Reading an excellent blog post by Matt Silverman on Mashable about social media and the legal profession got me musing about how lawyers, Mayo Wynne Baxter included, are actually pretty clued up when it comes to digital marketing. Don’t forget, less than a decade ago law firms were prohibited from doing any kind of marketing or PR. Apart from a listing in the phone book, business generally had to be built up over a few pints of claret at the Wig and Gavel.

Don’t get me wrong, we still firmly believe in “real” socialising, or networking as it’s called in the business community – you can’t beat face-to-face contact and we’re usually up for a beer or two – but we also understand the power of its digital sibling, to the extent that social media has now become as essential to Mayo Wynne Baxter’s communication strategy as traditional PR and marketing.

So, how does social media help our clients? Well, one of the big advantages social media gives us is being able to impart lots of targeted information to our clients in bite-sized, easily digestible chunks. We use LinkedIn, and Twitter to highlight news, legal updates and to direct people to the relevant part of our website that will inform them about their legal process. And it’s all so quick. For example, we can post an update to a change in the law with an explanation of its implications, then tweet the link and hey presto, the world and his wife know about it in less time than it takes to frank an envelope.

We’ve also found social media very useful for engaging with niche audiences, for example, the solicitors in our MACI Team have built up an ever increasing network of “friends” in the media and creative industries. They regularly get together for seminars and workshops and use Twitter and Linked In to keep everyone up to speed.

This brings me neatly to the obligatory note of caution as the last MACI seminar was all about social media and protecting your business’s reputation online. This is something that we are very hot on, both for our clients and also for our own firm’s reputation. Thanks to the huge potential audience, an incorrect or inappropriate post can destroy a firm’s reputation before you can say “who suggested a social media policy?”

As with all Mayo Wynne Baxter’s external communications, our social media content is always overseen by our marketing department. Whether it’s a press release, a brochure for our clients or even this blog, the content must be relevant and appropriate to the audience we are talking to and, above all, must accurately reflect Mayo Wynne Baxter’s professionalism and values.

So, you won’t find pictures of us on Facebook downing pints at the aforementioned Wig and Gavel, nor will you ever see blog posts or tweets about our clients, but hopefully you will find that we’re making law more accessible and easier to understand.

If you would like to find out more about copyright, intellectual property and the legalities surrounding social media, please contact our Media & Creative Industries team to arrange a meeting.

You can read the full Mashable post here.

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Firstly, we’d like to thank everyone who attended last night’s event, particularly Lighthouse for their fantastic hospitality, and of course our speakers Edward Coxall, Dean Orgill, Cristina Lawrence and Leapfrogg’s Ben Potter for their invaluable insight on social media in the workplace.

Secondly, how many of you today viewed and used your various social networking channels differently? One thing last night’s presentations highlighted was the unrelenting power of social media and how it’s gradually entering our lives, even if some are unaware of it.

The Mayo Wynne Baxter team did themselves proud by delivering the often confusing and exhausting subject of copyright in a more engaging way. It was good to see attendees enthusiastically jot down notes and nod with interest during the course of the evening.

Ben Potter, Sales & Marketing Director at Leapfrogg, imparted his expertise on how social media is integral to modern day marketing, but more importantly, how it needs to be respected and applied correctly in order for it work effectively for your business.

Networking and nibbles then followed the discussions. Smart phones were visible; however guests preferred more conventional methods of communicating, which gave the opportunity for people to ask questions, exchange business cards and generally share their experiences of social networking. It was clear that the majority either liked or occasionally dipped in and out of social networks, but overall weren’t mindful of their capabilities. The power of social media was certainly felt by all!

If you would like to find out more about copyright, intellectual property and the legalities surrounding social media, contact our Media & Creative Industries Team today to arrange a meeting.

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If you and your business has in anyway adopted social media, and by that we mean either a solitary tweet on Twitter every now and then, or persistent dabbling on LinkedIn and Facebook, but without genuine conviction, then our ‘How to exploit the power of social networking’ seminar this month will certainly enlighten you.

Mayo Wynne Baxter’s Media & Creative Industries team, joined by Brighton-based digital marketing agency Leapfrogg, will be addressing how companies can utilise the power of social media to promote their brand, whilst being mindful of the various legal issues. Attendees can expect a lively, interactive seminar where smart phones can stay switched on! Discussions will cover:

• Choosing and protecting your brand name – Trademarks, copyright issues, research and planning using community mapping tools.

• Social media as a promotional tool – Choosing the right social networking tools, establishing benchmarks and choosing useful objectives.

• Staff as your social media champions – How to integrate social media into the fabric of your organisation through employee engagement, establishing policies and procedures to promote consistency of message and brand and how to implement the right staff policies and practices.

• Brand reputation- monitoring your brand online – How to monitor your online reputation and how best to defend yourself against a breach of copyright.

Litigation specialist Dean Orgill will be speaking on issues surrounding copyright and Edward Coxall, Intellectual Property and Corporate specialist will speak on the importance of trademarks.

Employment Law specialist Cristina Lawrence will provide you with useful tips on how to draft Social Media policies and procedures for your business. Delegates will have the opportunity to consider the implications of social media in the context of the work place.

“Time and time again companies jump head first into social media with no planning or thought as to the legalities. This is shaping up to be a great event; covering every angle,” says Ben Potter, Sales and Marketing Director at Leapfrogg, who specialise in delivering integrated digital marketing strategies for aspirational brands. By combining search marketing, social media and digital content, Leapfrogg help their clients to grow and prosper online.

The evening kicks off on Wednesday 19th May from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Lighthouse and would like you all to join us after the seminar for refreshments, canapés and of course networking; to exchange twitter names and MOO cards!

Spaces at this event are limited, so to secure your place please contact Louise Clasby on lclasby@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk or call (01273) 477071.

For more information on Leapfrogg visit www.leapfrogg.co.uk

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