Rodney & Etter, LLC Joins Social Media Networks Roy J. Rodney, Jr.*

September 7, 2011 - 3 minute read

According to a report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project referenced on www.capefearbusiness.com, fully 65% of adult internet users now say they use a social networking site like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn, up from 61% one year ago.  Further, while the frequency of social networking site usage among young adult internet users under age 30 was stable over the last year, among the Boomer-aged segment of internet users ages 50-64, social networking site usage on a typical day grew a significant 60% (from 20% to 32%).

Similar trends are evident among businesses.  A January 2011 report by the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts found that the usage of social networks by the Inc. 500 saw explosive growth in 2010 with 83% of the companies using at least one of the social media sites.   Among small businesses, a recent study by small-business insurer Hiscox found that many small businesses weren’t using social media channels to promote their businesses and products.  Only 12% of businesses described social media promotion as a must and nearly 50% of respondents aren’t using social media at all.

So what does this mean for a small law firm like Rodney & Etter, LLC?  Over the past several months, we have become convinced that an active presence in the digital marketplace is both appropriate and necessary.  Rodney & Etter is proud of our reputation for innovative, quality solutions to complex legal questions, whether that be in the defense of toxic tort class action cases, or successfully filing the first trademark protection for Mardi Gras Indian costumes, or defending the Orleans Parish School Board in a difficult school violence case.  We strongly believe that our capabilities can serve well beyond southern Louisiana, and we believe an actively managed social media presence, coupled with the support and word-of-mouth recommendations of past clients, colleagues, and friends, can enable us to grow and serve new markets.

So, Rodney & Etter is pleased to announce that it has joined the ranks of the social media users!  You can find each of our attorneys – Roy J. Rodney, John K. Etter, Norlisha Parker Burke, and Janis W. Lemle – and the firm on LinkedIn, and we have a Fan page on Facebook.  We are kicking off a weekly blog – Rodney and Etter Law Watch – where we will be posting new ideas, discussion of news items, and other topics of interest to you, our friends, clients and colleagues.   We invite you to “link,” “friend” and “follow” us as we all grow and learn through the wonders (and occasional challenges) of the digital world.