Internet Revolution for Attorneys

However, with so much information available about attorneys now on the Internet and with so many consumers and business professionals (non-attorneys) willing and able to do their own research to find attorneys, I don’t think the “AV” rating has the same cache.  It is  still important to attorneys and particularly older attorneys but now “Superlawyers” and “Avvo” have as much or more credibility in the market place.

Take the Plunge & Learn that New Technology

Ten years ago, I saw cell phones as annoyance and disliked how distracted people became because of them.  I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the cell phone world. Then the cell phone become the smart phone and now the savings these devices provide are undeniable and essential to streamlining ones’ worklife.  The key is to take on the new technology with a question in mind, “how will this technology make me more efficient in working with my clients?”  If it isn’t clear how this would happen, move on.  If it is, then adopt the technology.  Doing nothing is no longer an option.

This post discusses how you can further customize a widget so that a sidebar can appear on some pages directly through the widget settings.  Previously you had to program that logic into the website’s code to make that happen.

WordPress Empowerment

WordPress is constantly bringing functionality to the layperson who has to manage the website rather than requiring a programmer to make these adjustments.  This suggests that increasingly website technology will be directly in the hands of the business owner who with little training can bring his or business vision into their company’s website.

• It is very easy to use
• Because it is open sourced, it reflects current developments in best website practices
• The content management system captures everything
• Plug-ins allow us to offer new features quickly and easily
• The WordPress community has an open and supportive attitude

No where was I told that I still need the “Windows for Desktop” application.  Since I have Windows 8, it made perfect sense to me that I should download and use “Skype for Windows 8.”  Wrong.  No, that version is scaled down and does’t have much of the functionality that is available on the desktop.  Once I downloaded the desktop version, I was happy again but I had to figure it out all by myself.

So do yourself a favor, stick with Skype for Desktop!

1. I have one source for staying connected to my network
2. I’m able to collect and manage recommendations from people who like my work
3. I’m able to appreciate others who have done great work for me
4. I can communicate about upcoming events and people come based on that
5. I’ve learned so much about what other people actual do in their jobs

“any business that has a customer’s personal information, as defined, to provide at no charge, within 30 days of the customer’s specified request, a copy of that information to the customer as well as the names and contact information for all 3rd parties with which the business has shared the information during the previous 12 months, regardless of any business relationship with the customer.”

This would require businesses to engage in a major effort to disclose information that they probably don’t want to disclose anyway.

How Much Is Too Much?

We have allowed social media companies like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to take our information in return for “free” profiles.  We give away all kinds of information willing or not to all kinds of companies in hope that we will get convenience – at best and at worse – we get nothing and we only know that our information has been disclosed to people who we don’t want to have it, after the fact.

WordPress to the Rescue

We have used the “Yoast WordPress SEO” for clients which is a basic, commonsense approach to making a site visible.  By itself, this won’t guarantee quality leads but it is a start.  Now comes a new plug-in by the some folks called “Local SEO for WordPress” which focuses on Google “Places for Business” and Google Map to improve visibility.  There is a onetime fee of $69 which seems pretty reasonable provided it actually makes a difference.

What Does Google Say?

My guess is the official Google line would be that you shouldn’t have to use a plug-in to improve visibility because Google search will do that automatically.  However, we all know it takes time and know-how to make sure your website is treated favorably by Google.  If Google would even say that this tool and tools like it, help in this regard, that would make it a useful tool.  For now.  Next year?  It probably be a different answer.

Takeaway

Whether it is LinkedIn or Facebook, an employer or prospective employer, the individual faces many challenges in maintaining control of free social media profiles.  In fact, there maybe value in paying for your business profile.  If there was a license based on payment between the social media provider and the individual, then the individual would have contractual protections.  However, as it is, free is free.  My advice is to use your website as your primary resource for your public persona and keep Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ etc. of secondary importance.

Before I started this blog, I set up a blog that had less focus.  It was a playpen for me to learn how to blog which was mostly about generating content.   I tried a bunch of different types of content and formats.  The most popular?  When I wrote about efforts to crackdown on Craigslist for being a sex ads forum.  Those posts were one hundred times more popular than anything else I wrote about.  And trust me, they weren’t popular because of my insights.

Blog to Create Valuable Content

I decided to surrender the popularity game to Justin Bieber and focus on writing content that helps lawyers navigate the choppy waters of social media and marketing.  Now I focus on creating content that I can use for newsletters, infomercials and presentations.  I’ve created a brand that sets me apart from other people who develop websites for professionals.

Learn and Share

The days when experts lived in ivory towers protected by their credentials, their obscure writings and self-mythology are long gone.  We live in a collaborative age where we learn as go and we share what we learn.  Blogging is the perfect vehicle for this process.  I am constantly on the look-out for topics of interest.  I read these new developments and then I share my thoughts with my audience.  I’ve only become an “expert” by engaging in this process.  As far as I know there is no doctorate in lawyers and social media marketing – yet.