Let’s talk about sending videos through email.

It’s a bit of a tricky subject especially if you’re dealing with larger files.

But don’t worry I’ve got you covered!

I’ve been working with email marketing for years and I’ve learned a thing or two about the ins and outs of sending videos through various platforms.

I’ve tried different methods myself and I’m ready to share my experience with you.

Table of Contents

The Power of Video in Email Marketing

You know how much I love video.

It’s the most engaging way to connect with your audience whether it’s a quick explainer a behind-the-scenes look at your business or a captivating story that resonates with your audience.

Studies have shown that people are more likely to watch a video than read a long newsletter or article.

It’s just more appealing! And that’s why including video in your email newsletters is a smart move.

It can help you:

Increase engagement: Videos capture attention and keep your audience glued to the screen.
Boost click-through rates: A compelling video thumbnail or GIF can entice your subscribers to click and watch the full video.
Improve conversion rates: Videos can help you tell your story highlight your products and ultimately drive conversions.

How to Send Videos Through Email: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now let’s dive into the practicalities of sending videos through email.

There are different approaches depending on the size of your video and the platform you’re using.

Hosting Your Videos for Email

Here’s the thing: you need to host your video somewhere before you can send it through email.

The most popular option is YouTube. You’ve probably heard of it!

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to host your videos on YouTube and share them with your audience:

Upload your video: Go to YouTube click on “Upload video” and select the file you want to upload.
Add details and a captivating thumbnail: Don’t forget to add a description tags and choose a thumbnail that will make people want to click. A custom thumbnail can make a huge difference.
Get your video’s unique URL: Once uploaded you’ll have a unique URL for your video which you’ll need to use later on.

Sharing Your Video: The Right Approach for Different Platforms

Now that your video is hosted let’s explore the best ways to share it through popular email platforms:

How to Send Videos in Emails with Gmail

Gmail is a popular choice and it offers two main options for sending videos:

Attaching the video: You can directly attach your video to an email. However Gmail has a file size limit of 25 MB. If your video is larger it will be converted to a Google Drive link automatically.
- To attach a video:
  - Click on the “Compose” button in Gmail to create a new email.
  - Click on the paperclip icon to attach files.
  - Select your video and click “Open.”
  - Write your email and hit “Send.”
Using Google Drive: A great option for larger videos!
- To send a video using Google Drive:
  - Click on the “Compose” button in Gmail.
  - Click on the Google Drive icon at the bottom of the email.
  - Choose the video you want to send.
  - Click “Attachment.”

How to Send Videos in Emails with Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail makes it easy to share videos with friends and colleagues.

Here’s how:

Sharing a video link: Simply paste the link to your video from YouTube or any other platform.
- Go to your Yahoo Mail account and click on the “Compose” button.
- Paste the video link in the “Link” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Click “Save” compose your message and hit “Send.”
Attaching the video: You can attach videos up to 25 MB. If your video is larger you’ll need to compress it first. I’ll cover compression techniques later.
- Click on the “Compose” button in Yahoo Mail.
- Click on “Attach files.”
- Choose “Attach files from computer” and select your video.
- Send your email.

How to Send Videos in Emails with Outlook

Outlook is a bit different but you can still easily send videos.

Here’s the breakdown:

Sharing a video link: Similar to Yahoo Mail you can paste the video URL.
- Open a new message in Outlook.
- Click on the ellipsis (three dots) and select “More formatting options.”
- Click on “Insert hyperlink” paste the link and click “OK.”
- Send your email.
Attaching the video: Keep in mind that Outlook’s maximum attachment size is 20 MB so your video might need to be compressed.
- Click on the “Attach” option in Outlook.
- Browse your computer and select your video.
- Upload the file write your email and hit “Send.”

Dealing with Large Video Files: Compression and Cloud Solutions

We’ve touched upon file size limits but what if your video exceeds the allowed size? No worries there are solutions!

1. Compressing Videos

Here are a couple of ways to compress your videos without sacrificing much quality:

Zip Files: This is a simple and effective way to reduce file size.
- Windows: Right-click on the video file and choose “Send to” followed by “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
- Mac: Select the video and choose “Compress .”
iMovie (Mac): If you’re a Mac user iMovie is your friend. You can shorten your video and export it as a smaller file.
- Open iMovie and select the portion of the video you want to send.
- Go to “File > Share > Email.”
- Choose “Small” to reduce the file size.
- iMovie will automatically open an email draft with your compressed video ready to send.

2. Cloud Services

Cloud services like Google Drive Dropbox and OneDrive are your go-to options for sending large video files without compressing them:

Google Drive: Upload your video share the link and send it through email or copy-paste the link directly into your email.
Dropbox: Similar to Google Drive upload your video to a shared Dropbox folder and provide access to whoever needs it.
WeTransfer: Another great option but keep in mind that the download link expires after two weeks with the free version.

Sending Videos with GetResponse: Seamless Integration

If you’re using GetResponse for your email marketing campaigns sending videos is super easy!

Drag and Drop a Video Block: Simply drag and drop a “Video” block into your email design.
Paste the Video URL: Enter the video URL from YouTube or Vimeo.
Customize and Embed: GetResponse does the rest. Your video is automatically embedded with customization options for the play button size padding and more.

Important Considerations: File Size Limits and System Glitches

Even with all these options you might run into issues.

Remember:

File Size Limits: Most email platforms have file size limits (Gmail Yahoo Mail and Outlook).
System Glitches: Sometimes email platforms experience glitches. If this happens try again later or use a different method.

A Few Tips for Sending Videos Through Email

Here are some bonus tips to make your video emails shine:

Use a Catchy Thumbnail: Make sure your thumbnail is visually appealing and gives a sneak peek into your video’s content.
Include a Call to Action: Encourage your audience to watch the video by including a clear call to action.
Optimize for Mobile Devices: Ensure your video plays smoothly on mobile devices as most people check email on their phones.
Test Your Emails: Always send a test email to yourself before sending it to your list to make sure everything looks and functions correctly.

In Conclusion: Choosing the Best Approach

The best way to send videos through email is the one that works best for you.

For businesses freelancers and consultants embedding a YouTube video in an email creator (like GetResponse) is a great way to share content and drive traffic to your YouTube channel.

For everyday videos a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox is super convenient.

But no matter what method you choose sending videos is a great way to engage your audience build relationships and achieve your marketing goals.

So go out there and start sending those videos!

How to send a video through email (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and GetResponse) ⚠️