Running an Attorney AMA on Reddit

An AMA, short for “Ask Me Anything,” lets a community question you directly for a set period. Done well, it builds trust and shows how you think. Done badly, it looks like a sales event or becomes an ethics problem. Preparation is everything.

Get permission first

Many communities require moderator approval for AMAs, and some do not allow them at all. Message the moderators well in advance. Explain who you are, your area of practice, your jurisdiction and what you plan to cover. Ask what they require for verification, which often involves proving your identity privately to the moderators. Never skip this step or run an AMA in a community that has not agreed to it.

Choose a useful, narrow topic

“Ask me anything about law” invites questions you cannot safely answer. Try something specific, such as “I handle residential landlord-tenant matters in my state. Ask me how the process generally works.” A narrow topic keeps answers accurate and relevant.

Set ground rules in your opening post

State these clearly at the top:

• You are a lawyer licensed in a named jurisdiction, and you will say so.
• Answers are general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created.
• You cannot answer questions about specific cases or facts.
• Laws differ by location, so readers should consult a lawyer where they live.
• You will not take clients through Reddit and will not respond to private messages seeking representation.

During the session

1. Block out the time and stay present so answers are timely.
2. Answer the general principle behind each question, not the poster’s particular facts.
3. When a question calls for advice, say so kindly and explain what kind of lawyer they might look for.
4. Admit uncertainty. “It depends, and here is on what” is a good answer.
5. Do not argue with critics. Correct errors politely and move on.

Keep promotion out of it

Follow the community’s rules on links. If a short mention of your practice is allowed in your profile or bio, that is enough. Check your bar’s advertising and solicitation rules before you go live, since an online Q&A can fall within them. Never ask friends or colleagues to upvote your thread or plant questions.

Afterward

Thank the moderators and the participants. Review which questions came up most, since they make strong article topics. Leave the thread up so others can find it later.

Your next step

Draft the opening post for an AMA you might someday run: your topic, jurisdiction, and the ground rules above. Then send a short, no-pressure message to one community’s moderators asking whether an AMA would even be welcome.