As most readers may know, Linkedin.com is a very popular business and professional networking site on the web.  In fact, most people use it to stay in touch with their professional contacts; some people use it to promote their businesses; some people use it to network for new jobs, and business related opportunities.  However, as more and more people continue to use Linkedin.com, what can you do to make your profile page stand out from the rest of the pack using the networking site?  If you are currently using Linkedin.com, what if you could add your video to your Linkedin.com profile?   What if you could use any video that promotes your business, or helps the public understand what you offer, and how you can help them?  Well, I recently found a way to do this through using Google Presentation Application in conjunction with Linkedin.com.   The ability to add video to your Linkedin.com profile has only recently become possible so not many people know about this.

For those of you who already have video on your website, and you have uploaded your video to the video sharing sites, uploading video to your Linkedin.com profile is a more creative way to show your contacts who you are, and what you can offer since most of the people on Linkedin.com do not have video on their profiles.  You already invested time and money in your videos so you should maximize their use whenever you can; besides it is free, and helps you stand out to showcase your practice or trade. As everyone knows, each day more and more potential clients and business opportunities are searching Linkedin.com profiles.  In fact, recent statistics have shown steady growth of the use of Linkedin.com world-wide in 2010; some statistics suggest the growth is comparable to what Twitter is doing in growth.  Also, using Linkedin.com is another great way of obtaining “back links” back to your website for those of you concerned about Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  This idea is yet another reason to invest in video if you have not already done so.

In order to get your video on your Linkedin.com profile, you will have to add Google Presentation Application to your profile by clicking on your “add an application” button on your profile.  However, to make it even easier for you, reelsocialmedia.com has done a great video on how to do it step-by-step, and it is available for free on youtube.com.  Just search “How To Add, Embed Video on Linkedin” when you log onto www.youtube.com.  It is easy to follow and should get you rolling in minutes!  If you have any questions, or need to contact me I can be reached at mark@blanelaw.com.  I wish everyone much success with this creative way to display their business videos on Linkedin.com, and I would like to thank attorney Gerry Oginski at www.lawyersvideostudio.com for allowing me to post this guest blog.

About Mark C. Blane, Esq.

The Law Offices of Mark C. Blane, APC
Golden Eagle Plaza
525 B Street, 15th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel:  (619) 858-4772
Fax:  (619) 946-7835
E-mail:  Mark@BlaneLaw.com
Web Site:  BlaneLaw.com
Follow me on Twitter:  twitter.com/blanelaw

Related posts:

1. An Attorney Who Just Doesn’t ‘Get It’ An attorney called me to review a medical malpractice case,...
2. Video Marketing for Attorneys: Video is the Driving Force of Online Content There are some lawyers who still don't get it. They...
3. You’ve Created a Lawyer Video: Here’s How You Should NOT Blog or Tweet About It Here are real quotes from lawyers and legal marketers on...

So what’s the big deal? Not what she said in her voice mail, but what she didn’t say. Importantly, it’s what I heard in between what she was saying that was amazing.

It sounded almost like background noise. Listening carefully, I noticed something familiar about what was being said in the background. Then I heard my name. I realized she was calling me while watching one of my educational videos.

How cool is that? She liked what I was telling her in my video and decided to call to ask questions. That fact confirms what I teach attorneys about how video can be used to convert online viewers into callers.

Ideally, you want your viewers to click on your video, watch it fully and then call you to ask questions. It’s really cool when they call while watching your video.

Want to learn what will convert your online viewers into callers? Come join me in the only video coaching group for lawyers anywhere in the country.

Related posts:

1. Can You Get CLE Credits to Learn About Video Marketing? What’s more important to you? Accumulating CLE credits or learning...
2. Great Legal Marketing: The video lawyer speaks to attorneys I am thrilled to be back from a lecture I...
3. Lawyer Video Marketing- 20 Questions You MUST Ask When Choosing a Video Production Company Brick and mortar stores are creating video. Lawyers are using...

Here’s one way I created a breaking news video just hours after receiving a $1.5 million verdict for podiatric medical malpractice case here in New York. Watch the video to learn more.

After leaving court, I could have kicked myself for not bringing my video camera with me. It would’ve been the ideal time to capture a client testimonial after achieving this remarkable verdict. On the other hand, had the verdict gone the other way, I would definitely have kept the video camera locked in my briefcase to be used for another day. In any event, upon returning to my office, I immediately set up my equipment and created a quick and dirty summary about the case while it was still fresh in my mind.

I shot this video using my new Canon dSLR and even though the lighting and color settings are not perfect, they are more than adequate to get the job done. Content will always trump post-production technique.

So how can you use this in your own practice? Simple.

If there is breaking news in your field of law that your clients or potential clients could benefit from, then you owe it to yourself to create video that will help your viewers understand why this information is important to them. If you do not have the ability to create the video yourself and upload it to your website and video sharing sites, then it is vital that you have an experienced video production team who can get this done for you, without you having to learn anything technical.

That’s exactly why lawyers who participate in my total online video solution love what I offer, since they don’t have to learn anything technical in order to get their videos online. In addition to having their videos professionally done, if they choose the option to purchase the video equipment, then those lawyers have the ability to turn on their equipment at any time of day or night and create fresh new videos that will help their potential clients get fast breaking news. How do we do that? Simple.

After creating five new video clips you simply send us the memory card in a prepaid FedEx mailer and in a very short time you receive an e-mail from us telling you that your videos have been uploaded to your website and to the video sharing sites. That’s it. That’s why participating in this program is so simple, fun and easy. In addition, I offer the only mastermind coaching call for attorneys in order to help you create your content for your video.

To learn more about the total online video solution for lawyers, I encourage you to click here. If you have questions about how my video solution can help you, I urge you to pick up the phone and schedule a phone consultation with me. I welcome your call or e-mail. You can reach me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at Gerry@lawyersvideostudio.com.

Related posts:

1. Lawyer Video Marketing- 20 Questions You MUST Ask When Choosing a Video Production Company Brick and mortar stores are creating video. Lawyers are using...
2. Guaranteed Marketing Failures for Attorneys # Let your yellow pages rep design your ad. Why?...
3. Video Marketing for Lawyers: Admit a Fault Yes. You read that correctly. In your next video, explain...

Canon T2i dSLR camera

If you’ve been following my blog posts, you know I use a Canon Vixia HF S10 to shoot my own videos. Great camera, excellent quality and it does everything it’s supposed to do.

I recently sold my Sony digital camera to a great trial attorney in Virginia (thanks Sandra!) and needed to upgrade. I took the plunge and bought a Canon T2i dSLR. It takes 18 megapixel photos, has a 3″ viewing screen and also takes hi-definition video. I justified my purchase by convincing myself that I could use it to shoot my videos that I make to market my own practice. Oy, what a production.

You may have also seen a recent blog post I did while I was on vacation, testing out my new camera. Yes, I took 938 photos and 35 videos. It was awesome. (Just try color correcting and cropping 938 photos- it’s enough to make you bleary eyed for weeks). Anyway, I recently shot 2 videos about medical malpractice. The videos were about 4 minutes long.

I spent a really long time playing with the settings. Why? Because this is not a ‘point-and-shoot’ camera. It’s not a ‘press the red record button’ and start talking.

First, it has no flip out monitor. That means you can’t tell exactly whether you’re in the frame or not when shooting your own video. That means you have to repeatedly go back and forth to see if where you were standing is good. I could have hooked up a separate TV monitor, but didn’t want to go that route. I wanted to see how easy/difficult it would be without it. Also, the camera doesn’t come with a remote control to press record or stop. Aggh. That means I press record, then walk to where I’ll be taping.

Wait…there’s more. Remember how cool your autofocus function is on your video camera? No matter where you stand, your camera will automatically bring you into focus? Not so with my shiny new dSLR. Why not? Because it’s not a point and shoot camera. You must pre-focus, either manually or by autofocus and press the shutter down half-way.

“But wait!” you scream. “How can I focus on myself, if I have to pre-focus the camera and stand next to the camera to do that?” you ask. A great question! One that perplexed me for some time; especially since I was shooting the video on my own and there was nobody to stand behind the camera and press the shutter half-way. Needless to say, that required a creative solution that I’ll save for my video coaching group (which you are invited to join).

When I played back the videos I was stunned. Amazed. In awe. The quality was magnificent. The depth of field was wild to see on a consumer level video camera. Depth of field is where one object is in focus and everything behind it is blurred. You can often tell the difference between a soap opera, where everything is in focus compared to a feature film where people are often in focus but the background is blurred.

Stay tuned for the herculean effort needed to now get those videos off the camera and into my non-linear video editing software; also known as Final Cut Express.

Final point. If the technical stuff bores you, as I’m sure this will for some attorneys reading this, why trouble yourself figuring out how to do this stuff yourself? Stop wasting your time struggling with getting the video off your camera. Stop trying to get those edits and transitions just right. Don’t worry about how to do lower third graphics with fly-in effects. Have you really gotten those compression settings just right? Do your videos look anamorphic?

Take a breather and pick up the phone to schedule a phone conference with me. 516-487-8207. Go back to doing what you do best; practicing law. Let me take the burden off you. I make creating video fun, simple and easy. Stop struggling and wasting hours of your day. Give me a call. I guarantee it will be eye-opening and refreshing when you realize you don’t need to do this yourself.

Related posts:

1. Considering a dSLR to shoot your attorney video? Dave Kaminski of Web Video University does an excellent job...
2. Lawyer Uses Canon T2i to Shoot 938 photos and 35 videos on Vacation "What kind of wacko takes 938 pictures on vacation?" That's...
3. Monday’s Attorney Video Shoot-Here’s How It Went Attorney Steve Gacovino handles mass-tort, defective drug litigation and personal...

Gerry Oginski's Total Online Video Solution

I was asked this question recently by an attorney who was considering hiring me to create his video. He lived in a large college town and was considering hiring some college students who were learning about video and TV production. He asked a good question: “Can’t I just go to these people and have them shoot my video?”

The answer is, “Of course you could.”

They may know how to create quality video and post it online, but those folks are not experienced trial attorneys. They don’t know what an online viewer is looking for when searching for a lawyer. They won’t know who your ideal client is. If your video producer doesn’t know who your ideal client is and what types of legal problems they have, how can they help you create great content that will compel an online viewer to pick up the phone and call you?

That’s the problem that I see with the majority of attorney video online today. The quality of the actual video is fine. That’s not the problem. It’s the content that is sorely lacking. You are hiring a video producer to help guide you to create not just good content, but great content that will get you noticed online.

Do you really think that college kid who’s a whiz with uploading videos to YouTube will know what you can and can’t say in your video? Will he (or she) know how to enter the conversation going on in the minds of your viewer? If they have no experience as an attorney, how can they possibly figure out what you should be talking about that will convert online viewers into callers?

Sure they can copy other attorneys online and use formats that they think is right. But that’s the same yellow pages mentality that attorneys have used for many years. “If my competitor is doing it, and he’s spending money, then he must be doing something right.” Wrong.

You need to stand out from the crowd. You need to be different and stay within the ethical boundaries of your state’s rules. Can your college kid do that? Will the video producer you hire be able to do that?

I’m different, and it shows.

I am the only veteran medical malpractice trial lawyer who is also an experienced video producer. I am the only trial lawyer who is actively helping other lawyers get onto video to market themselves in the best way possible; using video. My program, The Total Online Video Solution for Lawyers is the only program in the country where we make it simple, easy and fun to create six months worth of video content in one day. Nobody else does this.

I know what online viewers are looking for. I get calls and emails every day from people who have watched my videos and ask for more information. I’m different, and it shows.

Come join me on this great video journey. I want to help you and show you that it can work for you.

Call me at 516-487-8207 or send me an email, Gerry@lawyersvideostudio.com

I welcome your call.

______________

Fairfax Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer, Ben Glass, says, “Gerry Oginski is the master of online video. He’s done more videos than any lawyer out there. The big edge that Gerry has over his competition is that his videos allow consumers to get to ‘know’ him before they even pick up the phone. His use of video on his website and his video blog is amazing.” Ben Glass, Esq., BenGlassLaw.com, Fairfax, Virginia, 703-591-9829

Mark Merenda

Mark Merenda, CEO of SmartMarketing for attorneys says “My clients love the fact that he’s a lawyer and not just some wedding photographer with a video camera.” Gerry’s videos are great! Aside from turning out technically superb pictures, he understands the legal marketing field, the right questions to ask, and the concerns attorneys have about their professional image. I highly recommend Gerry’s services to any lawyer who wants to create an instant bond with potential clients. Mark Merenda, CEO SmartMarketingNow.com Naples, Florida 239-403-7755

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!

Gerry

Related posts:

1. Airline Pilot turned Trial Attorney Shoots Video with NY Video Marketing Expert Gerry Oginski Ask yourself what type of person would fly from California...
2. The John Burns Effect Do you know what the Ken Burns effect is? If...
3. Lawyer Video Marketing- 20 Questions You MUST Ask When Choosing a Video Production Company Brick and mortar stores are creating video. Lawyers are using...

Canon T2i dSLR camera

That’s exactly what my brother asked me when I returned from vacation from the Caribbean after having just purchased the Canon T2i camera with an 18-55mm lens and a 55mm-250mm zoom lens. I was super excited when my camera was delivered the day before we were leaving. I had just sold my previous Sony Cyber Shot DSC F828 camera and had bought the Canon dSLR primarily to shoot video. I am a medical malpractice and personal injury trial lawyer in New York and have created a business where I help lawyers produce educational video to market themselves online. I had been using my Canon Vixia HF S10 video camera to create excellent quality video up until that point.

When the reviews came out about this Canon digital SLR I was fascinated with the fact that it took full high definition video, and importantly had an external microphone input that would allow me to connect my wireless lavalier microphone. This was the perfect opportunity for me to try out the camera’s functions, quality and importantly, video capability.

Another dolphin to swim with

The primary reason for buying this particular camera is that it allows me to create depth of field when shooting video. Standard video cameras keep everything in focus. This dSLR allowed you to have your video image crystal clear in the front, and had your background blurred to create depth of field. The difference is remarkable and is comparable to watching daytime soap opera or watching a feature length movie.

This camera has a super-fast high speed shutter and high-speed exposure, up to a maximum of 3200 ISO. It shoots 3.7 frames per second in continuous shooting mode. The camera comes with a very smart booklet on photography that provides a quick read that explains what the different settings are on the camera. Importantly, it shows you how you can utilize those settings with actual photo results.

Swimming with the dolphins

We were away for five days and I was actually stunned by the quality of the 18 megapixel photographs that were showing up on the 3 inch LCD screen on camera. The low light capability was incredible. We were in a steak restaurant for my mother-in-law’s birthday, and the lighting was very dim. The pictures I took that evening in the restaurant were among the most memorable.

We took the kids to swim with the dolphins one morning and I’m extremely pleased that this camera had the ability to shoot high speed photos and take great action shots. My wife was getting frustrated since she has a small point and shoot camera and every time the dolphin would jump in the air and do tricks she would miss the shot since her camera took too long to compose the picture, autofocus, and then take the picture. My camera was able to take beautiful, crystal-clear photos and video of action shots showing the dolphin in midair and interacting with my kids.

Swimming with the dolphins

The 18 mm-55 mm lens produced great quality photo and video images. There was abundant light generated from this lens that I was really happy with. The zoom lens worked perfectly. It was a perfect complement to the smaller lens.

The settings are easy to learn, and even my eight-year-old became very proficient at shooting great quality photos and video with this camera. Each of my kids had a chance to play around with the camera and each of them said “Dad, this camera is great and takes great pictures.”

Don’t worry, I won’t show you all of my vacation photos…only some of them

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Gerry

Related posts:

1. Why You Should Not Use a dSLR to Shoot Your Attorney Video If you’ve been following my blog posts, you know I...
2. Considering a dSLR to shoot your attorney video? Dave Kaminski of Web Video University does an excellent job...
3. Do You Need a High-End Video Camera? Shooting video is really simple now. We have the Flip...

Why does attorney video do so well online and convert online viewers into callers?

For the very specific reason that people with legal problems go online to get information. When they search for information about their problem, you have an opportunity to educate them about their problem. You have the chance to enter the conversation going on in their mind with a video. You can’t do that with traditional forms of attorney advertising.

To learn more about how you can benefit from creating educational attorney video, explore my blog here, and my Total Online Video Solution for Lawyers.

_____________

Here’s a really nice comment from Alex Valencia, marketing director of We Do Web Content.  Here’s what he had to say after hearing me speak at Ben Glass’ Great Legal Marketing super conference in Virginia in June 2010…

“You are super passionate about what you do…You stole the show! I felt inspired after hearing you talk.”

Alex Valencia

“Gerry,

You made video seem fun and simple. It’s a way to laugh at yourself and allow for others to see you as a person and not just a company. Your success gave us the push we needed to take action.

After listening to your presentation, we began outlining topics for our company’s videos and immediately created a YouTube page. Like you, we understand the value of content. We also understand that by educating our potential clients you can more easily win their trust and hopefully their business. Nowadays content is your sales person and you’ve got to be out there. Videos can be the next big thing to meeting in person. Thanks so much!”

Alex Valencia

Director of Sales

We Do Web Content

Fort Lauderdale, FL

O. 954-617-2148

C. 954.648.0565

E. alex@wedowebcontent.com

Related posts:

1. Great Legal Marketing: The video lawyer speaks to attorneys I am thrilled to be back from a lecture I...
2. Video Marketing for Lawyers: The Day I Became a Marketer I had an "Aha" moment about two years ago. I...
3. The John Burns Effect Do you know what the Ken Burns effect is? If...

Don’t get me wrong. I like listening to boring CLE lectures as much as the next attorney. I’m required to rack up a certain number of CLE credits each year, just like you.  I like having the same speakers talk about the same trial tactics seminars I’ve been listening to for more than 21 years. Don’t get me wrong…I’ve learned a lot from these attorneys. I’ve also gone to ‘marketing’ seminars put on by the bar associations with these same personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers. I honestly can say that I have not learned much there. I wish someone had instead directed me to Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer (direct response marketers that teach other people how improve their bottom line).

Over the last year, as I began to fine-tuned my total online video solution for attorneys, I wanted to get the word out to fellow attorneys who could benefit from video marketing that was making my phone ring. I have lectured to attorneys at the New York City Bar Association in Manhattan about medical malpractice law. I have created CLE approved lectures both in person and on video, discussing medical malpractice in New York. I have also been invited back to lecture on the same topic. In fact, I am lecturing to attorneys this month, July 15, 2010, at the NYC Bar Association about medical malpractice law. Thinking that I could offer attorneys useful information about video marketing, I approached the New York City Bar Association and the NYS Trial Lawyers Association.

Each has a committee that vets topics deemed worthy. That’s understandable. They don’t want their attorneys to be inundated and bored to death with topics they can’t use or relate to. Also, they have to be able to offer CLE credit to their members and there are various requirements needed to justify approving CLE credits. Also understandable.

When I suggested that I present a seminar about video marketing for attorneys and have other legal marketing experts talk to attorneys about how to market their practice, the response was eye-opening. The NYC Bar was quite clear. They said they do not want a seminar where attorneys or marketers are pitching or selling their services to their members. Not even if the material was educational and informational only. “Hmmm,” I thought. Rejected. Ok. Maybe the NYS trial lawyers would have a different take on it.

I was wrong. The seminar topics were selected two years in advance and they didn’t see a need for topics on attorney marketing. However, they did offer an alternative. They said I could become a preferred vendor and appear outside each of the seminars in order to promote my service. “No thanks,” I replied.

I finally realized that the bar associations didn’t want to run marketing seminars since they could not justify giving CLE credit. That’s understandable. I finally realized that attorneys who want to learn about my services and how they can benefit from video marketing can learn tons of useful stuff from my online webinars, live seminars, video blog articles, my video coaching group for attorneys (the only video coaching group for lawyers in the country) and my Total Online Video Solution for Attorneys. Oh yes, they can also contact any one of the attorneys who have used my services and ask them personally what they thought.

You can be sure that the next time you hear me speak about video marketing for attorneys at a seminar, that my content has never been given to any bar association for CLE credit. What’s more important to you? Accumulating CLE credits or learning how to improve your bottom line and convert online viewers into callers?

The decision, as always, is yours. Choose wisely.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!

Gerry

Related posts:

1. Attorney Video Marketing is Complicated-Learn Why Why is creating lawyer video to market your practice so...
2. Video Marketing for Lawyers: “Change Your Clothes!” The emperor had a change of clothes and so should...
3. Gerry Oginski Interviewed by LawLine.com Meredith Ganzman Early this month, I gave a CLE seminar on medical...

-You Can't Find This Newspaper Anywhere But Here-

Do you know what the Ken Burns effect is? If you’re a photo buff, you will. It’s where your photo editing program magically takes a still photo and creates movement to make it appear as if it’s a moving image. It’s really cool to see during a slide show. Ok, now you know what a Ken Burns effect is, but what is the John Burns effect?

I’m glad you asked. It’s when a really smart attorney recognizes that the only person to create video for him is a veteran trial lawyer who’s also an experienced video producer. The John Burns effect is where a lawyer realizes that it’s so important to create video with a producer who ‘gets it’ that he (or she) is willing to fly across the entire country just to create their educational video. That’s the John Burns effect.

To give you an idea of who John Burns is, here’s a photo of him in the Lawyers Video Studio creating tons of useful content.

Attorney John Burns

We’re shooting video with a green chroma-key background. You can see the video camera and wireless microphone sitting on a tripod. Notice the lights all around him? Illumination is the key.

Once you recognize that your video producer is the key to creating compelling content, you too will understand the John Burns effect.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Gerry

Related posts:

1. Airline Pilot turned Trial Attorney Shoots Video with NY Video Marketing Expert Gerry Oginski Ask yourself what type of person would fly from California...
2. Behind the scenes at Monday’s Attorney video shoot In these photos, you see action behind-the-scenes as we create...
3. USING VIDEO AS A MARKETING STRATEGY: DOS AND DON’TS FOR DIY LAWYERS In this month's ABA Law Practice journal magazine, the featured...

Wanted-lawyer video success story for interview

May the best lawyer win.

Gerry

Related posts:

1. Video Marketing for Lawyers-Give It Away For Free Give the information away for free in order to get...
2. Internet Marketing Success Story – Attorney Gerry Oginski Kelly Spradley from Impirus legal websites just profiled all the...
3. Lawyer Video Marketing- 20 Questions You MUST Ask When Choosing a Video Production Company Brick and mortar stores are creating video. Lawyers are using...