Comments on Existing law blogs on your intended topic don't preclude blogging success | Real Lawyers Have Blogs

firm@harrismoure.com (Dan) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:40:50 -0800

I've already backed down a bit on this. Using your example, I would say that if this lawyer is planning to write a really good, really interesting, really lively blog on Seattle employment law, he or she should move forward. But, if he or she is just going to write a run of the mill blog on Seattle employment law, forget it, it's too crowded and you will not be read much and, yes, that does matter. In other words, whereas three years ago, one could make somewhat of a name simply by having a blog, that is no longer true. So don't just think you can throw something up and draw in readers and business because that will not happen.

weilattorney@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:18:45 -0800

I'm one of those lawyers with a new, 1-out-of-100 (or more) employment law blog. I see my blog as a way to keep up with something I'm interested in and as a marketing tool. If I was afraid to blog because a zillion other lawyers had employment law blogs and mine would never be in the top 10, I'd also never advertise (because a zillion other lawyers do that, too), and I might never want to practice law, either, because a whole lot of lawyers have a lot more experience than me and I might never reach their level in the profession because I'd have to compete with them.

In this way, that argument - that you shouldn't blog because there's too many people already blogging in your niche who do it so much better than you ever will - becomes a slippery slope. There's a ton of people out there who do things better than me, and there always will be, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to do what I want just because I think 'the competition' is so much better than I am.

So, following the 'don't blog' argument to its logical conclusion leaves one either desperately chasing the next big thing in social/online media (all the time) or cowering in the corner, never wanting to leave the house. But you know, there's probably a ton of people who cower a whole lot better than I do, so I might as well work on my employment law blog instead. ;-)

grant@g2webmedia.com (Grant Griffiths) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:44:19 -0800

Right on point Kevin. I often have this discussion with others too. And I always tell them this. Ask yourself if you were looking to put in a Wendy's or Burger King, where would you put it? Right next to a McDonalds would be the best place. Never, never not do a blog because someone else may already have one in your niche or on your street. Use your blog to build your community and use it to network with other bloggers.

info@rosenberglaw.com (Gregg Rosenberg) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:28:23 -0800

You are right on - by networking you will increase your exposure, not limit it. The key is to do it better than the other person, not necessarily different.