“Tips for Video Hearings” (I am not a cat)

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Depending on when you’re watching this, you may have noticed I took a break during 2020 from filming your law firm tip videos. If you noticed the gap I do apologize! Today here to roll up my sleeves help you put the power in your practice.

Many of you are doing a lot more video hearings. That being said, many of my lawyer friends didn’t “get into the law” to be on camera. No one I’ve met likes being on camera that much. People like getting on camera about as much as getting their teeth drilled.

My hope is to help you feel more confident going forward since we can’t seem to stop the “Zoom video hearing wave” from coming!

But if you look at it from my perspective it’s not so bad because there is a lot we can do to persuade with video.

QUICK TIPS FOR LAW FIRM VIDEO HEARINGS

1) STAGING – Turn on the zoom app (or whatever conferencing app you use – zoom will work too) well before the meeting and Stage everything. Look behind you and be sure it’s not dark or messy and that you have good lighting and a healthy color to your face. (and of course be sure there are not filters turning you into something strange)

2) CAMERA PLACEMENT – Make sure your camera is up so you or your client’s eyes are open and attentive and the camera isn’t looking up at your neck !

3) YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE – Where is your attention during the meeting? It can get distracting seeing yourself on camera, or you may “space out” and forget you’re being filmed. Remember you probably are being filmed. You’re on the whole time! 

So know where the camera is, and look into it rather than at yourself – or even at the screen where you see the other participants.

Looking at the camera will help them feel you’re looking at them. This will help you and your client connect with the judge.

There is a lot you can do to on your client’s side (when they’re on camera) to share a story. While we want you well lit and bright with eyes open and a simple background, you may want to tell another story about your client’s circumstances on their end.

Finally, apologies in this quick video tip that I didn’t address sound which is a huge consideration. There’s a lot you can do to smooth the edges of your vocal tone to have people want to listen to you. 

Be sure (if your computer or webcam doesn’t have good sound (after your test with the Zoom app) to purchase an external microphone so your voice commands as it should.

Jargon Contained Herein

[Jargon] – vi·ral /ˈvīrəl/ video: an image, video, advertisement, etc., that is circulated rapidly on the internet.

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