TWITTERING FOR LAWYERS

You’ve likely heard the news media all atwitter over Twitter (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves). The power of the Twitterverse has been known to kill advertising campaigns (Motrin moms), wreak havoc with consumer brands (Domino’s), and provide up-to-the-second insight into breaking news stories (US Airways plane lands on the Hudson).

Twitter is where it’s at online. Everyone is on Twitter, from President Obama to Shaquille O’Neal, from Lance Armstrong, Britney Spears, Barbara Walters, and Oprah Winfrey to the guy who runs your research library. Over 20 million people are now reported to be using Twitter. With the service growing so fast, it might seem as if it’s too late to jump in, join the conversation, and start moving the needle for your law firm or your personal practice.

It’s not too late, and, from the looks of things, Twitter is just getting started. It is an important conversational tool—whether you’re joining the conversation or just listening in.

Here’s a primer on what you need to know to get Twittering and some ideas on ways lawyers are using it.