Lawyers NEED to use Facebook. The evolution of Social Media and lawyers is a thing of the NOW, not the past or present. If your law firm is not using social media, read THIS ARTICLE! Here are some statistics pulled from the people at Facebook:

Statistics

General Growth

• · More than 300 million active users
• · 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day
• · The fastest growing demographic is those 35 years old and older

User Engagement

• · Average user has 130 friends on the site
• · More than 8 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day (worldwide)
• · More than 45 million status updates each day
• · More than 10 million users become fans of Pages each day
• · Over 600 million searches a month – one of the top 20 search engines

Applications

• · More than 2 billion photos uploaded to the site each month
• · More than 14 million videos uploaded each month
• · More than 2 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.)

shared each week

• · More than 3 million events created each month
• · More than 45 million active user groups exist on the site

Still think you do not need to be on Facebook? Think again! Still want some good law firm marketing information on why you should be listed and be on Facebook? Some ideas from a great law firm marketer the Lawyerist:

1. Referrals and clients from old classmates, colleagues, and friends through direct contact both formal (messages) and informal (wall posts), events, and interest groups.

2. Strengthen relationships with colleagues by sharing knowledge, interests, and activities and family life, and by offering opportunities to connect through groups and events.

3. Pages allow you to post videos, photos, notes, blogs, and other interactive and communitybuilding applications. Once you have created a Facebook page, you can promote it through Facebook’s Social Ads, although you should make sure to stay within the ethical rules for client solicitation in doing so.

4. Evaluate potential jurors before and during trial. This internet vetting can disclose juror’s associations, interests or past statements that may make a lawyer want to strike them from the jury pool or prioritize keeping them on the case, and can provide a lawyer with insights into specific jurors which may be beneficial in crafting effective closing arguments.

5. Investigate defendants, witnesses, and prosecutors. Evidence revealed from Facebooksearches has been used to prove that a defendant had no remorse after committing a crime, to prove a defendant’s motive, as evidence of the crime itself or of an individual’s participation in a crime, and to show the extent of plaintiffs’ injuries after an accident.

6. Research potential job applicants’ public statements, photos and questionable social activity.

Ok now there you have it. I think your at facebook now and are going to sign up. Part two of Facebook for Lawyers and Law Firms will discuss how to set up a professional Facebook Page.