By Brittany Davies
It’s no secret that social media has become a basic tool for survival – personally as well as professionally. It has certainly changed our lives dramatically over the last ten or so years. For instance, I’m 25, so I started off on MySpace in middle school, switched to Facebook in high school, joined Twitter and Instagram freshman year of college, LinkedIn right before graduating, and Snapchat about two years ago. I’ve been “connected” for almost half of my life! It’s virtually impossible to go anywhere in the world and not see someone interacting with another person on their phones. Assisting with the management of Planet Depos’ Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts has reminded me of the important role social media plays in the court reporting field:
A forum to share and stay abreast of the latest news and happenings – LinkedIn and Facebook are especially beneficial for this reason. Court reporters can join industry-specific groups or pages and participate in discussions and share tips and advice. One reporter cited blogs as the most useful tool in staying current on business issues in a recent JCR Weekly newsflash.
A virtual mentor – It has now taken the place of shared office space as the means by which veteran reporters share their knowledge and expertise with newbies in the field.
Spreading the word about the court reporting profession – Social media sure has made it easier to spread the word about the fascinating and rewarding field of court reporting. This is especially meaningful since the demand for court reporters continues to be high. Whether it be posts on Facebook about a court reporting career, or a trending topic like we all saw at the NCAA when Nigel Hayes tried stumping a reporter with uncommon words, it’s becoming easier to disseminate information about the profession.
Whether it’s blogs, LinkedIn or Facebook groups or Twitter feeds focused on court reporting, utilizing these tools will enhance your opportunity for professional growth and development. Additionally, staying abreast of the latest news, posting helpful blogs and/or comments that will benefit court reporters as well as lawyers and legal teams, and remaining transparent can be huge benefits for firms and reporters alike.
However, posts must be carefully reviewed and edited to be free of any mistakes and/or negative comments. Poor grammar and inappropriate posts may damage the reputation of a company/reporter, and ultimately harm its business.
We would love to hear how you use social media to advance your business, skills or career. For more information on the court reporting career, check out our short video here https://planetdepos.com/careers/career-opportunities/
