Could your boring legal policy be an entertaining podcast?

Discover how you can transform your firm’s policies and guides into engaging podcast content, leveraging technology to enhance client engagement and streamline internal processes.

Podcasts are everywhere these days, extending their reach into various professional fields, including the legal space. The audio format allows for a more engaging and accessible way to consume information, which can be particularly beneficial in an industry known for its complexity and dense documentation.

Educational podcasts can break down intricate legal concepts into digestible segments, making them easier to understand for both legal professionals and clients. This format also allows for multitasking, enabling listeners to learn while commuting, exercising, or performing other tasks, thereby fitting time for learning into their busy schedules.

AI can be used to convert content such as ebooks into a Podcast instantly

While I was aware that AI tools like Google Notebook LM had an ability to convert content into podcasts, I had never tried it to see how effective it is.

However, when my friend loaded our new ebook 'A Guide to Tech for Small Law Firms - Practical Solutions on a Budget' into Google Notebook LM, I was surprised to see that it instantly created an engaging podcast. The AI not only captured the key points but also added additional insights, making the content more interesting and accessible. Don’t just take my word for it – take a listen here.  What do you think? 

AI can help repurpose written materials into formats that cater to different learning preferences. While not everyone will listen to a podcast, it can reach people who may never read a document, thereby broadening the audience and enhancing overall engagement.

Transforming Legal Guides into Engaging Content

Seeing how this worked made me think about what else this could work for.  It’s not hard to think of a number of existing resources which are often boring, rarely read, and even less understood.

You will know them too.  Many legal, procurement, and compliance teams publish written guides that, in practice, gather digital dust. These documents often contain critical information but fail to engage the intended audience.

I thought it would be interesting to try the New Zealand Government Procurement Rules, particularly as they are in the process of being updated.  You can see the proposed 5th Edition here.  I asked for the summary to focus on mainly on the 5th edition, and how it differed from the 4th Edition, particularly in terms of how it will enable smaller New Zealand suppliers to get a fair go from New Zealand Government procurement.  You can listen to the output here.  I think it’s pretty good – what do you think?

Another tool in the toolkit

Not everyone will want to listen to material like this, but for some it will be much more accessible and easy to understand than a written document.

Given how easy it is to create this type of content, I think it’s a useful option to keep in mind.  Much of this type of content is not sensitive or confidential – it’s intended to be widely read and understood, so many of the usual concerns around AI may not apply.

By transforming these guides and policies into podcasts, organisations can provide an alternative way for staff and clients to engage with the content. This approach not only makes the information more accessible but also encourages better understanding and retention.

Given the prevalence of smartphones and the ease of accessing audio content, turning dry policies and manuals into podcasts could significantly improve compliance and operational efficiency within firms.

At LawHawk we’re always looking for new ways that we can help our customers to improve their processes and achieve better outcomes.  If you have ideas you’d like to discuss, we’re always keen to have a chat to understand what problems people are grappling with and to help identify solutions.  Get in touch.