Welcome to the seventh article in our Revli Outreach Playbook! By now, you’ve learned how to build effective cold emails, follow up persistently, and optimize your deliverability. But how do you truly stand out in a sea of plain-text messages?
Answer: Personalized Video.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a single video that dynamically personalizes for each lead. Our tool of choice? Sendspark.
With Sendspark, you don’t have to film a new video every time—one recording can appear customized for dozens or even hundreds of recipients, instantly grabbing their attention and boosting replies.
Let’s dive in!
Why Video Matters for Cold Outreach ✉️
Ever scroll through your inbox and see the same old text pitches? Imagine stumbling upon a video thumbnail instead—suddenly, there’s a face or animation to click, making the email feel more human and engaging.
Visual & Memorable: Video engages multiple senses. Recipients can see body language and hear tone of voice.
Instant Credibility: Seeing a real person (or even a quick animation) fosters trust faster than plain text.
Breaks the Ice: Video feels more personal and less “salesy,” especially if you reference something specific (like their recent funding).
When you’re emailing founders who just raised capital, your message must cut through the noise quickly. Video can be the differentiator that hooks them in those precious first seconds.
What Is Sendspark (and How It Helps) ⚙️
Sendspark is a platform designed for quick, simple video communication that feels personal—without actually recording an individual clip for each lead. Here’s what makes it shine:
One Master Video: Record once, then use AI personalization (e.g., {FirstName}) to make it look like you created a custom video for each recipient.
Easy Embeds & Thumbnails: Generate an animated thumbnail (GIF-style) or static image. Recipients see a dynamic, clickable preview in their inbox.
Integrations Galore: Works smoothly with email sequencing tools like Instantly, Smartlead, and Apollo, letting you add the Sendspark link into any email step.
This makes Sendspark perfect for cold outreach to newly funded startups. You can mention their company name or funding round in the video overlay, so it looks ultra-tailored—yet requires minimal effort on your part.
Planning Your One Video (Step by Step) 🎬
Before hitting “record,” spend a few minutes planning your message. Keep it short, relevant, and interesting:
Write a Mini-Script
Greet them warmly: “Hey there, and congrats on your recent funding!”
State your value in 1-2 sentences: “We help newly funded startups turn that fresh capital into meaningful results through [your solution].”
Close with a simple CTA: “Interested in hearing more? Let’s chat!”
Keep It Under 1 Minute
Short videos perform best—anything over a minute might lose them. Aim for 30-60 seconds.
Check Lighting & Sound
A well-lit room with minimal background noise is enough. You don’t need Hollywood production; authenticity is key.
Record or Upload
You can record directly in Sendspark or upload a pre-recorded clip. Either way, keep the energy high and the tone friendly.
Personalizing the Video at Scale 🌐
The real magic happens in how you personalize one video for multiple leads. Sendspark offers dynamic text layers or tokens that automatically swap in recipient details:
Tokens: Similar to email variables like {FirstName} or {CompanyName}, these can appear as text overlays.
Set It & Forget It: Once you define your personalization tokens (e.g., {FirstName}), each recipient’s name appears automatically in the video thumbnail or on-screen text.
No Multiple Takes: You still record only one base video. The token overlays handle the per-lead customization behind the scenes.
By referencing their funding event and name, you’re telling them, “This message is for you,” without needing 100 different video files.
Inserting the Video Into Your Outreach Sequence 🔗
Most often, you’ll want to add your personalized video in a 2nd or 3rd follow-up email, rather than the very first touch. This is because:
Deliverability: The first email might be your plain-text introduction, ensuring it lands in the primary inbox.
Building Curiosity: If they didn’t respond to your initial email, a video in the next email can rekindle interest.
Here’s how to do it:
Generate a Sendspark Link or Embed Code:
After recording, Sendspark gives you a link and a thumbnail GIF or image.
Copy the link or embed snippet.
Paste Into Your Sequencer:
In Instantly, Smartlead, Apollo, or your tool of choice, edit the follow-up email step.
Insert the thumbnail image, linking it to your Sendspark video URL. Or, paste the dynamic link as text if you prefer.
Test Everything
Send a test email to yourself.
Check that the thumbnail animates and that clicking leads to your personalized video page.
Tips for Higher Engagement 💡
Compelling Thumbnail: Sendspark can create a short animated preview. Recipients seeing a moving thumbnail are more likely to click.
Personal Greeting: If you’re comfortable, say “Hey, {FirstName}” in the video itself, even though the token is also in text form. It doubles the sense of personalization.
Reference Funding Again: A quick “Heard you just raised a seed round!” sets the stage and explains why you’re reaching out now.
Seamless CTAs: End your video with a simple, “Let me know if you’d like to chat,” etc.
Real-World Example: A 40-Second Script 🕐
Below is a quick script you could record for a newly funded founder:
Greeting (5s):
“Hey {FirstName}, Mike here from [Your Company]. Huge congrats on your Series A!”
Value Statement (20s):
“We help newly funded startups turn that fresh capital into immediate growth through targeted campaigns and consulting. Think of us as your on-demand growth partner.”
Personal Nudge (10s):
“I know you have a lot on your plate, so we handle the heavy lifting while you focus on strategy.”
CTA (5s):
“If you’re curious, reply to this email or click the link below. Let’s see if we can help you level up!”
(Note: The {FirstName} variable would dynamically change using AI voice personalization).
Best Practices & Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫
Don’t Overcomplicate: No need for fancy intros or background music. Authenticity > polish.
Avoid Videos Too Long: Keep it under a minute. People rarely watch lengthy videos from strangers.
Keep HTML Light: Too much embedded code can raise spam filters. A single thumbnail linked to your Sendspark page is enough.
Don’t Skip the Funding Reference: If you’re emailing a recently funded founder, that’s your ultimate personalization hook.
Put It All Together: A Quick Example Email 📝
Follow-Up (2 days later):
“Hey {First_Name} — emailed you a couple of days ago about turning fresh funding into measurable growth through targeted ad campaigns.
You didn't reply, so thought sending a personalized video might grab your attention:
Our approach ensures every step of your campaigns—targeting, optimization, and beyond—is handled seamlessly, freeing you to focus on big-picture growth.
Let me know if you'd like to hear more details or discuss further.
Thanks,
[Signature]
Not interested? Just reply ‘no’.
Closing & Next Steps 🎯
Adding personalized videos to your cold outreach is a proven way to grab attention and build trust—even when emailing busy startup founders.
With tools like Sendspark, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel for each lead. One well-crafted video, plus dynamic tokens, can deliver a powerful personal touch at scale.
Record Your Master Video with a friendly, concise script.
Use Dynamic Personalization in Sendspark to show each lead’s name or funding round.
Embed or Link to the video in your second or third email sequence.
Watch Engagement Rise as you stand out from the usual text-heavy inbox clutter.
Stay Tuned for the Next Article
We’ll continue our journey through the Revli Outreach Playbook with even more strategies to maximize your outreach success. Until then, start filming—and have fun showcasing your personality in video form!