Video Outreach does it work?

I have seen all over Linkedin this past year the need and success of video outreach. A lot of LinkedIn influencers swear by and says it works.


My company tried back in early 2021, but it didn't work for us. They are trying again this year, but I am not sure its worth the time and effort.


Was curious to know what you all think and if this is a successful way of outreach you have seen at your own company?

Have you seen video outreach work?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
🔎 Prospecting
👑 Sales Strategy
👥 Social Selling
23
funcoupons
WR Officer
9
👑
No. Waste of time. 

LI influencers are not salespeople in the real world. 
ultrarunner
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Why do you see it as a waste of time? I feel like if done well it could be helpful in getting a prospect's attention. 
funcoupons
WR Officer
1
👑
The time it takes to record a personalized video is not worth the potential benefit of having someone watch it. Most people find cold video outreach to be awkward at best and creepy at worst. Your time is better spent on calls and emails. 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
9
SaaS Eater
No. 



Now that we have that out of the way, I'm also on the receiving end of a lot of sales outreach and can assure you I have never been compelled to respond to any cold video outreach. Its always come across as very fake and inauthentic to me. 
ultrarunner
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
If it was authentic, insightful, and personalized to you, would you be compelled to respond? Maybe most salespeople are using it wrong? 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
1
SaaS Eater
No.
braintank
Politicker
6
Enterprise Account Executive
Personally I've never tried it because it seems extremely time consuming compared to other techniques and a little cringe.
Notmyrealname
Politicker
6
AE
I said no because, even though I've seen it get responses, it hasn't got me any more responses than a good email would, but it takes infinitely more amount of time and effort. 
ultrarunner
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
That is a good point. video does take a long time. 
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
No. From the delivery perspective, it takes a lot of preparation and take after take after take to deliver the message. Since most of us are not actors and not director/actors, it’s a challenge.
99% of the ones I’ve gotten are tedious and I would rather read a text email so I can process the message at my own rate. I received exactly one that was interesting, but it was from a very animated colleague who is normally interesting and knows how to deliver a message efficiently and with ease.
Kirby
Politicker
5
Sales Representative
I’ve answered this before. It works if you don’t suck.
Went into a BDR team. Took their best sequence, changed the second manual email task to a personalized video, adjusted the bump emails slightly, referenced the video on my next LI touch, and reference the video on my next VM. The result: an extra 10% replied.
Does it take a lot more time? No. It takes 3 minutes to make a 1 minute video and get it set up in your email.
People complaining it didn’t work just sucked at it.
Kinda like the people who claim cold calling is dead because they suck at it.
Or people saying cold emailing doesn’t work because they’re shitty copywriters.
ultrarunner
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
totally agree with you. if it sucks no one will respond. Takes a little practice like everything. 
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
4
Rolling 20's all day
I like how the linkedin "Sales Experts" try to say you NEED video prospecting. 
I think that it may have its place, but it would heavily depend on the ICP.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
Nope. Faker than a mofo. 
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
ive tried this a ton.....and it is super NOT effective in cold out reach.

It is helpful in follow ups, down funnel work, meeting recaps ect. 
 
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
If it's super targeted and you have a resonant message, kind of....?
FormerStartupJobHopper
Tycoon
0
AE
No. Literally only useful for recording 5 minute demos to be shared with people that couldnt attend the call rather than the 45 minute long version
SaaSyBee
Politicker
0
Founder
Depends on the account size and how personalized the video is. If it's that fake personalized video with your prospect's name on a whiteboard, then absolutely not. If your accounts are big enough to take the time to create an ultra-personalized video, it *can* technically work. But lots of effort.
ChrisSellsHisSoul
Fire Starter
0
Owner
Video works. Sales teams just don't understand what they're doing yet.

I was successful using Drift as an AE and now I'm successful using Vidyard as a business owner. I make/send 5 in an hour and usually get 3 or 4 conversations which turns into 1 or 2 demos. Or I make 1 vid and send it to 50 people.

Knowing how to prospect quality leads is half the battle.
justatopproducer
Politicker
0
VP OF SALES -US
I’ve seen it quadruple my meetings set. But it also is the same thing I would say initially on a cold call. Greeting, ask for permission, give value and hook, ask if it make sense to set a meeting. I’m not here to waste your time and vice Versa I help others in your space this way and here’s how. Make sense to talk further? No great appreciate the time, yes.. great set the time
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
0
Professional Day Ruiner
I've definitely seen it work. Issue is, it still requires getting someone to open the email to begin with. If they open your email and respond to the video, chances are, they would have responded to a good email as well. Difference is an email takes 30 seconds to spout off, that video takes 15+ minutes to create, edit, etc. 
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