If you’re in sales or customer success, you know sending the right video at the right moment can move deals forward. But actually getting that video in front of prospects—without it getting stuck in spam, blocked by firewalls, or buried in attachments—is a pain.
That’s where Clearslide comes in. It’s built for sharing sales content, tracking engagement, and (theoretically) making your life easier. But, like any tool, it’s not magic. Here’s a straightforward, no-nonsense guide to uploading and sharing video content with prospects using Clearslide—what actually works, what’s clunky, and what to skip.
Step 1: Prep Your Video (Don’t Skip This)
Before you even log in, get your video file sorted out:
- Format: Clearslide supports common formats like MP4, MOV, and WMV. Stick with MP4 if you can—it’s the least likely to cause headaches.
- File Size: Large files (over 500MB) can take ages to upload and sometimes fail. If your video is huge, compress it first using Handbrake or an online tool.
- Length: Shorter is better. If your video is over 5 minutes, ask yourself if your prospect will really watch the whole thing.
Pro tip: Watch your video all the way through before uploading. Nothing kills credibility like sending a prospect a broken or awkwardly-edited clip.
Step 2: Uploading Your Video Content
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Log in to Clearslide.
Go to your dashboard. If you don't see “Content” in the menu, you might not have the right permissions—ask your admin. -
Navigate to “Content.”
This is where all your decks, documents, and videos live. -
Click “Upload Content.”
You’ll get an option to upload different types. Choose “Video.” -
Select and upload your file.
Pick your video from your computer. Clearslide will start processing it (this can take a few minutes for big files). -
Name and organize.
Give the video a clear title—something you’ll recognize later. Use folders or tags if your org has a system. If not, start one (future you will thank you).
What works:
- The upload process is simple and you can upload multiple files at once.
- Clearslide automatically converts videos for web playback.
What doesn’t:
- There’s no built-in video editor. If you need to trim or tweak, do it before uploading.
- Processing can be slow for large files, so plan ahead.
Step 3: Double-Check Playback
Don’t assume everything uploaded perfectly. Click on your video in Clearslide and:
- Play it all the way through (yes, really).
- Check audio and video quality.
- If you spot issues, fix them locally and re-upload.
Clearslide doesn’t let you edit videos after upload, so any fixes require a trip back to your editor.
Pro tip: If you’re sending a video that’s sensitive or under NDA, check your org’s policies—Clearslide is secure, but you’re still responsible for what you upload.
Step 4: Share the Video with Prospects
There are a few ways to share a video via Clearslide. Here’s how to do it—and what to consider.
A. Share a Link
- Find your video in the Content library.
- Click “Share” or the chain/link icon.
- Choose “Link” to generate a shareable URL.
- Copy the link and paste it into your email, LinkedIn message, or wherever you communicate.
Why use this? - Easiest way to get content out fast. - Clearslide tracks who clicks and how long they watch (if they enter their email).
Watch out for: - Some prospects might not want to enter their email to watch. If you can, set the viewing permissions to “Anyone with the link.”
B. Send via Email Template
If you’re using Clearslide’s email tools:
- Create a new email in Clearslide.
- Insert your video from the Content library.
- Personalize your message, then send.
Pros: - Engagement tracking is automatic. - Keeps everything in one place for reporting.
Cons: - Templates can look generic. Add a short, personal note so it doesn’t scream “mass email.” - Some spam filters are suspicious of Clearslide links, especially if you go heavy on images or links.
C. Live Meetings or Presentations
You can play videos directly from Clearslide during a live session:
- Add the video to your presentation deck.
- When you get to that slide, hit play—the platform will stream it for everyone.
Heads up:
- Streaming works, but isn’t always smooth if you (or your prospect) have a slow connection.
- Always have a backup plan—if the video stutters, offer to send the link after.
Step 5: Track Engagement (But Don’t Overthink It)
Clearslide’s engagement tracking is one of its selling points. Here’s what you actually get:
- Who viewed your video (if they enter their info)
- When they watched, and for how long
- Whether they watched the whole thing or bailed halfway
How to use this:
- If someone watches your full video, follow up quickly—strike while they’re interested.
- If you see a drop-off at a certain point, consider trimming or tweaking your video.
- Don’t obsess over the numbers. One person can watch ten times and still ghost you. Use engagement as a signal, not gospel.
Step 6: Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
Don’t:
- Send giant, uncompressed files—upload will stall or fail.
- Assume prospects will click a generic link with no context.
- Rely on video alone to do the selling. It’s a tool, not a magic bullet.
Do:
- Give your prospect a reason to watch (“This 2-minute demo answers the question you asked…”).
- Keep backup copies outside of Clearslide, just in case.
- Check permissions—make sure your link actually works before you hit send.
Ignore:
- The urge to cram videos everywhere. Use video when it adds value, not just because you can.
- Overly fancy tracking dashboards. If you’re spending more time in Clearslide’s analytics than talking to prospects, you’re missing the point.
Real Talk: What Clearslide Gets Right (and What’s Just Okay)
Thumbs up:
- Easy upload and sharing for most common video formats.
- Decent tracking, as long as your prospects don’t mind clicking through.
So-so:
- No video editing or trimming in the platform.
- Uploads can be slow, especially on spotty Wi-Fi.
- Some folks find the interface dated, but it gets the job done.
If you’re in a big sales org, the tracking and sharing tools beat sending attachments or YouTube links. If you’re a solo rep, you might find simpler tools work just as well.
Quick Recap: Keep It Simple
Uploading and sharing video in Clearslide isn’t rocket science:
- Prep your video (format, size, length).
- Upload, organize, and double-check.
- Share using the right method for your prospect.
- Track basic engagement, but don’t obsess.
- Learn and tweak as you go.
Don’t get bogged down in bells and whistles. Keep it simple, focus on the conversation, and use video as one more way to help—not as a crutch. Iterate as you learn what actually gets watched and moves things forward. That’s it.