Dec
6
Social Media in Legal Marketing
Filed Under SEO
Social Media; it’s a word you’ve probably heard used, but you may be unsure what social media is all about. Some more common examples of social media include Facebook, Myspace and Twitter. This blog post will address what exactly social media is, and how we can use it to our advantage when promoting our business.
Wikipedia defines social media as;
… Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings. The term most often refers to activities that integrate technology, telecommunications and social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio. This interaction, and the manner in which information is presented, depends on the varied perspectives and “building” of shared meaning among communities, as people share their stories and experiences.
Facebook started as a Harvard University application that let users register and post pictures and information about themselves. After gradually opening up to other universities, then high schools, it eventually opened to anyone over 13 with a valid email address. The value of Facebook for purposes of generating new leads for attorneys is limited; however, it is a great way to stay connected with collegues, college friends and family. If you have a facebook page, remember that everything you post is public information. Facebook has a few legal related groups that might interest you, however, most are not business-centric. To use Facebook for lead generation, consider keeping your friends and family informed about the types of law you practice; encourage your friends to refer you to thier friends. One 2008 study found that 86% of consumers looking for an attorney would hire an attorney based on a friends referral, and 93% of counsumers would hire an attorney based on a professional referral. You might even consider posting links to other attorneys (Who you are not in direct competition with) websites in your profile and ask them to post to yours.
Probably the most commonly used social media among attorneys, Twitter can also be used for networking and referrals , like Facebook. Twitter is a website that allows users to post short blurbs about what they are doing or what it is that has their attention at that moment. Twitter has the advantage of technology for users to constantly update their twitter status from multiple technologies like blackberries or cell phones, in addition to your computer. Twitter is useful for staying up-to-date with the latest news and information posted by those in your group (such as attorneys; see LexTweet.com).
Chris Brogan’s blog on social media suggests 50 ways to use Twitter for your business, however, I personally can’t identify a direct correlation between “tweeting” and legal leads. One advantage to twitter that I do find invaluable is the ability to generate feedback on legal defense strategies (hypothedically), legal business decisions such as expanding your practice, or finding a mentor when needed.
Stumble upon is one of the best kept secrets of the internet. While the word “Twitter” is used more often then those fancy new business cards, StumbleUpon (Stumble, or SU) actually has twice as many users as Twitter. Stumble is the only social media site i use daily; in part due to its ease-of-use. SU has a simple toolbar; if you like a site, it gets a thumbs up; if you dislike a site, a thumbs down. If theres something of interest you want to send to a friend, theres no need to email it; just click the ’send to’ button on your toolbar and send it to other stumblers. By stumbling what your friends find interesting (and them stumbling what you find interesting), it creates quite a bit of traffic. While the traffic may not be potential leads, any stumbler who gives it the ‘thumbs up’ is also creating a link back from their profile, and said site is permantly displayed for other uses to see.
Overall, social media probably isn’t the best way to solicit direct leads; however, building a reputation (by word of mouth or a network of backlinks) can certainly be considered valuable for SEO.
Worth Reading;
http://jointcommunications.blogspot.com/
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