Raising the Bar Blog - Social Networking

Change Is Coming

() — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:01:13 -0800

While we’ve been blogging over the last few months we have also been doing some deep work on improving our blog platform, look and content. That process is now complete. Look for the launch of our new blog hosted on the Lexblog platform coming soon.

In the meantime, keep up with social media tips by joining my LinkedIn group, Raising the Bar: Social Media Marketing for Lawyers and CPAs (and other professionals, too.) Send me an email at rhensley@raisingthebar.com and I will get back to you right away.

Our next LinkedIn 90-minute seminar will be held on August 18, 2010. Email me to register for "LinkedIn Secrets for Lawyers, CPAs, Financial Advisors and Other Professionals” taught by myself and Jeffrey Brathwaite aka JB, Raising the Bar's social media consultant. There will be a cocktail reception immediately following at the Peachtree Club overlooking Atlanta. The response to our first seminar was overwhelming. Again, attendance is extremely limited so contact me now if you want to know more.

Until next time…

Robin

7 Habits of the Highly Effective Rainmaker: Habit #5 (Part 1 + a Facebook Update)

() — Tue, 04 May 2010 06:00:43 -0800

Before we begin our discussion on this week’s focus, here’s an update on Facebook’s recent change from “Fan” to “Like”. I was a bit confused about it so I asked Doug Schumacher, social media marketing expert and founder of Basement, Inc. in Los Angeles. According to Doug, Facebook felt that to declare yourself a “Fan” requires too big commitment but to “Like” something, whether it’s a brand or an article, is a much easier decision.

You can learn more about what this change could mean for you and your practice and some of the big unanswered questions about the ramifications of hitting the “Like” button in this week’s Social Media Tip posted in my Raising the Bar: Social Media Marketing Group for Lawyers and CPAs.

Now back to this week’s focus.

Habit #5: Transform Networking Events Spent Wandering Around Marketing Into Focused Activity That Produces Tangible Results

World-class rainmakers make a habit of using every networking event to maximum advantage. They start by choosing the right events and organizations for networking—events and organizations where their target clients are likely to be. You can do this too.

Start by asking yourself who you want to meet and why. Review your list against the membership list of any organization you want to join or the likely attendees of any event you are invited to attend. Remember, your goal is business development, not socializing so make sure you are investing your time where it will give you the best return.

Whether it is an organization or an event you select, start with the end in mind. List five people you want to meet who you don’t know and five people you want to get to know better. Before the meeting, review web sites and press releases about those people and their companies. Use Google and LinkedIn to find even more details. You’ll then have some current subject areas as you move into conversation with them. They will appreciate your attentiveness.

Here are a few other ideas to make your participation rewarding.

Spend time getting to know new people; save chitchatting with your good buddies for another day.
Sit next to new people instead of friends and associates
Look for the new people who could also benefit your trusted advisors.
Stay away from “Velcro” people who keep you occupied with their longwinded stories or personal anecdotes – you have people to meet!

Here’s one final thought on this topic. World-class rainmakers know that merely exchanging business cards will not produce the results you seek. You must get to know others at a much deeper level before you and they are in a position to really benefit.

There is still time to register for my Raising the Bar 90-minute seminar, "LinkedIn Secrets for Lawyers & CPAs" taught by myself and Jeffrey Brathwaite aka JB, Raising the Bar's social media consultant. The program will be held on May 6 with a cocktail reception immediately following at the Peachtree Club overlooking Atlanta. Attendance is extremely limited and only a few seats remain so contact me now if you want to know more.

Do you have a networking event coming up?

How will you decide if that event is worth any of your non-billable time?
If you go, how will you be sure you will meet the people on your list?
What has kept you from making the most of networking events in the past?

Will You Be Tweeting in 2010?

() — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:30:56 -0800

Tweeting. It sounds so silly, doesn’t it? Major law firms don’t think so, though. They have jumped on the social media bandwagon in a big way. So, if they are tweeting, why not you?

If you’re not sure what all the hoopla is about Twitter and tweeting and all that other stuff, take a step back and imagine that you are at an enormous cocktail party where just about anyone you might want to meet is in attendance. That’s what Twitter is—an opportunity to start a conversation or join one at a virtual cocktail party where you won’t have to hug the wall or balance a plate of hors d’oeuvres while searching for your business card.

You can check out what some in the legal community are doing on Twitter at LexTweet (http://www.lextweet.com/). Similar communities for just about any kind of professional practice are just a Google away. Here’s one that features many Twitter tips and resources: http://www.twitip.com/

Wanna try tweeting? Tweet me at @rmhensley.

Still in a state of confusion? Raising the Bar social media one-on-one coaching and onsite workshops might be the answer.

http://www.raisingthebar.com/info/social-media.html.

Tweetez-vous?

How much time do you spend on social media activities?

Has Tweeting taken over your life?

Are your friends and co-workers planning a Twitter intervention?

Learn LinkedIn In 2010 to Increase Your Book of Business

() — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:30:52 -0800

I used to wonder what all the excitement was about when people sent me invitations to join LinkedIn. Obviously, there was a party going on somewhere that I just did not know how to join.

I have to say now, with a solid foundation in how to use LinkedIn and a personal commitment to following through on a few simple tactics, LinkedIn is proving to be a remarkable business development tool! In fact, I am so committed to the value of social networking for business development that I have created a LinkedIn group, Raising the Bar: Social Media Marketing for Lawyers and CPAs and will be launching one-on-one LinkedIn coaching for lawyers, CPAs and other professionals in January. (Visit my profile on LinkedIn to join the group and learn more about one-on-one coaching programs.)

Why the focus on LinkedIn? Unlike other social networking sites, LinkedIn is strictly business. Founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn was designed primarily for professional networking. As of October of this year, LinkedIn had more than 50 million registered users, in 200 countries and territories worldwide. It boasts a membership of nearly 1 million lawyers! Consider that your ideal client, referral source or new business influencer is almost certainly one of the remaining 49 million. Imagine how many networking events, golf outings and cocktail parties you would have to attend to connect with even a tiny fraction of that much potential business or business leads. So why in the world wouldn’t you be using LinkedIn? Why, indeed!

Are you LinkedIn?

If so, how are you using LinkedIn to promote your business?

Is your firm on LinkedIn?

Are you a designated expert on LinkedIn?

What would you like to know about using LinkedIn?