Professional Services Marketing

professional services meeting

Our experience in the professional services sector

We specialise in providing tailored digital marketing services to the professional services industry, including legal, financial, consulting, and providers of public services. Our comprehensive approach encompasses search marketing (SEO and PPC), content marketing, website design & build, social media, digital PR, conversion rate optimisation, data & analytics and training.

By leveraging industry-specific insights and advanced marketing techniques, our goal is to help professional service providers increase their online presence, attract high-quality leads, and foster client engagement.

We started working with Vertical Leap in March 2023 and have been very impressed with the professional level of knowledge, management and delivery of our digital marketing channels. Their proactive approach has resulted in a significant increase in performance to our paid channel delivery which has gone from strength to strength. We look forward to working with Vertical Leap in the future delivering continued growth of our paid digital channels.
Paul Cooper, Head of Digital Marketing at Capita
gas safe register

How we're helping Capita

Gas Safe Register are the selected partner of the Government Health & Safety Executive and are responsible for running the gas registration scheme in the UK. They wanted to improve the performance of their PPC campaigns and focus more on educating people about the importance of choosing a gas safe engineer. We helped them shift focus from conversion to brand awareness campaigns and reduce spend whilst ensuring as little drop as possible in performance.

Results included a 40% reduction in cost per conversion and a reduction in cost per thousand impressions of 44%.

We understand your industry and the challenges you face

Intangibility and demonstrating value

Professional services are intangible and cannot be seen or touched before purchase. This makes it difficult to convey their value to potential clients. Demonstrating the benefits and outcomes of services requires creative approaches, such as case studies, client testimonials, and illustrative examples.

Building trust and credibility

Establishing trust is paramount in professional services, as clients need to have confidence in the provider’s expertise and reliability. This process can be time-consuming and often hinges on personal interactions, reputation, and proven track records. Building credibility through thought leadership, industry recognition, and client endorsements is crucial.

Differentiation in a crowded market

Many firms offer similar services, making it challenging to stand out. Differentiating a firm based on unique value propositions, specialised expertise, exceptional client service, or innovative solutions is essential to capture attention and attract clients.

Client relationship management and retention

Professional services thrive on strong, ongoing client relationships. Maintaining these relationships requires continuous engagement, exceptional service delivery, and regular communication. Retaining clients can be difficult due to the competitive landscape and the constant need to demonstrate ongoing value.

Long sales cycles and complex decision-making

The decision-making process for professional services is often lengthy and involves multiple stakeholders. This extended sales cycle demands sustained marketing efforts, patience, and consistent follow-up to nurture leads through to conversion. Balancing the immediate need for new business with the long-term nature of client acquisition can be challenging.

scooter

How we're helping a UK 100 law firm get noticed online

We were tasked with boosting the online profile of this UK 100 law firm as part of furthering their wider business goals, with increased online visibility for chosen search terms as a key success metric.

We ran a digital PR campaign with a focus on personal injury in the context of e-scooters, specifically their safety and their legislation.

We secured over 150,000 additional impressions in search results for our client, with placements in The Guardian, The Express, Totally EV and Electronic Specifier. The story was then syndicated in a number of additional titles including Head Topics and The World News, leading to over 19 pieces being secured in a three-month period. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Marketing is vital for professional services firms to build their brand, establish credibility, attract and retain clients, educate the market, support business growth, enhance client experience, and adapt to market changes.

A key factor in successful marketing for professional services is building and maintaining trust. Trust is foundational in professional services because clients rely heavily on the expertise, reliability, and integrity of the service provider.

Yes! SEO works for professional services companies by enhancing their online visibility and attracting targeted traffic through the optimisation of relevant keywords and phrases. By appearing higher in search engine results, these firms can reach potential clients actively seeking their services, thus increasing the likelihood of conversion. SEO also involves creating high-quality, informative content that establishes the firm as a thought leader and builds trust with potential clients. Additionally, optimising the website for speed, mobile-friendliness, and user experience not only improves search rankings but also ensures that visitors have a positive and engaging experience, ultimately driving business growth and providing a competitive edge in the market.

For a professional services company, the choice of social media channels depends on the target audience, industry, and business objectives. However, the following channels are generally effective for most professional services firms:

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the most important platform for professional services companies. It is specifically designed for business networking, making it ideal for building connections with other professionals, sharing industry insights, and showcasing expertise. It’s also useful for lead generation and thought leadership.

Twitter: Twitter allows for real-time engagement and sharing of industry news, updates, and thought leadership content. It’s useful for participating in relevant conversations, connecting with influencers, and staying updated on industry trends.

Facebook: While not as business-focused as LinkedIn, Facebook can be valuable for community building and engaging with a broader audience. It’s useful for sharing company updates, hosting events, and connecting with clients on a more personal level.

YouTube: YouTube is effective for sharing video content such as webinars, client testimonials, tutorials, and thought leadership discussions. It helps in building brand authority and providing valuable insights in a more engaging format.

Instagram: Instagram is less common for professional services but can be useful for firms looking to showcase company culture, behind-the-scenes content, or visual case studies. It’s particularly effective for industries like design, architecture, and creative services.

Each platform offers unique opportunities for engagement, so a professional services company should choose channels based on where their target audience is most active and the type of content that best represents their expertise and brand.