9. Making Initial Consultations more productive

You can have your web site educate customers on what to expect and provide in the initial consultation, or leverage your web site to gather information on a client before scheduling the initial consultation.  Not only can this save you precious time, but it also projects a professional, organized image.  The right first impression.

Based on preliminary information, you can have them bring the necessary information to the initial consultation.  You would also be better able to schedule the right amount of time for that consultation.

Information can be collected through a simple contact form or a custom form to collect specific information. 

Which if either is right for you?  You should consider the following points to answer this question:

• Is time lost to initial consultations that do not move forward with your firm?
• Do clients come to your consultation without the necessary information or documentation?
• Do you sometimes need two initial consultations?
• Is too much time scheduled for initial consultations?  Is not enough time scheduled for a consultation?
• Would you be able to use the time you save?

Keep in mind, some people will be more open to share information using an on-line initial consultation form, while other people will not.  Either way, education potential customers can be a huge time saver.