On June 4, the Law Division hosted a virtual networking event focused on one of the most requested topics from our recent coworking session: branding.
WHY BRANDING MATTERS
The event started with a brief introduction to the concept of branding, tailored specifically for legal translators and interpreters who run their own businesses. Attendees received a worksheet with practical resources designed to help them start shaping their professional identity and visual presence.
The discussion highlighted how a strong, and consistent brand goes beyond just making your business more visible—it helps build trust, professionalism, and position you as an expert in your field.
BREAKOUT ROOM HIGHLIGHTS
After the introduction, we moved into breakout rooms for smaller group discussions. Participants shared real-world experiences, challenges, and strategies related to branding as legal translators and interpreters. Here are some of the key takeaways:
Websites: Useful or Not?
One breakout group began by asking, “Is a website worth it?” Out of five participants, only two had a website, and just one found it useful. That person pointed out that the site worked well because it was professionally designed and regularly updated with SEO efforts. Others felt that clients were more likely to find them through Google reviews, LinkedIn, or ATA profile searches rather than by visiting a personal website.
Visual Identity and Business Naming
There was a lot of discussion about business names and branding. Some participants questioned whether it’s necessary to include the word “translation” in a business name. Many agreed it’s not essential and pointed to well-known brands that don’t include their service in the name.
Others shared that they chose names that would resonate with their target audience—for example, using your last name if you are targeting lawyers. The same idea applied to choosing a logo and color palette. Using your target client’s similar logos, color palette, and business name helps create a sense of connection and trust with them. Participants agreed that a strong visual identity includes easy-to-read fonts, clear and simple domain names, and a consistent use of colors and design elements.
Rebranding Mid-Career
Another group discussed the challenges of rebranding after many years in the profession. Is it worth changing your business name or visual identity after 20 years? One member shared that he used rebranding as a way to reconnect with clients—as a marketing strategy and an “excuse” to reach out, introduce the new brand, and take the opportunity to ask if they have any projects he could assist with.
Lessons from Experience
Some attendees shared frustration with hiring designers who didn’t listen to their ideas. The key point is that if you hire a professional, they should understand the translation and interpreting field. Just as our clients look for specialists, we should do the same when choosing service providers. It’s important to be clear when communicating your needs and expectations to branding professionals.
Participants also mentioned that branding choices can depend on factors like location, language combination, and target clients. For example, in more conservative fields like law, a simple and professional style usually works best.
Professional Growth Reflections
Many participants mentioned relying mostly on long-term clients and viewed branding as an opportunity to reach new clients. Some ideas they shared included writing blog posts, updating business cards with a new logo, and creating a professional email address that matches their brand.
WHAT ATTENDEES SAID: FEEDBACK HIGHLIGHTS
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the participants who completed our survey:
- Satisfaction: 89% rated the event 5 out of 5, with the remaining 11% rating it 4
- Relevance and Helpfulness: Also 89% gave it a 5-star rating
- Recommendation: 100% said they would recommend this event to a colleague
What they found most helpful:
- “Ideas on how to improve our online presence and marketing.”
- “The worksheets and the discussion about branding.”
- “Very to-the-point marketing and professional branding content.”
- “Great presentation, really enjoyed the breakout section.”
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
We’re so glad you joined us for the Law Division’s virtual networking session. One attendee said, “This was my first Law Division virtual networking session, and I’m looking forward to keeping on participating in the next activities. Thank you!”
We truly appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and be part of the conversation. Your feedback means a lot to us. We’ve heard from many of you that you’d like to keep the conversation going and that a panel with legal professionals from different backgrounds would be a great addition—and we’ll definitely keep that in mind as we plan future events.
Thanks again for being part of our community!
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