I don't know about you, but these days, I can't turn around without hearing something about social media and social networking. This week alone I've received several invitations for programs about social networking, and the other day I attended a networking event that included (unbeknownst to me when I signed up for the event) a speaker talking about LinkedIn.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Plaxo, are they really worth it for lawyers? What about online websites or forums that allow lawyers to answer questions from the public? What can be gained by using these tools? Are there ethical problems with using these tools?
I'm new to social networking as well, and haven't had an opportunity yet to join all of the above, or even to get them all straight. But here are some things you may not have considered:
Social networking benefits your clients. Your clients, whether they are individuals or businesses, have many needs. Some of those needs can be met through using your legal services, but others may require help that is outside of your area of expertise. The better your network, the better equipped you'll be to refer your clients to other quality service providers - thereby increasing client loyalty and making you more valuable to your clients.
Social networking can be a means to educate your clients. Your clients are using social media and social networking site in increasing numbers. These tools may be some of the easiest and quickest ways to alert clients to new information that can affect them and their business. They may be a quick and easy way to alert them to new information on your website or blog, or to news items that interest them.
Social networking helps you get to know your clients better. Through social networking, you'll learn things about your clients and referral sources that you never would have known before. Following your clients on Facebook or Twitter may give you insight into their additional needs and ways that you can fill those needs. But it may also give you insight into your clients and referral sources as people, deepening those relationships in ways you may not have anticipated.
Social networking allows you to increase your reach without spending a huge amount of time or money, and allows you to stay connected with a wide range of people all at the same time.
These are just a few of the reasons to take a look at social media and social networking.
Any thoughts, comments or questions are welcome. Feel free to share your social networking experiences!
The ABA LPM section is planning to do one of the "Third Thursday" teleconference on the ethics of Social Networking in February 2009, and I'll keep you posted.
To answer your question concerning whether social media is "worth it" for lawyers, Collin O'Connor Udell (who I "met" through Twitter; you can find her at http://twitter.com/collinudell) was retained to file a Supreme Court brief (opposition to cert petition) as a result of a contact she made through Twitter.
I have obtained clients for my consulting practice (Legal Research & Writing Pro) and customers for my gift products business (The Billable Hour Co.) who first met me through Twitter.
Posted by: Lisa Solomon | October 30, 2008 at 06:35 PM