Law firms are beginning to deploy social networking tools to build practice and firm awarness as well as that of individual attorneys. With this rapidly growing online business source, and the rising need for law firms and individual lawyers to at least be aware of the various networks available, JMI offers comprehensive consulting and implmentation services in this unqiue arena.
Being well informed of the new online networking mediums is simply a smart strategic marketing move to ensure that you and your firm are keeping pace with the competition. Consider these astonishing statistics:
> 71 percent if in-house counsel have joined an online network
> 1.3 million laweyrs have LinkIn profiles
> Facebook has 400 million users and gets 37.4 trillion page views a year
> Twitter transmits 50 million tweets per day
> there are 234 million web sites and counting on the Internet
Online networking will never replace face-to-face business development but it is changing the face of the way many conduct business and this includes the legal industry. Many lawyers and law firms argue that social media/networking is of questionable value and further say they do not believe their clients and in-house counsel contacts are using these tools. This may be true, to some degree, but Social Media and networking are still integral to any law firm’s client development efforts.
Why? Becuase by getting involved you’ll be engaging the influencers of your clients, prospective clients and referral sources. Through Social Media, you will be building meaningful relationahips with those influencers. The result is being veiwed as a reliable and trusted authority, a leader in your practice and market. These “influencers” include bloggers, reporters, editors, publishers, conference coordinators and association leaders, relevant to your speciality practice area, are the people you want to know.
If your firm does not already have an internal Social Media Policy then it is definitely time to establish and post one. Online networking sites, web sites and online discussion forums generally consist of commentary on a defined subject and frequently include links to other sites pertaining to the same subject. While online networking sites can serve a useful function, if improperly used, they can result in unintended attorney/client relationships being established, sensitive information beign disclosed and defamation and copyright issues being created.
Contact us if you need assistance identifying and deciphering the various Social Media options, determining what’s right and most appropriate for you or your firm, and establishing an online Social Media Policy for your firm or setting up individual attorney and firm profiles.