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Market Your Investigations Firm to Attorneys With Introduction Letters

  • January 03, 2012
  • by PInow Staff

introduction letters for private investigatorsPrivate investigators who want to enhance their marketing strategy or have recently entered the field may not know what direction to take. Consider marketing your investigations firm directly to attorneys through introduction letters. Introductory letters are a great opportunity to present yourself and your services to potential clients. Because attorneys can be a source of repeat business, it is critical that your letter be properly formatted, well written, and specific.

The following is a short guide for writing an introduction letter:
 
 

The greeting

Though you may be tempted to address the letter to the firm’s name, it’s important that you target the specific attorney. This will ensure the letter gets to the right individual. Begin with a professional salutation, and make sure you include the person’s credentials.

Example:
Dear Mrs. Johnson, ATT:
 

The first paragraph

The first paragraph is considered the most important section of the entire letter. What you write in this paragraph should encourage the attorney to keep reading, but should also contain the bulk of your information.

This paragraph should always include:

  • Your name
  • The name of your investigations firm
  • Years of experiences
  • Areas of related expertise
  • Where your company is based
  • Location your firm services
Example:
My name is John Smith and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and XYZ Investigations should you ever require the services of a private investigator. I am a licensed professional and have been in the industry for X numbers of years. I specialize in computer forensics and background investigations. My company is based in Newark and services the entire state of New Jersey.
 

The second and third paragraphs

The second paragraph should explain to the attorney why you’ve chosen to write them. Acknowledge the attorney’s area of concentration, and, if possible, reference recent cases as a lead-in for how your services will be helpful. But avoid being presumptuous, as it will always be received as distasteful.

The third paragraph will be a short list of specific services you provide. They should directly pertain to the types of cases the attorney usually handles. If the attorney focuses on divorce cases, highlight services like asset searches and digital forensics rather than pre-employment background checks. Remember to always include service of process, if you offer it, in your list.

Example:
I’ve decided to reach out to you as many of your recent cases have involved copyright infringement. You may find my services of use in future cases as I have extensive experience in many areas, concentrating on the following:

Service of Process                                              Asset searches
Electronic data recovery                                    Background checks
Digital forensics                                                 Skip tracing
Cell phone data recovery
 

The fourth paragraph

The fourth paragraph should serve as a conclusion and support the information you have provided. Include experience as an expert witness and association memberships to help establish legitimacy. Close with a statement that encourages the attorney to take action.  

Example:
Additionally, I have testified as an expert witness and I am an active member of the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association (NJLPIA).  I hope that if any of your clients ever require these services you will keep XYZ Investigations in mind. I look forward to working with you in the future.
 

Your signature

Make sure you close the letter with a respectful and positive note. Consider using Sincerely or Kind Regards before your full signature block, as they are more professional than a simple thank you. Make sure you include your name, company name, phone number, and email.

Example:
Sincerely,

John P. Smith
XYZ Investigations
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: jsmith@xyzinvestigations.com
 

Here’s what your completed letter might look like

Dear Mrs Johnson, ATT:

My name is John Smith and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and XYZ Investigations should you ever require the services of a private investigator. I am a licensed professional and have been in the industry for X numbers of years. I specialize in computer forensics and background investigations. My company is based in Newark and services the entire state of New Jersey.

I’ve decided to reach out to you as many of your recent cases have involved copyright infringement. You may find my services of use in future cases, as I have extensive experience in many areas, concentrating on the following:

Service of Process                                              Asset searches
Electronic data recovery                                    Background checks
Digital forensics                                                 Skip tracing
Cell phone data recovery

Additionally, I have testified as an expert witness and I am an active member of the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association (NJLPIA).  I hope that if any of your clients ever require these services you will keep XYZ Investigations in mind. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,

John P. Smith
XYZ Investigations
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: [email protected]
 

Conclusion

Because attorneys, like private investigators, often specialize in a specific area, a letter that showcases related experience will get the best results, so you should write each letter individually. Keep your letters concise, and have someone proofread for errors before you send or deliver it. Be completely honest and omit any unnecessary or irrelevant information.

It is unlikely that you will use the exact same letter for any two attorneys, but once you have a template you can easily adapt it. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful, and with your letters in the hands of potential clients you’ll bring in more repeat business.
 

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