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As podcasting rapidly emerges as a powerful tool for lawyers looking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive legal market, one industry expert explains how firms can leverage the medium to build authority, attract clients, and become the go-to choice in their field.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Dennis Meador, the founder and CEO of The Legal Podcast Network, shared insights into how lawyers can harness podcasting as a powerful business development tool, arguing that the medium has evolved far beyond entertainment into a platform capable of delivering measurable, tangible business results.
While many lawyers may assume that a microphone and a message are enough to launch a successful podcast, Meador stressed that effective podcasting is a craft in its own right, requiring strategy, consistency, and continuous refinement.
“A lot of people don’t realise that successful podcasting is an art form in and of itself,” he said.
“Some people think, ‘I can talk, therefore I’m going to win the race.’ But it’s like, you can run, but go join the New York marathon and see how well you place.”
Meador noted that while some lawyers may naturally excel at communication, long-term success depends less on innate ability and more on the discipline to continuously invest in refining and adapting their craft within an evolving medium.
“Just because you have the basic skill set, or the innate skill set even, doesn’t mean that without cultivation and being careful with it, that you’re going to be successful with it,” he said.
Although podcasting may appear simple at face value, Meador cautioned that without a clear plan, lawyers risk staying busy without making meaningful progress, while structured, intentional planning significantly improves the chances of success.
“I guarantee you, if you go in with no plan, you will accomplish it every time. But if you go with a plan, you have a pretty good chance of accomplishing it,” he said.
To avoid this pitfall, he suggested lawyers must first ask themselves “why [you] want a podcast”, pointing out that there are “several reasons” the medium can be used to drive meaningful results.
Meador pointed to five different podcast formats lawyers can explore, each serving a unique business purpose: “authority podcasts, thought leadership podcasts, legacy-focused podcasts, referral-based podcasts, and client-centred podcasts”.
While podcasting and self-promotion were once seen as unnecessary in a profession where qualifications alone were expected to generate work, Meador noted that this traditional mindset has faded, with lawyers now recognising the need to actively build visibility and pursue opportunities.
“We’ve kind of transitioned from [the mindset of], I’m a lawyer. I shouldn’t have to ask for business. I shouldn’t have to put myself out there. I went to law school. I went to a top law school; I shouldn’t have to [do this]. That’s the way it traditionally was,” he said.
By embracing this shift in mindset, he outlined a range of significant benefits for lawyers who pursue podcasting, including “getting good clients, being on stage as a thought leader, having people refer them cases, building friendships and relationships, and dominating their market and becoming the lawyer of choice”.
For lawyers still weighing up whether to launch a podcast and questioning its necessity, Meador offered simple but decisive advice that underscored the importance of taking action rather than overthinking.
“What’s that saying? ... When’s the best time to start? Five years ago. What’s the second-best time? Today!” he said.
