Why Your Law Firm Needs Social Media

Nobody said that a little competition wasn’t good…unless you are in the legal industry and face major competition in an inundated industry. So how do you get the advantage on your competition? A really great place to start, is implementing social media into your law firms marketing plan.

What’s the advantage?

Social media is a way for law firms and attorneys to get discovered, build credibility and generate new business. Social media tools can help law firms monitor topics of interest that are relevant to clients or prospective clients, which ultimately help firms to provide solutions that stay ahead of trends and build their credibility.

Social media allows law firms to take control of their reputation and place themselves in front of the audiences they want to reach. Posting useful and relevant content on social media helps build reputations and attract clients. Establishing a social media presence for your firm can also improve your SEO, establish thought leadership and increase brand awareness for your firm. But most of all, social media gives firms the competitive edge on their competition.

Make it happen

While it may seem like a good idea to go big or go home with your social media, that may not be the case for the legal industry. It is most beneficial for your firm to find and implement the social media tools that will suite your firm’s specific needs or wants. Also, don’t be afraid to just start with two or three platforms to get comfortable and find a pattern that works for your firm.

LinkedIn or blogging is a great place to start for a small firm with a specific niche. LinkedIn is a great resource for lawyers as it allows for networking and referrals from other lawyers. On the other hand, larger firms with many areas of expertise may focus on Facebook and Twitter to reach broader audiences.

Be the best

To make the very most of your social media efforts, included below is a list of tips and strategies for your firm:

• Set goals for your social media campaigns and make sure they are specific and measurable
• Plan out your content
• Have a routine in place for posting or creating new content
• Encourage everyone in your firm to be involved in posting, liking, tweeting, etc.
• Have a blog for your firm
• Stick to your niche in the law industry on social media
• Have a balance between expertise, personal and humorous posts
• Make it clear to your followers that your posts do not constitute as legal advice
• Be involved in the conversation about your firm or lawyers in public and online
• Be available for and make responses to inquires or comments on your platforms
• Network, network and network some more

Social media tools are a really great way for law firms and attorneys to gain exposure and a competitive advantage. Social media also helps firms and attorneys to stay involved in conversations about them, keep in touch with clients and stay up-to-date on industry trends. So, set up your social media platforms, generate new and interesting content and follow the tips listed above to be successful with your campaigns.

If you would like to build or enhance your law firm’s social media campaigns, contact us for more information today and see how we can take your firm to the next level!

Sources
Calhoun, C. (2014, March 12). Social Media for Law Firms. Retrieved from Katie Wagner Social Media: http://katiewagnersocialmedia.com/social-media-for-law-firms/

Cheung, L. (n.d.). Social Media for Law Firms: Win New Business Online. Retrieved from CubeSocial: http://cubesocial.com/social-media-for-law-firms/

Ramlochan, S. (2014, June 19). 3 Reasons Why Law Firms Should Be Active on Social Media. Retrieved from Beyond PR: http://blog.prnewswire.com/2014/06/19/3-reasons-why-law-firms-should-be-active-on-social-media/

Robinson, R. (2013, March 13). The Challenges and Benefits of Social Media Marketing for Attorneys and Law Firms. Retrieved from Business 2 Community: http://www.business2community.com/social-media/the-challenges-and-benefits-of-social-media-marketing-for-attorneys-and-law-firms-0434970?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+B2C_Social+%28Social+|+Business+2+Community%29

Silverman, M. (2010, June 1). How Lawyers Are Using Social Media for Real Results. Retrieved from Mashable: http://mashable.com/2010/06/01/lawyers-social-media/#lead-image