Getting people to reply to your emails is tough, especially when everyone’s inbox is a dumpster fire of “just checking in” messages. If you want to stand out, sending a video that feels personal—not just another copy-paste—can actually get people to notice you. But recording a hundred custom videos? Nobody has time for that.
This guide is for sales folks, recruiters, or anyone who wants more replies without burning hours. Here’s how you can automate personalized follow-up emails with video using Tavus—and what’s honestly worth doing (and what isn’t).
Why bother with personalized video?
Let’s be real: most email “personalization” is just swapping out the first name. People aren’t fooled. A real video, even if it’s AI-generated, grabs attention because it’s uncommon and feels more human.
But:
- Video only works if it’s actually relevant. “Hey, [Name]!” isn’t magic.
- Automation can be creepy if you overdo it or sound robotic.
- Poorly done video is worse than no video.
So, use this tactic when you have a list you want to move, and your message is worth the extra effort.
Step 1: Get the basics set up
Before you start, you’ll need:
- A Tavus account (paid, not cheap—don’t bother if you’re just experimenting)
- A list of people and their info (name, maybe company, something specific you can mention)
- An email platform that integrates with Tavus or supports video embeds (think: HubSpot, Outreach, or just Gmail with links)
Pro tip: If you’re not ready to commit to Tavus, test your message with a few manual videos first. If nobody bites, automation won’t save you.
Step 2: Record your base video (and don’t overthink it)
You don’t need a fancy studio. Just record yourself saying the core of your message. Tavus will use this to generate different versions.
What to do: - Speak like you’re talking to one real person. - Leave short pauses where you want personalized info (e.g., “Hi [pause], I noticed you’re with [pause]...”). - Keep it under 90 seconds. Nobody wants a TED talk in their inbox.
What not to do: - Don’t try to fake enthusiasm you don’t have. People can tell. - Don’t jam in too many personalized fields—two or three is plenty.
Step 3: Add personalization tags
This is where Tavus gets clever. You tell it which parts of your video should be swapped out with personalized info.
Typical tags: - First name - Company name - Recent achievement, or something relevant you can pull from your data
You’ll upload a CSV or connect to your CRM to map those fields. Tavus will then synthesize the video so it says “Hi, Sarah from Acme Corp,” not just “Hi there.”
Warning: The more tags you add, the higher the chance something sounds weird or “off.” Stick to names and one extra detail.
Step 4: Generate your video batch
Now for the magic (and the reality check).
- Upload your contacts and let Tavus process the videos.
- This can take a while if your list is big—don’t expect instant results.
- Once done, you’ll get a list of unique video links.
What works:
Short, simple videos with one or two custom bits sound surprisingly natural. Most people won’t know it’s AI unless they’re really listening for it.
What doesn’t:
If you try to personalize too much (like job titles, weird company names, or anything with tricky pronunciation), the AI sometimes butchers it. Always spot-check a few finished videos.
Step 5: Build your follow-up email
You’ve got your videos. Now, how do you send them without landing in spam or looking gimmicky?
- Write a short, honest email. “Hey [Name], made you a quick video—wanted to follow up on [reason].”
- Embed a thumbnail image of the video with a play button. Link it to the unique Tavus video URL.
- Don’t write a novel. The video is the main event.
Things to watch out for: - Some email clients block images. Always include a fallback link: “If you can’t see the video, click here.” - Don’t mention “AI” or “synthetic” video. Nobody cares how you made it—they care what’s in it.
Step 6: Automate sending (without being a robot)
Depending on your email tool, you’ll either:
- Use Tavus’s built-in integrations to pull video links into your outreach platform, or
- Download the video URLs and merge them into your email campaign manually
Keep in mind: - Don’t blast 500 emails at once. Drip them out—otherwise, your deliverability tanks. - Watch your open and reply rates. If nobody’s clicking the videos, rework your subject lines or intro text.
Step 7: Measure, tweak, repeat
Here’s the part most people skip.
- Track who opens, clicks, and replies. Tavus gives you some analytics, but you’ll want to track replies in your own system.
- A/B test different email copy and video intros. Sometimes “quick question” beats “made you a video.”
- Don’t just look at views—did you actually get more replies? If not, it’s just a shiny gimmick.
Pro tip: If you’re not getting results after a few rounds, go back to basics. Maybe your offer or timing is off. Video isn’t magic.
What’s worth doing (and what’s not)
Worth your time: - Personalizing with the recipient’s name and company—simple, effective, rarely sounds weird - Keeping videos short and to the point - Spot-checking a few final videos to catch any embarrassing AI flubs
Skip it: - Overloading with personalization tags - Sending videos to cold lists who’ve never heard of you (they’ll think you’re a spammer) - Relying on video alone—if your message is generic, the medium won’t save you
Quick FAQ
Does Tavus sound real?
Most of the time, yes—especially for common names and short phrases. Unusual names can trip it up. Always check.
Will this kill my inbox?
If you go from 0 to 1000 videos overnight, your email reputation might take a hit. Ramp up slowly.
Is it worth the money?
If you’re doing high-value outreach and your conversions matter, probably. For mass, low-touch campaigns, it’s overkill.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, iterate often
Automating personalized video follow-ups with Tavus can lift your reply rates—but only if your message is actually worth someone’s time. Don’t get lost in the weeds with too much personalization or fancy tech. Start simple, see what works, and tweak as you go. And if it feels like more work than it’s worth, don’t be afraid to drop it and move on to the next experiment.