Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Paralegals & Legal Secretaries Blogs -> Practical Paralegalism

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

: Practical Paralegalism

Quick Tips for Professional Social Networking

By Lynne DeVenny

ADVERTISEMENTS

I really enjoyed presenting "Social Media for Career Development" at the N.C. Bar Association Paralegal Division Annual Meeting and Conference last month. I figured if even one attendee created a LinkedIn profile, set up an RSS reader or checked out Twitter, that the presentation was a success. I've heard from several paralegals since then who did all three, so as a results-oriented speaker, I can't ask for anything more.

Here are a few more quick tips for professional social networking, from an article I wrote for the Institute of Paralegal Education's September 2009 e-newsletter:

Don't be intimidated by Twitter. Think of it as a virtual luncheon networking opportunity. If you can't think of anything to say, join the conversation with a simple "Congratulations" if someone has tweeted an accomplishment, or "Great article" if someone has tweeted a link to information that you find helpful. Share a link to information that you think others might find helpful.

You don't have to spend money on profile pics. You can easily take your own with your digital camera. A good time to take a few headshots is when you're dressed for work. Taking your own allows you to take multiple headshots from different angles and in different light. Then you can pick the best one. Some of my best headshots have been taken outside. Make sure that you're smiling! (I took my latest profile pic on my way to talk about "10 Ways to Prepare Top Civil Injury Settlement Demands" to the Guilford Paralegal Association last month - since I was having a pretty good hair day. I like that the brick background matches my hair :P)

Ask for some LinkedIn recommendations. Give some in return to people that you feel comfortable recommending. Recommendations do not necessarily have to be for co-workers. You can also recommend people that you've worked with in professional associations or as service providers.

Spread the word about social networking to your colleagues and members of your professional associations. If your professional association does not have a Facebook or LinkedIn group, suggest that this is a good way for members to get to know each other better and support the association outside of face-to-face interaction.