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When considering various marketing strategies, law firms may avoid diving into social media. The idea of keeping up with posts, sending likes, and tweeting comments may seem too tedious, so a social media marketing strategy gets pushed aside. However, ignoring social media may be a big mistake for your business. With 69% of adults presently using at least one social media platform, and 85% of law firms using it as part of their digital marketing plan, social media is worth a second look. Social media for lawyers definitely needs to be used wisely, and there are some practices to avoid, but the benefits may outweigh any potential drawbacks. If you are examining social media marketing, review the following to discover how you can use social media to advance your law firm’s goals.
Why Lawyers Should Use Social Media (Yes, YOU!)
Almost four billion individuals currently use social media, spending an average of two hours a day on it, and over 70% of consumers who interact positively with a business on social media recommend the business to their friends and family. This is a powerful referral system, and it sends a message to law firms: if you are not visible on social media, you are probably missing out on great referrals and essential leads. Since your colleagues and competitors are using social media, and potential clients are spending serious time there, perhaps it is time to jump in and get started, so you can bring the following benefits to your law firm.
Meet & Connect
Social media for lawyers gives a web of new contacts, and as you build a following, you are building a network of potential clients. When you reach out and share valuable content via social media, you are getting your name, story and services out there to be viewed. Lawyers are also using social media to establish their name within the legal community. By interacting with other legal professionals through social media, you can stay informed on what is trending in the legal arena, and it gives you another opportunity to voice your thoughts as an authority in your field.
Build Your Law Firm’s Brand
Planting your presence in social media by creating a recognizable profile builds up your law firm’s brand. It is a way for prospective clients to see what you do and helps them research the facts related to your law firm.
Provide Another Way to Find Your Law Firm
Being available on social media gives potential clients another road to find you. Since people are already there on social media, this provides another channel for you to introduce yourself and drive individuals to your law firm website.
Boost Your Rankings
The more your law firm is visible online, and the more your name is circulated, the more likely it is that you will boost your search engine rankings. Search engines favor social media indicators in their algorithms, so it is essential to start building a positive social media presence.
Gather Important Information
When you are active on social media, you can track what clients are saying about you and also about your competition. Social monitoring helps you gain insights that can help you improve your future marketing strategies and win more clients.
7 Social Media Tips for Lawyers
Social Media for lawyers can provide powerful benefits, and as you get started, here are some tips to make your venture as successful as possible:
Examine Your Target Client
Start with your ideal client in mind as you create posts and content. The information you offer should relate to your audience, so get to know them and craft a unique plan accordingly.
This includes the choice of social media platform, since certain demographics tend to huddle in distinct social media areas. For instance, Facebook draws in users of a wide variety of age groups, while Instagram tends to reach a slightly younger audience.
Stand Up As An Expert
When you are seen as an authority in your field, you are building trust with potential clients, and social media makes this effortless. By linking to your website resources, offering valuable information in your content, and commenting on posts, you showcase what you know and who you are.
Interact With Your Audience
Gaining a social media account is not the end goal. The purpose of social media for lawyers is to interact with potential clients. Try to consistently answer questions from visitors, thank them for their reviews, and like their posts.
Join Social Media Groups
Individuals use social media to learn about local businesses and services within social media groups. Joining these groups allows you to make sure your law firm name is included in the array of local offerings.
Examine Paid Social Media Advertising
Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram offer paid advertising options. Businesses can target ads to a specific audience, which is ideal for law firms that practice in unique niches.
Document Your Social Media Policies
Once you plan your social media strategy, it is important to record a written plan that answers the following questions:
- Who will post content?
- Who will comment on and react to content?
- How often will you post content?
- How will you handle negative comments?
Consider Social Media Tools
Starting a journey into social media may seem like a daunting task, in addition to your other commitments and responsibilities. Consider using tools such as SmarterQueue (my absolute favorite! (affiliate link), that can help your law firm manage its social media presence. Get a free extended trial with my link to SmarterQueue here!
Benefits of Specific Social Media Platforms
There are scores of social media platforms, but which ones work best for law firms?
Facebook for Lawyers
Facebook is one of the leading social media platforms for lawyers. Law firms can connect with target clients, join groups, utilize messaging, and create pinpointed ads. Follow me on Facebook here!
Instagram for Lawyers
If you choose to target a younger audience, Instagram might be an excellent platform, since 63% of its users are between ages 18 and 34. Instagram is image-based and a great place to showcase your law firm with video, stunning photos, concise insights, and stories.
Twitter for Lawyers
Most businesses use Twitter as part of their strategy since it is an excellent place for professional services. No need to create wordy content here, since Twitter is the spot for brief insights, updates, and helpful hashtags.
LinkedIn for Lawyers
LinkedIn is a favorite social media venue for all types of businesses. It is a solid neighborhood to showcase your professional experience, content and much more. LinkedIn users thrive because of connections with current associates, clients and potential referral sources. LinkedIn helps individuals build up their credibility, because others can give them recommendations and endorsements. Law firms can share blog posts and website content on LinkedIn and stay informed of current legal chatter. (As a shameless plug, follow me on LinkedIn here!)
Clubhouse for Lawyers
Have you heard about Clubhouse? It is a new social media app for Apple users that requires an invitation – but it is AMAZING. Think of a radio show that is on the exact topic you want to listen to, and you can hop in and add to the conversation and ask questions. How can this help you as an attorney? You can provide value to potential clients by discussing matters in your legal field!
Social Media for Lawyers: What to Avoid
Although social media for lawyers can be uber-effective, there are some pitfalls to avoid, such as:
- Being fake. Stay true to yourself and your brand.
- Engaging in arguments. There are social media trolls who just want to stir up trouble. Do not feed their efforts.
- Neglecting apologies. If you make a mistake, make it right quickly and thoroughly, because this builds trust. Always be professional in your responses.
- Promoting over personal connection. Use social media platforms to connect and chat with your audience, not as a busy billboard.
- Sporadic posting. In order to make social media work for your law firm, you must post consistently. If you post sporadically (once a week or less) your audience may think you do not have much to say, and may not see the benefit of following you.
- Offering legal advice. Make sure never to actually provide any legal advice online to avoid violating any Bar Marketing rules in your state.
How Law Quill Can Help You With Social Media
Social media for lawyers is an ideal way to showcase your law firm, brand and services, even though the journey may initially seem overwhelming. Plan your strategy and focus on one social media platform at a time, and your law firm can begin gathering the exposure and benefits that social media offers.
Law Quill would welcome the opportunity to visit with you about how we can help you increase your law firm’s online visibility and gain more clients! Schedule a free visit with us by scheduling a quick phone or zoom call at your convenience on our calendar today. You can also email us at [email protected]