If you’re in sales, you already know: generic pitches don’t cut it. Prospects want to feel like you’re talking to them, not just reading from a script. The problem? Personalized video presentations sound great in theory—until you realize they’re usually a pain to make, especially if you’re not a video pro.
This guide walks you through how to create solid, personalized sales videos using Hourone, an AI video platform that actually makes this stuff doable for regular people. No expensive camera gear, no video editing degree required. Let’s get into it.
Why Personalized Video Presentations?
Before we jump in, here’s the bottom line: Personalized video emails and presentations get more replies, more meetings, and, sometimes, more deals. Why? Because people like seeing a human face, and nobody wants to feel like prospect #412.
But making personalized videos one by one is a time sink. That’s where tools like Hourone help—you set up a template, automate the personalization, and send out videos that (almost) look like you recorded each one individually.
What You Need Before You Start
Let’s not overcomplicate it. Here’s what you’ll want handy:
- Your main sales pitch/storyline—keep it short.
- A list of prospects and whatever info you want to personalize (name, company, etc.).
- Any branding assets: logo, colors, maybe a slide deck.
- Decent copy for your video script. (Don’t just wing it.)
Step 1: Set Up Your Hourone Account
If you haven’t already, sign up for Hourone. The process is standard—email, password, confirm. There are free trials and paid plans. Choose what fits your needs (if you’re experimenting, don’t pay yet).
Pro tip: Use a work email if you want to keep things separate from your personal inbox. And double-check which features are limited on the free plan—some advanced personalization might be paywalled.
Step 2: Start a New Video Project
Once you’re in, hit “Create New Video” or whatever Hourone calls it these days. You’ll see a few options:
- Templates: Choose a sales-focused template. You can start from scratch, but templates save time.
- Presentation Upload: If you have a PowerPoint or Google Slides deck, you can often import it directly. Just check formatting—AI isn’t magic.
What works: Templates designed for sales outreach usually put the focus on your message, not fancy graphics.
What to ignore: Don’t get lost picking the “perfect” template. You can tweak it later.
Step 3: Choose Your Presenter/Avatar
Hourone lets you pick an AI presenter—a digital human, basically. Some look eerily realistic, some less so.
- Pick a presenter that matches your brand. If you’re at a law firm, maybe skip the guy in a t-shirt. If you want to use your own face, see if Hourone supports custom avatars (sometimes it costs extra).
- Voice: Most Hourone presenters have a choice of voices and languages. Test a few to find one that doesn’t sound robotic.
Honest take: No AI avatar is going to fool anyone into thinking it’s really you, but a well-chosen presenter can still feel friendly and professional.
Step 4: Write (or Import) Your Script
This is where the magic happens—or falls flat. Your script needs to be short, clear, and have spots for personalization.
- Personalization tags: Hourone uses variables like {{first_name}} or {{company_name}}. Put these where you want the AI to swap in prospect info.
- Keep it conversational: Write how you speak, not how you write emails.
- Break it up: Short sentences, no jargon. People tune out fast.
Example:
Hi {{first_name}}, I saw that {{company_name}} is expanding its sales team. Here’s a quick idea on how we can help you onboard new reps faster…
Mistakes to avoid:
- Stuffing in too many personalization tags—it gets awkward.
- Writing a novel. Aim for 1-2 minutes, tops.
Step 5: Add Visuals and Branding
Now, make it look like it came from your company.
- Logos: Add your company logo to the intro/outro or as a watermark.
- Brand colors: Set them in the template so things look consistent.
- Slides/images: Drop in product screenshots, stats, or customer quotes. But don’t clutter the screen.
Pro tip: Less is more. A couple of slides and a clear logo beat a busy, confusing deck.
Step 6: Set Up Personalization
This is where Hourone starts to earn its keep. You’ll use a spreadsheet (CSV) with your prospect info.
- Upload your data: Hourone should walk you through mapping your columns (like “First Name,” “Company,” etc.) to the script tags.
- Preview: Always preview a few examples to check that the personalization actually makes sense.
What works: Using just a few key personalization fields—name, company, maybe a specific pain point. It feels personal without looking forced.
What to ignore: Overcomplicating it with dozens of fields. The more variables, the more room for mistakes.
Step 7: Generate Your Videos
Once your template and data are ready, hit “Generate.” Hourone will crank out a batch of videos, one for each row in your spreadsheet.
- Rendering time: This can take a while, especially if you’re making dozens or hundreds of videos. Hourone will notify you when they’re ready.
- Check a few: Watch several videos all the way through. Look for awkward pauses, mispronunciations, or weird transitions.
Heads up: No AI system is perfect. Names, especially unusual ones, can trip up the text-to-speech. Fix what you can, but don’t obsess—most people will appreciate the effort.
Step 8: Distribute Your Videos
Now you’ve got a pile of personalized videos. Here’s what to do with them:
- Email: Most common. You can get a link to each video, or in some setups, embed a thumbnail GIF in your email.
- CRM Integration: If you use HubSpot, Salesforce, etc., see if Hourone plugs in directly. This can save time.
- Landing pages: Some teams send prospects to a personalized landing page with the video at the top.
What works: Put the video link or thumbnail right near the top of your message. Don’t bury it below a wall of text.
What to ignore: Don’t just attach a huge video file. Nobody wants to download that.
Step 9: Track Engagement (But Don’t Obsess)
Hourone and most email tools can show you if someone watched your video.
- Open rates and watch rates: Useful, but don’t get too hung up on the numbers. The goal is to open doors, not chase vanity metrics.
- Follow up: If someone watched your video, follow up with a quick note. But don’t act like a stalker—“I saw you watched my video…” is creepy.
Honest take: Video tracking is helpful, but it won’t magically close deals. Focus on starting real conversations.
Step 10: Refine Your Process
Your first batch will probably be rough around the edges. That’s normal.
- Get feedback: Ask a few prospects or coworkers what landed and what didn’t.
- Tweak your script: If people tune out after 30 seconds, try a shorter intro.
- Iterate: Don’t try to perfect things on the first go. Small changes add up.
Things that actually matter: - Clear, direct messaging. - Authenticity. Don’t try to sound like a robot—or an “AI thought leader.” - Keeping it simple.
Final Thoughts
Personalized video sounds fancy, but it’s just another way to get your message across—don’t let the tech get in your way. Start small, keep your videos short and to the point, and don’t be afraid to send out a version that’s “good enough.” You can always polish the next batch.
If you hit a wall, take a break and remember: nobody ever closed a deal because their template transition was perfect. Just get your face (or your AI avatar’s face) in front of your prospects and see what happens.