Even though billions of people and businesses are using social media to communicate and connect with the world, some attorneys are still holding on to past misconceptions.
In a recent article on Attorney at Work, Author Jared Correia shares 10 common social media misconceptions and how lawyers should revise these statements for better results in 2015.
Here are a few of his examples:
- “Oh No, My Privacy!” Revised to say: “Connect Widely”
When you first created a profile on Facebook, you probably made sure your profile was private and restricted your content. Correia explains that “if your intention is to generate clients and referrals of clients, and you want to leverage private accounts, you’re better off not having any social media profile at all, since you’d then be unwilling to publicize it.” Stop being private and make some new connections. Remember “if you’re using it to market your business, you’ll want as many people to see what you’re doing as you can corral.”
- “I’ve Got to Be on There All the Time, Right?”
Revised to say: “Schedule Dutifully”
Just like any task, managing and posting on social media needs to be organized. “Do make regular posts, but schedule them. Block out time to respond to connections, and to review new information to post.”
- “I Don’t Want to Blog, or Microblog, or Blawg”
Revised to say: “Curate Effectively”
Content marketing is important for search engine optimization and to be viewed as an expert in your profession. “Take the time to get it right, especially since by introducing, and reintroducing, others’ content, they’re more likely to return the favor. If you begin to influence the influencers, then that’s when you can invade their class.”
- “It’s an Ethics Minefield, Hoss.” Revised to say: “Not Exactly”
Most misconceptions of social media are driven by the fear of ethics issues. “To put it bluntly, many of the more garish ethics errors attorneys make that are related to marketing and technology are rooted in a lack of common sense.” Correia adds, “if you’re using your social media profiles most effectively, you’re spending your time engaging with potential referral sources, and directing (or having them direct) clients and potential clients to more appropriate, alternative spaces.”
Take some time to review all 10 common misconceptions and your current social media strategy. Hopefully these will ease your mind about the way you use social media and help you utilize the different formats more efficiently.
Vice President
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