Quick Summary:
Adding videos to your emails is a super easy way to grab attention and get people clicking! It makes your messages more fun and helps you connect better with your audience, leading to more sales and happy customers.
How Do I Use Video In Email Marketing: Boost Results
Hey there! Jack here, your guide from LTDWave. Are you sending emails but feel like they could be a little more… exciting? You’re not alone! Sometimes, just writing words can feel a bit plain, and you want to make sure your message really pops. It can feel a little tricky to make your emails stand out in a crowded inbox.
But guess what? There’s a fun and simple trick that can make a HUGE difference. It’s all about adding video! Think of it as giving your emails a little sparkle. We’re going to break down exactly how to use video in your email marketing so you can get awesome results, without any of the stress.
Ready to make your emails more engaging and boost those clicks? Let’s dive in!
Why Video in Emails? It’s Like a Party in the Inbox!
Imagine getting an email. If it’s just text, you might skim it. But what if there was a little play button? Suddenly, you’re curious! Video in emails is like that – it’s an instant attention-grabber.
People love watching videos. It’s a natural way to learn, be entertained, and feel connected. When you use video in your emails, you’re making it easier and more fun for people to understand what you’re offering. This can lead to more people opening your emails, clicking your links, and ultimately, becoming customers.
Getting Started: What You Need (It’s Easier Than You Think!)
Don’t worry, you don’t need a Hollywood studio to make this happen! Here’s what you’ll mostly need:
A Video: This is your star! It could be a product demo, a quick tip, a behind-the-scenes look, or a personal message from you.
A Place to Host Your Video: You need to put your video online somewhere so people can watch it. Think of YouTube, Vimeo, or even a special video hosting service.
Your Email Marketing Tool: This is the software you use to send emails to your list (like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, etc.).
That’s it! See? Not so scary.
The Big Question: How Do I Actually Put Video in My Email?
This is where the magic happens, and it’s simpler than you might think. You don’t usually embed the whole video file directly into the email itself. That would make your email too big and cause problems. Instead, you use a clever trick:
1. Upload Your Video: First, get your video onto a platform like YouTube or Vimeo. Make sure it’s set to public or unlisted so people can see it.
2. Create a Great Thumbnail: This is the little picture people see before they click to play. Make it eye-catching! Maybe a friendly face, a cool product shot, or a question.
3. Add a “Play” Button: You can often add a little play button graphic on top of your thumbnail to make it look more like a video.
4. Link the Thumbnail: This is the key! You’ll link that thumbnail image directly to the page where your video is hosted (your YouTube or Vimeo link).
5. Put it in Your Email: In your email editor, you’ll add this image (your thumbnail) just like you would any other picture. Then, you’ll paste your video link into the image’s link settings.
When someone clicks the thumbnail in your email, they’ll be taken to the video to watch it! It’s a seamless experience that feels like they’re playing a video right there.
Different Ways to Use Video in Your Emails (Get Creative!)
Video isn’t just for showing off a product. You can use it in so many fun ways to connect with your audience.
1. Product Demos and Tutorials
What it is: Show people exactly how your product works or how to get the most out of it.
Why it’s great: It answers questions before they’re even asked and builds confidence.
Example: A software company sending a video showing how to use a new feature.
2. Welcome Videos
What it is: A personal hello to new subscribers.
Why it’s great: It makes your brand feel human and friendly right from the start.
Example: A small shop owner introducing themselves and thanking people for signing up.
3. Behind-the-Scenes Peeks
What it is: Show people what goes on in your business – how things are made, your team, or a day in the life.
Why it’s great: It builds trust and shows the personality behind your brand.
Example: A bakery owner showing how they decorate a special cake.
4. Customer Testimonials
What it is: Let your happy customers share their positive experiences.
Why it’s great: Social proof is powerful! Hearing from real people is super convincing.
Example: A fitness coach sharing a video of a client who achieved amazing results.
5. Special Announcements and Offers
What it is: Announce sales, new products, or upcoming events with a dynamic video.
Why it’s great: It creates excitement and makes your announcement feel more important.
Example: A fashion brand showing off their new collection in a stylish video.
6. Q&A Sessions
What it is: Answer common questions your audience has.
Why it’s great: It positions you as an expert and shows you care about their needs.
Example: A financial advisor explaining a complex topic in simple terms.
Choosing the Right Video for Your Email
Not all videos are created equal! Think about what you want to achieve with each email.
Keep it Short and Sweet
People have short attention spans online. Aim for videos that are 30 seconds to 2 minutes long, especially for general marketing emails.
If it’s a deep dive or tutorial, you can go a little longer, but still try to keep it focused.
Make it High Quality
Good lighting and clear sound make a big difference. You don’t need fancy gear, but make sure your video looks and sounds good.
A shaky, dark video can be a turn-off.
Have a Clear Call to Action (CTA)
What do you want people to do after watching? Visit a product page? Sign up for a webinar? Make sure your video (and the email it’s in) clearly guides them.
Video Hosting Platforms: Where to Put Your Videos
You need a place to upload your videos so you can link to them. Here are some popular and easy-to-use options:
| Platform | What Makes It Great | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Most popular, free, huge audience, easy to share. | Almost everything! Demos, testimonials, tutorials, announcements. |
| Vimeo | Professional look, good privacy options, no ads (on paid plans). | High-quality product demos, branding videos, private content. |
| Wistia | Designed for businesses, great analytics, customizable players. | In-depth product training, lead generation videos, sales enablement. |
| Vidyard | Focuses on sales and marketing videos, integrates with CRMs. | Personalized sales videos, customer success content, team training. |
Most beginners start with YouTube because it’s free and widely used. As you grow, you might explore other options.
Crafting the Perfect Email with Your Video
Now, let’s put it all together in your email.
1. The Subject Line
This is your first impression! Make it exciting and hint at the video.
“See This Amazing New [Product Name] in Action!”
“Watch Our Quick Tip for [Achieving Goal]”
“A Special Video Message Just For You!”
“You Won’t Believe What We Made! (Video Inside)”
2. The Email Body
Start with a Hook: Grab their attention right away.
Introduce the Video: Briefly explain what the video is about and why they should watch it.
Use Your Thumbnail: Insert the video thumbnail image with the play button.
Add a Clear CTA: Tell them what to do next, like “Watch the Video Now!” or “Learn More Here.”
Reinforce the CTA: Repeat your call to action after the video thumbnail.
3. The Link
Make sure that thumbnail image is linked directly to your video’s page! Double-check this.
Measuring Your Video Email Success
How do you know if your video emails are working? Look at these numbers:
Open Rate: Are more people opening your emails when they have a video?
Click-Through Rate (CTR): Are more people clicking on your links (to watch the video or go to your website)?
Conversion Rate: Are more people taking the desired action (like making a purchase) after seeing your video email?
| Metric | What It Means | Good Example (with Video) | Good Example (without Video) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | Percentage of people who opened your email. | 25% – 35%+ | 20% – 30% |
| Click-Through Rate (CTR) | Percentage of people who clicked a link in your email. | 3% – 5%+ | 2% – 3% |
Note: These are general examples. Your industry and audience will influence what’s considered “good.”
Tips for Maximum Impact
Here are some extra ideas to make your video emails shine:
GIFs are Your Friend: Sometimes, a short, looping GIF from your video can be even more engaging in the email itself, with a link to the full video.
Mobile Matters: Most people check emails on their phones. Make sure your thumbnail looks good and the linked video plays well on mobile.
A/B Test: Try sending one email with a video and another without to see the difference for yourself!
Personalize: If you can, use personalization tokens (like the subscriber’s name) in your email to make it even more special.
Keep it Relevant: Make sure the video actually adds value and is related to the email’s purpose.
Common Questions About Video in Email Marketing
Let’s tackle some questions you might have!
How can I start email marketing with no money?
You can totally start with free tools! Many email marketing services offer free plans for beginners with a limited number of subscribers. For video, you can use your smartphone to record and upload to free YouTube accounts.
How do I write subject lines people click?
Keep them short, intriguing, and clear. Use emojis if they fit your brand. Ask questions, create curiosity, or highlight a benefit. For video emails, mention “video” or use an emoji like ▶️.
How often should I email my list?
It depends on your audience and what you offer. Start with once a week or every two weeks. The most important thing is to send valuable content consistently, not just to send emails for the sake of it.
How do I know if my email is working?
Look at your email marketing platform’s stats! Check your open rates (how many people open) and click-through rates (how many people click links). If these numbers are good, your email is likely working well.
How do I stop my emails from going to spam?
Always get permission before adding someone to your list.
Make sure your emails offer real value.
Don’t use too many ALL CAPS words or spammy phrases.
Keep your list clean by removing inactive subscribers.
Make it easy for people to unsubscribe.
Wrapping Up: Go Make Some Video Magic!
See? Using video in your email marketing isn’t a big, scary task. It’s a fun way to make your messages more engaging, build stronger connections, and boost your results.
You’ve learned why video is so powerful, how to technically add it to your emails using a simple thumbnail trick, and tons of creative ways to use it. You’ve even got ideas for hosting, subject lines, and measuring success.
So, take a deep breath, grab your phone or camera, and try it out! Start with a simple welcome video or a quick product highlight. Your subscribers will love the extra effort, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
You’ve got this! Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep connecting. Happy emailing!