Twitter 101 for Lawyers: 3 Key Ways to Make Your Tweets Stand Out

Twitter is one of the best online media tools for a busy lawyer. The messages are short and sweet while the site gets enormous amounts of traffic every day.

Since most tweets are public (unless you explicitly make them private) users can easily find what you have to say. But in a sea of Twitter users the trick is finding a way to stand out. If your name doesn't have the draw of a major pop star, how can you make sure your tweets are being read?

Don't worry, we've got your covered. (In fact, if you don't have the time to spare for tweets, remember that FindLaw can handle the social media tasks for you.)

When it comes to making your tweets stand out understanding the rules of Twitter can make a big difference.

1. Hashtags. When Twitter users are looking for information they can search for other usernames but they can also search for hashtags. Adding a '#' symbol before a word or phrase makes it a hashtag that users can search for.

   If you include popular (and relevant!) hashtags in your tweets there's a better chance people will find your feed and maybe start following you. The left side of your Twitter homepage should show you what hashtags are popular or 'trending' at any given time. #whatagreatidea.



2. Retweeting. One of the beauties of Twitter is you don't always have to come up with unique information. There's also the option to retweet a particularly interesting or relevant comment made by someone else. Not only does this keep your Twitter feed updated, it also connects you to other people and can help increase your popularity. Just don't rely on it to the exclusion of your personal voice.
   


3. Links. When you only have 140 characters it can be hard to get your message across while including good links to your website. Sometimes you want to link to a great article you wrote on your blog, a piece that mentions you in a local paper, or a relevant bit of news for your client base.

   Don't include the whole link. Use a link-shortening service like 'bitly' to decrease the number of characters. Then you'll have space to write a great tweet without having to leave off an important website connection.

Twitter is a great way to market your legal practice if you only have a few minutes throughout the day to do it. If you use it right and combine it with a larger marketing strategy, you'll see your efforts pay off in no time.

Related Resources:

• How to Use Twitter Like a Pro (PC World)
• Tools for Archiving Your Twitter Tweets (FindLaw's Technologist)
• The Profits and Perils of Twitter (FindLaw's Strategist)