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.

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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

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-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

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Wanted-lawyer video success story for interview

May the best lawyer win.

Gerry

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I came upon Martindale-Hubbel’s video service and thought you’d want to know what they charge for creating video. Then you can compare it to what I offer and ask yourself which has a better value.

To create a 1 minute video, they charge $3,000. Yes, you read that correctly. A one-minute video. $3,000. Don’t believe me? Click here to see for yourself.

What do I offer?

With my Total Online Video Solution for Attorneys, we make video simple, fun and profitable.

Here’s how I do it.

I PLAN YOUR CONTENT

First, I conduct a personal strategy session with you. During that time I formulate a plan for producing your video content that draws on my 21 years as a medical malpractice trial attorney in addition to my expertise as a nationally recognized expert on Attorney Video Marketing and online video producer.

WE SHOOT YOUR VIDEO

My video crew will then shoot your video content based on our Strategy Session using hi-definition video equipment, professional lighting and microphone, acquiring enough content to make 33 video clips, 2-3 minutes in length each! Yes, you read that correctly. I said “33” video clips. Not 1 or 2 or 5 or even 7, but 33 whopping video clips. Most other video companies want you to create video between 45 seconds to 2 minutes- not us.

Once you’re done creating your video, you’re done! Now, sit back, relax and wait for the videos.

WE DO THE REST

What exactly is “The Rest?” I’m glad you asked, because this is where our unique 10 STEP PROCESS provides much more value than any other Attorney Video Marketing Solution gives you for your money.

THE REST

STEP 1- We start by creating a personalized, custom HD video channel, in essence, your own Branded YouTube for you or your Firm. This allows you to display all your videos in one central location. When viewers want to watch more of your videos, they don’t have to leave your video channel. All your videos are contained right there.

STEP 2- We then integrate your video channel right into your existing website so it looks and feels like it’s part of it.

STEP 3- My Post-Production Specialists professionally edit each of your videos using the latest HD editing software, with each video branded with graphics, intro and tag, with music intro and exit. We also balance audio levels and color correct if needed.

STEP 4- We then encode to the latest specifications and upload your videos directly to your video channel which will become the showcase of your website.

STEP 5- We upload your videos to all the major video sharing sites for mass distribution.

Is that all?

No. That’s just half of the story!

WE GIVE YOU YOUR OWN VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND TEACH YOU TO USE IT LIKE A PRO!

STEP 6- We give you the brand-new HD video equipment we just used to shoot your videos AND we teach you how to use it!

No other video company does this.

We give you a top-of-the line hi-def video camera, soft-box lighting, wireless lavalier microphone and tripod.

Why would we do this? Simple.

So you can create multiple videos any time of day or night. So you can be in the forefront of the online legal world any time there’s breaking news. So you don’t have to wait for a video crew to get to you to shoot your video. Being on the cusp of current legal events and commenting on them will make you stand out. The more videos you create, the better your chances of having your videos watched. That’s the goal, isn’t it? To make your phone ring?

My goal is to make it so simple and easy  for you to create video.

When a new decision comes down, just turn on your camera to talk about it. When a popular drug is taken off the market, you’ll be one of the first to comment on it. Want to comment on an article, blog post or a particular type of case? Just turn on your equipment and start talking. After you’ve done 5 or more video clips, send us the memory card in the mail and we do all the rest!

This way you get the benefit of having 33 videos shot professionally and you also get the benefit of creating more video on your own schedule, any time you like.

STEP 7- You send us your memory card in our prepaid FedEX Envelope and once again my Post-Production Specialists professionally edit your video clips just like before, so each of your videos maintains a consistent and professional look and feel.

WE CRITIQUE YOUR VIDEO BEFORE UPLOADING

STEP 8- Before your own videos are finalized and uploaded, I personally review and critique each one. Where else can you get this personal interaction with one of the best known and well-recognized attorney video guru’s? Nowhere else.

STEP 9- We upload your brand-new videos to your video channel that we created for you.

STEP 10- We upload your brand-new videos to the major video sharing sites and optimize those videos with relevant keywords and descriptions to make them attractive for the video search engines.

Is that all? No. What’s next?

Just like on a shampoo bottle: “Wash, rinse & repeat.”

“Shoot more video, send us your memory card & repeat.”

Does it work?

You bet it does. I’M LIVING PROOF AND HERE’S WHY-

Video forms a bond and trust with your viewer. Video differentiates you from everyone else. Video establishes you as an expert without you ever having to say you’re an expert.

There is no other online video solution for attorneys that is created by a trial lawyer whose entire goal is to help other attorneys get onto video. There is no one offering a program like this at any price and certainly no video producer with over 300 videos online and almost 300,000 combined views.

WE’RE DIFFERENT and that’s really good.

Being different means that we stand out. Being different means that we offer more value for your marketing dollars. Being different means we help you stand out from the crowd and get noticed. That’s the goal, isn’t it? To be noticed; To create content that your viewer wants, that compels them to pick up the phone to ask you for more information.

To see what a smart investment our total online video solution is, I encourage you to call me now at 516-487-8207 or send me an email to: gerry@lawyersvideostudio.com. I welcome your call.

Creating video will be the best return on investment you can make, and I’m living proof of that.

To your success!

Gerry

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The answer is, a really smart personal injury trial lawyer who recognizes how important it is to have a trial lawyer as your video producer.

John Burns was an airline pilot flying wide-bodied jets before he decided to become a personal injury trial lawyer in Southern California. When he decided to create educational video to market his law practice he recognized that there were no video production companies that had a trial lawyer who he could connect with, that understood the type of law he practiced. Until he found me.

He found what I offered so compelling that rather than have him shoot video with a videographer that I personally trained, he decided to fly across the entire country and come to my office so I could direct and produce his videos. Talk about an ego boost! What he learned during our video shoot confirmed his belief that it was vitally important to have a trial lawyer as his video producer. In a few weeks, you’re going to hear John, in his own words on video, describe why he flew cross-country to shoot video with me in the Lawyers Video Studio here on Long Island.

During one of John’s videos he mentioned an area of law that I felt needed to be changed. I stopped him and he corrected the important point he was making. He immediately told me that if this was being done with a regular videographer, there was no way this important nuance would have been picked up, and would likely have been misinterpreted by someone listening to it.

We shot over 40 video clips in one day. A long and very productive day. Congratulations to John Burns and watch for previews of his videos and behind the scenes photos- one of which is posted here.

If you’re interested in the only video coaching group for lawyers in the country, then click here to learn more. If you want to start creating compelling video that will convert online viewers into callers, like John did today, I encourage you to click here to learn more.

Gerry

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Great Legal Marketing, Fairfax Virginia

I am thrilled to be back from a lecture I presented to over 250 attorneys in Fairfax, Virginia about the benefits of creating educational video to market their law practices. Before leaving New York, I had visions in my mind of the crowd going wild; jamming to the music; raising their hands and singing along; demanding more and then of course chanting my name for an encore. Then I woke up and realized it was a daydream of sorts.

Here’s what really happened, and you should read further, because you’ll get that ‘Aha!’ moment shortly.
When I arrived Thursday night at the hotel where the conference was being held, I went to the conference area to scope out the area where I’d be speaking the next day. The crew was setting up for the big event. Now here’s what blew me away. As I walked in the door, about 6 different people shouted to me “Hey Gerry, how are you? Glad you’re here.”

What’s the big deal about that greeting, you ask?
Well, I had never met these people in person before. Ever. But they knew me. They knew who I was the moment I walked in the door. They instantly recognized me and eagerly welcomed me.

What does this have to do with attorney video?
EVERYTHING.
Want to know how they knew me?
From watching my videos. Not one video; not five videos but many of my videos.

“Well, what does being recognized at a legal marketing seminar have to do with marketing my law practice?”

I’m glad you asked. The answer is: EVERYTHING.
Video allows you to create a bond with your viewer.
Video allows you to get a viewer to trust you and become familiar with you.
Video allows you to enter the conversation going on in the mind of your online viewer.

The key to converting online viewers into callers is to know what information they want and need to know, and guess what? It has nothing to do with your credentials.

Want to learn more about what content will compel a viewer to pick up the phone and call? Come join me in my video coaching group; the only video coaching group for lawyers anywhere in the Country. No other video production company teaches lawyers the mindset they need to understand what their online viewer wants and needs. My coaching group is perfect for lawyers who do-it-yourself as well as lawyers who use a video production company to create their videos.

Here are comments made by really smart attorneys after listening to what I had to say:

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All of the traditional forms of  attorney advertising are becoming less and less relevant today, especially since most people go online to get information;  free information.

Cisco, one of the biggest Internet companies in the world responsible for making the Internet work, predicts that within the next 3-4 years video will be the dominant source of information online. The statistics that they actually cite is that 91% of all content online by the year 2014 will be video-based. I’ve seen statistics and comments by people from Google, Yahoo and other leading Internet companies agree that the future of everything online is video-based.

Knowing this, the question is “What can you do with this information?”  If you knew that the stock market would go up or down in a particular year you would have the ability to make sound investment choices (putting aside any issue of insider market trading). Here you have better information, coming from the top Internet companies in the world. All the articles, seminars and blog posts that these companies put out, all point to the direction of video being the dominant way in which people will receive information online in the coming years. Undoubtedly, there will be some people who still rely on text to get their message out. There’s nothing wrong with that.

However, if you are still in the stone ages and keep insisting that your static website is going to convert more viewers into callers compared to lawyers who have video on their website and the video sharing sites, you are sorely mistaken. Your goal, as an attorney who is looking for new clients, would be well advised to get onto video today and tomorrow and the next day.

Video helps you create a bond with your viewer, establishes trust and shows the online world that you are friendly and approachable. Remember, people do business with people. They don’t do business with faceless corporations. It’s okay if you don’t think video is for you, but please remember my words three or four years from now. You don’t want to kick yourself for not creating the best method of communication online, in the most cost-effective manner possible.

For more information about how you can get onto video in a simple, easy and fun way, I urge you to explore my total online video solution for attorneys here.  To learn the mindset of the viewer and how to create compelling content I encourage you to join my video coaching group for lawyers here. It’s the perfect solution for attorneys who are creating video on their own as well as with a video production company.

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In this webinar replay you will learn why creating video is so important to market your practice, distinguish you from all other attorneys and explain why creating video is the best return on your investment anywhere.

Enjoy the webinar, and if you have questions, I encourage you to send me an e-mail at Gerry@lawyersvideostudio.com, or pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207. I look forward to talking with you.

Best regards,
Gerry

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