Social Media Marketing for Law Firms

Many companies are doing social networking/media wrong. The main problem: companies see social media as just another way to push the same content. Missing? The social part.

"Rather than focusing on social media shouldn't we be focusing on social ideas? This may sound a little trite, but I think it's important. Rather than (again) using communications as a sticking plaster to cover real fundamental issues a business faces, it forces us to confront what it is that we need to do at a more fundamental level."
[from What Social Media Revolution? By Gareth Kay]

Where firms get mixed and uncertain results from Facebook, LinkedIn, and others, firms often get great results by extending the concept of social networking to the things they already do with clients, partners, and employees.

Recently Preti Flaherty launched their Bill Tracker Extranet. It enables a semi-private community of attorneys and clients to share information about pending legislation, comment, and update bill status in real time (even using their Blackberries and Smartphones.) Usage is high and client feedback is good. Very social, very valuable.

Screenshot:

Social media/networking added to a more traditional law firm application.