Comments on: The Light and Dark Side of Twitter http://adriandayton.com/2009/11/the-light-and-dark-side-of-twitter/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:01:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tracy Thrower Conyers http://adriandayton.com/2009/11/the-light-and-dark-side-of-twitter/comment-page-1/#comment-1058 Tracy Thrower Conyers Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:00:17 +0000 http://adriandayton.com/?p=1390#comment-1058 Social media, and specifically Twitter, are bigger than trolling for specific clients in a particular geo area. If you're adding value to the Twittersphere, you're going to get the attention of the media and other influencers who can bring you to the attention of a larger pool of potential local clients than you can do yourself. The beauty of being an early adopter is that you can get a direct line to these influencers before they are inundated by all the usual noise of a lot of people clamoring for their attention. As far as the names of social media services go, I think the silly names are a great reminder that the old rules of engagement are dead. Lawyers (yes, I am one) often take themselves far too seriously and that is not a "plus" in the new order. The fact that I'm "tweeting" is a great reminder that footnotes are not available. Yes there is a learning curve, but social media is here to stay, so it's worth the investment of time to get involved. And more and more sherpas are emerging to guide lawyers through the new social media maze, with Adrian being one of the early movers. Lawyers can snicker and scoff at social media, but it's at their peril. Social media, and specifically Twitter, are bigger than trolling for specific clients in a particular geo area. If you’re adding value to the Twittersphere, you’re going to get the attention of the media and other influencers who can bring you to the attention of a larger pool of potential local clients than you can do yourself. The beauty of being an early adopter is that you can get a direct line to these influencers before they are inundated by all the usual noise of a lot of people clamoring for their attention.

As far as the names of social media services go, I think the silly names are a great reminder that the old rules of engagement are dead. Lawyers (yes, I am one) often take themselves far too seriously and that is not a “plus” in the new order. The fact that I’m “tweeting” is a great reminder that footnotes are not available.

Yes there is a learning curve, but social media is here to stay, so it’s worth the investment of time to get involved. And more and more sherpas are emerging to guide lawyers through the new social media maze, with Adrian being one of the early movers. Lawyers can snicker and scoff at social media, but it’s at their peril.

]]> By: Adrian Dayton http://adriandayton.com/2009/11/the-light-and-dark-side-of-twitter/comment-page-1/#comment-1057 Adrian Dayton Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:26:33 +0000 http://adriandayton.com/?p=1390#comment-1057 I really should have mentioned that point in my post. For practices that are geographically bound (which admittedly is a high percentage)- Twitter is still in its infancy, but the potential for the future (as Twitter grows and links up with other networks) is bright. Thanks for the comment. I really should have mentioned that point in my post. For practices that are geographically bound (which admittedly is a high percentage)- Twitter is still in its infancy, but the potential for the future (as Twitter grows and links up with other networks) is bright. Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://adriandayton.com/2009/11/the-light-and-dark-side-of-twitter/comment-page-1/#comment-1056 uberVU - social comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:25:43 +0000 http://adriandayton.com/?p=1390#comment-1056 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by SocialMedia4Law: The Light and Dark Side of Twitter http://bit.ly/2A11ho... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by SocialMedia4Law: The Light and Dark Side of Twitter http://bit.ly/2A11ho...

]]> By: Frederic Abramson http://adriandayton.com/2009/11/the-light-and-dark-side-of-twitter/comment-page-1/#comment-1055 Frederic Abramson Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:15:54 +0000 http://adriandayton.com/?p=1390#comment-1055 Like you, I think Twitter has many great positives, some of which you touched on and I love the service. I have learned a tremendous amount and connected with some great people (like you). However, the biggest problem with Twitter for most lawyers it is a poor tool in obtaining new clients directly through the service. I am limiting my argument to that specific point. As lawyers, we are limited in obtaining clients to the state where are admitted. In my case, that is New York, more specifically nyc and long island. Recently I culled through my 2000 plus followers and created a list of people who live in my geographic target. Only 175 live in my targeted area.I have spent hours looking for business and individuals who could be potential clients and there aren't many out there using the service. Of 175, only a handful have the potential of being a client.Most I follow for other reasons, such as @jeffpulver and @skydiver. There is a report out today that the biggest reason people follow brands on Twitter is because they can receive discounts. What works for Dell Outlet does not work for laywers. We are not in the business of offering discounts. We all know the phrase "build it and they will come." Twitter is still in the building stages. Hopefully in time they will come. Like you, I think Twitter has many great positives, some of which you touched on and I love the service. I have learned a tremendous amount and connected with some great people (like you).

However, the biggest problem with Twitter for most lawyers it is a poor tool in obtaining new clients directly through the service.
I am limiting my argument to that specific point.

As lawyers, we are limited in obtaining clients to the state where are admitted. In my case, that is New York, more specifically nyc and long island. Recently I culled through my 2000 plus followers and created a list of people who live in my geographic target. Only 175 live in my targeted area.I have spent hours looking for business and individuals who could be potential clients and there aren’t many out there using the service.

Of 175, only a handful have the potential of being a client.Most I follow for other reasons, such as @jeffpulver and @skydiver.

There is a report out today that the biggest reason people follow brands on Twitter is because they can receive discounts. What works for Dell Outlet does not work for laywers. We are not in the business of offering discounts.

We all know the phrase “build it and they will come.” Twitter is still in the building stages. Hopefully in time they will come.

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