Social media top tips by Conscious Solutions: how can lawyers talk about their careers on social media without breaching client confidentiality?
We regularly talk to our clients and colleagues in the legal sector about the importance of investing time in a personal brand to carve out an identity online. It’s likely you already have a personal brand from when people meet you at events and conferences, and it’s important that your online and offline brand are in sync. Part of this is talking about career learnings, achievements and the services legal professionals provide. However, this poses the question: ‘How much sharing is too much sharing?’
We aren’t referring to personal posts about pets or what you got up to at the weekend, but more so those relating to work, which need to be carefully crafted to avoid being in breach of the SRA 6.3 Code of Conduct or any other regulatory bodies such as the BSB or CLC. This is of course, perfectly possible, by being mindful of the guidelines and principles set forth by a regulatory body and finding an approach that doesn’t in any way run the risk of directly alluding to or identifying a specific client or case.
As you’ll be very aware of, legal professionals have a legal obligation to protect the confidentiality of their clients’ information, and this of course extends to their use of social media. Lawyers must be careful not to disclose any confidential information about their clients or cases on social media, even inadvertently.
For example, a lawyer may be tempted to share details of a recent successful outcome of a case on social media to demonstrate their legal expertise. However, by default, this could reveal confidential information about the case and violate the client’s privacy.
To avoid these risks, lawyers should be careful about what they post on social media and always err on the side of caution. They should also establish clear social media policies for their firm and provide training to their staff on how to use social media in a way that protects client confidentiality.
“As a lawyer what can I share relating to my work to promote my services?”
Here are five content ideas for lawyers that do not breach the code of conduct:
1. Helpful legal tips
Lawyers may disseminate legal tips on their social media platforms to impart knowledge to their audience regarding the law and provide them with valuable information. Such information may encompass recent changes in the legal framework, suggestions for navigating legal issues, or insights into commonly encountered legal problems.
2. Case studies that have been approved by the firm’s marketing and compliance team
Legal practitioners may present case studies that exemplify their provision of legal services to clients to help prospective clients comprehend the nature of their work and the potential outcomes that they may achieve.
Case studies can offer insights into the legal strategies employed by lawyers, the challenges and complexities of legal issues, and the approaches utilised to achieve successful resolutions. Case studies should be approved by the firm’s marketing and compliance team before being shared to minimise risks.
Have a look at our case studies page for ways and a suggested structure your law firm could use to be promoting its success stories and expertise.
3. Educational content that breaks down subjects which are difficult to understand
Website content that supports your law firm’s SEO, can also provide educational materials that will assist your audience in comprehending intricate legal concepts on social media. Look at your service pages, blog posts and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
When you repurpose this content on social media, these materials may take the form of blog posts, videos, or infographics that explains legal terminology or complicated legal concepts in an easy-to-understand, comprehensible style. These kinds of educational resources on social media can be instrumental in helping followers and clients to comprehend the legal framework and facilitate informed decision-making in legal matters.
4. Host a Q&A
Lawyers can host live or video-format Q&A sessions on their social media channels to address queries posed by their audience. This can foster trust and establish the practitioner’s credibility with potential clients, while also providing pertinent information to those in search of legal advice.
By facilitating an open forum for communication, legal professionals can enhance their reputation and build stronger connections with their audience, ultimately contributing to the development of a robust and loyal client base. But keep the advice general rather than answering situational examples from your audience.
5. Client Testimonials
Legal professionals can feature client testimonials on their social media platforms to demonstrate their firm’s success and the positive experiences that clients have had with their services. These testimonials can be sourced from platforms such as Google My Business or ReviewSolicitors.
By showcasing their success and expertise in their respective fields, legal practitioners can bolster their reputation and establish trust with potential clients, facilitating the growth and sustainability of their practice.
How can my law firm stay up to date with social media trends and guidelines?
Social media is always changing, so your lawyers need to be up to date with changes too. Content that works well now, might not always get the engagement you are looking for. Our Social Media Manager, Sophia Stancer wrote a blog post at the beginning of 2023 on three trends for social media in 2023 which might be of interest to you.
That’s why social media training and social media guidelines for your firm can be so important. If you need assistance in creating social media guidelines for lawyers at your firm or support in developing a social media strategy for your personal brand, Conscious Solutions can assist you – email sales@conscious.co.uk or call 0117 325 0200 and one of our team will get back to you.
