Senior Business Development Manager, Venable and Arthur Uratani, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Bookoff McAndrews:

For fun, we asked LMA Mid-Atlantic members to ask ChatGPT something related to legal marketing. After ChatGPT’s answer, we asked for their reaction (in emoji and text form). Check out the responses and reactions below!

Q Miceli, Marketing and Communications Director at Tycko & Zavareei

Explain this to a fifth-grader: what does someone need to know about being a named plaintiff in a class action lawsuit?

Sure! Being a named plaintiff in a class action lawsuit means that a person is chosen to represent a group of people who all have similar legal claims against someone or something. Let's break it down into simpler terms:

Imagine you and a bunch of your friends bought the same toy from a company, and it turned out that the toy didn't work properly. If all of you decide to take legal action against the company, you may join together in a class action lawsuit.

Now, out of all the kids who bought the toy, one of you will be chosen as the named plaintiff. This means that you will represent the entire group of kids in the lawsuit. Your job is to tell the court what happened, how the toy didn't work, and what you think should be done to fix the problem.

As the named plaintiff, you have some important responsibilities:

Telling Your Story: You will have to explain to the court and the lawyers what happened to you and why you believe the toy was faulty. You'll need to be honest and share all the details.

Representing Others: You'll speak not just for yourself but also for all the other kids who bought the toy. The court will listen to what you say and consider it for everyone involved in the case.

Helping Make Decisions: You might be asked to work with your lawyer and the other lawyers in the case to make important decisions, like whether to accept a settlement or continue fighting in court. They will listen to your thoughts and ideas.

Being Patient: Lawsuits can take a long time, so you'll need to be patient and stay involved in the process. It might take months or even years before a resolution is reached.

Remember, being a named plaintiff in a class action lawsuit is a big responsibility, but it also gives you the chance to make a difference not only for yourself but for many others who are in a similar situation.

React to ChatGPT’s response in one emoji: 🤓 (smiley face with glasses)

What’s your reaction? ChatGPT is my new favorite intern. Much like I would do with an intern, I kept my expectations fairly low and gave a clear assignment. The 'bot delivered an earnest and mostly true response, which is approximately the level of quality I would expect from a college student.

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Cassey Elder, Business Development Manager at Eversheds Sutherland

I work for a law firm and support attorneys with business development. I am hosting a nice dinner at a restaurant for clients. The clients are in-house counsel at technology companies. After the dinner, what should our attorneys do to follow up with the clients to win business?

After hosting a successful dinner for your clients, it's important for your attorneys to follow up effectively to maintain and strengthen the relationships and increase the chances of winning business. Here are some steps they can take:

1. Thank You Notes: Within a day or two after the dinner, your attorneys should send personalized thank you notes to each client expressing appreciation for their attendance. It shows professionalism and gratitude for their time and engagement.

2. Follow-up Emails: Following the thank you notes, your attorneys can send follow-up emails to the clients. These emails should reference specific points discussed during the dinner and highlight any additional information or resources relevant to their technology companies. Personalize each email to demonstrate a genuine interest in their business.

3. Connect on LinkedIn: Encourage your attorneys to connect with the clients on LinkedIn. It helps establish an ongoing professional connection and provides an opportunity to engage with their updates and share relevant content. When sending a connection request, they can include a brief personalized message to reinforce the relationship formed during the dinner.

4. Provide Value: Your attorneys should focus on providing value to the clients beyond the dinner. This can include sharing relevant articles, whitepapers, or industry insights that align with their technology companies' interests or challenges. Customizing the content based on each client's specific needs and interests will demonstrate thoughtfulness.

5. Schedule Follow-up Meetings: If there were specific action items or topics discussed during the dinner that require further discussion, your attorneys should proactively schedule follow-up meetings with the clients. This shows their commitment to addressing their needs and deepening the relationship.

6. Invite to Firm Events: If your law firm hosts events, webinars, or seminars related to the technology sector, your attorneys can invite the clients to attend. These events provide additional opportunities to engage, share expertise, and strengthen the connection.

7. Periodic Check-ins: Regularly staying in touch with the clients is crucial for relationship building. Your attorneys can set reminders to check in with the clients every few months, either via email, phone calls, or in-person meetings if feasible. The goal is to maintain open lines of communication and demonstrate ongoing support.

8. Monitor News and Updates: Your attorneys should stay updated on the latest news and developments relevant to the technology sector and the clients' companies. This allows them to proactively share valuable insights, legal updates, or industry trends that may impact the clients' businesses. This demonstrates their expertise and commitment to staying informed.

Remember, the key to successful follow-up is to be genuine, provide value, and maintain regular communication. Building strong, long-term relationships is essential for winning and retaining business from your clients.

React to ChatGPT’s response in one emoji: 😭 (tears of joy emoji)

What’s your reaction? This response is incredibly thorough and helpful. ChatGPT helps me organize my plans and confirms that I am on the right path when deciding the direction I want to take with an initiative.

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Kara Kane, Sr. Business Development Manager at Venable LLP

Should attorneys participate in pay-to-play sponsorships like ACI, American Institute of Legal Counsel, MarcusEvans, or Corporate Visions?

Deciding whether to participate in pay-to-play sponsorships like ACI, American Institute of Legal Counsel, MarcusEvans, or Corporate Visions is a strategic choice that depends on various factors and should be carefully evaluated by attorneys or law firms. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. Reputation and Credibility: Research the reputation and credibility of the organization offering the sponsorship opportunity. Evaluate if they have a solid track record and are respected within the legal community. Participating in questionable or less reputable sponsorship programs could potentially harm your professional reputation.
2. Target Audience: Consider whether the sponsorship opportunity aligns with your target audience and practice areas. Assess if the organization attracts the right audience that matches your desired client base. It's crucial to ensure that the sponsorship opportunity reaches the right people who are likely to be interested in your legal services.
3. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluate the costs associated with the sponsorship opportunity and compare them to the potential benefits. Consider the return on investment (ROI) you expect to achieve. It's important to weigh the financial investment against the potential business generated or the value gained from the exposure.
4. Relevance and Quality of Events: Assess the relevance and quality of the events or activities associated with the sponsorship. Determine if they offer meaningful networking opportunities or platforms to showcase your expertise. Consider whether the events or activities align with your professional goals and the image you want to project.
5. Transparency and Ethical Considerations: Ensure that the sponsorship opportunity is transparent and compliant with ethical guidelines. Be cautious of any programs that may be perceived as "pay-to-play" schemes or potentially violate legal or ethical rules regarding attorney advertising or client solicitation.
6. Alternative Marketing Strategies: Consider other marketing strategies and avenues for reaching your target audience. Explore a diverse range of marketing tactics such as content marketing, online advertising, social media, or participation in relevant industry events or conferences.

Ultimately, the decision to participate in pay-to-play sponsorships should be based on a thorough assessment of the benefits, costs, reputation, and alignment with your goals and target audience. It's advisable to carefully evaluate each opportunity and seek advice from marketing professionals or colleagues who have experience with similar sponsorships before making a decision.

React to ChatGPT’s response in one emoji: 😮 (wow emoji)

What’s your reaction? This is a shockingly great response, I am going to steal this to have as a nice checklist for folks to use – assuming they are reasonable and will answer honestly. Although, at the end of the day – nothing beats FirmWise’s Spammy Awards list.

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Katherine Boyko, Marketing Coordinator at Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC

Hey ChatGPT, how would you advise a legal marketer to celebrate a firm anniversary?

As a legal marketer, celebrating a firm anniversary is a great opportunity to engage with clients, foster relationships, and showcase your firm's achievements. Here's one advice for ways to celebrate a firm anniversary:

1. Host a Client Appreciation Event: Organize a special event to show your gratitude to your clients. It could be a cocktail reception, a dinner party, or a themed gathering. Make sure to include speeches or presentations that highlight your firm's milestones, successes, and contributions to the legal field. This allows you to strengthen relationships with existing clients and potentially attract new ones.
2. Launch a Thought Leadership Campaign: Take advantage of your firm's anniversary to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Create and distribute content such as articles, blog posts, whitepapers, or videos that discuss important legal topics or trends. Share valuable insights and expertise from your firm's attorneys to showcase their knowledge and establish your firm as a go-to resource in the legal community.
3. Engage in Philanthropic Activities: Give back to your community by organizing philanthropic initiatives aligned with your firm's values. This could include volunteering at local organizations, donating to charities, or sponsoring a fundraising event. Not only does this demonstrate your firm's commitment to social responsibility, but it also helps build a positive reputation and fosters goodwill among clients and the community.
4. Launch a Special Anniversary Marketing Campaign: Develop a targeted marketing campaign to promote your firm's anniversary. Utilize various channels such as social media, email marketing, and traditional advertising to create awareness and generate buzz. Consider offering special promotions, discounts, or exclusive content as a way to incentivize new and existing clients to engage with your firm.
5. Create a Commemorative Publication: Produce a commemorative publication, such as a brochure or a digital magazine, that highlights your firm's history, achievements, notable cases, and testimonials from satisfied clients. This serves as a tangible keepsake that clients can refer to, and it reinforces your firm's reputation and credibility.

Remember to tailor these suggestions to fit your firm's specific brand and audience. By celebrating your firm's anniversary in a thoughtful and engaging manner, you can strengthen client relationships, raise brand awareness, and differentiate your firm from competitors.

React to ChatGPT’s response in one emoji: 🤯 mind-blown emoji

What’s your reaction? ChatGPT provided multiple ways in which a firm could celebrate an anniversary without focusing on just one area. We actually used some of the strategies it recommended when celebrating our very own 40th anniversary just this year. Our firm created a year-long marketing campaign, hosted an event, published articles commemorating the anniversary, and even produced a brochure on firm history. One way that ChatGPT could improve its recommendation is by adding a component that brings business development into the picture. For example, instead of simply hosting a client appreciation event, our firm held a reception that brought together former, current, AND potential clients as well as colleagues, industry leaders, and former employees. This way, we established an opportunity for our firm to grow business by promoting the four decades of success our firm had and celebrating future initiatives that are yet to come. This reception, therefore, presented an outstanding networking opportunity that allowed us to showcase the firm in a way that resulted in additional business.

Business development and marketing often have to be interconnected in legal marketing, much like in any other industry. By combining the two when recommending strategies to legal marketers, ChatGPT can become a helpful tool for strategy development not only when it comes to significant anniversaries but in all other areas!

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Jennifer Williams, Director of Marketing at Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP

I need to send an email blast today. What is the best time to send it?

Determining the best time to send an email blast depends on several factors, including your target audience, industry, and the purpose of your email. While there is no universal "best" time that guarantees success, here are some general guidelines to consider:

1. Mid-Week: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday tend to be popular choices for sending emails. By mid-week, people have settled into their work routine and are more likely to engage with their emails.
2. Morning Hours: Sending emails in the morning, between 9 AM and 11 AM, often yields better results. Many people check their emails first thing in the morning, increasing the likelihood of your message being seen.
3. Avoiding Busy Periods: Avoid sending emails during peak busy periods when inboxes are typically flooded. This includes Monday mornings when people catch up on emails from the weekend, and Friday afternoons when many are wrapping up their work week.
4. Time Zones: If your target audience spans multiple time zones, consider scheduling your email blast to reach recipients at a convenient time in their respective regions. This ensures your message arrives when they are more likely to engage with it.
5. Testing and Analytics: Consider leveraging analytics and past email performance to analyze open rates, click-through rates, and engagement patterns. Test different send times over a period to identify trends and optimize your email blast timing.

Remember that the preferences and behaviors of your specific audience may differ, so it's essential to monitor your email campaign metrics and adjust your timing accordingly. Additionally, be mindful of local holidays or events that may impact email activity.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of your email blast depends on the quality and relevance of your content, compelling subject lines, and a well-defined target audience. Experimentation and tracking performance metrics will help you refine your email strategy over time.

React to ChatGPT’s response in one emoji: 🧐 (questioning monocle emoji)

What’s your reaction? I generally agree with Chat GPT’s recommendations but when reviewing my campaigns from the last year in Constant Contact, I see that our best open rates were middle of the week at 5 pm and 4:44 pm, which is a bit counterintuitive to the middle of the week morning send times Chat GPT suggests. I think the reminder to include a compelling subject line and avoid Monday morning or Friday afternoon sends is helpful. It also underscores the value of testing the metrics to see what works best for your target audience.