Video marketing for lawyers is all the rage. It’s … sexy. Everyone wants to be a TV star, right? We all want to have our name in lights. And these days, every online marketing consultant is pushing the fact that this is the next big thing.
Truth be known, they’re right – video is the next big thing in online marketing. We’ve all read the stats that YouTube is the second-largest search engine. Google owns YouTube. Google search results show YouTube videos. And chances are excellent that things are going to be more heavily involved in this medium as the years roll by.
Visuals are compelling, entertaining, and for many people easier than text or audio. You can humanize yourself and your practice, show you care, and present your marketing story. Some of my colleagues swear it’s magical, and I don’t disagree.
Video done right is awesome. When it’s done badly, that’s just sad.
But there’s the rub: it needs to be done right in order to be good. And it’s not easy to do it right. It takes money, time, and effort.
There are people who will take care of the time and effort problem. And as to the money part of things … well, that’s all relative.
The final thing that this medium requires is something that nobody can (or should) do for you. You’ve got to be relaxed, smart, funny, and just as ease in front of the camera.
I lied – someone could help you with that. But the process won’t be cheap or easy.
If you hate being in front of the camera and can’t remember what you wanted to say, forget it. Go elsewhere. Stick to blogging or podcasting. Getting in front of a camera is going to do you more harm than good.
Will more people look to video in the coming years? Yes. Because video done right is extremely powerful. But that power can just as easily be turned against you.
So if it isn’t right, it isn’t right. Leave it to the other lawyers in your town, and concentrate your efforts on what you enjoy. That enjoyment will show in the results.
