If you’re sending out B2B cold emails and getting nothing but crickets, you’re not alone. Most outreach goes ignored. But if you can get someone to actually watch your message—even just for 20 seconds—you’re already ahead of the pack. That’s where video messaging comes in. This guide is for anyone in sales, partnerships, or customer success who wants to use video to break through the noise and actually get a response.
Let’s cut through the fluff and talk about how to use Sendtrumpet video messaging to make your outreach worth opening.
Why Video Messaging Works (When It Works)
Most inboxes look like a landfill—everyone’s skimming, nobody’s clicking. Sending a custom video isn’t magic, but it does a few things you can’t do with text alone:
- It’s eye-catching: A thumbnail of your face or their logo stands out in a sea of paragraphs.
- You seem human: People are more likely to reply when they feel you’re a real person, not a bot.
- You can build trust faster: Tone of voice, body language, even a smile—none of that fits in plain text.
But let’s be clear: Sending a video doesn’t guarantee replies. Sloppy videos, generic pitches, or sending to the wrong people will still get ignored. The tool is only as good as what you put into it.
Step 1: Decide Who Actually Needs a Video
Not every prospect deserves a personalized video. Save yourself the time (and embarrassment) by choosing wisely:
- High-value targets: Big deals, dream clients, or accounts you really want.
- Accounts that have ghosted you: If you’ve been ignored, a video might shake things up.
- People who never open emails: Sometimes a video in a LinkedIn DM or a direct link can get attention.
What to skip:
Don’t send 100 videos to random leads from a list. That’s just spray-and-pray with more effort. Focus on quality over quantity.
Step 2: Set Up Sendtrumpet Without Overthinking It
Getting started with Sendtrumpet is pretty straightforward. Here’s what matters:
- Sign up and get your account ready. Don’t obsess over perfection—just get in.
- Check your gear. Laptop webcam is fine. Use a headset if your mic is bad.
- Pick a simple background. No need for fancy setups—just avoid messy rooms or weird lighting.
- Install the Chrome extension (optional). This makes it easier to record and share videos right from your browser.
Pro tip:
Record a 15-second test video and send it to yourself. Watch it. If you wouldn’t reply to you, tweak something.
Step 3: Script Your Message—But Not Like a Robot
You don’t need a full script, but you do need a plan. Here’s a simple structure that works:
- 1. Say their name. (“Hey Sarah,”)
- 2. Mention something specific about them or their company. (“I saw your recent post on remote onboarding…”)
- 3. Get to the point quickly. (“I help teams like yours cut onboarding time in half—here’s how.”)
- 4. Call to action. (“If this sounds interesting, hit reply or book a quick call—link below.”)
- 5. Keep it under 60 seconds. Seriously.
Don’t:
- Read off a script word-for-word. You’ll sound stiff.
- Talk about yourself for 45 seconds before getting to the point.
- Use jargon or buzzwords—people tune out.
Do:
- Smile (even if it feels awkward).
- Be direct and honest.
- Use their name and something unique to prove this isn’t a mass send.
Step 4: Record Like a Human, Not a Salesbot
You don’t need to be charismatic or polished. Just be real.
- Look at the camera, not the screen. Eye contact (even fake eye contact) builds trust.
- Don’t obsess over mistakes. If you flub a word or say “um,” nobody cares.
- Keep your energy up. Videos drain energy—bring a little more than you think you need.
- Use the first 5 seconds wisely. If you’re boring up front, they’ll never finish.
Stuff that doesn’t matter: - Having a “perfect” background. - Fancy intros or outros. - Editing out every pause.
People just want to know you’re legit.
Step 5: Send Your Video the Right Way
How you send your video matters almost as much as the video itself.
- Use Sendtrumpet’s built-in landing pages. These look way better than just a raw video file.
- Write a short, honest email or message. In your email, mention there’s a custom video for them.
- Include a call to action. Make it dead simple for them to reply or book a call.
Subject lines that work: - “Quick video for [Name]” - “Tried something different for you” - “Made you a quick video”
Don’t:
- Bury the video link in a wall of text.
- Use “Just following up…” as your opener.
If you’re following up:
Reference the video again. Some people miss it the first time.
Step 6: Track Who’s Watching and Follow Up (Without Being Creepy)
Sendtrumpet shows you who opened and watched your video. Here’s how to use that info:
- If they watched and didn’t reply: Send a short follow-up. “Saw you checked out the video—any thoughts?”
- If they didn’t watch: Try a different channel (LinkedIn, phone call), or tweak your subject line.
- Don’t overdo it. If they ghost you after two tries, move on.
A word of caution:
Don’t mention exactly how long they watched (“I saw you watched 17 seconds…”). That’s just weird.
What Actually Moves the Needle (And What Doesn’t)
Works: - Personalization—use their name, mention something real. - Keeping it short. - Clear, low-pressure calls to action.
Doesn’t work: - Sending generic videos to everyone. - Rambling intros or overproduced videos. - Treating video as a “magic bullet”—it’s just another tool.
Skip the gimmicks (props, costumes, forced humor) unless you know your audience will appreciate it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Batching videos for 50 leads a day. You’ll burn out and it won’t feel personal.
- Focusing on video quality over message quality. Nobody cares if your camera is 4K.
- Not tracking results. If your videos get no replies, change something.
Keep It Simple—Then Iterate
Don’t let “video” intimidate you. The goal is to stand out and be human, not to win an Oscar. Start small: pick ten high-value leads, send them a short, honest video, and see what happens. If you’re not getting replies, tweak your message or target. If it works, do more. That’s it.
Most people never try video at all. If you do, and you keep it simple, you’re already ahead.