Business

Untapped Opportunities in Social Media during Covid-19 by Mirko

Published

6 years ago

April 20, 2020

Social media expert, Mirko La Rosa, advises business owners on how to take advantage of social media platforms during the coronavirus pandemic

There is no doubt that these are tough times individuals and business in the world over. However, it is not all gloomy at least for business, according to social media expert, Mirko La Rosa. With rapidly changing market conditions due to COVID-19, communicating with customers via social media has become more important. According to Mirko, it is important for businesses to note that the pandemic has led to changes that should reflect their communication style with customers.

Importance of Social Media in a Crisis like the Coronavirus Pandemic

According to report by eMarketer, Facebook recorded a 70% increase in the usage of all of its apps in March. This reveals that people are turning to these apps to keep them entertained, connected, and informed while they stay at home due to the pandemic. In response to the development, marketers are turning to methods like email and social media to continue to build a brand and engage customers.

With the statistics coming from different social media platforms and the increase in their usage, it has become imperative for brands need to approach all their marketing, social media included, in an intentional way.

Know The Audience

The importance of this point cannot be overemphasized and it has become even more critical during times of crisis like this. Businesses need to understand their audience and relate with them in the best possible way to appeal to their feelings.

Focus Less on the Business, More on The Customers

Every business owners pay a lot of attention to their businesses and this point does not suggest that the KPIs should be totally forgotten. However, focusing more on the customers is more important during a global pandemic.

Explore New Things

Now is the time for businesses to look at other social media strategies and platforms that they have always wanted to use or explore. Expanding the social media reach to new channels would also help businesses to test new content and the response of their audience to the strategy.

It is worth noting that this could be a bit confusing, particularly for business owners that are not too tech savvy. However, with the relatively abundant time available, things will get better with increased usage.

The tips from Mirko La Rosa as mentioned are just some of the many ways of getting more from social media amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

5 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.