As a social media professional, I understand the value of excellent customer service. It’s always important to be flexible. A client might need to change a schedule at the last minute; I can usually say “yes” to that. Or a social media campaign requires revision to meet new budgetary constraints.
I can say “yes” to that too. There really is very little I’ll refuse to do as long as it’s possible. Meeting and exceeding expectations for each customer is important to me. And it certainly helps with “word of mouth” recommendations!
Customer service can be challenging, though. Sometimes, a client pressures me to go beyond what’s possible. Maybe they want to get some “extras” without paying for the services. Some can go as far as asking for things they really shouldn’t. In those rare moments, I must respectfully decline. As much as I strive to please all my clients, there’s a line of integrity that I will not cross. And when an attorney asks me to testify on a case with the answer they want to hear instead of the evidence I found, I have to say “no.”
The Truth is the Best Strategy in a Digital Media Lawsuit
Some attorneys specialize in social media cases. And it makes sense because lawsuits and arguments around copyright law and online advertising are increasing. Lawyers focusing on internet marketing and digital media court cases have specialized knowledge. But it’s usually a different knowledge base than the expertise required for social media forensics. That’s why lawyers contact me in the first place. They need the best expert witness to help dig deep and get to the facts. And whatever the facts are, that is what I provide.
If an attorney reaches out to me with a specific narrative in mind, I can’t promise to deliver. I do my own research, and if their assumptions are validated, then great! We are on the same page. But if I find something different, that’s the evidence they get. It may not always be what they want to hear, but they can be sure it’s my professional truth.
My digital media background involves teaching, writing books, and consulting. I have developed a robust set of thorough forensic SEO practices. I spend plenty of time attending conferences and learning about new developments in the Internet environment. But that’s not all I bring to the courtroom. As an adjunct professor of SEO for 20 years, I know how to share complicated details about internet marketing with a jury. This can include telling stories and using humor (when appropriate) to help humanize the discussion. I have precise data and can bring graphs and visuals to provide the bigger picture for a judge and jury. My online presence is easy to find, too: https://www.jasonmcdonald.org/.
Personal Integrity is My Bread & Butter
Credibility is vital to my career. It’s why my clients call me again and again. Personally, this profession is also how I support my family. My reputation is essential to my livelihood. When I refuse to manipulate evidence, it’s not only because it’s wrong, but it will impact those I love as well. There are consequences to false testimony. An expert witness who is not truthful in a deposition or lies on the stand can face the crime of perjury. As much as I want to support my clients with a strong and favorable expert testimony, I cannot allow that to happen.
Here is a small article on the legal consequences for expert witnesses giving false statements: https://www.expertinstitute.com/resources/insights/false-expert-statements-legal-consequences-for-expert-witnesses-and-attorneys/.
When it comes down to it, there are many requests I can say “yes” to. When As an SEO expert witness, here are a few of the cases I can provide relevant, fact-based analysis of SEO issues in state or federal court;
Trademark Infringement
Domain Names
Customer Confusion
Intellectual Property
Copywrite Infringement
Internet Advertising and Pay-Per-Click ads (PPC)
Online Defamation
You can also call me a Google Ads expert witness or a Digital Marketing expert witness. I’ll answer to Social Media expert witnesses, too! I’m pretty agreeable. Attorneys are free to contact me and tell me about their case. If it’s a situation I can help with, my answer will most likely be “Yes!”
