Video email is a powerful tool for increasing engagement and driving results like clicks, shares, lead generation, and sales. Adding video to your emails can boost your brand’s visibility and help you meet your goals.
Here are some key statistics about video to consider:
- 69% of consumers prefer learning about a product or service through video.
- Video in emails increases click-through rates by 200-300%.
- 90% of users say product videos help them make decisions.
- Using video can generate up to 66% more qualified leads each year.
Video can be used in many ways to improve communication in your business, including:
- Building a personal connection with viewers by showing your face and voice.
- Making your message clearer and easier to understand.
- Showing empathy, which helps build trust.
- Creating stronger, more genuine relationships, just like face-to-face communication.
- Humanizing yourself and your audience.
Once you start making authentic, conversational videos, it’s time to embed them in your emails.
How to Embed a Video in an Email
Take 1: Choose a Powerful Image
- Your thumbnail image is the first thing your recipients will see. When you add a video to an email, the image should make them want to click play.
- Some email apps let people play the video right in the email, but others don’t. For example, Gmail and Android show a fallback image instead of the video. That’s why the image you choose is so important.
- You can use a screenshot from the video, or create an image or animated GIF just for the thumbnail. You have many choices, so pick one that catches the viewer’s attention. Make it personal, fun, and engaging!
- After choosing your image, add a play button on top of it. This will link to the video. The goal of the thumbnail is to make the viewer excited about the video they’re about to watch.
Take 2: Add Your Video
You’ve picked the perfect thumbnail to grab attention — now it’s time to embed the video in your email. There are a few simple ways to do this, like using a landing page or linking to the video hosting platform. Depending on your email provider, you may also need to know how to attach the video directly.
How to Embed Video in Gmail
In Gmail, if your video is smaller than 25 MB, click the paperclip icon at the bottom of the email, choose your video, and click “Open.”
If your video is larger than 25 MB, click the Google Drive icon instead of the paperclip. Select your video and click “Insert.”
For an even easier option, use BombBomb’s Gmail Integration to embed videos directly in your inbox.
How to Embed Video in Outlook
To add a video in Outlook, open your video, right-click the URL, and copy it. Then, create your email and paste the link into the email body.
You can also use the BombBomb Add-In for Outlook 365 to record, send, and track videos right from your inbox. You can find a step-by-step guide for this.
How to Embed a YouTube Video in Email
To add a YouTube video to your email, copy the YouTube video URL and paste it into your email. The video will show up as a player when the email is opened.
Tip: BombBomb’s Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge extensions make it easy to embed videos. You can record videos right in your browser and access your Video Library. After recording, click the three dots next to any video in your library to get the embed code. This guide can help you learn more.
Take 3: Get Them to Click Play
You may have made a great video, but if no one clicks play, you won’t be able to build trust or relationships.
So, how can you get your viewers to watch your video?
Think About Your Email Subject Line
Your subject line should make people want to open your email and click play. Using the word “video” can help increase open rates. For example, try something like, “Three reasons you shouldn’t miss this video…”
Avoid SPAM Words
Words like “FREE!” “Big $$$$!” or “Get paid!” are often flagged as SPAM. Avoid using them in your subject line or email.
Offer Value
Make sure every video you send offers something useful to the viewer. What will they get from watching it? Maybe it’s a solution to a problem or an answer to a question.
Keep Your Video Short
People are busy. Try to keep your videos, especially the first ones, under 30 seconds. This shows you respect their time.
If you want more tips on creating videos people will want to watch, check out this article.
Take 4: Include Text
Your recipient may not have time to watch your video right away. Adding some text to your email can give them a hint about the video’s content without giving everything away. You want them to click play, not just read the email. Also, having text before and after the video helps make sure email providers don’t treat it as spam or just show it as a link.
Think about what matters most to your audience. Mention the key point of your video in the email to encourage more plays. For example, you could say, “Click play to see how Bill Smith increased his income by adding video to his sales emails.” Or, “As mentioned in the video, here’s the link to the article on video email marketing.”
Take 5: Include a Call to Action
What do you want your viewer to do after watching your video? Do you want them to call for an appointment, book a product demo, or schedule a free consultation? Every video in your email should have a clear purpose and a specific action you want the viewer to take.
Create a call to action (CTA) that is easy to understand and motivating. Don’t give too many instructions, as this can confuse or overwhelm the viewer.
Your CTA should also:
- Start with an action verb (e.g., click, shop, or schedule).
- Focus on the value the action provides to the viewer.
- Create urgency (mention your CTA at the beginning and end of the video).
- Appeal to the viewer’s emotions to encourage them to act.