A recent WordPress theme update forced me to do a massive manual update of the 2,000+ posts on this blog.
Although layout and coding changes always threaten to mangle the appearance of my old posts, the bulk of the content remains, thankfully.
My semi-annual dive into my archives was sobering, with all of the usual angst regarding whether my best years are behind me.
I also noticed that many of the blogs that I used to read have gone silent or disappeared altogether.
I’m not going to rewrite Frank Chimero’s seminal Homesteading Blog, but I will state the obvious – personal blogs, particular law blogs, tend to have a very short lifespan.
There are always the usual concerns about a potential employer (or opposing counsel) finding your blog, but there is something else at work here – Facebook.
Facebook Killed the Blawg Star
Most of the interesting conversations have moved to Facebook.
Instead of writing a blog post, most of my lawyer friends simply use Facebook status updates to pose questions or discuss articles.
The appeal of Facebook is irresistible because it’s easy to use, has notifications, and offers the illusion of privacy.
Although posting exclusively on Facebook is tempting, I think we lose two important things:
- The ability to easily link to and archive our own content, particularly when it is older.
- The networking and reputation management power of your own content.
Why blogging publicly matters
Blogging publicly is an effective way to share your thoughts and experiences with strangers, particularly those within your industry. In addition to expanding your digital presence, blogging also helps you manage your reputation by creating an “official record” of your thoughts and personality.
As an aside – One of the constant struggles I have at work (legal advertising) is when my clients don’t have enough digital content to combat smear campaigns or showcase their expertise. Start blogging now, not when you’re in trouble…
Facebook also creates a false sense of security for lawyers – things are never truly deleted from that platform, and can be screenshotted by anyone.
Additionally, blogging publicly serves an important community service role, especially for minority lawyers who can serve as mentors for rising attorneys and grad students.
I relied on law student blogs heavily when I first started at UMN. Many of these bloggers (and my readers!) have become professional contacts and personal friends.
Most of my favorite law blogs are long gone, and I suspect that there is an entire generation of law students who are missing out on valuable advice and networking opportunities.
Although very few of my posts have anything to do with the law these days, I think there is value in the archive, and continuing to be a role model (of sorts) to the college students who visit these parts annually looking for a guide on how to survive law school.
So I’m around, and I hope more of my lawyer friends will rejoin the public conversation.
Bonus – here’s a blog content calendar to help you guys get started and stay organized.
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