Personalized AI videos drive 300% more clicks for email marketers

Open rates are dropping, and standing out in crowded inboxes is getting harder. But here’s the good news. Email still delivers one of the best ROIs in marketing—when done right.

That’s where AI-powered personalized video marketing comes in. I recently chatted with Bethany Stachenfeld, the Co-Founder and CEO of Sendspark, about how small marketing teams use AI videos to drive stronger customer engagement and achieve remarkable results.

Let’s explore what works—and how you can apply it.

1. The personal touch, at scale

Remember when personalization meant adding someone’s name to an email? That’s table stakes. AI video is reshaping how we can engage with customers with impressive results. As Bethany explained:

Takeaway: Use AI-powered videos to make your email outreach feel personal and relevant. For example, create a video that looks like it was recorded on your prospect’s website or highlights a specific feature they’re missing. Get more video ideas here.

2. Goodbye free trials, hello intent data

The traditional free trial model is changing. Companies often offer free trials to gauge customer intent, but tools like RB2B now make it possible to identify high-intent prospects based on behavioral signals. This saves time and effort by targeting the right people without needing a trial.

(If you haven’t seen Bethany’s demo on Sendspark, RB2B, and Clay, check it out here.)

Takeaway: Track high-intent actions like time spent on pricing or integration pages. Use these signals to send targeted, personalized videos directly addressing your prospect’s needs.

3. Slow automation, strong results

Automation isn’t a luxury for small marketing teams. Nowadays, it’s a necessity.

She also highlighted the value of automation in reducing repetitive work, allowing small teams to focus on higher-impact tasks. For example, integrating tools like HubSpot, Clay, and Zapier ensures that workflows don’t just function—they scale seamlessly.

Takeaway: Set up workflows in tools like Zapier or Copy.ai that include content creation, personalized video campaigns, triggered emails, or Slack alerts to flag broken automation. While the upfront work takes time, the payoff is reduced manual effort.

4. Retention is the new acquisition

Here’s a perspective shift: the future of marketing is about expansion and loyalty as much as new customer acquisition.

Takeaway: Use personalized videos to strengthen relationships with current customers. For example, embed tailored videos into onboarding emails to guide users through setup or create check-ins to encourage adoption.

5. Marketers as journey architects

Marketers don’t just drive leads. They should own the entire customer experience.

This doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Instead, it’s about strategically connecting the dots so every touchpoint aligns with the customer’s needs.

Takeaway: Map out the customer journey from start to finish, identifying key moments where personalized video or automation can enhance the experience. For example, create a sequence of onboarding videos for new users or re-engagement campaigns for closed-lost customers.

TL;DR – Your AI video marketing playbook:

• Use AI-powered video personalization to increase engagement

• Focus on intent-based targeting instead of free product trials

• Build out automation carefully for long-term success

• Prioritize retention and expansion alongside new user acquisition

• Take ownership of the entire customer journey

The future: personal but automated

Bethany summed it up perfectly: with tools like Sendspark, RB2B, and Clay, marketers can create personalized experiences at scale. The key is to balance automation with authenticity, ensuring your outreach resonates with customers.

Check out the replay of our full 30-minute coffee chat.

PS: Check out our team at Arc.dev to help you find the world's top 2% marketers and more — full-time and freelance.