You’ve decided on a creative idea, talked with the film crew, and scheduled your shoot date. But now it’s the day before your lawyer video shoot and you have no idea what to expect or how to prepare for tomorrow’s filming.
We get it, having a camera pointing at you can be a little intimidating. But don’t let those LED lights scare you! Here are 11 ways you can make sure you’re in prime condition for your video shoot.
Plan your outfit the night before.
We know, you’re a pro at picking out clothes on the fly. But the morning of your shoot date is not the time to test that theory. We recommend going a little simpler on your shoot date (while still showing your sunny personality, of course).
Classic suits are no-fail options, but feel free to wear fun accessories like patterned ties, jewelry, or even a hat (like our friends at Obagi Law Firm did). Don’t worry, it’s our job to make sure your video looks great, so we’ll let you know if we think you should rethink your clothing choice.
And while we’re on the topic of clothes…
Bring a few different outfits. Different clothing choices create the illusion that time is passing, which makes your video more dynamic. For guys, we recommend bringing 3-4 different ties to wear.
And for our ladies, we recommend at least one other outfit (suits are nice, because you can take off the jacket and it looks like a sparkling new outfit).
Focus on benefits, not services.
Imagine you are in a prospective client’s shoes. If you came across your video, what would you want to hear as someone in need? Speak to how you improve the lives of clients, not just about the awesome services you provide.
Services alone won’t differentiate your firm (after all, there are 1.3 million attorneys in the U.S.), but the benefits you give your clients are unique. Share the value you provide.
Read through your interview questions beforehand.
You’ll have a copy of your interview questions before the interview, so feel free to familiarize yourself with them beforehand. Some interviewees even find it helpful to create bullet points of what they want to hit. There’s no right way to do it, but if you’re nervous about the interview, go ahead and jot down a few ideas.
…But don’t memorize your exact answers!
Our goal is to portray you as an authentic and genuine attorney, not a robot with perfectly memorized answers! The way we do that is through the interview.
It should be like a flowing conversation. Don’t worry, we won’t include your entire interview in the video – only the best sound bites. And while we’re on that topic…
Be genuine.
This video is about you and your law firm, and the beautiful thing about that is you don’t need to be anyone other than exactly who you are. Don’t try to mimic other videos you’ve seen by being overly aggressive or dramatic if that’s not who you are.
Your story is unique, so let it be unique. This helps potential clients connect with the authenticity of your firm and get to know you before they even step foot in your door.
Speak to your audience.
Remember, potential clients are the ones watching your video, so when you answer questions, say “you” rather than “they” when speaking about a client. Example: “I help you get back on your feet after an accident,” instead of “I help them get back on their feet after an accident.”
This simple change helps viewers feel like you are speaking directly to them. In turn, it helps increase engagement with your video content.
Hit the hay early.
Filming days are tons of fun, but they can be long! Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before your shoot. Not only are you going to feel better, but you’ll also look better. And we know you’re as addicted to your devices as we are, but try putting your phone down at least an hour before your bedtime. It’ll help you wind down and catch some z’s.
Bring a snack.
No hangry people on camera! Bring a snack to the shoot just in case hunger strikes and you need a pick-me-up. Good snack ideas are: protein bars, granola bars, a banana, or a handful of almonds.
Spruce up the office beforehand.
You’d be surprised by how many people skip this step… But, we want to portray you in the best light, so take a few minutes to tidy up your office before your shoot.
You don’t need to hire a cleaning service, but it might be a good idea to take out that trash under your desk you’ve been looking at for the last few weeks.
Lastly, breathe and enjoy yourself!
We’re going to make sure you and your law firm look great – so sit back and enjoy the ride.
