If you’re running outbound campaigns—email, LinkedIn, video, whatever—you already know the pain: keeping your brand’s message steady and not sounding like a robot (or worse, ten different robots). This one’s for marketers, founders, and sales folks who want to use AI video avatars without coming off like a try-hard startup pitch deck. We’ll talk about using Hourone for brand consistency, what actually works, and what’s just noise.
Let’s get into it.
Why Use AI Avatars for Outbound? (And When You Shouldn’t)
AI avatars are everywhere now. They promise “scalability” and “engagement,” but let’s get real:
Why bother: - Consistency: Your avatar says the same thing, the same way, every time. That’s the main win. - Personalization (sort of): You can customize names, intros, and a bit of content, so it’s not just a blanket blast. - Time: Once set up, you can produce a ton of videos without wrangling a camera or a human face.
But here’s what they’re NOT: - A magic bullet for open rates or replies. - A replacement for genuine human connection. - Foolproof—bad scripts, awkward avatars, or mismatched tone will still crater your results.
If your audience is high-touch or expects a real face, tread lightly. AI avatars are best for cold outreach, top-of-funnel, or “explainer” type campaigns—not closing deals or handling sensitive topics.
Step 1: Nail Down Your Brand Voice (Before You Even Open Hourone)
Hourone can mimic a face, but it can’t save a muddled message. If you don’t know what your brand sounds like, you’ll just crank out forgettable AI videos.
Do this first: - Write a one-sentence brand promise. (Not a paragraph. One sentence. No buzzwords.) - List 3 “dos” and 3 “don’ts” for your tone. Examples: “Do sound approachable, don’t use jargon.” - Pick a real person (famous or not) who embodies your vibe. This helps guide avatar selection later.
Pro tip: If your brand sounds different across sales decks, website, and emails, fix the basics before layering on AI. Otherwise, you’ll just amplify the mess.
Step 2: Set Up Hourone for Your Brand
Now, head into Hourone. There are a bunch of options, but here’s how to actually get set up for consistent outbound videos:
2.1. Choose Your Avatar Carefully
- Don’t just pick the “coolest” or most photogenic avatar. Ask: Does this person fit the vibe you want? (Refer back to your tone dos/don’ts.)
- If possible, create a custom avatar of your real team member. This costs extra, but it’s worth it for trust and recognition.
- Test avatars internally. What feels sleek to you might seem uncanny or off-putting to others.
2.2. Set Up Your Brand Assets
- Logo, colors, and backgrounds: Upload these so every video looks “on brand.” Skip the stock backgrounds—use your workspace, product, or something neutral.
- Lower thirds and overlays: Use these to reinforce your brand name, website, or CTA. Don’t clutter things up.
2.3. Configure Voice and Language
- Pick a voice that matches your avatar and brand tone. Don’t use a hyper-formal accent if you’re a casual SaaS tool. Don’t use a perky voice if you’re selling compliance software.
- Adjust pacing and pronunciation. Hourone lets you tweak this—take advantage. Run test scripts with tricky words (especially your brand or product name).
Step 3: Script Like a Human, Not an AI
This is where most AI video campaigns fall flat. Just because you can scale personalized videos doesn’t mean you should sound like a robot or LinkedIn bro.
Tips for solid scripts:
- Keep it short and direct. 30-60 seconds max.
- Use plain language. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it here.
- Personalize where it matters. First name, company, a line about their industry—fine. Don’t fake deep knowledge you don’t have.
- Include a clear CTA. Don’t beat around the bush.
What to avoid: - Clichés (“Supercharge your business!”), aggressive sales language, or “Hi, {{FirstName}}, I noticed you’re crushing it at {{Company}}...” - Jokes or references that don’t translate. AI avatars aren’t great at sarcasm or humor—they’ll just sound weird.
Pro tip: Read your script out loud. If it feels cringey, it’ll be worse coming from an avatar.
Step 4: Produce and Test Your Videos
Here’s where people get lazy—don’t just record one video and blast it to everyone. Treat this like any other outbound campaign: test, tweak, and pay attention.
4.1. Batch Production
- Use Hourone’s batch tools to create multiple video versions (swap out names, companies, etc.).
- Check for rendering errors—sometimes the avatar’s lipsync or gestures get weird with unusual names or words.
4.2. Quality Control
- Watch your final videos all the way through. Yes, every single one for your first batch.
- Look for off-brand moments: awkward pauses, backgrounds that clash, anything that screams “AI.”
4.3. A/B Test
- Try two scripts, two avatars, or two CTAs and see what gets better replies.
- Don’t overcomplicate—pick one variable to test at a time.
Pro tip: If you’re getting “is this AI?” replies or people ignoring you, your script or avatar probably needs work. Don’t blame the tech—blame the setup.
Step 5: Integrate Into Your Outbound Workflow
AI videos shouldn’t live in a silo. If you’re serious about consistent messaging, you need to plug them into your existing tools.
- CRM/Outreach tools: Most outbound platforms (like Outreach, Salesloft, or HubSpot) let you embed video links or thumbnails. Use these, but don’t autoplay—people hate surprise noise.
- Track opens and clicks. Hourone gives you some analytics, but integrate with your CRM for the full picture.
- Follow up like a human. Don’t just send a video and ghost prospects. Have a short, text-based follow-up ready.
What to skip: Don’t waste time on fancy video landing pages unless you already know your audience responds to video. Start simple.
What Works, What Doesn’t, What to Ignore
What works: - Consistent avatar, voice, and setting across all videos. - Short, honest scripts that sound like a real person. - Direct, respectful outreach. No fake excitement.
What doesn’t: - Overly “personalized” videos that get facts wrong. - Using avatars for bottom-of-funnel or sensitive messages (bad idea). - Relying on AI to make boring messages interesting. Fix the message first.
What to ignore: - “AI engagement hacks” or plugins that promise 10x replies. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. - Over-customizing every video. Marginal returns after the basics are solid. - Chasing the latest avatar models. Consistency beats novelty.
Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast
Don’t get lost making the “perfect” AI video. Start with a clear message, a consistent avatar, and a script that respects your audience’s time. Watch how people actually respond—then tweak.
Outbound is always a grind, but with the right setup, Hourone avatars can save you time without wrecking your brand. Keep it simple, stay human, and don’t be afraid to throw out what isn’t working. That’s how you’ll stand out—AI or not.