RSS FeedSocial Networks Pay Money for Lawyers
Social networks are picking up, and lawyers are noticing.
The Legal Marketing Association published a paper recently emphasized that junior associates involved in social networking might be bringing a large client base with them.
When you hire someone, you hire his or her network.
One of the more popular business networks is LinkedIn. The Wisconsin Law Journal describes a few lawyers that have used it effectively.
In my experience, LinkedIn has been a very effective and efficient network-building tool, and it can be very useful for attorneys. But it does require some effort on your part, because you have to be actively engaged in it to make the most out of it.
Since I started blogging on this site, I’ve had several dozen requests from readers to be added to their network (you can find me here).
They also describe law students who have created student groups on the network. I’m tapped into several social networks, and participate in almost all of the largest ones.
On LinkedIn I created a general Law Student group and an Alumni group for my school, and it has already attracted some attention. But the number of law students in Canada on LinkedIn is still pitiful.
Yesterday I covered a new social network site, specifically designed for lawyers outside of the U.S. seeking American clients. Specialized niche sites will continue to offer a unique advantage to those that participate.
Lawyers and law firms that completely ignore social media, the web, and technological developments entirely, will likely lose their competitive advantage in the long-term.
h/t Mitch Kowalsky of Financial Post
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8 Responses to “Social Networks Pay Money for Lawyers”
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I get a lot of business through facebook. I mean, when you have everyone you’ve ever known in now relatively close contact, you’re often the only lawyer they know, they pop a quick question, you give them kind of what they’re looking at in a nutshell, and they hire you.
A vote for Facebook along with RP. The problem with LinkedIn is that it’s a network site for networking. I have all sorts of reasons to visit Facebook, but I only drop in on LinkedIn when someone adds me. LinkedIn is, frankly, boring, and I suspect that lawyers (and others) are likely to get more business from Facebook.
I am glad to hear that lawyers are still getting benefits from social networking - though many of my colleagues aren’t listening. Anyway, if any of your readers are interested in more information on social networking for lawyers, they can download my ebook here - http://tinyurl.com/6qb3cg - I have an overview of the sites, plus some how-tos and tools for writing powerful profiles.
Carolyn
The best job board for the legal profession is on Findlaw, they match your skills to the best jobs. Social networking hasnt done anything for me but its been fun.
Findlaw job matching channel here:
http://lp.findlaw.com/law-career-and-education/
[...] Social networking site aren’t just for posting embarrassing drunken photos of the person you’re articling with, they’re to bring in business. Go, young lawyer, and try to leverage your network to score brownie points with the partners who don’t get how sites like The Facebook can help boost billable hours – Law is Cool [...]
I think LinkedIn can be helpful, as well as Facebook to some extent, but for interaction and relationship building I truly think Twitter is the best choice. If you truly participate on Twitter it is fabulous! LinkedIn and even Facebook don’t invite discussion at the same level of involvement at all.
[...] blog posting by Omar Ha-Redeye of Law Is Cool: Social networks are picking up, and lawyers are [...]
I wouldn’t be willing to give up my privacy and broadcast my personal life just to “network”… not to mention how much time it would take to keep up with everyone. No thanks!