Networking the social space.

• Author: Meyers, Julie
• Position: About This Issue

It's almost impossible to turn around without bumping into the mention of the words LinkedIn, Facebook, or some other social networking term. In this issue, we will explore what "Social Networking" is all about, whether it's right for your firm and, if so, how to get started on creating a social media program at your firm, how to use the tools most effectively to accomplish the firm's goals, and how to avoid legal ethical violations.

While mindful that social media is rapidly changing, we are hoping to provide you with some hands-on, practical tools and advice to de-mystify and clarify any confusion surrounding the various social media tools that exist today.

As Caren Schiffman, Esquire states in her article "An Introduction to Social Media Marketing," surveys conducted indicate that "social media is here to stay and law firms cannot afford to ignore this medium if they want to remain competitive in the marketplace." Caren explains the purposes of the most common and popular social media tools so that we can make proper and effective use of them.

Also addressed in this month's journal are important issues that need to be considered when implementing a social media policy for your firm. For example, in Gina Rubel's article, "Social Media for Lawyers: Ethics Considerations and Resources," she identifies the legal ethical issues to consider when establishing a social media policy and program.

In addition, citing to specific success stories he has had using LinkedIn and other social media, Peter Vogel gives us a wake up call about the urgency involved in lawyers participating in a social media program in "Social Media Impacts the Entire World."

In "Seven Ways Lawyers Fail at Social Media," Jason Lancaster shows us how to avoid common mistakes so that our social media programs will be successful.

In addition to understanding...