Your peers have FAME…Shouldn’t you?
The top legal trade publication, American Lawyer, just published Kady Volmering’s of Howard & Howard and John Hellerman’s article about the advantage of results-based PR programs – like our FAME system – especially for mid-size and smaller firms (and practices and projects for the biggies).
“If you’re a small or midsize law firm operating with a lean budget looking to elevate your reputation, enhance your business development efforts, and compete with industry giants, a results-based system like FAME is likely the solution you’ve been waiting for.”
.sThe link to the article is here. But if you can’t get to it through the pay wall, the full draft is here, and this is an AI-generated summary of the article’s key takeaways:
Shift to Results-Based PR: The article highlights a move away from traditional PR retainers, which often yield inconsistent results, to a results-based system called FAME (Focused Authoritative Media Exposure). Offered by Hellerman Communications, FAME uses a points-based model where firms like Howard & Howard pay only for tangible outcomes—like published articles or quotes—rather than effort, maximizing budget efficiency.
Enhancing Attorney Visibility: Professionals or attorneys at midsize firms like Howard & Howard use FAME to gain national media exposure in outlets like Newsweek, Bloomberg Law, and New York Law Journal. This visibility quickly establishes them as thought leaders in their niches, overcoming the challenge of competing with larger firms’ PR resources.
Business Development Focus: The core value of FAME lies in turning media placements into actionable business development tools. For example, Dennis’s quotes opened client discussions, Jim’s coverage built credibility post-Purdue Pharma SCOTUS ruling, and Joe’s articles deepened client relationships by addressing relevant issues like non-competes and trade secrets.
Cost-Effective Competitiveness: For firms with lean budgets, FAME levels the playing field against larger competitors. It guarantees value and eliminates the uncertainty of traditional PR, ensuring every dollar spent delivers measurable results.
Strategic and Measurable Outcomes: The points system offers transparency and predictability, allowing firms to benchmark against competitors and even “gamify” PR internally to boost participation. This transforms PR from a cost center into a strategic asset, enhancing reputation and growth without overspending.
In essence, the article argues that FAME empowers smaller firms to achieve “fame”—focused authoritative media exposure—efficiently, making it a game-changer for reputation-building and client engagement in a competitive legal market.
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To learn more about FAME, visit one of the links below, shoot John an email (jhellerman@hellermanllc.com) or attend our short, informal webinar next Tuesday, April 15th at 12:00pm ET (register here).
More about FAME:
Beyond the Salary Wars: How Focused Authoritative Media Exposure (FAME) Can Boost Morale
The legal industry is abuzz with the recent news of Milbank’s bold move to increase associate salaries, setting off a domino effect among its largest and most prestigious competitors. While this salary race is a headline-grabber, for most firms it’s worth exploring alternative, cost-effective ways to boost morale and job satisfaction. One such method is the ego and business boost achieved through reputation-building FAME earned media campaigns.
Every Professional Needs FAME: Focused Authoritative Media Exposure
Beginning at minute 27:47 of this Small Business Digest podcast episode, John Hellerman, the principal of Hellerman Communications, shares his unique approach to public relations and the importance of thought leadership for professionals in today’s challenging business landscape.
Scoring FAME (Focused Authoritative Media Exposure)
In today’s complex media landscape, law firms are increasingly aware of the importance of thought leadership in attracting high-value clients and top-tier talent. Traditional metrics, such as advertising equivalency, fall short in accurately assessing the value of thought leadership for professional service firms. Why? Because they don’t consider the unique goals and nuances of law firms, where credibility and expertise are paramount.