I have been sending video emails for over four years now. Needless to say, I have discovered lots of best practices.
In this post, I am going to cover four fundamental concepts about video email that people often overlook.

There is Web Video, and then there is Video Email
Video email is different from a video that you embed on your website or upload to YouTube. It is more personal and intimate. Video email is not supposed to be polished.
Video email is to regular email, what web video is to a professionally designed mass marketing email. Videos you embed in websites or upload to YouTube are generally professionally produced or at least edited. Video emails are done rapid-authoring style, straight from a webcam (start, stop, send).
Camera Anxiety is a Major Barrier to Use
Camera anxiety is the reason video email isn’t trending, like web video. I have talked with many people, some prospects of jiveSYSTEMS and even some existing customers. They all say the same thing.
However, the brave souls that are pioneering the use of video email technology, have a massive competitive advantage right now… you could almost call it a blue ocean.
My take on camera anxiety is, unless you walk around the world with a paper bag on your head, you can send video email.
No Fancy Equipment is Needed
Following up on the statement made in the first sentence, all you need to produce and send a video email is a webcam. Well, that and a membership to jiveSYSTEMS. We do offer a 30 day free trial that comes with full use of the system and access to all our training. So that’s a plus. You can try before you buy.
We recommend the Logitech C920 Webcam. Our testing revealed that Logitech has right-light and right-sound technology dialed in, more so than any of the other manufacturers. The Logitech shines in moderate indoor light situations, where even $500 camcorders tend to struggle.
Video Email Can Save You Time
Feeding into my Do it, Automate it, Delegate it, or Ditch it mantra, if you write-down a list of questions you get asked most frequently, you can record evergreen video emails to answer them. Thus saving you time answering the same question multiple times, while still maintaining the personal touch. When it comes down to it, automation only works if it provides a better experience for you and your customers.
At jiveSYSTEMS, we have customizable exit link sets that display to the right of each video. You can create multiple exit link sets. Our more advanced members, link to other videos in their jiveSYSTEMS account, when sending a response to an FAQ. The result……. the recipient can get the answer to their questions, and has the opportunity to get answers to other related questions as well.
Questions / Comments
I am a real person, not a robot. I am here to serve you. So if you have a question or a comment about this post, please leave it below.