Now that we’re well and truly in the holiday season – the one that exhausts and delights in equal measure – it’s a good time to take a deep dive into one of my favorite timesavers: marketing multitasking.

Some of us have a hard time saying no. That’s how I ended up with two Girl Scout troops and more PTA positions than I can count. The upside is that I’m helping organizations I care about. The downside is that there is less time to spend on business development, family, friends, and walking in the woods.

So, a few years ago, I resolved to find more ways to combine “helping organizations I care about” with marketing and business development. For me, that means:

  • Sponsoring events that support worthwhile causes and that help me build my professional network, such as our recent sponsorship of the Texas Minority Counsel Program’s spa event and sponsorship of Attorneys Serving the Community events;
  • Volunteering with and supporting organizations I care about that also offer networking opportunities, such as supporting candidates in the last election (lots of lawyers in and around campaigns), and;
  • Volunteering in ways that help me build my digital marketing and PR skills, such as taking on the email newsletters for my local library friends board and my two book clubs.

Need help turning your legal marketing to-do list into reality? We can help with that! Muse Communications was named one of Dallas’ best legal public relations firms by the readers of Texas Lawyer (although we represent clients all over Texas). Just drop us a line.

Don’t Try to Compartmentalize

Very few of us can neatly compartmentalize our life from our work, and the more we can bring our authentic selves to our jobs, the more we’ll enjoy the 8+ hours a day we’re there. Whatever your favorite cause is – whether it’s sports, politics, animals, social issues, children’s issues, or the arts – there are countless ways to indulge that passion while building your professional network.

I know many lawyers who have found impressive ways to combine their personal passions with business development. These are some of my favorites:

Chrysta Castañeda, The Castañeda Firm: Chrysta, who handles commercial litigation with a focus on energy issues, recently joined the board of the Texas Women’s Foundation, which provides massive financial and logistical support to a variety of organizations that help women and girls in Texas. At TWF’s recent luncheon, Chrysta’s table was filled with an array of impressive women, who are now on board with TWF’s mission as well. The luncheon also provided those women with great networking opportunities, which fed another one of Chrysta’s passions: helping other women grow their businesses.

Kathleen Wu, Hunton Andrews Kurth: Kathleen, a real estate finance lawyer, fell in love with tennis when her son started playing at a young age. Impressed at how the sport was helping her son on and off the court, she was quickly selected as the General Counsel of the United State Tennis Association’s Texas Section. From there, she took on the chairmanship of the national Diversity & Inclusion committee, served a two-year term on the USTA’s prestigious national Board of Directors (a highly competitive and sought-after position), and still serves on the board of the USTA Foundation, which helps make tennis accessible to underserved communities. Not only does her USTA work help her grow her network and stay involved with a sport she loves, but it also gives her major street cred with tennis fans.

Amy Elizabeth Stewart, Amy Stewart Law: Next to deciphering insurance policies in her work as an insurance coverage lawyer, Amy’s other passion is Attorneys Serving the Community, a volunteer group of Dallas women lawyers. Every year, ASC selects a beneficiary organization whose programs benefit women, children or families. ASC then spends the year fundraising for the non-profit, including a fun run and an annual luncheon. Amy’s firm sponsors ASC events year-round and she has previously served as the luncheon co-chair, a nearly full-time job for the lawyers who take it on. Not only does ASC benefit programs close to Amy’s heart, but the organization also provides leadership and networking opportunities to its members by offering events hosted by local female general counsel.

Michelle May O’Neil, O’Neil Wysocki: For several years, Michelle, a family lawyer, has been active with Team in Training, a fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She runs in their events, holds periodic fundraisers in her home, and makes her support of the organization an integral part of her work and personal life. Michelle regularly hosts a table at the LLS annual Valentine’s Day luncheon and fashion show. Her support of LLS isn’t just an excuse to buy a luncheon table with girlfriends or stay in shape. It’s primarily because she believes in the group’s mission and wants to do everything she can to help find a cure for a disease that has profoundly affected her family: Her father was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2002.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other ways to integrate your personal interests with your professional life. If you’re not already multitasking your marketing, make 2019 the year you give it a try.

Amy Boardman Hunt is all about helping lawyers find their voice and showcase their expertise. When she’s not doing that, she’s trying to find great hiking spots in Dallas. If you know of any – or you need a legal marketing muse – drop her a line at amy.hunt@musecommunicationsllc.com.