Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Starting Your LNC Business

When Sarah made the leap from bedside nursing to launching her own Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC) business, she was excited but also overwhelmed. She had spent years caring for patients and mastering her medical skills, but entrepreneurship was a whole new challenge. Like many nurses transitioning into the legal field, she stumbled along the way. If you’re thinking about starting your own LNC business, it’s important to avoid the same pitfalls Sarah encountered. Here are five common mistakes new LNCs make and how to avoid them so you can start your business on the right foot.

1. Underpricing Your Services

Sarah’s first mistake was drastically underpricing her services. As a new business owner, she worried that charging too much would scare away potential clients, so she set her rates low to be competitive. However, she quickly realized that she was undervaluing her expertise and exhausting herself for less than what her skills were worth.

The Fix: Don’t sell yourself short. Your years of nursing experience are incredibly valuable in the legal world, and attorneys rely on your insights to build strong cases. Do your research on the market rates for LNCs and set your fees accordingly. Programs like the LNC Accelerator™ can provide guidance on how to price your services to reflect your true value.

Learn more about setting competitive prices in Maximizing Your Earning Potential as a Legal Nurse Consultant.

2. Skipping the Niche

When Sarah first started her business, she offered general services in every area of legal nurse consulting. However, she quickly found that being a jack-of-all-trades made it hard for her to stand out. Attorneys didn’t see her as a specialist in any one field, and she struggled to find her footing.

The Fix: Specialize. Focusing on a niche, whether it’s medical malpractice, personal injury, or workers’ compensation, will set you apart from other LNCs. Attorneys prefer working with experts who have deep knowledge in specific areas of healthcare. Find a niche that matches your experience and interests. Read more in Specializing as a Legal Nurse Consultant: Finding Your Niche.

3. Lack of a Marketing Plan

Sarah believed that once her website was up, clients would start rolling in. She didn’t focus on marketing, assuming that word-of-mouth would be enough to grow her business. After months of waiting, she realized she needed a proactive marketing strategy.

The Fix: Marketing is key to any business, and LNCs are no exception. Build a solid marketing plan that includes networking with attorneys, attending industry events, and staying active on LinkedIn. Your marketing efforts will establish your credibility and visibility in the legal community. For more tips, check out How to Market Yourself as a Legal Nurse Consultant and Win Clients.

4. Failing to Build a Strong Online Presence

While Sarah had a website, it was bare-bones and didn’t highlight her full potential. She also wasn’t active on social media platforms like LinkedIn, which limited her ability to connect with potential clients.

The Fix: In today’s digital world, your online presence is crucial. Your website should clearly showcase your expertise, services, and credentials. Build a strong LinkedIn profile and use it to engage with attorneys, share insights, and position yourself as a thought leader in your niche.

5. Not Having a Clear Business Plan

One of Sarah’s biggest oversights was starting her LNC business without a clear plan. She had no strategy for growing her client base, managing finances, or scaling her services.

The Fix: A well-defined business plan is essential for long-term success. Outline your goals, target market, services, and pricing. Set realistic timelines and action steps to measure your progress. Programs like the LNC Accelerator™ can help you craft a solid business plan that guides your growth.

Conclusion

Sarah eventually turned her business around by addressing these common mistakes, and today she’s thriving as an LNC. If you’re starting your own legal nurse consulting business, remember to avoid underpricing your services, skipping the niche, neglecting marketing, and ignoring your online presence. By setting up your business with a clear plan and strategy, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful LNC career.