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Online video is growing in popularity -- and as I showed you last month, there are three huge benefits to using online video as part of your marketing process -- it allows you to introduce yourself to prospects, build trust and convey emotion, and educate others about your services.
In this month's newsletter, I'm going to show you how to make your first online video. It is easier than you think!
How to Make Your First Online Video
By John Bisnar
Online video is a powerful way to reach your prospects and clients in order to build longer, more fulfilling, and more profitable relationships. However, most law firms and attorneys avoid it because it seems so complex.
What tools should I use? What type of video should I make? Do I need to invest thousands? Do I need someone technical?
Don't worry. It's time to drop your preconceived notions about online video. It doesn't need to be difficult or expensive. Don't get me wrong -- it can be both. However, it doesn't need to be. You can get started on a shoestring budget and achieve amazing results.
Essential Tools
1. Video Camera
Before you get started, there are a few basic tools you'll need. You should have a HD video camera. Some of the less expensive options at around $200, which are still very capable, include the Kodak Zi8 and Flip Ultra HD cameras.
2. Microphone
Once you have a camera, the next step is a quality voice recorder. The Kodak Zi8 lets you plug in external microphone, so the best option would be a wireless lapel microphone that can cost between $15-50. For the Flip Ultra HD camera, you'll need a digital voice recorder and a simple lapel microphone. This combination will cost approximately $200.
3. Tripod
You can have somebody hold the camera, but I prefer a tripod to eliminate any shaking. Capable tripods range from $30-100.
Step 1: Developing Your Video Idea
You can create many different styles of videos, including creative videos, how-to videos, video interviews, talk shows and so forth.
When you're looking at the various options, consider your video goals. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to educate your prospects and clients? Do you want to increase your online conversion numbers? Do you want to build an online community?
Some goals I suggest looking at include driving more traffic to your law firm's website, growing your YouTube Channel or blog subscriber numbers, building inbound links to your website or helping your firm develop a personality and online reputation.
Step 2: Storyboarding Your Video
Since this article is about creating your first video, I recommend going with a single-clip video. This means you will only have one scene, one take and no video editing.
Keep it simple.
Pick your topic, write the script, and choose a call-to-action. Make sure your call-to-action is clear, prominent and easy to perform. It can be to visit a page on your website, subscribe to your newsletter or blog, watch another video, add you as a connection on LinkedIn or Facebook or call your office for a free consultation.
As you get more advanced, you can move towards multiple angles, multiple scenes, multiple takes and advanced editing such as adding music, transitions and captions. However, don't worry about that for now.
Step 3: Lights, Camera, Action!
You have the tools and you have the script. Now go for it!
Set the stage by setting up your tripods, lighting and cleaning any clutter in the area. Once that is done, it's time for action. Don't worry about being camera shy. That will go away in no time at all. Don't worry about making mistakes -- because you can re-shoot the video as many times as you'd like!
Step 4: Reviewing Your Video
If you're using one of the recommended video cameras, simply plug it into your computer, download the included software and select your video to watch it.
Don't worry about having a perfect video. Perfection is often the enemy of production. If it's good, move on to the next step.
Step 5: Uploading/Publishing Your Video
Save your video file somewhere on your computer or server. Make sure you place it somewhere that is easy to remember.
Once it is on your computer, you can upload or publish it to the web. Since this is your first video, I recommend creating your own YouTube channel and posting it there. YouTube.com has all the instructions you'll need to complete this task.
Finally, once it's on YouTube you can copy the embed code (under the video on the right) and post it to your website or blog!
That's all folks!
That's it -- five simple steps for creating your first online video. Don't worry about making it perfect the first time. Just go for it.
Once you get the materials, try to complete this entire process in 2 hours. It's very doable. In fact, once you have the process down just right, you'll be able to record and publish a 10-minute long video in as little as 30-60 minutes!
If you want more details on recording your first online video, I recommend visiting HubSpot.com and downloading their free eBook and kit on How to Use Online Video for Marketing.
Terrorist Threat
A group of terrorists burst into the conference room at the Hyatt Hotel where the State Bar of California was holding its Annual Convention. More than a hundred attorneys were taken as hostages.
The terrorist leader announced that, unless their demands were met, they would release one attorney every hour.
John's Recommended Marketing Events
BlogWorld Expo 2010 -- October 15-16 in Las Vegas
BlogWorld is the largest new media event in the world -- offering presentations on content creation, distribution, and monetization.
If so, the Influencer Project is the marketing event for you!
You'll learn how to design and launch blogs, podcasts, and video channels; discover the latest audio and video production tools and techniques; learn how to reach your prospects through social networks, sharing sites, and search marketing; and much more.
The speaker list has not yet been revealed, but you can be sure that many of the industry leading experts will be there to guide you. Visit BlogWorldExpo.com for more information.
No Smart Lawyer Left Behind -- December 2, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois
Ben Glass is presenting Great Legal Marketing's "No Smart Lawyer Left Behind," a one-day rescue mission. I have been to Ben's events, they are well worth the time and expense. BISNAR | CHASE would not be where it is today without what I have learned from Ben's events. For more information, go to Attorney Rescue Mission.
Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA) Convention Lakers Drawing
At the recent CAALA Convention in Las Vegas on September 2-5, 2010, BISNAR | CHASE held a drawing for two regular season Lakers tickets. The winner of the tickets is Britany Engelman. Congratulations, Britany!
Join us for the fun and learn something too!
Do you have burning questions regarding your law firm's marketing plan? Or perhaps questions about management? If you do, please visit my LinkedIn profile page and sign up for Bisnar's Lawyer Marketing Mastermind Group.
Recent discussions include:
- Find Your Area's Marketing Profile
- Tracking the Sources of Your New Business
- Leo Tolstoy on Legal Marketing
- Keyword Research is the Key to Success
- Will LinkedIn Connect You With Attorneys That Have An Enviable Career?
There are currently over 380 lawyers asking and answering important questions and sharing ideas for growth! And if you haven't yet signed up for LinkedIn, register today! It's quick, easy, and free . . . and loaded with great opportunities to network with clients, attorneys, family and friends.
Do You Want Referrals From Us?
Just Ask!
We receive over twenty new client inquiries a day. We take about one new client a day. What happens to the rest of those calls?
We refer them out to other attorneys. We send out one or two economically viable cases a day. These cases or matters have value but do not meet our case criteria. Sometimes the cases involve matters that we don't handle. Sometimes the cases involve matters that are too far away geographically.
What do we do with those cases?
We refer those cases out to the attorneys on our "Referral Out" list. Are you on our list? If not, contact Carey Wagenblast (someone who should be your best friend) at 800-956-0123 to get on our list. Carey will have you jump through some hoops so we have information on what you are looking for and where. Carey is also the person who actually decides who she will send a potential client too.
What do you do with clients you need to refer?
If you haven't yet developed your own "Referral Out" list, and you need to refer a potential client out, call Carey. She will help you find an attorney that meets your criteria. She has been developing this list for years and is ready to help you find the referral-out attorney you need.
This month we completed two seven-figure cases. If you had referred either of those cases to us, you could be receiving a six-figure referral fee check within the next thirty days.
Brian Chase's book Still Unsafe At Any Speed is available for a limited time at no cost.
To your success,
John Bisnar
BISNAR | CHASE
www.BestAttorney.com
1-800-561-4887
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