Top Five Reasons Social Media Belongs In Professional Services Firms

Social media is here to stay and it's time for you and your firm to explore the (somewhat daunting) space.  Your boss is probably asking why its necessary for you to be participating in the conversation and below are some points you can use when speaking with upper management: 

1. Another opportunity/touchpoint to connect with clients and prospects
2. Increases web traffic and enhances search page rankings
3. Positions the firm as an industry leader
4. Way to provide value and information in addition to the firm's website
5. Reputation management 

While I believe social media can be a great addition to any overall marketing plan, it's important to remember that it isn't one size fits all and you should do your research before beginning to make sure you're reaching your target audience.  A social media policy or best practices memo is a good way to map out the parameters you want to stay within.  Still feeling overwhelmed about where to start? Check with others in your industry through forums or events, to see what they're doing.  Or get online and listen to what others in your industry are saying/how they're interacting.  At the very least you should claim your firm's name on the larger sites (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter) so someone else doesn't take it.  

Remember, social media is a two way street - its about the conversation!  Don't just push out your own content and not interact with other users.  It's similar to blog where you want to have a conversation, to teach as well as learn.  

Have questions?  Just ask!