Creating and customizing Bonjoro video templates for efficient outreach

If you're tired of copy-pasting the same outreach emails or want to save time on recording video intros, you're the kind of person this guide is for. We'll dig into creating and customizing video templates in Bonjoro—so you can get more replies, stand out, and (let’s be honest) not spend all day redoing the same work. Whether you’re in sales, customer success, or just trying to add a human touch to your follow-ups, this is about making your life easier and your outreach better.


Why Use Bonjoro Video Templates?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s get real: personalized videos work, but recording every single one from scratch is a huge time sink. Bonjoro templates help you cut out repetitive setup—so you can focus on the actual message, not the mechanics.

What templates actually do for you: - Pre-fill subject lines and messages - Set up a consistent look and feel (branding, color, etc.) - Drop in commonly used calls to action (CTAs) - Save you from forgetting key details you want to mention

What they don’t do:
- Replace the need for a real, unscripted hello (so don’t send 100% canned videos—nobody likes robots) - Automate everything (Bonjoro isn’t a magic bullet—people can spot fakes)

Step 1: Setting Up Your First Bonjoro Template

Getting started doesn’t take long, but it helps to know where things live in the interface.

  1. Log in to Bonjoro.
    If you’re new, set up your account and poke around for five minutes. The interface is pretty straightforward, but templates are tucked away in the left-hand menu.

  2. Navigate to ‘Templates’.
    On desktop, you'll see "Templates" in the sidebar. Click it. If you don’t see it, make sure you’re on the right workspace.

  3. Click ‘Create Template’.
    Don’t overthink the name—call it something obvious like “New Lead Outreach” or “Onboarding Welcome.”

  4. Add your basics:

  5. Template Name: Make it something you’ll remember. No one wants “Template 1 (Final) (Real Final).”
  6. Subject Line: What pops up in the recipient’s inbox. Short, clear, and not spammy. Example: “Quick hello from [Your Name]” or “Thanks for signing up!”
  7. Message Text: This shows up alongside your video. You can add placeholders like {first_name} to personalize automatically, but don’t jam it full of tokens or it’ll look like a mail merge gone wrong.

  8. Set your branding:
    Upload your logo, pick your brand color, and set your sender email if you want replies routed somewhere specific. This is worth doing once—it’ll save you headaches later.

Pro Tip:
Don’t fill every field with fluff. People can sense generic a mile away. Use the template to handle the boring stuff so you can focus on the real message in your video.


Step 2: Customizing the Look and Feel

Bonjoro lets you tweak how your videos and landing pages appear. This isn’t about vanity—it’s about helping recipients recognize you and trust that the video isn’t spam.

  • Logo and brand color: Make sure these match what people see elsewhere (your website, emails, etc.). If your logo looks weird on a colored background, stick with white or a simple background.
  • Cover image: Some plans let you set a static image that appears before the video plays. Keep it simple—a headshot or your company’s logo works.
  • Call to Action (CTA): This is the button under your video. Make it specific:
  • “Book a call”
  • “Reply to this email”
  • “Download your guide”
    Don’t just say “Learn more”—that’s code for “I didn’t know what to put here.”

What to ignore:
Don’t spend hours on the perfect shade of blue or a fancy cover image. Recipients care about the message, not your Pantone preferences.


Step 3: Using Variables and Placeholders Wisely

Bonjoro templates let you drop in variables like {first_name} to personalize messages. This is handy, but easy to overdo.

  • Best use:
  • Subject line: “Hi {first_name}, quick intro”
  • Message: “Thanks for checking out [Your Product], {first_name}!”

  • What to avoid:

  • Piling on too many variables. “Hi {first_name}, as a {job_title} at {company_name} in {industry}, I wanted to…”—this reads like a robo-email.

Rule of thumb:
If you wouldn’t say it out loud, don’t put it in the template.


Step 4: Recording Videos Using Templates

Templates aren’t just for sending bulk videos—they’re for speeding up every video you record. Here’s how to use them without sounding like a robot.

  1. Start a new video task:
    Choose the template you want to use. This fills in the subject, message, and branding automatically.

  2. Double-check the details:
    Make sure the variables (like {first_name}) are pulling in the right info. If not, edit them before recording.

  3. Record your video:
    The template gives you structure, but the video is where you actually connect. Don’t read a script—just say hi, mention something specific about the recipient if you can, and keep it under a minute.

  4. Send or schedule:
    Once you’re happy, send it off. If you’re batch recording, you can queue up a bunch and send them later.

Pro Tip:
Keep a sticky note or prompt nearby with things to mention (“Reference their last purchase,” “Ask about their team,” etc.) so videos feel fresh.


Step 5: Managing and Iterating on Templates

Your first template probably won’t be your last—nor should it be. As you use Bonjoro, you’ll see what lands and what falls flat.

  • Edit templates as you go:
    If people aren’t clicking your CTA, tweak it. If your subject lines aren’t getting opens, try something less formal.

  • Archive old templates:
    If a template isn’t working, don’t just let it collect dust. Archive it so your menu doesn’t get cluttered.

  • Test, don’t obsess:
    Don’t waste time A/B testing tiny details—focus on clear, honest messaging. If you’re getting replies, you’re on the right track.

What to ignore:
You don’t need a separate template for every tiny use case. Start with a few (like “New lead,” “Onboarding,” “Check-in”) and expand if you actually need more.


What Works, What Doesn't, and What to Skip

What works: - Short, friendly videos attached to clear, specific templates - Consistent branding so people know it’s really from you - Templates that cover logistics so you can focus on the personal touch

What doesn’t: - Overly scripted, impersonal videos (these get ignored) - Templates stuffed with too many variables - Worrying about “perfection” instead of just hitting record

Skip this stuff: - Fancy intro graphics or overproducing your videos - Over-customizing for every single recipient—templates should make your life easier, not harder


Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast

Don’t get bogged down chasing the “perfect” template. Start with something basic, send a few videos, see what happens. If you get a good reply, great—keep going. If not, tweak one thing and try again. Templates are there to save your time and brainpower, not to create more busywork. The most effective outreach is honest, quick, and feels like it came from a real human.

Get your template down, keep it simple, and remember: nobody cares about your font choice—they just want to know there’s a real person behind the video.