Social Media Basics: What You Need to Know to Get Started
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The world and how we interact with one another continues to change. One of the ways that we are
communicating these days is through social media. There are a number of different sites out there that allow us to “speak” to
our networks in a variety of formats and for different purposes. In this article, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter will be
discussed specifically.
Facebook:
Facebook is the fastest growing and largest social media platform that exists. With over
400 million users over half of which log on at least once a day, Facebook’s original intended purpose was to connect with
people you know and share with them your life details through status updates, photos, videos and links you find
interesting.
For the purpose of business, Facebook has developed “Pages”. Unlike Facebook’s personal profile
pages that require agreement from both parties to be connected (or to become “Friends” using Facebook terms), Facebook Pages
work in such a way that a person (or a person with a profile) can become a “Fan” without the page’s consent, and the lines of
communication are open. The Fan will receive updates on their home page from the Page.
We ask you for one moment to consider the power that exists here. These are all people that have
“asked” to receive the updates you want to give. Make the information you share as relevant to your target user as possible. For example,
if you are a Family Lawyer, you may wish to share news about changes to divorce laws and how they may affect your audience. Immediately,
you have established yourself as an expert and if you are the only one communicating with them in this manner, you’ll be top-of-mind
when it comes time for them to hire a family lawyer.
There are a number of different ways to promote your Facebook Page, some free and some paid. All
of this information can be found in your Page’s administrative sections.
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is THE social media site for professional networking. It has over 60 million
members around the world and is focused on business networking. What does this mean? It means that this is where professionals
go to interact with other professionals. LinkedIn is the platform for nurturing your referral sources.
It is not likely that a person who seeks the services of a divorce professional would search
LinkedIn to find that service provider. Where LinkedIn becomes a valuable resource is in its ability to keep you in touch,
and top of mind with other professionals.
LinkedIn can be leveraged for business in a number of ways: mainly through group interaction
and/or creation and through status updates that go out to your “Connections” (LinkedIn’s term for becoming “friends”). Consider
this example: you are a Family Lawyer in Los Angeles, and you join the group “Los Angeles Attorneys”. In that group, you comment
on a discussion previously started in an intelligent, informed and open way. Other professionals that are members of the group
will see your comments and if they agree with your argument, or simply like your approach, they may become a source for referrals.
And if the communication between the 2 of you is mutually satisfactory, you may consider referring them.
You can also post status updates similar to those on Facebook. Just be careful to keep your updates
relevant to professionals in your network.
Twitter:
Twitter is defined as a “micro-blogging” site that asks that you express yourself in 140
characters or less. Boasting an active user base of approximately 18 million people (with 75 million registered users),
Twitter hit the mainstream user in 2009 when several influential celebrities began using the service.
Relationships on Twitter can be one-sided. To be connected to someone, you either follow them
or they you. While accounts can be made private, where permission from the account holder is necessary in order for their Tweets
to be seen, the norm on Twitter is that accounts are open. If you see someone whose Tweets you like, you can follow them and view
their Tweets on your home page. They may or may not follow you back. If they do follow you, your Tweets will be visible on their
home page.
How can this work to increase business for your divorce service? Twitter is another place where you
can establish yourself as a thought leader. The people who follow you have asked that you speak to them. You can offer them links
that may be of relevance, quick snip-its of advice. And when they begin looking for a professional that offers your services, you
are top-of-mind already.
One thing to keep in mind while you are negotiating through the social media world is that your messaging
and tone should remain the same across all platforms (and your website and marketing material). Implementing your firm’s branding message
through all your communication tools is key to a successful marketing mix. Social media should be a part of this mix and reflect your
brand’s look and feel. Create a custom Twitter background, have your logo as your page’s image on Facebook. Make sure your LinkedIn
status talks about topics relevant to your firm, and your network.
Social media is one of the fastest growing online tools for consumers and marketers alike. Spending some
time and learning how these communities function and the methods in which people communicate on them is key to your social media success.
So, take the time to become an educated user and speak to an audience that is asking to be spoken to.
This article was written by Dan Couvrette, Owner of Divorce Marketing Group, Divorce Magazine, and www.DivorceMagazine.com. Divorce Marketing Group is the only marketing agency dedicated to helping divorce lawyers and divorce professionals grow their
practices. Divorce Marketing Group offers a wide range of marketing services, including website design, hosting and promotion, social media
marketing, press releases, video production and promotion, print advertising, advertising on multiple divorce websites, electronic promotions,
and providing content to divorce professionals with websites.
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