Thanks for sharing some of your insights on the benefits of Twitter for the legal profession. Some of your observations hold true across other industries as well, as long as the user has found other interesting, thoughtful users who provide professional value.

The key to successful Twitter use is its use as a tool to connect with other engaged, relevant professionals to consume their content or engage in thought-provoking dialogue.

Best,
An

Solosez, the ABA's most popular listserv (with over 3,500 members) could be considered the illegitimate love child of Twitter and blogs - that is, if its existence didn't pre-date Twitter by about 10 years. Like Twitter, the list is open to any and all subjects. Since posts aren't limited to 140 characters, however, some posts are more similar to blog posts than to tweets.

The ABA describes Solosez as: "an on-line resource for lawyers to share and obtain information on a wide range of personal and professional subjects: legal questions, client referrals, topical issues, practice technology problems and solutions, travel information, jokes, or just to gloat about a court victory or vent about a local judge. Hosted by the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division, this Internet tool is changing the way many solos practice law."

Twitter, its value to lawyers, and how to use it, have been popular topics of discussion on Solosez of late. I try to help list members understand Twitter by pointing out the similarities between Solosez and Twitter.

Finally, because David Giacalone doesn't have an active law practice, the benefits of Twitter are perhaps less relevant to him than to the rest of us.

@lisasolomon

The key, I'm finding, is how to filter things and use the devices to maximum benefit. Although I've just started Tweeting (twittering?) a few weeks ago, I've gotten a lot of benefit from the information being shared. And using connections to further relationships.

The only expression is still valid: You get out what you put in...

But Twitter has its benefits. I have learned a great deal from thought leaders, enhanced relationships with friends and business associates and I have even gained a few clients as well.

The key for me is to use Twitter at night or on the weekends. I have always blogged at night so that works for me. Constant participation during the work day is not necessary to see benefits. I encourage lawyers to give Twitter a try and use it in a way that works for them.

The only anecdotal evidence I have to offer is by observing the lawyers I follow on Twitter. Contrary to your comment, most of the lawyers *are* Tweeting throughout the day -- and I would say that less than 5% of the tweets have any legal significance or marketing value. Most of it is just lawyers talking about their day to other lawyers. I hope that changes, but I really think lawyers are still in the early adopter stage of Twitter. My .02 cents

I subscribe to Solosez, Lisa, and as a non-lawyer even I can see the benefits of it (and the similarities to twitter). In fact, I just called the list the grandfather of twitter in a phone call with a lawyer yesterday. :-)

As with anything, Twitter is what you make of it. It's how you use the tool that makes it worthy (or not) of your time.

It is true when they say, people buy from people who they like and trust. This is true in the legal profession as well as any other profession, even if your litigate!

For example, I learned from Lisa Solomon, Niki Black, Vicki Pynchon, Dan Schwartz, Steve Worrall, Patty Spencer, and Kevin O'Keefe, Grant Griffiths and many others all from Twitter conversations. On a day-to-day basis, I can easily say that I learn something new from my Twitter frinds.

In fact, if I came across a client referral opportunity, I am more likely to refer a person to my Twitter list of lawyers since I have already developed a relationship with them.

The process of developing a relationship with other lawyers is not a one or two day thing; It's slow one as it should be in any other relationship when you are really trying to get a feel for a person with whom you are conneting.

I keep statistics on the number of estate planning, elder law, probate and tax practitioners I have met on Twitter as well as on other social nets like Facebook, with whom I intend to have a continuous relationship for years to come.
Will be happy to share my experience in the social nets over the last 12 months.

I highly recommend Twitter to all lawyers.

Best to you,

Mina Sirkin
http://www.SirkinLaw.com
MSirkin@SirkinLaw.com

On Twitter follow: @MinaSirkin

On the 491 lawyers on Twitter? Again it's just anecdotal Tom, but my guess is that the number of lawyers on Twitter is higher than that. And more anecdote here, but I'd guess lawyers are adding to the Twitter ranks at the rate of 20 to 30 a day. That's 7 times the rate of new blogs from lawyers.

On the talk being being mostly social by lawyers, that's okay. Lawyers should learn to be more social, both as a way to learn from their network (people they meet through social conversation) and as a means of getting new work (people hire the people they know and like).

Today I exchanged messages on Twitter with a professional in Austin who grew up across the street from Lambeau Field and whom was babysat by Hall of Fame Quarterback Bart Starr's wife. We built a bond that my guess is will lead to meeting at some time and doing work together. Small talk leads to big things.

Elizabeth Lewis
Website: http://www.eclewis.com
Blog: http://www.eclewis.com/wordpress
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/eclewis
Twitter: eclewis
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Elizabeth-Lewis/10236905

(Yes, I use it all!!!)