If your law firm isn’t blogging, what is it doing online?

With the advent of smart phones, tablets and readily accessible wi-fi, a greater number of Americans are spending more time online. Much of that time is devoted to social media. That raises the question of why some law firm marketing strategies don't include social media tools to spread the word about their firms.

A LexisNexis study released in December shows that 94% of AmLaw 200 law firms plan to use blogs in their social media marketing efforts, but only about half of them plan to use any social media other than Linkedin. Twitter, Google+, Facebook and Youtube all provide different venues for getting information out about your firm, what you do and how great you are at doing it.  And yet, many firms aren’t using these as way to reach a greater number of potential clients.

Almost every firm has a website that lists its attorney bios and practice areas. Everybody says they want to use social media as a tool to broaden their reach and develop their business, but not very many are actually doing it. The ones who do have a leg up on everyone else because they are building their networks and interacting with clients in a whole new way. And that’s smart, because, in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace, any advantage can be make or break for your firm.

Blogging is a great first step in establishing your online presence – but it’s only the first step. Showcase your talents in a blog and then promote them through social media. As you start acting on your law firm business development action items for 2012, ask yourself what your firm is doing online and why. Because if you’re not online to interact with potential clients, why bother with being online at all?