How about SEO firms who link their attorney client's web page to their other client's web pages. I know an attorney whose web page appears on Hollywood Gossip sites in a blog roll of sorts. I doubt any human interested in the law firm ever sees it, but the spiders do. Sleazy stuff though.

And don't get me started on the attorneys who claim to be the "best" at a particular type of case, when there is no extrinsic evidence that they have even handled ONE of those types of cases.

Check out this law firms twitter account as one such example:
http://twitter.com/VancouverLawyer

Blogs and other social media are about two way communication. About conversation and providing benefit for your readers, not shouting out "HIRE ME".

Its a shame that personal injury law firms engage in some of the worst lawyer marketing practices when the profession serves so many people so well.

Nothing better serves the tort reform platform than being able to point out tasteless lawyer marketing to consumers. We can do better than this guys!

Okay, with that out of the way, is the problem with this Mensa member that he's using social media to say "hire me," or is the problem that he's using social media to say "HIRE ME, HIRE ME, HIRE ME."

See, I don't think I have an objection to using the Internets, blogs, websites, posting and SEO wisdom to try and get clients. That is, getting potential clients using the web to find some help to arrive on my doorstep. But, when they arrive, I want them to think I'm a decent guy, a competent practitioner and worth their further inquiry.

The fool linked above does none of those things, but I wonder whether people think that the web should be the hippie-love-in of no marketing or business development for lawyers.

Thoughts?

1) The above example (and the many, many others) are the on-line version of "ambulance chasing," which has given the PI atty a bad brand to begin with. Hence, there are codes of ethics on how to use the web -- and they will be improved (that is, more specific - not just more words, hopefully) as years go on.

2) Of course, like other regulations and laws (like speeding), there is only so much policing to be done. It's comes down to personal responsibility, values, ethics, and pride. Thus, the PI/trial world been able to overcome much public derision (and good jokes).

3) As blawgging, podcasting, video, e-book marketing grows more mainstream (in the legal community), more attorneys (and para staff) will realize that the real value isn't just mere "display advertising," but rather credibility and remark-ability as they share insight, thought, perspective (though not advice).

4) SEO: keyword-dropping, like name-dropping, will be a perennial if not pretentious issue. SEO algorithms have grown more sophisticated and we should always blog with it in mind. It isn't WRONG; heck, as an intelligent form of marketing, blawging should be SEO conscious: Though our SEO-friendly posts & comments should be checked with the above 3 principles.

Great post to reveal a great "don't" in blawgging...

~ Vikram Rajan
PracticeMarketingAdvisors.com

I don't think the guy puts much effort into the blog; you give him too much credit.

Kevin, would allow a lexblogger to use a blog in the same manner as this guy? Do services like yours (specifically, those run by lawyers) have an obligation to intervene or police on behalf of the profession? I'm inclined to let people do what they want, but I'm sure there are limits somewhere.

Just curious.

It's really in the best interests of the lawyer who is blogging. They'll do a better job enhancing their reputation and getting business blogging in a more professional way.

I think Victor Medina makes a good point. Where is the line? I blog because I enjoy it, but at least part of my motivation is that they want potential clients to find my blog. If I ran my own firm I would probably consider occasionally using my blog for press releases (hopefully more tasteful than the one above).

Is the issue ethics or quality? The Texas PI Blog discussed above has daily posts, which is commendable. Other than that, there are no external links or references, and every single post is a blatant advertisement, which is less-than desirable. But is it fair to be roasting this guy?