Listen as NRV-Legal President Harry Brockman describes some of the most common mistakes law firms make when it comes to Video Marketing.
At NRV, we often like to explain what you should do with your videos. However, it is sometimes more important to know what not to do, so you don’t join the many firms that are doing it all wrong. Here are some of the worst things you could do with regards to the implementation of video into your online marketing strategy:
Don’t simply upload your TV ads to YouTube. No one wants to watch law firm commercials when they are looking for legal help.
Don’t fail to add video to your website. You would be missing out on enhanced customer experience and SEO benefits, and your competitors are adding video. Any firm without video is at an instant disadvantage.
Don’t fail to make your website and embedded videos mobile-responsive. Your website needs to be easily viewed and navigated on a mobile phone. Different types of websites and website themes display differently when viewed on different devices. The way embedded videos display on a site can be affected by the website platform and theme, the video player and its settings, and any plugins that may be used to display it. The technical know-how is a concern for your Webmaster, but make sure your Webmaster knows that mobile-responsive website and videos are a major concern for you and your firm.
Another big mistake many law firms make is that they fail to blog, or they do not blog consistently. Sometimes, a firm may have a blog, but it is not integrated into their site or linked in their menu. Many blogging platforms allow the user to schedule future blog posts. By preparing these in advance, you will be organized, and the value of your website to both your customers and the search engines will increase because you are providing quality content that answers their questions and provides useful and relevant information. This brings us to our next point…
Don’t only include text in your blog articles; include embedded video and images – especially thumbnail images that represent there are videos for the visitor to watch. Website visitors and search engines prefer website pages and blog posts that include video. Your videos and articles should be related and reinforce each other. The visitor can read or skim the blog article while playing the video, for a multimedia experience. Mobile device users especially prefer video.
Don’t just talk about yourself or about how great your firm is. Focus on the needs of your ideal clients. Your website visitors and anyone searching online for legal help and information don’t want to know all about you – they just want to know you can help them. They honestly could care less about where you went to school, your charitable works and my favorite… how hard you will fight for them. I mean are their tons of lawyers out there that want to lose cases? Instead strive to stand out from all the other firms that think that stuff really works. Demonstrate your authority by giving them information that provides help not hype in an engaging and credible manner, then provide a clear, concise, call-to-action.
Don’t create “welcome to my firm” videos. We have all seen them and they all look and sound the same. I mean how many shots of receptionists in lobbies and lawyers chatting in front of law books can we stand…. I think I’ve seen a thousand of them.
Don’t ignore Social Media. Even if you are not active on it does not mean your potential clients aren’t. I believe every firm should have a YouTube, Facebook, Google Places and Twitter account. Add Pinterest to the list if you deal with a significant number of women. Remember to publish content on these sites as well.
Don’t make the mistake of buying into a website or marketing service that provides a website that does not include blogging capability and the ability to add your own unlimited articles and videos. Some services try to control your website and its content, or they may sell plans at tiers that do not include blogging or video. You need to have consistently-published new relevant video and blog content on your website. This is important for the quality of your site and for SEO, so don’t cave in to such offers.
Make sure you own the content that has been published on your website. Many firms particularly those who contract out content writing and publishing are surprised to learn they can’t take this content with them when changing websites.
Now that you have heard what not to do, you may be better prepared to improve your law firm’s online marketing by following NRV’s suggestions on the steps you should take toward implementing an effective video content marketing strategy.
Here are some of the worst things you could do with regards to the implementation of video into your online marketing strategy:
Don’t simply upload your TV ads to YouTube. No one wants to watch law firm commercials when they are looking for legal help.
Don’t fail to add video to your website. You would be missing out on enhanced customer experience and SEO benefits, and your competitors are adding video. Any firm without video is at an instant disadvantage.
Another big mistake many law firms make is that they fail to blog, or they do not blog consistently.
Don’t only include text in your blog articles; include embedded video and images – especially thumbnail images that represent there are videos for the visitor to watch.
Don’t just talk about yourself or about how great your firm is. Focus on the needs of your ideal clients.
Don’t create “welcome to my firm” videos. We have all seen them and they all look and sound the same. I mean how many shots of receptionists in lobbies and lawyers chatting in front of law books can we stand?
Don’t ignore Social Media.
Make sure you own the content that has been published on your website. Many firms particularly those who contract out content writing and publishing are surprised to learn they can’t take this content with them when changing websites.
Now that you have heard what not to do, you may be better prepared to improve your law firm’s online marketing by following NRV’s suggestions on the steps you should take toward implementing an effective video content marketing strategy.