Lawline.com

Social Media and Social Networks.  They are fast becoming a part of the professional world.  Even the legal profession has started to take notice of the power of social media.  And though we have only started to realize its potential value, it is important that those of us who are seeking innovative new ways to share knowledge and communicate take notice.

To start off this series of blogs on the topic of social media for attorneys, let us introduce the primary concepts.  Social Networking is defined as a social structure made up of individuals or organizations that share one or more common interdependency, value, belief, or goal.  And that same idea has been taken and transformed into new online technologies to make networking easier than ever before.

Popular social networks like Facebook and MySpace were introduced as ways to stay in touch with friends.  On top of them, other communities were built around specific niches and goals.  LinkedIn is a networking site built strictly for professional contacts and relationships. YouTube allows a community of users to share videos.  Flickr allows its members to share photos.  Twitter is a tool for open communication of ideas and events.  Even at the most basic level are blogs, wikis, and discussion boards, that open up communication and the flow of ideas.

This entire area is known as Web 2.0 Social Media.  It is built around the concept of openness and sharing.  It has turned into a way for people to communicate with other people, businesses to communicate with other businesses, the media to communicate with the masses, and an organization to communicate with customers and potential customers.

And it is entering the legal landscape now faster than ever before.  In fact, just last night Lawline.com’s President, David Schnurman, was featured in a panel discussion on Social Networking for Lawyers.  The presentation was held at New York County Lawyers’ Association for CLE Credit, and will be turned into an online course soon.

Begin to take notice of the shift towards online media for means of communication, marketing, and sharing.  And stay tuned for Part 2 of our Series next week.