LayRoots

Asset Protection | Live More Carefree

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“Always Bet on Yourself” – SXSW

At SXSW during the “crossover” day (crossed over from interactive to music), I went to a panel about Alternative Funding.  I *thought* the panelists were going to talk all about crowdsourcing; however, it ended up talking about how it is always more lucrative to “bet on yourself.”  Meaning, as an artist, they suggested to work your butt off, don’t take money up front, and ask for more royalties.

Their reasoning is that you and your fans will promote your album far more effectively than the label will.  Also, you will get more money in the end by assuming that you will successfully sell and promote your album.  That is the key, though.  You will need to work your butt off to sell and promote your album.  It’s really an incentive.

This mindset also applies with patents and trademarks, though.  If an inventor or business person wants to license or sell their patent or trademark, then it can pay to “bet on yourself.”  It also, however, pays to truly evaluate your ability and willingness to do the work necessary to reap that reward.  Is it more worthwhile to you to receive a smaller monetary value for your software, your invention, or your logo/branding package so that you can move on to the next thing, not deal with any administrative tasks, and not be responsible for any possible failures with the device or promotions?  OR does your confidence and passion for what you created instill a willingness to wait, do the administrative tasks necessary, and make any sacrifices?

The panel had a lot of examples of artists who have made it big by betting on themselves.  However, they also recognize that many artists, and I recognize that many business owners or innovators, have a very real need for cash to pay bills.

It’s a tough decision to make and your investors (family, friends) or attorney can definitely weigh in.  However, in the end, it is YOUR decision because they will not necessarily be doing the work for you.

As proof that we put our money where our mouth is, we are going all in.  We will be spending a LOT of time (read: most of our time) in Texas for the upcoming months because we are betting on ourselves in a new, monetizing-patent adventure.

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What Should Be in Heavy Rotation at LayRoots?

Sheeeeesh, guys.  I’m late this month…right week, wrong day (in case you hadn’t picked up on it, I usually post on Tuesdays).  BUT you get double your pleasure this month – TWO blog posts per week.

I’m writing a series of posts about when to use those copyright and trademark symbols you see around.  Check them out every Thursday.

BOOKS  

Y’all.  We’ve lost some steam with the reading.  We’re still reading the same things as we were last month.  The positive – we’ve been working ON our business and IN our business.  All the reading and learning has helped us to identify areas where we could do better, so we have started using Basecamp to track and communicate about projects in conjunction with our law firm practice management software – Clio.  We can now offer our clients secure portals to access documents and we are on our way to systematizing things – meaning more efficient, predictable, faster service.

Okay, that was a bit of a detour.  However, if you have books that you would recommend we read next – we’d love to hear it!

MUSIC

After SXSW – which was very educational (Basecamp usage is a result of a panel attended by Shreya at SXSW) – we have been digging Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, Vance Joy, the Dum Dum Girls, the Steeldrivers, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, annnnnd about 65 other bands.

Not all of the new music we’re listening to was featured at SXSW…but it came to our attention through the whole experience.

Did you go to SXSW?  Who was your favorite act?

MISC

I, Shreya, love to cook.  In preparation for summer and bathing suit season, I think we should all eat more.  I usually frequent these recipe blogs for ideas:

101 Cookbooks

Smitten Kitchen

I hadn’t done much cooking or perusing since starting this business, but I’m getting back into it.

Also, our business coach, RJon Robins, may be coming to a city near you (CLE Tour).  New dates and cities are being added all the time, so don’t despair if you don’t see your city on there.  If you’re an attorney starting your own practice or you have been practicing alone for awhile now, check him out!  He’s helped us out a ton…feel free to email us and ask us about our experience.

Do you have any suggestions for us?  What should we put on our music and book list?

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February Newsletter – From One Human to Another.

A monthly newsletter for idea-people.
 
Lawyer-Humans helping idea-people become business-people

What’s New in the Ley Household

We had a pretty kickass Indian wedding at the beginning of the month, if we do say so ourselves. New Orleans is just a great place to celebrate…pretty much anything…because people there value good food, good music, & good times; plus they harbor a non-judgmental attitude.  There was bow fishing, a paint fight, dancing on pool tables, a horse parade, a second line band, and an amped-up dance party (to name a few of the highlights).

It didn’t hurt that the very same weekend, the SEAHAWKS completely shut down the Broncos in the Super Bowl…Was that even a fair fight?  Colin and I have decided that we are a good luck charm for cities we live in winning the Super Bowl.  You’re welcome, Seattle!

Other than that, we are a firm divided!  Colin’s been shredding the gnar up in Seattle, enjoying the fresh powder.  Shreya, on the other hand, has been working hard for some clients down in Tejas…while enjoying the plentiful Lone Stars with chips and salsa.   When in Rome…
What Are We Thinking About This Month?

Ah, February, love is in the air…and bitter, bitter cold.  As an outpouring of all the love in the world, we have been thinking a lot about adding value to our clients’ lives and also finding little ways to make them feel special.  We are formulating and thinking of new packages that address their needs as a human being and not just a legal client.  Feel free to ask us about it next time you see one of us!

Why are we thinking about how to add value to our clients’ lives?  Aside from simply being awesome, last time we said that sales drive business.  Great.  Well, now, how do we keep that sold client…well, sold!

New packages are great, but let’s improve what we already have, too! One of the things that we have been working on is creating a predictable system – no one wants to be surprised by their legal services.  It’s usually something that is driving stress or worry.  So, we will tell you when you can expect to hear from us or how often, and we will do our damnedest to deliver on that.

How do you show love to your employees and clients?

“Ley Lessons”

Keep your business on the up-‘n’-up

  • Don’t “right-click/save” images off of the internet for use on your marketing materials or website to save a few bucks.
  • If you hired an independent contractor to create the website/marketing materials…it can still be your butt on the line if an image wasn’t acquired legally.

There are a few really good reasons this has come up this month.  First, there have been quite a few people that have contacted us recently because they received “demand letters” from sites like Getty Images.  Second, we hired a badass photographer for the wedding and so this issue has been more top-of-mind.  Third, this is a personal pet peeve of Colin’s because his images have been reused and distributed without attribution to him and it makes him upset.

Corporations like Getty Images or individual photographers can receive a minimum of $750 per act of infringement – but it could be a lot more depending on if they can prove “damages.” Meaning…you made big bucks by using their image, and the artist or owner didn’t see a dime.  Not only could you have to pay back-licensing fees, but you also lose out on the money you’ve spent printing, creating, and/or distributing your marketing materials.

Why would YOU get in trouble if you hired someone to put your website/marketing materials together?  Well, you’re the one distributing it.  Your name is on the website or brochure.  You are, therefore, responsible.  Can you then turn around and demand the money from the company or independent contractor that you hired?  Yeah, maybe.  But as a busy business owner, you probably don’t want to deal with that mess.

So, now we’ve scared you.  You want to take down all of the pictures everywhere that you’ve ever used.  ::insert super hero music:: We have some tips on how to use images so that you’re prepared if someone comes after you.

  1. Use a Work-For-Hire contract for any work you get done and retain a copy of the signed agreement
  2. Ask for, keep, and review invoices for stock images or photography used
  3. If you hire a photographer, make sure their contract says that you have a license to use the images commercially

These are just three (3) things to think about when using images on your site or marketing materials. This issue can get complicated and annoying to deal with – don’t hesitate to contact your friendly, neighborhood lawyer-human with questions.
Contact Info & Administrative Announcements

We have some new blog posts up! Check them out.  Get to know us better.  Tell us what you think.
www.layroots.com/blog/ OR www.coachingindustrylegalcounsel.com/blog/

Don’t want to do that and prefer to speak to a real life Lawyer-Human?  That’s cool.  Give us a call at (206) 219-9559.  Or email us if that’s your thing atshreya@layroots.com or colin@layroots.com.

Websites: www.layroots.com  & www.coachingindustrylegalcounsel.com

We’re planning out some cool stuff and planning to appear at some cool events around the country – so stay tuned for more announcements and watch out for us Lawyer-Humans!  WE’RE EVERYWHERE and sometimes…you can’t even tell us apart from regular humans.