If you’re reading this, you probably want your outreach to feel less like spam and more like a real conversation. Maybe you’ve tried email blasts that got ignored, or you’re tired of “Hi {First Name}” messages that fool absolutely no one. If you’re curious about using AI-powered video tools to up your game—but want practical advice, not a sales pitch—this guide is for you.
Here’s how to build video outreach campaigns with Bhuman that actually feel personal, work for real-world teams, and don’t waste your time.
Step 1: Know What "Personalized" Really Means (and Doesn’t)
Before you hit record or load up a template, get clear on what counts as real personalization. The bare minimum—like slapping someone’s name on a pitch—won’t cut it. But you also don’t need to make a custom Oscar acceptance speech for every lead.
What actually works: - Referencing something specific about the recipient: their company, a recent achievement, or an obvious pain point. - Speaking in a way that matches their world. (Don’t use startup lingo pitching a logistics manager.) - Keeping it short and human. One minute is plenty.
What to skip: - Overpromising: Don’t act like you deeply researched someone if you just plugged in a LinkedIn link. - Fake familiarity: “Hope you’re well!” is meaningless unless you actually know them.
Pro Tip: If your video could be sent to 100 people without any changes, it’s not really personalized.
Step 2: Get Your Data House in Order
Bhuman can swap in names, titles, and other info using data fields, but garbage in equals garbage out. Most failed campaigns start with bad data.
Checklist before you start: - Check your spreadsheet: Make sure names, companies, and any “personal” fields are correct. Nothing kills trust faster than “Hi John Smith, CEO at [blank].” - Avoid overkill: Two or three real data points per video are plenty. More than that, and mistakes multiply. - Test the data merge: Make a few dummy videos to see if the right fields show up where you want.
What doesn’t work: - Relying on scraped data with missing or weird fields. If you can’t pronounce the company name or the job title is “Founder at -”, fix it before sending.
Step 3: Write Your Script (and Keep It Simple)
Here’s where most people overthink things. Your video isn’t a full sales pitch—it’s an opener. Aim for conversational, not cinematic.
How to structure your script: 1. Quick intro: “Hey [Name], I saw [relevant thing] about [Company].” 2. Why you’re reaching out: Brief, honest reason. “I work with companies like yours on [problem].” 3. The ask: Clear call to action. “If you’re open, let’s chat for 10 minutes next week.”
Tips: - Write it out loud. If it sounds weird when spoken, it’ll sound weird on video. - Leave blanks for the personalized bits. Don’t write “Hello, [first_name] from [company_name], I noticed you do [thing].” - Keep it under a minute. Attention spans are short.
What to ignore: - Fancy intros or background music. No one cares. - Over-explaining what your company does. - Reading the whole script word-for-word. (Stilted delivery screams “robot.”)
Step 4: Record a Solid Base Video
Bhuman uses your “base” video as the template and then swaps in personalized segments. Here’s how to make one that doesn’t feel like a hostage video.
How to do it: - Look at the camera. Sounds basic, but eye contact matters—even in AI land. - Smile, but be yourself. You don’t need game show host energy, just approachable. - Leave space for the AI to insert personalized lines. Pause for a beat where the system will fill in data. - Keep background simple. No need for a studio, but avoid clutter.
Pro Tip: Practice once or twice, but don’t sweat perfection. It’s better to sound like yourself than a commercial.
Step 5: Set Up the Personalization in Bhuman
Now you’re ready to use Bhuman’s tools to map your data to your script. This is where a lot of people trip up and end up with “Hi [Error],” so double-check everything.
What to do: - Map fields carefully: Make sure [First Name], [Company], etc., are pulling from the right columns. - Preview several samples: Don’t just check one—data quirks can show up in unexpected places. - Adjust timing: Make sure the AI doesn’t rush or lag during personalized parts. - Test pronunciation: If Bhuman mispronounces a name or company, try spelling it phonetically in your data field.
What to ignore: - Over-customizing. If you try to personalize too much, you’ll create more errors than wins. - Relying on automation alone. Always give it a manual check.
Step 6: Send, Track, and Actually Follow Up
Sending the videos is the easy part. What matters is what you do after they go out.
Best practices: - Send in small batches first. Spot errors before you blast your whole list. - Track who watches. Bhuman tracks opens and views—use that to prioritize real interest. - Follow up like a human. Don’t just send “Did you see my video?”—reference something in your first message or their reply. - Tweak as you go. If nobody’s replying, change your script or your targeting. Don’t just send more.
What doesn’t work: - Blasting thousands of “personalized” videos and hoping for magic. - Ignoring replies or not being ready to actually talk if someone’s interested.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to fool people: Viewers can spot AI-generated personalization from a mile away. If your video feels fake, it won’t work.
- Overcomplicating your message: You’re not making a movie—just say what you mean.
- Skipping the test phase: Always preview several videos before launching.
- Ignoring your real goal: If your only metric is “videos sent,” you’re missing the point. Focus on real conversations started.
Pro Tips to Make Your Videos Stand Out
- Use the recipient’s context. “Saw your team just launched [product]—congrats!” is way more engaging than “Hope you’re having a good week.”
- Ask a real question. “Is [problem] something your team’s dealing with?” invites a reply.
- Don’t worry about being flawless. A small stumble or laugh is more memorable than a perfect script.
When Not to Use Bhuman
Let’s be honest: AI video isn’t always the answer. If your list is tiny and you know each person well, just record truly custom videos or write a thoughtful email. If you’re doing mass cold outreach with zero personalization, video won’t magically fix bad targeting.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Don’t let the tech distract you from the basics: know who you’re talking to, say something relevant, and follow up like a real person. Start small, fix what’s broken, and build from there. Most “magic” comes from doing the basics well and skipping the shortcuts that make you sound like a robot.
Good luck—and remember, AI is a tool, not a miracle worker. Use it to start better conversations, not just to send more noise.