TechnoScore: 3.5
1 = Lowest Possible Score; 5 = Highest Possible Score
Jason Diamond, a founding partner of the Traffic Ticket Team offers some useful and compelling information to anyone pulled over and given a traffic ticket. Diamond and his team claim to have handled over one million traffic tickets collectively. If that's not impressive enough, he promises a money back guarantee if you receive points on your license or have to attend traffic school.
From a content standpoint, the video is excellent. Most people who get a traffic ticket don't know what to do. Most municipalities rely on that lack of information to generate income from their tickets. Attorney Diamond clearly dispels the need to pay the ticket in full and to immediately plead guilty to whatever traffic infraction you are charged with.
Having received a traffic ticket myself a few weeks ago, this video hit home. I haven't received a traffic ticket in over 20 years, and was tempted to immediately pay the fine since I did not want to waste hours in a village court for my case to be heard. However, after consulting with a traffic ticket lawyer, he confirmed my belief that I should plead not guilty and proceed to trial.
From a technique standpoint, the video is lacking. He has a nice introductory graphic with background music when the video starts. Inexplicably, it then comes to an abrupt halt, like screeching tires immediately before impact. You are then treated to a video that is washed out, most likely because he appears to be shooting the video directly in front of a window. The audio is also poor and sounds like he's in an echo chamber.
I like how he introduces himself and explains immediately how he can help you. He addresses a frequently asked question that is on the mind of every driver who receives a traffic ticket. He also does something that I have never seen any attorney do -- offer a money back guarantee. Kudos to Mr. Diamond for using this technique.
Tip #1: Don't Shoot Video in Front of a Window
The reason? Your video camera thinks that the light shining through the window is the primary light source, and will, therefore, make everything else darker. The surrounding colors become washed out. Instead, close your shades, turn on the lights and shoot your video.
Tip #2: Use a Lapel Microphone
Your camcorder's built-in microphone stinks. Unless you stand 12 inches away from the camera, that built-in mic will pick up all ambient sound and sound awful. I will tell you from experience that online viewers will excuse a poor quality video. They will excuse fuzzy or grainy video. They will not excuse poor audio. If they cannot hear you clearly and well, they will quickly go elsewhere, never to return to your video or Web site again.
Go to Radio Shack and spend $20 for a wired lapel microphone. It is significantly better than using your built-in mic. If you want even better quality, I strongly suggest you invest in a wireless lapel microphone, which cost anywhere from $150-$600.
Tip #3: Watch Your Video Before You Upload It
When you prepare a brief or motion, it is often helpful to put it down and come back to it another day. This way you get a fresh perspective of what you created. The same principle applies to your law firm video. After you have edited, color corrected, created graphics, and background music, you'll want to upload it to YouTube. My advice: Revisit it hours or days later. I guarantee you will want to make some additional changes before going live.
Conclusion
With a reshoot, Jason Diamond's video could become stellar by moving away from the window, adding a lapel mic, and having some satisfied clients on camera talk about how Mr. Diamond successfully helped them fight their traffic tickets. Till next time, see you on video.
The Back Bench
Certified Family Law Specialist and online video producer Kelly Chang Rickert says: "Very nicely done! I would hire this guy in a heartbeat. He is convincing, forthright, and his video flows. The man is very engaging, and he presented answers to questions we all want. He is the ticket-man!"
Lawyer, journalist, and legal media consultant Robert Ambrogi says: "This video makes me wonder how much production values matter on YouTube. The image quality is poor, the sound is tinny, the camera shakes, and the speaker shows no affect. Yet his pitch is quite effective. If I had a speeding ticket, he'd be the guy I'd hire. Two side points: One is that the video is unclear about the jurisdictions in which he practices. The other is that his video and his Web site differ by 500,000 in their claims of how many tickets his office has handled."
TechnoLawyer publisher and online video producer Neil Squillante says: "The Traffic Ticket Team has handled more than one million traffic tickets. How many more must they handle until they can afford a better camcorder and a more talented video editor? The video offers some good information (and a snippet of a catchy Coldplay song), but the poor production detracts from the message."
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
