LinkedIn is a Happy Hunting Ground for Lawyers
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Lawyers shouldn't waste their time with mini-blogging social media where there are no clients. Rule No. 1 of law firm marketing is to "go fishing where the fish are." That fishing hole is LinkedIn, where 100 million executives and in-house counsel have profiles.
Further, I always advise lawyers that when they are networking to attend events where they are the only lawyer in the room. For instance, it makes little sense to try law firm marketing at a bar association meeting full of other lawyers who are competitors. The online room for lawyers to be in is LinkedIn.
Executives from 200 countries in the following industries can be found on LinkedIn:
- High tech
- Finance
- Manufacturing
- Medical
- Educational
- Consumer goods
- Recreational
- Corporate
- Construction
- Government
- Arts
- Media
- Non profit
- Transportation
- Service
Lawyers have 1,473,000 profiles, according to Read Write Enterprise. This infographic tells the story:
To find all the in-house lawyers at a particular company, simply to an advanced "People" search and use the term "counsel." You'll get the whole legal department.
What do you recommend as the best way to network on LinkedIn with those in-house counsel whom you don't know? Just send a cold invitation to connect or...?
Jeff, use advanced People search on Linked in, with the search term "counsel" to find the in-house lawyers at a company. Examine their profiles and join the LinkedIn groups they belong to. Join in discussions and make a few comments so your target person notices you. Then invite the person to connect with you, citing the fact that you both belong to the same group. Works every time.
Do you think that the Premium LinkedIn membership is worth it for lawyers? I have a boutique solo practice (airport law) with nationwide clientele, but have found the advantages of Premium membership to not be worth the cost. I was just wondering if I am not using them properly.
Reply from Larry Bodine: there are so many great featurs in the free LinkedIn service that the paid version is unnecessary. See http://bit.ly/jQQsGI