Marketing firms and advertising agencies make money selling you marketing materials and advertising. They don’t make money because you make money. It’s cynical, I know, but it’s true.

I’ve bumped in to two law firms in the past week that had little firm brochures made. They are both tri-fold 5×5 square, multi-page pieces promoting some element of the law firm.

Unfortunately, nobody cares. When was the last time a client wanted a full color 5×5 brochure about a law firm? Maybe, never. Oh, you did it for referral sources, huh? Guess what? They don’t want your crap either.

Clients care about (1) themselves and (2) the problem they are currently having.

If you’ve got unlimited resources and want to stimulate the local economy then go ahead and get a brochure.

Focus your resources where they matter. Build your website/blog, build traffic using organic and paid search and build your personal network. Don’t let the agencies talk you in to paying for printed material that is on the fast track to the landfill.