What Lawyers Can Learn from SMMW16
/What is SMMW?
Social Media Marketing World (SMMW16) is the largest social media conference in the nation. This year, it attracted 3,000 attendees in person, and more who followed the action via virtual ticket and other social media methods. The conference is an off-shoot from Social Media Examiner, the world’s largest social media resource, with founder Michael Stelzner at the helm.
SMMW16 attendees ascend toward learning. (Photo: SocialMediaExaminer.com)
I choose to attend each year for three reasons:
- The latest on social, from those leading in social.
- The conference organizers and speakers fully understand the hallmark of social: sharing wisdom because it benefits everyone to do so and it’s the right thing to do. This is not a conference of prima donnas, though it showcases amazing ideas and thought leaders. It is a community with a positive outlook borne of sharing ideas and innovations.
- This is one of the best conferences I have ever attended for return on the dollar and for being jam-packed with non-stop information and networking.
LIVE is the Word
Move over “Grease,” “live” and “live streaming video” were the buzz words at SMMW16 -- and that encompasses platforms like Meerkat, Periscope, Blab, Snapchat, Instagram, and most recently – the broad launch of Facebook live.
Attendee Gary Stockton (@gstockton) created a brief video summary that captures reasons why social media leaders say: savvy marketers will turn to “live” going forward.
What does that mean for law firms/lawyers?
- You don’t have to be at the forefront of social/digital (e.g. with Live Video) to take advantage of social and digital media. Because…
- Content is the cost of RELVANCY.
Gary "Vee" is the author of The Thank You Economy – a must read, if you want to understand the roots of social media. The quote above came from his SMMW16 keynote and is a simple lifeline for firms and attorneys who want growth and results. You cannot just build content alone. “Build it and they will come,” is a movie quote and a fiction. Today, and as we move forward...
3. You must design a social media strategy to drive your content and tell your story in a compelling way that attracts prospects and can lead to loyal clients.
(I am leading a training series starting May 6th that addresses the point of Telling Your Unique Story in order to drive business and loyalty. Learn more here.)
4. You must continually a) tell your story, b) listen to prospects and clients, so that you can c) refine and enhance your story.
5. “Story” doesn’t only have to be an article commenting on the latest SCOTUS decision or an informative article listing the “Top 7 considerations before you…” Broaden your thinking around what you can share with potential prospects and clients – such as live video of culture, Summer Associate activities, pro bono and other service projects.
6. And, of course, attorneys (and anyone assisting you with traditional, digital, or integrated marketing) must understand how to communicate via today’s platforms and within the parameters of the Bar Rules.
Is your firm looking to understand which social media platforms best suit your goals, availability to manage, and empower you to tell your story? Flip Cat provides social media lunch-and-learns, hands-on training, social media management, and Social Media & Ethics CLEs (1.0 hr ethics credit, TX State Bar).
If you are tired of setting the same goals every new year only to see them get pushed aside, learn how to design a plan that can sustain your business and attract loyal clients.