Careers don't develop in straight lines. But for outside forces, mine never would have veered into legal marketing. And I'm so glad it did.

Legal Marketing Association Education Director Holly Amatangelo is on a quest to help legal marketing and business development professionals understand their firms and clients. The former professional comedy actor ask questions, stays curious, and just says no to bad advice. As evidenced by her favorite phrase, "yes, and," Holly is always game.

Marketers should work to stand out, not to make lawyers comfortable. Next time lawyers edit the marketing out of your marketing copy, ask questions to lead them to winning expressions.

Not everyone enjoys writing law firm marketing copy as much as we do. Use these quick tips to improve your content and results.

Have you thought about what external market conditions mean for your role in supporting lawyers? It's time.

Next time you're under strain and asking for help, ask "What if?" and watch what happens.

Stop making business development harder than it needs to be. Take a lesson from popular music.