Why Your Law Firm Needs a Social Media Policy
Why Your Law Firm Needs a Social Media Policy
These days, social media plays a critical role in legal marketing. According to the 2022 American Bar Association Legal Technology Survey Report, 89% of law firms have a presence on social media. This should come as no surprise. When used properly, social media can help attorneys:
- Raise brand awareness
- Connect with peers
- Attract more leads
On the other hand, when used improperly, social media can become a nightmare. Violating ethical guidelines or otherwise tarnishing your public reputation will spell disaster for any firm. This makes it essential to get everyone on the same page about how they should behave online.
In this guide, we’re going to talk about why law firms should implement a social media policy for employees. Then, we’ll look at what your firm’s policy should include. Let’s get started!
What Is a Law Firm Social Media Policy?
A social media policy is a set of guidelines for how employees should conduct themselves online. These guidelines serve to protect the firm’s reputation, security, and legal standing.
Without those protections in place, a careless attorney could cause serious damage to your firm’s public image. In the worst-case scenario, you could even end up in hot water for violating ethical rules. Plenty of firms have had to issue public apologies for a poorly worded tweet or LinkedIn post.
Despite that threat, only half of all firms currently have social media policies in place. (This according to the same ABA survey cited above.)
But is implementing a social media policy really worth all the fuss? Yes! A reliable policy can bring a host of benefits, such as…
6 Benefits of Developing a Law Firm Social Media Policy
1. Building a Better Brand
Establishing a strong brand identity is key to building trust online. And every post, comment, or like an attorney makes on social media is shaping your brand identity—for better or worse. What story are they telling to prospects and peers?
When drafting a social media policy, you can include notes on what tone attorneys should use when using your company accounts (or their own professional accounts). This will help you develop a consistent brand voice across all channels.
2. Reducing Ethical Concerns
Social media can be helpful for law firms, but it can also be dangerous. When it comes to using the internet, ethical pitfalls are waiting around every corner. For example, attorneys should never say anything on social media that could be misconstrued as legal advice. They should also refrain from sharing any details about ongoing cases.
The last thing your firm needs is an unexpected PR disaster. By outlining the ethical standards for standards at your firm, you can proactively ward off a nasty situation.
3. Avoiding Legal Complications
In extreme cases, ethical violations could lead to legal action. No firm wants to have to deal with an incoming lawsuit. Once again, laying out clear rules for how your attorneys must conduct themselves will reduce the risk of having to pay out a settlement or defend your firm in court.
4. Protecting Your Firm
Using social media can create risks for the privacy and security of your firm. And the larger your team is, the bigger those risks become. Hacking, phishing, and computer viruses are all legitimate threats when using the internet. A good social media policy should include safety protocols and tips on how to protect your firm.
5. Improving Employee Advocacy
Social media policies aren’t just about what attorneys shouldn’t do. A social media policy can also offer guidance on how to represent the firm online. This will help your team step up and become better ambassadors for your brand. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge in the right direction to inspire effective employee advocacy.
6. Establishing Accountability
When employees behave inappropriately, they often claim that they were unaware that their actions were off-limits. They may be telling the truth, or they may simply be making excuses. Having a written social media policy helps clear up those gray areas. When a team member’s behavior clearly violates the firm’s policies, you can respond fairly and with confidence.
What Should Your Law Firm’s Social Media Policy Include?
Every law firm’s social media policy will look a little different. No two practices are exactly the same, so it only makes sense that no two sets of policies would be, either. However, there are certain key elements that are worth including in any social media policy. We recommend the covering the following topics:
What types of content won’t be tolerated (inflammatory and derogatory remarks, profanity, etc.)
What ethical rules and regulations attorneys must abide by (be sure to research the guidelines for your state)
How to avoid security breaches
How to respond to negative comments or reviews
How to handle conflict publically or in private (through direct messages, for example)
How to fact-check details and credit sources properly
What disclaimers should be included in profiles and posts
How policy violations will be handled by the firm
Remember: once you have a policy in place, you’ll have to enforce it consistently. If you’re not willing to follow through on a given point, consider leaving it out. And as rules change or new concerns arise, don’t be afraid to update your policy as needed.
Embrace the Benefits of Social Media With Confidence
A social media policy will help you strengthen your brand and protect your firm. Of course, exposing your brand on the internet always comes with risks. If you’d rather let someone else handle the headaches, we can help.
At Let America Know, we give trial attorneys the support they need to take their digital growth to the next level. Just contact us, and we’ll help you strengthen your brand identity through social media strategies custom-made to suit your needs.
Click here to learn more about our done-for-you social media program designed for plaintiff attorneys like you.