On 26th June, conferences and events organiser Ark Group (www.ark-group.com) will be hosting an innovative new masterclass called Smart phone apps for law firms – Getting ahead of the competition . The session will be run by specialist law firm iPhone and Android app developer Insight Mobile, an award winning company that has developed best in class apps for a range of legal practices. The masterclass aims to demystify Smart phones and apps for those within the legal sector who want to understand the huge potential of this new technology. There will be sessions covering the basics of both Smart phones and apps, specific discussion of the way in which a law firm app can link in with an existing marketing plan, as well as a focus on the legal sector specific benefits of using an app. In addition to this, specialist iPhone and Android legal app developer Insight Mobile will use the masterclass to explain the process of creating a law firm app – from the initial briefing through to launching on the App Store – as well as covering essential issues, such as the cost of the app and how to continuously develop the app in line with a firm’s marketing strategy.
The masterclass comes at a time when app use is just beginning to appear in legal sector marketing. With more than 83% of phones in Europe likely to be Smart phones by 2013 and more than 25 billion app downloads a month from the Apple Store alone, unsurprisingly the success that other industries have seen with these mini marketing platforms is one that law firms are keen to replicate. Although Smart phone apps may have previously been outside the radar of those within the legal industry, their cost effectiveness and extensive reach means they have become one of the new marketing tools of choice. Catherine Lane, MD of iPhone and Android law firm app developer Insight Mobile, and leader of the masterclass, understands that apps can seem an opaque subject for the uninitiated. However, she says, “Understanding and exploiting the exciting potential of the app is well within everyone’s grasp.”