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How Much Does Short Form Video Production Cost for Law Firms?

short form videos for law firms

The first question most clients and prospects ask me when it comes to any marketing service is:

How much does it cost?

It’s understandable.  You are running a law firm and you want to know if something is worth your time to even find out about.  Not only that, but it’s almost impossible to find the cost of ANYTHING on most marketing agencies’ websites.  They want you to schedule a “chat” to find out the price.

I don’t like that.  It seems unethical to make someone schedule a meeting so they can hear you pitch just to find out the price…especially if it’s out of a person’s price range – now you have wasted the time of not one, but two people!

These days, short-form video content has become an essential tool for attorneys looking to stand out. Whether you’re scrolling through LinkedIn, Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts, chances are you consume multiple attention-grabbing clips daily. It’s not just for entertainment; many business leaders leverage this medium to build authority and engage their audiences. 

If you’re a law firm leader, you’ve likely thought about jumping on this trend. 

Imagine how short-form video could showcase your expertise, elevate your firm’s profile, get you more referrals, secure more speaking opportunities, and ultimately generate more leads and clients.

However, while the idea is exciting, the reality of producing high-quality video content can feel daunting. It requires time, consistent effort, and, of course, an investment.

So, how much does it cost to outsource professional short-form video content? 

In this article, we’ll break down all the options for you, helping you decide if it’s the right move for your firm.

Why Are Marketing Agencies Hiding the Cost Of This Service For Law Firms?

The most common and frankly maddening answer I’m guessing that you hear when you ask about cost is:

It depends…

I get it – it’s like trying to get the exact cost of a suit.

Are you buying something off the rack, opting for tailored adjustments, or commissioning a bespoke, made-to-measure piece? 

The price answer depends on the materials, the craftsmanship, and the final fit. And, of course, no one wants to promise a price for a tailored service only for you to balk when it doesn’t include all the extras you expected.

This is especially true with short-form video creation, where there are a lot of options. But as attorneys, you know the value of managing expectations and delivering clarity.

So, before we dive into actual numbers (yes, we will actually share numbers—brace yourself), let’s break down why the cost of short-form video can vary so widely.

Why Does the Cost Vary So Much?

1. Not All Services Are Created Equal
Just like the difference between a paralegal’s work and a senior partner’s expertise, the quality and scope of short-form video services vary. Are you looking for basic editing or an all-inclusive package with scripting, filming, and branding? The price reflects the level of service.

2. What’s Included?
One agency might simply edit a few video clips you supply. Another might script, shoot, and produce a polished video series for LinkedIn, complete with captions, graphics, and legal branding. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples—or briefs to briefs, as the case may be.

3. Your Input vs. Their Input
Are you handing over all the creative direction, or are you involved every step of the way? The more the agency takes on, the higher the cost—but also, the less time you spend managing the process. For busy law firms, outsourcing more can be worth the investment.

What You’re Really Paying For When It Comes To Video For Your Law Firm

At the end of the day, the cost of short-form video for your firm isn’t just about the video itself. It’s about positioning your firm as approachable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy to potential clients. A great video can pay for itself many times over by attracting the right clients to your firm.

But if you’re here, you’re not just looking for explanations—you want numbers. And we’re not going to leave you hanging. Let’s dive into what you can expect to invest in short-form video creation.

Ready to uncover the details? Keep reading—we’re about to break it all down.

How Much Does Short Form Video Cost For A Law Firm

Instead of “It depends”, I’ll give you a range…You can start at $100 and go the whole way up to $25,000+…keep reading to get exact costs and the services those costs include, I promise it’s worth it.

So, why the huge disparity?

It’s mainly the fact that there are so many ways to create video packages as well as the type of editing that goes along with it.

One of the main costs is who you hire and how much work they are taking on.

A secondary cost is the equipment, if you choose to do the video yourself.

Finally, the overall number of videos that you receive can impact the price as well.  Are you getting two videos or are you getting twenty-five videos?  

So, let’s look at the ways to create video for your firm and the actual costs that you should see.

MARKETING SIDE NOTE 

Remember – short-form video (or any content) isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about driving leads and generating revenue. The true value lies in doing it effectively. 

As we explore the costs involved, also consider the potential consequences of not maximizing its impact. Investing in quality content now could save you from missed opportunities down the line.

Do It Yourself – The First Way To Create Short-Form Video For Your Law Firm

The first option is to just create the videos yourself.  Most people have a phone that can create 4k masterpieces.  You can use your phone with a free/cheap video editing software like Canva or Cap Cut and you’re ready to get started.  (In fact, we have a blog about how you can film a video on your smartphone and turn it into 2 weeks of content.)

This is the cheapest option as you probably already have a phone and you’d just need to invest in a few additional things, like a tripod, lights, a decent microphone and editing software.  You’d also need to have a location to film your videos, which could be your office, a corner of your house or a rented space.  Whatever option you choose, be sure that the background looks nice and complements your video.

The costs for this can vary, but you’re probably looking at a cost of $100-$500.  If you are going to rent a space specifically to shoot, the cost probably will be around $800-$1000.

However, this is the option that will also take the most TIME.  You will have to do everything yourself, which includes recording, editing and posting.  Not only will you be responsible for handling the technical tasks, you’ll also need to plan your content strategy and ensure the videos you create are impactful for your business.  

Fair warning—this process can be quite time-consuming…Based on previous clients, producing about 30 short-form videos could require around 100 hours of work. This includes planning, keyword research, editing, recording and everything else needed to make your videos successful. 

30 short-form videos should cover you for approximately 3 months, if you post videos 2-3 times per week.

So the real question is, what is your time worth to you?

As an attorney, if you bill at the 2024 average of $341/hour, those videos could be costing you over $30k because you are losing out on the ability to bill clients.

Choosing to handle video creation yourself often makes sense for those firms that are just beginning, have limited funds, but can dedicate significant time to creating content and navigating the associated learning process.

However, if spending approximately 100 hours (equivalent to 2.5 full workweeks) could be more profitable by focusing on client work and generating revenue, outsourcing might be a more strategic option.

You should also think about how you want your firm to be represented. Ask yourself if you can produce high-quality content that aligns with the image you want to project. If not, it may be worth seeking professional assistance to ensure your content reflects your expertise and professionalism.

You Shoot The Video, Someone Else Edits It, You Post It – The Second Way To Create Short-Form Video For Your Law Firm

Taking the video editing off your plate is the second way to create video content for your firm.  This option really eliminates having to learn any new software, so it’s much less time-consuming.  Also, the difference between a professional editor and a DIY edit can really make an impact.

The cheapest option would be to find a video editor on a site like Fiverr, where video editing can range from $35 – $500+ per video.  If you went on the low end and chose a $50/video editor, this would still cost you a minimum of $1500 for the 30 videos that you would need for 3 months of posting.

Working with someone on Fiverr that is on the low end of the cost spectrum will still have some challenges and take a bit of time.  You’ll still have to give feedback and describe your video vision to get the edits done to your liking.

Will Using A Professional Video Editor Really Make My Content Stand Out?

Yes!

While AI is increasingly adept at handling straightforward editing tasks like removing sounds, filler words, and long pauses, it’s not a replacement for a person (yet). It can also adjust colors and minimize background noise with ease. Many video editors now integrate AI into their workflow to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency.

However, professional video editors can take your video to another level with their capabilities.

They can add:

  • Captions
  • B-roll
  • Animation effects
  • Additional images
  • Pop ups
  • And more!

These additions are what really make a video stand out from the rest.

Once the videos are edited, they will be sent back to you for publishing and posting.  You will then need to publish them on a platform like YouTube or Vimeo and schedule them as posts to your social media.

The question in this scenario is – is this time tradeoff worth it?

By spending $1500 for editing, it may allow you to save about half of the 100 hours that we discussed before.  So, you may be spending about 50 hours to create, shoot and post the content as well as working with the video editor to achieve your video vision.  If this is time that you could be billing a client, this still could have an opportunity cost of over $15k.

This option could work for a firm that is ready to take their content to the next level, and has someone that is available to take on the publishing and posting duties.

This middle option where you delegate part of the work can be an excellent strategy for reclaiming your time and elevating the quality of the content you produce. It serves as a balanced middle ground between handling everything yourself and fully outsourcing the process.

Everything is Done For You, Just Show Up For The Video Shoot – The Third Way To Create Short-Form Video For Your Law Firm

This option has everything taken care of for you, except for appearing in the video…AI has come far, but I don’t know that the tech is that good quite yet 😊

Imagine having all your marketing for the next 3 months done and it only required 4-6 hours of your time.

Obviously, this is the most expensive option, and prices can vary here from $3000/month to $25,000+.  The sky really is the limit when it comes to this option.

However, you are getting access to an agency that will typically have:

  • Video Editors
  • Writers
  • SEO experts
  • Designers
  • Directors

This is why the price is so high; you can offload almost all the work.  

Additionally, you’re tapping into the expertise of professionals who know what works because they have done it before and know how to maximize the return on your investment in video content.

IFTS Offers A Content Creation Package That Offers Short-Form Video AND MORE – So What Does It Cost?

You won’t see a wishy-washy answer from us!  

We believe in transparency about the cost of our video content, so you can easily incorporate it into your budget and determine if it’s the best fit for your needs.

We have two options that you can choose from that cover content for 3 months:

  • Done For You [On Location] $13,000 plus tax
  • Done For You [Remote Setup] $9,000 plus tax

Either option has a payment plan that allows you to pay over the three months.  So, the “DFY On Location” package will be $4334/month and the “DFY Remote Setup” package will be $3000/month with no additional fees for paying over time.

What Does Each Package Include?

Everything you need to market your business online over the next 3 months!  Your marketing for an entire quarter is done in less than one day for you.

For both packages, you get:

  • Keyword research report for your area of practice
  • Video planning and strategy
  • Content creation schedule
  • 3 Planning meetings
  • 30 edited videos
  • 30 videos turned into articles for your website (to boost your SEO)
  • Multiple intro and outros so the videos can be reused
  • Image social posts with facts from your videos
  • Videos uploaded to YouTube with optimized descriptions and headings
  • Video and image posts scheduled to appear on your social media, like Facebook, LinkedIn. Google Business Profile, Instagram etc.

For the “DFY On Location” package:

  • We’ll come to your office, set everything up and film you in one day

For the “DFY Remote Setup” package:

  • We will help you set up filming remotely and direct the entire session
  • Prior to filming day, we will do a “set up meeting”, where we will discuss anything needed for filming that you may not have.

 

These packages help you get the most exposure possible by using the content in multiple ways on multiple platforms.

As a bonus, we also include our review request software system at no additional cost.  It can help your firm double the number of reviews you receive per month.

Want Some Help Creating Content For Your Law Firm’s Online Presence?

How was that for a full walkthrough with prices included?

By now, you should have a clear understanding of what goes into the pricing when discussing video content for your law firm.  The price range can vary greatly, but it mainly depends on the level of service that you are looking for.

If you are looking for expert guidance throughout the entire process, our content creation package could be the perfect solution for you!

Fill out this form to get started and set up an introductory meeting.

How to Set Up a Review System like Birdeye or ReviewLead using GoHighLevel Automation: Step-by-Step Guide

Collecting customer feedback is essential for any business that wants to grow and build credibility. Reviews not only help potential customers make informed decisions but also improve your business’s reputation. But manually managing reviews can be time-consuming. That’s where automating the review process comes in. In this blog, we’ll walk you through setting up an automated review system in GoHighLevel to streamline feedback collection, manage negative experiences, and boost your positive reviews.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of setting up this system to automatically gather and manage reviews for your business.

Creating a Custom Review Link

The first step to automating your review process is creating a custom review link that you can share with your customers. This link will direct them to your review page.

  1. Log into your GoHighLevel account.
  2. Navigate to Settings and click on Domains.
  3. Add a subdomain specifically for reviews. We recommend using something like reviews.yourdomain.com.
  4. Verify the DNS settings with your provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap) by adding the required CNAME record. Once verified, your domain is ready for use.

Designing a Thumbs-Up/Thumbs-Down Review Page

Next, you’ll need to create a simple review page where users can indicate if they had a good or bad experience. This will allow you to filter feedback based on customer satisfaction.

  1. Go to Sites > Websites and create a new page.
  2. Design the page with two simple buttons: Thumbs-Up for positive feedback and Thumbs-Down for negative feedback.
  3. Add a thank-you message above the buttons, expressing appreciation for their time.

Example text: “Thank you for choosing us! Your feedback helps others find trusted businesses like ours.”

Redirecting Positive Reviews to Google

If a customer clicks on the thumbs-up button, you’ll want to direct them to leave a review on your Google Business profile.

  1. Go to your Google Business Profile and copy the direct link for leaving a review.
  2. In GoHighLevel, select the thumbs-up button, set the action to open a URL, and paste the Google review link.
  3. Save your changes.

Now, anytime a customer has a positive experience, they’ll be directed to leave a review on Google!

Creating a Bad Experience Feedback Page and Staying Google Compliant

One of the most important steps in building an automated review system is handling negative feedback effectively. For this, GoHighLevel allows you to create a separate page for customers to share their bad experiences, ensuring you receive private feedback and maintain Google compliance.

Step 1: Create a "Tell Us About Your Bad Experience" Page

After setting up your main review request page, it’s time to add a dedicated page for customers who didn’t have a positive experience. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Navigate back to Websites in GoHighLevel, and select the Request Review site.
  2. Create a new page named “Tell Us About Your Bad Experience.” You can create the URL path as something like /sorry/tell-us-more to keep it simple.
  3. For the design, start with a blank, full-width layout. Add a single-column section where you’ll include your logo and a headline, such as:
    • “Please tell us about your experience with our company.”

Step 2: Add a Feedback Form

ext, you’ll need to collect detailed feedback about their bad experience. Here’s how to add a form:

  1. Add a form element to the page that asks for basic information, such as First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email, and a multiline text box for them to describe their experience.
  2. Customize the form’s submit action by selecting Form Builder, then under Options, set up a message that thanks the customer for completing the form. Example message:
    • “Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.”

This ensures the customer feels heard and reassures them that their concerns are being addressed.

Step 3: Linking the Bad Experience Option

After creating the feedback page, link it to the “I had a bad experience” button on your main review page. Follow these steps:

  1. Copy the URL of your bad experience page.
  2. Edit your main review request page, go to the “I had a bad experience” image, and set the action to go to website URL.
  3. Paste the URL of the bad experience page and save your changes. Now, when a customer clicks on “I had a bad experience,” they’ll be directed to your feedback form.

Step 4: Staying Google Compliant

Google requires that all customers, including those with bad experiences, be given the option to leave a public review. To comply with this:

  1. On the bad experience page, add a text link at the bottom that says:
    • “No, thank you. I would like to leave a review.”
  2. Link this text to your Google review page. Be sure to open the link in a new window, so customers don’t lose their place on your feedback form.

Step 5: Publish and Test

Once you’ve set up everything, preview your pages to ensure they function correctly. Customers should be able to navigate smoothly between the review request page and the bad experience page. For the final step, publish your changes and test the system.

With this setup, you’ve created an effective way to privately manage negative feedback while still complying with Google’s requirements for review collection.

By ensuring that negative feedback is handled internally while still allowing customers to publicly review your business, you can address concerns privately and maintain your reputation. This is a critical component of building trust with your customers and ensuring you’re continuously improving.

Creating Review Request Automations

Now that your review pages and forms are set up, it’s time to implement automations that will simplify the process of collecting reviews. Automations help you send reminders and requests without manual effort, ensuring that you stay engaged with your customers and gather more reviews.

1. Creating the Review Request Emails and SMS

To keep your review requests polite but effective, we recommend sending three emails and one SMS over the course of a few days. Here’s a breakdown of what each email and text message should include:

  • Email 1 (Day 1):
    Subject: Thank you for placing your trust in us
    Body:
    • Thank the customer for their business and offer to answer any questions they may have.
    • Ask them to take a moment to leave a review and provide a direct link to the review page.
    • Example: “Would you take a moment to review us at the link below? Your review will help others find the best service for their needs.”
  • Email 2 (Day 3):
    Subject: Just a reminder and a thank you
    Body:
    • Remind the customer about your review request and thank them again for their trust.
    • Reiterate how their review will help others in the market find your services.
    • Include the review link again.
  • Email 3 (Day 6):
    Subject: One last reminder
    Body:
    • Let the customer know that this is the final reminder and that you won’t send any more review requests.
    • Provide the review link and mention how their feedback helps others.
  • SMS (Day 1):
    Message:
    • Keep it short and simple: “Hi, [Company Name] here. Just wondering if you could take a moment to leave us a review. [Insert Link]”

Each email and SMS should include a review link to make it easy for customers to click through and leave their feedback.

2. Automating Review Requests

Now that your messaging is ready, it’s time to build the automations in GoHighLevel:

  • Step 1: Create a Workflow
    Go to Automation > Create Workflow, and start from scratch. Name this workflow something like “Review Request Automation.”
  • Step 2: Trigger the Workflow
    You can trigger the workflow by adding a tag to the customer’s profile after they’ve completed a service with you. For example, you can create a tag called “Request Review.” When the tag is added, the workflow starts.
  • Step 3: Send the SMS
    Once the workflow starts, send the first SMS message, asking the customer to leave a review.
  • Step 4: Wait for 15 Minutes
    Add a 15-minute wait to see if the customer responds by clicking the review link. If they do, the automation ends. If not, proceed to the next step.
  • Step 5: Send Email 1
    If the customer hasn’t clicked the link in the SMS, send the first email request with the review link.
  • Step 6: Wait for 3 Days
    Wait for three days to see if the customer clicks the review link in the email.
  • Step 7: Send Email 2
    If they haven’t left a review yet, send the second email reminding them to review your business.
  • Step 8: Wait for 3 More Days
    Wait another three days to give the customer time to click the review link.
  • Step 9: Send Email 3
    Send the final reminder, letting the customer know it’s their last chance to leave a review.

3. Creating Trigger Links

To stop sending review requests once a customer has completed a review, you need to create trigger links:

  • Step 1: Go to Marketing > Trigger Links, and add a link to your review page.
  • Step 2: Name the link something like “Request Reviews” and save it.
  • Step 3: Use this trigger link in your emails and SMS messages. When the customer clicks on it, the automation will stop sending further review requests.

4. Internal Notifications for Bad Experiences

Finally, set up a separate workflow for handling bad experiences:

  • Step 1: Create a new workflow called “Bad Experience Submitted.”
  • Step 2: Set the trigger as the submission of the bad experience form.
  • Step 3: Assign an internal notification to alert your team when someone submits the form. The notification can include the customer’s name, email, phone number, and their feedback so your team can follow up quickly.

Launch Your Review Request System

Once you have your workflows, trigger links, and messaging set up, your automated review request system is ready to go. Now, you can start tagging customers and collecting reviews effortlessly, all while handling negative feedback with care.

With everything in place, your business will enjoy more customer reviews and valuable feedback, which can help boost your online presence and improve customer satisfaction!

Setting Up Google Analytics in WordPress

Are you ready to jump into the world of data-driven insights for your WordPress website?

Google Analytics is an essential tool that helps you understand your audience and optimize your site. Today, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up Google Analytics on your WordPress site using the Monster Insights plugin. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Sign In to Google Analytics​

Head over to Google Analytics and sign in with your Google account.

Step 2: Create a New Account

In the admin settings, click on “Create” and then select “Account.” Here, you will create a new account for your client or project.

Fill in the account name. You can name it after your website or client. Decide whether to share data with Google by checking or unchecking the options. For this example, we will opt out of data sharing but you can adjust these settings later.

Step 3: Set Up Property Details

Next, you will need to provide details for the new property.

  1. Property Name: Enter your client’s name again for the property name.
  2. Time Zone: Select the appropriate time zone (e.g., Eastern Standard Time for New York).
  3. Currency: Choose the relevant currency (e.g., US Dollar).

Click “Next” to proceed.

Step 4: Business Details

Provide information about the business.

  1. Business Category: Select the category that best describes your client’s business.
  2. Business Size: Specify the size of the business.

Business Objectives: Choose the primary objectives for using Google Analytics. For this example, we will select “Examine the user behavior.”

Click “Create” to finalize the setup.

Step 5: Accept Terms of Service

Review and accept the Google Analytics Terms of Service to proceed.

Step 6: Choose a Platform

To start collecting data, select the platform you will be using. For this guide, we will focus on setting up a property for the web.

For the platform, choose “Web.”

Open your WordPress site in a new tab, copy the homepage URL, and paste it into the setup form in Google Analytics. Make sure to remove the “http://” or “https://”.

Name your data stream “client name” and then “website.”

Click on Create Stream and continue.

If you click on show more options, you can select install with a CMS or website builder and then click next.

Install Monster Insights Plugin

To easily connect Google Analytics to your WordPress site, we’ll use the Monster Insights plugin. 

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. 

Search for “Monster Insights” and install the plugin.

Once installed, click on Activate.

After activation, click on Launch Setup Wizard to start the setup process.

Connect Monster Insights to Google Analytics

Choose Website Category: Select the category that best describes your website (e.g., Business).

Connect to Google: Click on Connect Monster Insights and sign in with your Google account.

Allow Access: Allow Monster Insights to access your Google Analytics data.

Select Property: Choose the Google Analytics property you created earlier.

Complete Connection: Click on Complete Connection and save and continue.

Finalize Setup

Monster Insights will guide you through the final setup steps.

Disable Unwanted Plugins: If you do not want Monster Insights to install recommended plugins, uncheck those options.

Complete Setup: Click on Complete Setup Without Upgrading.

Verify Google Analytics Connection

Finally, let’s make sure everything is connected properly!

Test Installation: Go back to Google Analytics, click on Admin, and navigate to Data Streams under your property. Select your data stream and click Test Installation.

Verify Tag: If the tag is correctly installed, Google Analytics will confirm that it has detected the tag.

And that’s it! Your WordPress site is now connected to Google Analytics, and you can start collecting valuable data to optimize your website. Happy analyzing!

Need more help? Email Stacey Ivol at si@iftsdesign.com or call IFTS, Inc. at 412.715.6266 and I’ll be happy to assist you with any questions!