Embedding videos in emails can boost click-through rates by 65%, increase open rates by 19%, and help recipients retain 95% of your message compared to plain text. However, most email clients don’t support direct video playback. The solution? Tools like Sendspark let you create clickable video thumbnails that work across platforms like Gmail and Outlook.
Here’s how it works:
Sendspark also supports personalization at scale using AI, allowing you to add recipient names, logos, or custom backgrounds without recording multiple videos. With CRM integrations, you can track engagement, automate follow-ups, and prioritize leads based on video views.
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Using Sendspark ensures your videos display properly across email clients, thanks to fallback options like GIFs, static images, or text links for unsupported platforms. Follow the steps outlined to create engaging, clickable video emails that stand out in crowded inboxes.
Sendspark makes adding videos to emails a breeze. The process? Record your video, grab the snippet, and paste it into your email. Sendspark then generates clickable thumbnails that work across all major email clients - whether it's Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail.
The magic happens with Sendspark's Chrome extension. This tool allows you to record your screen or webcam and instantly create a snippet. You can choose between two options: "Copy Linked GIF" or "Copy Static Thumbnail". Paste the preview into your email or CRM, and recipients can click the thumbnail to watch the full video on a branded landing page. These landing pages can feature custom headlines and call-to-action buttons for added impact.
What makes this system work so well is Sendspark's automated fallback feature. For email clients like Apple Mail that support HTML5 video, it tries to play the video inline. For others, like Gmail or Outlook for Windows, it displays a clickable GIF or static image with a play button overlay. This ensures your video always looks polished and keeps engagement high.
Recording individual videos for each recipient can be a time sink. Sendspark solves this with AI voice cloning, letting you record one video and personalize it for every recipient using video outreach best practices by including their name. It gets even better - the platform can add dynamic backgrounds, like showing a prospect's website behind you, without needing separate recordings.
This approach allows you to create thousands of tailored videos from a single recording. Sales teams using these features have reported 2–3x more replies from prospects. Sendspark also pulls contact details directly from your email or CRM, automatically adding names or company logos to thumbnails and landing pages. It’s personalization made simple.
Video attachments often run into file size issues and spam filters. Sendspark avoids these pitfalls by hosting your video and embedding a lightweight thumbnail instead. These clickable thumbnails, complete with a play button overlay, mimic a video player and drive 65% more clicks. Studies have shown embedded videos can lead to a 300% increase in click-through rates and a 200% increase in open rates [6, 9].
For most recipients, animated GIF thumbnails work best. However, for Outlook for Windows users (which doesn’t support GIFs), Sendspark automatically switches to static thumbnails. This thoughtful design ensures your videos look great and perform well, no matter the email client.
Sendspark integrates seamlessly with Gmail, Outlook, HubSpot, and Salesforce, making it easy to record and embed videos. But it doesn’t stop there - these integrations also sync viewer engagement data directly to your CRM. You’ll know exactly who watched your video, how much they viewed, and whether they clicked your call-to-action.
This data is a game changer. It lets you prioritize leads based on their interest and even automate follow-up emails targeting those who watched more than 50% of your video. While direct CRM integrations require an active subscription, the insights and automation capabilities are invaluable for scaling video campaigns effectively.
3-Step Process to Embed Videos in Email with Sendspark
Embedding a video in your email with Sendspark is quick and simple. All it takes is recording your video, creating a clickable thumbnail, and adding it to your email. Here’s how to do it step by step.
Start by using the Sendspark Chrome extension. Choose your recording mode - whether it’s your webcam, screen, or a combination of both - and adjust the webcam bubble to your preferred position.
Keep your video short and engaging - ideally between 30 and 180 seconds. Shorter videos, especially those under 90 seconds, perform better in emails. For instance, viewers typically watch 90% of a 3-minute video but only 18% of a 20-minute one. Once you’ve recorded, personalize your video landing page with a title, welcome message, and a clear call-to-action (CTA) button.
Click "Share" in Sendspark, then select "Customize" to create your thumbnail. You can choose between two options:
Add a play button overlay to make it clear that the thumbnail is clickable. For most email clients, an animated GIF works best since it’s eye-catching and quick to load. However, for Outlook on Windows, stick with a static image for better compatibility. Including a video thumbnail in Gmail can increase engagement by over 42%.
Now it’s time to embed your video thumbnail into your email.
To avoid spam filters, include a short text introduction above your thumbnail. Keep it concise so the focus stays on the video. When recipients click the thumbnail, they’ll be taken to your branded video page where they can watch the full video and interact with your CTA.
Email clients like Gmail and Outlook for Windows, which account for about 60% of the market, don’t support inline video playback. However, platforms like Apple Mail (on Mac and iOS), Outlook for Mac, Samsung Mail, and Thunderbird do offer this feature.
To tackle this, Sendspark generates an HTML snippet with built-in fallback options. If inline video isn’t supported, the email will show an animated GIF. If GIFs aren’t supported, a static thumbnail is displayed. And if images are blocked altogether, a text link appears instead. These layers of fallback ensure your video content reaches everyone, no matter which email client they use. After setting up these options, it’s crucial to test how they work across different platforms.
Testing is key to making sure your fallback measures work properly. Send test emails to your accounts on Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail, and check how the video displays. Make sure the thumbnail, play button overlay, and redirection to the video landing page all function correctly.
Pay extra attention to Outlook for Mac, as users will need to right-click the video to start playback. Also, verify that your alt text appears when images are blocked, so recipients can still grasp the content.
Large video attachments (over 20–25 MB) can trigger spam filters, so it’s better to use hosted links instead. Following Sendspark’s steps and best practices helps ensure your videos display properly for all recipients. You can also explore more video best practices to refine your strategy.
To improve accessibility, always include alt text for your video thumbnails. This ensures recipients know what the video is about, even if images don’t load. Including the word "video" in your subject line can boost open rates by up to 19%. Keep subject lines short and conversational, making them feel like a personal note from a colleague.
Finally, add a brief text introduction above the video thumbnail. This provides context and avoids the email looking like a suspicious, standalone link.
By following these steps, you can ensure your videos effectively reach and engage your audience. Embedding videos in emails adds a personal touch that helps you stand out in crowded inboxes. Instead of just being another message, videos put a face to your communication, making your outreach more relatable and memorable. This approach not only improves message retention but also fosters stronger connections with your prospects and customers.
Video emails are a game-changer for engagement. Sales teams using personalized video outreach often experience 2–3× more replies, and viewers are 64% more likely to make a purchase after watching a video. Even adding the word "video" to your subject line can increase open rates by as much as 19%.
Sendspark simplifies the entire process, from recording to creating eye-catching thumbnails, ensuring compatibility across platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail. Plus, with detailed analytics, you can see who watched your video and how long they engaged, giving you the insights you need to follow up effectively.
Use Sendspark to put these strategies into action. Whether you're in sales, marketing, or customer support, personalized video helps you stand out, earn trust faster, and achieve better results.
To make sure your video emails work seamlessly across various email clients, consider using animated GIFs or static image thumbnails that link directly to your video. These formats are broadly supported and offer an easy and reliable way for recipients to view your content.
Since embedded video playback isn’t supported by most email clients, it’s smart to include backup options. Add a clear call-to-action (CTA) button or link that guides viewers to watch the video outside of the email. This ensures your message gets through, no matter which email client your audience is using.
Using personalized video thumbnails in emails is a smart way to capture attention and boost engagement. These thumbnails not only make your emails more visually appealing but also encourage higher click-through rates by creating a personal connection with the recipient. In a sea of emails, a tailored visual can make your message stand out and feel more relevant.
On top of that, a customized thumbnail adds a polished, professional touch to your email. It shows recipients that you’ve put thought and effort into crafting content specifically for them. This approach not only improves how well your message is remembered but also helps build trust and strengthens your relationship with your audience.
Sendspark simplifies the process of tracking how recipients interact with your video emails by offering detailed engagement insights. You can monitor key metrics such as video plays and clicks, giving you a clear picture of how your audience is engaging with your content.
With these analytics, you gain actionable data to fine-tune your email outreach, ensuring your campaigns resonate more effectively with your audience.