Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/98946
ILTA's 2012 Financial Management Poll Results Social media tools encompass a large array of sites, each with its own functionality, terms and audience. Each is its own independent community, often with various user-created subcommunities that overlap and intertwine to create a large-scale network. The great unifier for these sites is the social element. Holding social media at arm's length is no longer a viable option for an attorney who wishes to remain relevant in a world of increasing online relationships. The lawyer who opts not to involve himself in social networks will lose ground to attorneys who do. While some may make the excuse that they lack the time or the technological acumen, a little bit of patience and practice to become proficient in social media practices can go a long way. As with other business strategies, there are best practices in social media networking that lawyers and other legal service providers can incorporate to maximize the effectiveness of their social media efforts. Everyone's Doing It The three major social networks — Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter — each claim hundreds of millions of users and, by all accounts, are continuing to grow at exponential rates. Yet, despite this incredible growth, the legal profession has historically shied away from engaging in social media. ILTA White Paper 11