In a world where people receive dozens of marketing emails daily, standing out in someone’s inbox can be tough. Fortunately, video content can make your emails more engaging, interactive, and effective.
When used correctly, videos in email campaigns can increase open rates by 19%, boost click-through rates by up to 65%, and reduce unsubscribe rates significantly.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of video email marketing, how to embed videos in emails, and the best practices to follow for maximum impact.
🎯 Why Use Video in Email Marketing?
People prefer to consume content quickly and visually. Video does exactly that. It’s easy to digest, entertaining, and can deliver more information in less time than text.
Key benefits of adding videos in your emails:
Higher engagement from recipients
Stronger emotional connection with your audience
Better explanation of complex products or services
Increased conversions on calls to action
Greater shareability of your emails
Whether you’re launching a product, explaining a service, or building trust, video helps you deliver your message with impact.
💡 When to Use Video in Emails
Video can fit into different types of email campaigns, including:
Welcome emails – to introduce your brand with a friendly video
Product demos – showing how your product works
Customer testimonials – to build trust through real feedback
Behind-the-scenes videos – humanize your business
Event invites or recaps – improve participation and excitement
Tutorials and how-tos – teach your users with step-by-step visuals
📧 How to Add Video to Your Email (The Smart Way)
Directly embedding video in an email is not always supported by all email clients like Gmail or Outlook. But don’t worry—there are smart alternatives.
✅ 1. Use a Thumbnail Image with Play Button
This is the most reliable method:
Take a screenshot or thumbnail of your video
Add a play button overlay
Link the image to the full video on YouTube, Vimeo, or your website
This method works across all email providers and still feels like watching a video inside the email.
✅ 2. Use an Animated GIF Preview
Create a short looping GIF from your video clip:
Use tools like Giphy, Canva, or EZGIF
Embed the GIF into your email body
Link the GIF to the full video
GIFs attract attention and give a visual preview of the video content.
✅ 3. Use Video Email Tools
Platforms like:
Mailchimp
Campaign Monitor
GetResponse
BombBomb
These allow for video email templates, autoplay previews, and advanced tracking.
✍️ Best Practices for Video in Email Marketing
To make sure your videos work effectively in your campaigns, follow these important tips:
🎯 1. Keep It Short and Focused
People have short attention spans. Aim for videos under 2 minutes. Deliver the key message early.
✨ 2. Use “Video” in the Subject Line
Emails with the word "video" in the subject line get higher open rates. Examples:
“🎥 Watch Our New Product in Action”
“Video: How to Use Our Tool in 2 Minutes”
📱 3. Make It Mobile-Friendly
Use a responsive layout and test how your video thumbnail or GIF looks on mobile devices. Most people check email on their phones.
🔗 4. Add a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)
After the video, guide users clearly:
“Watch Full Video”
“Start Free Trial”
“Book a Demo Now”
📊 5. Track Performance
Monitor:
Email open rate
Click-through rate
Video views
Conversion rate
Use tools like Google Analytics and your email provider’s reports to see how video impacts results.
📢 Bonus Tip: Host Videos on the Right Platform
Choose the hosting platform based on your goal:
YouTube – best for discoverability and SEO
Vimeo – professional quality with privacy control
Your website – better for tracking and conversions
Wistia – for advanced analytics and lead generation
Wherever you host it, always optimize your video title and description with relevant keywords for better search visibility.
✅ Use Cases from Real Brands
Dropbox increased conversion by 10% with a short explainer video in welcome emails.
Dell used video in emails to boost click-through rates by 42%.
Nike sent a personalized video in a product launch email and saw increased sales.
You can do the same—whether you’re a small business or a growing brand.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Video is no longer just for social media and websites. It has found a powerful place in email marketing too.
By using video the smart way—through thumbnails, GIFs, or trusted platforms—you can create more personal, exciting, and result-driven emails.
Start small, test your results, and refine your strategy. With the right approach, video in email can turn regular subscribers into loyal customers.