Future Rainmakers

Episode Summary: In this episode, Steve Fretzin breaks down how lawyers can create a powerful personal brand and establish themselves as thought leaders in today’s competitive legal market. He shares actionable strategies for developing visibility, credibility, and consistency across multiple platforms — from social media to speaking and writing. Steve explains why having a personal brand separate from the firm’s identity is vital for career growth, and how authenticity plays a central role in building trust and connection with potential clients and peers. He also opens up about his own life-changing plane crash experience, the lessons it taught him about purpose, and how it shaped his mission to help lawyers take control of their professional and personal destinies. Listeners will learn how to effectively use platforms like LinkedIn, avoid common branding mistakes, and create a structured marketing plan that supports long-term success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your reputation as a rainmaker, this episode provides a clear roadmap for transforming your presence into impact. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Introduction to personal branding and thought leadership 01:00 – What defines a personal brand for lawyers 02:30 – Why lawyers need their own identity beyond the firm 03:20 – The importance of becoming the “go-to” expert in your field 04:10 – How Steve’s plane crash experience shaped his mission and mindset 06:15 – Finding purpose and building a meaningful legal career 08:10 – The power of thought leadership: speaking, writing, and teaching 09:40 – Balancing business development with brand building 11:00 – Creating a structured marketing and business development plan 12:15 – Identifying the right platforms for your audience and message 13:40 – How LinkedIn can amplify visibility and influence 15:10 – Building relationships through authentic engagement online 16:30 – Common personal branding mistakes lawyers should avoid 18:00 – How to show personality while staying professional 19:10 – Why authenticity is key to building trust and credibility 20:00 – The role of consistency in brand recognition and retention 21:00 – Examples of creative and consistent branding strategies 22:00 – Practical first steps to start building visibility as a thought leader 23:00 – How content creation helps lawyers establish authority and attract ideal clients About the Show: “Future Rainmakers with Steve Fretzin” helps lawyers master the skills law school never taught — business development, marketing, networking, and personal growth. Through real-world insights and proven methods, Steve Fretzin empowers attorneys to build sustainable success, create authentic professional brands, and become confident rainmakers who define their own future.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Steve Fretzin shares how lawyers can transform everyday networking interactions into real business opportunities. Through proven strategies, Steve discusses how to build authentic relationships, ask the right questions, and develop trust that leads to long-term referrals. He breaks down the key elements of effective networking — from having the right mindset and following up strategically to qualifying prospects and establishing meaningful partnerships. Listeners will learn actionable steps to shift from casual conversations to purposeful business development, ensuring that every connection counts. Steve also provides practical techniques for organizing contacts, maintaining relationships, and tracking follow-ups to maximize networking results and build a consistent pipeline of new clients. Key Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction to Future Rainmakers and Steve Fretzin 01:10 - Why Lawyers Struggle to Turn Networking into Business 02:40 - Building the Right Mindset for Networking Success 04:00 - How to Create Conversations That Lead to Relationships 05:45 - Asking Value-Based Questions Without Sounding Salesy 07:20 - What to Listen For When Qualifying New Connections 09:10 - Effective Follow-Up Strategies After Networking Events 10:45 - How to Transition from Small Talk to Meaningful Dialogue 12:00 - Controlling the Flow of a Networking or Client Meeting 13:30 - Common Mistakes That Prevent Lawyers from Converting Leads 15:00 - Creating a System to Track and Manage Networking Contacts 16:30 - The ABC Method for Prioritizing Professional Relationships 17:45 - The Power of Qualifying Prospects to Maximize Time and Results 18:30 - Final Takeaways and How to Connect with Steve About the Show: “Future Rainmakers with Steve Fretzin” is dedicated to helping lawyers master the skills law school didn’t teach — business development, networking, marketing, and time management. Through insightful conversations and proven strategies, Steve equips legal professionals with the tools to build stronger client relationships, develop referral networks, and create sustainable business growth. Each episode is designed to help attorneys become confident rainmakers and take control of their professional future.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Business development coach Steve Fretzin shares actionable strategies for building deeper, more meaningful relationships with clients. By focusing on client loyalty rather than constantly chasing new leads, attorneys can strengthen connections that lead to long-term business growth and professional success. Steve breaks down practical steps for prioritizing top clients, engaging them in meaningful ways, and moving beyond transactional interactions to become a trusted advisor. Key Timestamps: 00:01:10 – The Value of Deepening Existing Client Relationships 00:02:45 – Prioritizing Clients for Maximum Impact 00:04:15 – Benefits of In-Person Meetings 00:05:00 – Creating a Client Loyalty Plan 00:07:30 – Becoming a Trusted Advisor 00:10:00 – FaceTime and Business Development 00:11:45 – The BILL Method for Client Engagement 00:15:00 – Long-Term Business Benefits 00:18:00 – Practical Action Steps for Attorneys About the Show: Future Rainmakers is the podcast where top attorneys come to learn how to grow thriving, self-sustaining practices without the burnout, bravado, or BS. Hosted by business development coach Steve Fretzin, each episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help lawyers build authentic relationships, win business ethically, and take control of their careers.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Future Rainmakers, Steve Fretzin, a five-time best-selling author and business development coach for attorneys, shares actionable strategies for mastering time management and productivity. Busy lawyers often struggle to balance billable hours, client demands, and business development, leaving little time to grow their practices. Steve breaks down the most common time traps, explains how to prioritize high-value tasks, and offers practical tools and mindset shifts that help attorneys regain control of their schedules while building a successful book of business. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Time management and productivity for busy attorneys 01:20 – Common time traps preventing growth: Billable hours and service work 03:00 – How to take back control of your schedule 04:15 – Prioritizing high-value work and “eating the frog” 06:00 – Time blocking and accountability strategies for consistent business development 09:50 – Organizing email and delegating tasks to reclaim time 14:00 – Mindset shifts for moving from busy to productive 16:30 – Leveraging tools like the Remarkable 2 for note-taking and organization 18:40 – Closing thoughts and next steps for attorneys About the Show: Future Rainmakers with Steve Fretzin is the podcast where top attorneys come to learn how to grow thriving, self-sustaining practices without the burnout, bravado, or BS. Hosted by business development coach Steve Fretzin, each episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help lawyers build authentic relationships, win business ethically, and take control of their careers.

Episode Summary: In this episode, business development expert Steve Fretzin discusses practical strategies for attorneys to master networking and convert relationships into sustainable growth. He explores common networking mistakes, preparation techniques, and the importance of building authentic, long-term connections. Fretzin also shares actionable tips for introverted lawyers and highlights how social media and traditional networking intersect to expand professional influence. Timestamps & Topics Covered: 00:01:00 – Why networking feels uncomfortable for many lawyers 00:03:00 – Traits of effective networkers 00:05:00 – Social media as a networking tool 00:06:30 – Common networking mistakes 00:10:00 – Preparation strategies for networking events 00:11:30 – Prioritizing connections: the TALENT framework 00:14:00 – Building genuine rapport 00:15:00 – Networking strategies for introverted lawyers 00:18:30 – Mindset shift for networking success About the Show: Future Rainmakers is the podcast where top attorneys come to learn how to grow thriving, self-sustaining practices without the burnout, bravado, or BS. Hosted by business development coach Steve Fretzin, each episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help lawyers build authentic relationships, win business ethically, and take control of their careers.

Episode Summary: In this episode, attorney Steve Fretzin shares insights into how business development coaching can transform a lawyer’s practice. From clarifying business goals to mastering networking and marketing, Fretzin explains why partnering with a skilled coach accelerates results and builds sustainable success. Mandy McCormack, an attorney who has worked with Fretzin, discusses her personal experience and the tangible impact coaching has had on her practice.   Key Takeaways: Attorneys often leave law school without guidance on business development, which is crucial for long-term success. Partnering with a business development coach helps lawyers focus on practicing law while effectively managing marketing, networking, and client acquisition. A successful coaching relationship depends on fit, motivation, and active participation from the attorney. Bite-sized, actionable steps allow attorneys to implement strategies without feeling overwhelmed. Leveraging existing client relationships and referral networks can maximize business growth without “cold outreach.” Authenticity and sharing personal stories in professional marketing strengthens client relationships and attracts ideal clients. One-on-one coaching provides customized guidance, ensuring strategies align with the attorney’s personality, practice area, and business goals. Episode Highlights / Timestamps: 00:00 – 05:00: Introduction to business development coaching and how Steve Fretzin began working with Mandy McCormack. 05:00 – 10:00: Key factors for selecting clients and ensuring a productive coach-player relationship. 10:00 – 15:00: Using authentic storytelling and LinkedIn to build client trust and attract ideal clients. 15:00 – 20:00: Why Fretzin works with individual lawyers rather than law firms, focusing on motivated and committed attorneys. 20:00 – 22:30: Overview of Fretzin’s coaching program, including training, one-on-one coaching, and long-term support. About Steve Fretzin: Steve Fretzin is an attorney and business development coach who specializes in helping lawyers build thriving practices. With a focus on practical strategies, coaching, and long-term skill development, Fretzin partners with attorneys to maximize their business potential while maintaining authenticity and professional integrity.   About Mandy McCormack: Mandy McCormack is an attorney who successfully launched her practice with the guidance of Steve Fretzin. She shares her experience with implementing coaching strategies, including networking, client engagement, and personal branding, which have contributed to her practice’s growth and sustainability.   Resources & Links: Learn more about coaching opportunities: bethatlawyer.com Connect with Steve Fretzin on LinkedIn for insights on legal business development

Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of Future Rainmakers, business development coach and five-time author Steve Fretzin unpacks one of the biggest mindset traps for attorneys: selling. Steve introduces his concept of “sales-free selling,” a consultative approach that helps lawyers guide conversations without pressure, pitching, or bravado. He explains why traditional sales methods fail, how lawyers can qualify clients more effectively, and why building real relationships leads to stronger, more sustainable practices. Attorneys will walk away with actionable strategies to grow their business while staying authentic and ethical. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Show introduction and welcome 01:10 – Why the word “sales” makes lawyers uncomfortable 04:05 – Traditional sales versus sales-free selling 07:40 – How buyers control the process in traditional sales 10:15 – Why lawyers must focus on fit instead of pitching 13:25 – The dangers of giving free consulting in early conversations 16:40 – Steps of sales-free selling and why process matters 20:05 – Handling objections without being pushy 24:30 – Qualifying clients: need, commitment, decision-maker, and budget 29:10 – Why “no” is better than “maybe” in client development 32:15 – How lawyers can stop chasing and start controlling business conversations 35:20 – Building authentic relationships without pitching 38:00 – Key takeaways and closing thoughts About the Show: Future Rainmakers is the podcast where top attorneys come to learn how to grow thriving, self-sustaining practices without the burnout, bravado, or BS. Hosted by business development coach Steve Fretzin, each episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help lawyers build authentic relationships, win business ethically, and take control of their careers.

Episode Summary In this premier episode of Future Rainmakers, internationally recognized lawyer coach and five-time author Steve Fretzin shares his remarkable journey and reveals why so many attorneys struggle with business development—and how to overcome it. From surviving a near-fatal plane crash to building one of the most successful legal coaching practices in the country, Steve’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. Drawing on over 17 years of experience coaching hundreds of lawyers, Steve explains why procrastination, lack of training, and mindset issues often hold attorneys back from growing their practices. He also introduces his proven Sales-Free Selling® methodology, which empowers lawyers to develop business authentically, without the pressure of “selling.” Whether you’re a solo practitioner or part of a large firm, this episode delivers practical, actionable strategies to help you build the law practice of your dreams while maintaining balance and control. Key Timestamps 0:00 – 2:50: Introduction to Steve Fretzin and the mission behind Coach’s Corner 2:51 – 7:20: Surviving a plane crash and finding purpose in helping lawyers succeed 7:21 – 10:42: Why Steve chose to specialize in coaching attorneys after the 2008 recession 10:43 – 13:45: What it means to “Be That Lawyer” and how the show differs from Steve’s podcast 13:46 – 16:20: Why law schools fail to prepare attorneys for business development 16:21 – 18:00: Shifting lawyer mindsets about sales and the Sales-Free Selling® approach 18:01 – 19:49: Actionable first steps for attorneys to start building their own client base Show Description In this kickoff episode of Future Rainmakers, Steve Fretzin—renowned business coach, author, and advisor to attorneys—pulls back the curtain on why lawyers struggle with business development and how to fix it. Steve recounts how a life-changing plane crash shaped his mission to help attorneys take control of their careers. He explains why many lawyers resist business development, the hidden reasons law schools don’t teach it, and how his Sales-Free Selling® system helps attorneys grow their books of business without feeling “salesy.” Packed with real-world insights and tactical advice, this episode is a must-listen for lawyers who want to stop waiting for referrals and start building thriving, sustainable practices.