Enough is enough. Every 37 minutes, some social media guru posts 10 rules for blawging and/or twitting. Why they think they have a clue is beyond me. Is it because they have wildly successful law practices? Uh, no. In fact, most don’t practice law at all, sometimes because the gendarmes would get a little miffed if they tried.
Is it because they have blawgs that are so widely respected that no judge would write an opinion without first checking their archives? Uh, no. In fact, most don’t write anything about the law at all, unless you consider marketing a law practice to be substantive. And if they weren’t followed by all their buddies in the social media guru club, their total readership could be counted on one hand.
So, given the total absence of qualifications needed to create a list of the absolutely mandatory, obligatory, can’t-live-without criteria to be as wildly successful as they are, I have decided to create the definitive list. No need to look at another top 10 list. This is it.
1. Turn on your computer sufficiently in advance of typing out your brilliant thoughts so that it has a chance to boot.
2. Get online. This is mandatory. It’s just how it works.
3. Read stuff about the law. Trust me, this will come in handy later.
4. Be acutely aware of the date. If something you read was written more than 3 years ago, it is highly likely that someone else has already written about it, if it’s worthy of writing about at all.
5. Read something that you find interesting. It makes it far easier to have a thought about something when it’s interesting to you.
6. Think about it. There is no prescribed time period for this step, but it is suggested that you continue to do so until you have a thought of your own.
7. Think again. Having a thought of your own isn’t as easy as you think. Or thought.
8. Put fingers to keyboard, then stop. Remember that no one knows what you’re really thinking until they see what you’ve written. They may think you a fool, but it’s up to you to prove it.
9. Tap keys with letters, numbers or symbols, or the big one at the bottom with nothing on it, so that words appear in your native language.
10. Write something important, brilliant, informative or, at the very least, interesting to you. If anyone else thinks it’s interesting, they will read it as well.
Voila, you’re a success, or at least as successful as you will ever be. There are no other rules. You are now fully prepared to strike out on the internet and make your fortune. No need to thank me, but please send your entire social media budget to me immediately so that I can continue my fine work.
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11. Profit!
The social media guru code of conduct precludes any mention of the “p” word. Besides, we do this for the betterment of society, not for filthy lucre. We are great humanitarians.
12. Promote it. Get the word out one way or another.
I saw that coming! I’m not as far along the path as you. I think your comment is correct. I have found that getting the word out on a recent blog article can help it some, for a while. I imagine once established as you are here, that would be less important. So – I’d propose that while the quality of the post is the most important thing (agree), the reputation of the blog (or blogger) has some influence on a post being read. If the latter is still being developed, perhaps a little promotion, for few days after a post, is in order?
Perhaps if we substituted “joined the conversation” for promotion, it would achieve the desired goal without any of the tawdriness?
Point taken. As we lawyers know, choice of words is important. For me, “promotion” has been joining the conversation – by searching for related posts and commenting with a link to my post on the same topic. The promotion has gotten a bad name, I fear!
With rare exceptions, I tend not to allow commenters to post their own links here. But I will tell you what catches my attention. Every morning, I check for links to SJ from places unknown, and I will then take a look to see what’s up. That often leads me to learn about new blogs, and if they are any good, I tend to write about it or add them to my blogroll. There’s always room for more quality ideas in the conversation.
I appreciate the insights. I’m new to this pursuit, but find it great satisfying. I’m learning from you, among others. You did allow a link to my blog, a few days ago. I read yours more closely, liked it, and added it to my blogroll. I think you are right about quality ideas. Ink has gotten cheaper, and speech more free – but quality has not increased nearly as much! I have worked as a writer and editor (in addition to and as part of the real job – lawyering) for decades. (So I understand the importance of editing.) I find Simple Justice to be top quality – I’m a fan. Thanks.