TechnoScore: 2.0
1 = Lowest Possible Score; 5 = Highest Possible Score
Rhode Island bankruptcy attorney Mark Buckley drives while videotaping in his YouTube video (removed shortly after this YouLaw review appeared). Buckley holds the video camera with one hand and drives with the other. Buckley can't look the camera in the eye because he's too busy driving and watching traffic. What was he thinking? This stunt seems worse than talking on the cell phone!
He's driving a nice Infiniti with black leather seats. His sunroof is closed, which is a shame, since I would have preferred to see the wind blowing in his neatly combed hair. His headrest is correctly positioned, and I am constantly distracted by the scenery passing by in the passenger-side rear window and later in the front driver's window. After 30 seconds of this video, I can't pay attention to anything this bankruptcy attorney is talking about. Part of the video is shaky from driving, and the background is much more interesting than his educational message.
I keep waiting for him to be pulled over, like in the reality show COPS and hearing the song "Bad Boys." The police have a dash-mounted video camera. This lawyer does not.
I gave him one entire point for introducing himself. That's it. His sidebar is nothing to write home about, and he even forgets to list his phone number. He edited one scene but he can't escape the awful venue of his video shoot. At the 2:25 mark, this lawyer performs magic when he somehow changes the position of his camera, and somehow appears to be holding the camera with his right hand. How do I know this? Because there's no passenger in the front seat.
Ask yourself this: When you want someone's professional help, and you tell them your problem, does it make you feel warm and fuzzy when they answer you while looking away from you the entire time? That's what this lawyer does when he's driving and clearly watching where he's driving. He doesn't ever look at me! To me, that's a deal breaker. I want someone to look me in the eye and tell me how they can help solve my problem.
Tip #1: Choose Your Venue Carefully
I really don't want to see a straphanger on the subway telling me how they do pro-bono legal work for the homeless who live in the subway.
I really don't want to see a criminal lawyer sitting in a jail cell with some buddies explaining how he can get you out of your indictment.
I really don't want to see a lawyer driving and giving bankruptcy advice about keeping your car at the same time.
Tip: Can't he stop the car and tape his video? Better yet, can't he go into his office and do it? Is he that busy that he can only get this done while driving?
Tip #2: Answer Questions Immediately (Especially Yes/No)
Attorney Buckley asks "Can I keep my car?" I kept thinking he'd get pulled over for driving while videotaping and the police would require him to forfeit his car. I think he mentioned the answer somewhere in the video, but I can't remember when or what he said.
Tip: Answer the question immediately. Then explain.
Tip #3: Vet Your Video Before Going Public
Show the video to grandma. Show it to your girlfriend. Show it to your assisant. Show it to your kids. Show it to someone before you put it online. If this attorney had done so, I have to assume that someone close to him would have had the courage to say "Are you really sure this is the message you want to send prospective clients?"
You can say the same thing in a different venue and achieve a much better result.
Till next time, see you on video!
The Back Bench
Certified Family Law Specialist and online video producer Kelly Chang Rickert says: "TOO LONG! And he's driving while talking on camera!!! I give it two thumbs down."
TechnoLawyer publisher and online video producer Neil Squillante says: "While watching this video, I half expected Mark Buckley to crash after which another lawyer would advertise his personal injury practice — like those old Energizer Bunny commercials that started with a fake commercial. Buckley provides some very good information and I understand his use of a car given the topic, but he should make the video while parked or in the passenger seat so that he can give viewers his full attention instead of looking distracted. As an aside, does Infiniti always plaster its logo on the front seats?"
About YouLaw
YouTube offers law firms a free advertising platform with tens of millions of potential clients. But a poor video can hurt more than help. In this column, lawyer and online video expert Gerry Oginski reviews and rates the latest law firm videos. A panel of fellow experts (The Back Bench) add to Gerry's reviews with pithy remarks. We link to each new YouLaw column and all other noteworthy law firm marketing articles in our weekly BlawgWorld newsletter, which is free. Please subscribe now.
About Gerry Oginski
New York trial lawyer Gerry Oginski has created more than 150 informational online videos for his medical malpractice and personal injury practice. Realizing that most video producers don't have a deep understanding of the practice of law and what potential clients look for, Gerry launched The Lawyers' Video Studio, which provides free tutorials and video production services. If you need help producing a video, please contact Gerry now.
Contact Gerry:
T: (516) 487-8207
E: lawmed10@yahoo.com
