Social Media – Whats the point? (Part 2)

Contacts. Social media is an excellent way of keeping in touch with your contacts. “But” I hear you say, “I can do that via my address book. Why do I need to do this on the internet?”. Well you can of course, just rely on traditional methods. But social media goes a step further and provides a more positive way you can keep in touch.

Firstly, there is less danger that you will lose touch with people as a result of their moving away or changing firms or telephone numbers. Assuming that they keep their Facebook or Linkedin account (and most people will), you can always contact them via this. And they will be able to contact you.

Secondly, if they are active in social networking, you can also keep tabs on what they are doing. For example you might learn that they have set up a new company, or are launching a new product. If you are active in keeping your account up to date, all your contacts will know, for example, if you develop a new service, or write a book.

This may open up possibilities for business. For example if you have just written an article on business tenancies, and one of your contacts is considering renting new premises, this may prompt them to instruct you and your firm to act for them. Or you may find that the office widgets they have developed are just the thing your office manager has been looking for.

Thirdly, when you connect with a contact online via social medial, you also get to see who their contacts are. All sorts of things can develop from this. You may get back in touch with someone you knew years ago. You may learn of someone offering a service you require, or they may find out about you. The possibilities are endless.

Contacts and people and making connections are at the heart of social media. It is a new way of connecting with people and can be a very productive one. Its worth a try!

Comments

[Wiltshire Solicitor]

Whilst there are certainly good business opportunities in law firm's exposure to social media, we must never forget that the vast majority of law firms have limited time available for marketing. The important thing is therefore to focus on priorities. As far as I can see, LinkedIn has significant potential use as a marketing tool. I'm less convinced over by the likes of Facebook -- it is interesting that my own web designer who is a keen blogger ad user of social media sites, declined to link with me on Facebook. With limited time available for most law firms to properly maximize their exposure on social media sites, they should seriously consider prioritizing -- using one site properly rather than half a dozen half heartedly. LinkedIn seems to fit the bill.