The Benefits of an Autoretainer System
I have implemented and sell a system where attorneys can automatically create retainer agreements and invoices with one simple step. The benefits of this system are pretty obvious, but I had a recent experience that highlights the importance of an autoretainer. I was recently contacted by a potential client for a drunk driving case. The parent was calling for their son who was a student at a university in Michigan. The lead was generated using a dynamic contact form on one of my many criminal defense websites.
Every time a potential client fills out a form it gets immediately sent to my iPhone and to a contact management database called Highrise. It also sends them an autoresponder telling them that no attorney-client relationship has been established and that they can call my 800 number for immediate assistance. This particular client called my 800 number and I was able to return his call within a matter of minutes…this immediately establishes trust!
After speaking to the client’s father for 10 minutes, on a Saturday, I was able to establish enough of a rapport that he wanted to hire me on the spot. I told him that I will send a written fee agreement and invoice that he can pay online immediately. Most clients would expect to receive these documents on Monday or Tuesday. Not from my office. I tried logging in to my computer from home and it was frozen for some unknown reason…have to love Windows 7!
Because we have an autoretainer system built and integrated into an online form generator, I was able to take my iPhone and follow these simple steps:
1. I have the URL for a pre-built general form stored in the notes on my iPhone. I simply copy and paste the URL into my safari browser on my phone;
2. The URL takes me to a form where I fill in the client name, address, email, court where the offense occurred, and the amount of the retainer quoted;
3. I hit the submit button….and it is done! That is it.
This simple step created a customized retainer agreement sent as an autoresponder. The form also integrated with my online invoicing system and created a custom invoice that is sent to the client’s email. This can be paid with PayPal or credit/debit card immediately.
It sends me a notification to my email that both were sent and the client called to acknowledge receipt of both. The client indicated he would be paying immediately and I had the money in my bank account from a non-refundable retainer agreement in less than 15 minutes…on a Saturday! I can also check on my iPhone whether or not the client viewed the invoice and track payments since my program has an iPhone app.
If you would like to create your own Autoretainer system, contact us today at 1-866-522-8529.
