When I was first sworn in as an attorney, advertising of our services was not permitted. I guess it did not seem proper for attorneys to be looking for work. We could advertise our services by handing out cards at every event we attended! Oh, how I hated that! I would arrive at a legal dinner, armed with a fistful of business cards, and try to tell other attorneys about my services as an appellate attorney. My discomfort must have been apparent.
I have learned a few things since then. It was not just about promoting my services and dropping business cards into the hands of potential clients. In fact, my business cards often found their way into the trash can. I later learned that it would require multiple contacts before I was remembered by these new contacts. More importantly, I was focused on myself and not the needs of others. After a few years of struggling, I was told by a friendly headhunter to shift my focus away from myself and on to solving the problems or needs of others. And to stop handing out business cards until the opportunity presented itself!
Then social media came about and turned everything on its head. Like Mitch Jackson, I was an early blogger, but my focus was on helping trial attorneys. The truth was that most of the people who read my blog were laypeople, not trial attorneys. And it wasn’t as though they learned about law. What they learned about was . . . me. By the time a client has contacted me, he or she has already visited my website and read a few of my blogs. An attorney without a website simply does not exist.
Today no business owner or attorney can afford to ignore the importance of social media. Most of us don’t have a clue as to what we are doing or we spend time on a few platforms. Thanks to Mitch, you can read his new book, “The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Business Owners, Professionals and Entrepreneurs” and learn about lots of platforms, some that are new to me. His book is broken down into small chapters, often written by experts in the field, such as Joey Vitale, Chris Brogan and David Meerman Scott. And, if you like what you read, these experts provide ways to enhance your education by providing multiple sites for videos, podcasts, blogs and articles.
The key takeaway from Mitch’s book is that we should strive to be authentic and connect with people. That means showing people about our human side. I can remember being taught in law school that you should never admit to a client that you didn’t have an answer, but I realize now that was meant to try to mold young attorneys into perfect authorities. The truth is that we are human and might not always know the answer. But that is what research is for. I think my clients understand when I don't have an answer but I am willing to find one.
Coupled with this point is Mitch’s recommendation that we offer our services to people to solve their problems. Giving out free information is a service - and an opportunity - that will reward you on several years for now and in the future.
If you want to promote your business through social media – everyone should! – then this book will provide tips and suggestions on how you can come up with an effective media plan. And allow you to be yourself while doing so. Find out more by visiting http://streaming.lawyer/the-book.