Scott Greenfield and Mark Bennett spoke at FACDL day 2 about blawging, social media and marketing.
In the legal marketing world, there are plenty of vultures sticking their hands in your pockets. It used to be just the yellow pages. I admit I threw money at yellow pages ads in 2004 when I first left the public defender’s office. That’s what everybody else did, so I thought I had to do it to. I think it was Napoleon Hill who said look at what everybody else is doing and do the opposite.
Here’s part of what I got from their presentation:
You are not going to get rich just by blogging. Don’t engage in dreck blogging. Instead of just listing keywords with hypertext links to your website, engage in a conversation. Have something of substance to say. Think before you post.
Stop sending money to Findlaw, Justia, and Martindale Hubbell. Note that I am not going to list a hypertext link to their websites. I paid those snake oil salesmen at Findlaw and Martindale back in 2004-2005. Foolish.
It takes only a moment to lose your reputation online. Don’t blatantly steal content. The practical blawgosphere is largely self-policing. Steal and someone will out you with a quickness. Google your name to see what comes up. It better not be something negative. If you’re wrong on something, admit it. The blawgosphere can also be forgiving if you fess up.
FACDL is putting on a “practice” seminar for marketing your criminal practice. It’s not listed on the FACDL website yet, but it’s going to be in Miami. That’s something we can use. You have to be the right mix of a left-brainer and a right-brainer to succeed in private practice.
Been going to FACDL conferences for several years now. This one was the best so far. Brian Tannebaum did a superb job. He had family, friends and even a client present when he was sworn in as President last night. Pretty cool. See you next year right here in Palm Beach.
Grey Tesh is a board certified criminal trial lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida and is Past-President of the Palm Beach association of criminal defense lawyers. www.aaacriminaldefense.com