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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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

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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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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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The answer explored five keywords and the number of websites that compete for those very competitive search terms. The search terms were “New York medical malpractice lawyer.” Google shows that 5 million websites vie for those search terms. “Do know which website consistently comes up in the #1 organic search results?” My New York Medical Malpractice Trial attorney website does.

The crowd got very quiet and their eyes opened wide, eager for more.

Later, I asked “What if you could own the first page of YouTube?”

Technically, you can’t ‘own’ the first page of YouTube, but in a practical sense you can. “How?” you ask? By having all twenty of your videos show up on the first page results of your search terms on YouTube. That’s how you can ‘own’ the real estate on the first page of YouTube. I then showed the group how I “own” the first page of YouTube for specific search terms.

Then I asked, “What if you could also own the second page of YouTube as well?” I then told them that for those specific search terms I own the second page too. Now, I really had everyone’s attention.

The important question I asked was “What do you think an online viewer would think if they did a search for their particular legal problem and they came upon a YouTube page where every single video on the page (except for the paid videos at the top) was yours?” Who do you think a viewer is going to call after seeing all of your videos; you or your competitor who only has a static website?

I had a blast talking to this group of smart, energetic and eager attorneys willing to learn how to market themselves in ethical, out-of-the box ways. I was glad I had a chance to talk with many brilliant attorneys who are blowing away their competition using so many different marketing methods. It was nice to actually meet a lot of attorneys I communicate with on Facebook and Twitter but had never actually met in person.

The feedback I received from the attorneys were amazing.

• Want to learn what I teach attorneys to create compelling video?
• Want to learn how I create my videos?
• Want to learn what will compel a viewer to pick up the phone and call you instead of your competitor?
• Want to learn the mindset of a viewer and figure out what content will get them to click on your headline and watch your video?

If you do, I encourage you to come join me in the Lawyers Video Studio coaching group. To learn more about the only video coaching group for lawyers in the country, click here: Lawyers Video Studio coaching group.

P.S.  By the way, if you need a speaker to talk to your group of attorneys about how video can help convert online viewers into callers and why attorneys need to create video now, pick up the phone and call me 516-487-8207 or send me an email to Gerry@lawyersvideostudio.com. I welcome your call.

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Dave Kaminski of Web Video University does an excellent job of reviewing the Canon t2i DLSR camera. Here’s my question:

You’re an attorney who wants to create video. You want a camera that will last for years. You want the latest technology. You don’t want to spend a fortune. The choices of video cameras are overwhelming. SD or HD? Hard disc or tape-based? Pocket Flip camera or Kodak Zi8? $500 camcorder or a prosumer model costing $1,500?

Now, you have even more choices. Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax are all vying for your dollars by adding hi-definition video capabilities to their digital Single Lens Reflex (dSLR) cameras.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering buying a DSLR to shoot your attorney video:

1. It’s costly. This camera with lens will cost $900-$1,200 depending on the lens you buy.
2. You must buy an external wireless mic which will run you anywhere between $150-$600, depending on the mic you buy. You simply cannot use the built-in mic because it’s noisy and picks up the autofocus lens mechanism.
3. Then you need a ‘rig’ to hold all this stuff together while on your tripod. Otherwise, you’ll have to use tape or velcro to hold it up.
4. There is no flip-out screen to see yourself while you shoot video of yourself. This is unfortunate. It means you have to hook the camera up to an external monitor with a cable. If one is handy great. Otherwise, through trial and error, you have to figure out if you’re in the camera frame.

If you’re willing to spend anywhere from $1,100 to almost $2,000, then this camera might just be for you. Be forewarned. As Dave mentions in his video, this camera is NOT for the person who wants to simply turn the button on, press record and start talking. This is for the camera buff who really enjoys playing with all the settings and enjoys the technical details to get a good video shoot.

Oh yes…did I also mention it takes stunning photos?

I am tempted to sell my Sony DSC F828 with my flash to try this out.

Sony DSC F828

What do you think? Is it worth it? My 8 year old, the budding camera man, doesn’t want me to sell it since he knows how to use this camera really well. He’s not sure if he’ll be allowed to play with the Canon t2i if I sell my Sony. All thoughts appreciated!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Best regards,

Gerry

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Have a great day!

Gerry

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Michael Serres and Michael Pyrros are two of the hardest-working, New York workers-compensation attorneys I know. They spend their days helping injured workers with their claims.

Both Steve and Ed (Gacovino & Lake & Associates), and Michael and Michael (Pyrros & Serres) realize that the future of attorney marketing is with video. Video allows you to establish a bond, create trust and distinguish yourself from every other lawyer out there. These attorneys are clearly ahead of the curve and will benefit greatly from creating video now instead of two years from now when most attorneys will wake up and realize they are so far behind the eight ball.

I’m pleased to say that both of these fine law firms have joined my total online video solution for lawyers.  In preparation for today’s video shoot, I met with Steve last week for a mastermind strategy session that mapped out the content that he would be talking about during his video shoot. I met with Michael Pyrros and Michael Serres two weeks earlier for a mastermind planning session.

During this meeting, we established a blueprint for the type of content they would be discussing in the future when they creates his own video. They will be creating their own video with the equipment that we purchased for them. This is the same video equipment that we professionally shot their videos with today, and taught him them to use. I can’t wait to show you their new video channels that will showcase all of the new videos on their websites.

What was so cool was that Steve is a natural on camera. Michael Pyrros and Michael Serres each had something specific and important to talk about, since they were literally talking to their ideal clients in their videos.

As my production team repeatedly tells me, any video producer or videographer can simply press the record button to record your video. However, it takes an experienced video producer who’s also an experienced trial attorney to know what content will compel a viewer to (1) click on your video and (2) watch the video in its entirety.

Keep an eye out for Gacovino & Lake’s videos, and Pyrros & Serres’ videos over the next few weeks;  you’ll see them here in the Lawyer’s Video Studio as well as on YouTube and other video sharing sites.

To learn how you can create attorney video without having to learn anything technical, at an affordable price, click here to read about Gerry’s Total Online Video Solution for Attorneys.

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There are video companies who charge attorneys $5000 to create a one minute video. There are some very big well-known website companies that will charge you anywhere from $2,500 all the way up to $35,000 to create video for you. There are wedding videographers who will charge you $500 for a  30 second video that is nothing more than a template for a commercial. The problem with different video companies is comparing apples to apples. Each video production company offers you certain benefits and features that make it difficult to compare with other video companies.

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING A COMPARISON CHART FOR 30 VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANIES THAT IN MY OPINION, CREATE GOOD QUALITY VIDEO.

That comparison chart will be available to attorneys who join my coaching program, which is being set up as I write this blog post.

In a nutshell, here are the 19 key questions to ask when choosing a video production company:

1. “Who is your video producer?”
2. “Does your video producer know who my ideal client is without me having to tell them?”
3. “Is your video producer an experienced trial attorney?
4. “What content will compel a website viewer to pick up the phone and call me from my video instead of my competitor?”
5. “Do you recommend that I talk about my credentials in a video?”
6. “How many videos do I get for my money?”
7. “How long will each of my videos be?”
8. “Do you physically put my video onto my website or blog?”
9. “Do you create a custom video channel for me that gets integrated into my website?”
10. “Do you upload my video to the major video sharing sites?”
11. “Do you create a blog post for each of my new videos?”
12. “Do you use Facebook to promote each of my new videos?”
13. “Do you use Twitter and Linkedin to promote each of my new videos?”
14. “Do you purchase video equipment for me including a high definition video camera, tripod, professional lights and wireless lavalier microphone?”
15. “If you buy video equipment for me, do you teach me how to use it?”
16. “Do you have a system that allows me to shoot my own video and then send it to you, so you edit it and upload it to my website and video sharing sites?”
17. “If I create six months of video using your company, will it cost me only $526 per video?”
18. “Will I have 38 video clips lasting 2-3 minutes each after six months of creating video with your company?”
19. “If I create 12 months of videos, will I have 68 video clips lasting 2-3 minutes each, if I use your company?”

The answers to those questions will be eye opening for you.

It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized that the total cost per video to participate in my Total Online Video Solution for Attorneys for a six month period of time is only $526 per video. I was shocked that the cost was so low. I had not calculated the cost per video before.

When I figured out the total cost for creating 12 months worth of video with my Total Online Video Solution for Attorneys, the cost dropped dramatically to $426 per video! This is absolutely unheard of. My post production team said it would be impossible to continue to provide what I’m offering to attorneys for this price. Frankly I agree with them. Even if I increase the cost to create video by $10,000, each video would only be $723. That’s still unheard of.

I want you to know that I have been studying and researching other video production companies for the last two years. There are no video production companies anywhere that I am aware of that will create video for you and include all of the benefits and features that I offer for a total cost of $526 per video for a six month commitment.

Benefits and Features

• You get a one-hour personal consultation with me, the attorney video guru, that maps out your content for your initial videos and all your future videos,
• You get a custom video channel for that gets integrated into your website,
• Each video that you create on your own, with the video equipment that we buy for you, and teach you how to use it, is personally reviewed and critiqued by me before it gets uploaded,
• Six months worth of video creation will get you 38 video clips, with each clip lasting 2-3 minutes each,
• 12 months worth of video creation will get you a total of 68 video clips, each lasting 2-3 minutes each,
• You get brand-new video equipment that we buy for you and we teach you how to use your video equipment so that you can create video anytime of the day or night.

There is no other video production company anywhere that offers the same value for your hard-earned marketing dollars. If you know of another video company that will create your video and offer everything that we offer for $526 per video then I strongly encourage you to let me know because I want to hire them to create my videos.

To learn more about how I am able to compete with the biggest law firms in Manhattan and how video will help convert your website viewers to callers, I encourage you to take a look at my Total Online Video Solution for Attorneys.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Have a great day!

Gerry

_____________

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. That means his subjects relax and convey an authenticity that could never be achieved by reading from a script. 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

______________

Gerry on location during video shoot in the Carribean

To learn how one lawyer has taken the legal community by storm and provides the only online video solution for attorneys, you need to explore Gerry’s Total Online Video Solution for Lawyers.

In case you didn’t know, Gerry is the only video producer who is also a medical malpractice trial lawyer who has created almost 300 educational videos to market his own law practice. He created the Lawyers’ Video Studio because there were no lawyers helping other lawyers getting onto video today.

Give Gerry a call today at 516-487-8207 or send him an email at Gerry@lawyersvideostudio.com. He welcomes your call.

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