Rex Gradeless of Social Media Law Student Featued on LexBlog Q & A

Jan 14th, 2009 | By Rex Gradeless | Category: Featured, Social Media

This story was originally published on Real Lawyers Have Blogs.

January 13, 2009 by Lisa Kennelly

Rex Gradeless (@Rex7) of Social Media Law Student [LexBlog Q & A]

Those on Twitter might know Rex Gradeless better as Rex7, the profuse tweeter of links on a variety of topics, many of them social media-related. He also has almost 6,000 followers after just under two months on Twitter, good for a No. 1 ranking on LexTweet.

Rex is a strong supporter of the power of social media, with the evidence to back it up. “The most rewarding part about Twitter is helping others and building relationships,” he says. “I can send out a request and get 5 people willing to help in seconds.”

Rex also blogs at Social Media Law Student, though unlike most bloggers he started on Twitter first and then founded a blog afterward. In his day job, he’s a third-year law student at Saint Louis University School of Law. We caught up with Rex via e-mail for this LexBlog Q&A to ask him about his extensive following, what his job prospects look like post-Twitter and what he’s learned that they don’t teach in law school.

See our e-mail exchange with Rex (after the jump).

Lisa Kennelly: When and why did you join Twitter?

Rex Gradeless: I joined Twitter on November 17, 2008. Hearing about effective uses of Twitter, and social media technologies, made me want to learn more about this service. Initially, Twitter looks bizarre and confusing. After a few minutes, you begin to understand how it works. I joined Twitter because I enjoy learning new things. Choosing a career where I would always be learning new things has always been important for me. That’s one reason I went to law school.

Lisa Kennelly: How did you build your extensive following?

Rex Gradeless: I am best known for sending links to others. I send about 15-20 useful, or interesting, links a day to those following me. These links range from topics including (but not limited to) social media, web 2.0 technologies, lawyer tech tips and legal marketing with social media. From there, I began to talk with those in the legal community and build relationships. People enjoyed my links so much that I quickly gained, and have maintained, a substantial following in the legal community. I now average about 200 new followers per day. Maybe it’s my smile?

Lisa Kennelly: What have you learned/gotten out of it that you didn’t foresee?

Rex Gradeless: The response was overwhelming. I needed to create a blog as a home base for Twitter fast! Most bloggers went from blogs to Twitter whereas I went in reverse! The blog has been incredibly successful. The legal community has helped shape the blog via suggestions from Twitter. This collaborative process is only possible because of social media services like Twitter. Also, the legal community on Twitter is great. They share both their professional and personal sides. I appreciate their mentorship more than they will ever know. They don’t teach this stuff in law school!

Lisa Kennelly: What has been most rewarding about using Twitter?

Rex Gradeless: The most rewarding part about Twitter is helping others and building relationships. Through my extensive network of followers, I have been able to refer people to lawyers. I can send out a request and get 5 people willing to help in seconds. That’s the power of social media. Those in the legal community cannot afford to miss this opportunity. I get to help the legal community learn more about social media and be taught by them as well. The people I have met are astounding. The legal professionals encourage me and give me advice for launching my legal career. I now email some of them on a regular basis.

Lisa Kennelly: How has LexTweet affected your Twitter use (if at all)?

Rex Gradeless: With LexTweet, Kevin O’Keefe has created a place for the legal community to hang out. The site offers a way for viewers to listen in and follow what the legal community is saying. Also, for the new professional to social media, the site offers a listing of those in the legal community so users can follow members of the community that match their interests. I use LexTweet to keep track of what my colleagues are saying and to look for new ones to connect with.

Lisa Kennelly: Do you think it has helped your post-law school job prospects?

Rex Gradeless: Yes. Since using Twitter I have increased my network exponentially. I have been offered a few jobs I was not interested in but will be interviewing for others soon. Because of social media, I have sent four resumes to law firms and lawyers upon their request. These lawyers are from all across the country and they are seeking new litigators. Social media technologies are my hobby; finishing my last semester of law school and beginning my career of serving others is my priority. Hopefully, I will continue to increase my network and obtain a litigation position using these social media technologies. My interview day is every Friday so please tell others to look me up @rex7!