If you’re in sales, you know the grind: cold emails, ignored InMails, and prospects who ghost you faster than you can say “personalized touch.” If you’re looking to break through the noise, video outreach can help—and that’s where Hippovideo comes in. This guide is for sales reps, SDRs, and anyone trying to build real connections (not just spray-and-pray campaigns) using Hippovideo.
Let’s get into how to actually create sales outreach campaigns in Hippovideo that work, skip the pointless busywork, and avoid the common traps.
1. Get Set Up: Don’t Overcomplicate It
Before you start recording, get the basics out of the way:
- Integrate with your CRM: Hippovideo connects with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and others. Use this. It saves you time and helps keep track of who’s watched what.
- Set up your workspace: Make sure your camera, mic, and background are decent. You don’t need a studio, but don’t look like you’re filming from a broom closet.
- Check your branding: Upload your company logo and use branded video templates if you want. It’s easy to go overboard—sometimes a simple, clean intro gets better results than a flashy branded frame.
Pro tip: Don’t get stuck perfecting your setup. Good audio and lighting are more important than fancy graphics.
2. Build Your Prospect List (Don’t Skip This)
A list is only as good as the thought you put into it. Hippovideo lets you personalize videos at scale, but that doesn't mean you should send the same video to everyone.
- Start targeted: Pick a segment—by industry, role, or pain point. Don’t just dump your whole CRM in; you’ll get ignored.
- Scrub your data: Make sure names, company info, and emails are up to date. Nothing kills a “personalized” video faster than the wrong name.
- Decide on 1:1 vs. 1:many: Hippovideo supports both. For high-value accounts, go 1:1. For larger lists, use dynamic personalization (more on this next).
What to ignore: Chasing massive outreach numbers for vanity’s sake. Focus on quality conversations, not just a full sent folder.
3. Plan Your Campaign: Don’t Wing It
A good outreach campaign isn’t just a video and a hope. Map out:
- Your goal: Book a meeting? Share a case study? Be clear on what you want.
- Your sequence: One video isn’t enough—plan a series (video + follow-up email + LinkedIn touch, etc.).
- Your message: What’s in it for them? Keep it short, relevant, and clear.
Pro tip: Write a quick outline before you hit record. A rambling video is an instant delete.
4. Create Videos That Actually Get Watched
Personalized video is only effective if people actually watch it.
Keep It Short
- Aim for 45-60 seconds. If you can’t say it in a minute, it’s probably too much for an intro.
- Start strong: Use their name and a custom hook in the first 5 seconds.
Don’t Overproduce
- Be human: Don’t read from a script like a robot. Use bullet points if you need, but keep it conversational.
- Smile, but don’t fake it: People can spot forced enthusiasm a mile away.
Use Hippovideo’s Personalization Tools
- Dynamic fields: Insert first names, company names, or custom snippets. This is great, but double-check your variables—nothing says “mass blast” like “Hi {FirstName}.”
- Screenshare smartly: If you’re demoing something, show just what’s relevant. Don’t share your cluttered desktop.
Thumbnails Matter
- Custom thumbnails: Hippovideo lets you add a personal touch (like holding a whiteboard with their name). It’s cheesy, but it works—at least test it.
- Animated thumbnails: These can catch the eye, but don’t overdo it. The goal is to stand out, not look desperate.
Honest Take
If you sound like a telemarketer or try to “wow” with production, you’ll get ignored. Simple, direct, and authentic wins. Don’t sweat minor flubs—they make you real.
5. Write Emails That Actually Get Opened
Your video’s only as good as your email.
- Subject lines: Reference the video or add a bit of curiosity. Examples: “Quick video for you, [Name]” or “Saw this and thought of [Company].”
- Keep the email short: A couple of lines above the video link explaining why you’re reaching out. Don’t bury the video.
- Call to action: Be clear—do you want a reply, a meeting, or just feedback? Don’t be vague.
What doesn’t work: Burying the video under a wall of text or using clickbait subject lines. People can tell.
6. Sequence and Automate—But Don’t Set and Forget
Hippovideo lets you build multi-step campaigns with automated follow-ups.
- Best practice: 3-5 touchpoints over 2 weeks. Start with video, then a text-based follow-up, then maybe another video if they engage.
- Personalize your follow-ups: Don’t just resend the same thing. Reference if they watched the video (Hippovideo tracks this).
- A/B test your sequences: Try different subject lines, video hooks, or call to actions to see what lands.
Pro tip: Automation saves time, but watch your metrics. If everyone’s falling off after the first email, fix your opener.
7. Track What Matters (And Ignore Vanity Metrics)
Hippovideo gives you open rates, watch rates, clicks, and replies. Here’s what’s actually useful:
- Watch rate: Did they actually watch? If not, your subject line or thumbnail isn’t working.
- Engagement drop-off: Where do people stop watching? This tells you if your videos are too long or boring.
- Replies/booked meetings: The only real metric that matters.
What to ignore: Total sends, total opens, and anything that looks good in a report but doesn’t move deals forward.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to sound like a “thought leader.” Just be helpful and direct.
- Mass-blasting generic videos. It’s obvious, and people tune it out.
- Over-editing. You’ll waste hours for little gain. Focus on clarity, not polish.
- Ignoring feedback. If people say your videos are too long or confusing, believe them.
9. Real-World Tips to Save You Time
- Batch record: Record all your intros or common segments at once, then customize the beginning for each prospect.
- Reuse templates: For similar roles or industries, reuse your best-performing scripts—just tweak the details.
- Take breaks: Don’t do 20 back-to-back videos. Your tone will get stale, and people can tell.
10. Keep It Simple and Keep Going
Sales outreach with video isn’t magic, and Hippovideo won’t close deals for you. But if you use it to be direct, relevant, and a little more human, you’ll stand out from the endless parade of canned emails. Start small. Test, tweak, and don’t overthink it.
You’ll get better with every video—just keep hitting send.