Internet video quickly becomes a tool for attorneys!

If you have not noticed video is integral part of the web now, not just lurking the dark corners. As always there were false starts but now with the wide spread availability of high speed internet, almost anyone surfing the web can see view live action.

A majority of this is due to the widespread use of viral video, YouTube.com and Google’s subsequent $2,000,000,000 purchase of the video hosting site. Now Google is making sure video shows up in the “organic” results (the results that are not paid for and are based on algorithms of indexed sites).

There are many benefits as well as a few pitfalls to having a video on the web. Now, in the age of Youtube.com and broadband video, I believe the advantages not only outweigh the pitfalls, but also a properly designed AND optimized video can give your firm an edge in every step of your business growth in the 21^st century.

So, what does video mean to you, your firm and your online visibility?

• Your legal website video shows up in search results. It can show up independently or attached to the corresponding practice area. Extensive research shows that the eyes are drawn immediately to a video image regardless of where it is in the results. This means even if you are not in the top five results , there is a much higher chance of your site being selected
• A properly designed video can add one more layer of familiarity, not only increasing the chances of your firm being hired but also easing the relations with the client from the start
• Because of lower cost and selection of topic, you can have a broad variety of video. You can have a personal injury piece, a criminal piece and a family piece for less than the cost of a 30 second commercial
• Your desired audience is captured. Your video does not have to draw attention; it can be more about communicating a message. In other words it does not have to be as much of a “commercial” as a documentary about your law practice and its strengths
• A video that has the proper internet optimization can move your site higher in search results.
• A live action shot can hold attention for longer as well as better direct your message
• A site with live action adds a further air of expertise as well as further seeding your name. A well designed video message can stick better increasing the chance of being called down the road as well.
• In short Video helps you to be seen and remembered!

Although video on the web is not new, it is still emerging. Many of the benefits still are to be realized. Some of the potential advantages of early adoption are complicated. Many are trying to get in the game. Some have a good plan, some have a great plan and as always there are companies that have no plan at all. There are questions to ask about a video producer on the web.

There are technical questions:

• Do they have credentials?
• Do they have professional editing experience??
• Do they have experience creating video on the web?
• Is the player imbedded in the site?
• Does the player come up separate from the site?
• What type of video quality is available?
• Is the video distributed on the web? Where?
• Is the video optimized on its own?
• Is there speech to text optimization?

There are content questions as well.

• Does the video producer understand attorney marketing?
• Do they write a script for you?
• Do they understand the image you are trying to portray?
• How are they targeting YOUR audience?
• Does the video producer understand your message?

The problem is video is inconsistent in search results and even the short discussion above probably seems intimidating to most. Taking advantage of this new wave can give you not only an advantage in marketing as well as a high return on your investment because of increased conversion. As for understanding the changes, that is why you have me as your New York FindLaw consultant. Feel free to ask me any questions regarding video on the web and on your site.