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Could Facebook be as useful for lawyers as LinkedIn?

Facebook for lawyers
January 3, 2015

Common wisdom in the legal profession is that LinkedIn ought to be used for professional networking while Facebook ought to be used, if at all, for personal networking.

I am not sure this is true anymore. For me, Facebook is much more engaging and social when it comes to sharing news and information, dialogue, and learning among my business colleagues.

Ian Barker (@iandbarker) of Beta News asked earlier this week “Is Facebook more useful for professionals than LinkedIn?”

Based on the below infographic from the UK’s Brighton School of Business and Management, Barker wonders if LinkedIn is any better than Facebook for business users?

Highlights that lawyers ought to take from the school’s comparison:

  • Sheer number of users Facebook has being far greater than LinkedIn
  • Facebook’s having far greater monthly visitors
  • 80% of Facebook’s users are age 36 and older, while the figure is only 66% on LinkedIn
  • Facebook having an equal breakdown of men and women while LinkedIn has more women using the network than men
  • Facebook’s benefits being social connections, word of mouth, and recommendations – all important for business development
  • LinkedIn is used most by recruiters

Last night I was thinking of buying “The Art of Social Media” by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick. I asked on Facebook whether anyone had read the book and if it would be a good resource for lawyers on our network.

Five people immediately chimed in with their thoughts, four lawyers and the CMO of a major law firm. Dialogue ensued that’s continuing over to today. Based on the number of legal professionals now reading the book (me included), and who will read the book, I expect discussion regarding the book’s advice to follow on blogs and on Facebook.

LinkedIn is no doubt important for lawyers. Facebook though, with its ease of use, personal feel, and dialogue, is a good place for lawyers to network – professionally and socially.

If you aren’t using Facebook yet, 2015 would be a good time to start.

Facebook for lawyers

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