Turn real-time engagement into opportunity — here’s how, by role.
JD Supra's Reader Highlight emails land in your inbox during the workweek to do one simple thing: alert you to noteworthy engagement with your firm’s thought leadership — right when it happens.
Unlike broader analytics reports, these alerts spotlight timely moments of interest: a reader at a specific company, in a specific role or industry, engaging with a specific piece of your content.
The value? It’s not just a signal — it’s an opportunity.
And depending on your role, that opportunity can take many forms. Here's how to use your Reader Highlight email as a trigger for smart follow-up, media outreach, client development, and internal wins — broken down by function.
If You’re in Business Development or Client Relations
What to look for:
- Someone at a target company just read your attorney’s post.
- A contact at an existing client is reading about a new or different topic area.
- Multiple people at one company have recently engaged with your content.
What to do next:
- Alert the relationship partner: "Looks like someone at [Company] is engaging with our [Topic] content. Worth a check-in?"
- Use it as a conversation starter: "We noticed increased interest in this issue — here’s something additional to consider…"
- Log it in your CRM: Add the reader activity as a touchpoint or note.
- Coordinate with marketing: Is there follow-up content we should plan?
Pair these alerts with findings from your broader analytics (including your Beacon Insights) to understand if this is a one-off read or part of a bigger trend with that company or industry.
If You’re in PR or Communications
What to look for:
- A media outlet or journalist reading firm content.
- Someone from a trade publication or niche blog reading your posts.
- A government agency or regulatory reader (based on org name).
What to do next:
- Reach out (subtly): You don’t have to say “I saw you read our piece” — just offer to connect, share related insights, or pitch a broader story.
- Add them to a media list: Consider them a warm lead for future outreach.
- Monitor referral traffic: Dive into referral sources in your JD Supra analytics. If a media site is linking to your work, look at what else they publish — offer your author as a future source or speaker.
- Share internally: Let the author know who’s paying attention. Recognition builds momentum.
If You’re a Content Marketer or Editor
What to look for:
- Which posts are drawing top readers or media attention.
- Engagement with newer authors or niche topics.
- Patterns of repeat interest from the same companies/industries.
What to do next:
- Identify what’s working: Use these emails to refine your content calendar.
- Share wins internally: “Your article was just read by [company X] — great traction!”
- Spot potential series or follow-ups: One post resonated — what’s the natural next article?
If certain companies consistently show up in these alerts, consider commissioning targeted content for that industry or persona.
If You’re in Firm Leadership or Strategy
What to look for:
- Strategic targets engaging with firm insights.
- Cross-practice readership (e.g., an M&A contact reading labor/employment content).
- Industry interest aligning with firm priorities.
What to do next:
- Support cross-selling: "This company might be exploring other legal needs — let’s connect the dots internally."
- Inform strategic planning: Use Reader Highlights as early indicators of shifting market concerns.
- Celebrate success: Share with the team to highlight the direct value of publishing efforts.
Track the alignment between your firm’s business plan and who’s actually reading your work — Reader Highlights can be an early signal of resonance or gaps.
If You’re an Author (Attorney or Subject Matter Expert)
What to look for:
- A known client or prospect engaging with your latest post.
- A reader from a key industry or company on your radar.
- A journalist or media professional viewing your content.
- Repeat readership patterns tied to your area of expertise.
What to do next:
- Coordinate with Marketing or BD: Ask your team if a follow-up is appropriate — for example, flagging the article to your relationship lead or including it in client outreach.
- Use it to shape your next piece: Reader interest is a signal — double down on what’s resonating by writing a follow-up or drilling deeper into the topic.
- Strengthen media visibility: If a reporter is reading your work, ask your PR team if they can pitch you as a source on that issue.
- Enhance your LinkedIn strategy: Repost the article manually with a fresh, audience-specific intro, especially if Reader Highlights suggest it's getting traction.
Ask your marketing team to keep you in the loop when Reader Highlights suggest your writing is landing with the right audience. A timely alert can lead to a client conversation, media quote, or next smart topic — and show you exactly how your thought leadership drives real visibility.
A Final Thought
Think of Reader Highlights as a nudge: someone out there — a client, prospect, journalist, or peer — is paying attention. The most successful firms act on that attention.
The email alert may be short, but the opportunities are as big as the relationships you're trying to build.
If you're not yet receiving Reader Highlights emails:
[*Anything you do that's not included in this list!? Drop us a line, we'd love to include your best Reader Highlight practice(s)...]