These days there is a lot of talk about lawyers using social media — writing blogs, posting to Twitter and maintaining profiles on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. This popularity might be due to the wider availability of social media tools and the shifting demographic of a profession that has more digitally raised attorneys joining its ranks. The downturned economy may play a role in this as well, with lawyers looking for new ways to find work.

Because social media is a time investment, one should determine whether the pursuit is worthwhile. No doubt there are plenty of social media proponents singing the praises of concepts like connection, community and collaboration. We hear talk about transparency and how "content can be your best advertising." One can certainly bring about positive results through a planned and disciplined social media strategy.