1. USE A COMPANY THAT HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD

It goes without saying that you want a company that has experience creating, producing and editing videos for lawyers. I can tell you that there are about five web video companies that, in my opinion, do a great job creating video. However, don’t let the lowest bidder dictate which company to use.

Why not? Because the price includes experience and the knowledge of how to make really good video that will showcase you as an attorney. There are many companies that know how to shoot video, edit it and upload it. The key, in my opinion is who is producing your video. That brings me to Tip #2.

2. USE A COMPANY THAT HAS A LAWYER AS THE VIDEO PRODUCER

Admittedly, I say that because I am an attorney in practice for over 20 years representing injured victims of medical malpractice, wrongful death and personal injury in New York.

There are a lot of good video producers; some of whom come from the film industry or from television. They produce good quality video. However, I have found that those producers don’t have a true understanding of what an online viewer looks for when searching for an attorney.

As an attorney, you know who your ideal client is. Does your producer? Most producers are not attorneys. You know your content and know what clients typically ask when they come in with a legal problem. Does your producer know how a person with a legal problem searches online for an attorney?

3. USE A COMPANY THAT KNOWS HOW TO CREATE CLEAR, CONCISE, EDITED VIDEO

I was recently asked to evaluate a video that a marketing company made for a attorney. From a technical standpoint, the video was excellent. However, from a content standpoint and from an editing viewpoint, the video was awful. The video lasted 3:30 minutes. It had a lot of fluff and useless information.

You should watch many of the videos that a company has created before deciding whether that video company is right for you. By the way, don’t let your video producer decide what content to put into your video. Why not? Because you know what your potential clients need to hear. Your producer does not.

4. USE A COMPANY THAT DOESN’T SPLASH THEIR NAME ALL OVER YOUR VIDEO

I know of one major company (whose name I will not discuss here) who blasts their name all over each video they make. Their name is embedded within the video and you are stuck with their logo and name wherever you post your video.

Your video company should be in the background. You are the star. Why should they get free publicity from your video?

5. USE A COMPANY THAT TELLS YOU HONESTLY WHAT THEY THINK OF YOUR CONTENT

I know some companies that will “Yes” you to death.
“Does this look good?” “Yes.”
“Do I really want a moving background?” “Trust me, you do.”
“Is my content good?” “Yes.”

Forget what you want to hear. You need an honest critic before your video goes live. It’s easy for a video company to take your video, put it online, and tell you it looks great. Then 6 months later you wonder why your video has gotten only 12 views. You want an honest opinion of your content and your edited footage.

CONCLUSION:

There are some good web video companies out there. You need to know which one is right for you before spending your hard-earned money. Don’t let price alone guide your choice. Look to the producer and see if they really know what viewers look for when searching for an attorney in your geographic area. Obviously, being an attorney with over 20 years of experienced gives me a leg up in that area. The fact that I’ve created over 170 educational and informative videos for my website also helps.

If you need help getting onto video, then I strongly recommend you explore the Lawyers’ Video Studio to learn how video can help you market your legal services. If you just need a bit of guidance to do it yourself, I can help. If you need a turn-key, all-in-one service where all you do is show up for the video shoot and I handle the rest, then I can help as well. Call me at 516-487-8207 or by email at lawmed10@yahoo.com.

Till next time, see you on video!

Rhode Island bankruptcy attorney Mark Buckley is Driving While Videotaping, and the proof is in his YouTube video. Buckley holds the video camera with one hand and driving with the other. Plus Buckley can’t look the camera in the eye because he’s too busy driving and watching traffic.

To read the full review click here at Technolawyer Blog.

I found this video from Morrison & Wagner while looking for a newly uploaded attorney video. I watched it once. Then twice, then three times. A few days later, I came back to it again after reading the lawyer section of my local Yellow Pages. I couldn’t believe the similarities.

All the Yellow Pages ads say basically the same thing:

“Have you been injured?”
“Free consultation”
“Free parking”
“No fee unless successful”
“Over 60 years combined experience”

To read the full review, click here.

I like when a lawyer gives helpful information in their title. It encourages me to click on their video. Before watching the video however, I look to the sidebar to see how they describe their video. Attorney Mark Humphreys gives limited information, but still provides his phone number and Web site for easy contact.

As soon as the video starts to play, he introduces himself. I like that and he’s off to a good start. “If you or your business has been harmed by a big insurance company, there’s a good chance we can help you make it right.” Ok, I’m listening.

“Keep in mind that insurance companies make money when they don’t pay a claim.” Interesting information. He then offers viewers five tips on what to do when your claim is denied. Even better. So what’s the problem with the video?

Click here to find out.

Technolawyer publisher and online video producer Neil Squillante has some interesting comments about this video:
“If he regularly beats insurance companies, he should have enough money for a well-tailored suit.” Read the full review to find out what he means.

Ron Kramer of The Kramer Law Group in Utah creates an “out-of-the-box” way to teach us about the time limit to bring a lawsuit for personal injury in Utah.

The setting is the front seat of an attorney’s car. The camera is somehow placed on the dashboard. Kramer appears to be parked somewhere and has a few minutes to spare; hence the quick and dirty video about the time limit to bring a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit in Utah. However, 37 seconds into the video we are rudely interrupted by a tinny sounding voice saying “Thank you for choosing (something I can’t hear) can I help you?” The attorney says to the camera “Umm one second,” then proceeds to turn and lean out his open window and give this woman his order: “Can I get a large 32 oz Dr. Pepper please?”

Huh?

As Technolawyer editor Neil Squillante says, no self-respecting lawyer drinks diet Dr. Pepper!

To read the full review, click here.

In today’s review I critique a video of an attorney who invades your personal space. He gets a little too close for comfort.

The opening scene reminds me of the original Star Trek TV show when Captain Kirk is beamed aboard the Enterprise. Attorney Schlissel magically appears out of thin air. As he explains how father’s rights are so important, he begins to get in your face, and not in a nice way. He turns aggressive. He begins to point his finger. He raises his voice as if his righteous indignation is reason enough to justify calling him.

Click here to read the rest of the review.

In today’s review I critique a video of an attorney who invades your personal space. He gets a little too close for comfort.

The opening scene reminds me of the original Star Trek TV show when Captain Kirk is beamed aboard the Enterprise. Attorney Schlissel magically appears out of thin air. As he explains how father’s rights are so important, he begins to get in your face, and not in a nice way. He turns aggressive. He begins to point his finger. He raises his voice as if his righteous indignation is reason enough to justify calling him.

Click here to read the rest of the review.

From the corny introduction by a receptionist, to the offbeat background music, to the pregnant pauses by the attorneys at Florida law firm Levin Tannenbaum, I got the sense that the producer of this video needed some help with his editing skills. Lighting needs improvement as well. “Hello! Anyone hear of white-balance?” The video tries to introduce everyone in the office and give everyone a speaking part. Not a great idea especially when some people are, diplomatically speaking, more dynamic than others.

To read the full review, click here at Technolawyer blog.

Did you ever watch TV and see Mr. Rogers? Nice, friendly, helpful, cardigan-wearing Mr. Rogers? The kind of guy you always say hello to? Well, in this attorney video, which I review in this week’s attorney video review, Blake Payne comes across as a straightforward and down-to-earth human being. Interestingly, attorney Payne is so nice that despite the fact that his video offers very little information about how he can solve your legal problems, you can’t help but like the guy.

This lawyer rises above other lawyers who use yellowpages.com to create their video. Click here to read the full review to find out why.

Gerry reviews another attorney video in his featured YouLaw column. This time we see a Malpractice lawyer suiting up for surgery. Read why it’s really bad to shoot your video in an operating room WHILE A DOCTOR IS OPERATING!

Read the review and let me know what you think.