A law firm article and a short video can carry the same expertise. The article is the source of truth; the video is a shorter path into it. Done carefully, one article becomes a 30–45 second explainer that stays accurate, stays on brand and sends people back to the full piece.
Key takeaways
- Start with articles that answer one clear question a client actually asks.
- Write the script only from what the article already says, and keep its wording close.
- Design for phones and silent viewing: vertical format, large type and captions.
- Have the firm approve the script and the finished video before anything is published.
Most law firm blogs are better than they look. Behind a plain list of titles there are often dozens of careful explainers: what happens after separation, how long a divorce takes, whether an ex can sell the family home. Each one answers a question a real client asked.
The problem is rarely the writing. It is where the writing lives. An article waits on the firm's website for someone to search for it. Many of the people the firm wants to reach are elsewhere, scrolling short videos on a phone.
A short video does not replace the article. It is a shorter way into it.
Why the article is the right starting point
When a firm starts making video from scratch, it usually stalls on the same questions. What should we talk about? Who will write it? Will a lawyer have time to check it?
An existing article has already answered all three. The topic was chosen because clients ask about it. The content was written, and usually reviewed, by someone at the firm. The wording has already been through the firm's own standards.
That makes the article a source of truth. The video's job is to carry a small, accurate part of it to a new audience, and point them back.
Choosing which article to turn into a video
Not every article makes a good short video. The best candidates tend to share a few traits:
- One clear question. "Can my ex sell the house without my permission?" works. "An overview of family law" does not.
- A short, concrete answer. A rule, a distinction, a time limit or a short list of steps.
- Something a person would stop scrolling for. A worry, a misconception or a decision they are facing.
- Content that is still current. Check dates, fees and figures. If a number has changed since the article was written, update the article first.
Comparison articles ("parenting plan or consent order?") and step-by-step guides ("ten tips when you separate") are usually the easiest to adapt.
Writing the script: only what the article says
A 30–45 second video holds roughly 80 to 100 spoken words. That is a hard limit, and it is useful. It forces a choice about the two or three points that matter most.
The rule we follow is simple: the script only uses what the article already says. No new facts, no new figures, no new claims. Where possible, the wording stays close to the original sentences. If a point cannot be made accurately in a few words, it stays in the article.
A practical structure:
- A hook in the first three seconds. Usually the article's question, asked plainly.
- Two to four key points. The answer, a distinction, the steps or the time limit.
- One sentence of context. Often the point the article itself flags as most misunderstood.
- A next step. The firm's own offer, such as a free first call, or simply the firm's name.
A useful habit is to keep a list of each statement in the script next to the sentence in the article that supports it. It makes the firm's review faster, and it keeps everyone honest.
Designing for phones and silent viewing
Short videos are watched on phones, often without sound. That changes the design:
- Vertical 9:16 for Reels, Shorts and stories, with a square 1:1 version for feeds and LinkedIn.
- Large type and one idea per screen. If a sentence needs to be read twice, it is too long.
- Captions on every word. Captions help people watching on mute, and they are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The W3C's guidance on captions is a good reference.
- The firm's own branding. Logo, colours and contact details, so the video is clearly from the firm.
None of this needs a camera. Motion graphics, a clear voiceover and well-timed text can explain most legal topics better than a talking head reading from notes.
Review: the firm approves everything
A video carries the firm's name. That means the firm should approve the script before production, and the finished video before it is published.
For legal content, it is also sensible to:
- add a short "general information only, not legal advice" line;
- avoid promised outcomes, success claims or testimonials unless the firm has checked they are allowed;
- check the advertising rules that apply in the firm's state or territory, especially for areas such as personal injury.
These steps are easier when the script came from an article the firm already published. The review is a check on wording, not a fresh piece of legal work.
Where the video goes
One article can produce a video for several places:
- Instagram Reels, Facebook and YouTube Shorts for reach.
- LinkedIn, where referrers and other professionals often see a firm's work.
- The article page itself. A short video near the top can help someone decide whether to read on.
If the video is embedded on the website, follow Google's video best practices so search engines can find it, and keep the full article on the same page. The video should support helpful, people-first content, as Google's guidance puts it, not replace it.
A simple way to start
Pick one article that answers one clear question. Turn it into a single 30–45 second video. Post it in one place, link it back to the article, and see how people respond before planning more.
Most firms find they already have a year's worth of video topics sitting in their blog. The work is in choosing well, staying accurate and making each one easy to watch.
If you would like to see what one of your own articles looks like as a video, we can make the first one free.
Sources and further reading
Primary guidance used to check the principles in this article. Professional and regulatory requirements vary by market and should be reviewed locally.