Sharp Strategies Sweet Success

What does it look like when a law firm grows because people actually feel like they know you , before they ever need a lawyer? In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success , I’m joined by Joshua Hodges of The Hometown Lawyer, a personal injury firm based in Southwest Ohio, to break down how he built a recognizable brand on TikTok without relying on scripted legal lectures or a rigid content c...

Email marketing is one of the most misunderstood areas of legal marketing. In this live session, we take a look at what the federal rules actually say about commercial email and marketing outreach. Instead of relying on assumptions or industry folklore, we review the official FTC guidance and explain how it applies in practice to law firms. The discussion centers on a simple but important distinct...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sharpcookiedev.substack.com In our February 2026 Sharp Marketing Mastermind meeting, we discussed list building as a long-term driver of community marketing and referral growth . Instead of treating list building like a one-time funnel tactic, we reframed it as relationship-building at scale—collecting the right contacts and consistentl...

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What really changes when you leave an in-house law firm role and go fractional? In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success , I sit down with Jason William s, former marketing director at Miley Law Group, to reflect on what it’s like to spend over a decade building marketing systems inside one firm, and how different it feels to suddenly work with firms at every level of marketing maturity....

Charley Mann introduced me to the world of legal marketing, and I pay it forward by having him be a guest on the show! We fall back into our old ways of talking about everything except marketing (or are we discussing marketing the whole time!?), and debating the finer points of our favorite TV shows. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bo...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success, I chat with Julia Hensel, who leads both Lexigate (a legal SEO agency) and RepSpert (a review removal company), about the evolving world of search and reputation for law firms. We talk about how firms can show up in both Google and AI tools like ChatGPT by doubling down on localized content, branded mentions, and directory consistency. Julia expla...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sharpcookiedev.substack.com I was very honored when Ken Hardison asked me to speak at PILMMA’s AI for PI Expo. I had a great time at the event, and I’d love to share what I learned and which tools the attorneys should check out. When Ken asked me to speak, I already knew how I would frame and focus my presentation. I knew that any AI ev...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success , I’m joined by Robert Hartmann, a California criminal defense attorney and soon-to-be author of Making It Rain: The Art of Building a Successful Law Firm . We unpack what most law schools and firms never teach: how to actually get clients. Robert shares how getting laid off early in his career forced him to build a practice from scratch. Relations...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sharpcookiedev.substack.com In our January Sharp Marketing Mastermind meeting, we focused on how law firms can improve performance and accountability across Google Ads and Local Service Ads. We were joined by Thomas Glasgow of 1122 Marketing , who shared deep insights into how Local Service Ads actually work and what Google prioritizes...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success, I’m joined by Will McCreight of Blue Shark Digital to break down what law firm SEO actually looks like in 2026—and why it still matters. Will explains why “unqualified leads” are often a sign that your SEO is gaining traction, not failing. But to make that visibility useful, firms need better tracking—moving beyond the generic “organic” label to i...

In this end-of-year episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success , I’m joined by Conrad Saam of Mockingbird for a wide-ranging conversation about what law firms should actually be planning for in 2026. We dig into why the industry’s obsession with AI rankings risks pulling attention away from fundamentals that still drive real case volume, and how firms should think more strategically about choosing...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success I'm joined by Adam Rossen, who opens up about a year that tested everything — leadership, culture, and the systems behind a multimillion-dollar law firm. After losing team members, facing resistance to change, and stepping back into legal work for the first time in four years, Adam shares why he dismantled attorney-led sales, rewired his intake pro...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success , Kevin Daisey, co‑founder of Array Digital, joins me to unpack why digital PR, SEO, reviews, and PPC only work when your law firm is committed to brand consistency. We talked about why digital PR is becoming a smarter, more brand-aligned replacement for link buying, and how the best firms build processes that make five-star reviews feel personal,...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sharpcookiedev.substack.com In our December Sharp Marketing Mastermind meeting, we discussed how to build a review system that actually supports your law firm’s growth in a consistent, predictable way. Reviews help with social proof, visibility in search, authority in the market, and the quality of leads who decide to contact your firm....

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success, I chat with Kellam Parks from Parks Zeigler, a tech-savvy attorney with advanced knowledge in cybersecurity and data privacy. We talk the realities of modern hacking, dispelling common myths and revealing how automated bots and AI are the new frontlines in cyber threats. Kellam shares his journey from personal injury law to managing a multifaceted...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies Sweet Success, I talk with Olivia Bradbury, a fractional CMO with over 10 years of experience in legal marketing. Olivia shares her unique journey from skincare marketing to becoming a key marketing player for multiple law firms in Norfolk, Virginia. We delve into why consistency and authentic writing are critical in today’s AI-saturated content world. Olivia di...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies, Sweet Success, I chat with Katie Carlson, Director of Marketing at Faster Outcomes. Join us as Katie shares her journey from power sports marketing to the legal space and discusses how AI is transforming the legal industry. We delve into the benefits and limitations of AI tools, particularly for small and large law firms, and explore the importance of integrati...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sharpcookiedev.substack.com In our November Sharp Marketing Mastermind meeting, we discussed 2026 marketing plans for law firms and why shifting from one-off ‘ideas’ to repeatable systems matters. We looked at how systems create follow-through, make budgets and staffing realistic, and align with what attorneys actually value—clear paths...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies, Sweet Success, I sit down with James Abrenio, a passionate attorney and former public defender, to discuss the realities of running a small law firm in Northern Virginia. We explore the intricacies of balancing personal injury and criminal defense cases, the impact of AI and politics on the legal industry, and the importance of maintaining a lifestyle business....

In this episode of Sharp Strategy, Sweet Success , I sit down with Trudy Emlaw, a fellow Chief Marketing Officer, to talk about how traditional media, digital content, and brand strategy all come together to drive serious results. Trudy shares lessons from managing multi-million dollar budgets, collaborating with creative agencies, and leading marketing through massive growth. Whether you’re a CMO...

In this episode of Sharp Strategy, Sweet Success, I’m joined by Olha Bodnar, founder of Ethos Leads, to break down how neuromarketing can help law firms ethically attract and convert more clients. We explore how the human brain really makes decisions, and why facts and credentials often come after emotion and gut instinct. Whether you’re a solo attorney, law firm owner, or legal marketer, this con...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies, Sweet Success, I chat with Kayleigh Kennedy from Limitless Coaching. We delve into the importance of energy management, business alignment, and the power of mindset in achieving business success. Kayleigh shares her journey from a corporate PR background to becoming a business and mindset coach, helping entrepreneurs, including lawyers, realign their values and...

In this episode of Sharp Strategies, Sweet Success, I chat with Zarina Hernandez, a criminal defense attorney in Orlando, Florida. Join us as Zarina takes us through her journey of establishing her law firm, starting from zero marketing efforts to actively engaging in social media and networking. We explore the importance of community presence, the challenges of creating engaging content, and the...

In this episode of Sharp Strategy Sweet Success, I sit down with Len Spada of Spada Law Group to uncover his strategic approach to legal marketing in the Hispanic community. Len shares his journey of evolving his law firm into a 100% plaintiff's personal injury firm with a significant focus on Spanish-speaking clients. Discover how Spada Law Group utilizes radio advertising, Spanish SEO, and commu...