D. Todd Smith of Texas Appellate Law Blog: LexBlog Q & A
Austin-based appellate specialist D. Todd Smith started blogging to distinguish himself from the rest of the field. His blog, the Texas Appellate Law Blog, still serves that original purpose today.
"Nearly three years later, there are only a handful of blogs dealing with Texas appellate issues, so blogging continues to separate me from the vast majority of my competition," Todd says.
Although Todd is based in Austin, he makes a point to use technology to overcome geographic barriers and frequently handles matters throughout the state of Texas. Similarly, Todd uses Twitter (@dtoddsmith) to reach out to a broad audience of almost 350 followers, who subsequently tend to think of him when appellate issues arise.
We caught up with Todd via email for this LexBlog Q&A and talked with him about how blogging has enhanced his reputation.
See our e-mail exchange with Todd (after the jump).
Lisa Kennelly: Why did you initially decide to start a blog? Have your reasons for blogging changed since you first started?
Todd Smith: I started in 2006 after identifying blogs as a potential marketing tool for my new solo appellate practice. Blogging was a relatively inexpensive way to get the word out about who I was and what I was doing in my new practice. I also wanted to distinguish myself from other Texas appellate practitioners, and no one else was blogging in this area at the time.
My reasons for blogging haven’t changed, even though I’ve accomplished my original goals. I still consider blogging to be one of the most effective marketing tools for the money. Nearly three years later, there are only a handful of blogs dealing with Texas appellate issues, so blogging continues to separate me from the vast majority of my competition.
Lisa Kennelly: What have you learned about blogging that you didn’t foresee?
Todd Smith: Blogging is not just about putting a bunch of words up on the internet and letting people find you. There is a definite strategy, and it pays to study what’s effective and what’s not.
Lisa Kennelly: What has been most rewarding about blogging?
Todd Smith: I enjoy blogging for the sake of blogging, and doing it forces me to stay current about what’s going on in my practice area. But the greatest reward has been the enhancement of my reputation among trial lawyers, other appellate lawyers, and judges, which ultimately makes me a more effective appellate advocate for the end client . At this point, many judges and appellate lawyers I meet are already familiar with me because they have read or regularly follow my blog. I write about issues they are interested in and provide information they find useful. As a solo in a very competitive practice area and market, it is difficult to get that kind of exposure any other way.
Lisa Kennelly: You advocate using blogging and social media (like Twitter) for marketing. What are some examples of how they have helped you market yourself and your practice?
Todd Smith: Blogging and other social media, particularly Twitter, are synergistic. I deal primarily with other lawyers in developing business, and those who have seen my blog or subscribe to it tend to think of me when appellate issues come up in their cases or in conversations with their peers. Twitter provides access to a different audience and distributes information in a different way, but the result is more or less the same: Information about me and my practice is distributed to a diverse audience, and members of that audience tend to think of me when appellate issues come up.
Lisa Kennelly: What has the response been to your blog from clients, other lawyers, or anyone else?
Todd Smith: The response to my blog is overwhelmingly favorable. In addition to showcasing my writing and analytical skills, it gives any reader an opportunity to know me better through the way I express myself in blog posts. Clients, other lawyers, and judges in particular regularly express their appreciation for the work that goes into my blog and tell me that they find it useful. Getting those kinds of comments confirms the benefit of my investment.
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