Going Forward

Hosted by Eric Elliott

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135

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Introducing “Going Forward,” formerly known as “The AdCast” with Eric Elliott, the podcast that uncovers extraordinary individuals creating a better working world. Join Eric as he delves into the personal journeys of visionaries, change-makers, and innovators. Experience Moving Conversations with entrepreneurs and leaders that inspire, motivate, and challenge you to embrace possibility and make a difference.

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October 14, 2026Episode 12149 min

One Percent Better with Chris Earley | Going Forward 121

In this honest and energizing episode 121 of Going Forward , host Eric Elliott sits down with Chris Earley, founder and CEO of Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers , author of Scaling the Wall , and host of The Earley Show , for a conversation about resilience, service, law firm growth, authenticity, and building a business that actually reflects who you are. Chris shares the story behind what built him before he ever built a law firm. From a difficult upbringing and early family challenges to finding purpose through service, marriage, fatherhood, and entrepreneurship, Chris opens up about the experiences that shaped his drive and helped him become the leader he is today. Eric and Chris talk about why giving back matters, how authenticity has changed Chris’s career, and why platforms like LinkedIn can become powerful when you stop trying to look perfect and start telling the truth. Chris also shares how he barely got into law school, why getting your foot in the door is only the beginning, and how consistency over years can move more mountains than people realize. The conversation also gets practical for law firm owners and entrepreneurs. Chris breaks down why he sees himself as the CEO of a law firm, why he prioritizes his team before clients, and how the way you treat your people directly impacts the way they serve your clients. He and Eric also discuss branding, operations, client experience, grassroots marketing, the “centipede method,” and why firms should avoid relying on one giant marketing channel to grow. Topics include: building through adversity; serving others; showing up authentically online; what it means to compete with yourself; why family can become fuel; how to lead a law firm like a business; why team culture shapes client experience; the importance of making clients feel heard, seen, and served; building a brand around who you really are; grassroots marketing; consistency; resilience; and what going forward means to Chris Earley. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Chris Earley: Website: https://www.chrisearley.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bostonpersonalinjurylawyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earleylawgroupinjurylawyers/ Books & Guides: https://www.chrisearley.com/books-guides/ Podcast: https://www.chrisearley.com/about-us/the-earley-show/ Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is a legal marketing expert, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of VIP Marketing . He is also the founder of Craft Creative and host of the Going Forward podcast. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Elliott has nearly two decades of experience across advertising, media, branding, digital marketing and law firm growth. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

September 16, 202631 min

Mind Shift. Profit Lift. with Peter Ricciardi | Going Forward 120, Part 2

In episode 120, Part 2 of Going Forward , host Eric Elliott continues his conversation with entrepreneur, advisor, author, and business thinker Peter Ricciardi for a deeper look at the ideas behind Peter’s book, Mind Shift, Profit Lift . Peter explains why he did not write a book called Profit Lift, Mind Shift . In his view, the profit does not come first. Profit comes when business owners learn to look at their company through the lens of the customer and the employee. When the customer is happier and the employee is better equipped to deliver, the business has a stronger chance to grow in a meaningful and lasting way. Eric and Peter also discuss why “doing more” becomes such an addictive response for entrepreneurs, why many businesses try to save or squeeze their way to prosperity, and why value engineering can quietly damage the customer experience. Peter shares examples from restaurants, franchises, retail, RV sales, sports, Costco, American Express, and other industries to show why customer loyalty, employee retention, and real value matter more than vanity metrics. The conversation also explores pricing, revenue, profit, traffic, retention, and why many entrepreneurs celebrate top-line growth without talking honestly about whether the business is actually healthy. Peter challenges business owners to ask harder questions, including whether they would buy from themselves and whether they would want their own mother to see the way they do business. Topics include: why mind shift comes before profit lift; why focusing only on the bottom line can backfire; the difference between revenue and real business health; why retention matters more than attention; how customer value should shape pricing; why doing more is not always the answer; what businesses can learn from Costco, Burger King, Sticky Fingers, and other brands; why happy customers matter more than abstract numbers; and what going forward means to Peter Ricciardi. This episode is a clear reminder that profitability is not just a math problem. It is a mindset problem. The businesses that last are the ones willing to think differently, serve better, listen harder, and do the right thing even when the shortcut looks more profitable. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.com Text: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Peter Ricciardi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterricciardi/ Website: https://ten9eight7.com/ Book: Mind Shift, Profit Lift Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is a legal marketing expert, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of VIP Marketing . He is also the founder of Craft Creative and host of the Going Forward podcast. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Elliott has nearly two decades of experience across advertising, media, branding, digital marketing and law firm growth. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

September 2, 202649 min

Your Business Isn’t About You with Peter Ricciardi | Going Forward 120, Part 1

In episode 120, Part 1 of Going Forward , host Eric Elliott sits down with entrepreneur, advisor, author, and longtime business leader Peter Ricciardi for a conversation about ethics, entrepreneurship, customer experience, and the mindset required to build something that lasts. Peter is the author of Mind Shift, Profit Lift , a book built around the idea that greater profitability does not begin with squeezing harder, chasing shortcuts, or obsessing over the bottom line. It begins by changing the way business owners think. In Part 1, Eric and Peter start with something deeper than business tactics. They talk about legacy, ethics, and the question Peter believes more business owners should ask themselves: would your mom be proud of the way you do business? From there, the conversation moves into what it really means to build a business that is successful without trading away integrity along the way. Peter also shares lessons from becoming the youngest Burger King franchisee in history, growing up in a family of entrepreneurs and professionals, and learning the difference between understanding business in theory and living it when your own money, employees, and reputation are on the line. Together, Eric and Peter explore why entrepreneurs need to know what they do not know, why “if you build it, they will come” is usually wrong, and why most businesses claim to be customer-first while rarely making decisions that begin with the customer. Topics include: doing business ethically; why it is not about you; Peter’s early path as an entrepreneur; lessons from Burger King, Raising Cane’s, Domino’s, Buc-ee’s, and other brands; why busy does not always mean productive; why customers and employees should come before ego; the difference between risk and recklessness; why simplicity can become a competitive advantage; and why business owners need to listen more closely to the people they serve. This episode is a reminder that strong businesses are not built by accident. They are built by people willing to look honestly at their customers, their employees, their assumptions, and themselves. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Peter Ricciardi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterricciardi/ Website: https://ten9eight7.com/ Book: Mind Shift, Profit Lift Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is a legal marketing expert, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of VIP Marketing . He is also the founder of Craft Creative and host of the Going Forward podcast. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Elliott has nearly two decades of experience across advertising, media, branding, digital marketing and law firm growth. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

July 15, 2026Episode 11935 min

Stop Giving Away Your Creative Value with Sharon Toerek | Going Forward 119

In this insightful episode 119 of Going Forward, host Eric Elliott sits down with Sharon Toerek, Founder of Legal + Creative , for a conversation on creativity, intellectual property, legal strategy, agency growth, and the future of creative work. Sharon has built a national law practice helping advertising, marketing, communications, and creative agencies protect their assets and turn their ideas into revenue. In this episode, she and Eric dig into a topic that every agency owner, creative leader, and business builder needs to understand: your ideas may be more valuable than you realize, but only if you know how to protect them. Together, Eric and Sharon talk about why legal strategy should not be viewed as a barrier to growth, but as a tool for building a stronger business. Sharon explains how agencies can think differently about the work they create, the intellectual property they own, the rights they assign, and the ways they may be giving away too much value without realizing it. The conversation also explores how AI is putting pressure on old agency business models. As asset creation becomes faster and easier, Sharon makes the case that agencies need to understand where the real value lives: in strategy, thinking, systems, methodologies, and creative intelligence. Topics include: why legal affairs can become a profit center; how agencies can monetize intellectual property; the difference between deliverables and underlying IP; how AI is changing creative business models; why agencies need to document their knowledge and processes; the role of contracts, licensing, and usage rights; why agencies give away too much value; how scope creep eats away at profit; and why both agencies and clients need to agree on what success actually looks like. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.com Text: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Sharon Toerek: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharontoerek Legal + Creative LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legal-creative/ Website: https://legalandcreative.com/ Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative , two agencies dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands and sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, television, and digital media, Elliott works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling, and operational systems to drive measurable results. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

June 24, 2026Episode 11943 min

Leads Don’t Cure All with Brooke Lively | Going Forward 118, Part 2

In this powerful episode 118, Part 2 of Going Forward , host Eric Elliott continues his conversation with Brooke Lively, Founder of Scaling Law, for a deeper look at what actually makes a law firm scalable, valuable & sustainable. Picking up from Part 1, Eric & Brooke move beyond the idea that more leads will fix everything. Instead, they dig into the numbers law firm owners need to understand if they want to grow without creating chaos. Brooke explains how firms can identify whether they have a marketing problem, an intake problem, operations problem or a cash flow problem & why the answer is usually found in the data. They discuss conversion rates, qualified leads, referral sources, appointment show rates, staffing capacity, case inventory & the financial pressure that comes with growth. Brooke also shares why some firms feel like they are growing revenue but still feel broke & why law firm owners need to understand the true cost of supporting each case before chasing the next level. The conversation also turns toward EOS, Scaling Law, and what makes a law firm more attractive to a buyer or successor. She explains why systems create value, why owner dependency lowers firm value why firms become vulnerable when too much knowledge, marketing, or decision-making depends on one person or one source. Topics include: how to know whether your firm has a marketing, intake, or operations problem; why conversion rates matter at every stage; what law firm owners often misunderstand about cash flow; why growing revenue can still leave a firm feeling broke; how case inventory impacts capacity; why systems increase law firm value; how EOS helps reduce owner dependency; what makes a law firm more attractive to a buyer & why no single lead source should carry too much of the firm’s growth. Sustainable law firm growth does not come from chasing more leads. It comes from understanding the numbers, building the systems & creating a firm that can operate with discipline long after the owner steps out of the center. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Brooke Lively: Website: https://brookelively.com/ Scaling Law: https://www.scalinglaw.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookelively/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scaling_law/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scalinglaw YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalingLaw Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative , two agencies dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands and sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, television, and digital media, Elliott works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling & operational systems to drive measurable results. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

June 10, 2026Episode 11841 min

Why Growth Can Break a Law Firm with Brooke Lively | Going Forward 118, Part 1

In this eye-opening episode 118, Part 1 of Going Forward , host Eric Elliott sits down with Brooke Lively, Founder of Scaling Law, for the first half of a two-part conversation on what it really takes to build a healthier, more profitable law firm. In Part 1, Brooke & Eric unpack a hard truth many law firm owners eventually face: growth is not always the same as health. Brooke has spent years helping law firms become more profitable, systemized, and scalable through financial strategy, fractional CFO work and EOS implementation. In this first part of the conversation, she & Eric dive into the pressures facing personal injury firms today, from rising client acquisition costs to private equity, case volume, cash flow & the temptation to chase more leads before fixing what is happening inside the firm. Together, they explore why “more cases” can actually create more problems when a firm does not have the cash, staff, systems, or litigation capacity to work those cases well. Brooke explains why contingency firms have to think carefully about the cost of carrying cases for months before getting paid, and why growth can become dangerous when it is not balanced with cash. Eric and Brooke also discuss the difference between a busy law firm owner and one who is actually building enterprise value. From vision and people to data, process, and traction, Brooke breaks down how EOS helps firms stop spinning in circles and start rowing in the same direction. Topics include: why growth can become dangerous for PI firms; how rising client acquisition costs impact profitability; why leads do not cure all; the relationship between case volume, cash flow & staffing; why insurance companies know which firms will litigate; signs a law firm has outgrown the way it is being managed; six key components of EOS; why law firms need vision, data & process to scale responsibly. In Part 2, we continue with a deeper look at intake, conversion rates, cash flow, owner dependency & more. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Brooke Lively: Website: https://brookelively.com/ Scaling Law: https://www.scalinglaw.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookelively/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scaling_law/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scalinglaw YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalingLaw Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations & propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative , two agencies dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands and sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, television & digital media, Elliott works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling & operational systems to drive measurable results. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design & development, brand strategy & premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

May 27, 2026Episode 11759 min

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit with Ezra Firestone | Going Forward 117

In this powerful episode 117 of Going Forward , host Eric Elliott sits down with entrepreneur, ecommerce strategist, educator, and founder Ezra Firestone for a conversation that has been in the making since Eric first met Ezra in person in 2024. Known for building and leading brands like Smart Marketer, BOOM, Zipify Apps, and other ecommerce ventures, Ezra brings a conversation that goes far beyond ecommerce tactics. Together, Eric and Ezra explore what it really means to build something valuable without losing sight of your life, your people, or your purpose. From growing up on a hippie commune to building multiple successful companies, Ezra shares how his early relationship with money shaped his view of entrepreneurship. He explains why money can buy comfort but not fulfillment, why service should sit at the center of business, and how his guiding philosophy, “serve the world unselfishly and profit,” has shaped the way he builds. Ezra opens up about the lessons he learned from losing money on a failed software product, why founders often become the bottleneck inside their own companies, and how one day a week of high-level thinking can change the way a business grows. They also dive deep into modern marketing: why the best product does not always win, why the best promise often does, how social proof and manufacturing transparency build trust, and why brands need to understand the real motivations of the people they serve. Topics include: building a business around service; why money does not create fulfillment; lessons from ecommerce, software, and education; how founders become bottlenecks; the power of delegation and team autonomy; why profitability matters more than vanity growth; what makes customers trust a brand; the role of social proof in modern marketing; how to make a better promise; and what it means to go forward by enjoying what you already have. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Ezra Firestone: Website: https://loverunnethover.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezrafirestone/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezrafirestone/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeetEzra/ Smart Marketer: https://smartmarketer.com/ Zipify Apps: https://zipify.com/ BOOM: https://boombeauty.com/ Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative , two agencies dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands and sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, television, and digital media, Elliott works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling, and operational systems to drive measurable results. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

May 13, 2026Episode 11625 min

Budget, Media, and Message: Eric Elliott and Chris Dreyer on Smarter Law Firm Growth | Going Forward 116

In this special episode 116 of Going Forward , we’re turning the microphone around. This episode is a re-release of Eric Elliott’s recent appearance on Personal Injury Mastermind with host Chris Dreyer, a conversation we found so valuable that we wanted to share it directly with the Going Forward audience. Eric, Founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative, joins Chris to unpack what law firms often misunderstand about growth, marketing, and what it actually takes to compete in a crowded personal injury market. Rather than focusing on quick tactics or chasing the newest platform, Eric brings the conversation back to the fundamentals: budget, media, and message. Together, Eric and Chris discuss why stronger marketing rarely comes from simply spending more money. They explore how law firms can better align their advertising strategy with their goals, how digital campaigns can be used to test messaging before scaling into larger media investments, and why intake systems play such a critical role in whether marketing turns into signed cases. Eric also shares his perspective on the difference between a traditional marketing funnel and a true referral flywheel. For firms that want long-term growth, the goal is not just to generate leads. It is to create a better client experience, build trust in the community, and make real “community deposits” that compound over time. Topics include: budget, media, and message alignment; why more leads do not always mean more cases; how intake can quietly make or break marketing performance; using Meta ads and digital campaigns to test messaging; understanding the math behind law firm growth; building a sustainable referral flywheel; and why community trust is one of the most powerful advantages a law firm can create. This episode is a grounded reminder that sustainable growth is not built on guesswork. It is built through alignment, accountability, and a marketing strategy that holds up after the phone starts ringing. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Chris Dreyer: Chris Dreyer Website: https://chrisdreyer.co/ Chris Dreyer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdreyerco/?hl=en Rankings.io Website: https://rankings.io/ Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM): https://www.youtube.com/@pim_org Available Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Chris-Dreyer/author/B008AZZ4F8?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual ! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative , dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands & sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, TV & digital media, he works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling, and operational systems to drive measurable results. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design & development, brand strategy & premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services & expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

March 18, 2026Episode 11445 min

From Athlete to Advocate: Amber Hall on Competing Without a Big Marketing Budget | Going Forward 114

In this inspiring episode 114 of Going Forward, host Eric Elliott sits down with Amber Hall, Founder and Managing Attorney of Amber Hall Law, to explore what it really takes to build something from nothing and stand out in a competitive industry. From her roots as a Division I athlete to launching her firm with little more than a laptop and determination, Amber shares how mindset became her greatest advantage. She opens up about the realities of starting from the ground up, overcoming doubt, and learning that success begins with belief before strategy. Together, they dive into the intersection of law, business, and personal branding, unpacking how authenticity can outperform even the biggest marketing budgets. Amber also shares how her identity, discipline, and commitment to serving others have shaped a brand that connects deeply with clients and continues to grow. Topics include: building a law firm from scratch; the mindset required to win in business and life; how authenticity drives modern marketing; lessons from athletics that translate to entrepreneurship; empowering others through leadership and example; and why believing in yourself is the ultimate competitive edge. This episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t need unlimited resources to succeed; you need clarity, conviction, and the courage to show up as yourself. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ericelliott.com/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeaker LinkedIn: ⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/ Twitter: ⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/EricMElliott Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.com Text: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Amber Hall: Website: https://www.amberhalllaw.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambernhall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberHallLaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attorneyamberhall/ Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://hs.optmyzr.com/hs/vip ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative, two agencies dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands and sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, television, and digital media, Elliott works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling, and operational systems to drive measurable results. Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design and development, brand strategy, and premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our Website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com .

January 21, 2026Episode 1131 hr 0 min

Why Empathy Still Wins in a World Fueled by AI with Jason Myers | Going Forward 113

In this episode of Going Forward , Eric Elliott sits down with Jason Myers, CEO of Legal Conversion Center, for a no-BS conversation about leadership, empathy, and the unseen moments that define a company’s reputation. Jason shares his unlikely path from answering phones for minimum wage to leading a 100+ person organization built on one simple philosophy: dignity and respect. Together, they unpack why empathy isn’t a soft skill, but a competitive advantage, especially in an industry where calls often come on the worst day of someone’s life. They also tackle the reality of AI in legal intake. Jason breaks down where automation works, where it fails, and why the most important calls; the ones that shape trust, reputation, and outcomes still demand a human voice. This episode is about people, culture, and responsibility. About earning profit the right way. And about remembering that behind every phone call is a human being who needs to feel heard. Connect w/ Eric Elliott: Website: ericelliott.com LinkedIn: @eric-elliott Instagram: @ericmelliott Twitter: @ericmelliott Email: Eric@EricElliott.com Text: 843-279-5843 Connect w/ Jason Myers: Website: https://legalconversioncenter.com/ Supercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://hs.optmyzr.com/hs/vip ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing. Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations and propel your business forward! Eric Elliott is a self-made entrepreneur and marketing expert with extensive experience crafting impactful brand narratives for clients across industries. He is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative. In 2009, Mr. Elliott started VIP Marketing with almost no resources. VIP now has a global team and is recognized as one of the top branding agencies in the USA by Clutch. co. He founded Craft Creative in 2015, a full-service video production company providing premium services to clients across the US. Eric is also the host of Going Forward, a podcast moving conversations with entrepreneurs and leaders that inspire, motivate, and challenge you to embrace possibility and make a difference. Mr. Elliott is the author of numerous articles and an active contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, and Medium. Recognized as a pillar of his community, the city of North Charleston established Eric Elliott Day to honor his name and legacy to inspire others. Going Forward is brought to you by ⁠VIP Marketing⁠. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency based in Charleston, SC. Our mission is to partner with our clients to make them the choice in their market, not just a choice. We're focused on helping them thrive in the digital age by providing a comprehensive suite of services specifically tailored to their needs including: digital marketing services such as SEO and PPC; brand strategy and identity design; website design and development; and premium video production. At VIP Marketing, we elevate the marketing presence of law firms, helping them stand out in competitive markets.