Saturday, May 30, 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Microsoft challenges Google with Bing

Microsoft challenges Google with it's new Bing search engine says NY Times http://htxt.it/dhRG

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Great Debate: Blogging Vs. Twitter- Which is a Better Time Investment?

Posted by Amanda Walsh

This blog post, 19 Reasons You should Blog and Not Just Tweet from Adam Singer at The Future Buzz, caught my eye recently. He highlights the importance of keeping up with blogging while everyone seems to be jumping on the Twitter bangwagon. Here at The PR Lawyer, we have been fans of Twitter for a while now, but I agree with Singer´s reasons for not neglecting your professional/ company blog.

Twitter, is the popular “micro-blogging” service that allows users to “tweet” or post 140-character messages answering the question, “What are you doing?” Singer points out that although Twitter is a great tool to post links and quick updates, that blogging is the “the strongest platform if you’re serious about sharing ideas and having a continued dialog with the world.”

He explains that blogging and tweeting should be done in conjunction, but the long term commitment for a company or professional should be to blogging not tweeting. I’d like to highlight some of his reasons below because I think he has some important points.

  1. Having a blog with regular updates shows dedication to your industry. Those who stay committed to posting frequently can easily become thought leaders in their field, whether it´s public relations, marketing, and/or social media expertise.
  2. Blogs allow for easy retrival of archived articles that can be valuable resources to consult later.
  3. Blogs allow for more control over content and presentation of your work. (Plug-ins for example)
  4. Twitter´s content is “snack-sized” while blogs provide a ¨square meal¨ to the readership.
  5. A blog provides multiple ways to reach viewers through RSS or E-mail updates as well as full analytics of blog traffic and search engine optimization
  6. A well organized and informational blog can be a link that other Twitter users are posting and tweeting about, thus giving you double the exposure.
  7. If a blog continues to provide fresh, interesting content for readers, it should be able to withstand the rise and fall of new networking sites that can be popular one day and turn into old news the next week. It remains to be seen if Twitter is here to stay.
While Twitter is great for connecting with other users, drawing readers and drumming up interest, I agree with Singer that blog wrtiting and development should take precendent over Twitter because a blog is your material in your personal web space.

Lastly, Singer notes that while blogging has lost a lot of its original appeal in the long run it will still prove more helpful than Twittering will be when done alone. Ultimatelythose interested in long term growth should maintain a presence on Twitter while maintaining their blogging.

Monday, May 18, 2009

20 Twitters for Lawyers

20 Twitters for Lawyers in today's Legal Intelligencer Blog by Gina Rubel http://bit.ly/nAaIT

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

PR tip today: Follow HARO

PR tip today: Follow Peter Shankman via @HARO (Help A Reporter Out) - publishes email & Twitter media queries. http://www.helpareporter.com/

Monday, May 11, 2009

Lawyers in Transition 2.5 Credit CLE – 5/13/09 - Philadelphia

As with so many industries, some sectors of the legal profession have been hit hard by the economy. As a result, a team of industry leaders has been assembled by the Philadelphia Bar Association Law Practice Management Division to assist lawyers who are either looking for employment or who are considering new ways to further their legal careers during the economic downturn. The program will also assist those who counsel lawyers on how they can find employment and continue to practice law in the interim. I will be there to address public relations and marketing for lawyers and will answer questions about media relations.

"Lawyers in Transition," is a 2.5-credit CLE program designed to help struggling attorneys get back on their feet on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. It will take place at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s CLE Conference Center, Wanamaker Bldg., 10th Floor, Ste. 1010, in Philadelphia.

Some of the topics to be covered include:

Suddenly Solo: Legal and medical insurance, equipment purchases, whom to notify and how, practical aspects of going and staying solo, going solo temporarily and the ethical aspects of communicating with former clients.

Marketing Yourself: Getting new clients, working with existing clients and the ethical considerations of public relations and marketing for lawyers.

Looking for a Job: Using placement services, interviewing techniques, dealing with stress and the ethical concerns.

The faculty includes:
Daniel J. Siegel, Esq., President, Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC, Havertown
Mary Platt, Esq., Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP, Philadelphia
Ellen Freedman, CLM, Law Practice Management Coordinator, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Harrisburg
Kenneth J. Hagreen, Esq., Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., Camp Hill
Elizabeth Lloyd, Executive Recruiter - Litigation Consultant, Ajilon Professional Staffing, Philadelphia
Susan G. Manch, Shannon & Manch LLP, Washington, D.C.
Gina F. Rubel, Esq., Furia Rubel Communications, Inc.
Barbara S. Rosenberg, Esq.
Gina Sage, Senior Account Executive, USI Affinity, Philadelphia

It should also be noted that in furtherance of PBI's goal of assisting attorneys who find themselves in transition and are looking for work during these difficult times, PBI is pleased to offer this program at a substantially reduced fee. In addition to the reduced fee, those who cannot afford to pay for the seminar may attend at no cost. PBI will not require verification for this opportunity; you simply need to check the box appropriate to you.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Judge the Judges: The Philadelphia Bar Association Wants your Feedback

Posted by Katie Noonan

The Philadelphia Bar Association's Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention is conducting a poll regarding Common Pleas and Municipal Court judges who will be standing for retention election in November 2009.

The poll closes at 5 p.m. this Friday, May 8. Attorneys interested in submitting their ballot should click here.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Lawyer Ethics & Facebook

A lawyer cannot hire a third person to send a “friend request” to a witness http://htxt.it/Fbx0 in an attempt to gather information.

Check out Doug Cornelius' article at [http://htxt.it/Fbx0] addressing the Philadelphia Bar Association Professional Guidance Committee Opinion.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

LMA Webinar 5-4-09 -

LMA Webinar 5-4-09 - Presenting How 15 Minute Investments will Increase your Productivity by 30% with Neen James http://htxt.it/jAWp