Comments on: Should you put ads on a lawyer blog?

By: Beth Grimm

Beth Grimm — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:38:40 +0000

Has it not occurred to anyone that selling advertising space on a law blog might be of concern from an ethical standpoint? State Bar rules have regulations relating to affiliations, referrals and promotion of and engaging in non-attorney business relationships including sharing office space with and partnering with non-lawyers. This is something that occurred to me. Am wondering whether anyone has requested a State Bar opinion on this.

By: Beth Grimm

Beth Grimm — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:38:00 +0000

By: Grant Griffiths

Grant Griffiths — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:38:34 +0000

It would appear we can all agree that whether ads are appropriate or not on a professional service firm blog depends on its audience. And then are the ads relevant to and do they add to the conversation and topic being discussed on the blog.

Someone on twitter today made a key statement, “aren’t a firm’s blog really an advertisement in and of itself?”

If that is the case, are they distracting from their own mission by sending visitors to other sites? I do believe this is a question that must be answered by each individual blogger. And they must weigh whether running ads are worth whatever negative feelings they may create.

Thanks to everyone for commenting on this post. And to Carolyn for starting the conversation over at your blog too.

By: Grant Griffiths

Grant Griffiths — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:38:00 +0000

Someone on twitter today made a key statement, “aren’t a firm’s blog really an advertisement in and of itself?”

Thanks to everyone for commenting on this post. And to Carolyn for starting the conversation over at your blog too.

By: Andrew Flusche

Andrew Flusche — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:54:44 +0000

I'll bite on this one: A blog has to fit its purpose. If you're a lawyer, your blog's purpose is hopefully to attract visitors and convert them into clients. I think advertising any other services or products on your blog takes away from the primary (and most important) purpose: gaining clients. Maybe there is a hypothetical situation where the ads could serve the client base and help boost the lawyer's reputation, but I think that's really just an intellectual exercise. 99.9% of lawyer bloggers aren't going to find that perfect ad opportunity, if it even exists for them. Andrew Flusche´s last blog post..Stafford County Traffic Court Lawyers

By: Andrew Flusche

Andrew Flusche — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:54:00 +0000

By: Zane Safrit

Zane Safrit — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:38:33 +0000

I don’t understand. These issues aren’t specific for attorney’s blogs. Mommie blogs or camo-hunting gear blogs or sports blogs or political blogs…if the content isn’t compelling then there’s no audience.

To the extent that a blogger serves an audience and their needs, then there’s an audience, a growing audience. And if not, then…not. If their content serves only them, then their audience is an audience of 1, them.

And no audience, means no reason to advertise, except as an act of pity/generosity for the blogger.

And if your targeted audience is one that frequents lawyer blogs or another professional service blog, why would you not want to advertise there? And vice versa. Why would the attorney not want to advertise at your blog?

I don’t think lawyer blogs and their authors operate under any different rules than any other blogs.

Zane Safrit´s last blog post..Creating Your Own Aha Moment

By: Zane Safrit

Zane Safrit — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:38:00 +0000

And no audience, means no reason to advertise, except as an act of pity/generosity for the blogger.

I don’t think lawyer blogs and their authors operate under any different rules than any other blogs.

Zane Safrit´s last blog post..Creating Your Own Aha Moment

By: Laurie/HaloSecretarial

Laurie/HaloSecretarial — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:41:26 +0000

Great discussion! I think Carolyn has some great points, but I do know that in MY position (which is that of not that established and trying to market a professional service) I have no intention of putting any such advertising on my business blog. I do have a small banner related to a forum I belong to that provides helpful content in line with my services, and that is as close as I will come. Laurie/HaloSecretarial´s last blog post..Lawyers Taking on Twitter

By: Laurie/HaloSecretarial

Laurie/HaloSecretarial — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:41:00 +0000