That was the subject of an e-mail this morning from Jody Padar (@jodypadarcpa). 

And it was the subject of our tweetup last night at the East Asian Bistro in Bowie, Md., with our group of social-savvy CPAs and accounting-related tweeps.

To quote Andrew Rose, “CPAs look at social media like rattlesnakes: They like to look at it but do not want to touch it!”

Yet there is Jody Padar, prominently featured in Forbes, in the article by Kelly Phillips Erb (aka @taxgirl on Twitter). And a shout out to us for our Innovation Summit, CCH Listening Tour, and Beach Retreat.

And @taxgirl tweeted it out to her 17,541 followers. 

What would that be worth to you? To your firm?

In the PR profession, this is called “earned media” — prominent mentions and articles about you (and your firm) that you “earned” versus “paid advertising,” which you buy. You would compare the Forbes piece to the value of advertising in Forbes, and evaluate the mentions (followers) that received this piece.

Social media is THE most effective way to get noticed, build relationships, and increase your exposure. Period!

Still not convinced?

Andrew Rose (@nadenlean and @dentalcpas) got his firm, Naden/Lean, mentioned on the front page of the Wall Street Journal because of his blog and Twitter.

Dan Morris of Morris & D'Angelo (aka @CPAdudes) was featured in a WSJ article the same way.

James Carroll (@jamesuccpa), a sole practitioner in Owings Mills, got several clients from Twitter and Facebook. 

Then there is the rest of the tweeps from last night who I am inviting to offer their wisdom via comments here (@byron_CPA, @CP_eh, @spardata, @AdrianGSimmons, @caseyrecruitsDC, @Adrigonzo).

I have met all of these people via social media and have built real realtionships with them. I probably would have never met them without social media. 

So why aren't more CPAs on social media?

See Bill's earlier post, Be social or be marginalized, and resources to get you kick-started on social!