Twitter for Attorneys

How do Law Firms use Twitter?

• Micro-blogging
• Industry Networking
• News / Updates
• Contests / Special Offers (increases following if done correctly)
• Answering Questions
• Asking Questions
• Pictures
• Advertising & PR

Understanding Twitter:

For law firm purposes, Twitter is a communication tool used by five groups: Consumers (clients & potential clients), Businesses & Brands, Info Seekers, Info Suppliers and Non-Commercial Tweeters.

Consumers

use Twitter as a way to follow favorite brands, get news/special-offers from businesses, share/receive information with friends about favorite brands and communicate directly with the brand by answering & asking questions

-“mentioning” a company in a tweet or “re-tweeting” the company’s posts (more on that later)

Businesses & Brands

are using Twitter as a way to share information/offers from their company to consumers as well as using the industry networking tool to attract new clients, share industry information and other relevant content.
-Attorneys are befriending other law firms on Twitter in order to gain a greater online presence, appear more social and increase follower requests.

Info Seekers

People using their Twitter strictly to receive information. Not highly active in communicating with brands, but known to share information they find interesting with their entire social networks.
-Interesting articles

Info Suppliers

Companies using Twitter strictly to disseminate information.
-Example: New York Times

Non-Commercial Tweeter

– aka people who do not generally follow companies on Twitter
These people only use Twitter to communicate with friends and share personal content.

Why is Twitter So Great for Attorneys?

• Free Publicity (promote your practice and Website)
• Supports Brand Identity
• User Friendly
• Linked to other social media accounts (Image management)
• Organizes information
• Tracks Information
• Instant (Mobil Application – Highly Recommended)

How do I use Twitter to promote my Law Firm?

1.) Make it personal

ROI – return on influence: http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/new-economy/2011/0914/On-Facebook-Twitter-influence-can-become-profit

2.) Build a following.

There are several ways you can increase your Twitter community.

– Log in to your Twitter account and click “Who To follow” at the top right of your Twitter toolbar. Twitter will make some suggestions you might like, but just start typing in names of companies, brands, colleagues, places around your community, affiliations, restaurants you like and people you know. The more people/businesses/organizations/etc you follow, the more follow requests you are going to get. Thus, you will increase your Twitter presence.

-Use existing contacts. On the right side of the “Who To Follow” screen, you can copy and paste email addresses of friends, family, clients and co-workers into the “Invite Friends” space. Separate each with a comma.

-Use your Facebook. Many companies already have a following on Facebook and/or you have a personal Facebook page. Copy and paste the URL of you Twitter Profile Page into a Facebook status, and ask friends to follow your company on Twitter.

Example: Hello friends! (Your Law Firm) is now on Twitter! Follow us to receive news, tips and updates from (Your practice area) attorneys in (Your city here) local legal community. (Attach your Twitter Link https://twitter.com/#!/LawFirm)

Here is a great tool to help you find who to follow:
<a href="http://www.twellow.com“>http://www.twellow.com

You can also register on JD Supra which might help you get noticed:
http://scoop.jdsupra.com/2008/09/articles/law-firm-marketing/145-lawyers-and-legal-professionals-to-follow-on-twitter

3.) Accept Follow Requests

You may already have people waiting for you to accept their follow request.

-To find out if you have follow requests, click “Profile” at the top right of you r Twitter toolbar. You will be looking at your Twitter page (what others see). Under your profile picture you will see an option to “edit your profile.” Feel free to do so. Under the “edit your profile” link, there is a profile toolbar. Click “Requests” and you will be directed to a page showing those who have asked to follow you. You can accept, decline and reciprocate the follow if you like.

4.) Interact with Followers

One of the main ways to gain exposure is by interacting with your followers. This is called a “mention.”

-When you would like to “mention” someone in your Tweet, simply type @ and start typing their twitter name (example: @LawFirm). You should see the person you would like to mention show up and you can click on them. Or, you can go directly to their Twitter page and create a message to them on their wall. This will help you gain exposure because now their followers will see you!

-Ask your followers questions. They will “mention” you if they choose to respond!

-Answer your follower’s questions.
Once you have a decent following, you can have some fun!
Example: Set up a time (say between 3-4pm where your followers can have “Ask an attorney” time. During that time, your followers can ask you a question (mention you) and you can answer (by mentioning them). Promote this on Twitter and your other social media throughout the week.

-To view your “mentions,” click the “Home” button at the top of your Twitter page. Under the “What’s happening” section, you will see @Mentions. Then you can respond by choosing to reply.

5.) What should my law firm Tweet about?

• YOURSELF! Brag a little. Winning cases, awards, published articles by the firm’s attorneys, etc.
• Practice areas – Sneak in some Tweets linking to informative pages on your Website [Example Tweet: Know your rights – DUI Arrests in (Your state) + link to site]
• Blog Posts
• Company news
• Offers / Upcoming Events
• Relevant news articles (Re-Tweet Opportunity aka others choose to share)

*Remember, the more you tweet, the more FREE exposure you get! Just make sure it’s relevant.

6.) Track your progress on Twitter.

Know your stats! Monitor your Growth.

• Track your brand, website, topics & others
http://twittercounter.com/pages/twitter-tracker
• Twitter Counter: twittercounter.com
The #1 Twitter stats site powered by Twitter – Twitter Counter