But with the right car sales cold call scripts, you can make the most of a rare opportunity and turn an awkward interruption into a high-converting conversation.

In this post, we’ll break down three effective auto sales cold call scripts. These aren’t just templates—they’re practical tools you can customize and use right away to start booking appointments and closing deals.

Why Car Sales Cold Call Scripts Matter

A few dynamics make cold calling difficult in the auto world.

First, many car buyers are skeptical of salespeople. For better or for worse, we’re all familiar with the sleazy car salesman stereotype. Even though this doesn’t apply to the vast majority of sellers, it can still cause prospects to keep their guard up.

Second, car buyers today don’t like interacting with salespeople right off the bat. They want to do research upfront to understand their options.

Third, many people don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers (we’ll share a strategy later to help overcome this). The pressure is on when someone does answer a call.

All that being said, a well-structured car sales script helps you:

• Stay confident and focused
• Communicate value quickly
• Overcome objections with ease
• Set more appointments and test drives

Instead of winging it, use these proven scripts as your launchpad. As you gain experience, you’ll internalize the language and speak more freely. You’ll also start making your own car dealer scripts and come up with new approaches that work well for your specific dealership.

Script #1: The “Inventory Hotlist” Opener

This approach creates urgency by offering value right away—an insider’s look at high-demand vehicles.

Script:

Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Dealership Name]. I’ll be quick—just wanted to let you know we’ve got a few new vehicles in stock that are moving really fast, and I thought of you based on your past interest in [vehicle type or brand].

Would you like me to send over a quick list of what’s available before they’re gone?

If they say yes:

Great! What’s the best email or phone number to reach you at? I’ll include pricing, trade-in options and current incentives.

Why It Works:

• Creates urgency
• Shows you’re being thoughtful and proactive
• Easy to say “yes” to

If the prospect says “no,” ask if you can call back in 3 months to see if anything’s changed. You can also offer to email the updated vehicle list directly if they’d prefer.

Script #2: The “Trade-In Value” Hook

Tap into curiosity about trade-in value to get the conversation rolling.

Script:

Hey [Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Dealership Name]. The market’s been crazy lately—trade-in values are higher than they’ve been in years.

Are you curious what your [Current Car Make/Model] might be worth today?

If yes:

Awesome. I can get you a free trade-in estimate in minutes—would you prefer I text or email the info?

Why It Works:

• Plays into financial curiosity
• Provides immediate value
• Smooth transition to a showroom visit

If the prospect says “no,” ask if you can follow up in 3 or 6 months.

Script #3: The “First-Time Buyer / Special Offer” Pitch

Perfect for targeting new buyers or promoting time-limited deals.

Script:

Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Dealership Name]. I’m reaching out because we have a first-time buyer program with some pretty sweet incentives this month—think reduced down payments and low APR financing.

Is now a good time to consider upgrading or buying your first vehicle?

If they’re open to it:

Great! We can do most of the work remotely and even schedule a test drive at your convenience. What kind of vehicle are you thinking about?

Why It Works:

• Leverages a promotional angle
• Targets a specific segment
• Opens the door for further conversation

Again, if they say “no,” try to get the person to agree to a follow-up call in the future.

Bonus Tips for Cold Calling Success

Here are some other things to keep in mind when making these cold calls.

• Personalize when possible: Reference previous visits, vehicles they liked, or online inquiries
• Keep it short and clear: Respect their time and cut the fluff
• End with a CTA: Always aim to set an appointment or send additional information
• Send a video message: Pair any cold calls you make with a video message before or after

A video message is a great way to “warm up” a cold lead. Even lukewarm is better than cold. There are two approaches here.

You can send a video message over email or social media before making your first call to a prospect. In the video message, let the recipient know that you are going to call them from an <XYZ> number. If they do watch the video message, they are now much more likely to answer your call because you primed them in advance.

You can also send a video message after your cold call if the prospect didn’t answer. In your video message, mention that you tried calling to discuss <insert something of value to them>. Let them know that you’ll try again in a few days or that they can reach you at <insert your contact information>.

The reason why a video message improves cold calling results is because it humanizes you. It helps your prospect realize that there is a real person trying to serve them in some way. And if you’re warm and smiling in your video message, your prospect will feel even more connected to you.

This significantly increases your chances of hearing back or getting them on the phone later. For more ideas on how to use video messaging in your auto sales process, check out this post.

And for email templates to go along with your cold call scripts, check out this post.

Final Thoughts

Cold calling isn’t dead—it just needs to be smart.

With these auto sales phone scripts, you’ll be ready to confidently engage prospects, book more test drives and move more vehicles off the lot. And if you combine cold calling with personalized video messaging, you’ll be even more successful.

For a deeper dive into how to generate leads as an auto salesperson, check out this post.

To give video messaging a try, start a free 14-day trial here.

You can also book a demo here for your entire team.

Knowing how to generate auto sales leads is a skillset that can transform your career. It involves knowing where your buyers are, how they think and what motivates them to engage.

Whether you’re working the showroom floor or managing online inquiries, lead generation is the engine that drives your sales.

In this post, we’ll break down the strategies top-performing dealerships use to fill their pipelines—and how you can do the same.

Optimize Your Website for Conversions

Your website is more than a digital business card—it’s your #1 lead capture tool.

But too many dealer sites are clunky, outdated and hard to navigate. Yours needs to be fast, mobile friendly and designed to convert leads into prospects.

That means:

• Clear calls to action (CTAs), like “Schedule a Test Drive” or “Get Pre-Approved”
• Easy-to-use forms
• Live chat and other communication options
• Inventory that’s accurate and updated daily

And don’t underestimate reviews. Google ratings and customer testimonials build credibility. Make it easy for happy customers to leave reviews—and use them in your marketing.

You can also start a blog to educate people in the local area on auto-related topics. Stick to high-level topics, like how to increase your gas mileage or save money on car insurance. Avoid topics that are specific to certain vehicle makes and models.

In every post, encourage your readers to take some action, whether that’s book a meeting at the dealership or sign up for an email list (more on this next). Your blog readers are anonymous leads you can’t pursue until they identify themselves.

Start an Email List

An email list is a great way to continue nurturing leads until they are ready to buy a car. At this point, you have their contact information. Now, you need to win their trust.

Like your blog posts, the emails you send should be packed with useful information. Combining education with inventory updates is a great way to reach people who are in different stages of the buying journey.

For instance, you could create an email template that begins with a section where you share your expertise on a particular topic and then follow with inventory updates.

We also recommend including a video message in your email to give a voiceover of its content. This is a great way to personalize your dealership and make it more memorable in the minds of recipients. Plus, video is often better for communicating more complex or nuanced details.

Your sending frequency will depend on two factors: sustainability and value.

Make sure that you and your team have the capacity to maintain a great newsletter. If you send too often, you risk burning out. If you don’t send often enough, you won’t stay top of mind with prospects and attract people who are ready to take action.

(btw, check out this article on car sales email templates you can use throughout the sales process)

Stay Active on Social Media

Car buyers need to be aware of you and your dealership before they start shopping. Social media is a great channel for this. You can build an audience organically and maintain connections over time.

If you’re in charge of your dealership’s social accounts, the key is to deliver value with every post. You want to build a great reputation and avoid adding noise to the newsfeed.

If you’re posting from your personal accounts, value still matters. But don’t feel like you only have to post work-related content. The right balance of personal and work content helps you come across authentically to your audience.

You can also use different social media channels for different purposes.

For example, you can post about new cars on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram. On TikTok and YouTube, you can share interesting videos about car maintenance or marketplace trends. And then you can use LinkedIn to share content related to sales strategies and tactics more broadly.

We recommend using a combination of video messages and text-only posts on social media. That way, you provide multiple ways to consume content and can showcase your personality. The more people that like you, the better your chances are of selling a car to them one day.

To make social media a true lead generator, you need to include CTAs in your posts. Let people know they can book a call or meeting with you at the dealership if they want to learn more about something. You can also direct them to the dealership website to check on the availability of a certain car.

Most people don’t take action unless you give them a good reason to. Be bold, and ask when it makes sense.

Retarget Engaged Leads

It can take a while for people to convert from leads into car buyers. That’s where retargeting comes in.

Retargeting means putting ads back in front of people who previously showed interest in buying a car on your website or who engaged with another one of your ads.

Retargeting tends to be less costly and more effective because leads are already somewhat qualified. You’re just trying to push them over the tipping point, which is easier than starting from square one.

Retargeting typically requires you to set up a “pixel” or add some code to your website for attribution purposes. You can find tutorials on how to set this up with a quick Google or YouTube search.

Surf Craigslist and Other Sites for Private Car Sales

People who are trying to sell a car directly to another person can be good potential prospects.

If your dealership purchases used cars, you can reach out and invite private sellers in for an appraisal. You can also see if they are looking to buy a new car to replace the old one.

This is a great way to catch people when they are actively thinking about car ownership. In your outreach, emphasize how much easier it is to go through your dealership and, again, focus on building an authentic connection.

Work Closely with the Service Department

If you’re able to partner with the service side of your dealership, do it. People who are coming in for oil changes, repairs and other maintenance already trust the dealership. Some may just need a slight push to move on from an older, broken down car.

There’s no harm in asking service customers if they’ve considered a new car recently. People dealing with larger repairs are likely already frustrated to be there. You can offer a solution to their pain – a new vehicle with fresh parts.

See if you can get a list from the service department of people who are coming in for appointments that day or that week. Reach out in advance, starting with the most expensive repairs.

Something as simple as “Hey, I saw you’re coming in for a service appointment on Thursday. While you’re waiting, would you be interested in taking a newer model for a test drive?”

You can also make this offer to people who are sitting in the waiting room. It’s an easy sell. Taking a quick spin in a nice car beats watching cable television with a room full of strangers.

Pick Up “Orphaned” Customers

Anytime salespeople leave your dealership, see if you can pick up some of their customers. Give these people a call, introduce yourself and ask about the vehicle they purchased from the salesperson who left.

(btw, here’s an article on how to make better cold calls as a car salesperson)

This is a great opportunity to build a relationship with someone who already appreciates your dealership. It’s an effective strategy for car lead generation and repeat purchases.

Build Relationships with Other Dealerships

Reps at other dealerships can be a great source of leads. When car buyers don’t find what they’re looking for at one dealership, you want them coming your way.

Spend time reaching out to salespeople at other dealerships. Grab coffees or lunches to exchange ideas. Share what’s working for you and ask for advice.

These connections can evolve into mutually beneficial business relationships based on the goal of helping customers find the perfect car for them.

Should You Purchase Lead Lists?

It’s tempting to purchase lead lists. With minimal effort, you receive a list of people you can start selling to immediately.

But here’s the thing: your competitors are probably buying the same lead lists.

That means you’re both actively calling people who may not remember submitting their information anywhere. This ends up being a poor buying experience for most people. You don’t like getting lots of calls from unfamiliar numbers either, right?

One report from SmarterHQ found that 72% of consumers will only engage with marketing that is tailored specifically to them. It’s hard to deliver this experience for leads you purchase.

You also can’t guarantee the quality of a lead list. In many cases, sales professionals end up spending a lot of time pursuing low-quality leads.

The better path is to learn how to generate auto sales leads on your own. Focusing on the approaches mentioned here will yield much better results.

For a broader overview of modern selling techniques for auto professionals, this post is for you.

If you want to give video messaging a try, sign up for a free 14-day trial here.

If your dealership is exploring video, you can also sign up for a demo here.

So how do you sell more cars at a dealership? How do you stand out from the competition? By building relationships with the help of modern technology.

Some of the automotive sales tips covered here are longstanding sales strategies that always matter. Others lean into new-age technology, like video messaging.

Learn Names and Personal Details

The first step to being a good auto salesman? Start with learning about your prospects.

Before any pitch, know who you’re talking to. Learn details about who they are and what they care about.

Buying a car is a big decision, and trust matters. Potential customers should feel like they are the only person you are helping. And you’ll experience fewer car sales objections when people like you.

The more you can integrate what you do as a car salesperson and what your prospects care about, the better your chances are of making a sale.

For example, if the person has mentioned they need a bigger car to accommodate more kids, talk about potential car options in relation to raising children.

“The trunk space in this vehicle makes it easy to transport all that baseball and hockey gear around.”

“Loading kids in and out is no problem given all the space in the middle row. And the safety test ratings for this vehicle are stellar.”

Don’t just sell a car. Sell a future. Sell a vision. Help your prospects imagine their lives with the car, which is only possible if you know who they are.

Become a Trusted Source of Education

You’re not just a dealership or a car salesperson. You’re an expert with a wealth of knowledge that car buyers would find valuable.

By answering common questions and helping people solve problems, you build credibility with your local market. Once someone is ready to buy a car, they’ll come to you first.

Share knowledge on your dealership’s social media profiles or YouTube channel. Post educational videos about basic car maintenance. Publish blogs on your website about market conditions and interest rates.

You can also host workshops and in-person events to teach people about the inner workings of their vehicles or how to think about an electric or hybrid car purchase.

Building out an educational arm to your dealership takes time. But it’s often a worthwhile investment.

(here’s a longer post on how to generate leads in auto sales)

Invest in a Good CRM

You need a great CRM to be able to track every lead, call and follow up. The busier you are, the harder it is to stay on top of your book of business.

Set daily lead goals. Log every interaction. Automate what you can and personalize wherever possible.

Your CRM is also a goldmine of data. Use it to study your customers so that you can refine your sales and marketing. Your goal should be to figure out who your best customers are, what characteristics they have in common and what messaging brings them in.

You can define “best” however you want. In most cases, customers worth replicating are those that spend the most money, cause the least amount of headache and send referrals your way.

If you can replicate these people, you’re winning. Your CRM is crucial for figuring out who these people are in the first place.

Be Persistent

Just because someone said “no” once doesn’t mean they are a “no” forever. Auto sales is all about timing. If you catch the right cold lead at the right time, they may suddenly become a qualified prospect.

If it helps, build a simple follow-up cadence:

• Day 1: Call + text + video email
• Day 2: Email with value (trade-in tool, financing guide, etc.)
• Day 4: Personalized message based on their interest
• Day 7: Quick check-in text
• Then, weekly value-based touches (not just “Still interested?”)

(btw, here’s an article all about cold calling in auto sales)

Persistence wins—but only if you’re adding value along the way.

Get More Car Sales with Personalized Video Messages

Over one-third of car buyers only visit one dealership before they make a purchase. Given this reality, your job is to make a lasting impression on people who visit, as well as convince more people to visit in the first place.

One of the best ways to do this is through video messaging. By including personalized video messages in your emails and texts, you show prospects that there is a real and friendly person on the other side of the dealership’s website. And, most likely, you stand out from the competition.

If you want to know how to sell a car fast and be a successful car salesman long term, this is the secret.

Video messaging is a powerful, yet underutilized tool in your automotive sales skillset. By implementing it today in your business, you set yourself up for a long-term success.

To help you get started, here are four opportunities to incorporate video messaging into your auto sales process today.

When Responding to a New Lead

Send a video message to a prospect shortly after they inquire about a car. Nailing this first touchpoint is important. It sets the tone for the rest of the engagement.

By having one of your reps send a video message along with information about the car, you immediately create a stronger connection with the car buyer. They’re now interacting with a person, not a brand.

Prospects who watch a video like this come to the dealership feeling like they already know you. They’re more comfortable and less likely to pit you against a competitor down the street.

Check out this example…

After an Onsite Visit

A little bit of gratitude goes a long way. After a prospect visits your dealership, send them a thank you video.

Let them know you appreciate they took the time to stop by. You can also recap any next steps you discussed or share additional thoughts about the right car for them on the lot.

Filming in front of the vehicle the prospect test drove is another great tactic to keep them excited.

Here’s an example…

Follow-up from a Manager After an Onsite Visit

It’s often helpful to have managers send follow-up video messages as well after an onsite visit. This reinforces how much you appreciate the prospect’s consideration and builds additional trust.

Here’s an example…

Follow Up After a Purchase

Great, you’ve sold the car! But your relationship with the customer shouldn’t end here.

Send a follow-up video message to thank the buyer and let them know your team is available to help with anything after the purchase. This is one of the best ways to leave a lasting impression and lay the foundation for future business together.

Here’s an example…

Bonus: Internal Dealership Updates

Video messages can also benefit the dealership internally. Video is a great way to share updates like sales wins, leads generated and exciting milestones.

Communicating in this way is much more engaging than sending the same information over a long email. And employees love receiving praise over video and seeing their colleagues celebrated.

This is a simple strategy to boost morale, improve retention and differentiate your dealership as an employer.

Here’s an example…

(btw, check out this article for email templates to go along with these types of video messages)

Get Rolling

With these simple, yet overlooked strategies, you can become a better auto salesperson. You can build relationships with car buyers faster than ever and differentiate yourself from everyone else in your local area.

To give video messaging a try, start a free 14-day trial with BombBomb here.

And if you want to book a demo for your team, you can do that here.

Table of Contents

The goal of home builder marketing is to convince homebuyers that you are the best person to make their dream home a reality. This guide gives you a gameplan on how to stand out and show off your homes using comprehensive, modern marketing tactics. 

To make it easy to follow, we’ve broken it down into five areas:

• Digital Marketing (think SEO, paid search and social media)
• Old School Marketing (like direct mail and street signs)
• Community and Connection Building (like sponsorships and in-person events)
• Visualization (like high impact photography and virtual design centers)
• Wow Factor (like augmented reality tours and personalized video emails)

Use this as a checklist to see how many you are already doing — and where you might be falling short. Make this the year to take your home builder marketing strategy to the next level.

Digital Marketing for Home Builders

Your homebuyers are on their phones and online — and they need to find you there. Here are the basic components to build a strong digital presence.

1. Make Sure Your Website is Fresh & Mobile-Friendly

It’s critical for home builders to have a website with an updated feed of available and upcoming homes. The website should pull from a content management system (CMS) that stores assets like floor plans and images.

And the site should be mobile-friendly. If buyers can’t find what they’re looking for on your website on their phones, they’ll move on.

2. Stand Out on Third-party Real Estate Sites and Apps

People like to do their own research using third-party apps like Trulia, Zillow or Livabl and on websites like Realtor.com.

Make sure your listings are integrated with these popular platforms and include plenty of pictures, accurate floor plans and compelling descriptions.

3. Don’t Neglect Map Business Listings

Who drives anywhere new without using a navigation app? Almost no one. 

Map listings help capture buyers already exploring neighborhoods, enabling them to find your model homes and sales centers.

Free platforms like Google Business Profile and Apple Business Connect tie into voice assistant searches and increase your visibility across widely-used navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze. 

Make sure that you are maximizing your listings on these platforms — and that your information is accurate.

4. Stay on Top of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

To get people to your website, you need to rank in the top 10 for relevant searches like “single family homes,” “luxury custom homes” or “new construction townhomes” in your local market.

Consider optimizing for location-specific terms that match how people search, such as “new homes in [city name]” or “custom home builder [neighborhood].” And double check that you’re using consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across the web.

Because home builder SEO is a complex, long-term play, it’s typically a good idea to partner with an agency that specializes in search or integrated marketing campaigns.

5. Make Social Media Your Showroom

Social channels are a great place to use video content like virtual tours and community walkthroughs. These channels are fantastic for building connections with potential homebuyers. 

While your prospects scroll through Instagram and Facebook, capture their attention with stunning kitchen reveals, sunset views from master balconies and glimpses of neighbors enjoying resort-style amenities. 

But don’t just wait for likes to roll in organically — strategic social ad spending can put your best content directly in front potential buyers.

(btw, check out this article for a deeper dive on social media marketing for home builders)

6. Capture Leads with Simple Forms & Great Content

Nobody loves filling out forms, so keep your lead capture forms simple. 

Snag only the basics like name, email and phone — and don’t forget to give them something valuable in return. For example, you could share a design inspiration guide or a sustainable building fact sheet. These are valuable “lead magnets” that should draw in your ideal homebuying client.

Think about what your favorite past clients care about, and use that as a starting point to come up with ideas for lead magnets.

(and check out this article for more info on lead generation for home builders)

7. Nurture Dreams with Strategic Email Marketing

Email is still one of the most effective ways to nurture prospects. A well-crafted email strategy keeps your communities top of mind and helps take potential buyers from initial interest to signing day.

Here are some proven email marketing approaches for home builders:

• Create anticipation with “coming soon” preview campaigns that showcase renderings, amenities and early-bird pricing for upcoming communities
• Use video marketing campaigns to bring your homes to life and make the entire homebuying experience more personal
• Build trust with behind-the-scenes content featuring your team, craftspeople and happy homeowners sharing their experiences
• Drive urgency with limited-time incentives and phase release announcements, highlighting when premium lots or popular floor plans are becoming available
• Share valuable content like homebuying guides, design trends and maintenance tips to position yourself as a trusted advisor

Remember to track metrics like open rates and click-throughs to understand which content resonates most with your audience. Use this data to refine your approach and deliver more of what your prospects find valuable.

Mix it Up with Old School Marketing

Don’t discount traditional marketing — it still works. The key to amplifying your reach is pairing these old school tactics with more innovative ones. 

8. Keep the Direct Mail Coming, But Make it Targeted

Direct mail remains surprisingly effective for high-value purchases like homes. 

Here’s a few tips:

• Target your maildrops to hit within 15-20 miles of new developments — particularly neighborhoods a little past their prime, where owners are scrolling Zillow and dreaming of upgrades they can’t get from a renovation
• Turn your mailers into mini home premieres. Create unfolding “storyboards” that reveal each stunning feature your homes offer.
• Make prospects feel like VIPs with elegant preview invitations that promise first pick of premium lots and private tours
• Skip the flimsy postcards. Stand out with materials that reflect your homes’ craftsmanship — like luxe paper stocks, metallic accents or even small fabric swatches that let prospects literally feel the quality you deliver.

9. Turn Local Publications into Neighborhood Buzz 

While the digital world keeps expanding, local magazines and newspapers still land on the coffee tables of your ideal buyers. These trusted publications give your luxury builds an air of permanence that a fleeting social post just can’t match. 

Target upscale lifestyle magazines, real estate guides and community papers that your prospects actually save and share.

10. Street Signs Get Attention

There’s a reason you see real estate signs all over town — they make an impression. Invest in professional, durable signs that showcase your brand and contact details. 

Create a clear path to your communities with strategic directional signs, and don’t forget to highlight special events or new releases with eye-catching banners.

11. Consistent Branding Amplifies Everything

Your brand needs to be rock-solid and applied with consistency. It’s the foundation that ties all of your marketing together. 

A comprehensive style guide is as essential as any other blueprint — do you have one? Once you do, make sure that every touchpoint, from billboards to business cards, tells the same story using the same logo, colors, fonts and voice.

Build Community and Connection 

The most successful home builders are active in the community. Go where people are already gathering — and throw some of your own events. 

Share your knowledge, get people to remember your name and build goodwill in the process.

12. Host High-Value Educational Events

Position yourself as the local authority on new home construction by hosting virtual and in-person workshops that answer questions and solve problems homebuyers in your community have.

For virtual events, you might:

• Run design trend sessions showcasing the latest in kitchen innovations or smart home technology
• Host financial workshops with trusted lenders to help prospects understand construction loans and new build financing

For in-person events, you could go seasonal with:

• Holiday decoration tours featuring professionally decorated model homes
• Spring garden tours highlighting different landscaping packages
• “Summer Splash” events at community pools featuring local vendors
• Fall festivals with hayrides through upcoming phases of development

13. Get Involved with the Local Community 

Show prospects you’re building more than just homes — you’re investing in the community’s future:

• Sponsor local events, from charity golf tournaments and kids’ sport teams to street fairs and arts festivals
• Team up with high-end local businesses (like landscapers and interior designers) that share your commitment to quality
• Build relationships with premium restaurants and boutiques near your communities to offer VIP welcome packages

These partnerships elevate your brand while providing valuable perks for new homeowners.

15. Focus on Referrals 

Nothing sells a home quite like a glowing recommendation from someone who already went through the homebuying process with you.

Satisfied homeowners are walking testimonials. Make it easy for them to share their experiences with family and friends through a structured referral program that includes perks like home store gift cards or priority amenity bookings.

Visualization is Everything

Your clients will form memories that last a lifetime in your homes. The easier you can get them to imagine their future, the better. Go with tools and visuals that inspire awe and excitement. 

16. Use High-Impact Photography that Evokes Emotion

Go beyond basic property shots to capture the real story of home life. 

Think twilight shots peering into cozily-lit living spaces. Great photography showcases moments we all want to jump into. 

Your photography should make people catch their breath a little. 

Aerial drone footage gives buyers a captivating bird’s-eye perspective of the entire property, showcasing everything from lot dimensions to neighborhood layouts. Dramatic sweeping shots create a cinematic feeling that makes your properties unforgettable.

Check out this video which combines beautiful aerial shots with a personable home update…

17. Invest in a Virtual Design Center

Buyers love having the power to explore and experiment with their future home’s features. Create an intuitive virtual design platform where they can test different finishes, colors and upgrades while tracking costs. 

Include high-quality visuals and sharing capabilities to make the process both practical and engaging.

Wow Factor Wins

18. Augmented Reality (AR) Tours

Take the visualization experience to the next level with AR technology. Let prospects explore homes before they’re built, experiment with different layouts and preview design options in real time. 

This technology is particularly valuable for pre-construction sales and custom homes, helping buyers make confident decisions while streamlining the sales process.

19. Go Above and Beyond with Video Messages

Video messaging is an invaluable, yet underused, home builder marketing tool.

Remember: the homebuying experience is visual. You’re missing out on a special opportunity to connect with clients and deliver a fantastic buying experience if you communicate primarily over plain emails and texts.

Why are video messages such a game changer for home builders? Three reasons.

Video Messages Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety runs high during any significant financial decision-making process, like in homebuying. People often have their guard up around sales professionals. 

A video introduction, follow-up message or appointment reminder can break down that wall, increase replies and make the sales process much more human — and more successful. Video messages allow salespeople to convey their personality, ease tension and build rapport. 

Video Messages Improve Accountability

It’s easy to cancel an appointment when there’s no personal connection. 

But introducing yourself, and then following up with a video appointment reminder, you let your prospects know that someone is waiting for them. 

When people are excited to meet with you, they’re less likely to leave you hanging. They see that you’re a real person who has value to offer.

Video Messages Build Emotional Connection

The face-to-face communication offered by video creates a space for warmth, sincerity and personal connection.

Every customer has specific wants and needs. Recording a video from your prospect or client’s new home and community gets them excited and strengthens their connection to their new place. 

To make it more personal, highlight specific features that your customer has mentioned or responded positively to during the home-buying process.

Video Messages Delight Discerning Buyers and Partners

For luxury home builders, video messages offer that “little bit extra” that can put you over the top with discerning buyers ready to find their dream home. 

It’s also a way to stay in touch with lenders and management to keep those connections warm.   

New Home Builder Video Success Stories

Not familiar with how to use video messaging as a home builder?

Here are some real-world examples of how new home specialists use simple videos to prevent no-shows, build better relationships and convert more leads.

Example #1: Reducing Anxiety and Improving Customer Experience

Check out this example of a home builder following up with a potential client after an initial meeting. She’s empathetic, warm and references specific details from the conversation, showing she listened carefully.

She also lays out clear next steps and reiterates that she’s available to help.

Real Story 2: Increasing Appointment Hold Rates

The home builder in the example below uses a video to confirm an appointment and set expectations. This simple video message shows homebuyers there are real people on the other side of a submission form who are excited by the potential of working together.

It also instills confidence in prospects that there is a system in place for handling new inquiries and prioritizing the homebuyer’s goals.

Real Story 3: Converting More Leads Successfully

Below is a great community walkthrough video that gives homebuyer’s a glimpse into what life could be like with this particular home builder. Again, it’s welcoming and detailed enough to spark imagination.

Who would you work with bewteen this builder and one that only communicates over plain emails and texts?

Frequently Asked Questions about Home Builder Marketing

What is different about custom home builder marketing?

A lot of the marketing ideas covered here work well for custom, tract and spec homes. Strong rapport and genuine relationships with homebuyers are important across all three. And delivering an exceptional buying + construction experience inevitably leads to more referrals down the road.

Custom home builder marketing requires additional emphasis on trust building. You have to convince the homebuyer that you are the best person and team to bring their dream home to life.

You need:

• Great testimonials that highlight both your skill and your ability to make homebuyers feel comfortable making such a huge investment with you
• Detailed roadmaps that outline every step of a potential project (the more detail the better, this is what gives people confidence)
• Accessibility for your homebuyer. Most custom homebuyers want to be invested and involved in the process. You need to be available for their questions and concerns.
• Positive energy. Homebuyers go through ups and downs. The more you can maintain excitement, the better people will feel when all is said and done.
• Transparency and smooth handoffs across your team. Everyone should be on the same page about how to care well for clients. And it’s often helpful to introduce team members up front to prospective buyers so they can put a face to an idea for every phase of their project.

How do I approach SEO for home building?

We alluded earlier to the fact that SEO is a complex topic. Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

1. Google uses two different algorithms: a local search algorithm and a global search algorithm. Google is smart enough to anticipate with a high degree of accuracy which algorithm to use when returning results. As a home builder, your focus should be on the local search algorithm. This means you don’t need to put a ton of energy into trying to win more generic educational keywords, like “how do I build a custom home?” Sure, start a blog, but don’t rely on organic search results to send many qualified leads your way for non-local searches.
2. SEO is not a one-and-done play. You have to keep updating your content. Why? Markets change, competitors come and go, buyer preferences adapt. Make it a habit to revisit your posts and web pages once a quarter, at least. That way, the content stays fresh and you avoid major rewrites.
3. You don’t have to “stuff” keywords anymore. In the past, throwing the same keywords multiple times across web pages and blog posts may have helped rank higher. That’s not the case today. Focus on writing good, valuable content that readers actually find helpful. Content that is obviously AI written or filled unnaturally with keywords stands out, and it turns off potential buyers.

Do these marketing ideas work for any type of construction work?

Yes! Construction marketing strategies should also lean into video messaging and relationship-building. Remember, there are humans on the other side of every major construction decision. They want to feel confident that their project will get done correctly, on time and on budget. All of your marketing should reflect these priorities.

Your Home Builder Marketing Superpower

Think hard about where you could start using video messaging in your sales process. Personalized video messages + the marketing tactics outlined here are more than enough to set you apart as a home builder.

To give BombBomb video messaging a try, get two free weeks here.

You can also book a demo to see it in action for your entire team.

Anyone outside of your “ideal customer profile” (ICP) will either drain you or will take too much effort to win over. Your lead generation and marketing efforts should speak to specific people with specific pain points.

Otherwise, your messaging will be too generic and won’t convince people that you are the best possible home builder for their needs.

So what is the secret to home builder lead generation? Just buy a list?

No — the name of the game is attracting high-quality leads who are ready to move forward today, as well as building trust with those who will be ready tomorrow. It takes work, but it’s worth the investment.

1. Optimize Your Website for Home Builder Lead Conversions

Your website is often the first impression potential buyers have of your business.

Some best practices include:

• Keeping it updated with available homes, floor plans and high-quality images
• Ensuring it’s mobile-friendly for easy browsing on any device
• Adding simple, compelling lead capture forms, such as “Get a Free Home Consultation”

A slow or outdated site can scare away potential buyers. If you don’t keep your digital “house” in order, why should someone trust you with their real home?

And a website that is too generic won’t attract new home builder leads. Your messaging will wash over potential clients and push them to home builders that have demonstrated past success at serving people in their exact demographic.

If you love working with first-time custom homebuyers, your messaging should emphasize how much you understand the anxieties that come with building a new home. You should talk about all the families you’ve worked with who are now living in the home of their dreams after a painless and stress-free project.

If you prefer selling spec homes, you should talk about how good you are at finding great deals that still check all the boxes for buyers. Your superpower should be getting people excited about homes that they haven’t designed fully themselves.

Here’s the takeaway: your website will convert leads at a much higher percentage if people feel like it speaks directly to them, their experience and their goals.

2. Invest in Local SEO

Buyers searching for new homes often start with Google. Make sure your business shows up in those searches by optimizing for local SEO.

• Claim and update your Google Business Profile
• Use keywords like “custom home builder in [city name]” or “new homes for sale in [neighborhood]”
• Publish local content, such as blog posts on home trends in your area

A good local SEO strategy also involves cross-promotion with other organizations in your area. Google wants to see that you’re an active participant in the community. It rewards “backlinks” from other local websites to your site.

And buyers who come across your website through another organization are more likely to trust your authority. You have credibility because of your association with other reputable businesses.

Now, one of the hardest parts about local SEO is the time and effort required to keep a high ranking in search results. In the same way that you’re researching how to boost visibility and generate leads, so too is your competition.

Google is constantly evaluating websites and deciding whose content best fits the user’s query. If you take your foot off the gas pedal for too long, another home builder can easily come in and supplant you with relevant content.

So, if you hate writing or would rather not spend time on website management, it can make sense to hire a local SEO agency. The key is making sure that they share your commitment to value. Even if you are producing content for SEO visibility, it should still be useful to readers.

Don’t let outside writers put fluff on your website. It erodes your credibility and decreases your lead generation performance.

3. Use Video to Build Trust

Home buying is an emotional process. Video helps buyers connect with your brand on a personal level.

• Create virtual home tours to showcase your properties
• Send personalized video messages throughout the “buyer’s journey”
• Post updates videos of your team and construction process

Videos makes your outreach feel more personal, and they tap into a key aspect of home builder sales and marketing: buyers want to visualize their future home. They want to see it and imagine themselves living in the space.

Here’s a great example of a video that taps into this idea…

This is obviously made for an existing customer rather than a prospect, but it shows what you can do with video to differentiate your business. Videos help people feel more connected to you as the home builder and more excited about their project.

Now, your video messages, as with any other form of marketing, should include clear calls-to-action (CTAs). And these CTAs should anticipate the next question or concern the homebuyer has.

For example, if you’re sending a video message to follow up on an appointment booking, tell the recipient to reach out to you with any issues in advance or with information on how to reschedule. You could also send them a “pre-read” — a guide on how you work so they know what to expect going into the first meeting.

All of your communication should lead somewhere. It should keep momentum moving forward and encourage deeper engagement from homebuyers.

The key is using a video messaging platform that makes it easy to embed CTAs in your videos. A verbal CTA is great; a button someone can click in your video is even better. The less friction, the more likely someone will take the action you want them to take.

4. Use Social Media to Attract Buyers

Your buyers are scrolling social media, so your homes should be there too.

• Post stunning home photos and walkthrough videos on Instagram and Facebook
• Run targeted ads to reach local buyers
• Engage with potential customers in the comments and direct messages

Remember: social media isn’t just about posting—it’s about starting conversations and building relationships.

Just like how your website should be jam packed with value, your social media profile should deliver so much useful information that people don’t want to miss a post. This is how your socials generate leads.

(for a deeper dive on social media marketing for home builders, check out this article)

You prove that you’re a trustworthy authority and continue to give people a next step. Tell followers to send you a direct message for a consultation or visit your website to book a meeting. Let them know you are available, and then exceed expectations in the follow up.

5. Offer Valuable Lead Magnets

Most buyers won’t fill out a form unless they get something in return. Offer free resources to encourage sign-ups, such as:

• A “New Homebuyer’s Guide”
• A “Home Design Trends for 2025” PDF
• A cost calculator for building a custom home

These lead magnets help you collect contact information while providing real value. You can promote lead magnets on your website, social media, and at in-person events. If you start an email list, you could also share lead magnets there to get people to go from passive readers to active prospects.

Every lead magnet should solve a narrow problem and introduce the next one. For instance, the next step after a cost calculator could be a resource that explains how to think about financing. And then that resource is its own lead magnet that could highlight local loan originators.

To summarize, your lead magnets should create a series of bridges that keep solving pain points for prospective buyers. This is what builds your credibility as a problem-solver and eventually their home builder.

6. Host Open Houses and Community Events

In-person experiences give buyers a real feel for your homes. Consider:

• Open house weekends with refreshments and guided tours
• First-time homebuyer Q&A sessions
• Community launch events with local vendors

Face-to-face interactions help build trust and increase referrals.

But again, you should plan your events with a specific buyer in mind. Spec home buyers have different needs than tract home buyers. The same is true for custom home buyers.

If you have all of these people in the same room, it’s hard to go deep enough on any one segment’s needs. You’ll end up speaking too generically, or you’ll only be compelling to a smaller set of people.

In this case, you would have wasted resources bringing in prospects outside of your ICP. A better use of time, money and effort would have been to go after that smaller subset from the beginning, as they have a better chance of converting.

Also, here’s an example of a home builder following up on an in-person event with a quick video message…

7. Build a Strong Referral Program

Word-of-mouth marketing is powerful. Encourage happy homeowners to refer friends and family by offering:

• Gift cards or discounts for successful referrals
• Exclusive perks for new buyers, such as free upgrades
• Personalized thank-you notes or videos for every referral

Satisfied buyers are your best salespeople—make it easy for them to spread the word.

You should also give guidance on what a great referral is for your business. Tell them who you love working with and why. Direction is helpful, and it prevents people from sending low-quality prospects who take away time from better leads.

And don’t forget to thank people for their referrals. Even if you’ve said “thank you’ before, do it again. People love helping people they like. Expressing gratitude maintains a warm relationships and reinforces the idea that you take care of referrals well.

Activate Your New Home Builder Lead Generation Engine

Effective lead generation for builders is about attracting the right buyers, not just any buyers. You could go out and buy a list…but the better path is to build a lead generation engine that consistently produces great leads.

(btw, check out this blog post for a broader overview of home builder marketing)

If you’re not currently using video messaging in your business try BombBomb free for 14 days. And if you’re part of a team that’s considering video messaging, schedule a demo for the group here.

Here’s how to make social media work for your homebuilding business.

1. Choose the Right Platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal. Focus on where homebuyers who match your ideal customer profile (ICP) are looking for information.

Hear this: You don’t need to have a presence on every social media platform.

It doesn’t make sense to invest energy into a platform like TikTok if your target demographic is retirees who want to build a second home. This is a trap a lot of builders fall into.

You’re busy and you need the best bang for your buck out of your social media. Your target homebuyer won’t penalize you if you’re not on Instagram when they spend all their time on Facebook.

So how do you figure out where your ideal customers live online? By asking them.

Go to a homebuyer you loved working with and ask them how they did their research. Ask what types of content resonated with them throughout their homebuilding journey.

After doing this a few times, you’ll notice patterns. Take this information and use it to decide the best social media platform for your business.

If your target homebuyers are on multiple platforms, tap into the strengths of each. That way, you can maximize your impact. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Instagram & Facebook: Ideal for sharing home photos, community updates and client testimonials
• Pinterest: Perfect for home design inspiration and driving traffic to your website
• LinkedIn: Great for networking with realtors, investors and industry professionals
• YouTube & TikTok: Excellent for video tours, client testimonials and behind-the-scenes content

2. Showcase Your Homes with Stunning Visuals

Your homes are your best sales tool, and social media is your digital showroom. Homebuyers want to be able to imagine themselves in their next home. Great visuals make this easy.

Consider investing in these areas:

• Professional photos: Post high-quality images of kitchens, living spaces and exteriors
• Virtual Tours: Use video walkthroughs to help buyers explore homes and communities from anywhere
• Before & After: Show transformations from construction to move-in ready

Keep adding to your portfolio as you grow. It’s worth paying for great assets during and after every project.

The more successes you can showcase, the easier your sales cycle becomes. Plus, you’ll have a constant flow of great content for social media.

3. Use Video to Make a Personal Connection

Video builds trust and creates an emotional connection with buyers. And we’re not talking about expensive, high production marketing videos.

Simple video messages posted on social media go a long way towards building trust and relationships with your audience online. Even people you haven’t met before can feel comfortable with you because of your personable video messages.

Here are a few examples of when video messages come in handy on social media:

• Responding to a question: Rather than type out a long post, share answers to FAQs over a quick videos
• Market updates: Give people context on what’s happening in the local market
• Professional callouts: Give shout-outs to other local businesses and figures in the community
• Community highlights: Share your favorite places to visit near your communities
• Behind-the-scenes footage: Show the craftsmanship and care that goes into each home

Recording and posting short videos may be uncomfortable at first. It’s a vulnerable act. But the more you do it, the more confident you’ll be come.

Pro tip: think less about how you look and sound and more about the value of your message to your audience.

4. Run Targeted Ads to the Right Buyers

Organic reach is great, but paid ads help you reach buyers actively looking for homes. And the more work you’ve done upfront to understand your target buyer, the better your ads will perform. You’ll see better conversion rates and return on your investment.

Here are the three main types of ads:

• Geo-targeted ads: For people in specific areas or moving to your city
• Retargeting campaigns: For those who have engaged with you online but haven’t converted
• Lookalike audiences: For new buyers similar to your past customers

With geo-targeted ads, the best “creatives” (the images and videos you use for your ads) are those that include a geographic call-out.

“Attention new homebuyers in San Mateo county.”

“Looking to build a home in Wichita?”

This approach signals to those who see the ad that it is meant specifically for them. You need this type of language to grab attention in the newsfeed.

Retargeting campaigns are powerful because they involve pursuing people who have already shown some interest in your business. The goal is to get prospects over the line, which should cost less than persuading a cold lead to take some action.

You can run retargeting campaigns to people who have interacted with ads you ran previously on the social media site. You can also run them for those who visited your website. To make that work, you’ll likely need to install a short code snippet on your site so that the social media site actually knows who has visited.

(you can find plenty of online tutorials explaining how to do this)

Finally, lookalike audiences consist of people who share similar characteristics, interests and engagement patterns to another list you provide. So individuals in this group haven’t engaged with your brand before. But they are more likely to do so based on the fact that people like them have also shown interest in your business.

The key with all three ad types above is that you continue refining based on what you learn.

5. Engage With Your Audience

Social media is a two-way conversation. Responding to comments, messages and reviews builds trust. It allows you to prove your authority in the market over an extended period so that when people are ready to build a home, you’re the first person they consider.

Here are a few ideas on different ways you can engage your audience:

• Answer frequently asked questions about the homebuilding process
• Encourage past buyers to tag you in home photos and share their experiences
• Post polls, quizzes and behind-the-scenes content to keep engagement high
• Celebrate milestones, anniversaries and birthdays in your network

This is not an exhaustive list. As you interact more with your audience, you’ll discover the types of content and ways of engaging that work well.

And video messaging is effective here as well. Video showcases your personality better and adds dynamism to your content.

Try using a mix of text- and video-based posts to give your audience multiple ways to connect with your ideas. Use data to decide the best mix between the two based on your target audience (more on this below).

6. Partner With Influencers and Realtors

Working with micro-influencers and real estate agents can amplify your reach. Influencers already have engaged audiences who trust their opinions. And realtors have credibility in the market. Both can connect you with high quality leads.

Before partnering with anyone, it’s important to meet and discuss who your ideal homebuying customer is. You don’t want referral partners sending bad leads your way. You’ll spend too much time pursuing people who are unlikely to build a home with you.

If you agree there’s audience / target-customer alignment, great. Set up a partnership, and figure out how you’ll reward people for sending you business.

7. Track What’s Working (And What’s Not)

Use data to see which posts and ads produce the best leads. It’s hard to predict what types of content will work best for a particular audience. It’s all trial and error.

Data is what illuminates the path and tells you how to invest your money. But keep in mind: you want to invest in what produces results for your business. You’re not just after engagement, you want home buyers.

Below are some of the richest data sources and their main purposes:

• Instagram & Facebook insights: Track likes, comments and shares
• Google Analytics: See which social channels bring traffic to your site
• Ad performance metrics: Measure conversions and ROI on social ads

Adjust your strategy based on data to maximize results across these channels and any others you use. And try to tie everything to sales / revenue. Don’t get distracted chasing “vanity” metrics — engagement that may look good on the surface but has no impact on your bottom line.

Start Growing Your Homebuilding Business on Social Media

Social media marketing for homebuilders isn’t just about posting pictures—it’s about building relationships, showcasing your expertise and generating leads.

For a more thorough article on marketing as a homebuilder, check out this article. And for a deeper dive on generating leads as a homebuilder, check out this one.

Finally, if you’re ready to give video messaging a try, start a free 14-day trial with BombBomb here.

Most people today don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. And if you do get someone to pick up, you have less than 30 seconds to make your pitch.

In this article, we cover what to do before a cold call, what to say once you’re on the line and how to follow up to keep momentum. 

With these tactics, cold calling scripts and persistence, you’ll see results immediately. And many of the ideas covered here will help with all types of sales calls. 

Additionally, you’ll be able to make fewer calls to generate the same (or better!) results. If you’re someone who worries about how many cold calls you have to make for a sale, this article is for you.

What to Do Before a Cold Call

One of the best ways to increase the likelihood of someone taking your call is to send them a personalized video message first. This could be a video that features only you speaking to the camera or a screen recording.

This tactic brings down a prospect’s guard and prepares them in advance for a cold conversation. People don’t like getting caught off guard or interrupted. 

Sending a video first has the potential to eliminate this pain. And it makes your cold call…less cold.

After sending a video, you have two options:

1. Follow up shortly after with a phone call
2. Wait until your video messaging platform tells you the prospect opened your email or viewed your video

If you go with option #1, mention in your email or message that you are going to follow up by phone. If you get voicemail, mention that you left a personalized video in the person’s inbox. 

If you go with option #2, try to follow up as quickly as possible after someone engages. Ideally, your video messaging platform offers real-time alerts so you can capitalize on an opportunity quickly. 

Catching someone shortly after they’ve watched your video is slightly better than calling them after they’ve opened your email. With a video view, you at least know the person is able to play audio, which means they likely aren’t in another meeting.

Plus, they’ve had a chance to see your face and hear your voice. Both go a long way towards establishing familiarity early that eventually morphs into trust. 

It also makes it harder for someone to reject your call because now they know there is a real, friendly person trying to offer something of value.

While it may seem invasive to call someone so soon after, or even while they’re engaging with your message, it’s actually beneficial in a few ways.

People are already thinking about you and your service. They’re in a better state of mind to hear a pitch. 

Prospects don’t linger on the timing. They may wonder initially how you knew they were reading your email or watching your video. But that worry quickly fades once you get into a conversation.

Something else to keep in mind is that this strategy works well for re-engaging leads who have gone cold. Reach out with something of value and show the recipient you’d still love to connect.

If you want to read our in-depth article on the topic of video prospecting, click here. 

Pre-Cold Call Best Practices

Here are some quick best practices for these videos:

• Smile: nothing feels as good to us or warms prospects like a sincere smile
• Don’t script your videos: talk to people as if you’re across the table from them
• Include text in your emails or messages: sending a video only can look spammy
• Take advantage of animated previews: if your video messaging tool automatically creates GIFs or animated previews, use this to your advantage.
• Study your analytics: focus on prospects who you know are watching your videos and reading your emails

How to Keep an Initial Appointment 

If you’re able to get a prospect to engage and book a scheduled call from your video outreach, great. A great way to make sure that meeting holds is by sending a confirmation over another video message.

This could be a simple video that confirms your meeting in advance and explains what value the prospect should expect to get out of the meeting. 

Here’s a sample script:

“Hi Katie, this is Alexa! I hope your morning is going well and I’m looking forward to meeting you today at 1pm at Peak Coffee Shop. I’m hoping I can help you with everything you need today and I’ll see you soon!”

You can even send a few of these reminder videos, one a few days in advance and the other shortly before the meeting. 

The more a prospect sees your face and hears your voice, the more likely they are to show up to the meeting. 

How to Start a Cold Sales Call

Now that you’re in a better position to get people to pick up, what’s next? You need to nail your first impression. 

Below are some of the best cold call structures you can use to kick start a great cold call. If you sent a video in advance and know that your prospect watched it, you can delay some of these openings.

Thank them first for opening your email or watching your video and then launch naturally into one of the approaches below.  

The Problem-Solving Approach

“Hi [NAME], I’m [YOUR NAME] with [YOUR COMPANY]. I know you’re [THEIR PROFESSIONAL ROLE]. The reason for my call is [REASON FOR YOUR CALL]. I help [THEIR PROFESSIONAL ROLE] such as yourself with [THEIR PAIN POINTS].”

The problem-solving approach shows that you’ve done your research. Make sure you understand your prospects’ roles and the problems they are trying to solve.

This cold call script builds credibility early and gets the conversation going around solving real pain points – the “why” behind your call.

The 20-Second Pitch

“Hi [Name], it’s [YOUR NAME] at [YOUR COMPANY]. Do you have 20 seconds for me to explain why I’m calling to see if we’re a good fit?”

The 20-second pitch acknowledges that your prospects are busy. It establishes boundaries and demonstrates respect for their time.

Tip: try this opening line on sales leaders first. They tend to say “yes” because they understand what you’re trying to do. And the more people who say “yes,” the more confident you feel using this approach.

The Competitive Edge

“Hi [Name], it’s [YOUR NAME] at [YOUR COMPANY]. I help companies just like yours [WHAT YOU HELP THEM DO]. I’m wondering how you’re using [YOUR TYPE OF PRODUCT] in your [THEIR SPECIFIC WORKFLOW OR PROCESS]?”

The competitive edge approach is multi-faceted:

• It implies that your prospect’s competitors have an advantage because they already use a similar product or service
• It helps prospects imagine how your solution would fit into their existing workflows

Mid-sales Call Best Practices

Whether you’re calling a cold or warm lead, here are some best practices to make your outreach more effective.

Speak with enthusiasm

If you aren’t excited about what you’re selling, why would anyone else be?

Your tone should reflect how you feel about your product or service. Or at the very least, it should express how you feel about a potential win.

Want to know what you sound like over a call? Record your calls and listen back. It may be uncomfortable, but you’ll hear how you come across to your prospects.

Check your pace

Nervous people tend to speak quickly. If you get nervous before making a cold call, think intentionally about slowing down when you speak. 

This helps your prospects understand what you’re saying and leads to a more natural conversation.

Lean into your humanity

Trust is key to building relationships with prospects. And one of the best ways to win trust is to be an authentic, imperfect and caring human being.

Use empathetic listening and humor in your conversations. Acknowledge your flaws, and don’t worry about misspeaking. These are characteristics that make you more approachable and relatable.

Break from a script

It’s often better to get away from relying on call scripts entirely. Conversations rarely go according to plan. And you want to come across naturally to your prospects. 

Use the opening lines above until you’re more comfortable trying other techniques. If you need to keep an outline or bullet points close to make sure you have a thorough discussion, feel free. 

But don’t try to script your whole call. It won’t work. 

Don’t give up

Even the best cold call callers don’t win every time. According to Invesp, 60% of prospects say no at least four times before agreeing to a purchase…but 48% of sales reps give up after just one attempt. 

Of course, you need to respect your prospects’ wishes. But if you think they’re saying “no” or ignoring your calls because they don’t understand what you can offer them, keep trying until you have that conversation.

How to Follow Up After a Cold Call

After you’ve met with the prospect, send them a follow up video shortly after the meeting. Thank them for their time and recap any next steps you discussed together. 

Here’s an example script:

“Hey Katie! Thank you so much for giving me an hour of your time today. It was great to meet you in person and I enjoyed our talk regarding your current software needs. I will get started on the PoC and be in touch soon. Have a wonderful rest of your day.”

This type of video message shows you paid attention to your prospect’s goals and gives the other person confidence that you are going to guide the process. 

If your prospect goes cold after an initial meeting, reach out in a video with something of value – a resource, article or follow thoughts – in another week or so. The more your content aligns directly with the pain points you discussed during your call, the better. 

Post-Sales Call Best Practices

And here are best practices to follow for the post-sales call meetings:

• Always tie your communications to value
• Keep pursuing until you get a “yes” or a firm “no”
• Send recaps and reminders for all meetings going forward
• Identify other decision-makers you need to bring into the process

Keep in mind that prospects associate you both with the value of your product and the experience you delivered during the sales process. 

If you want to put yourself in a position to close more deals AND get more referrals, use video messaging. It’s the best way to stand out and nurture long-term relationships with customers.

Get a free 14-day trial with BombBomb here if you want to put these practices into action today.

And if you manage a sales team or think your broader group should be using video, schedule a demo here.

Of course, it’s impossible to keep everybody engaged all the time. Your company’s priorities shift, and your employees’ goals change. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about how to create a healthy organization.

Whether you’re a Chief People Officer, HR manager or someone else responsible for building culture, it’s important to create systems that push employees up the engagement ladder, from actively disengaged to unengaged to actively engaged. 

If you do this at scale, you’ll build an exceptional team. And you’ll be less affected by difficult recruiting dynamics or retention trends. 

In this article, we cover key drivers of employee engagement. Use this information to think more intentionally about how to support employees. 

Encourage Open Communication

Employees value open and honest communication. They want to know what’s happening both within and outside of the business that could affect their roles. And they want their voices to be heard on important issues. 

Open communication means different things in different companies. In smaller businesses and startups, open communication might mean having a daily “standup” where everyone shares work updates. In larger companies, open communication could mean having executive leaders send weekly or monthly updates. 

What matters most is that you find out what your team members want to know and how often they want to hear it. Implement a communication strategy, and then gather feedback. You’ll likely need to refine your approach as you go.

How you communicate is also important. At BombBomb, we use video messages to share comments, give big updates and explain new processes or concepts. For quick questions and smaller updates, we use Slack. 

This setup gives us the best of all worlds – transparent and personalized communication at scale plus operational efficiency. 

Recognize and Celebrate Achievements

Employees want to be recognized for their contributions. They want to know that their work – and the work of their colleagues – is appreciated. 

The key to driving engagement in this area is realizing that you need to be intentional about what you celebrate. What you celebrate indicates to your workforce what you value. 

So if you only celebrate things like business results and professional achievements, you’re sending the message that those things are more important than personal milestones. The opposite is true as well.

Healthy organizations value both personal and professional accomplishments, so you should recognize both consistently.

Another thing to keep in mind is the value of recognizing “inputs” and “outputs.” You want to call out good behaviors, as well as the results that those good behaviors produce.

For instance, if you want your salespeople making more cold calls, you should celebrate when people make a certain number of dials per week AND celebrate when those dials lead to a sale. 

Focusing on inputs only can distract from the outcomes you want to drive. Focusing only on outputs can incentivize poor behaviors that are difficult to replicate or scale. 

Again, at BombBomb, we use video messages to celebrate wins on all fronts. People love seeing managers and executives recognize success. 

It builds morale and reminds everyone that the business depends on real people – individuals who are invested in the product and our customers.

Facilitate Professional Development

Your best workers want to continue growing personally and professionally. They want to feel like they are moving forward. Otherwise, they’ll leave.

Building a strong professional development practice means giving people opportunities to build new skills and make progress along clearly defined paths. It also includes sharing helpful feedback and giving people chances to grow accordingly. 

Daniel Pink’s book Drive provides a helpful paradigm for thinking about high performance in the workplace. He writes that autonomy, mastery and purpose are the three pillars that determine whether people feel satisfied in various domains. 

Mastery fits well under the professional development bucket. People want to feel competent and develop new capabilities. They also want to exercise autonomy and feel a deeper connection to their work.

If you address all three as part of your professional development practice, you make it very hard for other employers to poach your people.

Ensure Personal Wellbeing

Employees do their best work when they’re thriving personally. That’s why prioritizing things like work-life balance, psychological safety and positive mental health is crucial.

Work-life Balance

Work-life balance can be a misnomer. It doesn’t mean that you spend the same amount of time at your job as you do at home. Work-life balance exists when your expectations for work align with reality. 

If you work at a startup where 60-hour weeks are required but you LOVE what you do and want to see the business succeed, then you might happily give that much time. That’s balance. 

The same is true in the other direction. If working part-time hours gives you flexibility for other parts of your life, that might also be “balance.” 

As team managers and organizational leaders, it’s important to have conversations with employees about what work-life balance means to them. The closer you can match expectation to reality, the more engaged your workers will be.

Side note: more hours doesn’t guarantee higher-quality work or more productivity. It’s often better in the long run to help employees avoid burnout rather than squeeze as much working time out of them as possible. 

Psychological Safety

Employees need to feel comfortable sharing ideas and voicing concerns. They also want to know that they can make mistakes. 

When leaders listen and accept feedback, trust increases. When they allow team members to make mistakes, collaboration and problem-solving improve. 

To be clear, psychological safety doesn’t mean that you give employees everything they want. Leaders still have to discern what’s best for the organization overall.

Mental Health & Wellness

Outside of promoting good work-life balance and psychologically safe environments, many businesses should offer mental health and wellness resources. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mindfulness sessions and training dedicated to recognizing signs of burnout are all effective ways to help employees help themselves.

Gym discounts, exercise challenges and financial management workshops are also great ways for managers to support employees in all aspects of life. When people feel taken care of by their employees, they can truly thrive in their roles.

Hire Great Leaders

People don’t just work for companies—they work for leaders. Good leaders keep teams motivated and committed. Bad leaders breed toxic culture and perpetuate unhealthy organizational behaviors. 

Now, leadership styles need to change depending on the state of the business. Sometimes executives need to push their teams harder to accomplish certain goals. Other times, it’s important to slow down and reflect on company culture. 

Great leaders adapt and know how to guide their teams through different situations. They clearly explain tough decisions and make sure people know they are appreciated.

One McKinsey report draws sharp connections between one’s job satisfaction and their relationships with management. If you have an engagement or retention problem, evaluating the quality of your leaders across the organization is a great place to start.

Encourage Strong Peer Relationships

People stay where they feel connected. Employees who build strong relationships with their colleagues are more engaged, motivated and committed to their work. A sense of belonging makes the workplace feel more than just a job—it becomes a community.  

Social connections matter too. Whether it’s casual conversations, team lunches or company events, small moments build lasting bonds. 

Our belief in small moments is why we use video messaging as much as we do internally. Why send an email or a Slack if you can send a warm and personalized video message? We do this for new hires during the onboarding process and belief video is a key retention tool as well.

Once again at BombBomb, we rely heavily on video messaging to help our remote employees stay connected. Video messages remind people that they are part of a team and that there are real people on the other side of every direct message and email. 

Curate the Ideal Physical Work Environment

Work environments have a significant impact on how employees feel and perform. A safe, comfortable space helps people stay focused and productive. 

Some quick wins on this topic include:

• Ensuring adequate natural lighting
• Creating dedicated quiet spaces
• Setting aside break areas
• Purchasing adjustable desks and comfortable seats

Providing a great physical work environment also means supporting hybrid and remote workers. Offering flexible schedules and giving people funding to invest in their personal office spaces are great ways to ensure people love where they work. 

For a deeper dive on how to engage remote employees, check out our blog post here.

Lean into Innovation

People want to be part of something meaningful. When companies embrace innovation, employees feel energized and excited. 

Innovation doesn’t just have to be about big ideas—it’s about continuous improvement. Encouraging new solutions, fresh perspectives and creative problem-solving makes work more fulfilling. 

Employees thrive when they feel empowered to experiment and take risks. When people see their work drives progress, they feel more connected to the organization’s mission. They’re not just completing tasks—they’re shaping the future.

Take Charge of Employee Engagement

Employee engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a business necessity. Engaged teams are more productive, creative and committed. They stay longer and contribute to a positive workplace culture, thereby creating a cycle of positive reinforcement.  

Knowing and acting on these drivers of employee engagement is one of the best ways to differentiate your organization in 2025. It’s an investment that compounds continuously.

If you’re curious to give video messaging a try internally, start a free 14-day trial here. 

You can also schedule a demo if your team wants to learn more about video messaging use cases for promoting employee engagement.

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The pandemic fundamentally changed how we work — and just when we think we’ve settled into a “new norm,” the landscape shifts again. What started as a temporary shift to remote and hybrid teams has become a continuous evolution in workplace dynamics. 

According to recent Gallup data, 55% of U.S.-based employees are now following a hybrid work model (with some combination of time at home and some time in the office), 24% working entirely remotely (a dramatic increase from pre-pandemic figures of only 6%), and 19% fully on-site (although that has been trending upwards, especially in larger companies). 

In the post-COVID workplace, creating and sustaining employee engagement through human resource management is harder than ever.

So how can HR professionals keep all of their people engaged, happy and productive? Which employee engagement trends have proven themselves to create connection, purpose and satisfaction among distributed teams? And which still work in 2025?

We’ve put together a playbook on how to engage remote workers — as well as those that make it into the office, on the regular or on occasion. 

1. Foster Genuine Interaction With Digital Tools

Virtual teams could not exist without digital collaboration tools. Platforms like Slack, Zoom and Asana are the vital connective tissue that allow us to keep in touch regardless of physical location or time zone. Beyond their practical functions, they create spaces for personal connections and spontaneity.

Want to make sure every team member feels equipped, included and valued regardless of where they work?

Here are some of our favorite tools for remote team engagement:

Project Management: Airtable, Trello, Asana, Monday.com

Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom

File Sharing & Documentation: Google Workspace, Dropbox, Notion, Confluence

Brainstorming & Collaboration: Miro, FigJam, Microsoft Whiteboard, Conceptboard, Mural, Canva Whiteboard, Lucidchart

2. Amplify Warmth

This is a concept called out by New York Times bestselling author, Daniel Coyne in The Culture Playbook: 60 Highly Effective Actions to Help Your Group Succeed. 

According to Daniel’s research, warmth needs to be actively demonstrated — not just felt internally — to build psychological safety and strong relationships within organizations.

How? Through warm body language and facial expressions, being fully present in interactions and expressing appreciation specifically and frequently.

3. Use Video Messages for Face-to-Face Resonance

Learning how to improve employee engagement long term means understanding how to communicate clearly and effectively on a personal level. 

When it comes to conveying warmth, video is a powerful tool because it allows for face-to-face communication — something we all crave, especially remote workers.

Here at BombBomb, video messages are an integral part of our culture. If your company isn’t using video yet, here are a couple ideas to get you going.

New Employee Onboarding

Joining a new company can be stressful. There’s a lot of information for new hires to absorb in a short amount of time. 

Video optimizes the onboarding process so that new employees feel infinitely more comfortable.

You can use video throughout the onboarding process to:

• Explain complicated paperwork
• Review benefits packages
• Remind new employees what you need them to submit (and when you need it by)
• Let your new employees know what to expect on their first days with the company

Check out this article for ideas on how to improve onboarding success with video.

And another tip: Using a tool like a screen recorder can help you walk new employees through complicated paperwork just like you’re sitting next to them.

Vital Company Updates

Some announcements can’t wait for the next All Hands meeting. And some messages are so critical, you can’t risk the misinterpretation of tone that so often happens with text-only emails. 

Video brings your leaders directly into the picture — in a scalable way. For HR professionals, it shows employees there’s another human at the other end of their benefits paperwork and those mandatory training sessions. 

Use video to:

• Communicate time-sensitive information like open enrollment dates
• Share significant company news and milestones
• Guide employees through organizational transitions
• Encourage participation in employee engagement surveys

4. Make the Most of 1:1s

Nothing can replace one on one time with your direct manager for guidance and accountability. 

Too often managers deprioritize these check-ins in favor of “more important” client-facing meetings and other pressing tasks. However, canceling or rescheduling 1:1s makes employees feel less valued and connected.

Make these meetings consistent and frequent. Have an agenda ready so that you use the time effectively, while leaving room for non-work topics too.

5. Show Respect for Employees’ Time

Speaking of using time effectively, there’s a reason there so many memes are devoted to the old adage, “This could have been an email.” If you’re going to schedule a meeting, have a clear purpose.

Only invite those who are necessary, and don’t schedule 30 minutes for something that can be done in fifteen. 

Showing up on time (or within the first 5 minutes) conveys respect. If something unexpected comes up, communicate updates as soon as you can. And whatever you do, don’t arrive late and then brag about being double- or triple-booked.

Newsflash: none of us are able to be in two places at once. Channel your inner Oprah and accept, reschedule and delegate meetings mindfully.

6. Link Performance to Purpose

A recent Gallup survey found that when employees feel connected to their company’s purpose, turnover drops by 8.1% and profitability rises by 4.4%.

Yet, only 30% of U.S. employees strongly agree that their company’s mission makes their job feel meaningful. The missing link? Leaders who make purpose personal.

One of the most effective ways to build this connection is by consistently tying individual performance to organizational success (and other higher order goals). This approach, rooted in the Impact pillar of Reworking Leadership’s SHIFT model, ensures employees feel valued and motivated — leading to stronger teams and better business outcomes.

“When people see how their daily work contributes to something bigger — whether it’s their team’s success, the company’s mission, or a broader social impact — they stay engaged and invested. This is consistent across all generations in the workforce,” says Rachael Lowell Ellison, founder of Reworking Leadership.

7. Normalize a “Cameras On” Culture

Nothing is more disengaging than a sea of blank Zoom screens. Are they doing laundry? Sleeping? Binge watching Severance? 

Have we mentioned that face-to-face rapport is part of human evolution and critical to building connection and wellbeing? Well, it’s worth saying again. Especially considering that, according to some experts, we’re in the midst of a loneliness epidemic.

Seeing colleagues regularly helps maintain social connections and combat isolation. This is how to make remote employees feel included when they might otherwise go days without meaningful visual human interaction. 

For new team members, seeing faces helps build familiarity and accelerates relationship building in the absence of in-person interactions. For leaders and managers, modeling camera use demonstrates commitment to transparency and accessibility, important factors in building trust with distributed teams.

That said, don’t go overboard. It’s important to allow flexibility for legitimate camera-off situations and respect for occasional personal circumstances.

8. Use Meeting Chats Intentionally

Chats are a great opportunity to engage employees during virtual meetings, but be intentional about it. 

Plant an icebreaker question in the chat (like “What’s one thing you see outside your window right now?” or “If you could teleport anywhere for lunch today, where would you go?”) to encourage participation before the formal meeting begins.

Encourage backchannel resource sharing where participants can drop relevant links, documents, or references that support the discussion. Use the chat for real-time feedback during presentations with prompts like “What resonated most?” or “Drop a question mark if you need clarification.”

For really large meetings, designate a chat moderator to acknowledge questions and comments, ensuring quieter team members’ contributions are recognized.

Avoid having side conversations via chat, however. Save those for after the meeting wraps.

10. Make Sure to Celebrate

Showing appreciation engages and motivates employees. It also promotes productivity in job responsibilities and retention.

According to Forbes, when leaving a job, 79% of employees reported a “lack of appreciation” as their reason for quitting. Make a kudos board to publicly call out stellar work. Build in reminders to celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries.

And don’t be afraid to mix real objects with virtual events! Surprise everyone with a pizza delivery halfway through a meeting! A little bit of advance planning makes it easy to ship employees tokens of appreciation like wine glasses, bday hats, or coffee mugs. And going the extra mile makes virtual employee engagement that much more effective.

Tip: Use personalized video messages to congratulate employees on promotions, important milestones, and to let them know how appreciated and valued they are. And take a look at this post for a more comprehensive look at employee retention and recruitment.

11. Schedule Fun Virtual Employee Engagement Activities

It’s fun — and even productive — to break long meetings up with games and a bit of non-work frivolity.

Here are some of our favorite remote employee engagement activities:

• Virtual Escape Rooms — Many companies now offer remote versions where teams solve puzzles together in breakout rooms
• Online Trivia Tournaments — Create custom rounds on platforms like Kahoot, mixing company-specific questions with general knowledge
• Virtual Cooking Classes — Send ingredient kits to employees’ homes and cook together with a professional chef
• Digital Scavenger Hunts — Challenge teams to find and photograph specific items in their homes within a time limit
• Remote Game Shows — Adapt classics like Family Feud or Jeopardy with company-related content
• Online Drawing Games — Use platforms like Drawasaurus or Skribbl.io for lighthearted artistic competition
• Virtual Book or Movie Clubs — Monthly discussions that rotate discussion leaders from different departments
• Virtual Wellness Challenges — Team step competitions, meditation sessions, or yoga classes
• Collaborative Playlists — Create team music collections for different moods or workday moments
• Virtual Talent Show — Showcase non-work-related skills and hidden talents across the organization

There are many other remote employee engagement ideas outside of these examples. If you’re looking for inspiration, ask your team what they’d enjoy, and ask peers at other organizations whey they do in this vein.

12. Get Together in Person

Some colleagues go years without ever being in the same room. 

There’s nothing quite like meeting someone in person for the first time after only communicating with them over email and video. It takes the relationship to a whole new level.

These days, the point of off-sites is less about getting work done — so much of that can be done remotely. The real rewards of getting together come from the relationship building and intangible social benefits. 

It turns out that human contact is still a thing. And worth investing in.

13. Break Free from Time Constraints with Async Tools

The digital revolution hasn’t just changed where we work—it’s transformed when we work. For teams scattered across time zones and schedules, asynchronous communication tools have become the great equalizer.

Record those crucial meetings and pair them with concise written summaries so team members can engage with important content on their own terms. No more forcing employees to log in at midnight just to stay in the loop.

Ditch the endless email threads that everyone dreads opening. Instead, encourage rich, personality-filled voice notes and quick video updates that convey tone, enthusiasm and nuance in ways text never could.

These bite-sized communications often deliver more authentic engagement in 60 seconds than a dozen emails ever could.

By embracing asynchronous tools strategically, you’re not just accommodating different schedules — you’re creating a more inclusive culture where everyone can contribute when they’re at their best.

Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Employee Engagement

Below are other frequently asked questions related to engaging remote and hybrid employees.

What are the different types of engaged employees?

Employees can be grouped into three different engagement buckets:

• Actively engaged
• Not engaged
• Actively disengaged

Actively engaged team members love what they do and are bought into the organization as a whole. They bring positivity to the workplace and create better experiences for peers. They also advocate on behalf of the brand. As a HR or people management leader, you want to replicate actively engaged employees as much as possible.

Employees who are not engaged make up the majority of most organizations. These individuals fulfill their core responsibilities only. They don’t seek out other opportunities to contribute and are disinterested in what is happening outside of their specific lane.

HR teams should aim to help people in this group become actively engaged and avoid slipping into active disengagement.

Actively disengaged employees are clearly unhappy. They bring negative energy to their roles and discourage peers from performing well or investing in the organization.

In some cases, it makes sense to work with actively disengaged employees to address their complaints. In others, it’s best for all involved to part ways.

What types of employee engagement goals should we set?

Setting employee engagement goals is important for staying on track. You need hard quantitative or qualitative evidence that your employee engagement efforts are working.

Here are some ideas on what you can measure along the lines of employee engagement:

• Employee wellbeing with anonymous pulse surveys
• Employee motivation and buy-in through cultural surveys
• Employee productivity with performance rubrics and standards
• Employee safety with targeted courses and assessments
• Employee turnover, retention and absenteeism with HR analytics
• Customer satisfaction through CSATs and NPS scores (as a proxy for customer support engagement)

What are some of the biggest drivers of employee engagement?

The strategies outlined in this article are intended to push key drivers of employee engagement in the right direction.

A few of these drivers include:

• Having the right tools needed to do a job successfully
• Feeling seen and valued by colleagues
• Perceiving fairness in the workplace
• Having ownership and autonomy over one’s work

For a deeper dive on how to drive employee engagement, check out our article here.

What is an employee engagement model?

An employee engagement model is a framework or system for how can leaders promote engagement across the organization. A model typically consists of processes, practices and key metrics specific to the business to help guide interventions and ongoing engagement activities.

Having an engagement model is helpful in companies of all sizes. They give direction and force leaders to think more strategically about how they engage workers.

What is an employee engagement action plan?

An employee engagement action plan outlines specific steps for addressing feedback or issues identified through engagement surveys. It’s similar to an engagement model in that it’s intended to provide structure for activities related to promoting employee engagement. However, it’s more targeted and based on recent insights.

Curious to give video messaging a try in your organization?

Try out BombBomb for two weeks free or book a demo to see it in action.

Table of Contents

Leads are the lifeblood of your business. As a loan officer (LO), implementing a great mortgage lead generation strategy can make or break your business. 

You need high-quality prospects – homebuyers who match your ideal customer profile – coming in all throughout the year. Of course, this is easier said than done. 

Many LOs mistakenly believe that all homebuyers are great potential clients. In reality, it’s better to focus on one type of homebuyer. 

People have vastly different goals when buying homes. The right marketing or sales message for one type of prospect doesn’t work for another.

Plus, as a loan originator, broker, or LO, you’re busy. You don’t have time to do your job and be a full-time marketer or sales professional. You have to pick and choose how you invest your time. 

For a broader overview of everything you can do on the marketing and sales side, check out our post on the topic here. In this article, we’re going to dive deeper into a key subtopic: mortgage broker lead generation. 

Mortgage Lead Generation vs. Mortgage Marketing vs. Mortgage Sales

Lead generation is different from marketing and sales in a few ways. 

Mortgage marketing describes what you do to create awareness of your business as a broker. Marketing activities are designed to help people find you and understand who you serve.

Sales activities convert prospects into customers. Sales requires making compelling offers and saying the right things to convince people to purchase a loan with you instead of a competitor. 

Mortgage loan lead generation is all about motivating homebuyers to engage with you specifically. It involves more than just educating people about your business. 

Lead generating activities are targeted and designed to get potential customers to let you know they are interested in what you’re selling.

The goal with lead generation is to convince your ideal “avatar” – a representation of your perfect homebuying customer – to identify themselves from the masses and let you know they want to hear more about how you can help them accomplish their goals.

You don’t want people to just be aware of you as a loan officer, and not everyone is ready to buy when you first engage.

Lead generation bridges the gap between awareness and conversion. It enables you to go deeper with a smaller group of people who have shown interest in your offering. When done well, it’s one of the most effective and efficient ways to grow your mortgage business.

Is Buying Mortgage Leads Worth It?

Is it a good idea to buy mortgage leads? The simple answer is no. Buying leads is an expensive way to grow your business. 

The problem is that lots of LOs and businesses purchase leads. On the surface, it appears like an effective way to skip the marketing needed to find qualified prospects.

But this shortcut has consequences.

Chances are that your competitors are purchasing the same mortgage lead lists. The leads on those leads are likely being pursued by other brokers and LOs, making it harder to get attention. 

And if you start sending generic communications to people on a lead list, you can damage your inbox and business reputation. People who don’t remember asking to receive communications from (even if they did) are likely to unsubscribe and label your outreach as spam. 

This signals to your email provider that you are delivering a low-quality experience to recipients. Word can also get around quickly that you engage in poor communication practices.

Additionally, leads on purchased lists may not be your ideal customer. Purchasing and using lead lists as a mortgage broker only makes it harder for you to find who you really want to help.

You end up paying for low-quality leads, which costs you more in the long run because you’ll have to spend more to fill your capacity as a broker. 

Sure, more sophisticated list brokers can often tell you how they build their lists and why their prospects are quality leads. But their process will still fall short of you managing your own lead generation with your target homebuyer in mind.

So, there’s no easy way to identify and attract high-quality leads for your mortgage business. It takes work. The good news is that you can learn how to get home loan leads organically.

How to Get Mortgage Leads Organically

Building a healthy lead generation pipeline is worth the effort. Below are different types of lead generating activities to consider.

You don’t need to implement every one to be successful. Focusing on one or two may be enough. It all depends on who your target audience is and how they prefer to buy mortgages. 

Share Useful Digital Content Behind a “Gate”

One of the best ways to generate mortgage leads is to write informative and valuable content that addresses common pain points for homebuyers. To make your content a true lead generating tool, you can hold the resource back until prospects give you their contact information. This is what it means to “gate” your content. 

For example, you could write a one- or two-page guide on how to save money on a mortgage or how to improve your credit score before purchasing a home. If you enjoy writing and have the time to build a more in-depth resource, you could create an eBook that guides a specific type of homebuyer – like a first-time buyer – through the end-to-end process of finding a mortgage. 

To share this resource, you could add a submission form to your website or on a related blog post. As soon as someone submits your form, you’d send them the guide. 

Other common ways of sharing gated content include hosting webinars, online workshops, and “Ask Me Anything” sessions where people have to sign up in advance for a spot. 

With any of these approaches, the aim is to get contact information for people who are actively searching for solutions to problems you solve. Pursuing these prospects with follow-up phone calls or emails is a much better use of your time than investing solely in generic marketing.

A Quick Word About Lead Magnets

Lead magnets are how many businesses generate leads. These are resources you share that are designed to attract certain types of people – hence the term “magnet.” 

An effective lead magnet solves a narrow problem for a homebuyer and then introduces the next problem they need to solve. And in a perfect world, you offer the solution to that next problem in the form of another lead magnet or your core services.

Understanding lead magnets as a mortgage broker is important because great lead magnets draw in great leads. People are willing to trade their contact information for the value that a lead magnet provides. 

Let’s say you write a short guide on different types of loan options for veterans. In this lead magnet, you solve a narrow problem by educating the reader on all the ways they could get a loan, which they didn’t know before. 

After reading your guide, someone may ask:

• What credit score do I need to qualify for these different options?
• How much would my monthly payment be?
• What strategies should I use to save enough money for my down payment?

You could answer each of these questions in subsequent resources or offerings, like a webinar or consulting call. If you’re able to answer all the questions or problems that someone has on their way to getting a mortgage, you build incredible trust with that individual. 

And when they’re ready to get a loan, you’ll be the first person they contact. 

Start a Newsletter

Sending a regular newsletter is another great way to identify quality leads. For example, you could share a daily newsletter with mortgage rate updates. You could share a monthly educational newsletter or one that covers regulatory changes when they occur.

Again, what’s most important is that your newsletter aligns with the interests of the people you want to turn into clients.

(read this post for more comprehensive coverage of mortgage email marketing)

To make your newsletter a lead generating tool, people should have to opt in to receive it. You could have site visitors submit a form on your website or ask people to comment on a social media post if they want to be added and then follow up with a direct message to get their contact info. 

(and check out this post for more coverage on how to use social media marketing as a loan officer)

As a reminder, what distinguishes this type of lead generating activity from general marketing is that you are trading value for permission to follow up with someone. 

You share an informative newsletter. Your prospect gives you access to their inbox. 

Each email you send should also present a logical next step for prospects who are ready for the next step in the buyer journey. For example, if you provide market rate updates, share a link to a mortgage calculator on your website in the  email. Then, give people the option to book a consultation with you to discuss the calculator’s results.  

Notice how we’re building a sequence of solutions to problems that your homebuyer may experience on the way to getting a loan.

Offer Free Consultations

Another effective lead magnet is the free mortgage consultation. Many people like hopping on a quick call to understand their options and ask questions. The key here is to demystify the consultation. It’s easier for someone to book time with you if they know what to expect. 

For example, wherever you advertise your free consultation, you could publish an agenda:

• 5 minutes: introductions
• 10 minutes: you share your homebuying goals and ask questions
• 10 minutes: I answer questions and point you to additional resources
• 5 minutes: we agree on next steps

A simple agenda like this makes it easier for someone to take advantage of your consultation. By eliminating the unknown, you help people feel more comfortable with taking the next step.

Host In-person Educational Events

Meeting people in person is still a great way to market your mortgage business if you focus on a particular geographic area. The same lead magnet principles apply here: present a solution to a narrow problem that leads people to go deeper with you. 

You could host lunch-and-learns on timely mortgage topics that require people to sign up in advance. You could go to open houses and bring a QR code for people to sign up for your newsletter or a consultation. 

Feel free to get creative, always thinking about how you can deliver value in exchange for a qualified lead.

Run Paid Ads to Your Offers and Lead Magnets

Running paid ads is different from buying lead lists. With paid ads, you spend money to get your promotions, lead magnets, and offers in front of people who fit a certain profile. You’re not buying leads – you are sharing resources people have to choose to accept. 

You can run ads to any of the lead magnets we’ve discussed in this article or directly to specific mortgage offerings. And it’s crucial to run your ads where your target homebuyer spends time. 

If you prefer working with mid-career professionals, LinkedIn might be a good channel for you. If you enjoy working with younger people, you could run ads on Reddit or Instagram.

An often overlooked paid advertising channel is direct mail. Many of us have low perceptions of direct mail because we assume that what is junk to us is also junk to everyone else. This isn’t true. Direct mail can outperform digital channels by a wide margin.

People take action on promotions they’re interested in. Depending on your ideal mortgage client, direct mail could be a great source of quality leads. 

Use Personalized Videos to Generate More Mortgage Leads

Lead generation for mortgage brokers is a continuous process. As you learn more about your target homebuyer, you’ll want to refine your lead magnets and offers. 

And as market conditions change, so too will the problems and challenges that homebuyers face. You should revisit your lead generating assets often and keep an eye on their performance.

One of the best ways to keep people engaged and moving towards a purchase is to send them personalized videos at key moments along the buying journey. Video messaging is how you distinguish yourself from other LOs and build relationships, even when you’re not interacting with people directly. 

Some ideas on where to incorporate a video message:

• In the emails you send to prospects with gated resources they’ve requested
• In your newsletter to provide a voiceover of the material you cover
• On your Free Consultation landing page to introduce yourself before a phone call
• In follow-up communications after in-person events

Check out this example of a broker using a video message to introduce himself:

This type of video goes well with any type of lead magnet you share. It helps humanize your business before someone makes the decision to reach out for a meeting.

Only a small percentage of mortgage brokers really understand how to generate home loan leads well. And an even smaller percentage use video in their marketing and sales efforts. 

Imagine combining sharp lead magnets with the power of personalized video messaging…

We wrote a free guide on how to use video messages as a mortgage broker. We explain the different moments in the prospective homebuyer’s journey where personalized videos are important.

And we provide scripts you can use in those situations to acquire leads and increase engagement. 

Download the guide here, and start closing more loans today.

To give BombBomb a try, sign up for a free 14-day trial here.

But what makes them especially powerful in the mortgage industry is the ability to reach people with targeted interests, even in specific geographic areas. As a mortgage broker, you can make people aware of your business, build trust, and compel them to work with you, all because of your social media activity.

That being said, using social media for your mortgage business is not a requirement to be successful. Many of today’s most productive loan officers and originators don’t use social media. They’ve found how to reach their ideal homebuying customer in other ways. 

(for a deeper dive on mortgage marketing and sales, check out this article)

If you choose to use social media to grow your mortgage business, it should be a strategic decision. And with the right plan and execution, you can see results quickly.

Post with a Specific Type of Homebuyer in Mind

Before getting into content ideas, let’s cover some basic best practices.

The content you share on social media should be designed with a specific type of prospect in mind. If that person isn’t on social media or doesn’t care to engage with mortgage content on social media, that won’t be an effective way for you to grow. 

You may still be able to find quality leads. However, it will take much more time, money and effort to convert prospects into customers.

Furthermore, if you choose to use social media, you don’t need to be on every platform. Today’s most popular social media sites cater to different user bases.

For instance, Instagram and TikTok tend to attract younger audiences, while LinkedIn and Facebook are more popular with older users. Around 60% of Instagram users are under the age of 34, and only ~7% are over 55. Facebook, on the other hand, has fairly similar usage across all age demographics.

Knowing this type of information is useful as a mortgage broker because it allows you to focus your marketing and sales effort where you’re likely to see the best return. 

If you prefer working with young, first-time homebuyers, sharing educational content on Instagram and TikTok may produce better results than doing the same on Facebook. If you know that people in your target demographic love getting in-depth market updates and education, you may want to create longer-form educational videos on YouTube.

What’s most important is that you figure out where your target audience wants to consume mortgage-related information and then you produce the best content possible for that channel.

You can always share your content across multiple platforms. The beauty of social media is that once you create one piece of content, you can distribute it easily in many places. The key is focusing first on creating content that matches your best performing channel rather than trying to make your content with all channels in mind. 

Also, your best performing channel is likely to change over time. Social media platforms come and go. User demographics change. You need to pay attention to where your ideal customers are today and then obsess over creating content they appreciate while they’re there. 

If you can build these skills, you’ll be successful with social media no matter how the landscape changes. 

An Exception to the Rule

While most of your content should be geared towards your ideal prospective homebuyer, you can also post content that benefits important referral sources. 

For instance, you may want to share market updates for realtors so they can have more educated conversations with their clients. You could also highlight local businesses or custom homebuilders who have served the community well for a long time.

This approach to social media can help generate high-quality referrals from partners who want to reward you for the value you provide them. 

Content for Mortgage Social Media Posts

So what types of mortgage social media posts should you make for your audience? 

We group content into four broad categories:

• Audience-specific content
• General mortgage content
• Self-promotional content
• Commodity content

The specific messages you share within each category depend on your target audience. 

Audience-specific Content

While this may seem counterintuitive, your content doesn’t need to be interesting or useful to all potential homebuyers. It only has to speak to your ideal homebuying customer.  

For example, if you prefer working with people who want to purchase a second or third vacation home, your content shouldn’t include information that’s geared toward first-time homebuyers. If you want to work with veterans, post about resources only this group can access. 

Remember: your social media is a lead generation channel that should pull in your ideal prospect. (to go deeper on how to generate leads as a mortgage broker, read this post)

By focusing on a specific type of homebuyer, your messaging won’t resonate with everyone, and that’s okay. But it will build trust and separate you from your competitors. Mortgage seekers in your target demographic will view you as someone who truly understands them.

Let’s go back to the example of posting for first-time homebuyers. Your content could focus on topics like:

• How to save for a down payment
• How to calculate what you can afford
• How to choose a realtor
• What to expect throughout the closing process

Even better would be focusing on a specific type of homebuyer, like first generation first-time homebuyers. Again, content that you share in this vein wouldn’t be relevant to a majority of homebuyers. 

But the people who do fall into this category would come to trust you much more than other brokers only posting generic content. You could then invite this audience to join you on your newsletter (check out this post to learn more) or other venues for deeper engagement.

By homing in on a narrower demographic, you reduce the competition and increase the likelihood that you become the best and only option for people within a particular group.

General Mortgage Content

You should also post content that all homebuyers find useful. This is one way to increase brand awareness and establish initial credibility with homebuyers. 

Here are some examples of content that would fall into this category:

• Mortgage rate updates
• Regulatory updates
• Tips on how to improve your credit score
• Definitions for common mortgage terms
• Explanations for complex mortgage processes

Regardless of the specific niche you choose, there will be more topics to cover in the general mortgage content category. Use this to your advantage. 

In between targeted posts, share general education to maintain an active presence online. This is also how you continue to deliver value. 

The right ratio of target-specific to general mortgage content depends on how wide of a net you want to cast across your potential customer base. When you’re first starting out as a loan officer, it may make sense to go wider. As your business matures, you can go deeper with a particular type of homebuyer.

Self-promotional Content

The third main type of content you can share on your social media platform is self-promotional content. Examples in this category include:

• Posts about your background and personal interests
• Day-in-the-life videos of you in your office
• Reputation-building content, like recent accomplishments or recognition

You should post this type of content less frequently than the other two categories. While self-promotional content gives people a chance to know you better, it doesn’t deliver your potential customers value. When it comes time to make a decision, they’ll go with the person who has clearly demonstrated expertise at solving the problems they experience.

Commodity Content

Commodity content includes anything that doesn’t tangibly add value to your readers or to your business. This is content that you post for personal reasons with no obvious connection to your work, customers or referral partners.

Commodity content is okay as long as it doesn’t take priority over the other three categories. Too much commodity content will cause people to disassociate your social media profile from your business. 

Top Mortgage Broker Influencer Channels

To help spark inspiration on how you can use your social channels, we’ve compiled a list of mortgage broker influencers. Check out the content these loan officers publish and see what topics or styles resonate with you. 

Ryan Hills & RC

TheReSourceTV, Puyallup, WA
TheREsource.TV | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Ryan Hills and RC Christensen are on fire with TheREsource.TV. With great information and real entertainment value in weekly episodes, they’re the best of the best. 

The topics they cover provide value for loan officers, real estate agents and consumers alike. They also distribute via Facebook and include short video teasers with their title graphics on Instagram.

Kevin Fritz

Iron Point Mortgage, Folsom, CA
IronPointMortgage.com | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

Kevin leads with value in a fun and informative way. What makes his approach unique is he takes on useful and interesting topics, like “The Best Way to Make Plastic Chairs Look New Again!” and “How to Make a Tiki Torch Out of an Empty Wine Bottle. 

At the end of each “life hack”-style tip, he transitions to a light call-to-action about his mortgage business. Yes, Kevin talks about reverse mortgages, mortgage insurance and other mortgage-related topics, but his consistent commitment to unique lifestyle tips, well-organized playlists, and often clever thumbnails make his channel stand out.

Nicole Rueth

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp, Englewood, CO
TheRuethTeam.com | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

Nicole is leading the way when it comes to creating binge-worthy YouTube playlists full of mortgage industry education. She creates content for consumers, real estate agents and loan officers. 

And since she has such a wide audience, she also uses a variety of styles – simple, mobile, green screen, at home, at the office, in the car and more.

Kelly Zitlow

Cornerstone Home Lending, Scottsdale, AZ
KellyZitlow.com | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

With smart-looking thumbnails and helpful playlists, Kelly also provides education to several groups of people in the mortgage industry. One of many things you can learn from her: make the topic of every video as clear as possible.

Dan Moralez

Northpointe Bank, Holland, MI

DanMoralez.com | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn

For years, Dan has been tackling common, mortgage-related questions, problems and opportunities. What makes Dan’s channel especially unique is his commitment to audio. While he does film videos, he makes it easy to learn by listening if you’re on the go. 

Top Mortgage Social Media Accounts

Minh Nguyen

What’s A Mortgage, Irvine, CA
WhatsAMortgage.com | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

When it comes to social video, Mihn is at the top for a few reasons. 

He puts out engaging content consistently on a variety of topics. He sheds light on aspects of the mortgage process that are often confusing and uses them as a marketing opportunity. 

Jason Stier

Veteran Community Mortgage, Argyle, TX
UMLend.com | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn

Jason is a top mortgage influencer because of his specific focus: he educates those serving in the military and their family members about the mortgage process. His targeting has given him a platform to grow within an important, yet underserved niche. 

Josh Velazquez

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Orlando, FL
JoshVelazquez.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Josh is unique in his ability to blend personal life with business topics in an educational, meaningful and entertaining way. While he certainly talks about important mortgage information, he makes it easy for you to want to spend time with him because he gives so much insight into his life.

Derrick Polder

Summit Funding, Tucson, AZ
ThePolderGroup.com | Facebook | LinkedIn

Derrick uses a wide range of methods to share mortgage education, from slides and text to simple shot-in-the-moment videos. He shows off his personality while making sure viewers walk away with useful information.

Take a look at how Loan Consultant Eric Peltier of Caliber Home Loans shares helpful content with his connections using video…

Video is the Secret to Social Media Engagement

Social media marketing for mortgage loan officers is all about building trust with people at scale. These influencers have figured out how to do this in their own styles.

And as you can see, knowing how to use video effectively on social media is one the best skills you can develop as a mortgage broker. Videos cut through digital clutter and stand out in newsfeeds and inboxes. 

Think about all the places where you can communicate via text today on social media – comments, public posts, DMs – and consider replacing or enhancing those interactions with personalized videos.

Leaning more into videos, whether you’re sharing market updates, teaching on a specific topic, or introducing yourself to new followers, is a great way to build relationships. In fact, your followers will feel like they know you even though you haven’t spent any time with them one on one. 

And when people feel comfortable, they are much more likely to take action with you rather than a competitor when they need a loan.

We put together a free action plan specifically for mortgage brokers to help with incorporating video into your sales process. 

In this guide, we provide 10+ scripts and explanatory videos on how to use video at key moments in the sales cycle, including: 

• Initial lead inquiries to increase appointments
• Appointment confirmations to reduce cancellations and no-shows
• Testimonial requests to generate more referrals

Download the guide here.

And to give BombBomb a try, sign up for a free 14-day trial here.

But here’s the problem: many loan officers (LOs) don’t know how to use email well as a marketing or sales tool. They let their lists fail to the wayside and miss the opportunity to nurture potential homebuying customers.

In this article, we’ll share quick wins and strategies on the mortgage email marketing front. Implement these ideas today to start seeing results quickly.

If you want a more robust mortgage marketing and sales article, click here. 

What is Email Marketing for Mortgage Brokers?

Mortgage email marketing is email communication between a broker and prospective clients that is intended to nurture leads until they’re ready to make a buying decision. A great email newsletter convinces homebuyers that you are the best person to address their unique goals when it comes to getting a mortgage. 

You build this credibility by sharing relevant content, resources and opportunities. Your aim should be to send information that is so helpful and insightful that people forward your emails on to others. If you can motivate that kind of behavior, you’re on the right track.

Mortgage marketing emails are also a great way to generate repeat business with past clients. Your emails can serve as a regular reminder that people should call you first when they’re ready to purchase their next home.

Email marketing is one of many effective lead generation channels for LOs and brokers (to learn more about overall mortgage lead generation, check out this post). 

You don’t have to have a newsletter to be a successful broker. However, email is still one of the best ways to reach people and serve an audience at scale. If people give you access to their inbox, they’re giving you a chance to win their business.

Mortgage Email Marketing Best Practices

Mortgage newsletters that are worth reading are consistent, high quality and useful.

Why Consistency Matters

Consistency in this context means a few things:

• Sending on a consistent schedule
• Sending with consistent formatting
• Sending in a consistent voice
• Sending with consistent topics or themes

These are all crucial dimensions for an email newsletter, especially when first starting out. 

Whether you choose to send a daily, weekly or monthly newsletter, you need to stick to your schedule. Delivering value on a consistent basis is one of the best ways to validate someone’s decision to give you permission to email them.

It’s also important that your emails look, feel and sound the same. People don’t like change, and it’s easier for them to connect with you as an individual if you show up the way they expect in their inbox every time.

Having consistent topics or themes helps you establish expertise in certain areas for your readers. It also makes it easier on you to come up with content to send. Starting from scratch every month is unsustainable.

For instance, you could always include a section with rate updates or trends in the local market. Or you could position your email as a reverse mortgage newsletter and only publish content along these lines. 

If you want to retain some flexibility, build a dedicated section for this purpose into your newsletter. 

For example, you could have an “Educational Topic of the Week” or a “Customer Highlight of the Month” section. Or maybe you just want to save an area for general commentary. Feel free to do this, so long as you can keep up with the work.

How to be a High-quality Communicator

High-quality newsletters are clear, timely and relevant. 

You don’t have to be a gifted writer. But you do need to communicate in a way that is easy to understand. If people are distracted by your poor grammar and writing, have someone else draft or edit your content.

Your emails should also address topics that are top of mind for readers. This shows that you pay attention to the outside world and can help people understand any implications when it comes to getting a mortgage. And the closer you can be to real-world events, the more people will value your opinion.

The Simple Effectiveness of Being Useful

Every email newsletter you send to readers should educate or help in some way. Otherwise, it’s just noise. Keep your self-promotion to a minimum, and stick to what you know your target audience needs. 

This means you need to know exactly who is drawn to your email list. Ideally, this should align with your target homebuyer avatar, i.e., the type of person you want to work with over and over.

It’s easier to share useful content when you narrow down who you are “talking” to through your newsletter. For example, if your email list has every type of homebuyer on it, anything you write will either be irrelevant to the majority of your list or so generic that it’s not helpful to anybody.

If, on the other hand, you prefer working with single parents and only share content in this vein, you will become the ultimate trusted resource amongst this demographic. Sure, it’s a smaller group of potential customers, but you’ll win a much higher majority of the business.

A Quick Word on Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Your email list will include people at different stages in the buyer journey. Some are just looking for answers to an initial set of questions. Others are closer to needing a mortgage. It’s impossible to know where everyone stands, and people can jump forward (or backwards) quickly. 

In most cases, you should include CTAs in your emails for people who are ready to take the next step. Always give prospects the option to contact you for a consultation or get a quote. You won’t offend people who aren’t ready to move forward. And you’ll generate more opportunities to connect with warmer leads.

Design with Mobile in Mind

When designing your email template, it’s important to keep the mobile experience in mind. Four in ten people open emails in mobile apps today. If your emails don’t look good on mobile, you’ll turn off a big portion of your potential readership.

To be clear, your email newsletter doesn’t have to be expertly designed. It could just be simple plain text. It all depends on audience and how they want to consume information.

How Do You Grow a Mortgage Email Marketing List?

One of the best ways to grow your mortgage email newsletter is through your website. To encourage people to sign up, you should offer some sort of benefit or lead magnet. It’s not enough to just ask someone to join your list. You need to give them a compelling reason. 

For example, you could send a first-time homebuyers’ guide in exchange for someone’s email or pass along the URL to a hidden mortgage calculator built specifically for the local market.

In-person events are also a great place to meet people who might be interested in your newsletter. Host lunch-and-learns or go to open houses where you offer some useful insight and then direct people to your email list if they want to receive that type of information regularly.

Another effective email list growth channel is social media. You can post short snippets of your newsletter content on socials and then invite people to join to see your full perspective. 

Have your audience comment or react to a post to signal that they want you to add them to your list. You can then send them a direct message to get their email address.

(here’s an article on how to level up your social media marketing game as a loan officer)

Using Video to Level Up Your Mortgage Email Marketing

One of the best ways to increase email marketing results is to incorporate videos into your newsletters. People are more likely to open and engage with emails that contain videos. 

Videos are more effective at motivating prospects to respond and take action. This is because they realize there is a real person on the other side of the email who took the time to send a thoughtful message. And videos enhance written content by infusing it with personality, tone, and clarity. 

By following the principles outlined above and incorporating videos into your newsletters, you’ll create a newsletter experience that very few mortgage professionals have today.

This is how you differentiate yourself from the competition and build an email marketing function that continues to produce quality leads for your business throughout the year.

And using videos in your emails is valuable for many moments across the buyer’s journey. We summarize these moments and provide video explanations in this free Mortgage Action Plan that was written with mortgage brokers specifically in mind. 

In this action plan, we show how you can use personalized videos to do things like:

• Respond to initial lead inquires and book more appointments
• Reduce no-shows and meeting cancellations
• Thank people for their business and ask for referrals

Download the guide here to get started.

And to give BombBomb a try, sign up for a free 14-day trial here.

Text-based communication is also getting noisier. As more businesses embrace remote or hybrid work, this problem will only worsen.

The people who suffer in a noisy digital world are those who have something important to say. 

Sales people have a harder time attracting prospects. 

Marketers can’t engage leads. 

Support reps struggle to serve customers. 

Employees feel disconnected and unequipped.

We need a better way to communicate – one that leans into our humanity. 

This is where video messaging comes in. 

What is Video Messaging?

Video messaging refers to the act of recording and sending video messages. Video messages are typically shorter in length – under one minute – and allow one person (or several people) to communicate ideas over a recorded video rather than text.

Video messages are useful in both personal and professional contexts. And they are often far more engaging than the same information conveyed over an email or direct message. 

Sending video messages takes some getting used to – especially for people who craft emails and texts carefully. But with a little practice, recording and sharing video messages becomes second nature. 

Video messaging is the key to cutting through noise and elevating business communication in an increasingly digital world. 

The Benefits of Video Messaging

Video messaging isn’t just about exchanging ideas or information; it’s about building relationships. When video messaging is used effectively, the benefits are obvious. 

Multi-dimensional Communication

Video messages convey emotional nuance and empathy better than text-based messages. They bring non-verbal cues back into play – a nod, hand gestures, a concerned frown – and give recipients a better understanding of the sender’s tone and perspective.

In professional contexts, this is crucial. More empathy and understanding leads to better outcomes. People work together more effectively and feel connected to their peers. 

More Trust Across Distance

Trust and authenticity are the cornerstones of effective communication. Video messaging offers both, especially in remote interactions. 

A sincere “thank you” to a client or heartfelt note from an executive are great use cases for a video message. And the more authentic a video is (i.e., not scripted or rehearsed), the more it enhances the credibility of the sender. 

Video messaging also facilitates relationships between remote workers. Videos leave less room for misinterpretation, which minimizes confusion and avoids unnecessary conflict. With fewer negative interactions, remote team members feel more invested in their peers and the organization as a whole.

Fewer Scheduling Issues

Video messaging is also a great solution when dealing with scheduling conflicts. Bringing people together across different time zones is hard, which means it takes longer to get things done. 

When combined with a screen recorder, video messages can replace live meetings and presentations altogether. People can use video messages to cover big topics thoughtfully and give others plenty of time to digest the information. 

Pre-recorded webinars showcase this well – it’s possible to deliver a compelling and educational experience to people all over the world without having to be on a meeting at the same time. 

Higher Productivity

Remote teams typically require more meetings than in-person teams. The quick conversations in the break room or in the hallways don’t happen in remote companies, so those discussions need dedicated meetings.

Video messages and screen recordings can replace these entirely. Employees can watch videos on their own time and respond accordingly.

In fact, our studies show that video messaging can save up to 30% of the time typically spent on traditional communication methods. Workers spend less time typing up long emails or sitting in meetings that could be replaced with short video messages.

Additionally, meeting fatigue is still a common workplace issue. Meeting fatigue stems from prolonged or frequent synchronous meetings. The need to be “camera-ready” and engaged at all times can be mentally exhausting. 

Video messages curb this problem and protect employee wellbeing.

Easy Access to Tribal Knowledge

Another benefit of using video messages is that they’re easy to reference. People can pause, skip, and revisit old video messages much like how they would past email chains or texts. 

And for many, finding video messages is easier because they are more memorable. Our brains retain videos and images much more than plain text. 

Process Integration

Video messaging is simple to integrate into most businesses and workflows. Today’s top video messaging platforms also integrate with widely used enterprise tools, allowing users to send video messages in rhythm with other activities.

Video Messaging Use Cases

On top of the benefits outlined above, video messaging is a powerful tool for specific use cases, especially those that require building relationships and communicating clearly.

Driving Sales

Video messaging improves key metrics and activities for people in sales.

Prospects are more likely to engage with cold outreach that includes personalized video messages. And videos help sales teams set and keep more appointments with warm leads, as well as motivate existing clients to give referrals or make repeat purchases. 

Short video messages also enrich post-demo follow-ups and help clarify confusing features. They give potential customers something to reference that not only includes your offer, but also showcases your unique personality, which no other seller can match.

Enterprise-grade video messaging platforms like BombBomb come with in-depth analytics so that sales teams can analyze video-by-video performance. We provide metrics such as play count, percent watched, likes, comments, and CTA clicks so that users know what’s working and what’s not in their sales outreach.

These capabilities are relevant for marketers as well who want to study engagement and conversions for campaigns that include video messages.

Here is an example of a sales rep using a video message to do outbound outreach:

Recruiting Top Talent

Video messaging can play a valuable role in recruiting and employee onboarding. Sending personalized video messages to job candidates makes them feel more excited and connected to the brand during the interview process. Video messages are also a great way to demonstrate empathy and provide feedback to people you don’t hire.

For people you do hire, video messages can streamline the onboarding process and ramp employees up more quickly. HR teams can record explanatory videos for important benefits documentation or processes. And existing team members can share introductory videos with new hires to make them feel welcome before meeting face to face.

Furthermore, prerecorded videos are a great way to document and share knowledge across the organization. Video messages can form the basis of an onboarding or training course for all new hires. And as mentioned previously, people retain information from videos much more than they do text. 

Check out this example of a recruiter reaching out to a candidate on LinkedIn:

Improving Customer Service

This not only improves resolution efficiency, but also boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty. For any support topics that come up frequently, reps can build a library of “evergreen” videos – messages that aren’t specific to individuals or circumstances. They can be used over and over while still employing a human touch.

Here’s a video message of one leader explaining how to deal with difficult customer situations:

Elevating Employee Experiences

A similar use case exists on the employee management side. In the same way that customers prefer to receive personalized videos, so do employees. 

Video messages are a great way to celebrate milestones and recognize individual performance. They’re also great for providing feedback, sharing project updates, or replacing daily stand-ups. 

Compared to plain emails or texts, video messaging fosters a stronger sense of community, leading to higher retention and organizational morale. 

Here’s an example of a screen recording with a video message intended for training purposes:

Video Messaging Across Industries

Video messaging is a versatile technology. It’s useful in many industries and helps different types of people in various ways.

Real Estate

Video has been a powerful tool in real estate for many years. Video messaging, in particular, is one of the best ways for realtors to build and maintain relationships with homebuyers.

For example, realtors can send video messages to:

• Introduce themselves to prospective clients
• Follow-up after home visits
• Highlight the community
• Celebrate home buying anniversary dates

Homebuyers want to work with people they like and trust. Realtors who use video messaging are in a much better position to build this positive rapport.

Here’s an example of a real estate team using a video message to commemorate a past purchase:

Mortgage Lending

Mortgage loan officers who use video messaging exist in a category of their own.

Here are a few examples of what types of videos to send:

• Market updates on lending rates
• Explanatory videos on confusing parts of the mortgage process
• Check-in videos with past clients

Mortgage lending is a relationship-driven business. And video messaging is one of the best ways for loan officers to keep in touch with clients and prospects.

Here’s an example of a loan officer using video messaging to give a market update and promote upcoming events:

Automotive Sales

Automotive sales is another area where video messaging makes a huge difference.

Some videos auto sellers can film include:

• Responses to inbound leads about specific cars
• New inventory highlights
• Updates on service work
• Timely check-ins with past car buyers

Here’s an example of a car salesperson using a video message to thank someone for stopping by the dealership:

Homebuilding

Much like in the real estate industry, people want to work with homebuilders they trust. Video messaging gives homebuilders a way to differentiate themselves from the competition and show that they genuinely care about potential buyers. 

Some ways that homebuilders use video messaging today include:

• Introducing themselves to new prospects
• Recapping model home walkthroughs and specific features
• Highlighting certain areas in the community
• Providing updates on building progress

Beyond these industries, there are many others where video messaging is beneficial.

Nonprofits could use video messages to engage potential donors. Teachers could provide quick feedback to students. Doctors could check in with patients. The possibilities are endless. Wherever text or email communication is happening today, video would also apply.

Finding a Video Messaging Platform

The right video messaging and screen recording platform should meet the criteria outlined below.

Easy to Use

First and foremost, your video messaging tool has to be easy to use. It should make filming and distributing prerecorded videos simple.

For example, your video messaging platform should be able to embed videos directly into emails, text threads, and instant messages. If you’re sending video messages from within the platform, emails and texts should be deliverable and not end up in spam folders.

And ideally, recipients should see a preview or animated gif that teases the video they are about to watch. Otherwise, you’re asking recipients to open attachments or click unfamiliar links, which they are unlikely to do if they don’t know who you are. 

Seamless Integration

Second, your video messaging tool should integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and applications. For example, if your sales team uses Salesforce or Outreach, you should be able to send video messages from directly within the platform. If your support team uses Zendesk, service reps should be able to send videos through chats with end users. 

These integrations are important and help promote adoption.

Video Quality

Video quality is obviously important. People are used to seeing most video content today in high definition. While a lot of this depends on the specific devices people use to film videos, it’s worth confirming that your video messaging tool doesn’t compress or reduce video quality significantly when storing or sending.

At the same time, video quality isn’t everything. A high-quality video won’t keep viewers attention if the video content is off. You need both a compelling message and a good-looking video to maximize results.

In-depth Reporting and Insights

Individual users and team leaders need to know how video messaging impacts outcomes. This means having access to data like view counts, clickthrough rates, percent watched, and viewer information down to the individual video whenever possible. 

Without this data, it’s hard to identify areas of improvement and implement changes that drive measurable business results.

Available Customer Support

Your video messaging platform should come with robust customer support and comprehensive documentation. As we’ll cover below, video messaging adoption depends largely on people feeling comfortable and capable of using the technology effectively.

Privacy and Security

Privacy and security are paramount in any form of digital communication. When implementing video messaging, it’s essential to choose platforms that take both seriously. 

Things like end-to-end encryption, secure data storage, and compliance with privacy laws are essential for maintaining user trust and safeguarding sensitive information.

How to Implement a Video Messaging Platform

Adoption is always a challenge when implementing a new tool or process. Video messaging is no different. People are resistant to change, especially if they are high-performers. 

Use the steps below to organize your video messaging rollout:

Focus on Value

Emphasize what value the technology will bring to individuals and the organization at large. 

For example, if you’re using video messaging in customer support, explain how the technology will improve CSAT scores and time to resolution (TTR).

If intended for internal communication, calculate how much time you expect your team will save by reducing meetings and scheduling conflicts. 

If video messaging will become part of your sales process, give estimates on how much more business you expect people will close. 

Provide Dedicated Training

In addition to articulating the value of video messaging, leaders need to provide ample training for their team’s unique use cases. Users need to know exactly how to use video messaging in their roles. 

Give Clear Guidelines

We also recommend establishing clear guidelines around recommended video length, appropriate content, and presentation. The more guardrails you provide, the easier it is for people to get started. 

Depending on the industry, it might make sense to articulate how people should choose between a video message and a live meeting. For example, quick decisions or brainstorms should happen in a live meeting while information like project updates or feedback are best suited in a video message. 

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

After initial adoption, it’s important to get feedback from the people who are using video messaging in your business. Combining this insight with the metrics available in the platform will reveal opportunities to improve.

It’s helpful to focus on a few key performance indicators (KPIs). That way, you can measure how the changes you make as a result of employee feedback affects what matters most to your business. 

Video Messaging Best Practices

At BombBomb, we’ve been helping businesses grow with video messaging since 2006. We know how to coach individual users on sending video messages and how to support team leaders when adopting the technology.

For those unfamiliar with how to construct a good video message, here is a list of best practices: 

• Organize your thoughts before recording: While you don’t want to be overly rehearsed or scripted, you do want to have an idea of what you want to say before you start recording.

• Follow a framework: Start with an introduction that explains your video’s purpose, followed by the main content and an ending that summarizes the information or presents a call to action.

• Don’t aim for perfection: Treat your videos like voicemails. Video messages are often more compelling when they’re not perfect because viewers are better able to connect with the human-ness of the sender. 

• Focus on the value of your message: Don’t worry about how you look or sound – draw your confidence from the usefulness or importance of your message to the sender.

• Be concise, yet clear: Build your video message around one central idea and stay on topic.

• Be intentional about where you film: Film in quiet, well-lit, and organized environments that are free of distractions.

• Match your presentation to the message: Your body language and facial expressions should complement the tone of your message. Simple things like smiling or looking into the camera enhance the feeling of engagement and friendliness.

• Invest in a good microphone and camera: Bad audio and visual can distract from your message and frustrate viewers.

• Consider accessibility: Some people may not be able to listen to your video due to environmental constraints or hearing impairments. Build a habit of always providing a transcript or brief written summary or your video contents. 

• Include text context: Include text descriptions with your videos to give viewers context on what they are going to watch and why. This improves open rates, conversions on key actions, and overall deliverability.

If you want to give video messaging a try in your business, sign up for a free trial with BombBomb here.

And if you’re interested in learning more about using BombBomb as a team, book a demo here.

Table of Contents

You have to explain something to a prospect or client that would be much easier to review in person. But that’s not an option all the time…or is it? It is with a screen recorder!

With BombBomb’s Screen Recorder, you can easily record yourself and your screen at the same time to discuss complex details face-to-face—even when you can’t meet physically. It could be anything from demonstrating how a product works to walking a client through a contract.

Ways to Record Your Screen with Audio

BombBomb offers several versatile methods for recording both your screen and audio simultaneously, ensuring that you have the tools to meet various recording needs:

• Desktop Application: The BombBomb desktop application allows you to record your computer screen with audio. This app covers all bases, whether you need to capture your entire screen, a specific application window, or a designated area. It’s perfect for creating detailed visual presentations with clear audio commentary.
• Chrome Extension: For those who prefer working directly in the browser, the BombBomb Chrome extension is ideal. It lets you record your entire screen, a specific tab, or a webcam while including audio. This feature is especially useful for capturing live actions on the web and adding explanatory audio on the go.
• Gmail Integration: BombBomb’s Gmail integration enhances your email communications. Use the Chrome extension to record your screen and audio directly within Gmail. This functionality is excellent for adding a personal touch to emails or explaining complex subjects directly from your inbox. 
• Outlook Integration: For those who prefer working directly in Outlook, the BombBomb integration is ideal. This integration lets you effortlessly create and embed videos directly within your Outlook emails, whether you’re recording a quick message or capturing your screen with audio. It’s an excellent tool for delivering clear and concise visual explanations, making your emails more engaging without ever leaving your inbox.
• Mobile Application: Available for both iOS and Android, the BombBomb mobile app lets you record videos with audio using your device’s camera. While it doesn’t support screen recording, it’s excellent for on-the-move video messages or quick updates.

However, the simplest way to use the screen recorder is with our BombBomb Google Chrome Extension. Watch the video below for a quick overview of the BombBomb Screen Recorder.

Also, keep reading to learn how to use the BombBomb Screen Recorder, see ways you can use the tool, and discover best practices for success.

How to Screen Record on Chrome with BombBomb

Here’s how it works:

1. Get Google Chrome

You must have Google Chrome installed on your computer to use the extension. If you don’t have it yet, you can download the browser here.

2. Download the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension

Head to the Chrome Web Store, search “BombBomb,” and press the “Add to Chrome” button to get the extension directly on your browser.

After that, a small BombBomb icon will appear next to your web address bar. You can also click here to get the extension instantly.

3. Log In to Your BombBomb Account

Click on the BombBomb Google Chrome icon, and when prompted, enter your BombBomb email and password to log in to the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension.

4. Launch the Screen Recorder

Once you’re logged in, click on the icon again. You’ll already be on the “Record” tab on the following screen.

You’ll have the option to choose your camera. Next, select the “Screen Recorder” option to record yourself and your screen simultaneously.

5. Allow Screen Recording:

Enable screen recording permissions on your device. Go to your system settings and allow BombBomb to access your screen and camera. This step is crucial for recording both your screen and yourself.

6. Record Your Video:

Then, click “Launch Recorder.” A new tab will open, asking permission to launch the Screen Recorded on your computer. Click “Open BombBomb Screen Recorder” to launch the screen recording app.

A small window will pop up for you, along with another small window with a button that says “Start Recording.” Press it, and the Screen Recorder will count down 3…2…1.

While recording your video, you can switch from camera to screen mode by pressing the full screen icon next to the “Start/Stop Recording” button. After recording, click the “Start/Stop Recording” button.

7. Finalize Your Video

When you click the “Stop” button, a new window will appear, saying, “Great recording!” Click the “Okay, thanks!” button, and a new window will show up, allowing you to put the finishing touches on your video.

Under “Video Title,” you can customize the video title to your liking. You can also choose your video thumbnail by clicking the “Thumbnail” button on the top left corner of your video.

Additionally, you can add a Call-to-Action by clicking “Add a Call to Action Banner” at the bottom of your video. This will help drive your recipients to take the next step you want them to take, like setting an appointment or signing a document.

Click that, and you can type in your custom CTA banner and link. Press “Save CTA,” and it’s all set.

Then, press the “Save” button at the top right of your screen, and your video will automatically be saved to your BombBomb video library.

8. Send or Share Your Video

Once you save your video, a new window with your animated preview (GIF) and send and share options will appear. These options include: “Copy for Email,” “Copy Link,” and “Send with BombBomb Template.”

Here’s what those options do:

• Copy for Email: This option copies the HTML code of your video so that you can paste it into an email within a supported email service provider like Outlook or a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool.

A clear indicator that HTML is supported is if your email provider or CRM allows you to insert a graphic, like a logo or a photo.

• Copy Link: This button copies your video URL and pastes it into any web-based location, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Outlook, Slack, and more.
• Send with BombBomb Template: This option allows you to send your video with a branded template from your BombBomb account.

Once you press the button, a new tab will open in your browser, leading to the BombBomb Quick Send feature. You can add your custom video email template and send your video to all email lists there.

How Long Can You Screen Record?

BombBomb’s screen recorder allows you to create videos with no strict time limit, enabling you to capture detailed presentations, tutorials, and other lengthy content.

However, keeping recordings concise and focused for optimal viewer engagement and managing file sizes effectively is recommended.

Managing Recording Time:

• Aim for videos under 10 minutes when possible to maintain viewer attention.
• Plan and outline your content before recording to stay on track and avoid unnecessary length.

Dealing with File Size Limitations:

• Choose a resolution that balances quality and file size, such as 720p for most screen recordings.
• Break longer recordings into shorter, more manageable segments. This helps with file size and makes the content easier for viewers to digest.

How to Edit and Enhance Your Screen Recordings

Once you’ve recorded your video with BombBomb, the next step is to polish it using editing tools to make it more engaging and professional. Editing your screen recordings can help clarify your message, remove unnecessary parts, and add elements that capture the viewer’s attention.

Editing your screen recordings doesn’t have to be complicated. BombBomb’s user-friendly tools allow you to easily trim, cut, and merge video clips to create a harmonious final product.

Trimming Screen Recordings

Often, you might find that your recording has unnecessary parts at the beginning or end. Trimming allows you to remove these segments. 

For example, if you spent the first few seconds setting up your screen or the last few seconds fumbling to stop the recording, you can trim these parts to ensure your video starts and ends cleanly.

Stitching Video Segments

Sometimes, you may have multiple video segments that need to be combined into one coherent video. Stitching allows you to merge these segments.

This is particularly useful if you record different parts of your content separately. 

Here’s a simple process for editing with BombBomb:

1. Access the Editing Tool: After recording, navigate to your BombBomb video library and select the video you want to edit.
2. Trim Unnecessary Parts: Use the trimming tool to cut out the beginning and end segments that don’t add value to your video.

Stitch Video Segments: Combine multiple video clips if needed to create a single, cohesive video.

Bonus: Use the Screen Recorder Right Inside Your Gmail Inbox

If you’ve downloaded the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension, you’ll also have access to the BombBomb PowerWheel within your Gmail Inbox. Discover more about the PowerWheel in this post.

The PowerWheel Allows you to record a video in an email you’re sending on Gmail. Click on the “Compose” button. Then, in the email you’re composing, click the red record button in your PowerWheel.

Press the “Screen Record” option on the bottom left corner of the next window to activate the screen recorder.

Then follow steps 5 and 6 above. Once your video is saved, your screen recording will be added to your email.

You can also press the “Record Screen” button below the “Compose” button in your Gmail inbox to launch the Screen Recorder. From there, you can record your screen recording, save it, set a thumbnail and CTA, and add it to an email.

How to Screen Record on Mac

Mac offers robust tools to make screen recording seamless and practical, whether creating a tutorial, presenting a project, or simply sharing what’s on your screen.

Does Mac Allow Screen Recording and Screen Capture?

Macs are well-equipped for screen recording and screen capture, offering users built-in functionalities that cater to various recording needs. MacOS Mojave and later versions come with a Screenshot Toolbar.

Using Mac’s Built-In Screen Recording Features

Thanks to the Screenshot Toolbar, initiating a screen capture on a Mac is straightforward. By pressing Command + Shift + 5, users can access a range of options, including capturing the entire screen, selected windows, or a custom portion of the screen. 

You can choose to record the entire screen or a selected portion for video recordings, providing flexibility for various project needs. 

Preparing Your MacBook for Video Recording

Before hitting the record button, ensuring your MacBook is set up correctly can significantly impact the quality of your video. Optimal settings include selecting the right microphone, adjusting the screen resolution, and closing unnecessary applications to ensure a smooth recording experience. 

Also, consider your environment—minimizing background noise and ensuring adequate lighting can significantly enhance the video quality.

Where Does Screen Recording Go on Mac?

Screen recordings using the Screenshot Toolbar or QuickTime Player are saved to the desktop by default. This convenient location makes accessing and sharing your recordings straightforward. 

However, for users who prefer a different storage location, macOS allows changing the default save location through the Screenshot Toolbar’s Options menu or manually saving the file to a desired location after recording in QuickTime Player. Organizing your screen recordings in a dedicated folder can help keep your projects organized and easily accessible.

Incorporating Webcam Footage for a Personal Touch

Adding a personal touch to your screen recordings by incorporating webcam footage can significantly enhance the viewer’s experience. It creates a more engaging and interactive video, allowing viewers to connect personally with the content. 

This approach is particularly practical for tutorials, presentations, and remote communication, where facial expressions and body language can add depth to the message being conveyed.

Editing and Enhancing Your Mac Screen Recordings

Once you have captured your screen recording, the next step is to polish it for your audience. Basic editing includes trimming unnecessary parts, adding text overlays for clarity, or incorporating transitions for a smoother flow. 

Optimizing Video and Audio Quality

High-quality video and audio are crucial for influential screen recordings. Ensure your screen resolution is high to capture clear visuals, and consider using an external microphone for superior audio quality. 

Additionally, recording in a quiet space helps eliminate background noise, ensuring your message is heard loud and clear.

Engaging Your Audience

Keeping your audience engaged throughout your screen recording is essential. Use annotations to highlight important points, and consider breaking longer content into manageable sections to maintain viewer interest. 

How to Screen Record on Windows

Windows OS is equipped with several built-in tools that offer screen recording capabilities. Before diving into third-party software, it’s essential to explore these native options, as they can sometimes provide the quick fix you need without additional cost or a learning curve.

Screen Recording Best Practices

Want to know the best practices to ensure your screen recording is successful? Here are our recommendations:

• Keep It Short and Simple: Ensure your screen recording lasts five minutes. This will make the information you share easier to digest, making your recipient more likely to retain everything you said.
• Be Prepared: Pull up all the sites and windows and have them ready to share before you launch the Screen Recorder. That way, you won’t waste time in your video trying to find what you need.
• Keep Your Video On: In the Screen Recorder, you can exit out of the window that shows your face while still recording your screen. Try not to do this, and keep your video on instead. You are providing value in this video. Let people associate that value with you!
• Be Aware of What Is On Your Screen: Make sure there isn’t any sensitive information on your screen before you start recording. As a rule of thumb, don’t use the Screen Recorder for any information that should not be in an email. Also, double-check that nothing on your screen could be offensive. Always ensure there isn’t anything on your screen you don’t want people to see. Be aware!
• Pause Notifications: Temporarily turn off any notifications (from Google Calendar, Slack, etc.) you have set up on your computer to eliminate the possibility of distractions in the middle of your screen recording. That way, your recipients will be focused solely on you.

Screen Recording for Different Use Cases

Whether you deliver a presentation, conduct a training session, or provide customer support, recording your screen and yourself can create a more engaging and effective experience. 

Screen Recording for Business Presentations and Training

Screen recordings are invaluable tools for business professionals who want to create effective presentations and training materials.

They allow you to present information visually and engagingly, making it easier for colleagues and clients to understand and retain the material. 

Recording yourself and your screen simultaneously creates a more engaging and personal experience for your audience.

They can see your facial expressions and body language, which helps build a connection. 

For example, in a training session, participants can see your screen as you navigate the training materials and your face as you explain each step.

This ensures that participants can follow along with the visual content on your screen while hearing and seeing your explanations, making it easier to understand complex concepts.

Structuring Content:

• Plan your presentation by outlining key points. This helps keep your presentation focused and ensures you don’t miss any important information.
• Break down your presentation into smaller, manageable sections, making it easier for your audience to follow.
• Start each section with a brief overview to set the context and prepare your audience for the upcoming material.

Engaging Your Audience:

• Incorporate interactive elements such as polls, Q&A sessions, or calls to action to keep your audience engaged.
• Use your webcam to include a personal touch, allowing your audience to see your expressions and body language.
• Maintain a steady pace throughout your recording, avoiding rushing through the material, and take pauses to allow your audience to absorb the information.

Screen Recording for Marketing

Marketers can record anything from software walkthroughs to product demos and share them with their audience. 

In today’s competitive market, screen recordings can stand out, offering a clear, concise, and interactive way to share information and grab viewers’ attention.

Enhancing Customer Experience with Screen Recording

Revolutionizing customer experience is crucial for marketers who want to make an impact. Screen recording is a versatile tool that can show how a product works and tell immersive stories. 

It helps bridge the gap between businesses and consumers, offering interactive and personalized content that enhances the customer journey.

Personalized Product Demonstrations

Use screen recording to highlight your product’s features. Personalized demos cater to your customers’ interests, creating a stronger connection with your product. 

BombBomb services allow you to send these demos directly to customers, offering a personalized approach that resonates and leads to conversions.

Real-Time Customer Support Tutorials

Screen recording can turn customer support from reactive to proactive. Step-by-step tutorials let customers solve problems at their own pace.

 Integrating these with BombBomb’s video messaging adds a human touch that’s both effective and comforting in real-time.

Streamlining Content Creation with Screen Recorder

The world of content creation is always changing, pushing marketers to find more efficient ways to produce and share engaging content. 

Screen recorders streamline this process, making it easier to develop content that captures your brand’s message. This tool enriches the content’s value and makes it more appealing.

Crafting Educational Webinars

Screen recording is great for making educational webinars. It lets presenters pre-record parts for smooth transitions and support live demos. 

It’s key for creating visual aids that clarify complex topics, and with the right techniques, these recordings can be seamlessly added to live sessions, ensuring a professional and engaging learning experience.

Developing Engaging Video Content

To grab your audience’s attention, content needs to be informative and captivating. Screen recorders are crucial for making marketing videos that keep viewers interested from start to finish. 

Combining storytelling with screen recording, marketers can create dynamic videos that inform and intrigue. BombBomb’s platform takes this further, letting you distribute these videos through email marketing, adding a personal touch to your digital campaigns.

Boosting Conversion Rates Through Screen Recording

Screen recording is transforming the marketing funnel by offering an authentic and direct way to showcase products and services. 

This tool is an engaging strategy to nudge potential customers further down the conversion path. Through live demos and recorded testimonials, screen recordings can provide the persuasive push needed to turn leads into loyal customers.

Live Product Demos for Lead Nurturing

Using live product demos through screen recording is a powerful way to engage leads. It gives them a real-time, detailed look at what your product can do. 

With BombBomb’s tools, marketers can send these demos right to their leads, track how they interact with them, and do targeted follow-ups. This improves lead nurturing and can lead to more sales.

Testimonials and Case Studies

There’s nothing more convincing than hearing from a happy customer. Screen recording lets you capture live testimonials and case studies in action, showing potential customers the real impact of your product. 

When shared via BombBomb, these testimonials can be personalized and sent out effectively. This ensures that your message gets to the right people at the right time, increasing the chances of making a sale.

Analyzing Performance with Screen Recorder Insights

In the digital marketing era, understanding and optimizing user interaction is critical. Screen recorder insights provide a treasure trove of data that, when analyzed, can dramatically improve the performance and effectiveness of marketing campaigns. By scrutinizing how users interact with your content, marketers can make informed decisions that drive success.

Understanding User Interaction

Screen recordings of user sessions are invaluable for gaining a deep understanding of consumer behavior. Watching real interactions allows marketers to identify points of friction and opportunities for improvement. 

BombBomb’s analytics tools complement these insights by tracking engagement and performance metrics, giving a comprehensive view of how users respond to your marketing efforts.

Optimizing Marketing Campaigns

With data harvested from screen recordings, marketing strategies can be refined and optimized. This data-driven approach allows marketers to adjust their campaigns in real-time, tailoring content to the preferences and behaviors of their audience. 

Ensuring Compliance and Quality Control

Beyond marketing, screen recordings serve as an essential tool for internal training, quality assurance, and compliance. They provide a reliable means to maintain high standards in marketing execution and to document practices for regulatory purposes.

Training and Quality Assurance

Using screen recordings for staff training ensures that all team members understand the marketing tools and strategies at their disposal. These recordings can be used to demonstrate best practices, highlight exemplary work, or pinpoint areas for improvement. 

Legal Compliance and Record-Keeping

In industries where marketing activities must be documented for compliance purposes, screen recordings offer a method of record-keeping that is both efficient and reliable. 

BombBomb ensures the secure storage and management of these recordings, making it easier for companies to adhere to legal standards and protect themselves in the face of regulatory scrutiny.

Screen Recording for Customer Support

Customer support teams can use screen recordings to quickly and effectively resolve issues, providing customers with clear instructions and visual guidance. Recording yourself and your screen simultaneously can make these support videos more helpful and personal.

Recording yourself and your screen provides a more personalized support experience. Customers can see your face, making the interaction more human and engaging.

This approach is particularly effective for troubleshooting, where you can record step-by-step guides to help customers resolve problems independently. 

It also works well for product demonstrations, where you can show how to use specific features or products, helping customers understand the functionality and benefits of your offerings. 

Ways to Use the Screen Recorder in Your Business

Now that you know the ins and outs of the Screen Recorder, you’re probably wondering how you can use it in your business. You can use it too.

Present Information

Any time someone cannot schedule a time to meet with you, this is the perfect opportunity to present information with a screen recording instead.

This can be a quick overview of the sales deck you want to show salespeople. For teachers, it can be a walkthrough of the lesson plans, like the video below.

Sharing complex information with the Screen Recorder offers clarity and enhances retention for your recipients. Ultimately, helping them helps you.

Offer a Demonstration

Want to help people better understand something? The Screen Recorder allows you to demonstrate whatever you must convey to your recipients.

For customer support, this could be guiding customers through resolving any tech or customer service issues they may be experiencing. Or, if you’re a salesperson, you can screen-record a short product demo to show prospects how your product or service will work for them…

You can also create pre-recorded evergreen demonstration videos on your Screen Recorder that you can use repeatedly for multiple recipients. That way, you don’t have to repeatedly type or record the same message.

These videos also provide a better experience for your recipient because they can watch and absorb the information on their own time and refer back to it if they forget something.

Get More Attention

To get someone to play your video, you need to intrigue them. The Screen Recorder offers you great opportunities to stand out and get someone’s attention.

Good ways to do this include screen recording a person’s LinkedIn profile or website. Why does this work? They see and recognize it daily, eliciting the curiosity to click play.

It’s similar to when someone says your name in a crowded room. You’re drawn to it because it is your name. So, the key here is to showcase something familiar to your recipients.

For example, a real estate agent may screen-record their prospective client’s house on Google Earth. That’s because they know their prospect will be drawn to seeing their home on the screen. See how it was done in the video below.

Using the Screen Recorder to get attention differentiates you and personalizes the experience for your recipients. It offers surprise and gets them invested in what you have to say. This is how you’ll increase the chances of your videos being played.

Screen Recorder Extensions

A Google Chrome screen recorder extension provides a platform for you to record your screen right from your browser. It works inside of the tools you use every day. As a result, you’re able to present the information on your screen without switching screens or from tab to tab.

Using a screen recorder extension also…

• Establishes connection: Using the video feature in a screen recorder extension allows you to be face to face with your audience. This face-to-face connection helps build trust and foster meaningful relationships when you can’t meet in-person.
• Reaches your audience where they’re comfortable: Using video to record important information allows you to connect with people where they engage most. For example, some people may not reply to an email, but they may engage right away on a platform like Linkedin.
• Keeps things clear: Presenting information with a screen recorder extension makes it easier for your audience to understand what you need them to. This is because they can see what you’re explaining while listening to you present it.

9 Google Chrome Screen Recorder Extensions to Make Your Job Easier

So, which screen recorder extension is going to give you the features you’re looking for?

Keep reading for a list of nine Google Chrome screen recorder extensions that will help you save time, connect with your audience, and garner understanding with just one click…

1. BombBomb Google Chrome Extension

Best For: Human-Centered Communication

Pricing: $33/month for BombBomb Essentials | $49/month for BombBomb Plus

Free Trial Available? Yes, free two-week trial

The BombBomb Google Chrome Extension has a screen recorder functionality that allows you to quickly record yourself and your screen at the same time. And, while it doesn’t offer editing capabilities or animation tools, this extension is a great solution for anyone looking to explain complex topics in a more human and personal way through video.

Using this extension will provide your recipients with clear communication because you’re face to face. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to eliminate a lot of back-and-forth communication or long, confusing plain-text emails.

Product Highlights

• Switch recording modes – Switch seamlessly between camera and screen recording.
• Animated preview – A unique three-second preview thumbnail or GIF will grab audience attention and let them know what to expect in your video — before they even press play.
• Call to Action – Need your recipients to do something? This screen recorder’s in-video Call to Action feature helps drive them to take the next step you’re asking them to take.

2. Screencastify

Best For: Everyday Content Creation

Pricing: Free for videos five minutes and under | Paid subscriptions starting at $49/year

Free Trial Available? No

Whether you’re a user experience designer or a student, Screencastify is for you. This screen recorder extension allows you to record yourself and your screen at the same time to create everyday content. And, while this specific application isn’t for elaborate video creation, it’s great for simple day-to-day demonstrations — such as brief product demos, school presentations, or YouTube videos.

Product Highlights

• Record offline – Record your screen, your face, or both, even when offline.
• Automatic uploading and publishing – Screencastify offers automatic Google Drive uploads and YouTube publishing capabilities to save and share your videos worldwide.
• Annotations – Use the pen tool to mark up or highlight specific sections of your recorded videos.

3. Awesome Screenshot

Best For: Project Management

Pricing: Free – screenshot capabilities only | $8/month for Awesome Screenshot Professional | $40/month for Awesome Screenshot Team

Free Trial Available? Yes, for premium features

Awesome Screenshot has an easy-to-use, two-tab option for users to switch between screen capture and screen recording. This makes Awesome Screenshot great for in-depth project descriptions when recipients may need copies of documents in addition to a detailed explanation.

If you’re looking to save screenshots quickly, it’s worth noting that users have to save each screenshot. (And, to do this, the extension takes you away from your screen recorder window.)

Product Highlights

• Recording option variety – Awesome Screenshot allows you to record your entire screen or specific application windows, as well as yourself or just your voice.
• Efficient login –Need to work quickly? Using your Google login takes less than two minutes from extension download to creating your first presentation.
• Multiple video dimensions – Awesome Screenshot allows users to choose video dimensions from 720p, 1080p, or 4K.

4. ShareX

Best For: Internal Communication and Problem Solving — especially in IT and Software Development departments

Pricing: Free

Free Trial Available? N/A

The ShareX Chrome extension is an excellent tool for recording internal videos within information technology and software development departments. This is because, with ShareX, users can capture or record even the smallest lines of code or data. (These features also make it great for troubleshooting software.) Its lack of an intuitive interface makes this extension more challenging to use, so being tech-savvy is a must.

Product Highlights

• Capturing capabilities – ShareX offers several capturing options such as full screen, scrolling, transparent region, and text capture.
• Editing tools – Multiple annotation and editing tools allow users to do anything from blurring sensitive information and cropping screenshots to highlighting important lines of data or code.
• Uploading – ShareX can upload videos and screenshots in 10 different ways. It also supports 80 image, text, file, and URL destinations.

5. Screen Recorder

Best For: Simple Recording

Pricing: Free

Free Trial Available? N/A

Some of the best products on the market do exactly as they say, and Screen Recorder is no different. What it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for in simplicity by ensuring even first-time video creators can successfully use this extension.

Product Highlights

• Easy-to-use recording – After downloading Screen Recorder, an application window with your recording options appears. From here, you select the options you want and press record. After you record your video, select “Save,” and Screen Recorder will save a link to your device. That’s it.
• Unlimited videos –There are no recording limitations. Users can record as much or as little as they need to.
• No sign-up required – To use Screen Recorder, all you need to do is download the Chrome Web Store extension to your computer.

6. Screencast-O-Matic

Best For: Seamless Presentations

Pricing: Free for videos 15 minutes or less | $48/year for Screencast-O-Matic Premier

Free Trial Available? No

The Screencast-O-Matic screen recorder extension has three basic recording options and simple zoom and editing capabilities. It also has some of the Chrome Web Store’s best reviews for recording a Mac screen. (But, it’s worth mentioning that the pop-up advertisements can be distracting.)

Screencast-O-Matic has an easily adjustable recording frame. The adjustable frame makes this extension an excellent option to record Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint presentations because users can exclude unnecessary parts of their screen and focus on their slides.

Product Highlights

• Annotations – Use the drawing tools to mark up or highlight specific sections of your recorded videos or screenshots.
• Publishing – Publish and share screenshots and videos directly to your preferred cloud service.
• Zoom – The zoom tool allows users to zoom in on any section of their screen while recording.

7. Nimbus Capture

Best For: Teaching

Pricing: Free for basic recording features | $29.99/year for Nimbus Capture PRO | $39.99/year Nimbus Capture PRO+ Nimbus Note PRO

Free Trial Available? No

Using Nimbus Capture can be a little confusing initially. But, once you get the hang of it, using this extension is relatively easy.

The Nimbus screen recorder extension is Google Classroom ready. This feature makes it a great solution for educators to smoothly record and upload lessons and problem-solving videos for students.

Product Highlights

• Recording options – Capture your entire desktop, browser tabs, or use your webcam to record videos. Users can also capture or record screen fragments and any visible part of a page while scrolling.
• Certified for education – Nimbus Capture complies with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It’s also California Student Privacy Certified (CSPC) through iKeepSafe as a leader in student privacy.
• Nimbus Note integration – After you’ve recorded a video, Nimbus makes it easy to add your videos to documents using the Nimbus Note program for an additional fee. This is optimal for more detailed lessons, presentations, and simplified note-taking.

8. ApowerREC

Best For: Event Recordings

Pricing: Free Screen Recorder Only | $59.95/year Apowersoft Unlimited

Free Trial Available? Yes

The ApowerREC screen recorder extension has the capability for users to record unlimited videos for any amount of time. As a result, it’s great for recording live-streamed events, webinars, or meetings. (But, some users do report the screen recorder moves a bit more slowly than they’d like.)

Product Highlights

• Intuitive interface – This feature makes it easy for anyone to record, upload, edit, and replay recordings.
• Converting – With ApowerREC, users can convert videos to formats like MP4, FLV, SWF, MPEG and upload them to FTP servers, YouTube, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
• Instantaneous saving – This screen recorder extension can auto-save videos and screenshots without user interference.

9. Powtoon Capture

Best For: Learning and Development Training

Pricing: Free Screen Recorder Only | $89/month for Pro | $197/month for Pro+

Free Trial Available?: Yes, four-day premium feature trial

Recording a screen with Powtoon Capture is simple. And, once you begin recording, this extension allows users to pause and restart videos. This feature makes it ideal for more extended learning and development training sessions.

However, it can be challenging to locate your videos and screenshots in Powtoon after you’ve finished creating them. (Tip: You can find them in your Toolbox under the “Powtoons” tab on the upper right side of your screen.)

Product Highlights

• Video frame options – Looking to stand out? This extension offers three unique video frame options to visually grab viewer attention and add an animated feel to any video recording.
• Video sharing – Instantly share your video with an auto-generated link, on social platforms, or with email.

Want More Screen Recorder Training Tips?

This post has given you a crash course on the Screen Recorder, but if you want more training as you get started using it, we’ve got you covered!

Check out our webinar, “Screen Recorder Workshop: Best Practices + Examples,” led by BombBomb National Speaker Alicia Berruti and Client Enablement Manager Kevin Andrews.

They’ll provide even more tips, insights, and best practices for succeeding with the BombBomb Screen Recorder.

Video communication platforms are the rising star in sales ideas, marketing hacks, and new customer support ideas. Using videos in emails, social media, internal projects, and other use cases proves highly effective compared to text-only emails and messaging. 

People open and watch videos more often – giving you an edge when getting your point across and making a lasting impression.

Here, we look at two significant players, Loom and BombBomb, plus several others offering video communication software.

Loom

Loom is a video communication tool that lets users screen record, record using their camera, or both simultaneously. It’s great for creating videos of yourself or your desktop and for quick, efficient communication.

With Loom, you can demonstrate how something works, create short tutorials, or simply share a video message in an email.

One reason Loom is so popular is its free version. Loom’s free plan lets you try video communication for free before paying for more features. The free plan is a good option for freelancers on a tight budget.

Like any free plan, it has its limits. In this case, Loom limits the length of the videos you can record video storage and keeps the Loom logo on your video player unless you pay to upgrade. 

Loom videos get saved to Loom’s cloud storage, which is public by default. We always encourage users to read the end-user license agreement for data privacy and if your name, email, or other information may be sold or traded to Loom’s partners. 

Another source with Loom reviews can be found here.

Pricing and plans

• Starter (Free): Aimed at individuals, offering basic features with limits on the number of videos and recording lengths. The free plan currently excludes custom branding and other premium features.
• Business ($12.50/Creator/month, billed annually): This plan is designed for teams and offers enhanced features, including unlimited videos, longer recordings, and additional editing and security tools.
• Enterprise: This plan is tailored for larger teams requiring custom solutions. Pricing is available upon consultation. It is believed that Loom for Enterprise costs about $45 per user per month; you should inquire directly for accurate information.

Features overview

• Video length based on payment
• Video storage requires paid plain
• 5 min. video lengths maximum on free
• HD Recording
• Drawing tools

The Starter Plan allows access to the desktop app with limited features compared to the paid plans.

Mobile apps

Loom offers its application for mobile devices. The Loom app for Android is rated 4.1 stars on Google Play. [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.loom.android&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1] Its Apple App Store version is rated 4.8 stars. 

Pros

• Loom offers a free plan and is easy to use, making it a user-friendly option.
• The free version is helpful to individual users or solopreneurs who want video messaging without spending money.
• Overall, reviews show that most users find Loom meets their needs; they are satisfied.

Cons

• Loom support for most users is its help center, community posts, and knowledge base. You can open a help ticket. Paid plans offer more support options.
• Loom may limit or may not offer features like the ability to upload unlimited videos, video player customization or branding, and video data and performance tracking. For example, free plans may not allow you to see or download your data about how many videos get watched and for how long.
• Some users report that Loom’s audio does not sync with the video or that specific plugins do not work. One standard solution is to reinstall or relaunch the application simply.
• Loom’s customer reviews run neck and neck with BombBomb. Both are highly rated.

Popular integrations

Loom integrates with other platforms to enable video creation or sharing while working with other apps. Notable integrations include Calendly, Salesforce (beta), Slack, Gmail, Zendesk, and Embedly for embedding in platforms like Notion and Medium. 

Integrations with platforms like Calendly, Salesforce, Slack, Gmail, Zendesk, and various document and website tools can enable users to schedule recordings, manage customer interactions, communicate and share videos directly, record and send videos, embed videos for customer support, and incorporate Loom videos in documents and websites.

Comparison: Loom vs. BombBomb

BombBomb is an alternative to Loom. Founded in 2006, it is headquartered in Colorado, and its development and support centers are located in the U.S.

When comparing BombBomb and Loom, note how each company aims at video communication differently.

BombBomb focuses on professionals like salespeople, marketers, and consultants, and its video messaging tools excel at personalizing communication via asynchronous videos. 

BombBomb’s Plus plan includes a built-in email server and marketing tools ideal for small businesses and entrepreneurs. They can use BombBomb to automate the sending and tracking video messages to their uploaded contacts and set up automatic sends for occasions like birthdays or work anniversaries. 

Loom and BombBomb allow members to add a call to action and allow viewers to interact with their videos by liking and commenting. 

BombBomb members can add video banners, auto-signatures, and auto-disclaimers, which are key for professionals in regulated industries like finance and education. Admins can also require pre-approval of members’ videos. These advanced Admin controls are must-haves for anyone in banking, wealth management, and other highly regulated industries.

Why is BombBomb different?

BombBomb began with a mission to help companies connect and grow, while Loom is aimed at individual users who want to record and share their screens. Features aimed at businesses drive the direction of  BombBomb versus Loom, which focuses on helping single users work remotely.

Loom’s roots are as a collaboration tool. Geared to customers seeking ways to “skip the meeting,” Loom’s roots are collaborative tools. This makes Loom popular with freelancers, small teams, and work-at-home professionals.

BombBomb is a powerful solution for teams of all sizes that want to scale up and personalize their outreach with async video messaging. Like Loom, it also doubles as a collaboration tool.

Vidyard

Vidyard is a video messaging platform for companies looking to use videos in their sales organizations. Depending on your plan, their offerings include the ability to see data about videos watched, giving salespeople insight into whether or not sales leads received, opened, and watched their videos. At first glance, Vidyard is very similar to BombBomb. 

Like BombBomb, Vidyard’s ability to embed videos into emails makes them more personal and engaging. Vidyard offers paid plans and a limited free version, so occasionally, individuals looking to record a few videos may try their free plan.

Like Loom, Vidyard’s free version or free trial limits the number and length of monthly videos and keeps its logo on the videos. 

BombBomb’s plans allow members access to features like custom branding, advanced editing tools, and tracking and analytics. With BombBomb Essentials, members start where others begin, with second- and third-level paid plans. 

Pricing and plans

• Free: Includes 25 videos, basic editing, and 3 Vidyard Rooms.
• Pro ($19/month billed annually): Offers unlimited videos, viewer insights, CTAs, branding, and password protection.
• Plus ($59/person/month billed annually): Adds more video capacity and length, branding, team analytics, folder management, and video captions.
• Business: Custom pricing for advanced features like CRM integration, customizable CTAs, enhanced security, and priority support.

Features overview

• Video creation, hosting, and sharing
• AI-generated scripts for videos
• Video editing tools
• Real-time viewer insights and analytics
• Customizable branding and CTAs
• Password protection for videos
• Advanced folder management and video captions

Pros

• Like BombBomb, Vidyard’s paid plans provide video hosting and analytics, which are helpful to marketing and sales teams.
• As plans increase, more detailed viewer analytics get included to see how video content performs.
• Supports video personalization and customization, enhancing engagement with viewers.
• Vidyard can be integrated with CRM and other platforms. However, there may be additional fees for CRM and others, such as licensing and onboarding.

Cons

• Some reviewers discuss the pricing model and its costs, which are often heard in SaaS because some people want things to be free.
• New users may have a learning curve to utilize all features effectively.
• While powerful, reviewers may comment that the platform can take time for users to get value from it due to a learning curve.

Mobile apps

Vidyard offers mobile apps, like Loom and BombBomb alternatives. The Vidyard app on Google Play currently has a 3.3-star rating.

Popular integrations

Vidyard integrates with various platforms, enhancing its sales, marketing, and customer support utility. Key integrations include CRM systems like Salesforce, marketing automation tools like HubSpot, and communication platforms like Slack. These integrations streamline workflows, from video creation to sharing, enabling efficient management of marketing campaigns and sales processes and facilitating better team collaboration and customer engagement.

Comparison: Vidyard vs. BombBomb

Vidyard and BombBomb are video communication tools developed for sales, marketing, and other customer-facing teams. Vidyard is excellent for businesses that want to monitor video performance and use insights to improve which videos work best in various situations. It provides analytics and makes sending videos in campaigns relatively easy. 

BombBomb’s email marketing tools allow members to set up drip campaigns, track email opens and video plays, and create one-to-one personal videos. Advanced features like transcriptions and closed captions, auto-disclaimers, auto-signatures, and Admin controls are a significant plus for heavily regulated industries like banking, financial services, and mortgage. 

BombBomb’s premium patented integration for Salesforce embeds the video tools directly inside. If having teams integrate videos into their CRM is essential to you, look closely at how different vendors actually “integrate.”

Hippo Video

Hippo Video is known for its simplicity and caters to smaller businesses and single users. The free version allows users to explore video marketing without making a financial commitment, making it an attractive option for those on a budget.

With Hippo Video, you can edit videos, track views, and enjoy many other standard features across all video communication platforms.

Pricing and plans

• Free: This option is best for beginners to record and share videos on sales pages. It includes 2 video flows, 10 minutes of closed captions, basic editing, and more.
• Pro ($20/month/user annually): Enhances sales with virtual backgrounds, interactive videos, advanced editing, and more.
• Teams ($60/month/user annually): Targets lead generation with personalized videos, advanced sales pages, and integrations.
• Enterprise ($80/month/user annually, minimum ten seats): Offers generative AI for videos, advanced roles, security, and support.

Features overview

• Document to Video
• Hippo AI
• AI Avatar Video Generator
• Video Flows
• AI Editor
• Humanize AI
• AI Script Generator
• Sales Pages

Pros

• Hippo Video counts ease of setup and administration as strengths for small businesses.
• The free version is a good entry point for people new to video sales and marketing.
• Small businesses can be well-served by the platform.

Cons

• Some reviews report less intuitive interfaces.
• The platform tends to have a shorter list of features, and those features are built to serve individual users and smaller businesses.
• Plans limit things like screen captioning to upsell users to the next plan.
• Some reviews indicate customer support could be improved.

Popular integrations

Hippo Video integrates with various platforms to streamline video creation, sharing, and analytics within sales, marketing, and support workflows. Key integrations include CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot and email services like Gmail and Outlook. 

Comparison: BombBomb vs. Hippo Video

Hippo Video and BombBomb offer the same core functionality: allowing members to create sync video messages.

Hippo Video’s essential features, such as editing, tracking video views, and connecting with CRMs and other typical applications, are great for single users and small businesses.

BombBomb’s Plus plan allows members to record and send personalized videos and maximize the power of their videos with advanced email marketing tools. 

These features make BombBomb popular among users looking to scale their video email outreach – while remaining personal. Salespeople, like real estate agents or mortgage brokers, also love BombBomb because both plans allow them to brand their video player page and add auto-signatures and auto-disclaimers.

Snagit

Snagit by TechSmith is well-regarded for its screen capture and recording capabilities and is popular with educational organizations for its essential and professional productivity.

Pricing and plans

• Perpetual for Individuals and Small Teams: $62.99 per user, offering a transferable single-user key. Optional maintenance is available for the second year.
• Perpetual for Business: For bulk purchases, the price is reduced to $54.26 per user, providing a transferable multi-key for all users—optional maintenance in the second year.

Features overview

• Scrolling Capture
• Simplify UI
• Smart Move
• Text Recognition

Pros

• Snagit’s interface is clean and easy to use.
• The platform is a good fit for education, tech support, and similar use cases where quick video creation for instruction can make a difference.

Cons

• Pricing tends to be as high or higher than other video communication platforms. 
• Even the top-priced plan limits a team to one administrator.
• Software upgrades, at this time, require payment.
• Editing capabilities can be restricted, limiting the changes you can make to the final version of recorded content.

Popular integrations

Like Loom, Snagit boasts a long list of integrations. Users can use Snagit with Microsoft Office for cloud storage, including Teams, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Google Drive. Collaboration is supported by compatibility with Slack, Gmail, and Dropbox. 

For video content creators, integrations with TechSmith’s Screencast, Camtasia, and Knowmia offer advanced editing and sharing capabilities. Additionally, Snagit supports direct uploads to YouTube and Twitter – which many vendors also enable – making it useful for social media.

Comparison: Snagit vs. BombBomb

Snagit is a screen capture and recording tool designed to create screenshots and video recordings of your screen. The primary use is creating tutorials, presentations, and documentation; the features allow for easy annotation and editing. 

BombBomb, however, specializes in personalizing video emails and messaging for customer-facing use cases. It also doubles as a collaboration tool for companies to use for internal “explainers” and external outreach. The platform is built to scale the work efforts of all teams and organizations within a business. 

BombBomb facilitates direct personal communication, sharing, and scaling using async video messages. Snagit helps with content creation and instructional materials. While the software offers similar functionality, the two vendors serve different needs in the video communication landscape.

Wistia

Wistia is widely known for its focus on video hosting and marketing. It caters mainly to medium—to large businesses with much video content. Wistia is excellent for companies monetizing their videos or using them extensively to deliver solutions or education.

The platform has features for tracking, reporting, and embedding videos in various content systems.

Pricing and plans

• Free: $0/month, includes up to 10 videos, a customizable player, and recording and editing features.
• Plus: $19/month removes Wistia branding, provides basic CTAs, and offers multiple user support.
• Pro: $79/month, expands on Plus with lead capture forms, enhanced analytics, and custom CTAs.
• Advanced: $319/month, build further with marketing integrations, webinar hosting, and unlimited video galleries.

Features overview

• Video Creation and Editing
• Video Management
• Webinar hosting
• Lead generation forms
• SEO optimization
• Strategies for enhancing viewer engagement (engagement graphs, video heatmaps, A/B testing)

Pros

• High-quality software with intuitive design.
• Responsive customer support.
• Excellent embedding capabilities.
• Valued integration features.

Cons

• Pricing may be steep for small businesses.
• Reporting accuracy could be improved based on reviews.
• It may offer more functionality than some users need.
• For deeper analysis, consider looking at customer reviews and user feedback.

Popular integrations

Wistia offers robust video marketing features, integrating with platforms like HubSpot, Adobe Marketo Engage, and Pardot for enhanced lead capture and segmentation. It supports various integrations across analytics, compliance, email marketing, marketing automation, and more – enriching user engagement and insight into video performance. 

Integrations with productivity tools and social media platforms further extend its capabilities, making Wistia a comprehensive tool for businesses looking to leverage video content for growth and engagement.

Comparison: Wistia vs. BombBomb

BombBomb and Wistia serve two different purposes within the world of video messaging. While Wistia’s main focus is marketing outreach, BombBomb allows for a broader audience. With email marketing tools built in, it also allows for personal video messages and collaboration.

Wistia grew from video hosting and analytics for websites and content creators, like media companies or education. It offers detailed viewer insights, video SEO tools, and other marketing technology to help monetize video content. 

In short, BombBomb serves mostly frontline, customer-facing marketing, sales, and support teams, while Wistia aligns more with large-scale video production and distribution.

Wistia’s premium pricing can be a drawback for some, as it may be more expensive than other services, but Wistia is a robust, powerful video content management and marketing suite.

Why choose BombBomb?

BombBomb is a pioneer in async video messaging, offering advanced tools for creating and sharing video messages. As a long-established provider, it goes beyond simple desktop recording to help you create engaging video clips.

• Unlimited video lengths and storage: Both plans include unlimited videos, unlimited recording length, and unlimited storage. Compare this with free video communication platforms that are “pay to play.”
• Custom branding: BombBomb lets you add your logo and brand colors to your videos in every plan– allowing members to keep the viewers focused on their brand
• Video insights: All plans permit you to access and download deep insights into the effectiveness of your communications. Our plans offer detailed video analytics that you can download, providing a transparency level that’s rare to find.
• CRM integration: BombBomb was voted by its users as the easiest to set up and administer. It is also built for scale and can be embedded inside your CRM. This empowers members to leverage the power of personalized videos on demand – while keeping admins in control of approvals and permissions.
• Beyond the basics: Features go beyond the table stakes of video communication. Add auto-signatures and disclaimers, get insight data, use GIF thumbnails, and embed calls-to-action inside your videos.
• Support and security: BombBomb is rated 4.7 stars and higher across G2, Google Play, Apple App Store, and other channels. 
• Enhanced engagement: Members can receive real-time alerts whenever videos are watched. They can also add titles to videos and join monthly live community webinars to connect with thousands of other BombBomb members. 

BombBomb integrates with over 65 apps, including Salesforce, Outreach, Gmail, and Outlook, so it works where you work.

Start a free trial, and see why professionals choose BombBomb to stand out in their audience’s inbox.

These videos can create confusion, fuel misinformation, and even be used for malicious purposes.

Read on to learn how to spot a DeepFake video and take steps to protect yourself from the potential dangers they pose. 

What are Deepfakes? 

DeepFake AI is a form of artificial intelligence that creates hyper-realistic images, audio, and videos that are entirely fabricated. The term ‘DeepFake’ is a blend of ‘deep learning’ and ‘fake,’ referring both to the technology itself and the resulting deceptive content.

DeepFakes often manipulate existing content, swapping one person for another or generating entirely new material, portraying someone doing or saying something they never actually did or said.

The biggest risk of DeepFakes lies in their ability to disseminate misleading information that seemingly comes from credible sources. For example, a DeepFake video might show a well-known politician making statements they never actually made, misleading viewers and causing confusion.

Recent research by Deeptrace, which builds synthetic media detection tools, reveals a troubling trend: 96% of deepfake videos found online are pornographic. Anonymous users create and distribute these videos across an ecosystem of websites. 

How to spot a DeepFake video in 9 ways

You don’t need to be a deepfake expert to distinguish what’s real from what’s fake. Here are a few tips that can help:

1. Check for facial inconsistencies

One of the most telling signs of a DeepFake is facial expression abnormalities. While sophisticated, DeepFake algorithms often struggle to replicate the natural nuances of human facial movements accurately. 

Humans naturally blink at regular intervals, a trait often missing or irregular in DeepFakes. Watch for any unnatural eye movements, such as erratic twitching or a lack of coordination.

These discrepancies can be subtle, but are easy to detect if you’re looking for them.

As the AI attempts to stitch a face onto a body, it may not align perfectly, leading to distortions or warping, mainly when the person in the video turns their head or speaks. Changes in the face’s geometry, like fluctuating cheekbones or a shifting jawline, can be significant indicators of a DeepFake.

This inconsistency is due to the AI’s challenge in maintaining a stable and consistent rendition of the face throughout the video.

2. Analyze lip syncing

Lip-syncing errors are one of the clearest signs that a video may be a DeepFake. When the spoken words do not match up with the movement of the lips, it indicates that the video and audio tracks have been manipulated separately.

Watch for delays or advances in lip movements relative to the words being spoken. Even a slight mismatch can suggest that the video has been altered. In authentic videos, the audio and visual components are perfectly synchronized, as they naturally occur together.

Pay close attention to how complex words or sounds are pronounced. Sounds that involve nuanced lip movements, such as ‘p,’ ‘b,’ and ‘m,’ can be particularly challenging for DeepFake algorithms to reproduce accurately.

Misalignments in these sounds can be a clear indicator.

3. Look for lighting and shadow errors

Lighting and shadow errors are common in DeepFake videos because accurately replicating the natural interplay of light and shadows using artificial intelligence is extremely challenging. Discrepancies in these elements can reveal that a video has been altered.

Observe the direction of lighting across different parts of the scene. In authentic videos, the lighting should be consistent, originating from the same sources, and shadows should be cast accordingly.

In DeepFakes, you might notice conflicting shadows or lighting that don’t match the environment’s natural light sources.

Shadows cast by the subjects should align with the rest of the objects in the scene. In DeepFakes, shadows may appear distorted, overly soft, or misaligned with the light source, suggesting manipulation.

Look for shadows that change abruptly or don’t behave as expected when the subject moves.

4. Assess skin tone and texture

Skin tone and texture are often telltale signs of a DeepFake, as artificial intelligence systems can struggle to replicate human skin’s subtleties accurately. 

Real human skin contains a variety of textures and subtle imperfections, such as pores, wrinkles, and fine lines. DeepFakes often render skin too smoothly, lacking these natural details.

If someone’s face looks unusually smooth or waxy, it’s worth scrutinizing further. The image of iconic Elon Musk points to these kinds of inconsistencies.

5. Evaluate audio quality

Audio quality in videos can be a significant indicator of authenticity, because DeepFakes often exhibit mismatches or imperfections in the sound that accompanies the visuals.

Listen carefully to the voice. Does it sound like it belongs to the person speaking? DeepFake technologies may not perfectly replicate the subtle nuances of a person’s voice, leading to discrepancies that can sound unnatural or slightly off.

Inconsistencies in sound levels or sudden changes in audio clarity can also indicate manipulation. Authentic videos typically maintain a consistent sound quality throughout.

6. Scrutinize background details

Background inconsistencies are often overlooked but can provide critical clues.

In genuine videos, the motion of people and objects in the background should align with the overall dynamics of the scene. In DeepFakes, background motion can appear disjointed or out of sync with the foreground, suggesting that elements have been digitally altered or composited.

Look for visual noise or artifacts in the background that don’t match the rest of the scene. These can include blurred areas, unusual patterns, or pixelation that suggests digital tampering. This happens when blending or masking techniques combine elements into a scene.

7. Use detection tools

To counter the sophistication of DeepFakes, various software solutions and resources are on the rise. Here are a couple of notable tools that can aid in detecting manipulated videos:

• Free Deepfake Detector by Resemble: This free tool can analyze a still image or video and generate a confidence score indicating the likelihood of the media being manipulated. It’s especially good at detecting inconsistencies and subtle blending artifacts.
• Deepware Scanner: With this free tool, users can upload a video or place a video link, and the app will immediately analyze it to determine if it’s a DeepFake.

8. Cross-verify content

Cross-verifying the content of potentially manipulated videos is a crucial step in authenticating digital media. 

Always look for the same video or similar information across multiple reputable sources. If the video in question appears only on obscure or unreliable platforms, or if reputable sources contradict the content, be suspicious.

9. Source credibility

It’s crucial to evaluate the reliability of the website or the individual distributing the video. Investigate their track record and reputation for factual accuracy. 

When adhering to journalistic standards, official news outlets and established media are typically cautious about verifying the content they publish, making them more trustworthy sources.

Meanwhile, a simple Google search for “deepfake video” yields countless pages of apps that help generate fake and misleading videos.

Are deepfakes illegal?

There isn’t a federal law in the U.S. specifically governing deepfakes, but some states have taken action. In states like Minnesota, creating or distributing deepfakes that could influence an election or constitute nonconsensual pornography is illegal. 

Virginia, Georgia, Washington, and Wyoming have passed or are considering similar laws.

Current State Laws:

• States with deepfake laws: Virginia, Georgia, Washington, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Minnesota.
• States with proposed laws: Louisiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
• States allowing civil lawsuits against deepfakers: California and New York.

What should you do if you spot a deepfake video?

If you see what looks like a deepfake on social media, it’s best not to share it. Remember, deepfakes can only cause harm when spread; they can’t do any harm if they don’t spread.

If you see someone else sharing one, try to handle it gently—point it out and suggest checking a reliable fact-checking site, especially if it’s already been proven fake. Explain how you figured out it was a deepfake to help others get better at spotting them too. 

If you’re dealing with deepfakes on social media and want to ensure your message is clear and authentic, try BombBomb’s camera & screen recorder. It allows you to send video messages instead of standard text, to make your communications more personal and trustworthy.

Start using BombBomb today to enhance your digital communication. Get started for free and make your messages stand out as genuinely yours.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 11, 2024 (Newswire.com)

Video messaging provider, BombBomb.com, announced today its launch of new and expanded features in its camera and screen recording applications. 

The new features demonstrate BombBomb’s continuous commitment to enriching their Members’ experience of recording and editing videos and enhancing the viewer’s experience.  

Recent releases, like background blur and uploading images as backgrounds, from BombBomb led up to this latest drop of improvements. These features empower BombBomb’s customers with a growing selection of new tools to produce and share high-quality, personalized video messages.

New notable features include:

• Video trimming and stitching: Edit out segments of a video with trimming, to cut out pauses or missed starts, so Members don’t have to re-record their video. Stitching allows Members to tell one seamless story by adding video clips into their videos. Perfect for connecting ideas, making projects collaborative, or giving project updates, stitching also means Members can create and re-use a standard intro and outro on each video– like a logo, their web address or other “bumper.”
• Video Banners: By adding a banner to a video, Members can display information they’d like viewers to keep top of mind, such as their name, title, and company. With the ability to choose from a variety of templates, Members can align the banner with their brand and keep their name and message running throughout a video for a professional look and lasting impression.

BombBomb is an innovator in video email and messaging, founded in 2006. The Colorado Springs, CO SaaS company serves 45,000 users in 43 countries. For more information, visit BombBomb.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 12, 2024 (Newswire.com)

In its Spring 2024 report on the best video communication platforms, G2 awarded seven badges to BombBomb across two product categories. BombBomb specializes in asynchronous video, enabling users to record and share video messages using their desktops or mobile devices. BombBomb has maintained its high-ranking position in G2’s leadership quadrant for more than three consecutive years.

Verified customers submit reviews on G2, which then analyzes competitive offerings in each category based on user satisfaction and market presence. In G2’s latest report, the Colorado tech company earned high marks for ease of implementation and delivering results to its end-users. G2 covers BombBomb in two categories: video email and video communications. 

“The program is fun to use, easy to use with my CRM, and gets positive responses,” said a customer from a large enterprise.

 

Badges from G2 indicate that a company ranks among the top-tier providers in its class. BombBomb’s report was released last week on G2’s website. 

• Mid-Market Results Index for Video Communications
• Mid-Market Relationship Index for Video Communications
• Mid-Market Implementation Index for Video Communications
• Mid-Market Grid Report for Video Communications
• Small-Business Grid Report for Video Communications
• Small-Business Grid Report for Video Email
• Small-Business Canada Regional Grid Report for Video Email

“We were first to market with video messaging,” said Nicole Craine, president and chief operating officer at BombBomb. “But we’ve always put development and customers first. In the past, marketing was in the backseat. So, the value of platforms like G2 cannot be understated as a peer review site, where real customers share honest feedback about customer service and our solutions.”

A recent review from an enterprise customer with more than 10,000 employees supports the brand’s popularity among businesses.

“I have been using BombBomb for several years to educate my clients,” wrote Peggy, whose identity is kept confidential by G2. “The program is fun to use, easy to use with my CRM, and gets positive responses. What more could I ask for? When needed, customer support helps out a lot.” 

Asked what she disliked about BombBomb, Peggy replied, “Nothing, I just haven’t used all of its tools.”

Learn more about how to use videos in emails, team collaboration, and social media at BombBomb.com. 

In an age when Big Tech lets news fly sooner than later, BombBomb remained silent.

Early adopters of the Colorado Springs company’s new technology measured benchmarks for return on investment on the new video messaging system. By 2023, they were reporting startling outcomes. 

Users recorded videos for sales, marketing, and support with BombBomb’s camera and screen sharing app. The new technology embeds the capabilities inside customer relationship management (CRM) and support platforms. Companies can share videos in a range of automated ways at scale. The results? Higher customer satisfaction ratings, better marketing metrics, and more sales using videos than traditional mass emailing.

But BombBomb kept it under wraps…until now.

Today marks BombBomb’s announcement of its new enterprise video messaging platform for enterprise customers.

• Patented async video creation that works inside CRMs and helpdesk platforms, like Salesforce and Zendesk.
• Early adopters report higher email open rates, sales conversions, and customer satisfaction.
• The new logo is now live on the company’s website, web-app, and mobile apps.

The 17 year-old firm’s new logo and website were created by the digital marketing agency Merton Way, a hybrid business consultancy and creative shop based in Florida with offices in Denver.

“The new brand embraces who we are,” stated COO Nicole Craine. “Yes, we are quirky but also friendly and innovative. We took our time and tested what we built. The new website communicates that. Global brands can put BombBomb’s enterprise hub to work. We benchmarked how it improves key performance indicators. We proved out its impacts on sales, marketing, and support. No competitor in async video can do what BombBomb does now.”

“Honestly, the elephant in the room has been our name,” said Craine. “It has the word bomb in it. That is edgy. Our agency said to just totally own it.” 

Customers like Shea Homes seem to agree. With many of its buyers spread across the continent and worldwide, the Arizona-based homebuilder adopted BombBomb to incorporate more videos into sales and property management.

“One particularly well-received aspect of our BombBomb video strategy is drone video updates,” said Michael Patrick Coffey. For out-of-state buyers, Coffey’s team sends drone footage to show off development of its Talinn Desert Ridge property. Coffey added that BombBomb’s data-rich platform “enables us to optimize our messaging for better results.”
To see BombBomb’s new website and branding, visit https://www.bombbomb.com. 

You see, by adding a call to action (CTA) to your messaging — especially to video, you’ll get more replies and success with things like scheduling appointments or showings, driving traffic to a listing or your website, and even with getting back time-sensitive documents like loan applications or purchase offers … on-time.

What is a Video CTA?

A video call to action tells your recipient exactly what to do next and how to do it. It’s a clickable banner that sends your recipient to the URL of your choice.

To dig a little deeper, it might seem slightly condescending to assume people don’t know what to do to follow up on communication. But it’s not because, as it stands, we’re all on information overload. According to TechJury, the average corporate employee has 200 or more emails in their inbox. No one wants to (or has time to) be confused by unclear communication. A call to action offers clarity that removes that confusion.

BombBomb National Speaker, Alicia Berruti, has sent thousands of videos. She says, “People want to know what you want them to do!” It isn’t patronizing to make things easier on our prospects, clients, and referral partners; it’s helpful.

So, how can you offer guidance and make it easy for your recipients to respond? Use a video and a call to action together. In your video, motivate them to click that CTA and schedule a call or meeting, sign up for your market updates, or do something like complete important documents.

So much more than an email — video showcases tone, emotion, and personality that helps demonstrate; this is why you should follow through. Use video, screen recordings, and a visible call to action to engage your viewer on multiple levels.

“It’s actually the case that we absorb information better if it’s presented to us in ways that engage multiple senses rather than leaning on our preferred one.”
– Dr. Paul Howard Jones, Specialist in Neuroscience and Education at Bristol University

Now that you know why you need a video CTA let’s talk tech and how to add a call to action to the end of a video with BombBomb.

How to Use BombBomb in-Video Calls to Action

The BombBomb in-video Call to Action feature is available in your BombBomb account, the BombBomb Chrome Extension, and Android and iOS mobile apps.

Let’s get started!

Adding a CTA to a new video

Record a video as you usually would — don’t forget to get your viewer excited about what happens in your CTA! After you stop recording, toggle on the CTA button at the bottom right of your video. Here you’ll add your call-to-action banner text (this is what you want your CTA to say) and the banner link (where you want your recipient to go).

(Tip: Remember to copy and paste your link directly from the source to avoid any mistakes, and don’t forget to click “Save” when you’re finished!)

Editing or adding a CTA in an existing video

Head to your Video Library. Then, click “Edit” next to the video you want to add a CTA to or that contains an existing CTA you wish to edit.

To add a CTA to an existing video, click “Disabled” to the right of “Call to Action.” A box will drop down, and here you’ll add your call-to-action banner text and the banner link.

To edit or remove an existing CTA, click “Enabled” to the right of “Call to Action.” You can toggle off your CTA and edit or add the banner and selected URL.

(For a more detailed walkthrough of the BombBomb Call to Action feature, this article can help.)

CTA Best Practices

So now that you understand the purpose of a CTA and the “how-to,”— let’s talk about the best practices for creating a great call to action!

Start with an action verb

Click, find, start, fill, or download are just a few examples of great action verbs to start your CTA. Without an action verb, there’s no direction to follow — so always begin with an action your viewer can complete.

Evoke emotion

People respond to videos that make them feel something. Create an emotional connection to stir up feelings in your viewer. One of the best ways to do this is to be yourself in front of the camera. BombBomb’s Client Enablement Manager, Kevin Andrews, has sent over 8,000 videos. He says, “Don’t let perfection get in the way of the good!” No one wants to see a perfect video — your humanity will encourage an emotional response, driving your viewer to do something. Moments of friction, confusion, or frustration, or where the good can be made great, are opportunities to improve the experience with authenticity and emotion.

Focus on the viewer

There are some moments that matter more than others throughout the customer experience. And people recognize that you understand this when they are the focus of a message. If they know you’re offering the clarity and guidance needed, if you express the value of doing something with emotion, tone, and personality, your recipient will be much more likely to do it. What’s in it for them? 

Be mindful

How are you sending your video? Something you’re sending over Facebook is probably different from something you send to a family or a referral partner. Remember where your viewer is opening your message when recording your video and creating your CTA.

Create urgency

Finally, we often send videos when we want something done, and we want it done quickly. You can’t expect someone to reply in a specific timeframe if you’ve never made that clear. Ensure a sense of urgency is felt in your CTA and your video.

A good way to create a feeling of urgency is to articulate your call to action at both the beginning and end of your video. By combining this method with the CTA banner, you’re ensuring your viewer can feel that “Wow! This is important!”

Need Additional Video CTA Guidance?

Below are a few more examples of CTAs and what you can use them for. Take it away, and don’t be afraid to make them your own.

1. “Join the Team” — Recruit top performers
2. “Schedule Time Here” — Set appointments with ease using your calendar link
3. “Start Your Application Today” — Help clients move more quickly through an application process
4. “Take a Tour” — Show a property or community
5. “Sign Up Now” — Build a mailing list for market updates
6. “Get the Details” — Redirect recipients to home listings or more detailed interest rate information

Ready to Drive Action With a Video CTA?

Now that you know how a call to action can help your recipients understand what steps to take next, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and see how easy it is to get the results you want.

Still not a BombBomb customer? No problem! Click here for a free two-week trial.

In fact, it’s a step your team can’t afford to skip. But it can take time for sales professionals to establish trust with their prospects.

And it’s this trust that’s necessary to foster connection to reach those goals. While there are plenty of helpful sales automation tools that’ll speed up the selling process, only one puts your team face to face with potential customers to build relationships — video messaging.

You see, as nice as it would be to meet in person, there aren’t enough hours in the day to do that with every prospect. Video messaging, especially evergreen video messaging (prerecorded videos that are recorded once and sent to multiple recipients), allows your team to do this in a scalable and personal way.

And while incorporating new technology like video into your sales process might seem time-consuming, it doesn’t have to be.

Creating Human Connection with Sales Automation Tools

The best sales automation tools helps you increase productivity and efficiency. But there are downsides to over-automating the sales process — especially when it comes to communication.

When reps rely too much on bots or spam messaging, communication lacks the value of human touch. And this makes every interaction feel transactional rather than like the beginning of a partnership.

That’s where implementing video can help. Face-to-face connection offers your prospects, leads and customers something other sales automation tools can’t — you.

So, where can you and your team begin?

1. First, start by getting your team behind video. Make sure leadership is on board. Use video yourself to demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of video messaging.
2. Next, rely on your customer success manager (CSM). Your CSM will have the tools you and your team need to succeed.
3. After that, integrate video into your current systems.
4. Then, practice using video. Learn what to say, become comfortable on camera, and celebrate wins.
5. Finally, make video a habit!

Below are four instances your team can incorporate video into their sales automation tools during and after the video adoption process to communicate efficiently, clearly, and authentically.

1. Outbound Sales

When you’re cold prospecting, it’s hard enough to get email opens, let alone replies. After all, your prospects are likely bombarded with emails like yours every day.

To be successful during lead outreach, your team needs to set themselves apart from the competition, grab attention, and draw prospects in with confidence.

Make cold outreach more efficient by creating prerecorded videos tailored to buyer personas. These messages still create connection in meaningful ways.

By bringing a face, voice, and personality to the forefront of your messaging, you’re differentiating your brand from the rest of the pack. You see, automation using prerecorded videos makes outreach fast — you make it personal.

Consider including:

• A personal touch
• Details that connect touches across communication mediums like email or phone
• How you or your product or service can provide them with value
• A call to action

Check out this example of an AE using a video message for an outbound touchpoint…

2. Automated Lead Response

It’s no secret that teams need to act fast regarding lead response. In fact, Revenue.io indicates five minutes is the optimal response time.

When it takes five minutes or less? Reps are 100 times more likely to reach an inbound lead.

During this stage of the sales process, video is a great, time-saving sales automation tool because evergreen lead response videos can be recorded once (in a short amount of time) and sent as soon as your leads request more information.

Instead of responding to each lead personally, automated video email does the work — while still coming across as genuine.

Consider including:

• An animated preview that grabs attention (For instance, include a whiteboard or unique background like your recipient’s LinkedIn page.)
• An introduction of who you are, how you can help, and your differentiators
• Any next steps
• A call to action

And check out how the same AE from earlier greets a new free trial user. This is a great way to add value and offer a chance for a live face-to-face meeting.

3. Evergreen Appointment Setting and Reminders

Appointment setting can be time-consuming without the right sales automation tools. But to help more prospects and stay top of mind, appointments need to be on the books quickly.

Using video to set and hold appointments puts your team in front of their prospects with the click of a button. It also demonstrates that your prospects are valued as future clients.

You see, when you take the time to respond personally, your recipients feel seen, heard, and understood. (And because of this, people are more inclined to keep their appointments.

Consider including:

• An engaging animated preview
• The background of your relationship with the recipient
• Why they would benefit from a demo
• A call to action to schedule an appointment, a reminder to join a scheduled appointment, or an option to reschedule

And here’s an example of how to use a video message to increase the chances of a prospect keeping a meeting…

4. Automated Process Updates

Prospective customers like to be kept in the loop during the sales process. And using relevant, timely video messages keeps everyone involved in the conversation on the same page.

In addition, the recipients of these updates will be more at ease knowing there’s a person who can answer their questions and keep them updated. This is something faceless plain text can’t do.

Use video messaging to review the steps of the sales process. Automate these messages so prospects understand next steps and know exactly what to expect without urgency or priority fading away.

Automation also saves time because questions can be answered before your prospects even have a chance to ask them.

Consider including:

• An explanation of where your prospect is in the sales process
• What comes next
• Action items that need to be completed

Here’s an example of how to share next steps and get a prospect excited about building a plan together…

Final Thoughts

Now that you have some of the best ways to use video as one of your top sales automation tools, it’s time to get started.

Click here to try BombBomb for 14 days free.

With every up and down that life throws our way, we look to you for security and support. However, you can only help those who are able to hear what you have to say. You keep trying to connect with your clients and prospects but you can’t seem to breakthrough.

How can you move forward?

The Problem

In a digital world full of constant noise and unwelcome distractions, it can be challenging to foster the genuine connection and trust you need with your prospects, clients, and referral partners. Spam, bots, data hacks, and more all create digital pollution, impacting your ability to communicate across virtual spaces. And because of this, your message can be muted or lost entirely.

The Impact

You see, the result of digital pollution is that people are hesitant to communicate with you because they don’t know who or what is reaching out to them. And who can blame them?

Think of your email inbox. How often do you find yourself hitting delete, unsubscribing from things that don’t serve you, or wading through junk just to find the information you need? It’s probably pretty often. And it’s important to consider that your recipients are doing the same.

In addition, digital environments lack vital communication elements like emotion, nonverbal cues, tone, and more, that meaningfully connect us as people. So whether you’re reaching out to request time-sensitive documents or providing updates throughout the insurance transaction process, ongoing communication — even with someone who knows you — can be challenging without the warmth, urgency, excitement, and clarity you convey in person.

The Answer

Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution by Ethan Beute and Steve Pacinelli highlights that every piece of communication you send influences your recipient to engage you or ignore you the next time you reach out. As a result, you should be leveraging that communication to build familiarity. When your recipients understand that you’re a person who values their time and energy, they’re encouraged to engage you because you’ve earned the attention that’s essential to building relationships. And you’ve done that by demonstrating what matters to you — them.

Face-to-face communication using video helps emphasize the value, competence, and intent you want to convey to build familiarity and earn attention. It captures all of those unique, human characteristics that get lost in plain-text communication. With video, insurance agents like you can stand out in a sea of digital frustration and grab attention as authentic, vulnerable people who have something valuable to offer.

How to use video to genuinely connect and save time

Producing regular and consistent video content can help you connect with your prospects, clients, and referral partners while expanding your sphere of influence to create a consistent stream of referral-quality leads in a more organic way. The guide below gives you a step-by-step process in how you can create weekly email and social media videos that make an impact while taking as little time away from your day as possible.

What to Expect

Time commitment: ~5-10 minutes per video per week

Average budget: FREE

Outcomes:

• Larger following and engagement via social media
• Increased sphere of influence digitally and in your community
• More prospects, more responses, more business
• A sustainable pipeline that increases your ability to help more people, more often

1. Ditch the Scripts

To show up authentically means you must show up as yourself. Even if it’s messy.

When recording a video, try your best to be as real as possible. Humans want to connect with other humans, so don’t waste extra energy or time trying to make it perfect. By ditching the script you are able to recreate that face-to-face feel.

In this guide, we give you 52 questions a potential client would want to know the answer to. What we encourage you to do is to answer each question in a video. No script. Just you, showing up as yourself, giving your honest feedback and advice.

Need a pick-me-up before you hit record? Here are some tips on Getting Comfortable on Camera to get you started.

2. Be Consistent

Who you are, how you talk, interact, and engage with your audience creates an unspoken system that people start to depend on. The frequency in which you engage with your audience, the format, and the types of messages that you deliver also tie into that system. The more consistent you are in how and when you show up for your prospects, clients, and referral partners, the more they will trust you over time.

Trust is your greatest currency when it comes to building and maintaining your relationships.

In the spirit of helping you create a sustainable system to build trust, try these tactics.

• Time block: Think about the days in which you want to post a video (1+ days), block off that time on your calendar, and commit to making it happen each week. Pro Tip: Start small. One day a week is better than none. Lay the groundwork to allow yourself to create a new sustainable habit so that you can increase your chances of sticking with it. Once you have it down, you can grow from there.
• Use unexpected opportunities to record your video: Did someone cancel or reschedule your appointment? Use this unforeseen time to take out your phone and record a quick video. This can have the added bonus of having video in more dynamic locations – an interesting coffee shop, a picturesque mountain backdrop, or while you’re out walking the pup. These elements allow your audience to get to know you in small and significant ways.
• Schedule ahead of time: Consider recording videos weeks in advance by recording more than one at a time. Pro Tip: Use a social media scheduler to help you take your pre-batched videos and schedule them weeks in advance. All you have to do is upload the video, write out your post and choose the day and platform you would like it to post to. Then you can get back to connecting with your clients while the program posts for you.

3. Mix It Up

The great thing about video is that it is multi-dimensional. This one piece of content can live in a magnitude of different places, increasing your potential to get seen and connect with others. Outside of posting to social media, think through other ways in which you could leverage video. Pro Tip: Think about where your clients and prospects would go to connect, engage, and absorb content. Where they are is where you need to be.

One place that we suggest placing your videos is within an intentionally crafted email (or email campaign). Email, when sent intentionally, is a great way to connect with your audience. Create an email with the intention of nurturing your prospects and clients with educational content to keep them informed and help them be more successful. Maintaining a presence in their inbox is necessary to increase engagement and communication with potential repeat and referral business.

Want to learn more before you get started? Here are ways in which you can leverage video in every stage of your sales process.

4. Add and Subtract

There is no one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to engaging with your prospects, clients, and referral partners. What we have suggested is just the start and we hope it works, but we know that it may not, and that’s alright. While you are in the process of seeing what works best for you, here are some other ideas to try on.

• Get Curious: Ask your clients where they got stuck in the process of working with you and what they want to know more about to allow you to tailor your list of questions to meet the needs of your audience. Ask your colleagues what questions they receive most often and add them to the list. Pro Tip: Sometimes people need to hear the same thing more than one time. Feel free to recycle old Q&As from a few months back. It may be old content to you, but it may not be to them.
• Leverage Industry Thought Leaders: There is no shame in reposting someone else’s content (as long as you give them credit of course). If you come across an article or blog that you feel will really help your audience, create a short video talking through some of the points, your takeaways, and what you want them to get out of it. Chances are that they will watch your video instead of reading the article. Now you look like the thought leader.
• Give Your Clients The Spotlight: Stories are powerful. Have your client send a short video telling their story about why they sought out your services, what they have to lose, and why it’s so impactful to them. It will allow your audience to connect with that person and see themselves in their shoes with the ultimate goal of inspiring them to act. Pro Tip: If your client does not have access to a video recording platform, have them record it on Zoom and send the recording to you directly. You can upload it to your BombBomb account and post it from there.

A human-centered approach to communication focuses on the needs of your prospects, clients, and referral partners. And by shifting your focus from the individual and self-serving to the personal and human, ultimately, you can change the course of your interactions. As a result, you have the power to influence the outcome of your relationships and the success of your insurance business.

If you’re ready to start using video to leverage human-centered communication with your insurance clients and referral network, don’t stop here! Try BombBomb Video Messaging with a free 14-day trial.

Your prospects are human — just like you, and in today’s modern sales world, for people to buy from other people, they want to be treated like more than a number. And while “the win” might still define ultimate sales success because it’s how brands like yours generate revenue, getting there takes more genuine connection than a few automated calls, big pitches, and impersonal emails can offer.

You see, the traditional sales funnel, while marginally functional, doesn’t take into account that relationships are essential to buy-in. More often than not, your prospects don’t just hear about your brand, express interest, and decide to purchase. That’s not to say it never happens, but most people want and need to trust you to buy from you. So, where do you start building that trust? And how can you adjust your sales funnel to make room for a sales process that’s more human?

The Bow Tie Funnel

The problem with the traditional funnel

In Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution by Ethan Beute and Steve Pacinelli, Jacco van der Kooij, Founder of Winning by Design, points out that the traditional funnel, created from the seller’s perspective, incorrectly identifies the purchase as being the end of the sales process. As a result, it ignores the buyers’ needs in exchange for doubling down on sales efforts.

But, you see, 72-93% of customer lifetime value happens after commitment. The sale isn’t the end of the process; it’s the beginning of an ongoing, mutually beneficial partnership. And it’s the longevity of this partnership that defines sales success.

The (missing) impact of selling to win

According to Human-Centered Communication, the traditional funnel misses critical moments of emotional and rational impact. The problem? It’s recurring moments of impact that allow buyers to see how the solution they’re potentially investing in or have invested in benefits them over time.

Emotional impact (feelings and overall experience) benefit the person, while rational impact (statistical data) appeals to the organization. And relationships (a fundament component noticeably absent from the traditional funnel) are the key to understanding the needs and pain points of others that’ll help you create the most impact.

The delivery of impact earns us the right to revenue. – Human-Centered Communication, Ethan Beute and Steve Pacinelli

The human-centered solution

Jacco and his team are teaching a new approach to the sales funnel that considers all of these missing elements, and it’s called The Bow Tie Funnel. Rather than ending the sales process as soon as a prospect commits, The Bow Tie Funnel focuses on recurring impact. Recurring impact drives growth because it’s cyclical. It’s continually demonstrating the value of what you have to offer across the entire customer journey.

The Bow Tie Funnel also adopts a buyer perspective in that selling is no longer about the win or the close. Selling is about helping people find a solution to their problems. You see, the idea is that this approach is more human.

The key to success in sales is no longer selling — it’s helping.

Human-Centered Communication highlights that to nurture relationships through this more human funnel, you have to communicate in a way that fosters personal connection, manages emotion and tone, and allows you to break down detail and complexity. Implementing video and screen recordings at various touchpoints throughout The Bowtie Funnel can help you do this in a scalable way.

7 Videos for Sales Success

Incorporating video throughout your sales funnel will help you engage your recipients in a human-centered way, similar to how you would in person. Below you’ll find seven examples that grab attention, clarify intent, and showcase warmth and competence. These elements will create the recurring impact that’ll help you earn trust and build long-lasting, healthy partnerships.

1. Awareness

During the awareness stage, the primary goal is for your prospects to become familiar with your brand.

Video will put a voice and face with a name. Face-to-face communication is also infused with emotion, energy, and confidence to help you stand out from your competition and grab attention.

Watch how you can use video to bring positive energy and enthusiasm in the outreach video below.

2. Education

Education is one of the keys to helping your prospects understand the value of what you have to offer. But getting them to respond to communication or schedule and attend meetings or in-depth product demos can be a challenge. Why should they meet with you? How can you help them?

Convey the value of what you’re offering and build rapport like this…

Tip: Want to learn how to use video during this stage to provide context and create anticipation for setting and holding more appointments? This article can help.

3. Selection

During the selection stage, your prospects are significantly closer to buy-in. There are in-depth questions to answer, contracts to review, and decision-makers to meet. With face-to-face communication using video, you can demonstrate authenticity and express excitement about the impending partnership.

Watch how you can use the BombBomb Screen Recorder to answer complex questions and explain necessary details in a scalable way that’s still personal in the following video:

4. Commitment

Human-Centered Communication highlights two specific pain points you’re likely to encounter at the commitment stage of The Bow Tie Funnel: Cold feet and buyer’s remorse. So how can you use video to reduce apprehension and decision uncertainty?

Your sales success depends heavily on this stage of the funnel. Start by using video to express sincere gratitude for commitment. You see, expressing appreciation inspires loyalty, engagement, and fosters relationships.

After you’ve expressed gratitude, face-to-face communication will also provide clarity for what your customer can expect moving forward. With it, you can also convey genuine reassurance that they’re making the right decision by partnering with your brand.

Watch the example below to see how using video to say “Thank you” incorporates the warmth, emotion, and expression you convey in person.

5. Onboarding

After a customer has committed to working with you, they need to know what to expect moving forward. In this article, Jacco notes that the onboarding process should focus on orchestrating the future of the business partnership. How do they implement your solution? Who can they expect to meet along the way?

Use video to set expectations for what a partnership with your brand entails, like this…

Tip: Video is also a great tool to set your customers up for success with training sequences and to reinforce product usage. You can also use it to acknowledge early wins (Impact!) face to face.

6. Impact

Are your customers satisfied with the results and seeing the impact of your product or service? This essential question is what every brand should be asking itself during the impact stage. It’s key to success in sales that your customer sees the metrics they feel define success.

So how can you assess impact? Through ongoing communication! Use video to celebrate important milestones, check in, set and hold account reviews, and work through any problems or pain points people might be experiencing.

Watch below and see how video can help you handle a negative situation during the impact stage with compassion, ownership, and accountability.

7. Growth (And Growth Loop)

Growth and Growth Loop are the long game of The Bow Tie Funnel. It’s here where loyal brand advocates drive the cycle of recurring revenue. Nurturing these relationships you’ve worked hard to build will help identify growth and expansion opportunities during this stage.

Use video for a human-centered approach to ongoing communication. For instance, request customer interviews to understand your customers better like this…

Start Using These Videos For Sales Success Today!

Now that you have some of the best videos for every stage of The Bowtie Funnel that’ll increase your sales success, what are you waiting for? It’s time to put them to the test.

Still not using BombBomb? No problem. Click here for a free two-week trial.

You see, communication is much more than the words you speak. It’s shaped by gestures and expressions that help convey the message you want to get across.

So even when your recipients are unable to hear your voice, video is a powerful communication tool. It allows people to see your face, read your body language, and feel connected to you in a more personal, human-centered way.

With the BombBomb Video Captions feature, your recipients can read what you’re saying — while you’re saying it. This leads to a more inclusive and better video messaging experience.

As a bonus, BombBomb Video Captions are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), making video messaging accessible for all individuals.

The BombBomb Video Experience (VX) team is responsible for developing and implementing video messaging features — including captions. Learn why we invested in this feature, how to add captions to videos with BombBomb, what we considered during the building process, and more below.

The Value of Video Captions

When we add features to our products, the number one priority will always be how they serve our customers. And there are a few ways captions benefit BombBomb Plus Individual and Team users:

How Video Captions Benefit Individuals

• With BombBomb Video Captions, critical conversations can happen anywhere, anytime.
• When you add closed captions to video messages, you increase your video play rate because recipients can now watch them on their terms.
• Text transcripts are highlighted while your video plays. And because your recipients can match your body language, gestures, and expressions to the text on the screen, the intent of your message is clear.
• Captions are inclusive. They allow more people to benefit from video messages.

How Video Captions Benefit Teams

• Turning on the BombBomb Video Captions feature also turns on transcripts for Team Admins.
• Using transcripts, Team Admins can review conversations without a third-party program.
• Team Admins can run transcripts through coaching software programs. This provides learning opportunities for every conversation.
• Transcripts are securely transferred and can be audited to ensure security and compliance — just like plain-text emails.
• Transcripts contain timestamps. Timestamps allow your recipients to reference specific sections of your video messages quickly.

How to Add Captions to Videos

Now that you understand the value of captions, let’s talk about how BombBomb Plus Individual and Team users can add closed captions to videos.

BombBomb Plus Individual Accounts

Log in to your BombBomb account using the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension or the BombBomb web application. Your Dashboard will open immediately.

Hover over your name in the upper right corner of your BombBomb account. Then click “Edit My Profile.” After that, select “Closed Captions” from the left panel on your screen. Finally, slide the button to turn on captions.

BombBomb Plus Teams

Use the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension or the BombBomb web application to log in to your BombBomb account. Your Dashboard will automatically open.

Click on the Team tab at the top of your BombBomb account. Then, click “Manage Team” from the left panel on your screen. After that, select “Team Settings.” Then, slide the button to turn on captions and video transcriptions for all team members.

Note: BombBomb Video Captions will never default to the “On” setting for video recipients. Turning on captions gives your recipient the option to turn them on and off.

Investing in Accessibility and Inclusivity

Adding features to existing tech isn’t as simple as the click of a button. It takes time, market research, design, testing, and feedback. Once BombBomb customers expressed they wanted to (and needed to) add captions to video messages, development became a top priority.

The first step in the development process is deciding if a new feature is worth the cost and effort. The decision to invest in BombBomb Video Captions came down to…

• ADA Compliance: Video captions make BombBomb video messaging accessible for everyone.
• Inclusion: At BombBomb, we want everyone to benefit from the power of video. We believe strongly that a captions feature allows more people to benefit from video messaging.
• Documentation and Training:  BombBomb Plus Teams Video Captions feature provides Team Admins with BombBomb Video Transcriptions. Video transcripts keep records of all team conversations. This allows Team Admins to review the dialogue and use it for training, audits, compliance, and more.
• Security: Transcriptions are transferred through an application programming interface (API) program to ensure all messages are kept secure.
• Customer Convenience: Captions allow your recipients to watch your videos anywhere, anytime.

An Inside Look at Creating Video Captions

Creating video captions was a process that went beyond implementing the technology itself. It included extensive data-based market research, customer interviews, and competitive analysis.

There were a lot of variables taken into consideration to build a valuable feature that works (and works well) for BombBomb Plus users.

When creating this feature, we considered…

Cost and Time

The first step in building BombBomb Video Captions was deciding how to add the captions to our existing BombBomb technology.

Writing an artificial intelligence program capable of generating captions and transcriptions can be time-consuming and costly. But writing a new program isn’t the only way to add features to existing tech. There are also alternatives, such as leveraging an API program available.

We conducted an in-depth analysis of both development cost and timeframe to determine the right fit. The outcome? Leveraging an existing API (Amazon Web Services) was the most cost-effective option. And it was the one that would get captions into the hands of BombBomb users faster.

User Experience (UX) Design

After we determined how to get BombBomb Video Captions into the hands of our users, our focus shifted to creating a good UX.

It’s no secret that a feature’s design influences its overall success. But UX design is complicated. And despite how it sounds, it takes much more into account than how a product looks. For instance, UX considers layout, accessibility, user interaction, feature complexity, and more. 

So, what were some of the questions we had to answer to create a great UX for captions?

• How will the captions look?
• Where will the video captions button be on the Video Player?
• How will the user add captions to video messages?
• What will video transcriptions look like for Teams?
• Will video captions be interactive?
• How will captions look to the recipient?

Customer Opinion

Anytime BombBomb rolls out a feature, it starts with what our customers want. If you think about it, customers are the greatest resource. No one knows more about what they want in a product than someone already well-versed in using it.

We asked for (and listened to) what our customers had to say to create a feature that works for them. For instance, security, ADA compliance, and transcription capabilities for teams were all elements of captions that matter to our customers.

Experience Video Captions for Yourself

Adding new features to BombBomb will always begin and end with our customers. And with video captions, BombBomb messaging is even more inclusive and accessible for all. 

Are you an existing BombBomb Essentials user looking to benefit from the captions feature? Consider upgrading your account to a BombBomb Plus membership today.

Still not using BombBomb for video messaging and screen recording? Try it free for two weeks here!

BombBomb Chief Evangelist Ethan Beute is a communication expert. He’s co-authored two books on the subject with BombBomb CMO Steve Pacinelli — the most recent being Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution. Ethan has spent years researching communication and its effects on relationships. And much of this research focuses heavily on creating meaningful human-centered connections. A human-centered approach to communication considers your recipient — their emotions, experience, and needs — above your own.

Below, Ethan shares nuanced strategies, both his and those of other experts featured throughout Human-Centered Communication, for improving your nonverbal communication in a way that better signals your intent and leads to more meaningful conversations and relationships.

Research Findings on Nonverbal Communication

A search for “What percentage of communication is nonverbal?” usually results in the statistic that “93 percent of communication is nonverbal.” But this number misinterprets the research. That 93% is often referenced incorrectly out of context. You see, it’s based on research by Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at UCLA, who published two separate communication studies in 1967. Mehrabian then combined the results of these studies to produce a 55/38/7 formula that builds the total liking for a message.

The research (published in Mehrabian’s book Silent Message in 1971) highlights that for the receiver to find positive emotional effects in communication, they rely 7% on the words said, 38% on vocal elements and intonation, and 55% on facial cues. (38% plus 55% gives us the 93% — so most communication is nonverbal — that’s often shared.)

The criticism of these numbers is that the research was flawed. Some of those flaws? They were derived from the findings of two separate studies. The words used were individual (not in the context of a conversation) and geared around emotion, and only women participated.

But while they may not be entirely accurate, the findings are still relevant. Ethan points out that whether it’s 93%, 95%, or even 52% is inconsequential. The percentage of nonverbal communication doesn’t matter. Directionally, it’s true. Effective communication relies on more than words. It depends on the warmth you convey and the intent you demonstrate with facial cues, vocal elements, and body language, too.

Tips for Effective In-Person Non-Verbal Communication

Now that you understand more about the answers you’ll find for “What percentage of communication is nonverbal?” let’s talk about some practical ways to fine-tune your nonverbal communication skills to create more human-centered exchanges (and subsequent relationships) in person.

1. Read and Adapt to Emotion

In Human-Centered Communication, author, facial coding, and emotional intelligence (EQ) expert Dan Hill, Ph.D., says that our ability to create engagement relies on reading emotions and then adapting to them. It can be challenging to gauge (and then react in emotionally effective ways to) the feelings of others. But it’s ultimately something everyone is capable of with practice.

To do this, Dr. Hill says, take in the face of the person or people you’re communicating with. Are they smiling in happiness? Do their lips appear tight in anger? Are their eyebrows high with surprise? Then, react appropriately by conscientiously expressing your own emotions with your facial expressions.

2. Adjust Your Proximity

Where should you sit? Where should you stand? The answer ultimately depends on your relationship.

According to research that originated with Anthropologist Edward Hall, there are four zones of comfort when it comes to physical distance:

• Intimate: 18 inches to contact
• Personal: 18 inches to four feet
• Social: Four feet to 12 feet
• Public: 12 feet to 25 feet

And while the distances may have changed somewhat over time, the idea of comfort zones remains. The physical closeness between people should correspond directly to their relationships and the space they’re in.

But the essential takeaway from this strategy? Always adjust your physical proximity to meet everyone’s comfort level.

3. Mirror Culture

Social norms, behaviors, physical closeness, and more vary across cultures. From global regions to offices and even within the walls of a home — culture is different from place to place. Ethan says that your nonverbal communication should mirror that of the culture you find yourself in. As a result, engaging others on their level, how they’re most comfortable, reinforces the idea that you’re aligned with them.

Of course, that doesn’t mean to mimic all of the behaviors and mannerisms you see. But consider what’s respectful, comfortable, and appropriate within a culture and mirror that during your interaction.

4. Maintain (and Break) Eye Contact

According to a research study by Dartmouth College, eye contact signals shared attention during a conversation. It also helps build trust and genuine connection. But too much eye contact doesn’t leave space for new ideas to emerge.

The findings of Dartmouth’s research suggest that much like you pause in a conversation to take a breath or to reflect, you should also break eye contact in the same way. This break allows space for new thoughts, new points of conversation, and a higher level of authentic engagement.

5. Adopt Inviting Posture

Have you ever tried having a conversation with someone while they kept their arms crossed in front of them? It’s uninviting and conveys a lack of interest in the conversation. Worse yet, it carries the appearance of defensiveness.

So how can you use body language to demonstrate to others that you’re open to what they’re saying?

• Relax your shoulders
• Keep your head up
• Uncross your arms
• Lean slightly towards your recipient

This posture is more inviting. And it shows that you’re engaged and invested in the conversation.

Tips for Effective Digital Nonverbal Communication

When you don’t communicate in person, you eliminate face, posture, personality, enthusiasm, and expertise from your message. As a result, you’re missing a significant share of complete communication. Digital, face-to-face communication restores some of these elements when you can’t be there in person.

In addition, digital face-to-face communication also helps separate you from digital pollution by putting a face and voice with your name. Digital pollution is any unwelcome digital distraction. And it includes spam, bots, hacking, and other forms of digital communication that add friction and frustration to your life and work.

So, what are some techniques to strengthen digital nonverbal communication?

6. Express Emotion

Dr. Hill says, “It’s more important to be on emotion than it is to be on message.” In Human-Centered Communication, he points out that being on emotion focuses on what you want others to experience. How do you want them to feel?

“If you come with the right spirit, intent, warmth, and motivation, and then you figure out what to say — you’re going to be more effective at communicating what you really mean.”
— Ethan Beute, BombBomb Chief Evangalist

You see, people tend to worry about saying the right words in the correct order rather than worrying about the emotion they’re demonstrating. When communicating virtually, this is especially prevalent. But scripted messages with minimal or even feigned emotion don’t carry the same weight. Lean into your true feelings around the subject, demonstrate confidence, and leverage that emotion to complement what you’re saying.

7. Adjust Your Tone and Expression

The intent of your message is conveyed in your facial expressions and tone. Expression (and reading expression) is fundamental and innate across the human species.

And while communicating from behind a screen can dampen these rich elements of communication, Ethan points out how important it is to amplify them when you’re speaking in a virtual space. He also says, “People judge how something is said, as much or more than, (and definitely earlier than) they’re judging what is being said.”

8. Use Your Hands

In Chapter 10 of Human-Centered Communication, author and Co-Founder of Vengreso, Viveka von Rosen, discusses how she teaches and trains those in sales to use video. One of her most effective nonverbal communication strategies? Use hand gestures!

Don’t sit with your hands in your lap or folded in front of you during a conversation. Move them! Your hand gestures add a feeling of personality and confidence. They also help create action that enhances the energy of a conversation.

9. Consider Camera Proximity

How far should you sit from your camera? Well, it’s unlikely that you’d have an in-person conversation from several feet outside of everyone’s physical comfort zone. And digital communication is no different.

Ethan says that to demonstrate close, conversational proximity in a virtual space, sit no more than two feet away from your camera. This distance gives a feeling of physical closeness — similar to what you’d find during an in-person interaction.

10. Turn up Emotional Volume

Dr. Nick Morgan is a communication expert and author featured throughout Human-Centered Communication. His expert stance on digital nonverbal communication? Virtual spaces are emotionally impoverished. And this absence of visual and emotional quality leads to the degradation of relationships over time.

In fact, according to Dr. Morgan, your five senses are always looking for feedback. And when emotions are muted (for instance, because you’re behind a screen), the brain fills in gaps with negative information as a primal survival tactic. And this negative information can actually contribute to bad decision-making. To prevent others from filling in gaps with negative assumptions, it’s vital to turn up your emotional volume.

To learn more about how to turn up your emotional volume on camera, check out Dr. Morgan’s conversation with Ethan on Episode 150 of The Customer Experience Podcast.

11. Be Authentic

Human-Centered Communication features interviews with 11 business leaders. Their roles, strengths, responsibilities, and backgrounds vary. But one very prevalent theme found in almost every interview? Authenticity.

Sure, the shiny, polished version of you is appealing. And it’s easy to create a persona of perfection when you’re in front of a camera. But just as it’s easy to create this less authentic version of you, it’s also as easy to recognize. Perfection (or the appearance of perfection) doesn’t foster genuine relationships. Of course, professionalism is still essential. But what makes you human — your flaws, your vulnerability — is ultimately what makes you relatable. It’s the core of your humanity.

To build trust and connect with others, embrace the parts of you, your emotions, and your message that are appropriate for the occasion and reveal who you are.

Ready to Learn More About Human-Centered Communication?

The success of your relationships depends on your communication. And while the question, “What percentage of communication is nonverbal?” is relevant, the answer is about much more than the actual number itself. How you say something, the way you position yourself during conversation, your emotions and expressions — all of these elements matter a great deal.

Using the methods outlined above will help you refine your nonverbal communication skills. In turn, you’ll convey genuine intent that complements your messaging and enriches your conversations (and subsequently, your relationships) in a meaningful and more human-centered way.

Does the idea of human-centered communication resonate with you? Then check out Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution. And take the first step towards restoring the trust, the genuine, and the human in your communication and your relationships today.

References

Beute, E., & Pacinelli, S. (2021). Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution. Fast Company Press.

Table of Contents

Your goal as a sales rep shouldn’t just be to close deals. You exist to help prospects achieve their goals.

But you can’t help people if you don’t know anything about them. Your prospects are more than just a number or a target. They have emotions, stories, struggles and triumphs — just like you.

If you want them to trust you enough to buy, you have to show them that you understand and care. You have to connect with them in a meaningful way.

And that’s where open-ended sales questions come into play.

What is an Open-Ended Sales Question?

Open-ended sales questions are questions that require more than a simple “yes” or “no” response. They force prospects to think more deeply about their pain points and desires. And when prospects share these answers, sellers are able to position their products and services better.

Thoughtful open-ended questions in sales also help salespeople and prospects build stronger relationships during the discovery phase. They facilitate better conversations and make prospects feel like sellers are invested in their success.

So how do you ask an open-ended question in sales? With confidence and patience.

Asking these types of questions can feel uncomfortable at first. They’re harder for prospects to answer, which means people need time to think, and silence on sales calls can be unnerving.

Lean into the silence. Give your prospects a chance to formulate an honest response.

When you jump in too quickly, you can steer the conversation in the wrong direction. And you disrupt a thought process that could have opened the door to a more focused sales process.

You can also draw confidence from your pre-call preparation. Set the stage for a great conversation by sending a note in advance about what you’re hoping to cover and what value the prospect stands to gain.

This is best done over a warm video message that puts the prospect at ease. People who are comfortable are more likely to share openly with you about their goals and pain points.

(for more coverage on the topic of video prospecting, check out our article here)

And keep in mind that the experience you deliver during the sales process really matters. You want your customers to refer you to other great potential customers down the road.

People remember when they have a comfortable buying experience – one filled with smooth and friendly conversations every step of the way.

(here’s a more in-depth read on how to ask for referrals)

With all of this context in mind, here are some of the best open-ended sales questions we use today.

7 Questions to Uncover Your Prospect’s Situation and Background

In any sales conversation, it’s important to uncover who your prospects are and how their organizations work.

Sales-qualifying questions like the ones below are the cornerstone of the sales process. They provide the framework for meaningful conversations and establish the trust you need to build relationships.

1. How many people are on your team?

Your CRM can provide basic information about your prospect’s role in their company. But when it comes to the internal structure of their team, you’re going to have to ask more questions.

Use situational questions like the one above to begin uncovering more details about your prospect and their team. This question also provides a space for you to follow up with more in-depth, structure-focused questions.

For instance, after your prospect responds, you can follow up with something like, “So where does your team of [NUMBER OF PEOPLE] fit into the sales organization of your business?”

Focusing on their team and their company structure demonstrates that you prioritize how their company functions rather than what you want to sell them.

2. Would an increase in revenue help your business? [IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION]

Revenue will always be part of an organization’s bottom line. So chances are, the answer to this question will be a resounding “yes.”

The word “yes” evokes positive emotions. Encouraging your prospect to say it early on sets the tone for the rest of the conversation. And after you ask about revenue, it’s important to keep the conversation moving in that same positive direction.

Parlay your prospect’s simple answer with something like, “So where are you pacing towards your revenue goals this quarter?”

3. How did you hear about us?

This question might seem basic, but it can yield impressive results.

It guides people to consider their own story, which can reaffirm their need for a solution and uncover valuable insights for the marketing team.

4. I see you’re using [A SPECIFIC TOOL], is that right? [IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION]

Your prospect’s current tech stack can reveal a lot about their goals and potential areas of opportunity for your business.

For example, if you know your prospect is using Salesforce, try something like, “I see you’re using Salesforce right now, is that right?” After they reply “Yes,” follow-up immediately by asking, “Which key performance indicators (KPIs) are you tracking?”

Or, if you’re looking for even more specific details, try something like, “Are you tracking your engagement? What are your current email open rates?”

5. What quotas or targets [DO YOU] or [DOES YOUR TEAM] have to hit?

Your prospect’s targets and quotas will impact how they envision integrating your product into their workflow. Understanding their goals can help you leverage that information. And it will put you in a better position to help them succeed.

6. Who is in charge of identifying / owning expansion opportunities?

You won’t get very far in the sales process without knowing who has the final say. And while many questions can help you uncover key decision-maker details, sometimes it’s best to be direct.

For an alternative to this question, try asking something like, “Who else should we involve in this conversation?”

7. When implementing a new tool, what does that process look like?

You need insight into internal company processes, in addition to knowing who the decision-makers are. Having an idea of how an organization implements new solutions can help you (and your prospect) create and meet reasonable expectations over the course of the buying journey.

8 Questions to Determine Your Prospect’s Pain Points

After you’ve learned more about your prospect’s background, the next questions you ask should reveal their pain points. And you’re not just trying to solve symptoms of a problem; you want to address root cause issues.

The more you know about the problem you’re solving, the more value you can add.

8. What’s the most important thing you want to get out of this meeting?

Recent sales research by Hubspot highlights that for 69% of prospects, the number one way to create a positive sales experience is for reps to listen to their needs.

This question lets buyers to “clear their plates” first. Most people struggle to listen or engage until they’ve had the chance to share their own urgent thoughts or concerns.

It also gives them a chance to share more helpful context that you can use when crafting your pitch. Plus, you can use their answer in your follow up email to show you were listening.

(here’s a blog post on more follow-up sales email templates you can use today)

9. How are you using [YOUR TYPE OF PRODUCT] in your process or workflow?

An excellent way to encourage your prospect to think about what they may be missing from their workflow is to ask them how they’re using the type of product you’re selling.

This open-ended question is also one of the best cold call opening lines that won’t piss off your prospects.

(and here’s an in-depth article on cold calling scripts and best practices)

10. What metrics do you need to see [YOUR PRODUCT] make the most impact on to determine success?

Your prospect’s answer to this question will help uncover some of the deeper obstacles they’re experiencing. It will help you better position your solution and clear any roadblocks to getting your deal done.

11. Can you tell me about who [YOU, YOUR SALES REPS, TEAM, ETC.] are / is reaching out to?

The answer to this question gives you an idea of the broader dynamics at play that could affect your ability to win the sale. The phrasing here also invites a deeper reflection that could reveal helpful insights.

12. What are you doing currently to solve this problem?

In most cases, prospects are already looking for answers to their pain points. Figuring out what they’ve tried or are already exploring today can help ensure you pitch a differentiated solution.

13. Why are we looking at this now?

Instead of asking your prospect, “Is this a priority?,” consider rephrasing the question to, “Why is this a priority now?” The switch to an open-ended variation leads to in-depth discussion, and the word “now” reinforces the notion that finding a solution is urgent.

14. How do you lose deals to competitors?

Asking about your prospect’s competitors and their lost opportunities allows you to assess where they may be falling short. Is their competition investing in something they aren’t?

It also open the door for more dialogue about how your solution can help them fill in that gap.

15. How do I help support your next steps now?

The answer to this question brings forth details that could otherwise stall the deal later in the process. Getting these blockers out now gives you more time to mitigate risk.

It also positions you as more than just a salesperson. You’re a resource or thought partner who can help solve this problem with the buying team.

6 Questions to Discover the Impact of Removing Your Prospect’s Pain Points

Guiding your prospect through the buying journey means helping them to see what you already know: your product will alleviate their pain.

The following questions focus on your prospect’s emotional and rational decision-making. You need to win both sides of the brain to convince someone to work with you.

16. What would happen if you didn’t choose our solution to solve this problem?

Emotional decision-making is based on your prospect’s feelings and expectations. According to a report by The Advertising Research Foundation, your prospect’s emotions have a strong influence over the decisions they make.

Provoking an emotional response with open-ended questions like the one above guides the rational decision-making process in your favor.

This is because your prospect understands how they would benefit directly before focusing on more rational and measurable concerns (such as budget limitations).

17. What was the last tool you implemented successfully, and what could you contribute to that?

It’s typically best to ask your prospect one question at a time. But there may be occasions when asking two-part questions makes the most sense.

In this case, if you were to ask exclusively about the last tool your prospect implemented, the answer would likely be one or two words.

But asking the additional question of why they successfully implemented that tool emphasizes (and reminds them) that integrating new tools can be an effective process that benefits them in the long run.

18. What got you excited about [YOUR COMPANY] or [YOUR PRODUCT]?

Excitement is positive; it’s contagious — use it to your advantage!

This questions steers the conversation in a positive direction and unveils your prospect’s vision for how they might use your solution.

19. How do you see your [TEAM] or [ORGANIZATION] using [YOUR TYPE OF PRODUCT]?

This question prompts your prospect to think through other people’s perspectives on your offerings. It’s a great way to turn contacts into champions who advocate for you within their own organizations.

20. Tell me what things would be different if you could [CONVERT LEADS HIGHER, GET BETTER SHOW RATES, ETC.]

This question gets your prospect to envision a better future – one that depends on your solution. It gets them excited about a possible transformation while also revealing potential issues.

21. How will being able to [PRIMARY BENEFIT OF YOUR PRODUCT] help you in your business?

Your prospect may know little about your product. Highlighting key benefits and asking your prospect how it will help them indicates you have the solution to a problem they’re facing.

4 Questions to Clarify Your Prospect’s Answers

What you ask after your initial question is just as important in your discovery process. Your open-ended questions will inevitably reveal new information that may need further clarification.

22. When you said ______, can you tell me more about that?

Active listening conveys empathy and builds trust. This question shows you are tuned into your prospect’s words and thinking hard about what their answer means.

23. What else would you _______?

Instead of asking, “Is there anything else?” try asking, “What else would you _______? Your prospect is more likely to elaborate in response to this variation.

It’s also another “plate-clearing” question that gives your prospect a chance to bring up any concerns or issues you haven’t been able to discuss yet.

24. What I heard you say is ______. Can you be more specific?

There are going to be times you need more information to continue a conversation with your prospects. Asking for more details, especially when digging into specific pain points, is vital to having a complete understanding of your prospect’s story.

25. What did you mean when you said ______?

Honesty is crucial in business transactions. Telling your prospects you don’t understand something builds trust and shows that you’re willing to speak up when something doesn’t make sense.

What Comes Next?

Using these questions should open up doors in your conversations and (hopefully) lead to more sales. The more you use them, the better you’ll get.

Quick note on how to really impress your prospects: Send meeting recaps that incorporate language your prospect used during the meeting. Share their answers back with them to show you listened and are prioritizing their goals.

We recommend doing this over a video message. A video message is a much clearer way to communicate complex information and gives your prospect something to reference that isn’t a block of text in an email.

And every time they come back to that video message, they’ll be reminded of you – your personality, your warmth, your energy. This is what makes you memorable as a salesperson.

For a deeper dive on how to send great follow-up emails, check out this post.

Want to give personal video messaging a try? Start a 14-day free trial here.

That’s where video comes in.

Embedding video in your emails humanizes your message. It shows there’s a real person behind the screen—not a bot, not spam, not another pitch for attention.

Face-to-face connection builds credibility and makes it easier to earn trust and drive more business.

That’s why knowing how to embed a video in an email is a technical skill that can elevate your career.

Why Should You Embed Videos in Emails?

Embedding personalized video messages in your emails improves results. It increases open rates and clickthroughs. It improves lead quality and sales outcomes. And it elevates your brand.

You’re no longer just another salesperson, customer support rep or marketer.

You’re that person who uses video. You’re memorable, and you’re trustworthy.

Here are stats that back this up…

• 69% of consumers would prefer to learn about a product or service through video
• 90% of users say that product videos are helpful in the decision-making process
• Videos in emails increase clickthrough rates by 200-300%
• Using video generates up to 66% more qualified leads per year

Video is also a better way to communicate complex ideas. Sending a screen recording or video explanation is often better than typing out a long email.

Recipients appreciate videos more, and they save you time in the long run.

With this context in mind, let’s cover how to actually embed a video in an email.

The Embedding Process

Step 1: Choose a Compelling Thumbnail

When adding a video to an email, you don’t want to just send a link or an attachment. You want a preview of your video to show up right there in the message.

This is what motivates people to engage. So you need to choose a great thumbnail – one that convinces recipients to click “play.”

What makes this tricky is that not all email providers will do this for you automatically. So without a dedicated video messaging tool, you need to create a thumbnail yourself.

This could be a screenshot or an animated GIF of the first few seconds of your video. The more personality and personalization, the better.

After that, you should add a play button on top of your image or GIF. This also signals to recipients that they should click on the thumbnail.

All of this can be done in a photo or video editing tool.

Step 2: Add Your Video

After you’ve created your thumbnail, you need to link it to your video. Upload your video message to a hosting platform, like YouTube, or create a dedicated landing page on your own website.

Tip: Keep your video under 60 seconds. Recipients are much more likely to watch a video they know will take less than a minute of their time.

Certain email clients will allow you to insert the video directly into your email (more on this below). Then, add the link to your video to the thumbnail you created.

Below are more specific instructions for commonly used platforms.

How to Embed Video in Gmail

When you’re embedding a video in Gmail, if your video is smaller than 25 MBs, click the paperclip icon at the bottom of the email window, select a video and click “Open.”

If your video is larger than 25 megabytes, click the Google Drive icon instead of the paperclip. Then select your video, and click “Insert.”

How to Embed Video in Outlook

When you’re trying to embed video in an Outlook email, start by opening your video. Then click the URL, right-click and select copy. Next, create the email and paste your link into the email body.

How to Embed a YouTube Video in Email

If you want to embed a YouTube video in an email, copy the video’s URL and paste it into the email. Your email will display a video player for the video once it’s opened.

After you record a video, click the three dots to the right of any video in your Video Library to copy an embed code. You’ll insert this code into your email.

Step 3: Get People to Open Your Emails

Recipients won’t watch your videos if they don’t open your emails. You need to pick your subject line carefully and then make sure every email you send is packed with value.

Subject line best practices

Your email subject line should spark curiosity in your recipients. In addition, shorter and more casual headlines tend to work better today. People are more likely to open emails that seem like they’re from colleagues.

Tip: using the word “video” in your subject line can also boost open rates depending on the context

Here are a few examples of effective subject lines:

• Quick sales tip
• Q4 sales
• Coffee soon?

All of these require the recipient to click into the email to understand the full context. And they don’t give away that the email is from someone trying to sell them something.

You should also avoid spammy language. Phrases like “FREE!” “Big $$$$!” or “Get paid!” These words and phrases are considered SPAM triggers and could land your email in the trash folder.

Focus on value

Every email and video you send should be helpful or valuable to recipients. This is how you build trust in the inbox and convince them to keep engaging.

If you write a great subject line and then follow-up with resources or information that helps your recipient solve a pain point, you’ll gain goodwill and credible with them for all future communications.

Step 4: Add Text Context to Your Video

Your recipient may not have time to watch your video right away. That’s why you should include text in your email that teases the content of the video — without giving everything away.

Remember: you want the person to press play and see you. Giving too much information in the body of your email may prevent them from watching the video and building an initial attachment to you.

Another reason to add text before and after your video is to ensure email providers don’t roll up the video or display it as a link that could be mistaken for spam.

Step 5: Include a Call to Action

What do you want your viewer to do after they’ve watched your video? Call you for an appointment? Book a product demo?

Every embedded video in an email should make a call to action (CTA). You should give your recipient one thing you want them to do next that keeps momentum building towards a mutual goal.

Too many next steps can be overwhelming. And your viewer isn’t likely to take action on their own volition. You need to ask or tell them to do something.

Some other CTA best practices include:

• Begin with an action verb (e.g., click, shop, schedule)
• Create a sense of urgency (my schedule is filling up fast…)
• Articulate the value to the viewer if the take the next step
• Express excitement at the possibility of them taking a next step with you

Easily Embed Videos in Emails with BombBomb

Incorporating personalized video messages into your emails is one of the best ways to stand out. That’s why we built an entire platform around this idea.

BombBomb makes it easy to film and share personalized videos across a wide range of platforms. Our platform includes features and details that tap into human psychology so that sales professionals, marketers, support reps and others can elevate their outreach.

We’ve also designed BombBomb with enterprise workflows and requirements in mind. Our platform comes with enterprise-grade security, automations, strategic integrations and much more.

Click here to try BombBomb FREE for two weeks.

And if you’re a part of a team interested in video messaging, schedule a demo here.

You started using video messaging to build relationships and create a genuine connection with your recipients. But now you’re struggling to get your video emails opened, to generate video plays, and to stand out in the crowd. Why? You see, it’s because there’s much more to creating a video worth playing than just hitting record and send. Boosting your video play rate means knowing how to create a video your recipients actually want to watch.

BombBomb National Speaker Alicia Berruti and BombBomb Client Enablement Manager Kevin Andrews are experts at sending great videos that get viewer attention. After all, combined they’ve sent more than 19,000 videos.

Below, Alicia and Kevin share some of their favorite tips to help you succeed at creating the best videos. These proven methods will genuinely engage your viewers to increase your video play rate and help you get the most out of video messaging.

1. Create a Video Worth Playing

1. Create a Video Worth Playing

When you’re looking to improve your video play rate, rather than asking yourself, “Why aren’t they playing my video?” Instead, consider asking yourself, “Why should they play my video?” Before you hit record, it’s important to understand why your audience would or should play your video in the first place. This puts the focus on the value you’re providing them — rather than on yourself.

Using screen recording can enhance your video by adding detailed visual instructions or demonstrations, making it more valuable and engaging for your audience. To create a video worth playing, ask yourself the following questions before you get started:

• What problem am I solving for my audience?
• How can I use screen recording to demonstrate my points visually?
• What unique insights or value am I offering through this video?
• How can I make the video visually appealing and easy to follow?

To create a video worth playing, ask yourself the following questions before you get started:

Will I benefit from a video?

Consider whether this video will benefit you by helping you build trust, deeper connection, and more meaningful relationships through human-centered communication.

Is my message valuable to the recipient?

Ensure that you’re sharing a message that brings value to your recipients and not just to yourself. Your recipients should always benefit from what you have to say.

Will video enhance their experience?

There will be times the answer is, “no.” Various circumstances, such as product demos, need more time and interaction than a short video can offer.

2. Enhance Your Subject Line

If you’re sending a video email, your subject line is the first thing your viewers see. So use it to engage them!

Your subject line should invoke curiosity or provide clarity for what’s in your video. In fact, including the word “video” can make your subject line even more enticing. Think about it — the first step towards getting someone to watch your video is to let them know that there’s one available.

And if you’re looking to add a little bit of personality to your subject line, an emoji can add just the right touch. To add an emoji, visit emojipedia.org and search for the emoji you want to use. Then, copy and paste the link in your subject line.

3. Include Text

One of the essential components of sending a video email is including text in the body of the email itself. And according to Alicia, a lack of text is one of the top reasons videos don’t get played.

Adding text before your video ensures that the video link doesn’t appear as part of your subject line. (As a result, recipients can mistake your video email for spam or other digital pollution.) You can say something simple like, “Hi [NAME], I recorded you a video to introduce myself properly — press play.”

In addition, adding text after your video ensures your recipient’s email server doesn’t roll up or hide your video by displaying only the first line of text.

4. Tease Your Content

Use the text in your video email to let viewers know something important is waiting for them in the video — without giving it away.

For example, in the text, reference the video itself by saying something like, “Press play on the video for three quick things to know before our appointment on Tuesday.” Or consider something like, “As per the video, the article is linked below.” Doing this piques curiosity and encourages your recipients to click play.

5. Have Fun With Your Animated Preview

The first three seconds of your video are an animated preview, or GIF, for your viewers. This is the perfect opportunity to grab their attention. (And maybe to have a little fun and add some personality!)

To make the most of your preview, follow the T.U.N.E.D method outlined below.

Team: Get your team involved in your videos and show your recipients how invested you are in them. Doing this demonstrates that your entire business genuinely cares about them. In addition, it shows them that a team is available and ready to help should they ever need it.

Unexpected: Capture viewer attention by incorporating the unexpected in your video. For example, a unique change of scenery or active movement like walking down the street. A change of scenery serves as an escape from the traditional, and people like that.

Name: Address your recipient by name at the beginning of your video. For instance, you can do this by writing it on a whiteboard, a piece of paper, or even by pulling up their LinkedIn page (using a screen recorder feature). This then shows up in your animated preview and instantly makes your video much more personal.

Emotion: Don’t be afraid to showcase your feelings in your video. Emotions make you human, and this humanity is what connects you to others. Sk=o if you’re happy, show it. If you’re feeling apologetic, show that. Humans relate to other humans. Demonstrate to your recipients that you’re relatable and full of real feelings — just like they are.

Detail: Research your recipients! Add in details about them to the beginning of your message. This shows them that they’re not just another number to you. You took the time to learn about them.

6. Follow the “Three R” Video Framework

You might have a lot to say in a short amount of time. This can feel a little overwhelming. As a result, it may even cause you to forget something important. And if your viewers don’t feel there’s relevant information in your videos, they may be discouraged from repeatedly pressing the play button.

A simple way to structure your video to make sure you hit your key points is to follow the “Three R” video framework.

Relevance: Why you’re reaching out
Reward: What you have to offer your recipient
Request: What you need from your recipient

Tip: Your request should be in the form of an in-video Call to Action when possible. This makes it easy for your recipient to follow up on what you need them to.

7. Match Your Message

There are a few features of speech you need to keep in mind while creating your video. To ensure your video matches the tone of your message and to get your point across effectively, pay attention to your…

• Pitch 
• Rhythm
• Tone
• Pace
• Volume

8. Keep Your Video Brief

It may seem challenging to convey your message in a short time. But your viewers are busy, and their time is a valuable commodity.

Both Alicia and Kevin say brevity is key to a good video. Especially when you’re first introducing yourself, do your best to keep your video 30 seconds or less. And as you get to know someone more personally, the length of your recording can increase (but not drastically). Remember, the video you create should provide your recipient with valuable information — and that’s it.

If you do need to send an extended video, address the length ahead of time. Alicia says it’s important to acknowledge the reason for a long video by saying something like, “As you can see, the video below is longer than usual. But it’s only because I really took the time to dig deep into that question you asked and found some great answers.”

9. Personalize the Experience

Adding personal elements to your videos will encourage your viewers to click play time after time. This is because it demonstrates that you took the time to get to know them personally or listened to them during a previous conversation.

You can personalize videos for your recipients by…

• Using their name (in the email subject line, on a whiteboard, and anytime it feels comfortable).
• Mentioning their company or business by name.
• Showcasing their LinkedIn page using a screen recorder feature.
• Addressing a post or question they had on a social platform.
• Including a personal detail they’ve previously mentioned, such as their partner’s name or a family pet.

10. Be Authentic and Relatable

Being relatable and demonstrating your authenticity requires vulnerability. This shows your viewers that you’re a real person, just like they are. So what are some ways you can be more relatable?

• Embrace real-life scenarios: For instance, things like children, dogs, or phone calls are part of life!
• Don’t script your videos: Instead, speak from the heart.
• If you’ve made a mistake or don’t know something — say so: Acknowledging that you aren’t perfect reminds people it’s okay that they aren’t perfect either.

11. Empathize With Your Viewers

At the end of the day, people just want to be understood. And you can demonstrate to your recipients that you understand them by showing empathy. Empathy helps build the trust essential to your relationship. Most importantly, it humanizes both you and your recipient. (And the more your recipient feels as though they can trust you on a human level, the more likely they are to continue clicking “play” on your videos.)

So what are some ways you can show empathy?

• Identify with your viewer’s pain points, such as their busy schedule.
• Use words that create a feeling of partnership like “we” and “us.”
• Mention common ground, such as a shared favorite hobby.

12. Let Your Confidence Shine

If you want your viewers to believe in what you have to say and to keep watching your videos, it’s important to be confident. But this doesn’t mean that your video needs to be perfect. It means that you need to demonstrate that you believe in the value of what you have to say. To establish confidence on camera…

• Concentrate on the value that you’re providing to your viewers.
• Don’t watch yourself if you can’t be kind about what you see.
• Stop listening to the negative voices in your mind.
• Remember that you are enough.

Understanding Your Video Metrics

Now that you have some surefire ways to increase your video play rate, it’s important to understand good video performance metrics and how your video performance is measured.

Video Performance Measurement

BombBomb Video Tracking can help you determine how engaged your viewers are in your videos. Knowing what key video metrics to look for will help you create better, more engaging content that leads to more meaningful relationships and genuine connection.

BombBomb Tracking shows you…

• When your video was last played
• How many times it was played
• The average percent of the video watched
• How many likes it received
• How many comments it received

In addition, following your in-depth tracking metrics will help you understand deeper levels of engagement. For instance, if someone opens your email, that’s great. But if someone opens your email, watches your video, and clicks your included link — that’s even better.

If you’re looking for more guidance on how to use in-depth video analytics, this article can help.

Good Video Metrics

Everyone begins using video with the goal of having all of their videos watched and played 100% of the time by all of their recipients. But, in reality, not every video you create is going to be watched.

Above all, video metrics are going to vary depending on the type of video you’re sending. The play rate of personalized one-to-one videos will be different from that of mass-send emails. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either.

“If you send 100 videos, you don’t have time to follow up personally with 100 people. But you do have time to follow up with 20 engaged people. Those 20 people are who you build meaningful and genuine relationships with.” – Alicia Berruti | BombBomb National Speaker

When it comes to determining “good” video metrics, Kevin and Alica both say it’s important to have realistic play rate expectations. And these expectations should depend on a sliding scale of improvement. “The important part of video metrics,” says Kevin, “is continually improving, not necessarily where you start. There isn’t a specific number or percentage to hit. Video is about creating connection and increasing audience engagement over time.”

Start Boosting Your Video Play Rate Today

Now that you have some proven ways to create engaging videos that your viewers will want to watch — don’t stop here! Put these methods to the test and watch how quickly your video play rate improves, especially when incorporating screen recordings to provide detailed visual content.

Still not using BombBomb for video messaging and screen recording? Try it free for two weeks!

It’s disappointing for your clients and colleagues to be on the receiving end of your out-of-office email message. They send an email hoping to get a reply, but instead, they get a frustrating automated message.

Using a creative out-of-office message, especially one with video, can change that.

Your out-of-office message is a great (and often missed) opportunity to build relationships and showcase your humanity. Rather than a plain-text reply letting people know you’re gone, a creative out-of-office message leaves your recipients looking forward to interacting with you in person when you return.

Use your message to create connection, add a bit of humor and show off some of your fantastic personality in an otherwise unremarkable situation. It’s the perfect chance to remind people that a real person is on the other end of their email — one who’s going to be there for them as soon as you get back to the office.

There’s great potential to create a human connection, make yourself memorable and communicate effectively through your out-of-office response — even though you aren’t physically there.

In this post, you’ll find some of the best out-of-office email message examples that help you connect with people while you’re gone.

1. An Honest Family Vacation Message
2. The Professional Development, Conference, or Training Event Message
3. A Pitching in Outside of Work Message
4. The I’m on Vacation — Period — Message (Featuring Boundaries)
5. A Ready-To-Go-Sick-Day Message
6. An Unplanned Extended Leave Message
7. The I’ll Be Back in a Few Hours Message

1. “I’m on Vacation…But Leave Me a Great Vacation Story”

In theory, a family vacation sounds fun and relaxing. But more often than not, traveling with others (especially children) can be just as exhausting as the nine-to-five workday. Finding the humor and irony in this helps to make you more relatable.
__

Hi there,

If you’re getting this automated message, you already know I’m not in the office. This week I decided it would be the perfect time to take a family vacation. I couldn’t think of anything more relaxing than [DRIVING OR FLYING] with [NUMBER OF PEOPLE OR CHILDREN] for [NUMBER OF] hours and coordinating a week of activities that make everyone happy.

While I’m out, please reach out to [NAME AND EMAIL] for any pressing matters. [NAME] will take great care of you.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear your very best or even your very worst family vacation stories.

I look forward to connecting with you when I get back!

[SIGNATURE]
__

Watch what this looks like in video format below…

2. “I’m at a Conference…and That’s Good News for You!”

Whether you’re attending a conference because your company is sponsoring the event or you’re at professional development training, sometimes your work takes you away from the office, too.

And even though you’re out of the office trying to better yourself professionally, personally, or expand your network, your current customers may still be disappointed when they learn that you’re unavailable.

Take advantage of this opportunity to reassure them that the time you spend learning new skills or networking will help you (and your company) serve them better down the road.
__

Hi there,

I’m sorry I missed you. I’m out of the office attending [NAME OF TRAINING OR CONFERENCE]. Unfortunately, it’s going to keep me away from my desk for [AMOUNT OF TIME].

At [NAME OF TRAINING OR CONFERENCE], I’m focusing on [YOUR MAIN FOCUS AT THE EVENT]. Doing this will help me continue to do my very best for you and to improve our experience together. [Optional: HOW IT BENEFITS YOUR RECIPIENT.]

While I’m out, please reach out to [NAME AND EMAIL] for any pressing matters. [NAME] is still in the office and will be able to help you quickly.

[Optional: In the meantime, if you’re at the [NAME OF TRAINING OR CONFERENCE], reach out to me on LinkedIn. I’d love to meet with you and catch up for a few minutes in person while we’re between sessions!]

I look forward to connecting with you when I get back.

[SIGNATURE]
__

And if you’re going to use a video message instead, try something like this…

3. “I’m Volunteering for Something I Care A Lot About”

More and more companies are encouraging their employees to give back to the communities where they live or work in.

This means that it’s not unusual for employees to leave the office for the day to head out in the community to volunteer. Let your customers know about the good you’re doing with a creative out-of-office message. Understanding that you’re more than just what you do for a living, that you’re working to better the world you live in showcases your genuine humanity.

If you’re one of the lucky employees of a company that encourages giving back — this message is for you.
__

Hi there,

Every year [COMPANY NAME] gives us a few days to volunteer and give back to our community. Today is one of those days for me. I’m over at [NAME OF VOLUNTEERING EFFORT OR COMMUNITY SERVICE] where I’m [WHAT YOU’RE DOING]. I’m excited about this opportunity because I know that a community can really flourish when everyone pitches in.

While I’m out, please reach out to [NAME AND EMAIL] for any pressing matters. [NAME] will take great care of you.

(Optional: In the meantime, if you’re interested in [NAME OF VOLUNTEERING EFFORT OR COMMUNITY SERVICE], or if you’d like to join me next time, click the link below to learn more.)

I look forward to connecting with you when I get back!

[SIGNATURE]
__

Or here’s a similar video message approach you can take…

Tip: If you’re using video, add the link of the organization you’re working with to an in-video Call to Action.

4. “I’m on Vacation (and 100% Unplugged!)”

You take the same kind of vacation every year. It’s usually for the same amount of time and sometimes even to the same place. Yet, every year you have the same customers (and sometimes colleagues) who try to contact you by any means necessary.

It can be frustrating to be interrupted when you’ve taken time off work. Everyone deserves a break — including you! With a creative out-of-office message, you can respectfully address this ahead of time. And using video puts you face to face. Communicating this way helps remind others (perhaps in their moments of frustration or disappointment because they’ve received your out-of-office response) that you’re a human with needs, too!
__

Hi there,

If you’re getting this message, it’s because I’m not in the office. For more than [AMOUNT OF TIME], I’ve been planning to take this week off. I’ve crossed my T’s, I’ve dotted my I’s, and I’m confident that everything’s in great shape for my time away.

With that being said, I have absolutely no access to email or voicemail while I’m out. Even my wonderful colleagues are unable to get in touch with me. Please know I’ll be happy, rested, and ready to help you out when I get back.

While I’m out, please reach out to [NAME AND EMAIL] for any pressing matters.

I look forward to connecting with you soon!

[SIGNATURE]
__

Want to use a video message? Here’s a good idea of what that should look like…

5. “I’m Sick and Taking Some Recovery Time”

You’ll inevitably need to take time off at some point in your career because you’re feeling under the weather. Why not plan ahead? Crafting a creative out-of-office message that’s readily available any time you’re sick will go a long way towards giving you more time to rest and recoup without having to worry about your inbox.
__

Hi there,

If you see this message, understand that I took the time to [WRITE OR RECORD] it back in January while I was feeling well. (This is also why I sound so peppy for someone who’s supposed to be sick.) I took today off because I’m under the weather.

While I’m out resting and recovering, please reach out to [NAME AND EMAIL] for any pressing matters. [NAME] will take great care of you.

Thanks for understanding, and I look forward to connecting with you tomorrow when I get back!

Stay well,

[SIGNATURE]
__

Watch the video below to see how you can do this with a video message instead…

6. “I’m Out Unexpectedly, So Sorry”

In life, things can happen in the blink of an eye. There may be a time you have to leave work for an extended period without much notice.

Your out-of-office email message can help you reach anyone you’re unable to talk to before you leave the office. But remember, your personal life is just that — it’s personal. And unless you feel an extreme emotional connection to everyone who has access to your email address, the details of your absence can (and should) be kept close to you until if and when you feel ready to share them.
__

Hi there,

Unfortunately, this message has reached you because I’m out of the office due to a [PERSONAL MATTER OR EMERGENCY] until further notice. Please know that your relationship is important to me, and I’m genuinely sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

In my absence, [NAME AND EMAIL] will temporarily take over [MY POSITION, YOUR ACCOUNT, ETC.]. [NAME] is an excellent colleague of mine and is ready to work with you.

I appreciate your understanding, and I look forward to connecting with you when I get back.

[SIGNATURE]
__

Or you might use a video message like this…

7. “I’ll Be Back Shortly!”

Out-of-office messages aren’t just for long vacations or sick days. Have you ever taken a few hours off for an appointment or to attend an event for your child only to be interrupted by pings, texts, and even phone calls because you didn’t answer an email immediately?

Setting up your out-of-office response, even for a few hours, can help you give those appointments or dance recitals the attention they need (and deserve).
__

Hi there,

I’m sorry I missed you. Don’t worry; I’m only gone for a few hours (Optional: FOR AN APPOINTMENT, A RECITAL, A LONG BIKE RIDE, ETC.],) but I’ll be back by [APPROXIMATE TIME WHEN YOU’LL BE BACK].

I appreciate your understanding, and I look forward to connecting with you shortly.

Take care,

[SIGNATURE]
__

Here’s what this looks like in a video message…

Best Practices for Your Out-of-Office Messages

Here are some additional tips to help you make the most of your out-of-office messages.

Ask a Colleague to Review

It’s always best to have someone who can help your clients or customers while you’re out of the office. Team up with a trusted coworker and help each other out. Agree to handle pressing matters for the other person while they’re away.

Not only will people appreciate that they can get assistance while you’re away, but you’ll also have peace of mind that they’re being taken care of too.

Tip: If you’re using video, be sure to add your colleague’s email address to the body of your email in plain text. Something like: “Please see the video below. While I’m away from my desk, you can reach out to [NAME AND EMAIL] for any pressing matters. [NAME] will take great care of you.” You can also add their information to your in-video Call to Action.

Find the Right Balance Between Professionalism and Authenticity

When it comes to professionalism and authenticity, not all jobs are created equal. What’s honest and candid for some might be seen as unprofessional by others.

You know your company, clients, colleagues, and their professional expectations. So use your best judgment when incorporating humor and honesty in a creative out-of-office message.

If You Aren’t Comfortable Sharing Details – Don’t

Showcasing your authenticity means being your true self. Who you are is valuable and important. But this shouldn’t come at the cost of genuine discomfort. If you aren’t comfortable sharing your reason for taking time off work with anyone who can reach your inbox — don’t.

Keep Your Messages Brief

It may be hard to get your point across in a limited amount of time, but your recipients are busy, and their time is valuable. So try to keep your out-of-office notice short. If you’re using video, try to keep your recording time at one minute or less if possible.

Draft or Pre-Record the Out-of-Office Messages You Use More Often

Save time and be prepared to take a day off by creating out-of-office messages you’ll use more often (such as sick or professional development messages) ahead of time.

Final Thoughts

Everyone needs time off work. But with these out-of-office email message examples, you can still connect with others while you’re away.

Video can help you get the most out of your out-of-office message by adding a little bit of your authentic personality to your automated message. It also helps create a meaningful face-to-face connection that reminds people a real person will be back to help them in no time.

Want to test it out for yourself? Try video with BombBomb for two weeks free.

“I see why you got your job.”

“You’re so handsome.”

If you’re in a customer-facing role, it’s important to know how to deal with difficult customers. Sadly, unwanted advances, flirting, inappropriate comments and sexual harassment from customers isn’t uncommon.

And while video messaging makes it easier to deliver an exceptional customer support experience, it can lead to uncomfortable situations. Some people will take the opportunity to focus on physical appearance, make gendered comments or infuse the conversation with innuendo.

You need to empower your customer support team to handle these situations effectively.

Customer support reps who feel powerless, scared or burned out in their roles don’t stay long. One SQM Report found that 88% of call center employees completely agree that burnout is a problem in the industry.

That’s why having strategies for dealing with difficult customers is important. It protects your team and gives people the freedom to serve customers with joy and dignity.

Strategies for Customer Support Team Managers

Let’s start first with strategies for people who manage teams of customer support reps.

Make sure your employees know you support them

Your employees need to know they can come to you with anything. Make sure they know:

• You won’t dismiss their concerns
• They are more important than a retained customer or metric
• You won’t tolerate harassment

Believe your team members

Customer support reps often feel uncomfortable bringing concerns to managers about difficult employees. It’s part of the job, right? Not exactly.

Their job is to address issues that stand between customers and their goals, not serve as a punching bag.

If an employee brings a difficult customer situation to your attention, chances are they had to work up some courage. Gather the facts, listen and trust what they say.

Give employees permission to deal with difficult situations themselves

Give your team members the tools and permission to deal with situations on their own. Share advice on how you’d respond or handle a conversation. And then give them opportunities to build this skill.

Provide helpful language

Give your customer support reps language and scripts they can use in common situations. This is especially helpful for newer reps.

With practice, your team will gain confidence and eventually lean less on these scripts and more on their experience.

Offer to join meetings or reassign problematic customers

In some cases, it can make sense for you to join meetings with yours reps and difficult customers. You can help mend a relationship or take some of the pressure off a team member.

Having a first-hand conversation can also help you determine when you should “fire” a customer.

Be proactive

Don’t wait for difficult customer situations to arise before teaching your team how to deal with them. Provide dedicated training during the onboarding process and then keep building those skills across the team over time.

You can also partner with HR to document how team members should handle common situations. These systems help ensure consistent responses and save you time.

Understand the psychological toll difficult customers have on employees

Customer support can take an emotional and psychological toll on people. Work with your team members and HR to make sure that people have the mental health support they need. In some cases, customer support reps might not even be aware of how their interactions with customers affect them.

Know when to “fire” a customer

Not all customers are right for your business. If someone has repeatedly offended your customer support reps and caused you trouble, the best path for all sides may be discontinuing the partnership.

Strategies for Customer Support Reps

If you are a customer support rep looking for help in dealing with difficult customers, check out the strategies below.

Keep context in mind

Every situation is context-dependent. You’ll have different relationships and interactions with people who you’ve worked with for years than you will with new customers.

By keeping context in mind, it’s easier to discern whether something was inappropriate and worth escalating.

Give yourself permission to have boundaries

Keeping firm boundaries is easier for some than others. Customer support reps who are more people-pleasing in nature may have a harder time speaking up for themselves.

If this is you, it’s important to reflect on your boundaries and speak up for yourself when something crosses the line. If you’re still building this skill, bring in your manager to help.

And keep in mind that not everyone has the same boundaries. What’s uncomfortable for you may not be for someone else. That’s why it’s crucial to decide for yourself what you put up with and what you don’t.

Here’s some more commentary on this idea…

Get clearance from your manager to deal with difficult situations

As mentioned in the section above, a great manager should give you the permission and tools needed to handle uncomfortable customer situations. However, you may not be ready yet (which is okay!). That’s why having an open dialogue with your manager is important.

Practice, practice, practice

Customer support doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It’s okay if you need to practice and rehearse. It takes time to build the skill of responding to negativity in real time.

Embrace the discomfort of role play. Lean on scripts. Do whatever you need to do to become more competent and confident in yourself as a customer support rep.

Set the tone of a relationship at the beginning

Often when someone makes an inappropriate comment, they’re testing the water. They’re seeing what you’ll put up with and pushing buttons purposefully.

If you’re comfortable, call out the behavior the first time. This helps prevent that person from assuming you’re okay with they’re behavior, leading them to becoming a repeat offender.

Be direct and adjust your tone accordingly

You don’t have to be “sweet” when responding to things that make you feel uncomfortable. Use a more serious tone to condemn a comment or let your customer know you didn’t appreciate what they said.

Their response will tell you a lot about whether they’re the kind of customer you or your company wants to work with long term.

Ask for input from colleagues

Sometimes you need someone else’s input. Talk to a colleague you trust about an experience and how it affected you. See what they think and how they would respond.

This is a great way to gut-check your reaction to a situation and continue to grow as a rep.

Record difficult interactions, and inform your manager

Always document your difficult interactions. Make note of times, dates, situations and how you responded. This is key for identifying patterns and customers that continue to mistreat you.

Invite someone else on your team to a meeting or ask for customers to get reassigned

If you continue to have difficult conversations with a particular customer, as a colleague or manager to join your next meeting. You can also ask for that customer to be reassigned to a new rep.

There is no shame in wanting to free yourself from a toxic relationship.

Know your value

Don’t let bad experiences with customers affect your self-worth. Even though you may feel bad or lesser than because of what someone said, you are still worthy of love and respect, always.

Helpful Phrases and Techniques

Here’s a list of phrases or techniques you can use (ordered from less direct to more direct):

• “Let’s get back to the topic.” If you don’t want to directly call out behavior, use a simple phrase like this and move on.
• “I’m not sure how that relates, but I’m here to help you with X.” If you want to call out behavior but quickly redirect the conversation, this phrase is for you. You could also say, “I don’t know about that, but what I do know about is X.” This reasserts the expertise and value you bring to the interaction.
• “I’d prefer you use my name; my name is X.” If customers use pet names, such as “Beautiful,” “Sweetheart” or “Handsome,” ask that they use your name. You can be direct (“That’s not my name.”) or more indirect (“I’d prefer if you’d use my name.”).
• “I’m also really good at my job.” Use a phrase like this if attention has been diverted to your appearance and you want to call out the way this distracts from your competence.
• Silence. If someone makes an off-color or inappropriate comment, you don’t have to figure out a brilliant or witty response. Silence can be a way of putting the discomfort back on the other person, rather than feeling you have to dispel the discomfort or fill the space with nervous or fake laughter.
• “That’s inappropriate.” A simple phrase like this, with a bit of space left after it, gives the person a chance to apologize before you move on.
• “That’s inappropriate and I’m going to need to end this meeting/email chain/phone call.” If the context warrants it, you may need to end an interaction, no matter the context or channel.

A much more fun topic is learning about how to build great relationships with customers. Check out our article here on the topic.

And if you’re interested in reading about the customer experience platforms we recommend, check out this post.

Finally, if you want to incorporate video messaging into your customer support function, you can start a free trial here or book a demo for your team.

Research from Gallup shows that half of all employees in the U.S. are job searching. And only about 1/4th would recommend their current organization as a good place to work. We have a retention problem.

You’d expect this to make things easier on the recruiting side then, right? Yes and no.

Modern applicant tracking systems and sites like LinkedIn certainly make it easier to find potential candidates. However, convincing them to join your company over all other options is difficult.

Knowledge workers, especially, can now apply to roles all over the world. Remote and hybrid setups mean that employers are no longer limited to talent in their local geographic region. And organizations with more resources can easily outbid competitors for the best jobseekers.

(check out this post for a full discussion on how to engage remote employees well)

So, it’s challenging right now to both retain and replace your best employees when they leave.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news.

Recruiters and HR teams can distinguish themselves with the right strategies and technology.

Video messaging, in particular, is the key to standing out. Using video messaging as a recruiter is one of the best ways to make positive and lasting impressions with people you want to hire.

Video messaging also helps when it comes to creating strong teams and cultures that make people want to invest in your organization over the long term.

In this article, we discuss different hiring tips and ways to use video messaging to improve employee retention and recruitment. Implementing these tactics today will make an immediate impact.

How to Hire Great Employees with Video Messaging

The same people you want to hire are likely hearing from other companies and recruiters as well. Chances are, though, that those recruiters are relying on traditional, plain-text emails and messages to get attention.

By sending personalized video messages instead, you can create a better overall recruiting experience. You can express emotion and authenticity in ways that written text can’t.

And because most HR teams aren’t using video messaging yet, simple video-based outreach is novel to a majority of job seekers.

Below are some of the best ways to recruit staff with video.

Recruiting Cold Outreach

One of the biggest hurdles to overcome in recruiting is engaging potential candidates during the outreach process. Think about it — they don’t know anything about you or your company. So why should they listen to you out over another recruiter? What makes you different?

Much like trying to make a sale, you have to convince them that what you have to say is worth their time. Using video for recruitment outreach — whether it’s on LinkedIn or via email — can help you do this.

With video, you can show them that a real person with a real opportunity is on the other side of a message.

Here’s an example of what this looks like in practice…

With this kind of video, it’s important to share information about the open position. Explain why this candidate might be a good fit for the job description.

And be sure to include personal details about the candidate (such as information from your prospect’s LinkedIn profile) to showcase that you’ve done your research.

Tip: To really grab attention and get your video played, use a whiteboard and write a greeting with your candidate’s name to kick off your video.

Interview Request

The interview process can be intimidating for job applicants. Help your top candidates feel more at ease — so they can perform their best — by using video to request an interview.

Again, a video gives you a chance to infuse your message with positive emotion and energy. It makes the candidate feel more comfortable with you and more excited about the prospect of joining the company.

Here’s another example of the same recruiter above using a video to request interviews…

Hiring Process Update

To create the best hiring experience possible, you should let candidates know where they stand in the recruitment process. According to Glassdoor, 58% of job-seekers find clear and consistent communication to be the most important aspect of the hiring process.

This is true even when the final result is a rejection. Treating candidates with respect and sharing personalized videos as opposed to templated email rejections helps maintain your employer brand.

For candidates still in your pipeline, send video updates letting them know you’re having conversations with others but that they are still in the running. Use empathetic language that demonstrates you understand the interview process is stressful and that waiting is hard.

Going this extra mile shows that you (and your company) really care about people. They’re not just resumes you want to plug into a job opening.

Here’s an example of this…

Extending an Offer

Another great opportunity for a video message is when you extend an offer. You can portray genuine excitement and share reasons why the candidate is a great fit for the role.

Most companies are still extending offers over emails or phone calls. And while it’s possible to be enthusiastic on a call, it’s even better to have your smiling face give the good news to the person on the other side of the camera.

Imagine your ideal hire has two other offers in addition to yours. But you sent your offer with a video, perhaps with several other happy team members in the frame — how might this impact the candidate?

Your video message could be what tips someone to choose you over a competitor because they feel truly wanted by your organization.

Response to an Accepted Offer

Finally, when someone accepts an offer, why not send another video expressing your gratitude and excitement? This helps people feel like they made the right choice and puts them in the best mindset to begin their professional transition.

Nailing the Onboarding Process

Video can also help accelerate the onboarding process. Creating a great onboarding experience lays the foundation for long-term success (and retention). 

We wrote a dedicated blog post about onboarding with video messaging here. Read it to learn how to get people excited and integrated into your team quickly.

Innovative Employee Retention Strategies with Video

Now that you’ve made your new hire and onboarded them successfully, it’s time to think about their long-term engagement. Many factors contribute to how engaged a person is at any point in time.

(we wrote a full blog post on the topic of improving employee drive here)

At the end of the day, it comes down to understanding what people want professionally and then consistently fulfilling those needs.

Again, videos can help in this area. Below are two ideas on how you can implement video messaging today to re-engage employees who are slipping.

Company Updates

People value clear and open communication. But one-on-one meetings to share company updates is an unsustainable approach for most businesses. And mass emails are often dissatisfying. They can feel cold and leave room for misinterpretation, especially when leaders are delivering bad news.

Video addresses both issues — it’s scalable and personable. Leaders can match their emotion to the tone of the message and add as much context as needed to ensure total clarity.

Videos are also a great way to disseminate administrative updates to broader groups, like:

• Time-sensitive information related to open enrollment
• Major website changes or new product launches
• Changes in team structure or personnel

Here’s an example of HR team leaders sharing complicated and time-sensitive insurance information…

Professional Development

Most professional development conversations are best done live. However, a screen recording or video message could be useful for talking through a professional development review in advance.

Employees may also appreciate having a video they can go back and reference to understand why they scored the way they did in a certain category. And seeing the manager’s nonverbal cues along with his or her tone of voice also helps people receive the feedback well.

Operational Flexibility

Building a video messaging habit across the organization also improves efficiency. People start to learn when they can send a quick screen recording or video message in lieu of a meeting.

In addition, team members can consume video messages when it works in their schedule. And because videos are a better way to communicate complex ideas, there’s less back-and-forth about the content. This works well when people watch videos after-hours or when others aren’t available to discuss immediately.

Employee Appreciation

Use video to congratulate employees on promotions and important milestones. This type of video can be used by individuals to congratulate peers one-on-one or by leaders to share the exciting news across the entire organization.

You also don’t need an excuse like a promotion to show appreciation. Short and sweet video messages are a fantastic way to let people know you value them and their hard work. It also promotes more productivity and retention.

According to Forbes, when leaving a job, 79% of employees reported a “lack of appreciation” as their reason for quitting. If you want to retain employees, you have to let them know you appreciate them.

Here’s an example of this done well over video…

The Secret to Improving Recruiting and Retention

Beyond the examples provided here, there are many other ways you can use video messaging when hiring and retaining employees.

A good rule of thumb is to start by taking stock of where you rely on text-only communication exclusively today. Then ask yourself:

• Would a video improve the recipient’s experience?
• Is there room here for misinterpretation or confusion?

If your answer is “yes” to one or both questions, consider adding a video to that outreach. You’ll see the results immediately. People notice the difference video messages make and they happily share that feedback.

If you aren’t using video as part of your recruitment process or in your employee engagement and retention strategies, give it a go with a free 14-day BombBomb trial here.

Think about it … what if you could level up your video messaging game? What if you could get more plays and build more meaningful connections with a video strategy that’s efficient and effective — with tools you already have on your account?

6 BombBomb Features to Enhance Your Video Experience

Your BombBomb account is filled with features, extensions, and applications that’ll help you work smarter, not harder. And once you become familiar with some of these BombBomb features, you’ll be able to make the most out of your experience.

Keep reading for a more in-depth look at the BombBomb features you may be missing out on that could help you use your account more effectively today.

1. Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge Extensions

The BombBomb Chrome Extension and BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension are all about offering maximum flexibility. Each works within systems you’re already using to make life easier. They also allow you to connect with people where they engage most — making your video outreach more effective.
 

Feature Highlights:

• Record videos right from Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

• Easily access your Video Library from your browser and share videos where your recipients most engage. (Tip: Click the three dots to the right of any video in the extension. Here, you’ll find a link to share that video wherever you’d like.)

• Get real-time analytics to track email opens, video plays, and link clicks.

Get step-by-step guidance for using the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension here or the BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension here.

2. Snippets

Think about those emails you continue to send over and over again to multiple recipients. You write an email for one person and then retype it again later — just to send it to someone else. The BombBomb Snippets feature works directly within Gmail (via the BombBomb Chrome or Edge extension) and allows you to write an email once and save it.
 

Feature Highlights:

• Copy and paste the content of an email without having to retype the same thing repeatedly.

• Save subject lines and videos to create fully composed emails just once.

(Tip: Use Snippets to save time for things like frequently asked questions, calendar links, appointment confirmations, and new lead follow-ups.)

Learn how to create and set up Snippets in BombBomb in this post.

3. Scheduling Via Web Application

If you’re looking to send video emails at the most impactful time, BombBomb’s scheduling feature via the web application can help. It allows you to create emails and videos when it’s convenient for you and send them to your recipients when it’s convenient for them. As a result, the BombBomb scheduling feature will make your life easier by allowing you to address tasks when you have time.
 

Feature Highlights:

• Create videos and emails when you have time.

• Schedule delivery when your videos and emails will have the greatest impact.

(Tip: Scheduling via the web application is the perfect tool for creating videos and emails for birthdays, anniversaries, and appointment follow-ups. Then, schedule them to be delivered when someone begins work for the day or on their home purchase anniversary — when they’ll be most impactful.)

The scheduling feature works for BombBomb Plus, Teams, and Prompt customers. And you can find it under the Emails tab on your BombBomb Dashboard. (If you need more guidance, this article can help.)

4. BombBomb Mobile Apps for iOS and Android

The BombBomb Mobile App is available for both iOS and Android, and it offers the ultimate flexibility. The mobile app allows you more time to record and send videos whenever, wherever — even if you’re on the go. More often than not, you’re not just sitting in front of your computer all day long. The mobile app travels wherever you do, giving you access to your entire Video Library and your BombBomb Tracking data. As a result, you’re able to record and send videos from wherever you are.
 

Feature Highlights:

• Record directly in the mobile app and share your videos via text, email, and in any apps you already have on your phone.

• A pause/restart option that allows you to pause a recording and start again in a different location.

• A BombBomb Mobile Keyboard that grants you access to all of your videos so you can share them wherever you are on your phone.

Check out this article to learn more about the basics of the BombBomb Mobile App.

5. Screen Recorder

You already know some complex topics are understood best when you’re face to face — but there isn’t always time to meet in person. The BombBomb Screen Recorder makes presenting information easier by allowing you to record yourself and your screen at the same time. And it helps make communication crystal clear. With the screen recorder, you can explain complex topics, like contract walkthroughs or website navigation, face to face to eliminate confusing, back-and-forth communication.

Feature Highlights:

• Record yourself, your screen, or both at the same time

• Switch seamlessly between camera and screen recording

• In-video Call to Action helps drive your recipients to take the next step you’re asking them to take

(Tip: When you’re using the Screen Recorder, make sure that everything on your screen — like open tabs and your background — is appropriate for anyone to view.)

You can find the BombBomb Screen Recorder within the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge Extensions. You can also locate it on the BombBomb video recorder in your account. This article can help you learn more.

6. In-Video Calls to Action

Maybe your recipients don’t always follow through on what you ask them to do. But you can’t expect people to know what to do next if you don’t tell them. Using the in-video Call to Action feature can help make taking the next step clear and easy for your recipients.

With the BombBomb in-video Call to Action, your recipient can see exactly what you want them to do next while they’re watching your video. You can add in-video Calls to Action like calendar links or links to resources to any newly recorded video from the web application, BombBomb Chrome or Edge extension, or Android mobile app.

Feature Highlights:

• 30 character banner to grab viewer attention and tell recipients what to do next

• Banner link that takes your recipients exactly where they need to go to complete the next step easily

(Tip: Always copy and paste the URL you want your recipient to follow in the “Banner Link” space provided to avoid mistakes.)

Learn more about how to add in-video Calls to Action to your videos here.

Put These BombBomb Features to the Test

Ready to start using these BombBomb features? Log in to your account and start using them today.

Not a customer yet? Try BombBomb for 14 days free. (No credit card required.)

And if you need additional guidance on these features, watch a recording of the webinar by BombBomb Client Enablement Manager Kevin Andrews below.

Table of Contents

What is Mortgage Marketing? A Beginner’s Guide for Loan Officers

As a mortgage loan officer, you’re busy. You have relationships to build, loan applications to review, and closings to attend. 

With so much to do, it’s easy to overlook mortgage marketing — but you shouldn’t. To be a successful mortgage broker, you have to continually expand your business.

So how do you find more clients while providing top service to the ones you have? 

The key is to create a mortgage marketing plan for loan officers that helps you cultivate meaningful relationships with the skills and connections you already use every day.

9 Proven Mortgage Loan Marketing Ideas to Drive Leads and Build Relationships

The idea of marketing can seem broad and overwhelming. So what are some scalable ways you can market yourself as a loan officer?

Keep reading for a list of mortgage marketing ideas that will help you find more clients and grow your network. 

These ideas will differentiate you from your peers and help you find success — all while serving your current clients well as they navigate the mortgage process.

1. Find a Niche 

Finding a niche isn’t a specific marketing tactic, but it’s something you need know as a business owner. Almost everyone needs a home, but “everyone” includes people with different interests, hobbies, and household structures. 

And because each type of homebuyer has specific needs, they require the help of an expert — you!

While you shouldn’t limit yourself to one specific niche, it’s important to know who you’re in the best position to help. Ask yourself, “What types of buyers do I like to work with?” or “Which homebuyers do I help most often?” 

Once you answer these questions, you’ll be able to focus your mortgage marketing efforts better.

2. Focus on Referrals 

When you’re looking at mortgage lead generation strategies for brokers, begin by focusing on referrals. Referrals are just warmer leads. 

In fact, asking for referrals is one of the most effective forms of marketing for mortgage brokers because you’ve already established a relationship. 

Here are some ways you can focus on getting referrals from past clients…

• Request Reviews: After working with a homebuyer, share how much you appreciate their business, and ask the client to leave a review so that you can continue helping others. (Video reviews are particularly powerful.)
• Send Home Purchase Anniversary Videos: Stay top of mind with past clients by sending them congratulatory videos on the anniversary of their home purchase date. This reminds homebuyers why they enjoyed working with you (and that you’re still around and ready to help).
• Check-in: It’s unlikely that past clients will need your services right away. Periodically check in with no agenda or for holidays and birthdays to let people know you care about them. Doing this also shows that you still value the relationship.

Watch the video below to see how one lender sends birthday wishes to keep in touch with past clients.

And here’s a great example of one loan officer experessing gratitude for a client leaving a positive review for him.

3. Send High-value Video Messages

Maintaining relationships with those in your sphere of influence is an essential part of a good mortgage loan officer marketing strategy. And sending high-value, personalized video messages is a great way to do this.

A video message should provide value to whoever receives it. Focus on sharing relevant information or content that brings joy to the recipient (without asking for anything in return).

Here are some video message ideas that work well for mortgage loan officers in particular:

• Hiking Around [TOWN]: The top five family-friendly hikes for you to take this spring!
• Happy Fourth of July [TOWN]: The best spots for fireworks and how to get around town on the big day!
• Take-Out in [TOWN]: Hidden gems around town offering the best take-out this weekend.
• ‘Tis the Season for Holiday Lights in [TOWN]: Neighborhoods and/or streets that go all in on holiday decorations for some fun (and free) local tourism.

4. Connect with Real Estate Agents  

As a mortgage broker, most of your clients will already be working with a real estate agent. It’s important to build relationships and network with this group because you’ll have so much contact with them.

So what are some ways you can market to real estate agents?

Connect with Realtors on Their Turf

Figure out where real estate agents in your market spend their time. For most brokers, it’s easiest to connect with realtors at local trade shows, open houses (to introduce yourself briefly), and on social media.

These initial interactions are the foundation of a good long-term relationship, so it’s critical to focus on creating the connection rather than going straight into your marketing pitch.

(Tip: Send a video message to follow up after you connect with an agent for the first time. The more they see your face and hear your voice, the more likely they are going to feel like they know you.)

Establish Partnerships

Partner with agents who specialize in your niche. Work together to create homebuyer packets, host informational webinars, and share resources for specific types of buyers.

Provide Ongoing Value 

Stand out from your peers by using video messages to create short, biweekly market updates for real estate agents in your network. When you send updates, keep your content brief and relevant without asking for anything in return. 

Make yourself a valuable resource to agents by arming them with the most current market information to answer client questions. A newsletter is a particularly effective way to keep in touch with realtors and even prospects for your business.

(read this post to learn more about mortgage email marketing)

Check out this example of a mortgage lender sharing a short market update. Because she’s using video, the information she provides about the market is clear and easy for viewers to understand.

5. Host Virtual Events

People are busy, and they don’t always have time to meet in person — this includes you! 

Consider hosting virtual events to get face to face with potential clients and referral partners without taking up too much of anyone’s time. These events don’t need to be large or overwhelming. Keep your audience small.

Doing this will help you create more meaningful connections because you’ll be able to focus on individuals. 

Here are some scalable online events you can host:

• Lunch and Learn Sessions: Host lunch seminars about the mortgage process or essential financial elements to consider when buying a home. Offer these to small groups of college graduates, real estate students, or first-time buyers — and include a gift card from somewhere like GrubHub or DoorDash to make it easy for people to join.
• Educational Webinars: Get involved in your community by reaching out to colleges, local businesses, and other organizations to offer short, free webinars on finances. Consider reviewing topics like how and why to create an emergency fund or the importance of understanding working capital. (This is where knowing your niche market is beneficial.)
• Open Office Hours: Each month, schedule an open Zoom meeting where anyone can connect with you to ask questions.

6. Use Social Media

Social media allows you to connect with almost anyone, making it a powerful mortgage marketing tool. Below are a few ways you can use social media to grow your network as a broker.

Make Organic Connections

Use professional social platforms like LinkedIn to connect with real estate agents and businesses in your community. 

Once you’ve made the connection, you can build relationships by:

• Posting thoughtful comments
• Providing helpful feedback and answers to questions
• Asking relevant questions of the community
• Sharing educational content your connections may find useful

Run Paid Ads

You can also use social media as a paid advertising channel. Run ads to drive traffic to things you want to promote.

Some places to send people include:

• Your blog or website where you share educational content
• Web pages for community events you’re hosting (tag any partners attending or presenting)
• Testimonials pages with positive reviews and quotes from your clients.
  Post photos of home closings and tag anyone in attendance — with permission.
• Listing pages for key real estate partners

Build a Social-First Brand 

In the earlier days of the online video movement, being an “influencer” primarily meant sharing lifestyle tips and partnering with brands to promote products. 

That definition has expanded to hundreds of industries and topics. Some of the most successful video influencers use social media to share thought leadership and advice that helps grow their offline business. Many mortgage professionals fall into this category.

YouTube used to be the primary social channel for video, and it’s still a huge platform for longer videos. But Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok are now crucial for short-form video content. 

(check out this post for more in-depth coverage of how to use social media as a mortgage professional)

7. Start a Blog Offering Free Resources 

Mortgage broker marketing doesn’t always mean trying to sell yourself. In fact, focusing on the value you can provide to others will go a long way. 

If you want to provide helpful content in a variety of different forms, consider adding a blog to your website and create resources your audience can access — for free. This is a great way to generate leads

(click here to read our full post on mortgage lead generation)

To keep your audience engaged, make sure your content is helpful and largely free of sales pitches. The more that people feel you’ve helped them, the more likely it is you stay top of mind when it matters most.

So what are some ideas of free resources you can create?

• A homebuyer checklist
• A list of financial goals to hit before purchasing a home
• How-to guides for home showing preparation and walkthroughs
• Short videos explaining concepts like the lending application process
• Financial document checklist for closings

Drive traffic to your website by sharing your content on social media and with your network. The more people you can reach, the better!

A Word About Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is an important topic for any business with a website that wants to generate organic traffic. A simple way to think about SEO is that it’s your way of telling search engines, like Google and Bing, what your website is about and who the intended audience is. Search rankings are essentially a search engine’s assessment of what websites responds to a user’s search the best. 

As a mortgage broker, you don’t need to get on page 1 for every possible search related to the topic of mortgages. In fact, results for generic searches, like “what is a mortgage?,” are likely dominated by huge companies with massive marketing budgets. 

What you want to focus on are geographic-focused searches, like “mortgage broker <your city>” or “homebuyer checklist for <insert your area>.”

Both your website as a whole and any content you produce, like blog posts or web pages on specific educational topics, should include words and search terms that your ideal prospects are likely to use. The more you do this, the more quality traffic your blog will get.

8. Adopt a Multichannel Approach to Networking

All of the above may sound like overkill, but to continually expand your network, you need to get your name and face in front of key stakeholders — potential clients, real estate agents, business contacts, and more — on as many channels as possible. 

And while some people prefer communicating over email, others prefer social networking sites.

It’s important to adopt a multichannel approach to communication to meet others where they’re comfortable. 

Here’s an easy way to do this…

1. Start by sending an introductory email or follow up after a meeting with a “Nice to meet you” video
2. Connect across social platforms and meaningfully interact with others
3. Leave voicemails and send follow-up video messages to keep in touch 

Watch the video below to see how one lender sends an introductory message to a prospective client. 

He also mentions leaving a voicemail. Doing this shows that he’s connecting across multiple channels to meet his prospect where they’re comfortable.

(Tip: You can use a tool like the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension to record, send, and share videos on multiple channels directly from Google Chrome.)

9. Build a Quality Database 

Once you’ve started using some of these mortgage broker marketing strategies, you have to determine if they’re working. Not everyone is going to respond to your methods. 

And it’s critical to success (and time management) to focus on quality relationships over quantity.

To determine if your marketing strategy is working, focus on tracking your analytics in a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM). Analytics will help you understand who’s engaging with your content. 

In a perfect world, you’d use a CRM designed specifically for mortgage loan officers, like Jungo. Industry-agnostic CRMs, like HubSpot and Salesforce, would also work.

The data collected lets you see things like who’s opening your emails, watching your videos, and reading your blog posts. Once you know who’s responsive, divide your contacts into lists for more tailored follow-ups.

This list of marketing ideas for mortgage lenders isn’t exhaustive. But it does provide a strong foundation for getting more attention and turning colds leads into serious homebuyer prospects.

14 Mortgage Sales Tips for Loan Officers

You’re always in competition with other mortgage loan officers. Learning a few key sales techniques can help you stand out, generate more leads, and close more loans. 

To stand apart, you need to build relationships with homebuyers and make the loan process more personal. Marketing is how you start to nurture relationships, while sales is where you drive revenue and growth.

Below are some tips to get you on the right track.

1. Salesmanship Closes Deals

Many people have a low opinion of salesmanship. But without learning how to improve your loan officer sales pitch, you’ll be missing out on clients.

Real salesmanship is more than smooth talking clients. When interacting with potential clients, especially for the first time, your primary goal should be to establish trust.

Your clients need to trust you to go into business with you. Tell your prospects what you have to offer and why they would benefit from working with you.

Start building relationships on the right foot — build rapport and offer them the best mortgage options for their situation. Again, a great way to share this information is through video. 

More often than not, the first communication you’ll have with prospective customers will be via email or phone. If you can send a personalized video, people will be more inclined to trust you with their mortgage needs.

Check out how one lender does this after receiving a mortgage loan inquiry from a lead…

2. Yes, Honesty is Still the Best Policy

As you work on your loan officer sales pitch, remember to be 100% honest with potential borrowers. 

Be transparent, even if you think it might impact a deal. Homebuyers appreciate when you show you have their best interest in mind.

Go out of your way to make complex information easier to understand. You’ll find that truth and clarity are powerful tools for building trust.

3. Speed Wins the Day

Put yourself in a homebuyer’s shoes. They’ve finally found the home of their dreams. The only thing standing between them and this dream is a loan.

Closing more loans requires speed. Obviously, you need to do your due diligence, but you also want to offer short approval times and quick responses.

But there’s only so much time in the day, and you have other clients who need your attention. This is another time video messaging can help.

You can pre-record video messages that address common FAQs and instructions. Then, use your sales automation platform to automatically send these videos at certain points in the loan process. 

This keeps your clients informed and saves you time. You won’t be answering the same questions over phone calls or emails.

4. You Don’t Get What You Don’t Ask For

Never forget: You have to ask for the sale.

Yet, many mortgage officers forget to do this. They think that simply producing a term sheet will result in the lead converting into a customer.

Be bold, and ask people to take the loan you offer. If they say they’re not ready, that’s fine. You can always reach out again or request that they contact you when they are ready.

5. Understand Your Clients’ Schedules

Of course, none of these mortgage sales techniques will be useful if you can’t get in front of your prospective borrowers. So, think through when they’re most likely to be available.

In most cases, the best time for phone calls and meetings is outside of normal business hours. This is another time when video messages are especially effective. 

Potential and current clients can watch videos on their own time, replay past videos for reference, and respond as needed. Aside from using video, you should also ask homebuyers about their schedules so you can reach out whenever is convenient.

6. Expect Multiple Touchpoints

Don’t expect most people to feel comfortable accepting a mortgage the first time you meet. Closing a loan with a prospect can be a long process. 

Therefore, keep track of where you are with prospective clients and anticipate having multiple touchpoints. If you get impatient and try closing a loan too early, you run the risk of missing your mark and losing their business.

7. Know What Comes Next

Along the same lines, it’s important to think several steps ahead. What’s going to come next in your mortgage sales process? Plan accordingly, so that you can move faster.

Take the time to prepare your clients as well. Something as simple as a customized timeline or roadmap can help dramatically. Here’s an example so that you can see this in action.

8. Always Follow Up in Writing (Or Video)

Sending good follow-up notes is crucial, and there are lots of opportunities to do this throughout the mortgage loan process. You can thank homebuyers for submitting initial inquiries or for working with you in the past. 

You can also send recap emails that summarize what you discussed and provide additional resources. Many people also appreciate follow-up video messages, like the following example.

9. Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Make room in your schedule to do the important stuff, like planning ahead, preparing well for meetings, and following up after important milestones. You want to be proactive in your business, not reactive. 

Homebuyers feel more comfortable when you’re on top of the ball. And it makes them want to work with you over other loan officers who are stressed, disorganized, or unengaged. 

10. Know Your Market

Take the time to really understand your market. Confidence is important, and you’ll feel more confident when you know what your customers need and how to address it.

Check out how this loan officer shares valuable information about the market and also uses the opportunity to promote an upcoming event.

11. Qualify Your Clients

In addition to understanding the market, you should be able to determine the quality of a potential client. This will help you invest in prospects who are more likely to convert into customers.

Take the time upfront to get to know prospective clients and how serious they are about getting a mortgage. Spending significant time and energy with a homebuyer who ends up not wanting to buy a house is an outcome you need to avoid as a loan officer. 

12. Treat Referrals as a Top Priority

All of these mortgage loan officer sales tips will help you attract prospects and close deals, but there’s no point in doing all the work on your own.

As mentioned previously, building a referral network of real estate professionals, business leaders, and past clients is one way to turbocharge your marketing and sales efforts. 

And one way to build this network is, again, through video messaging.

13. Relationships Build Revenue

Whether it’s a prospect, past client, or someone in your referral network, make building and maintaining relationships a top priority. This means learning details about people’s families, birthdays, special occasions, jobs, hobbies, personal interests, and more.

You can lean on this information when reconnecting with others. It’s a great way to show you care and stay top of mind throughout the year. That way, when someone is ready for mortgage loan services again, they’ll think about you first. 

Here’s an example of one loan officer celebrating a client’s past home purchase.

14. Add Value Above and Beyond Expectations

Finally, always look for ways to add value during the borrowing process. This will become easier over time as you get to know your market. You’ll also improve at building your network and helping other types of professionals in their endeavors. 

If clients think of you as a resource, not just for a loan, but for the entire homebuying process, they are more likely to become repeat customers and refer you to friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Best Mortgage Marketing Strategies?

The best mortgage marketing strategy for you depends on your goals and the type of clients you want to serve. You want to market where your ideal prospects are – online and in person – and communicate in a way that speaks uniquely to those people. 

Once you know who the “perfect” homebuyer is for your mortgage business, AKA the type of person you want to replicate over and over, you can tailor the different marketing strategies outlined above. 

For instance, if you prefer working with first-time homebuyers, the real estate agents you partner with, the social posts you publish, the blog content you write – should speak directly to those people and their concerns or desires. 

Additionally, your mortgage marketing strategy should employ different channels. The exception to this rule would be if you find one channel that consistently produces great leads for your business at a great ROI. 

To summarize, there is no one best mortgage marketing strategy. It depends on a number of factors. What’s most important is that your strategy, channels, and messaging align with your target homebuyer.

How do Loan Officers Get More Leads?

Several tactics can help generate more leads as a mortgage loan officer. As mentioned in the article, building a reliable referral network is one of the best ways to keep leads coming in. 

It’s easier to do this if you’re an active member in your community. People like referring business to those they know and trust.

Mortgage broker advertising is a huge topic on it’s own. Fortunately, a lot of key principles on the marketing side also apply on the advertising side. In addition to nailing your messaging, you need to make sure you can track results so that you know how much your spending to get results.

You can run ads to lead magnets you’ve created – guides, blog posts, and other educational resources – or direct people straight to your website or email to book appointments. Don’t be afraid to turn off campaigns or ads that aren’t working. Mortgage advertising is all about experimenting and refining until you find something that works.

Remember: any assets you use in your ads, from copy to videos, should resonate with your target homebuyers. It’s okay if your messaging “repels” homebuyers you’d rather not work with, so long as you attract the people you do want contacting you.

What are the Top Tools for Mortgage Marketing?

As a mortgage broker, consider having the following tools in your toolkit:

• Mortgage-specific CRM, like Jungo
• Mortgage-specific email marketing platform, like Homebot
• Social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. (the right platform depends on where your ideal homebuyer is)
• Compliant lead generator, like Leadpops
• Personal website on a platform like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress
• Google Ads account
• LinkedIn Ads account
• Video messaging tool, like BombBomb

Each of these tools can play a different role in your marketing strategy. Again, you may not need all of these solutions depending on your goals.

Perfect Your Mortgage Marketing and Sales By Learning from the Best

Now that you’ve read through all the basics, you’ll notice a common theme across many of these techniques — video.

Mortgage professionals are incorporating the tips above while making video a key element of their mortgage sales process. And guess what? They’re thriving.

Want to learn their strategies so you can do the same? Download our FREE Mortgage Action Plan here. 

This guide lays out key milestones in the mortgage process, as well as other opportunities to connect with prospects and clients over video. It also provides tools for organizing your outreach, suggested video scripts, and examples you can follow, like those in this post.

And if you’re ready to try BombBomb video messaging, get two free weeks here.

You see, much of day-to-day life takes place behind a screen. And the digital pollution — spam, bots, and persuasive tech — that clouds life in the age of technology leaves people longing for authentic connection and genuine relationships in business.

As a sales rep, it can be challenging to set yourself apart from that digital pollution to earn trust and authentically connect with your prospects and clients. The only way to do this is to take the time to cultivate sincere relationships.

Keep reading for some surefire ways to build relationships in business — in person and remotely. These tips will help you create meaningful connections and earn the trust of your prospects and clients to close more deals today.

Sales Tips for Building Relationships in Business In Person

Learning how to build a strong business relationship begins with understanding that the interactions you have face to face leave a lasting impression.

So what are some tips for building relationships in business, in person, to help you establish strong and meaningful connections?

1. Lead Person Fist 

People aren’t what they do for a living. They have hobbies, interests, and passions. During your first interactions in a relationship, it’s important to talk about more than just business. For instance, ask questions such as, “What do you enjoy?” or “What do you like or love?”

Getting to know others on a personal level allows you to establish relationships with the most authentic version of that person. And because you’ve developed a deeper emotional connection, people are more likely to trust you from the start.

2. Listen More, Talk Less 

Good relationships depend on good communication. But communication isn’t just speaking to or at people about yourself and your product.

Actively listening to what a person says shows them you value them. Whether they’re talking about their day, a business venture, or a problem they’re having, it’s essential to listen first and then respond. Here are some ways you can actively listen…

• Make eye contact and adjust your posture to appear engaged and open.
• Ask insightful questions about what the other person is saying.
• Be present; don’t just feign interest.
• Don’t interrupt while the other person is speaking.
• Briefly summarize the conversation’s main points. For example, “Your trip last fall sounds wonderful. Tell me more about what you did at…”
• Be empathetic to the other person’s pain points or problems.

3. Practice Empathy

When you practice empathy towards others, you’re focusing on understanding how they feel. Doing this humanizes the relationship and builds trust.

Expressing empathy will help you close more deals because your prospects and clients feel genuinely connected to you.

So what are some ways you can practice empathy to foster an authentic connection?

• Ask questions to understand: Ask thoughtful questions and really listen to the answers.
• Be relatable: Be yourself. Embrace any mistakes or flaws. Doing this humanizes you.
• Create a feeling of partnership: Use words such as “we” or “us” so your prospects and clients feel less alone in their challenges. Show them you’re there to help.

If you want to learn more about how to show empathy in sales, this post can help.

4. Focus on Small Daily Exchanges

Grand gestures and long conversations aren’t the only way to build relationships. Short day-to-day interactions help construct the bigger picture.

Focus on creating small positive exchanges. For example, engage in a brief hello and a handshake, hold doors for others, or buy someone a cup of coffee. These seemingly insignificant interactions will go a long way to foster memorable and meaningful connections.

5. Follow-Up 

The key to creating business relationships in person is following up remotely. After you’ve been face to face with potential customers and prospects, following up leaves the door open for ongoing conversations.

These ongoing conversations will help build better and more meaningful connections. (And this will help you close more deals.)

Here some ways to follow up remotely after you’ve started building relationships in person…

• Connect on LinkedIn using video.
• Provide something of value that relates to your in-person conversation. For example, send a book recommendation or helpful blog about something the other person is interested in.
• Send an “It was nice meeting with you” email.  Video can help with this!

Watch the video below to see how Danielle Lipari-Mareth, Director of Sales at Lennar Homes, follows up after being face to face with a prospect.  Her genuine appreciation is easy to see and feel because she’s using video.

Sales Tips for Building Relationships in Business Remotely 

Learning how to build business relationships remotely is just as important as in person. People are busy, and there isn’t always time to meet in person.

Keep reading for tips that will help you establish a business relationship remotely.

6. Interact on Social Media — Especially LinkedIn

There’s a world of technology at your fingertips that allows you to connect with people to start building relationships in business virtually.

Make it a point to interact with potential prospects on social platforms, especially on LinkedIn. Social media provides a space for creating connections, finding common ground, and building rapport before you go for a hard pitch.

When someone connects with you on LinkedIn, use video to respond. By doing this you’re adding a deeper level of personalization. As a result, it will set you apart from other connections.

Watch how Ethan Beute, BombBomb Chief Evangelist, responds to a LinkedIn connection in the video below.

7. Establish Familiarity With a Multichannel Approach

To establish a relationship, people need to be familiar with you. And you can do this by getting your name and face in front of them across multiple channels. Not everyone communicates the same way. Meet people where they’re comfortable by interacting with them across various channels.

For example, get your name in front of them by sending an introductory email or video message, meaningfully comment on LinkedIn posts, and leave them a voicemail message. (You can use the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension to record, send, and share videos on multiple platforms directly from Google Chrome)

Watch below to see how easily Javed Khan of EMpression incorporates video into an email for a multichannel approach. Because he’s using video, Javed can organically touch on a recent LinkedIn connection and on ways to continue building a relationship without it seeming forced.

(Tip: Using a tool like the BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension will help you create a multichannel approach to communication. This is because it allows you to connect across platforms, like email and social media, from one browser. This article can help you learn more.)

8. Lead With Value  

Part of fostering relationships is showing people that you know who they are as individuals. To demonstrate that you know someone, you need to provide them with something of value that pertains specifically to them. (And, it’s vital to do this before you pitch.)

So what are some ways you can provide value in a business relationship?

• Send a podcast that covers a topic you discussed.
• Share free resources about something they posted on social media, such as a news or research article.
• Invite them to educational webinars they can benefit from.

9. Humanize the Relationship by Finding Common Ground 

At the core of human relationships, people just want to be understood. One way to create a deeper level of understanding is to find common ground with your prospects.

To discover what you have in common, you have to do your research ahead of time. Connect on social media platforms (like LinkedIn) and take the time to look into likes, follows, comments, and posts.

After you’ve done your due diligence, you’ll be able to ask your prospects insightful questions about interests, hobbies, and passions that you may have in common.

10.  Send Individual Follow-Ups 

After small-scale product demonstration or team meetings, follow up with everyone who attended — individually.

As a result of individual follow-ups, your prospects will feel that you value them as unique people. To you, they’re more than just a member of a team or a deal to close — they’re a person with feelings, questions, and pain points of their own. Video is a great way to do this.

Watch below to see how Brook Hansen of Madwire sends an individual follow-up using video.

11. Send Timely Thank You Videos 

Sales is fast and competitive. And staying top of mind consistently in the sales process matters. Using video to express gratitude promptly will help you stand out from your competition. The more your connections see your face and hear your voice, the more likely they are to feel like they know you.

Show your genuine gratitude by sending thank you videos the same day someone…

• Schedules an appointment with you
• Sits through a product demo
• Requests to connect on LinkedIn

Watch how sales professional Keegan Otter thanks a prospect for setting an appointment (and gently reminds them to attend) in the following video…

12. Be Direct and Succinct 

Once your relationship has been well established and is solid, you inevitably have to go for your pitch. But it’s important to be respectful and to remember that time is a valuable commodity.

You can show prospects that you value your ongoing relationship with them and their time by being direct and succinct when asking for a meeting or call to make your sales pitch. (And using video will make this clear and easy.)

To be straightforward and concise when asking to pitch, try to stick to the following format:

1. Begin by leading with a pain point first. Something like, “I believe that [INSERT PAIN POINT] is a problem you’re facing.”
2. After that, let your prospect know how you can help with that pain point.
3.Include how you’ve recently helped someone or a team in a similar situation.
4. Finally, close with a call to action requesting to talk. Be sure to include your calendar link.

Take a look at the video below to see how Elyse Archer of Brand Builders Group asks to pitch. She keeps her request pleasant, clear, and to the point — which is easy to see and feel because she’s face to face.

13. Schedule Zoom Check-Ins 

Part of building relationships in business is maintaining those relationships over time. For example, after closing the deal, make it a point to check in periodically with your clients. And, in addition to periodic check-ins, put a 15-minute Zoom meeting on your client’s calendar about two months after you close.

Relationships don’t end after the sale. You have to keep nurturing them to keep lifelong customers. Doing this allows you to see how things are going. And being face to face will remind your client that you’re a real person and that you’re still there should they need anything. (And then, when it comes time for renewal, they still have a personal relationship with you and with your brand.)

Build Better Business Relationships in Sales With Video

Good business relationships are the cornerstone of sales deals. And now you have some great tips to help you start building relationships in business — both in person and remotely. Getting face to face with video is an essential component of that.

Want to start building better business relationships with video? Try BombBomb free for two weeks.

And once you’ve started nurturing business relationships in sales, you can begin prospecting. And prospecting with video sets you apart. Check out “Take Your Sales Process to the Next Level” to learn all about prospecting with video.

Our team at BombBomb knows a thing or two about what it takes to host a successful online video presentation.

In fact, Alicia Berruti, BomBomb National Speaker, and Kevin Andrews, BombBomb Client Enablement Manager, are regularly on camera presenting to hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of people. Keep reading for their favorite tips for making a video presentation that will help your team connect and engage their audience from start to finish.

Video Presentation Tips for Live Presentations

It’s no secret that live virtual presentations come with a unique set of challenges. Putting together an engaging presentation that effectively reaches an audience, while interacting with them from behind a screen can be difficult without the right techniques.

So what are some ways to make a virtual live presentation engaging and effective?

1. Consider Value First

When learning how to make a video presentation, Alicia says, “It’s important to consider the value you want to provide first.” What do you want your audience to know? Is your goal to help with a problem? Are you trying to teach them something?

Start with what you want to accomplish, and then work backward. This will help your video presentation provide the value you intend it to.

2. Engage Your Audience

It can be challenging for your team to gauge audience interest while live-streaming when they aren’t face to face with them. When you present in person, you can see people laugh at your jokes, nod in understanding, and take notes. Virtually, it’s hard to feel this same level of connection.

Both Alicia and Kevin say engaging your audience virtually just as important as it is in person. They aim to do this during every presentation (even if the connection isn’t the same for them).

So what are some ways to create connection and ensure audience members stay focused throughout the presentation?

Bring back focus with engaging phrases

Use phrases such as, “You’re really going to want to listen to this.” or “Pay attention to what I say next. It’s really important.” These phrases grab attention and put the focus on what’s coming up next.

Get personal

Everyone likes a great story. Create an emotional connection by sharing stories and anecdotes. Just because presenters can’t see the reaction doesn’t mean the audience doesn’t feel a sense of connection. And because they feel this connection, the audience is more likely to stay engaged.

Build in reflective moments

Ask viewers to consider something specific. For example, “Think about three questions you receive every day that you can answer using video.” After a brief silence, they’re able to refocus.

Use names

Get the audience engaged and use the names you see in the chat or on their screens throughout the presentation. Using names establishes familiarity and fosters genuine connection.

3. Use a Chat Moderator

Trying to field questions and comments or solve tech problems while presenting live can disrupt entire presentations. Starting and stopping to address every individual audience member’s questions or concerns makes it difficult to keep a presentation on track.

Having a moderator in the chat is the key to interacting with the audience while still delivering a smooth presentation. A moderator can filter through the chat and find applicable content to pass onto the presenter without creating unnecessary disruptions.

4. Host a Question and Answer Session

When it comes to questions, there’s a noticeable difference between presenting in person and presenting virtually.

Alicia has observed that, in person, questions tend to be meaningful, and the answers usually apply to almost everyone. With digital anonymity, the audience tends to be asking questions that are more person-specific. For example, they may ask for tech support or information they missed during a specific part of the presentation.

To avoid significant interruptions, include a 10 to 15-minute question and answer session at the end of every presentation. If the audience is small, take it one step further, and offer video conferencing opportunities or contact information like an email address to go over individual concerns.

5. Embrace Interruptions and Distractions

The opportunity you and your team have when presenting virtually is to share and showcase your humanity.

Perfection isn’t the goal when presenting to an audience — connection is. Interruptions and distractions are all part of life. For instance, dogs barking, phone calls, children in the background, or a doorbell ringing — these are distractions and interruptions everyone faces. Seeing someone embrace the more challenging aspects of daily life while presenting will encourage your audience to embrace who they are. As a result, they’ll feel more connected to you.

6. Have Confidence

All of these live video presentation tips will help you create an interactive video presentation. But nothing will make you and your team more convincing or establish trust with an audience more than having confidence on video. If you want an audience to believe in your message, you have to be confident.

“Focus on the value of what you’re presenting instead of thinking about how you look on camera.”
— Alicia Berruti, BombBomb National Speaker

Having confidence on camera can be difficult for you and your team, especially if you aren’t comfortable using video. So what are some ways you can become more confident on camera?

• If you can’t watch yourself on camera without being critical — don’t.
• Disengage with the negative voices in your mind.
• Focus on the value of what you’re presenting.
• Step away from self-limiting beliefs.

If you’re looking for more guidance on having confidence on camera, this article can help.

Video Presentation Tips for Prerecorded Presentations

You already have some fantastic video presentation techniques for live videos, but prerecorded presentations can also be tough to master.

Watch the video below and keep reading for five more video presentation tips that will help you and your team make prerecorded presentations that will engage your viewers from beginning to end.

7. Create Expectations

Create expectations for your audience by letting them know what you’re going to talk about ahead of time. Lead with an agenda that goes over what they can expect.

(Tip: When creating expectations, tease the value of what’s going to come later. Hint that something important your audience doesn’t want to miss is going to be addressed. But, don’t entirely give away what it is that you’re going to talk about.)

8. Don’t Depend on Your Deck

When you’re reviewing your video presentation ideas, it’s important to remember to leave room for personalization. Reading from a deck of slides makes presentations feel robotic and does little to engage your viewers. If an audience can get everything they need from a slide deck, what value are you providing?

Kevin says it’s also essential to keep notes with talking points that aren’t visible to your viewers. And while recording, expand on those notes and the slides themselves. Doing this will add personality and some humanity to the presentation while still hitting those key points. (And it will keep your presentation from feeling over-rehearsed.)

9. Be Respectful of Time

It may be hard to get your point across in a limited amount of time, but your audience is busy, and their time is valuable.

Try to keep prerecorded presentations to an hour. Start by letting your viewers know beforehand how long the presentation is going to take. Remind them that you know they’re busy and acknowledge that their time is valuable. Then, when you hit that expected time limit, it’s important to wrap it up.

10. Reject Perfection

One of the struggles of prerecording a presentation is the innate desire for perfection. The ability to start over because the presentation isn’t live only amplifies this.

“Don’t get caught up in perfection. Your good is good enough.”
— Kevin Andrews, BombBomb Client Enablement Manager

Being your imperfect, authentic self and embracing tech problems or misspoken words can be tough when you can re-record. But welcoming these stumbles will keep your viewers interested in what you have to say. This is because you’re showing up as a vulnerable person with flaws and struggles like everyone else. Embracing these struggles helps your viewers identify with you on a deeper, human level.

11. Break It Up

Especially when you’re prerecording a presentation, breaking monotony is important.

When your presentation is about half over, break it up with a brief summary of what you’ve already discussed and an overview of the remainder of the presentation. This can help bring back your viewers’ focus and remind them of the value of what’s to come.

Creating a Prerecorded Video Presentation With BombBomb

There isn’t always time to present live online, even virtually. But creating a prerecorded presentation is easy with a tool like a screen recorder.

The BombBomb Screen Recorder allows you and your team to record yourself and your screen at the same time easily.

Here’s how to create a prerecorded presentation with BombBomb:

Download the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension

Search “BombBomb” in the Chrome Web Store, and press “Add to Chrome” to get the extension directly on your Chrome browser.

Log In to Your BombBomb Account

Click the BombBomb icon on the upper right side of your browser. When prompted, enter your BombBomb email address and password.

Launch the Screen Recorder

Once you’ve logged in, click the BombBomb Icon on your browser again. From here, select your camera to record yourself or yourself and your screen at the same time.

Record Your Video

Click “Launch Recorder,” and a new record video screen will appear. When you’re ready to create your presentation, press the red “Start/Stop Recording Button,” and a countdown will prompt you to begin in 3…2…1.

Ready to Save Time and Create Presentations That Engage Your Audience?

Now that you have all of the tips and best practices to make video presentations successful, you need the tools, too…

Want to try making your own video presentation with the BombBomb Screen Recorder? Start a two-week free trial.

And check out, “Screen Recorder Essentials: How to Record Yourself and Your Screen at the Same Time” for additional guidance.

Table of Contents

Car sales is extremely competitive. And while great service, an impressive lot and good deals are important, getting car buyers to visit your dealership is step one.

Using the right car sales email templates can help. Email is often the first touchpoint you have with potential buyers. So being able to build relationships with automotive email marketing is crucial.

The auto industry has some of the highest email open rates across industries at almost 27%. And if you add a video message to your automotive emails, it can increase your chances of success. Campaign Monitor reports that using video can improve open rates by 19% and click rates by 65%.

In this post, you’ll find some of the best email templates for car sales to use in different situations. We also provide examples of video messages you can include in your emails to make the most of every interaction.

Each of these car sales email templates is easy to personalize. Feel free to get creative or just fill in the blanks for a quick start.

Quick note on car sales email subject lines: keep your subject lines short and casual. This keeps them from feeling too “salesy” and evokes more curiosity. Simple subject lines like “SUV follow up” or “2024 Ford Escape” are better than “Greetings from Honda! Let’s talk about your next car.”

Lead Response Email Template

You just got a valuable lead. Now what? Send an inviting, low-pressure and helpful email. This is a greeting template for car sales that starts the relationship on the right foot.

Also, most prospective car buyers have an idea of what they want and just need to decide where to go. Make an effort to reply quickly to stand out from your competition.
__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

Thanks for your interest in the [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] at [DEALERSHIP]. It’s absolutely one of the best cars on our lot.

Are there any specific questions about the [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] that I can answer for you? I’m happy to tell you more about some of the unique features that make this car such a great vehicle. If you’d like to come and take a look at it yourself, you can schedule an appointment here. [LINK CALENDAR APP]

Feel free to respond to this email and let me know how I can help. Or you can call me directly at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX].

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

[SIGNATURE]
__

The benefit of adding a video message to this email is your prospects can see your face and hear your voice. This reminds them that you’re a real person and helps them feel like they already know you when they walk through the doors of your dealership.

Here’s an example…

Newsletter Subscription Email Template

Much like a first-touch email, the trick to a newsletter subscription response is to keep your email simple. Coming on too strong can lead to quick unsubscribes. It’s important to be approachable without trying to make a sale.

Newsletters provide prospective car buyers and customers with valuable information. Set this expectation upfront so they’re excited about what’s to come.
__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

Thanks for signing up for [NAME OF NEWSLETTER] by [DEALERSHIP].

Keep an eye on [NAME OF NEWSLETTER] for the latest news and trends in the automotive industry, auto maintenance tips, answers to your frequently asked questions, and exclusive coupons.

Should you need anything, feel free to respond to this email or call me directly at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX].

Welcome to the [DEALERSHIP] family!

Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE]
__

Service Reminder Email Template

Your customers are busy. Reminding them to get their vehicles serviced is a fantastic way to provide value and stay top-of-mind. Take the opportunity to connect and share things like service coupons, tune-up options or even new vehicles on the lot the person may be interested in test driving.

(btw, check out this article for other creative ideas on how to generate car sales leads)
__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

How’s your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] running? I wanted to check-in, make sure everything is still running smoothly, and remind you it’s time for your [SERVICE].

I’m here to help, so if you hear any new funny noises coming from your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] or it just isn’t driving like it used to, please let me know!

Continued vehicle maintenance is the cheapest and most effective way of preventing more significant (and expensive) problems from happening down the road.

You can give me a call at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX] or feel free to schedule an appointment through the service center at [SERVICE CENTER #: (XXX) XXX-XXXX].

[INCLUDE ANY SERVICE AMENITIES LIKE COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE SERVICE, COUPONS, OR A DISCOUNT RATE FOR CUSTOMERS.]

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

[SIGNATURE]
__

Quote Request Email Template

One of the best car dealer follow-up emails is a reply to a quote request. According to Think with Google, 92% of car buyers research vehicles online before they head to the nearest auto dealer.

As a result, an inbound inquiry means your prospect is already interested in making a purchase and likely has a vehicle in mind.

If you respond quickly, these hot leads could turn into customers before the day is over.
__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

Thanks for reaching out to us at [DEALERSHIP]. We’re here to help make your car-buying journey easy. But, before we hand you the keys, we need a few more details to get you the best price possible.

What kind of features are you interested in [ON THE VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL IF APPLICABLE]? The more details you share, the better I can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Also, how soon are you looking to make a purchase? Knowing this information will help me get you an even better price. We’re currently running [INCLUDE ANY SALE INFORMATION, DEALS, OR INCENTIVES HERE] through [DATE].

Please respond to this email as soon as you get the chance so I can get working on this for you. Or, you can call me directly at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX].

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

[SIGNATURE]
__

Including a walkaround video of the vehicle in this email also helps generate excitement. Here’s an example…

Car Sales Referral Email Template

According to McKinsey & Company, word of mouth is the driving factor behind 20 to 50% of all purchasing decisions. Referrals are just as powerful in the car buying world. You need to take advantage.

The trick to a good referral strategy is remembering to show gratitude before you ask for the referral. If your customers feel appreciated, they’re more likely to feel a sense of loyalty to you and your dealership.

__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

Can you believe it’s been [NUMBER OF WEEKS OR MONTHS] since you bought your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL]? How’s it running for you?

Thank you again for coming to see us here at [DEALERSHIP]. Don’t forget, we have [SERVICE AND ANY DISCOUNTS FOR SERVICE] to keep everything in great shape. It looks like you should be ready for a [MAINTENANCE SERVICE] soon.

I wanted to reach out today because (as you know) a car is a big purchase. And, buying from someone you trust makes the process so much easier. If you know anyone that needs help purchasing a vehicle, please send them my way. I promise I’ll take good care of them because at [DEALERSHIP] our customers are like family.

In the meantime, feel free to reply to this email with any questions or concerns. Or, call me directly at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX].

Take care,

[SIGNATURE]
__

The Sale Follow-Up Email Template

You’ve just made a sale. The next step is to follow up with your customer. Following up leaves a lasting, positive impression with car buyers and it increases the chances of them becoming lifelong customers.
__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

Thanks so much for your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] purchase! We know you’re going to love it, and we couldn’t be happier that we’re the dealership you chose to do business with.

At [DEALERSHIP NAME], we’re committed to ensuring every one of our customers is 100% satisfied with their new vehicle. That’s why I thought I’d check in to make sure everything is going great with your new [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL].

If you have any concerns at all, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Feel free to reach out via email or call me anytime at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX].

And just as a reminder, [INSERT ANY AFTER-SALE COMPLIMENTARY SERVICE OPTIONS INCLUDED (i.e., free oil changes in the first year, complimentary tune-ups, etc.)].

Thanks again, [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME], and enjoy your brand new [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL]!

[SIGNATURE]
__

Adding a video message to this template takes it to another level. Here’s an example…

Lease Ending Email Template

Don’t wait until a lease matures to reach out to customers. Contact them at least three to six months in advance.

Making the connection early allows them to consider what they want to do with their car. It also reminds them that you’re there to help.
__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

How’s your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] running? I wanted to check-in and make sure everything is going well and remind you that your lease ends on [DATE OF LEASE ENDING].

It’s hard to believe you’ve been driving your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] since [DATE OF LEASE]! In any case, I’m here to help. And, at [DEALERSHIP], we have a few options for you to consider.

If you want me to take a look, I can see if you’re eligible to opt-out of your lease early so that we can start the process of leasing or buying another car today.

If you’re still enjoying your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL], we can work together for you to buy it out and make it yours.

Finally, if you’re interested in leasing or buying a new vehicle once your lease is up on [DATE OF LEASE ENDING], let’s schedule an appointment for you to test drive some of the great new or used cars we have on the lot.

Feel free to reply to this email with your preference, or you can give me a call at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX].

Take care,

[SIGNATURE]
__

Thanks For Stopping By Email Template

Potential customers want to feel appreciated. One of the best ways to do this is by having multiple team members thank prospects for stopping by. This sets you apart from the competition.

Anyone who did not have direct contact with the car buyer can send an email like the one below.

__

Hi [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

I’m, [INSERT NAME] the [TITLE] at [DEALERSHIP]. I wanted to reach out and say thank you for stopping by today. Here at [DEALERSHIP], our customers are like family, and we want to make sure the experience you have with us is a good one.

[NAME] told me you were interested in the [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL]. Are there any other questions about the [VEHICLE] that I can answer for you?

Feel free to respond to this email and let me know how to help or improve your buying experience over at [DEALERSHIP]. Or, call me directly at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX] anytime.

Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE]
__

The person who did spend the most time with a prospect can send a personalized video message like the one below. This takes the follow-up to another level…

The Trade-In Offer Email Template

Trade-ins can be difficult transactions, but using this dealership email template is one of the best ways to start the process.

A trade-in email helps initiate the conversation about a new vehicle. And it reminds customers that a friendly face is available to help make the process as smooth as possible.
__

Hello [CUSTOMER FIRST NAME],

I’m [YOUR NAME] over at [DEALERSHIP NAME], and we just wanted to say thanks for partnering with us [NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE PURCHASE] years ago to purchase your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL]. Can you believe it’s been that long?

In any case, I’m sure you two have created some amazing memories together over the years. And, while a vehicle always holds a special place in your heart, I also know that lives and needs change.

The reason I’m reaching out to you is that I’m curious if you’ve ever thought about trading in your [VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL] for a new vehicle. Trade-ins simplify the buying process by combining two complex transactions into one. Trade-ins also give you the chance to upgrade your car to accommodate your changing needs easily.

Let me know if you’re interested! We have a wide variety of beautiful new models to choose from, and we’re always here to make buying a new car as easy as possible. You can reach me anytime at [(XXX) XXX-XXXX] or respond to this email.

Wishing you the best,

[SIGNATURE]
__

Start Using These Car Sales Email Templates Today

You have to create a connection with your prospects early in the car buying process if you want to get more customers through the doors. Email is a great way to do that.

You can also combine your emailing efforts with cold calling. Check out this article for more on that topic. And for a broader overview of modern car selling strategies, here’s a good article.

With these car sales email templates, you’ll increase the effectiveness of every email you send. And adding personalized video messages when appropriate makes your outreach that much more memorable.

Try sending personalized video messages with BombBomb for two weeks free.

You see, technology has taken over communication. And more often than not, a lack of trust in salespeople is amplified because the world of technology is clouded with digital pollution — spam, bots, and persuasive tech that create mistrust in what or who is behind a screen.

In fact, according to Washington Monthly, the damaging byproducts of digital pollution run deep, and while it’s difficult to pinpoint all of them, several problematic issues stand out. These issues include “increased anxiety and fear, polarization, fragmentation of a shared context, and loss of trust as some of the most apparent impacts of digital pollution.”

So, how can you set yourself apart from digital pollution as a trustworthy salesperson? With empathy. Machines can’t empathize, but real people can. And learning to show empathy in sales will help you overcome digital pollution because empathy builds trust.

What is Empathy?

Oxford defines empathy as our ability to truly understand and share another person’s feelings, emotions, experiences, and pain points.

Showing empathy towards your prospective customers demonstrates that you’re a trustworthy person, that you’re safe, and that you aren’t just a piece of tech trying to take advantage of them.

Why It’s Important to Show Empathy in Sales

Understanding empathy and how it can help combat digital pollution is essential to sales effectiveness. But there are also a few other key reasons why using empathy in sales is a game-changer.

Empathy humanizes the sales experience.

When you learn to understand another person’s feelings and empathize with them, you humanize the sales experience.

Rather than looking at prospects as “just a sale,” having a real understanding of empathy shifts your sales mindset. The buying journey becomes a person-to-person experience. Empathy selling isn’t just making the sale. It’s, “This person has a problem, and I can help them.”

Empathy helps sales efforts.

Using empathy helps sales efforts. In the 2020 Edelman Brand Trust Report, 70% of consumers surveyed stated that brand trust is more important today than ever before. Consumers are more likely to buy something from a brand they trust.

Empathy builds relationships.

Once you’ve earned their trust, your prospective customers will feel like they have a relationship with your brand.

Sales is at the front line of the customer journey. A sales rep doesn’t just close a deal. A sales rep sets the tone for the prospect’s relationship with the whole team, for the entire customer experience, and customer retention over time. Check out this episode of “The Customer Experience Podcast” for a more in-depth look at how customer retention begins in sales.

How to Show Empathy in Sales

Truly understanding another person’s emotions and expressing that understanding is the core of empathy. And there are several ways to show you understand and empathize with your prospective customers.

Below we’ve outlined seven tactful ways for sales professionals to show empathy that will create trust and help you close the deal with your next promising lead.

Take a look!

1. Identify Pain Points and Empathize With Them

Empathizing with another person’s emotions will better equip you to understand their problems. When you connect with a promising prospect, it’s crucial to identify their pain points and express empathy for what they’re feeling.

This shows them that you care about them as individuals. And your empathy demonstrates that, to you, they aren’t just a number — they’re a person with real feelings and problems.

It’s also important to know how to express empathy. Below are some helpful phrases you can use to ensure your prospects know you’re listening to their pain points and genuinely understand them…

• “I just had this same problem.”
• “I understand how you’re feeling.”
• “That sounds really frustrating.”
• “I think I understand. You’re saying…”
• “That must be really tough.”
• “I agree with you.”
• “I really understand. How can I help?”

2. Ask Questions to Help and Understand

Once you’ve connected with a prospect and land that first sales meeting, don’t just dig into your pitch.

Start the conversation by asking genuine and thoughtful questions. Listen to your prospect’s answers. Express your understanding and empathy with their pain points, and then don’t just give advice — ask how you can help.

On an episode of “The Customer Experience Podcast,” Brian Robinson, author of “The Selling Formula,” dives into the why behind the sales questions you should be asking. Brian says, “Instead of focusing on the outcome, focus on the conversation and that person you’re about to speak with.” He continues, “Let’s see if we can really help.”

Asking questions to understand and help your prospects will allow you to figure out what problems they’re facing that you can help with.

3. Find Common Ground

The more you ask the right questions and listen to the answers — the more likely you’ll find common ground with your prospects. But, asking the right questions means doing your research ahead of time.

Use social platforms like LinkedIn to find out what interests or hobbies your prospects have before you reach out to them with a pitch. Things like a favorite coffee or sports team and even pastimes like hiking are usually easy to find.

This allows you to relate to them more, so they’re more likely to open up to you when you’re asking them questions.

4. Be Relatable

You can’t expect people to open up about themselves if you remain a closed book. Of course, you don’t need to divulge your entire life story, but you need to be relatable on a personal level.

Showing vulnerability is the key to being relatable and letting your prospects know you can genuinely empathize with them. It shows you aren’t just putting on an act; this is who you really are.

So, what are some of the best ways that you can show your vulnerability to prospective customers?

• Embrace your imperfections: We all know that real people aren’t perfect. Seeing this will help remind your prospects that you’re human, too.
• Be yourself: People can easily spot an act. Being who you genuinely are will help you develop more meaningful connections. Being yourself will also help others feel comfortable enough to be their authentic selves.
• Own up to your mistakes and genuinely apologize: If you dropped the ball on something or missed the mark completely — say so. Everyone messes up. Acknowledging that you’ve made a mistake will make you more trustworthy.
• Admit when you don’t know something: Not knowing the answer to everything makes you human and admitting it makes you relatable. (Tip: Do your due diligence to find the answer to what it is you don’t know. Once you’ve got it figured out, be sure to follow up.)

5. Keep Prospects Engaged

More often than not, there’s some downtime between setting initial appointments and the appointments themselves. Take this opportunity to keep your prospects engaged by sending them something of value.

This reminds your prospects that you’re still around and readily available to help if they need anything. Here we’ve highlighted some easy ways you can keep your prospective customers engaged throughout the sales process:

• Send information about an idea that helps with a problem they mentioned. (This doesn’t need to involve your product or service.)
• Invite them to attend webinars that provide something of value and showcase your product or service.
• Send video reminders for upcoming appointments, product demos, and webinars. (Be sure to include a call to action to leave the door open for ongoing communication.)
• Include new prospects in video email campaigns.
• Use video to ask a follow-up question about something discussed in a previous conversation.

By doing this, you’re showing prospects that you really listened, that you’re available, and that, above all else, you’re continuously empathizing with their feelings and needs.

6. Use “We”

In sales, words are powerful tools. Make your prospects feel like they aren’t alone on this buying journey and use words like “we” and “us” to create a partnership feeling. This feeling of connection will remind your prospects they aren’t in this experience alone — they have you!

Take a look at the top 14 power words for sales success to see what other words you can use to help create a connection with even your most challenging prospects.

7. Use Video to Create Connection

When you’re communicating with prospective customers — use video! Unlike plain-text email, video helps foster genuine relationships by creating an authentic face-to-face connection with each of your prospects.

Video will set you apart as a real person that your prospects can see, hear, and connect with. If you think about it, the more often you see someone and hear their voice, the more likely you are to feel like you really know them, that you’re connected, and that you have a genuine relationship with them.

In addition, using video to communicate with your prospects means they can hear the warmth in your voice and see the concern in your eyes when you empathize with their pain points and say things like, “I understand how you feel.” Empathy is expressed best by facial expression and tone — things you can’t observe through plain-text email.

Seeing your face and hearing your voice will also remind your prospects that you aren’t spam or some kind of persuasive tech. It shows that you’re a real person, and you’re just like them.

Using video will go a long way to help you create genuine relationships and stand out from any digital pollution. So, when should you use video in sales prospecting to make a connection?

• Outbound sales outreach: Cold outreach efforts, LinkedIn prospecting
• Inbound lead responses: Responses to lead inquiries
• When setting appointments: Appointment outreach
• To remind prospects of appointments: Appointment confirmation before demos or meetings
• For recaps/follow-ups: Follow-up after a demo or meeting

Tip: Always use the Empathy, Value, and Action (EVA) Framework when sending videos to prospective customers. Empathize with your prospects, provide value, and include a clear call to action.

Bonus Tip: Building Relationships

People who feel you’ve invested in them by developing a real relationship are more likely to buy your product and stay loyal to your brand. This is because you’ve taken the time to earn their trust.

To begin creating relationships, use social platforms like LinkedIn to really cultivate meaningful connections with prospects. Build a relationship with them first and offer value before requesting a meeting. Don’t just go straight for the sale.

Tip: Send a video through LinkedIn when you request to connect — this will set you apart. (If you’re not sure how to use video on LinkedIn, check out these ways to use LinkedIn video to get started.)

Take Your Empathy One Step Further!

Now that you understand the importance of empathy and have some concrete ways to use empathy in sales for daily prospecting — let’s take it one step further!

Check out, “Video Prospecting 101: Take your Sales Process to the Next Level,” to learn how using video is a great way to show empathy and gain trust as a real person making the sale in a digital world.

At BombBomb — we understand that your time as a Team Admin is valuable. And that’s why we’ve overhauled our team management feature and made it more dynamic than ever to help you succeed.

We’ve streamlined ways to manage your team by making it even easier to access those important team statistics, log in to individual accounts, track BombBomb usage — and more!

So, let’s take a look at what changes we’ve made and how you can use them to help set your team up for success.

How Do I Know My Team Is Using BombBomb Video?

Recording videos is the first thing you want your team members to do with BombBomb — but how do you know they’re following through?

Start by logging into your BombBomb account and selecting your Team tab. A new screen will open and here you will have two types of roll-up reports – video results and email results. Click the Video Results tab. Your video roll-up report includes all of the videos your team sends on platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as in the iOS or Android Apps using BombBomb.

At the top of your screen, you’ll see the data for “Total Videos Duration” and “Total Face-to-Face Time” for your entire team. This face-to-face data is your team’s message being heard! Out of all of the videos your team sends, this is how much time those videos are actually being viewed by customers.

Staying on that Video Results tab — scroll down to view “Video Plays” stats and “Percentage of Videos Watched.” At BombBomb, we want you to succeed. Our goal is for 75% of each video sent to be watched. If your team isn’t reaching that goal, check out our blog on guaranteed ways to get video plays to access our best tips for increasing play rates!

Once you’ve viewed your group-wide stats, scroll further down to see how individual members of your team are performing.

If you notice your team members aren’t using BombBomb as much as you want them to, consider offering incentives to your entire team if they hit a specific number of video sends or a certain percentage of video plays. Forbes reports that a shared goal will help motivate and encourage them to work together for a common cause!

How Do I Know My Team Is Engaging Customers?

In order for your team to be successful with BombBomb, you need to know if your customers are engaged in the content they’re sending out. And, unless your customers are providing feedback for all of the content they receive, the only way to determine overall engagement is through email analytics. So, where can you find your team’s analytics?

Under your Team tab, select the email results roll-up report. Your email roll-up report pulls from anywhere your team is using BombBomb to send emails.

Your email data tracks both group-wide and individual email opens, video plays, and link clicks in a seven-day comparison format. To view a different date range, select the dates you want to view at the upper right side of your screen.

If you need some additional support using data analytics, click here to learn more about how to identify ideal customers using video analytics.

How Do I Create Sub-Teams?

Unless everyone on your team has the exact same job, in the same region, and the same professional goals — it’s likely you’ll need to create smaller sub-teams to make your job more manageable. Creating sub-teams can help you compare team stats, manage strategies for multiple teams, and share sub-team specific content. So, how do you create sub-teams?

Click “Create New Sub-Team,” then click “Add Members” on the left side of the screen. This feature can also be helpful if you want to view data for one individual team member. If you create a sub-team with just that individual member you can see all of their performance data in one place.

How Do I Give Team Members Access to Team-Wide Data?

According to Business Wire, 67% of employees prefer healthy competition in the workplace. By giving your team members access to team-wide data, they can see how they stack up next to their coworkers. Having easy access to this information can help facilitate a little healthy competition amongst your team members that will drive them towards success.

To do this, click “Manage Teams” on the left side of your screen. Then select the “Team Settings” option. Under “Share Team Insights,” slide the button to turn on this feature for your entire team, or slide the button next to specific sub-teams. Turning on this feature will give members of each team access to their team’s data which will then be under a new Insights tab on their BombBomb Dashboard.

How Do I See the Content My Team Is Sending?

Maybe you have some team members that are creating incredibly successful connections with video, or maybe you have some team members that seem to be getting less engagement than others. As the Team Admin, you need to know why this is happening and the best way to do this is by viewing your team’s content!

BombBomb offers direct admin login so that you have access to all of the content your team members are sending to help you really dig deep into what works for your customers and what doesn’t.

Click the “Login” button on the far right of any individual team member’s data in either the video results or email results roll-up. A new screen will open logging you into your team member’s account. From here you’ll have access to everything your team member is doing in BombBomb.

Need Additional Guidance on How to Better Use BombBomb’s New Team Management Features? 

Looking for more resources on how to better use BombBomb’s new team management features? We’ve included a few links below to help you on your way……

• “Getting Started with BombBomb for Team Administrators”

And, for a more in-depth look at how to better use the new team management feature, watch the webinar below…

A report by HubSpot states that “customers who have an emotional relationship with a brand have a 306% higher customer lifetime value” than those who don’t. In other words, people who are more loyal spend more money.

So what are the keys to building relationships with customers? And how do you maintain a great relationship over time?

Below we’ve outlined seven strategies you can start implementing today.

1. Get to Know Your Customers

According to Forbes, the core of the customer experience is that people want to “feel seen, known and valued” by the businesses they support.

To deliver this experience, you have to get to know your customers. Ask them about their desires, goals and stresses. Get their feedback on new products and give them opportunities to share about their experience with your brand.

Keep track of this information so that you can reference it in the future. It also comes in handy when reconnecting with customers. You can show you really listen to them and take their feedback to heart.

2. Exceed Expectations

One of the ways you can begin building relationships with customers is by creating a positive customer experience upfront. How do you do this?

Be above average and go beyond what your customers are expecting.

Here are some ways you can do this:

• Include a personal touch with your product once someone signs up, such as a thank you video
• Don’t just satisfy immediate needs — always go one step further
• Personally follow up after larger onboarding or training sessions with additional resources and exercises
• Reach out regularly to ensure your customers are getting the most out of your product or service

From the beginning of the onboarding process through product training and customer support — doing more than expected builds loyalty. This is because customers start to trust you’ll always do your best for them.

3. Show Gratitude

Telling your customers you’re thankful for them goes a long way towards creating genuine connections, especially at the beginning of a relationship.

According to Harvard Business Review, when someone feels appreciated, they’re more likely to stay in a relationship. In other words, they’ll still with your business if they know you appreciate them.

4. Communicate Often and Honestly

In any customer success role, you’re bound to encounter a variety of questions and problems with your product. Open and honest communication is crucial here.

In these situations, listen with empathy and give straightforward responses. Apologize honestly when appropriate, find helpful solutions and always follow up after you’ve addressed an issue.

And don’t forget to check in with people…just because. This reminds customers that you’re there to help them achieve their goals, not just when they hit a snag, but always.

So, what are some ways to remind your customers that you’re still around?

• Check in via phone, email, social media, text and video. Not everyone communicates the same way so try to use multiple channels of communication to meet people where they’re comfortable.
• Provide value by holding educational webinars that help customers use your product or service
• Send relevant content to train and educate your customers on product updates and new features
• Send progress updates and congratulate customers when they hit certain milestones

(on a related note, check out this article to learn strategies for dealing with difficult customers)

5. Showcase Your Human Side

Building deeper connections with people requires being vulnerable. No one is perfect and real relationships aren’t perfect, either. Don’t worry about making mistakes or coming across as…human.

One of the best ways to emphasize your humanity is to send personalized video messages to your customers. Video helps to convey your intent, empathy and tone of voice. Videos are more engaging and come across more authentically.

The more your customers see your face, hear your voice and get to know you — the more likely they are to feel like they know you personally. This feeling of familiarity helps to create trust and loyalty.

6. Focus on Customer Retention

When you think about customer lifetime value, you have to consider the cost of retaining customers versus the cost of winning new business. And acquiring new customers isn’t cheap.

In fact, it costs five times more than keeping your existing customers. You need to keep your current customers coming back.

What are some proven ways to avoid churn and keep your current customers coming back?

• Encourage product usage through training and education
• Track and share customer feedback from current customers and canceled accounts
• Surprise and delight your customers throughout their experience with your product
• Create a good referral strategy. The more a customer refers you to others, the more often they remember why they like doing business with you.

By building relationships with customers and continuing to nurture those relationships, you’re focusing on customer retention rather than customer acquisition. Making this a key part of your business model will save you time and money in the long run.

(here’s a post on customer experience platforms that can help you boost retention)

7. Provide Value Over Time

Building relationships with customers takes time and effort, which is why you can’t wait until contract renewals to reconnect with people. You have to keep delivering value.

Proactively reach out with stories about how other customers are using the product or best practices you’re seeing that generate tangible results. Don’t send “hey, just checking in” emails. Lead with value, every time.

Again, one of the best ways to deliver value AND build better relationships is through personalized video messages. Rather than send long, text-only emails or pdfs, share videos that provide additional commentary on why you thought a particular resource would be helpful.

You can also use video to explain new product launches or complex features. And they’re effective for answering FAQs or demo-ing something on your screen.

Video messaging opens the door for more conversations, and it’s a much more engage way for your customers to consume information. If you deliver value, and do it in a digestible way, your customers will reward you for it.

Build Stronger Customer Relationships with Video Messaging

At the heart of every loyal customer is a meaningful relationship. When people feel genuinely seen, supported and appreciated, they’re far more likely to stick around — and to spend more over time.

If you learn how to build relationships with customers, you have the ability to foster serious long-term trust. Remember: loyalty isn’t earned with a single great interaction — it’s built with small, consistent actions that show your customers you truly care.

Start putting these strategies into practice today, and you’ll not only create better experiences — you’ll grow a stronger, more resilient business in the process.

To start a free 14-day trial with BombBomb, click here.

You can also book a demo for your entire team here.

It’s easy to focus on the inbox, but what if the people you’re hoping to connect with engage best on LinkedIn, Facebook, or a preferred Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool?

Now, BombBomb has made it easier than ever to reach people inside the tools and platforms they use most. The new BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension allows you to record, send, and share videos right from your Edge browser. (No more switching from tab to tab!)

See how it works in the video below…

Record, Send, and Share Videos from Your Preferred Browser 

While you may have already heard of our BombBomb Google Chrome Extension, this new extension is specifically designed for Microsoft Edge browser users. Everything you know and enjoy about the Chrome extension, you can do within Edge.

Record your screen, access your video library, incorporate in-video Calls-to-Action (CTAs), and share your videos across the platforms you, your prospects, and your customers use most.

Key Extension Features 

In the new BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension, you can…

Record With Ease

Record videos right from your browser without having to switch between tabs. Just click on the extension, press record, and you’re ready to go!

Use the Screen Recorder

Select the BombBomb Screen Recorder option within the extension to record yourself and your screen in just a few clicks. This allows you to clearly walk people through complex ideas, documents, presentations, and more — while still being present in the process.

Add CTAs

Drive your prospects and customers to take the action you want them to take with a clickable call-to-action within your video. After you record with the extension, you’ll have the option to easily add in an in-video CTA.

Access Your Video Library

Want to access a video you already created?? Access it right in Microsoft Edge within the extension. Just scroll down to find the video you need and copy the link.

Share Your Videos Wherever, Whenever

Easily share your video link inside the platforms used most by the people you’re trying to reach. Just copy the video link right after you record or from the “Videos” tab of the extension. Then, you can share your video link on LinkedIn, Facebook, and beyond. (Note: Your animated preview will populate with your video link in many of these platforms, too.)

And you’ll also have the option to add your video to emails as well!

See Key Real-Time Video Analytics

Access key video analytics from the “Tracking” tab of the extension. There you’ll see when someone plays your video (and how much of it they watched), to follow up accordingly.

Bonus Features You’ll Love

Title Your Videos

After recording your video, you’ll have the option to title them. This makes them easy to find for future use or reference.

Gmail PowerWheel

Record, send, and track videos all within your Gmail inbox with the BombBomb PowerWheel when you download the extension. (Learn how it works in this post.)

How to Record and Share Videos with the Microsoft Edge Extension 

To record and share videos with the BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension, you’ll need:

• Microsoft Edge: Download it free here.

• A BombBomb Account: Try it free for two weeks! Already have an account? Log in.

• BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension: Get it free here.

How to Use the Extension: 3 Steps

1. Press the BombBomb icon next to the address bar.

2. Record a video or screen recording, or press the “Videos” tab to access a video from your video library.

3. Copy the video link and paste it anywhere! Social media, CRMs — you name it.

Don’t forget: You can still send the video via email from the extension, too!

Start Recording Videos in Microsoft Edge Today!

Now that you have the BombBomb Microsoft Edge Extension downloaded and know how to use it, don’t waste any time. Start creating and sharing videos within your browser to reach more people in a more effective way. You’ll see the results in no time!

But what do you say? Who do you ask? And how do you do it?

Answering these questions is part of building a successful referral strategy – one that ignites a virtuous growth cycle for your business.

Happy customers introduce you to new leads who then become happy customers who introduce you to new leads and so on…this is the goal.

When your referral engine is humming, you don’t have to spend as much time or money to acquire new customers. Your CAC goes down, and you can spend more time delivering exceptional services.

The key is to treat your referral partners with respect and appreciation – similar to how you did when you were pursuing them as customers. You want to deliver an exceptional experience that reminds them why they chose to work with you in the first place.

This is what sets the stage for a great referral. Your customers should want to refer you.

Remember – their reputation is on the line. If there is any chance you won’t represent them well, they won’t pass you along to their best contacts.

One of the best ways to ask for a referral is over a personalized video. Videos are warm and memorable. They make viewers feel more connected to you.

And if you used video messages during your sales process, using it again to ask for a referral reinforces to your customer what made their buying process with you special.

(check out this post for more coverage on video prospecting in sales)

Check out the video below and then continue reading to learn why referrals are so important and how video messages unlock your referral strategy.

Why Referrals Matter

According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, positive word of mouth is the driving factor behind 20–50% of all purchasing decisions.

The problem is that products and services are easy to find, but the amount of information we have access to is overwhelming! It’s easier to ask someone we know for a recommendation.

Hubspot reports that 83% of us rely on referrals from family and friends for making purchasing decisions.

“People influence people. Nothing influences people more than a recommendation from a trusted friend. A trusted referral influences people more than the best broadcast message. A trusted referral is the Holy Grail of advertising.”

– Mark Zuckerberg

In reality, anyone in your network can be a referral source. However, your existing customers are likely to drive the most business because they understand what it was like to be a lead or prospect.

When someone gives you a referral, a few things happen:

• Leads enter the buying journey with the expectation they are going to have a great experience. This tends to start the relationship on a positive note.
• Leads are more likely to become referrers themselves. People are happy to refer you if you’ve proven you handle your referrals with care.
• Customers feel even more connected to you. Asking for a referral – especially over video – reaffirms positive beliefs about you as a salesperson.
• Your profitability improves. A referred lead costs less to convert into a customer. The amount of energy it takes to close a deal decreases while your overall closing rate goes up.

If you can nail your referral strategy, the cycle below starts to take shape.

The Referral Cycle

Every step in the referral cycle is important. Keeping each of these stages in mind is crucial for building a strong referral foundation.

1. Exceed Expectations

If you aren’t doing your best, people aren’t going to refer you. Lay the groundwork for asking for a referral by providing an excellent customer experience upfront. Don’t just meet expectations, blow them out of the water.

2. Engage

Keep engaging customers even after you’ve made an initial sale. Figure out ways to deliver value and stay face to face so that when it’s time to ask for a referral, it’s an easy decision for them. It’s harder to get a high-quality referral if you haven’t spoken to someone in a long time.

3. Use Multiple Channels

Use multiple channels to keep up with existing customers (i.e., potential referral sources). People spend time in different places online and in person. Staying top of mind with people in your customer base often means maintaining a presence in various places.

4. Create Several Advocacy Channels

Set up a few places where people can advocate for you and your business. In the same way that you should engage customers on multiple channels, give them several places to share praise.

For instance, you could have testimonials or reviews on your Facebook page, website and Google Business page.

The channels you chose should align with where your best potential customers are most likely to find you. It doesn’t help having Yelp reviews if your target customers don’t consult the platform for advice about your product.

5. Make It Easy

When it’s time to ask for a referral, you want to make it as easy as possible for the referrer. Create a description of what types of leads you serve best and how you help them. Determine exactly where you want them to send referrals or how people should contact you.

Your referral sources may not all fall into your ideal customer profile (ICP), and they may not have found you through traditional means. Giving them clear directions on who and how to refer removes any potential friction or uncertainty.

The more the referrer has to figure out, the less likely they are to follow through. Remember, they have their own priorities outside of your success.

6. Make the Ask

On a related note, don’t expect past customers to send you referrals, even if they loved working with you. You have to ask.If you can give them a reason why now is a great time to refer, even better.

Maybe you’re launching a new product or focusing on a more specific type of buyer. These are great excuses to initiate a referral conversation and get someone excited about suggesting you to their network.

You can make the ask over any channel that makes sense. If you’re sending an email or text, consider including a personalized video message that references your past partnership and why you enjoyed working together so much.

(for a list of email templates you can use in your sales process, check out this article)

7. Say “Thank You!”

After people give you a referral, thank them. Showing your appreciation makes it that much more likely they’ll do it again. And as always, saying “thank you” is best done over a video message – the recipient will see the joy they’ve inspired through their referral.

Here’s a great example of this…

After the Referral

The onus is on you to deliver after getting a referral!

Even though the relationship with a new prospect is starting on a great note, you still need to bring your A game. After all, you may be asking this prospect for a referral one day.

If you need help with your cold calls and outreach, check out this blog post here. Even though a referred lead isn’t technically “cold,” the strategies in the article can still be useful.

And if you’re working on your on-call skills, here are 25 open-ended sales questions you can start using today in your discovery calls.

Finally, to give video messaging a try, start a free 14-day trial with BombBomb here.

So, if you want your prospect’s buying journey to keep moving in a positive direction, power words can help. They tap into a prospect’s positive emotions and motivate people to buy.

Watch the video below and keep reading to learn key power words you can incorporate into your sales process today.

Why are Power Words for Sales Beneficial?

Power words work because they are persuasive and produce positive emotional responses. They make your prospects feel good and build trust, which is essential for building the relationships you need to make a sale.

When you use power words, the people you interact with are more likely to let their guard down and listen to what you have to say. You can then have better discovery conversations with prospects about their goals and your solutions.

14 Power Words for Sales

You may already have some go-to power words, but here is a list with additional ideas that will get you the results you are looking for…

1. You

When you’re communicating with a prospect, it should be all about them.

• “You seem like the kind of person who cares more about people, about the conversations, about relationships…”
• “We want to help you.”
• “If you believe…”

Using the word “you” shows you are committed to your prospect’s success. It’s not about you making a sale. It’s about your prospect solving a pain point and experiencing a transformation.

2. Goals

Every potential customer you work with has goals for their business. It’s your job to show them how your product or service will help them accomplish those objectives.

So, ask them about their goals. Identify roadblocks and obstacles. Use these details in conversations throughout the entire buying journey and beyond.

3. Opportunity

Your prospects need to know the potential impact of what you’re offering. Helping them see the opportunity in front of them is key to getting their buy in and closing a deal.

The more opportunities you can identify, the better. You need to clearly show that the benefits of adopting your service or product far outweigh the costs.

4. We

You need to prove to your prospects that you’re more than a salesperson – you’re a partner. And together, you’re a team.

The word “we” triggers this sentiment and foster mutual accountability. It signals to your contact that they’re not alone and can rely on your expertise throughout the sales cycle.

5. Easy

Your sales process should be as easy and frictionless as possible. Your prospects are busy. And the more you distract from their day-to-day responsibilities, the harder it is to close a deal.

A screen recorder is a great tool for simplifying complex concepts. Rather than type out long emails or direct messages, record your screen while walking through a document or process. You can even showcase your product this way.

You can also ask your prospects how you can make things easier for them. This gives them a chance to provide feedback and offer insight into internal buying practices.

6. Success

Every prospect wants to be successful. Your product has to help them get there.

Ask what success looks like for your prospects’ businesses. Show them how your product or service can increase their chances of making that vision a reality.

Additionally, share stories of how similar businesses are thriving with your offerings. This makes it easier for prospects to image what their life would be like after making a purchase.

7. Amazing

You want to get your prospects excited about your product. The words you use to do that are so important to set that tone for your interactions along the sales process. “Amazing” is a good place to start.

Use it to highlight your company. Then, follow that up with the standout features of the product you’re selling. Show them what about it is actually amazing. Give them a fear of missing out, so they’re persuaded to close the deal.

8. Believe

Get prospective customers to believe in what your business can do for theirs. Here’s a great way to use this word in sales conversations: “If you believe XYZ, then ABC is right for you.”

This demonstrates that your business sells something that aligns with your prospect’s beliefs and values.

This is how you’ll get the buy-in you’re seeking. You’re getting them to see the bigger picture of how your product fits in with their company mindset and culture.

9. If

“If” is similar to “believe” in that it helps your potential clients understand why they need your product or service. Here’s an example: “If you want a clean house and are short on time, our cleaning services can help.”

“If” articulates the value behind what you’re selling. It helps tie your prospect’s pain points to the benefit your product or service provides.

10. Benefit

What do they get out of working with you? That’s what prospective clients want to know. Deliver on that with the word, “benefit.”

Why is the product a good fit for them? How will it help the business??

Answer these questions in your pitch without waiting for prospects to ask. This again demonstrates that you’re taking their best interest into consideration.

11. Help

One of the best ways to start new sales conversations is by asking, “How can we help you?” Pay attention to what they say to understand how you can bring value to the conversation. Also, by offering a helping hand, you’re showing prospective customers that this interaction is about them, not you.

12. New

We all like new things. We want the latest and greatest technology.

Position yourself as an innovator and generate excitement with new updates and offerings. This is key for driving purchasing decisions.

13. Exclusive

And just like humans like new things, we also like exclusive ones. By adding the word “exclusive” into your sales messaging, you make it harder for people to decline your offer.

So using something like, “This is an exclusive deal that we’re only offering to select new customers,” is enticing. It makes people want to take action. And it helps you sell.

14. Thank You

People like feeling appreciated. Your prospects are busy people taking time out of their schedules to talk to you. Don’t forget to say, “Thank you.”

This shows your prospects that you value their time. It makes them feel good and gives you the opportunity to end your conversation on a high note before they make a decision.

When Should You Use Power Words?

Power words in sales have many uses. They’re beneficial in interactions at every stage of the sales process.

Three use cases in particular are great situations for power words. These include:

1. Cold Calling

By nature, people aren’t expecting your cold calls. As a result, they’re unlikely to answer.

However, if they do, you have a short window to convince them that your product is worth considering. Positive sales words, like the ones listed in this article, help keep cold prospects on the line longer.

(read this post for more cold calling tips and best practices)

2. Outbound Emails

You need to make every word count in your outbound emails. Your prospects receive tens or hundreds of messages a day. That’s why standing out his hard.

Power words cut through the noise and leave a lasting impression. Use them to draw attention, and then continue to build relationships with prospects over time with personalized video messages.

(check out these sales email templates to improve your open and response rates)

3. Video Prospecting

Video prospecting is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself as a seller. Incorporating power words into your video outreach is one of the best ways to improve results throughout your pipeline.

(check out this blog post for a deeper dive on the topic of video prospecting)

While recording your video, use power words that keep your viewers wanting more – so they watch it from beginning to end. This will help establish the trust and rapport needed for them to move forward in the buying journey.

Want to give video prospecting a try? Click here to start a free 14-day trial.

That’s where video prospecting comes in.

Instead of sending another text-only message, a video message grabs attention, builds trust and sets you apart.

In this post, we’ll break down why video prospecting works and how to use it in your sales process. 

Why Video Prospecting Works 

Video prospecting is the process of using personalized and automated video messages to reach potential customers. It gives sales reps a more engaging way to build relationships with prospects.

Most salespeople today still prospect over email, direct messages and phone calls. But cutting through the noise is difficult with these approaches. Adding video messages into sales outreach immediately elevates you above the competition.

Here are a few reasons why.

Video Captures Attention

Think about your own inboxes. A wall of text is easy to ignore, but a video thumbnail with a smiling face? That stands out.  

Video naturally draws the eye, increasing the chances that your prospect will stop, click and listen. According to our data, emails with videos get 120% higher response rates and 2x clicks.

Video Builds Trust Faster

We do business with people we like and trust. A video gives prospects a chance to see your face, hear your voice and connect with your personality.  

This builds trust faster than a standard email or message. Instead of sounding like another sales pitch, you come across as a real person who genuinely wants to help.

(btw, this is why video is also a great tool when asking for referrals. Read more here on this topic.)

Video Separates You From Everyone Else

Most sales reps send the same cold emails or messages:  

“Hey [First Name], I wanted to reach out because…”

Sound familiar?  

A personalized video disrupts this pattern. When everyone else is using text, you can show up with a warm, engaging message that feels human.

Video Enables Clearer Communication

Some products or services are harder to explain, especially over a written message. Videos, on the other hand, make it much easier to clarify confusing details, anticipate questions and add helpful context.

Many video messaging platforms like BombBomb also come with screen recording capabilities. With a screen recorder, you can walk through a demo and show your solution in action. This helps prospects connect the dots and visualize the transformation that comes after purchasing your solution.

And guess what? You don’t need fancy equipment for this to be true in your sales process. Filming with webcam or smartphone is enough to humanize your outreach and establish genuine connections with buyers.

Video Produces Results

Video prospecting isn’t just attractive in theory. It works.

In a case study we conducted with an enterprise sales team, sellers saw a 56% increase in replies to cold emails with video.

Another sales team was hoping to achieve a 25% response rate and build a pipeline of $250,000 within their first 30 days of using video. They exceeded that goal by a wide margin – they hit a 70% response rate and $1.2 million pipeline in one month.

Check out Amplexor’s story below…

Brad Stoehr of Horizon Investments was also able to make $313 million for his company in 18 months because of video…

It doesn’t take long to prove the value of video prospecting. Sales professionals who use video messaging see an immediate impact to response rates and engagement.

When Should You Use a Video for Prospecting?

Video is especially useful for outbound sales, inbound lead response and setting appointments.

Video increases outbound response rates because prospects are less likely to ignore a message from a real person. They see that someone is trying to connect and offer a valuable solution to a problem they’re experiencing right now.

Here’s an example of a financial advisor using a video message to re-engage a lead…

Video also enables sellers to make a great first impression with an inbound lead.

Right after someone submits their information, you can send a video introducing yourself and thanking them for taking their time. This establishes trust early and makes people more comfortable about taking the next steps in the sales process.

One great way to continue nurturing inbound leads is to offer ongoing education. If you keep offering value, some percentage of your leads will convert into qualified prospects and then ultimately into customers.

Here’s an example of a wealth management professional sharing information about the upcoming tax season for both prospects and existing clients…

Furthermore, video overcomes one of the biggest challenges in sales – getting people to commit to and show up for appointments or demos.

A video message is a great way to remind prospects why taking a meeting would be valuable to them (not to you). Videos also make it harder for people to cancel or skip meetings. They realize that they’d be disrespecting or disappointing a real person.

After a meeting, a video messaging is an effective way to summarize what you discussed and recap next steps. A simple follow-up video message keeps deals moving forward.

Here’s an example…

Note: A video message is NOT a good fit in situations when you just need to give someone a simple response or answer. In that case, do what’s convenient for your prospect. Send a quick message or email and save video for bigger moments in your prospect’s buying journey.

Video Prospecting on LinkedIn

Knowing how to use video for prospecting on LinkedIn can be a game-changer for your business. That’s why this topic deserves its own section.

Here are different ways you can use video to your advantage on LinkedIn.

Direct Messages to Existing Connections

Cold prospecting on LinkedIn is all about making an impression, not making a sale. It’s about engaging with individuals in a memorable way so that you can continue to build relationships over time.

One of the best places to use video is in direct messages.

The key is to make your videos personal and valuable. Check out this example…

Todd immediately offers value by asking his recipient how he can help. He’s selling, but he’s listening and providing service first.

Response to connection

Sending a personal video message to a new connection is a powerful way to start a relationship. Keep your message short, and share one or two reasons why you’re excited you found each other on the platform.

Here’s an example of a seller using an evergreen (pre-recorded) video in response to new connections…

By sending a video, this person disrupts what recipients expect. He’s easily remembered, which is a great foundation for future sales conversations.

Note that he does try and get recipients to take a next step with him. This can work depending on your target customer and the services you offer.

However, sometimes it’s best to not pitch people immediately after connecting with them. You can focus on building a relationship first before asking for that initial sales conversation.

Celebrate milestones

Promotions and work anniversaries are perfect opportunities to reach out with a video. Congratulate the prospect and don’t make any sort of offer or sales pitch. Simply celebrate with them.

If you know the recipient, make a personal video message. If not, send an evergreen video like this example…

Video Prospecting on Facebook

The video messaging use cases that are valuable on LinkedIn are also well-suited for Facebook.

You can introduce yourself to new connections and congratulate people on exciting milestones. You can also follow up with them after events or share resources that you think would be valuable.

As you become more comfortable with video messaging, you’ll come up with new ideas and ways to engage with prospects on the platform that fit your sales cycle.

9 Best Practices for Video Prospecting

To make the most of your video prospecting efforts, follow the six best practices outlined below.

1. Use Strong Email Subject Lines

Prospects need to open your emails before they can watch your videos. To improve your open rates, use subject lines that:

1. Indicate that you’ve sent a video
2. Invoke curiosity
3. Mimic internal communications

Adding “video” in a subject line like this “ Quick message for you…” is an easy way to get more people to read your emails. We’ve proven this time and time again at BombBomb.

“An opportunity you don’t want to miss…” is an example of a subject line that creates a curiosity gap. It suggests there’s a difference between what your prospect knows and what they don’t know. People will open an email to close this gap and satisfy their curiosity.

“New solution” is a simple subject line that looks like something one colleague would send to another. This is often better than something like “Introduction: Inventory Management Solution for <Company Name>.” The more “salesy” your subject line, the less likely you’ll get an open.

(and here’s a longer article on different sales email templates you can use for various situations)

2. Provide text-based context

Whether you’re sending an email or direct message, always include some text-based context with your video message. Sending a video alone can come across as spammy, especially when reaching out to cold leads.

Provide a quick description of what your video is about without providing too many details. You still want to peak curiosity and leave enough unknown so that your prospect has to play the video for full context.

3. Employ the EVA Framework

If you want to create videos that elicit replies, follow the EVA Framework: Empathy, Value, and Action.

• Empathy: Get to know your prospects. Understand their pain points. Empathize with what they’re going through, so you can work with them on a solution.
• Value: Provide value in your sales prospecting videos. Ask your prospects how you can help them. Then, you can deliver solutions to the challenges they are facing.
• Action: Include a clear call-to-action in your video. What action do you want them to take? Tell them that, and reiterate it a couple of times, so they are more inclined to do it.

4. Keep Your Videos Short

Try to keep your video messages under 60 seconds. Prospects are busy, so get to the point quickly. You can go longer once you’ve established rapport with your prospect.

Here’s a simple framework you can use:  

1. Introduce yourself (smile and say their name)  

2. Mention why you’re reaching out

3. Highlight a key benefit or insight  

4. End with a clear call to action (book a call, reply, etc.)  

Example script:  

“Hey Sarah, I saw your post about [topic] and wanted to reach out. I work with sales teams who struggle with [pain point], and I think I can help. I made this quick video to share an idea—let me know what you think!”  

5. Embrace Imperfections

Keep things simple. Don’t worry about filming elaborate videos with scripts and green screens. If you make a mistake, keep going.

This is what keeps your video messages real and makes you relatable. It can help to not rewatch your videos. Lean into authenticity, and don’t let your insecurities or unfair self-criticisms get in the way.

6. Get Attention with an Animated Preview (GIF) or Video Thumbnail

Many video email platforms will display your video as a thumbnail or animated preview (GIF) within your email. Use this to your advantage.

Make the first few seconds of your video visually exciting. Wave at the camera or hold up a whiteboard with your prospect’s name. Have fun with it and get creative.

Here’s one example…

Check out what this looks like when someone goes all out…

7. Know When to Send Personal vs Pre-recorded Videos

Whenever possible, record and send personal one-to-one videos.

If that’s not scalable or if you want to leverage automation, create personal videos for your top 20 prospects only and then pre-record evergreen videos for everyone else. These are videos that work for any recipient because you don’t reference a specific person or situation.

Evergreen videos are still more effective than plain text, and they’re efficient if you need to recapture some time in your day.

8. Use Screen Recorders

As mentioned above, screen recorders can help add clarity and help recipients visualize what you’re saying. They can also be effective for outreach if you’re willing to get creative.

For example, you could pull up your prospect’s LinkedIn profile and record yourself commenting on a shared interest or professional experience.

Though this may seem like a strange tactic, most people don’t feel this is an invasion of privacy – they’re profile is public after all!

Here’s an example…

9. Use Video Analytics to Guide Your Follow-up Efforts

If your video prospecting tool has tracking and analytics capabilities, use that data to focus on hot opportunities that have a higher chance of closing. Someone who watched 80% of a video is worth pursuing over someone who didn’t watch your video at all.

A great strategy is to set up notifications so that you know as soon as someone opened an email or watched a video. Give that person a call or send another video immediately to strike while the iron is hot.

10. [Bonus] Combine Cold Calling with Video Prospecting

If cold calling is part of your sales process, video prospecting is still valuable. With the right combination of approaches, you can dramatically increase your chances of making a connection with a cold lead.

(read more on cold-calling here, and if you need better discovery questions, check out this post.)

Take Your Sales Prospecting to the Next Level

Sales prospecting burns people out. That’s why it’s important to invest in techniques and technologies that generate better results for less effort.

Incorporating video messages into your sales process checks both boxes. You can send fewer emails and make fewer cold calls when you use video messaging because it converts at a much better rate.

Yes, it takes time to get comfortable with video. It’s a new skill and habit you need to build. But once you do, your sales process (and results) will never be the same.

If you want to give video messaging a try, sign up for a free 14-day trial here.

You can also schedule a demo here to see additional BombBomb features and learn how other sales teams are using the platform.

According to EmailAnalytics, it takes five emails to hear back from a prospect. Yet, Invesp reports that 70% of salespeople don’t send more than one.

To get people to respond, you need to:

1. Be persistent
2. Send better emails

In this post, you’ll find sales email templates for different scenarios. These are some of the best sales email templates we’ve seen that not only help increase replies but also close deals.

Sales Email Best Practices

Before we jump into specific templates, let’s cover some best practices.

Start with a compelling subject line 

Marketing legend David Ogilvy once said…

“When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar.“

In other words, your headline does most of the heavily lifting when it comes to getting attention.

The same idea applies to subject lines. If they stink, people won’t open your emails.

Your subject lines should spark curiosity and / or look like they were written by a close acquaintance.

Also:

• Shorter is better
• No emojis, numbers or questions
• Leave out names

Check out this article from Lavendar.ai for the full read on great email subject lines.

Get to the Point

No one wants to read a novel. Quickly explain why you’re reaching out and what you are offering. This is especially important given that many people open emails on mobile devices today.

Shorter emails are more inviting and less intimidating. The less effort it takes to read your email, the more likely people will take the time.

Keep Your Message Personal

In an ideal world, your emails should be tailored to one prospect or client. The templates provided in this article leave room for personalization so that your messages land with people.

And one of the best ways to personalize an email is to send it with a video message. A video message is a great way to show your prospect you’ve taken time to craft a dedicated message, and it makes people feel more connected to you.

(btw, here’s an in-depth article on the topic of video prospecting in sales)

Provide Helpful Content

Your emails are worth reading if they provide value to the reader. That’s how you build trust in the inbox. If you send noise, your prospect will stop giving you their time.

In addition to moving the sales process forward, share helpful information or resources that address your prospect’s needs. Every time you send a useful email, you increase the chances your prospect will open the next one.

It’s easier to send helpful content when you truly understand your prospect’s needs. A great discovery call can give you the insight you need to position your offering as the best solution available.

(btw, here’s an article on 25 open-ended sales questions that lead to better discovery calls)

11 Sales Email Examples 

With these best practices in mind, here are eleven templates you can start using today in your sales process.

1. Reaching Out to a Super Cold Lead

Cold outreach is challenging, but if you hit your prospect on the right day with the right message, you can spark a connection. The key is to demonstrate value and show you’ve done your homework.

Subject Line: “[Industry] Insight”

Hi [Name],

I came across an interesting trend in the [industry] space recently: [brief insight or statistic relevant to prospect’s role]. This made me think about the work [Company] has been doing with [specific initiative or project you’ve researched].

Many of the [job title/role] leaders I speak with are looking to [achieve specific goal] while avoiding [common challenge]. We’ve developed an approach that’s helped companies like [reference similar company] improve their [relevant metric] by [percentage/amount].

I’d love to share a quick 3-minute overview of how this might apply to you. Would you be open to a brief conversation next Thursday or Friday?

[Signature]

2. After Attempting to Reach a Prospect by Phone

Most cold calls today lead to voicemails. People rarely answer calls from unknown numbers, and your chances of getting a call back are slim unless you give them a compelling reason to reach out.

We recommend you send an email after trying to connect over the phone. Your email should introduce you, explain why you called and describe next steps.

(this article goes even deeper into how to cold call effectively)

Subject Line: “Just missed you…”

Hi [name],

My name is [Your name] from [Your company]. I just left you a voicemail regarding [briefly explain the reason you called].

I’d love to chat with you more about how [Your service] can improve [What it can improve]. I will try to call you back on [Day].

If this time is inconvenient for you, please email or call me back and we can schedule another time to speak.

I look forward to talking with you soon.

[Signature]

Check out what this looks like in a video message…

3. After Sending an Initial Email with No Response

When people don’t respond to an initial email, you have two options on the email front:

1. Send them another email
2. Reply to the existing thread

The advantage of option 1 is that you get another chance at a compelling subject line. The advantage of option 2 is that you remind your prospect you’ve already reached out once.

Subject Line: “Let’s try again” (if using)

Hi [Name],

I sent you an email a few days ago about [Email topic] and noticed you haven’t had a chance to respond. you may be busy and forgot about it – that’s understandable.

For your convenience, I’ve included the original message below.

Thanks,

[Signature]

And if you’re sending a video message, try something like this…

4. After an Event

Local and virtual events like conferences and networking sessions are excellent opportunities to meet new prospects. It’s important to follow up with promising leads and reference something you spoke about in-person to help them remember you. They’ll be more inclined to respond if they don’t view you as a stranger.

Subject Line: “Great meeting you!”

Hi [Name],

I enjoyed speaking with you at [Event] last week. I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you [what they do]. My company actually helps people like you with [Services].

If you have a few minutes, I’d love to meet up for coffee and chat.

I’m available [Date/Time], does that work for you?

[Signature]

And here’s a video message example…

5. Asking a Customer for a Referral

Happy customers are your best advocates — and the time to ask for referrals is right after you’ve delivered great results. Make it easy for them while being specific about who you’re looking to meet.

Subject Line: “Who else might benefit from [specific result]?”

Hi [Name],

I hope all is well with you! I’m reaching out because I’m thrilled that [Your Company] has helped you achieve [specific results].

I was wondering if you know other [specific role, e.g., “marketing directors” or “operations managers”] who might benefit from [product or service]?

If anyone comes to mind, would you be comfortable introducing us via email? 

Thank you for considering this, and please let me know if there’s anything else we can do to help you keep up the momentum.

Best,

[Signature]

6. Thanking a Customer for a Referral

When a customer takes the time to refer you to someone, it’s huge. Saying “thank you” not only acknowledges their help but also encourages future referrals.

Subject Line: “Thank You!”

Hi [Name],

Thank you so much for introducing me to [Referred Contact]. 

We had a great initial conversation yesterday, and I’m excited about the possibility of helping [Referred Contact’s Company] with [specific challenge/goal].

Referrals like yours are the highest compliment we can receive. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on how things progress — and please let me know if there’s anything I can do to support you and your team on your current projects.

Thanks again,

[Signature]

7. Reaching out to a Referred Lead

A referred lead instantly puts you ten steps ahead. When someone has connected you with a prospect, your chances of getting a response increase dramatically. Use it!

Subject Line: “[Mutual Connection] suggested we connect”

Hi [Name],

[Mutual Connection] and I were talking last week about [relevant topic/challenge], and they recommended I reach out to you.

[Mutual Connection] mentioned you’ve been working on [specific initiative] at [Company] and thought our [product/service] might be valuable to your team, especially with [specific benefit relevant to their initiative].

We’ve helped organizations like [similar company] achieve [specific result]. I’d love to share how we might be able to do the same for [Company].

Do you have 15 minutes next week for a quick conversation?

Best regards,

[Signature]

8. After a Successful First Meeting or Demo

The follow-up after an initial meeting is crucial to maintain momentum in the sales process. Your email should summarize key points discussed, address any questions that came up and outline next steps. Timing matters — try to send this follow-up the same day, if possible!

Subject Line: “Next Steps”

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today to discuss how [Your Company] can help [Their Company] with [specific challenge/goal].

I enjoyed learning more about your [specific insight from the conversation] and how you’re currently handling [relevant process].

Based on our discussion, I believe we can help you [specific benefit 1] and [specific benefit 2], which would address the [pain point] you mentioned.

As promised, I’ve attached [relevant resources discussed] and here’s a link to [additional information].

Our next step would be to [specific action, e.g., “schedule a follow-up demo with your team” or “prepare a custom proposal”]. Here’s my calendar link [link to online calendar booker].

Looking forward to our next conversation,

[Signature]

9. After Closing a Deal

The conversation doesn’t end after your client signs on the dotted line. How you manage the relationship going forward has a significant impact on whether they refer you to other prospects.

Stay in touch, and keep delivering value, especially in your first note after the sale.

(and here’s a blog post on how to ask for referrals when the time is right)

Subject Line: “Welcome!”

Hi [Name],

I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for [recent order / partnership]. I know you’ll be thrilled with the service and quality [Your company] will provide to help you address your business needs.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

I look forward to our professional relationship.

[Signature]

And here’s the video example…

10. After a Contract Ends

Great communication still matters, even when ending a business relationship.

It’s still valuable to send an email thanking your contact for being a loyal customer. They may come back one day, and leaving things on a positive note also keeps the door open for a future referral.

Subject Line: “Thank you”

Hi [Name],

I’m sorry to see our partnership come to an end. Thank you for being such a loyal customer over the past [Length of contract]. Please keep me in mind if you need additional [Type of service] in the future.

Thank you,

[Signature]

Here’s what this looks like in a video message…

11. After a Prospect Stops Responding

It can be confusing when a prospect stops responding to you after they were engaging initially. Before cutting your losses, try one more email to see if they’ll reengage.

At the very least, they may confirm they’re not interested.

This is your opportunity to show a little creativity, humor and personality. And why not? This is a Hail Mary.

Subject Line: “Is this on?”

Hi [Name],

I’ve tried to get in touch with you over the past few months, and it appears I’ve been unsuccessful.

I understand the timing might not be right, you’re just plain not interested or you’ve cut the cord and are now living a new life off the grid. It’s OK, I won’t take it personally.

I’ll stop emailing you, but please keep me in mind should you ever need [Type of service].

I hope this isn’t goodbye.

[Signature]

Here’s a great video message to go along with it…

You Can Do This

Prospecting is hard. You need sharp messaging and great timing to cut through the noise. The right sales email templates can open many doors and help you grow your business.

And as we’ve mentioned throughout the article, incorporating personalized video messages can help increase open rates and responses, especially when coupled with strong email copy.

Curious to give video messaging a try? Use BombBomb for 14 days free.

Have you ever finished your workday wondering where the time went and wishing you could have accomplished more? How much of that day was spent typing out emails? If it’s safe to say, a lot. However, there is a solution – prerecorded evergreen video messages.

What is an Evergreen Video?

An evergreen video is a prerecorded video that only needs to be recorded once, but can be sent to multiple recipients. The topic covered in this type of video relates to a large group of people. So, it can be used time and time again as it doesn’t mention anyone specifically by name.

Evergreen videos can be created for numerous business interactions like frequently asked questions (FAQs), introductions, and process updates. This video content is timeless, so you don’t have to spend time crafting an email response you’ve already typed out several times before to other recipients.

Watch the video below as BombBomb Co-Founder and President Darin Dawson goes over when and why you should use evergreen video content in your sales process and ways to do so. Also, keep reading for four evergreen videos you can send to save you time…

1. Lead Response Evergreen Videos

You likely have a system in place to respond to leads, but is it as effective as you’d like it to be? The tool or process you have in place may allow you to scale yourself. However, you can save even more time by creating automated response videos to send to new leads in your database.

Your video should include:

• A friendly greeting referencing why you’re reaching out (for example, “You requested more information on [platform name] and I’m just following up.”)
• The value and expertise you have to offer
• Your contact information for next steps, as well as a call to action to set an appointment

Again, these videos should not be specific to any individual person. They should, however, be specific to where the leads come from — whether it be a CRM or form on your website.

You should set these videos up to automatically send whenever someone requests additional information from your business. It puts a face to the name for your leads right away, making them more likely to trust you earlier on.

So although it may be an automated video message, it’s still new and personal to each lead receiving it.

Check out how Andy Alger, a Keller Williams First realtor, set up the following lead response video sent to potential clients on Zillow…

With this video, he’s instantly establishing rapport with his leads, showing them that there’s an actual person ready to help them.

2. Evergreen Introduction Videos

You’ve responded to your leads. So now, either you sealed the deal or haven’t heard back.

Sending a more detailed introduction video further cultivates the relationship with current clients to put them at ease, or garners trust from prospects you haven’t gotten a response from yet. This is an area where an evergreen video can help.

Your video should include:

• Background information about yourself and what you have to offer
• A thank you for their time (if they’re a prospect) or their business (if they’re a client or business partner). Here’s our article for all the ways you can say thank you with a video.
• A call to action to set an appointment (for prospects)
• Next steps (for clients) so people know what to expect

Even though it’s prerecorded and doesn’t address a specific recipient, an evergreen introduction video still feels much more personal than a typed-out email. That’s because you are introducing yourself on a deeper level, while traditional emails just scratch the surface of what you bring to the table.

Your video makes a greater impact in less time. Just record it once and send your video to people as needed.

Ultimately, you’re differentiating yourself from the competition by reaching out quicker to more people in a more authentic way.

Ruth Darling, formerly of Lawyers Title, created the video below introducing herself that she sends to clients who choose to work with her…

Ruth tells her clients a little bit about herself, compliments them, and expresses her appreciation for their business. She creates a video message that resonates with any client she’s working with. All it took was one video to make that great first impression.

3. Product Walkthrough Evergreen Videos

It’s hard to embody everything your business encompasses with just text – especially when it comes to digital products like software. And the reality is people want to see what your product can do, not just hear about it. By creating product walkthrough evergreen videos, you can explain each feature of your product or service in a more detailed and visual manner.

After creating your product evergreen video content, you only need to record it again when there are product updates.

Then, you’ll be able to send the videos to prospects upon connecting to stay top-of-mind. You can also use them across your website or social media platforms.

Your video should include:

• Standout features of your product or service
• A screen recording, if applicable, of these features in action (you can learn how to use our screen recorder in this post)
• What pain points your product or service solves

By seeing the product in action, it’s more intriguing to your recipients. They gain a more thorough understanding of what the product does a whole, so they’ll be more inclined to schedule an appointment or demo.

Watch the product walkthrough evergreen video below that Brian Thompson created to send to people while he worked at OpenSpace…

After watching that video just once, you clearly understand what he is selling. This saves his viewers the time of trying to uncover what the product does on their own. At the same time, he’s differentiating himself with a concise video message of what the product can do for them.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Evergreen Videos

Do you get similar questions from clients during their customer journey? If so, there’s an evergreen video that can help.

It can be tedious and time-consuming to stop what you’re doing to call or email them with the same answers you’ve given people over and over again.

However, if you have prerecorded videos answering these FAQs on hand, all you have to do is send that instead.

Your video should include…

• A reference to the question your recipients have
• A detailed response to that question
• Anything else they can expect

Just make a list of commonly asked questions you receive, record an evergreen video for each response, and you’re set. Next time you receive the question, just send the person the corresponding video response.

You can also automate these videos. That way they’ll send when clients reach a certain stage of their journey with your product or service. The video will answer typical questions people have during this specific stage to keep them informed and at ease.

For example, the video below is one Chris Brown and his team at Certified Mortgage Planners send to clients when they reach a big appraisal stage in the mortgage loan and home buying process…

The team kicks it off by congratulating their clients on reaching a new mortgage milestone. Then, they follow that up on what this news means for them while answering common questions that come at this stage of the mortgage lending process. So, the clients are in the loop of what’s going on and what they can expect going forward.

Need More Time-Saving Tips and Guidance? We’ve Got You Covered!

Want more in-depth training on how to save time in your sales process? Watch our webinar, “How to Scale Yourself: The Fastest Ways to Save Time in Your Sales Process,” led by BombBomb National Speaker Alicia Berruti and Client Enablement Manager Kevin Andrews.

In it, you’ll learn time management strategies, time-saving tools, as well as ways to use video to scale yourself in business. See the full training below…

Additionally, if you’re looking to use video as one of your top sales automation tools, we’ve got an article full of ways to do so. Check it out. You can also try video email out for yourself right here.

We hear this question a lot. It’s one of the biggest challenges that sales reps and customer success teams face. And it’s frustrating.

You take the time to write the perfect email, only for it to end up in a folder the recipient never opens.

In this article, you’ll learn why your emails go to spam instead of your recipient’s inbox.

1. Ask Yourself: Is this Email Timely, Relevant and Expected?

Before writing an email, think about who will receive it.

• Will they think the email is timely and relevant?
• Are you confident they are interested your product or services?
• Do they expect to receive emails from you?
• Did they give you their email address voluntarily?

If your email meets these requirements, you’re good to start drafting your message.

2. Follow a Framework for Your Copy

Your email copy needs to resonates with recipients AND motivate them to action. The more often your emails are opened and clicked, the less likely they’ll get marked as spam.

One way to make sure your copy is effective is to follow a framework. For instance, you could use the Empathy-Value-Action framework, which guides you to empathize with the reader’s experience and deliver value before asking them to do something.

The framework you choose isn’t as important as making sure people want to read and respond to what you write. This is how you maximize deliverability.

3. Think Through Your Text-to-Video Ratio

If you include video messages with your emails, this section is for you. While sending personalized videos is a great way to communicate with your clients, you shouldn’t send a video without any accompanying text.

If you don’t include text above or below your video, your email will get the dreaded “…” treatment, which makes it look like your message is empty unless the recipient clicks the dots.

Here’s an example…

Your supporting text does not need to be long, and it shouldn’t detail everything in the video.

In fact, a roundup by MarketingProfs states that “emails with just 15-50 words get 50% higher response rates than emails with more typed-out words.” Use your supporting text to complement your video so that recipients still have a reason to watch.

Many emails going to spam are image-only emails. According to Constant Contact, “Image-only emails generate high spam complaints, have high bounce rates, and have a negative impact on open rates.”

Additionally, “Email clients often block image-only emails as the first line of defense against spam. The second line of defense is to route image-only emails directly to the junk or spam folder. ”

While it may be tempting to have someone create a beautifully designed email in Adobe, don’t do this. If you want to apply some branding to your emails, you can design custom headers and footers while still inserting text into the body of the email.

4. Personalize Your Email as Much as Possible

Personalizing your emails is the most effective tactic for improving email marketing results. People want to open and read emails that are written specifically for them.

While this tactic may seem time-consuming, there are ways to personalize your messages in a quick and easy way. For example, depending on your email service, you might be able to use dynamic variables to fill in unique contact details around your copy. And then you can create multiple versions of these emails for different customer segments.

That way, you’re getting the best of both worlds: personalization without having to write a unique note for every person.

5. Choose a Great Subject Line

A bad subject line with spam trigger words can also land you in the spam folder. A great subject line, on the other hand, catches your recipients’ eyes and convinces them to read your full email.

Hubspot wrote a great article on The Ultimate List of Spam Trigger Words. Words like “free,” “sale” and “discount” are on the list.

Another thing to remember when crafting your subject lines is to keep them short. Ideally, you should keep them under 40 characters or about five to seven words.

For more tips on how to craft compelling subject lines, check out this article.

6. Don’t Use Purchased, Scraped or Downloaded Lists

If you’re using contact lists that you don’t own, your spam mystery is solved. Sending emails to third-party lists can have a detrimental impact on your sending reputation.

Think about it: do you like receiving unsolicited emails? How often do you read emails from people or brands you don’t know?

You also can’t guarantee the quality of these lists. In fact, many of the addresses on these lists may be unused accounts, inactive accounts or spam traps. According to Campaign Monitor, “Spam traps are used specifically to find people using questionable lists and will cause serious damage to your sending reputation.”

The more people who ignore your emails – or worse, mark your emails as spam and report them – the more likely email providers will send all of your emails to the spam folder.

7. Always Use a Suppression List

Another way to improve your email reputation is to use a suppression list.

A suppression list contains email addresses that are opt-outs, invalids and abuse complaints. They’re required to be in compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act. Most email service providers will automatically keep track of all these email addresses and add them to a suppression list.

Note: do not delete your suppression list or remove users from it.

You should only remove users if they asked to continue receiving emails from you. And if you switch ESPs, remember to download the suppression list and upload it to your new provider.

8. Send Additional Emails to Your Most Engaged Users

Whenever you send an email to a large list, follow that email up with another one to the people who opened or clicked your previous send. The more you can personalize this follow-up email, the better.

This signals to email service providers that you are, in fact, offering value to people. They open your emails and engage with your content regularly.

You Made It Past the Spam Filter! Now What?

Making it past the spam filter is only the beginning. Your ultimate goal should be to build and nurture relationships with people over time.

And one of the best ways to do this is through personalized video messaging. Videos not only improve open rates (if accompanied by text, re: tip #3 above), but also make you more likable and memorable as the sender.

Want to give video messaging a try? Start a free 14-day trial with BombBomb here.

Video adoption happens in four stages. It all begins with Stage 1: Script.

This stage is first because the other stages don’t matter much if you don’t know when you’d go to the record button instead of the keyboard. The two primary questions here in Stage 1 are:

“When would I send a video?”
“What would I say in a video?”

We’ll start with the latter …

What Would I Say? | 3 Tips

1. Like a Voicemail

Think of these video messages like voicemail messages. Of course, they provide a richer communication experience than voicemails, but they’re similar in this way: you know who you called, you know why you called, you know what you need to communicate, and you know what the person should do next (the call-to-action or CTA). And then … you just say it

2. More Than Words

Like so much effective communication, these videos give you the benefit of including not just what you say, but how you say it. This conveys so much more meaning than the words alone. So, it’s important to take this into consideration when recording your video messages.

3. No Scripts

As much as you might like to use a script, don’t. Scripts drive a more robotic delivery and add unnecessary pressure (again, there are no exact “right” words). And reading a script takes your eyes off the camera lens, which is how you make valuable eye contact with your viewer.

When Would I Send?

Any time you or your team members are clicking “Send” is a chance to add a video message. Likewise, any time a system is sending a message out on your behalf is a chance to include a video message.

Anywhere you can type a message, you can add a video to bring that message to life. This is even more true today than it was a few years ago with the BombBomb Google Chrome Extension and with the BombBomb keyboard feature in the mobile apps. Both of these features give you access to the video recorder and to your video library to use video messages anywhere you are on your laptop or smartphone.

Video messages are like email messages: you use them throughout the day, every day, whenever you need or want to. They’re useful across the entire customer lifecycle, across the entire employee lifecycle, and within your personal and professional networks.

Want to learn dive deeper into what to say in your videos and when to send? We’ve got you covered.

Video Messaging Ideas: What to Say and When to Say It

We’ve given you an overview of what to in your videos and when to send them.

Now put these practices to use with a free 14-day BombBomb trial. Sign up here.

It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, we all have similar outcomes to accomplish for our businesses to thrive. We all want more appointments and conversions. We all want a boost to our repeat and referral business. We all want to save time and be more efficient. And learning how to use video email is a good place to start.

Because video puts you in front of more people in a more personal and scalable way. So, even in the most competitive on inboxes, you stand out. Why? Because real people are hard to ignore.

And in the process you’re saving time you would have otherwise spent typing by recording a quick video message that won’t get lost in translation. Video is simply clearer, faster, more reliable, and overall better than plain-text emails.

This is how you’ll attract prospects and convert them into paying customers. And this is how you’ll build relationships needed to keep lifelong customers who will, in turn, refer you to others.

However, in order to see these results with video, you need to be equipped with the best strategies. So, to get you started, we’ve created Video Email Action Plans just for you.

Keep reading to learn why, when, and how to use video email – based on the best practices outlined in our Video Email Action Plans – as well as access your own custom Video Email Action Plan…

When to Send Video Emails

When does video email make sense? The opportunities are endless. You can send video emails for everything from follow-ups and appointment confirmations to even birthdays and anniversaries.

But it’s important to know how to use video email at the right time. Three of the best ways to use video email include:

1. Initial Lead Response

There’s no better way to make a good first impression than in person. And video allows you to introduce yourself face to face in a scalable manner. There are three things you should always keep in mind when responding to your leads:

• Make it personal: Let people know that you are invested in them by keeping your video personal. You can do this by kicking off your video with a whiteboard that says their name or has their company logo on it.

• Follow the structure (Empathize, Value, Call to Action): Show a little empathy for your recipients’ thoughts and concerns and explain the value you have to offer. Then, finish your message off with a clear Call to Action elaborating on exactly what you want them to do.

• Keep it short: You don’t know these leads yet. Show them you value their time by keeping your video under one minute long. Keep your message concise and to-the-point.

See how Brooke Hansen of Marketing 360 responds to one of her leads below…

2. Thank You

If you want to keep customers for life and garner referrals, you need to maintain relationships with your past clients and referral partners. And to do that, expressing gratitude is essential.

So, send a thank you video to each person for their business, as well as the referrals they send your way. And be sure to do the following in your video message:

• Start off with a thank you: Begin your video message with gratitude. Thank your recipients for their business, as well as the referral business they’re sending your way.

• Remember what about the relationship you are thankful for: Tell your recipients what you’re grateful for, and make that the focus of your video message.

• Don’t ruin it by asking for business at the end: Do not close your video email by asking someone for business. Your message will come across as insincere.

Watch the video email example below where Pete Green of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group thanks someone for a referral…

3. Frequently Asked Questions

Odds are, your clients will have similar questions when they start working with you. But it can be time-consuming to answer these same questions over and over. This is where video email can be a top sales automation tool.

You can pre-record a series of videos addressing frequently asked questions that your clients have. So when future clients ask these specific FAQs, you can quickly send them one of the evergreen FAQ videos in your video library. That way, you’re only responding to the questions once – eliminating the time spent reaching out to each client individually with answers.

Here’s what to do to be successful with FAQ videos:

• Identify top questions: Figure out the top 3-5 questions you get asked daily by clients that you can answer in a video.

• Pre-record answers to these questions: Create evergreen videos answering these questions to send each time clients ask them.

Check out the following FAQ video that Amy Broghamer of Amy B Real Estate sends to her clients…

How to Send Video Emails

Sending video messages will vary across video email platforms. There are several ways to embed video in email easily from your computer or mobile device. Here’s how:

Send video emails easily on your computer or mobile device

Simply press the record button in your video email software, and you’ll be able to record your video on your webcam and compose your email all in one place, like this…

You can also record videos directly on your phone through your video email platform’s mobile app – so even if you’re on the go, you can send someone a video message.

Use video email wherever you work with a Chrome Extension

Many video email platforms have a Chrome Extension that allows you to record your videos right in your browser and share these same videos and others in your video library with the touch of a button.

Just click the corresponding video email extension icon next to your web address bar, record or copy the URL of an existing video, and share directly in Gmail and Outlook – as well as LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

Maximize video email impact with tracking and screen recording capabilities

•  Tracking: Want to know if someone has opened your email, played your video, or clicked on a link within your email? If your video email software has tracking features, you’ll be notified exactly when this happens. That way, you can follow up with prospects and clients accordingly.

•  Screen Recorder: If you want to show people your screen as you speak to them – whether it be to explain a complex issue or walk them through documents – some video email platforms have a screen recording functionality that makes this possible.

How to Record Great Video Emails

You now know how to use video email. But how do you ensure that recipients open it, play it, and respond? Here are some video email marketing tips to get you on the right track:

Be concise and provide value

Your video email should get your point across in a clear manner. Don’t make it longer than it needs to be. And always provide value to your recipient, so that it is a video worth playing. If you’re stuck on how to go about doing this, start by asking people how you can help them.

Include supporting text

One of our top video email tactics revolves around using supporting text to drive video plays. This is about using text as a teaser of what’s to come in the video, so they’re more inclined to press play. It’s also important to have text above and below your video to prevent your video from being hidden with a “…” in your recipients’ inbox.

Be yourself

Don’t be afraid to be yourself in your videos. People want to work with you because of who you truly are. So, showcase your personality and what makes you, you. That’s the authenticity to will draw people to you.

Include a clear Call to Action

Tell your recipients exactly what you want them to do in your Call to Action, so they know how to respond accordingly.

Take advantage of your animated preview with the T.U.N.E.D. method

If you’re using BombBomb as your video email platform, the first three seconds of your video will be turned into an animated preview (or GIF) that plays within your email, LinkedIn posts and messages, and more. This is crucial to getting people to play your video. Use your animated preview to its fullest potential with the T.U.N.E.D. method:

• Team: Get all of your team members in the animated preview to show organization-wide investment in your recipients.

• Unexpected: Do the unexpected in your GIF, like including exciting movement or a change of scenery by shooting videos outside.

• Name: Address your recipients by name, and incorporate it in your animated preview on a whiteboard or piece of paper.

• Emotion: Showcase your emotions in your GIF. If you’re excited or happy, show it!

• Detail: Do your research, and incorporate some personal details on your recipients in your animated preview. It can be as simple as drawing their company logo on your whiteboard.

Not using BombBomb? Start a free 14-day trial here.

You have nothing to lose by thanking someone, and sending a thank you video is a more personal way to do it than a typical thank you card, phone call, or email.

After all, we depend on relationships for our businesses to thrive. And gratitude is at the core of any solid relationship.

“Individual differences in gratitude in terms of relationships show that gratitude is associated with the perceived quality of relationships. Furthermore, it seems to strengthen relationships and contribute to relationship connection and satisfaction.”

-Heather Craig, Positive Psychology 

Because when you say thank you, it has a lasting impact on you and the people you express it to. The recipients of your gratitude videos will remember them for years to come because they will make them feel good.

It also allows you to leverage social capital – the idea that practicing thankfulness in your day-to-day business communication efforts will get people to do what you want them to.

So, whether you need your prospects or clients to set an appointment, provide a review or offer a referral, expressing gratitude increases the chances of them actually doing it.

Below are five of the best thank you videos you can start sending today.

1. Thank You for Your Time

Need to follow up with someone after an appointment? A thank you video message is a great way to do that and show your appreciation for their time.

We’re all busy people. So, show your potential and current clients that you value them. Express your gratitude for them taking time out of their day to meet with you.

You can also use this as an opportunity to showcase your listening skills by recapping what you’ve already talked about. Then, you can move on to mapping out next steps.

Check out how one account executive does this with a video message…

2. Thanks for Doing Business With Me

Your journey with your clients doesn’t end once the closing, sale, or purchase is complete. If you want lifelong customers, you need to cultivate strong relationships with an amazing customer experience. And that starts with gratitude.

Trey Woods, co-owner of Hoboken Coffee Roasters, knows that. When he decided to bring his small business online, he knew he wanted to keep that personal relationship with his customers alive that he has with in-person customers.

Because of this, every time someone purchases his coffee online, he sends them a personal thank you video. Here’s an example…

With just a simple gratitude video like this, he’s building customer loyalty. People who buy his coffee for the first time will remember that personal touch, encouraging them to want to purchase from him again.

3. Thank you for Filling Out My Form

Every time a lead fills out a form and submits a request for more information on your business, you have an opportunity to reach out with a thank you video message. This sets a great first impression right off that bat — showing prospective customers that they are not just a number to you.

You’re making their inquiry more personal, and showing them there’s an actual person willing to work hard for them. And this is what will differentiate you from your competition.

Here’s an example…

A video like this is unexpected and disrupts the typical follow-up experience people are used to. It will help you connect with people and make them want to work with you in the future.

And by sending it as a video email, you’ll also be able to track when the video is played (if your software has those capabilities) to follow up accordingly.

4. Thank You for Agreeing to Meet

Getting people to agree to an appointment is hard. And getting them to actually show up is even harder. But you can decrease the likelihood of no-shows with a simple thank you video.

This sets the tone of your meeting by demonstrating to your potential clients that you are a professional who sincerely cares about their time.

At the same time, a video like this allows you to show the value you have to offer and why this meeting is worth attending. It also lets you sneak in another quick reminder of the appointment, so they don’t forget to show up.

Check out this example…

5. Thank You (When They Least Expect It)

This is probably one of the best thank you videos you can send out of the bunch. It’s always nice to feel appreciated but to hear, “Thank you,” when you least expect it is even more meaningful.

The great thing about this type of gratitude video is that it can be for just about anything at any time. It’s so personal and allows you to show an even deeper appreciation for the people who invest in you and your business.

Here’s a perfect example…

It doesn’t matter if what you’re thankful for happened a year ago or if you’re just thankful for a friendship, just reach out. Do the unexpected, and show people you appreciate them with a thank you video.

Tip: Ditch the Script

Of course, it’s important to prepare for interactions with prospects and clients, but you also want your thank you video to come across as genuine and sincere. And if you use a script, that won’t happen.

So, don’t do it. Instead, use this framework to guide you as you create your video message:

• Introduction: Tell people who you are (if they don’t know you already), and what this video is about.
• Thank You: Make sure to express your appreciation from the very beginning.
• Connect and Offer Value: Take the time to really connect with the people you’re reaching out to. Show them the value you bring to the table.
• Thank Again During Close: End your thank you video on a high note with more gratitude.

Final Thoughts

As with all video messages, remember to be your authentic and genuine self when sending thank you video messages. Sincerity is what makes a big impact on your prospects and customers.

Want to give video messaging a try? Start a 14-day free trial here. 

And the best video lighting depends on whether you’re filming indoors or outdoors.

Finding the best lighting for your videos can be a challenging task. Maybe your shot isn’t bright enough. Or it’s too bright. 

Sometimes the color temperature isn’t right, or the shadows are so harsh that you can barely decipher what is what.

You want your prospects and customers to really absorb what you have to say. Especially if you’re sending them a personal video message.

Knowing how to get good lighting for videos will keep your content looking sharp and professional. And you don’t need all the fancy lighting equipment you’ll see in a professional shoot.

Check out the following video or keep reading below for indoor video lighting tips. 

Indoor Video Lighting Tips

1. Use Windows During the Day

Windows are your best friend when finding the best lighting for videos indoors during the daytime. And they should ideally be in the shadows to give you a soft, diffused light.

Make sure the window is generally in front of you when filming. This will give you the balanced lighting you’re looking for.

If you’re filming a video near a window flooded by sunlight, the harsh lighting will create dark shadows on your face.

You’ll also likely find yourself squinting on camera. That can be distracting to your viewers or video email recipients.

2. Turn On A Lamp at Night

The best lighting while filming indoors at night will come from a lamp. It should be bright but also diffused.

Your lamp doesn’t need to be a professional one. It can even be a simple, inexpensive desktop one.

But ensuring it gives off a diffused light is key. This will give you the soft video lighting you need with minimal shadows.

It’s also important to place the lamp even or just above your head. If it’s too far in direction, shadows will start to show on your face.

Bonus Tip: If you’re filming personal videos with your phone, a ring light is a great piece of video lighting equipment. It’ll give you the perfect lighting that really accents your face in a balanced way.

3. How to Set Up Lighting for Video at Your Desk

The best lighting setup for video at your desk will depend on a variety of factors:

• If you have a window near your desk…that should give you the good lighting you need for your personal video. Just make sure there’s no harsh lighting coming through.
• If you don’t have a good source of natural light at your desk…a lamp will give you great LED lighting for video.
• If you’re recording your videos with a webcam…we recommend Logitech. The awesome thing about Logitech’s webcams is that they don’t need a lot of light to capture a clear image. See the gear review video below to find out more…

4. Avoid Mixed Video Lighting

It’s a good idea to try to avoid an overwhelming amount of mixed video lighting. This is when you have competing color temperatures in your shot.

So, if you have a lamp producing a warm tungsten light, while also receiving cooler light from a window – you’re going to get an odd light combination on your face.

The mixed lighting can be rough on your camera sensor, as it’s trying to auto white balance with the contrasting lighting. Depending on how the sensor white balances, you can end up very warm and yellow shots or very pale and blue ones.

If your camera is struggling with the different color temperatures, turn off the lamp and stick with natural lighting.

5. Don’t Go Overboard with Backlight

Backlight is a very artistic and cinematic filming technique. But it’s not needed for simple video.

If you’re using a webcam to record your videos, it will probably have auto exposure. So, if there’s too much backlight, your camera will set the exposure to the light behind you. And your face is going to be left in the shadows.

Outdoor Video Lighting Tips

For many, recording videos indoors is a go-to option. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s nice to change it up every once in a while by shooting video outside.

It’ll get you out of the office – away from the fluorescent lights and computer screens – to make unique, eye-catching videos for your viewers. This applies to both traditional video and screen recordings you might need for tutorials or presentations.

You may be worried about the unpredictability of filming outdoors, but the final result outweighs the risk. So get out of your comfort zone and do it.

Watch the video below and keep reading below for some video lighting tips to keep in mind…

1. Timing Is More Important Than Good Lighting

Yes, video lighting is important. But sometimes waiting around for perfect lighting is not an option. Especially since outdoor lighting can be so unpredictable.

It’s more important to get your video message out in a timely fashion, so you don’t miss out on key business opportunities.

Connecting with people at the right time with poor lighting is better than connecting too late with good lighting.

2. Don’t Wear Sunglasses If It’s Not Necessary

Eye contact is necessary for establishing trust. So, when shooting video outside, avoid wearing sunglasses if there is soft natural light created by clouds or snow.

Let people see your eyes when you send them a video. It makes your videos feel like a more personal conversation.

3. Wear Sunglasses In Harsh Lighting

If the sun is too harsh when you’re filming outside, sunglasses are OK. Viewers won’t be able to see you’re eyes anyway if you’re squinting too much.

The squinting can distract from what you’re saying, as well as your engaging outdoor background. And that just defeats the purpose of making outdoor videos altogether.

4. Shoot Your Video Before the Sun Is Too High

The best time to film outside is shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset when the sun is not too high. This is commonly referred to as the “magic hour.” You get more flattering light when the sun is lower on the horizon.

Good windows include 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. However, this varies by time of year, time zone, and location in time zone.

If the sun is too high, the harsh lighting creates long shadows down your face. You don’t want these distractions in your videos.

5. Find Shade When Video Shooting in Bright Sunlight

Sometimes the lighting is still too bright during magic hour, especially if you’re recording outdoor videos in communities located in higher elevations.

If this happens, or you’re shooting video outside when the sun is high, find some shade. This can be a tree, building, etc.

It’s always better to record a video in the shade, instead of direct sunlight. But as a rule of thumb, try filming when there’s more cloud cover or haze for nice, diffused sunlight.

6. Avoid Filming Outside in Weird Shadows

Do not shoot videos in areas that can cause weird shadow patterns on your face.

Avoid places like wooded areas with trees that have lots of branches, or any shade that causes distracting shadows in your videos.

7. Record Outdoor Videos on Cloudy Days

Recording on cloudy days is much better than shooting video in bright sunlight. Clouds just make for better lighting because you’re able to film with natural light that’s not overwhelming.

There aren’t any harsh shadows, and the lighting is perfectly balanced. It doesn’t matter where you’re facing because you’ll always have a beautiful, even light.

8. Use Nature to Draw People In