If you’re tired of sending the same old canned emails to leads, and you want to actually stand out (without adding hours to your day), you’ve probably heard about Bonjoro. It’s a tool for sending short, personal video messages—great for making a real connection, not just another “touchpoint.” But a smart tool is only half the battle. The real magic happens when your CRM and Bonjoro work together, so you can send the right message to the right lead at the right time—automatically.
This guide is for folks who want to actually set this up, not just skim another “integration is easy!” blog post. Whether you use HubSpot, Salesforce, ActiveCampaign, or something else, I’ll walk you through connecting Bonjoro with your CRM, automating lead nurturing, and avoiding the common headaches. No fluff, no promises of “seamless” anything—just what works, what doesn’t, and how to get started.
Why bother? Does personal video even work for lead nurturing?
Let’s be honest: most “personalized” outreach isn’t personal at all. But a quick video can move the needle—if you do it right. People are more likely to open, watch, and respond to a video than another email template. Still, it only works if:
- You actually send the videos at the right time (not weeks later)
- It doesn’t become just another tedious manual task
- It feels authentic, not forced or over-produced
That’s why integration matters. If you set it up well, you can automate the trigger but keep the message personal.
What you need before you start
You’ll need:
- A Bonjoro account (duh)
- Access to your CRM (and admin permissions—don’t get stuck waiting for IT)
- A trigger point—when do you want a video to be sent? (e.g. when a new lead is added, after a demo, etc.)
- Either Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), or direct native integration (depends on your CRM and Bonjoro plan)
Pro tip: Don’t overthink your first workflow. Start with one basic trigger (like “new lead assigned to me”) and expand later.
Step 1: Decide what you actually want to automate
Before diving into settings, figure out when you want Bonjoro videos sent. A few common use cases:
- When someone fills out your lead form
- When a lead books a call or demo
- After a webinar or event registration
- When a deal moves to a new stage (e.g. trial → paid)
What not to do: Don’t try to automate every touchpoint all at once. Pick the moment that really needs a personal touch.
Step 2: Check your CRM’s integration options
Not all CRMs are created equal when it comes to integrations. Here’s the quick rundown:
- Native integrations: Bonjoro has built-in integrations with some platforms (like HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, Salesforce, Mailchimp, etc.). These are usually easiest.
- Zapier or Make: If your CRM isn’t on the native list, you can almost always connect via Zapier or Make. (But if you’re on a free plan, check your task/operation limits.)
- API (for the nerds): If you want to get fancy (or your CRM is obscure), Bonjoro’s API is solid, but you’ll need dev help.
How to check: Go to your Bonjoro dashboard, click “Integrations,” and see what’s listed. If your CRM is there—great. If not, plan on using Zapier or Make.
Step 3: Connect Bonjoro to your CRM
A. Using a native integration
Here’s the general process (let’s use HubSpot as an example):
- In Bonjoro: Go to “Integrations” and select your CRM.
- Authenticate: Click “Connect” and log in to your CRM account. Approve any permissions (read/write access to contacts or leads).
- Choose your trigger: Pick the event that should trigger a Bonjoro task. For example, “New contact added with Lifecycle Stage = Lead.”
- Map your fields: Decide what info Bonjoro should pull (like name, email, company, etc.). Don’t overcomplicate—just grab what you need to personalize your message.
- Test it: Add a test contact in your CRM and see if a Bonjoro task pops up.
What can go wrong?
- Field mismatches—double-check that your CRM fields match Bonjoro’s.
- Permissions—make sure you have enough rights in the CRM to connect apps.
- Multiple triggers—avoid setting up conflicting automations that could spam your team.
B. Using Zapier or Make
If there’s no native integration (or it’s too limited), go the Zapier/Make route:
- Create a new Zap (or scenario):
- Trigger: Choose your CRM and set the event (e.g. “New Lead”).
- Action: “Create Bonjoro Task.”
- Connect your accounts: You’ll need API keys or login credentials for both Bonjoro and your CRM.
- Map fields: Same as above—just the essentials.
- Set filters: Optional, but useful. For example, only create a Bonjoro if the lead source is “Webinar.”
- Test your automation: Run through a dummy lead to make sure the Bonjoro task creates.
Downsides to this method:
- More moving parts = more things can break.
- Zapier/Make free plans can be limiting if you’re sending a lot of leads.
- Sometimes there’s a delay (Zapier checks every 5-15 minutes on basic plans).
Step 4: Set up your first Bonjoro workflow
Now that you’re connected, set up the actual workflow in Bonjoro:
- Create a Campaign (optional): If you want to track conversions or have multiple users sending videos, use Campaigns.
- Assign senders: Who on your team gets the Bonjoro tasks? You can assign by round-robin, owner in CRM, or just yourself for now.
- Customize your message template: You can add default text to your video messages. Keep it short and personal—don’t sound like a robot.
- Set up notifications: Decide how you’ll be notified when a new Bonjoro task is created (email, mobile app, dashboard).
Step 5: Record and send your videos
This is the part that’s actually personal—don’t let automation make you lazy.
- Keep it short: 30–60 seconds is plenty.
- Use the contact’s name and something specific (if possible): Even if it’s just “Saw you signed up from Austin—love that city.”
- Don’t stress about production quality: Good lighting and clear audio matter more than fancy backgrounds.
- Send promptly: The sooner after the trigger, the better. That’s why automation matters.
Pro tip: Batch record a few videos during your “video time” each day, especially if you get a lot of leads. But don’t let them pile up until they’re irrelevant.
Step 6: Track results and tweak your automation
Sending videos is good. Knowing if they actually work is better.
- Bonjoro tracks opens, clicks, replies, and conversions. Check your stats after a week or two.
- If nobody’s watching or responding, tweak your message or try a different trigger.
- If you’re getting overwhelmed, add filters so only the best leads trigger a Bonjoro.
What to ignore: Don’t get obsessed with vanity metrics. Focus on replies, booked meetings, or whatever actually matters for your sales process.
What doesn’t work (and how to avoid it)
A few honest lessons from seeing a lot of these integrations:
- Don’t try to automate “personal touch” for every single lead. You’ll burn out, or it’ll stop feeling personal.
- Don’t ignore your own workflow. If you never check Bonjoro tasks, leads just sit there. Set reminders or integrate with your main tools (Slack, email, etc.).
- Don’t send generic videos. If your video sounds like a pitch, people tune out. Show you took 10 seconds to look at their info.
FAQs and troubleshooting
What if my CRM isn’t supported at all?
There’s almost always a workaround via Zapier or Make. If not, you can export a CSV and import to Bonjoro manually—not ideal, but it works.
Does Bonjoro work for B2B and B2C?
Yes, but the best use cases are high-value leads or clients. Don’t try to send videos to every single newsletter signup.
Can I automate the video itself?
Not really (and you shouldn’t). The point is that it’s personal. You can automate the task creation, but you still need to record.
Keep it simple—and improve as you go
The best integrations are the ones you actually use. Start with a single trigger, see how it works, and don’t be afraid to change things up. As you figure out what works for your leads, you can add more triggers, more senders, or more creative videos. But don’t let perfect be the enemy of done.
You’re not trying to win an Oscar—you’re just trying to show leads there’s a real human on the other side. Set up the basics, send a few videos, and tweak as you go. That’s how you actually get results.