Bringing Your Emails to Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Embedding Videos in Emails

Embedding videos in emails has become an effective strategy to engage audiences, deliver messages more vividly, and boost conversion rates. While most email clients don’t support direct video playback, there are ways to include videos in emails that can be both functional and visually compelling.

Why Embed Videos in Emails?

Emails featuring videos have been shown to improve click-through rates, increase engagement, and even help deliver a clearer message in a short time. However, embedding videos in emails can be tricky due to compatibility issues with various email clients. Only a few email platforms support embedded video, so let’s dive into some popular workarounds that ensure your videos are effectively displayed.

How Embedding Videos Works in Emails

Embedding a video involves including it directly in the email content, typically through HTML code that allows the video to play within the email itself. But because many email clients—like Gmail and Outlook—don’t support HTML5 video embedding, this can create display issues. Instead, most people achieve a “pseudo-embed” by linking a thumbnail image to an external video.

Methods to Embed Video in Email (Even When Full Embeds Aren't Supported)

1. Add a Thumbnail with a Play Button

   - This is the most common approach. You can create a clickable image that looks like a video thumbnail, leading recipients to your video’s hosting platform (e.g., YouTube or Vimeo).

2. Use a GIF Preview of the Video

   - For short clips or previews, you can convert the video into a GIF that animates within the email. This allows recipients to get a quick look at the content before deciding to click through.

3. Embed with HTML5 Code (If Supported)

   - Some email clients, like Apple Mail and iOS Mail, support HTML5 video embeds. In these cases, you can embed the video directly with HTML code.

How to Embed Videos in Emails on Popular Platforms

Gmail

Gmail doesn’t support embedded video playback, so here’s the workaround:

   1. Create a Thumbnail:Take a screenshot or generate a custom image of your video. Overlay a play button on top.

   2. Insert Image in Email:In Gmail, start a new email, click on the “Insert Photo” option, and upload your thumbnail.

   3. Add a Link to the Thumbnail:Click the image, select the “Link” option, and paste the link to your video on YouTube, Vimeo, or your website.

   4. Preview and Send:Review your email to ensure everything displays correctly, and send it to your audience.

Apple Mail (Supports HTML5 Video Embeds)

Apple Mail provides native support for HTML5 video embeds, allowing you to add a video directly.

   1. Use HTML5 Code:Begin by composing a new email in Apple Mail and insert HTML5 code like the following:

      ```html

      <video width="320" height="240" controls>

         <source src="your-video-url.mp4" type="video/mp4">

         Your browser does not support the video tag.

      </video>

      ```

   2. Adjust Settings:Customize the width and height as needed.

   3. Send and Preview:Test your email before sending it to ensure the video plays within Apple Mail.

Outlook

Outlook doesn’t support HTML5 embeds, so you’ll need to rely on a thumbnail link:

   1. Add Thumbnail:Create a video thumbnail with a play button.

   2. Upload and Link:Insert the image into your email, then right-click to hyperlink it to your video’s URL.

   3. Send and Test:Ensure the link works by testing on different email clients if possible.

Tips for Enhancing Video Performance in Emails

1. Keep It Short and Relevant:Since the video won’t autoplay, make sure it captures attention quickly and remains relevant.

2. Optimize Thumbnails:Thumbnails should be eye-catching, have a play button overlay, and display well on both desktop and mobile.

3. Personalize When Possible:Personalization improves engagement, so if feasible, tailor your email message to match the video content.

4. Test Across Platforms:Always check how your email displays across platforms, as video functionality varies greatly among email clients.

Conclusion

While the limitations of embedded video support in email may seem restrictive, following these methods allows you to integrate video into your emails effectively. By choosing the right strategy—whether a clickable thumbnail, GIF preview, or HTML5 embed on compatible platforms—you can create a dynamic, visually engaging email that drives clicks and captures your audience’s attention.