The Benefits Social Media Can Offer Law Firms

The boom of social media and online marketing has transformed the way businesses both large and small operate. It can be an extremely useful tool for every line of business, however many companies are sceptical about its effectiveness. Some believe social media is only useful for high-tech firms; however there are also many benefits to be gained for traditional service providers such as law firms.

So firstly, what is social media? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as websites and applications used for social networking, and this social networking is what creates huge opportunities for businesses and law firms. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest gives your law firm the ability to increase your awareness and further develop relationships with your clients.

There are 6 main benefits law firms and practices can gain from the proficient use of social media.

Profile

Social media has the power to significantly raise the profile and awareness of your practice. By posting comments about the work your practice is currently working on and keeping followers updated on any interesting stories, your law firm can become noticed. It provides an opportunity to determine what information is displayed about your practice online by giving you the ability to shape the messages about you and focus on the areas of your practice you wish to promote.

Communication

Websites, such as Facebook, allow your practice to communicate and develop relationships with clients and prospective clients. It may become a form of communication between you and the public. As social media is becoming a dominant tool for communication, clients will start to expect to be able to contact you via these channels.

Scale

As you know, social media is on the World Wide Web. This means there are no barriers to the reach of your activities, which may allow you to reach an audience wider than previously available. For example, just the click of a button and the post of a tweet can reach a prospective client on the other side of the world within seconds.

Reach

Social media is everywhere, in practically every country of the world, but most importantly it can be accessed by anyone almost everywhere in the world. Your clients will be accessing sites on the tube on the way to work, whilst at work and in the evening whilst relaxing. By using sites such as Hootsuite, your practice will be able to communicate and access your clients practically every hour of the day.

Marketing

Regular updates on sites such as Twitter will instantly create recognition for your practice and can be used as an important marketing tool. Updates on sites like Linkedin allow you to direct people directly to your practice’s website. It also gives you an avenue to find new clients who are looking for services that you can offer.

Cost

It’s important to know using social media is relatively low cost. It only takes you a couple of minutes to sign up to any of these sites, but you must realise for social media to have a real effect on your practice you must ensure social media activity becomes an on-going part of your practice.

So although law firms may offer traditional services, social media still has the power to make a real difference to any practice, especially in the creation and development of business relationships.

If you are interested in using social media but have little knowledge on how to use it effectively, make sure you visit our blur Marketing site and submit a brief at blur Marketing. Also make sure you join blur Legals our new global legal services exchange.

For more information about the difference social media can make to your practice, visit Law Society. Image from Free Digital Photos.

Hamish

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