How To Use Personalized Video Marketing To Drive Conversions

Video marketing is one of the most powerful ways to engage your audience and drive all-important conversions. But to truly stand out, personalized video marketing takes it a step further by tailoring content to each viewer. This approach fosters deeper connections, boosts engagement, and delivers superior results.

Personalized video marketing is now more accessible and impactful than ever thanks to AI-powered tools and user-friendly platforms. Whether you’re focusing on an improved customer experience or streamlining your internal workflows, the sky’s the limit.

In this guide, I’ll explore what personalized video marketing is, why it matters, and how you can start using it today to grow your brand.

What Is Personalized Video Marketing?

Personalized video marketing involves creating video content tailored specifically to an individual viewer. Think of it as a one-on-one conversation captured in a pre-recorded format. It’s not just about slapping someone’s name on the screen or using their initials in the thumbnail — true personalization goes much deeper. A genuinely personalized video speaks directly to the recipient, making it clear that the content was crafted with them in mind.

In practice, personalized videos can take many forms. For instance, you might create a screen recording walking through a client’s website, offering tailored feedback. Or, you could review their social media content and highlight specific areas for improvement. Even incorporating a photo or clip of the client themselves into the video can make it feel more relevant and engaging. The key is ensuring the video feels unique — if you could easily reuse it for another client, it’s not truly personalized.

Personalized video marketing is especially popular in account-based marketing (ABM), where building strong connections with specific B2B buyers is crucial. While it’s more challenging to scale for B2C audiences, it’s far from impossible.

Take Cadbury, for example. The brand allowed Facebook users to generate personalized videos for friends by simply inputting the recipient’s name and profile picture. This small touch created a memorable experience that resonated with users. With tools like AI-powered platforms, businesses of all sizes can now harness the power of personalized video marketing to connect with their audience in meaningful ways.

Steps To Create a Personalized Video

Creating a personalized video might sound complex, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process straightforward. From defining your purpose to recording the final product, each stage ensures your video resonates with its intended audience.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Define the Purpose and Audience

Before diving into creation, clarify why you’re making the video and who it’s for. Are you nurturing leads, onboarding new customers, or strengthening relationships with existing ones? Your goal will shape your strategy. 

For instance, deepening loyalty with current clients requires a different approach than converting potential leads. Identifying your target audience also helps determine what data you’ll need — whether it’s their name, job title, or purchase history — to make the personalization meaningful and effective.

2. Brainstorm and Gather Information

Once you know your purpose and audience, it’s time to gather the tools and data you’ll need. If you don’t already have video personalization software, now’s the time to choose one that aligns with your goals. Platforms like Magic Hour or Adobe Target can automate much of the personalization process, saving you time and effort. 

Next, collect relevant customer data to tailor your message, like:

• Names
• Titles
• Companies
• Past interactions 

And be sure to double-check accuracy; there’s nothing worse than misspelling a client’s name or using outdated information. A quick search can ensure details are correct before moving forward.

3. Create a Video Outline

Planning is key to delivering a polished, professional video. Start by outlining the content you want to include, ensuring it aligns with your purpose and audience. While a script can help maintain consistency, avoid sounding overly rehearsed or robotic. Instead, consider using bullet points to guide your delivery while keeping it conversational. This balance can help your video feel both structured and authentic, enhancing the viewer’s experience.

This is also when you’ll decide what video format you want to use (more on formats below).

4. Record and Revise

The final step is bringing your plan to life by recording the video. The specifics of production — like style, format, and length — will depend on your goals and the tools you’re using. For example, a quick selfie-style clip might only require your smartphone and a good editing app, while a more polished corporate video could involve lighting, an expensive camera, and a full editing suite.

Once recorded, review the video carefully to make sure it meets your standards and conveys your message effectively. Don’t hesitate to revise if needed; small tweaks (or slightly bigger ones, like swapping faces) can make a big difference in how your video is received.

Personalized Video Formats

From traditional filmmaking to quick, DIY-style recordings, there are countless ways to craft personalized AI videos that resonate with your audience. Each format has its own strengths, making it suitable for different goals and audiences. Let’s explore the most common formats of personalized videos and why they work so well.

Screen Share

Screen-share videos are recordings of your computer screen paired with audio narration. This format is perfect for tutorials, presentations, or customer support, as it allows you to visually guide viewers through processes or solutions. Tools like screen recording software make this type of video easy to create.

The example above is an interesting twist on the personalized screen-share video, as it demos IKEA’s Place app, which lets users see how different pieces of furniture would look in their home. IKEA can build a connection with potential buyers by making it easier for them to picture their daily lives using IKEA furniture.

Why it works: Screen-share videos are practical and straightforward, offering clear value to viewers while maintaining a personal feel. They’re especially useful for explaining complex topics in an accessible way.

Selfie-style

Selfie-style videos are recorded using a phone or laptop camera, with the subject speaking directly into the lens. This approach is quick, authentic, and scalable, making it ideal for creating dozens of personalized videos in a short time. Whether you’re reaching out to leads or thanking customers, this style feels genuine and relatable.

In the selfie-style example video above, the speaker is talking directly to a particular customer, and, in case it wasn’t clear, the words “Customer Appreciation” are scrawled prominently across the top of the screen. A heartfelt thank you of this sort goes a long way in making potential buyers feel connected to you.

Why it works: Selfie-style videos are cost-effective and humanize your brand by putting a face to your message. Their simplicity and authenticity tend to resonate well with modern audiences.

Traditional

Traditional personalized videos are created using professional equipment like DSLR cameras and employ classic filmmaking techniques. These polished, high-quality videos can leave a lasting impression on customers. While producing these videos at scale can be challenging, you can incorporate small personalized elements, like adding the customer’s name or company logo, to make them more relevant.

The example video above is from the Cadbury campaign I mentioned earlier. Its slick, high-production feel pairs well with the small personal touches to make it feel like each customer has an authentic connection with the product.

Why it works: Traditional videos exude professionalism and effort, making them ideal for high-stakes scenarios like client pitches or premium customer experiences. The added touch of personalization makes them even more impactful.

Template

Template videos use stock backgrounds, images, or animations combined with personalized text. For example, you might include a customer’s name, company logo, or other relevant visuals to make the video feel tailor-made. This type of video is easy to produce at scale and still delivers a personalized touch.

This Facebook anniversary (“Faceversary”) video is a great example. It’s not overly complicated — just some cute animations and images with the user’s name interspersed throughout. Still, this is enough to build a real sense of belonging on a social network with billions of users.

Why it works: Template videos strike a balance between efficiency and customization, allowing businesses to deliver consistent, branded content while incorporating unique details for each viewer.

Hybrid

Hybrid videos combine multiple formats, such as pairing a selfie-style introduction with a screen-share explainer. This approach allows you to leverage the strengths of different video types while keeping the content engaging and dynamic. There are varying levels of personalization within hybrid videos:

• Hyper-personalized: A video made specifically for one individual, often featuring an employee speaking directly to the camera; ideal for outreach or technical support
• Segmented personalization: Tailored for larger groups with shared characteristics, like customers who purchased the same product or joined an email list
• Personalized recommendations: Curated playlists of non-personalized videos for specific users, optionally including a short personalized intro to add a custom touch

This Orange Theory Fitness video offers an intriguing example: it mixes a bespoke track from a user’s own heartbeat while displaying stats from their yearly workouts. It doesn’t get much more hype-personalized than that, and this will motivate members to stick with the program and get results.

Why it works: Hybrid videos offer flexibility and creativity, allowing you to address diverse needs while maintaining scalability. By layering personalization levels, you can maximize relevance without sacrificing efficiency.

Personalized Video Examples

Unlike personalized video formats, the following types of personalized videos describe the strategic purpose or use case behind the video. 

Shareable Stats

Personalized videos highlighting individual stats are a powerful engagement tool, especially in gaming. 

The example video above demonstrates how Ubisoft executed a campaign featuring videos in numerous languages for one of nearly 5 million gamers, showcasing their unique history with over 30 titles. 

Why it works: This approach leverages user data to create content gamers are proud to share, blending personalization with user-generated elements to drive engagement and virality.

Welcome Videos

Personalized welcome videos are a great way to make a strong first impression. Instead of generic letters or emails, brands can create cinematic, tailor-made videos that speak directly to individual customers. For example, a personalized video with engaging visuals and a warm message can make recipients feel uniquely valued from the start.

As you can see in the example, Disney took customer welcomes to the next level by creating personalized videos for their vacation club members. Each video was tailored to individual families, complete with magical touches like pixie dust, making guests feel truly special.

Why it works: These welcome videos create an immediate sense of belonging and delight, turning first impressions into lasting memories while strengthening brand loyalty. By personalizing the welcome experience, Disney transforms a routine gesture into a magical moment that deepens emotional connections and sets the tone for the entire stay.

Video Storytelling

Personalized storytelling videos immerse viewers by placing them at the center of the narrative. Filmed from the viewer’s perspective and filled with tailored details, these videos allow recipients to see themselves in the story, making the experience deeply engaging and memorable.

The example video comes from the realm of children’s education, but the principles it illustrates have far wider applicability. AI tools take a user’s choices and wrap them in a complete, start-to-finish narrative, imparting a sense of participation and ownership.

Why it works: By making the viewer the hero of the story, personalized storytelling videos create an emotional connection that resonates deeply, motivating action while fostering a sense of belonging and excitement.

Loyalty Club Videos

Personalized recommendation videos are an effective way to nudge customers toward engaging with their loyalty club benefits. By starting with something as simple as the customer’s name, the video immediately grabs attention and feels relevant to the viewer.

This Bluebiz video was made for each user’s birthday, subtly underscoring the value of loyalty programs in a way that felt authentic and celebratory. The result is a win-win: Customers feel appreciated on their special day, and brands see increased engagement with their programs.

Why it works: Personalized recommendation videos combine relevance and convenience, driving customer action while strengthening loyalty by showing that you understand their preferences and needs.

Personalized Thank Yous

Personalized thank you videos add a meaningful touch to donor appreciation or customer gratitude campaigns. Instead of a generic message, each recipient receives a custom video with their name woven into both the visuals and audio. Hearing your own name in a heartfelt message creates an instant emotional connection that feels authentic and memorable.

In the personalized thank you video by the Apollo Theater, the action is shot from the donor’s point of view and includes their name. By acknowledging individual contributions in such a thoughtful way, institutions can strengthen relationships and inspire continued support from the community.

Why it works: Personalized thank you videos make recipients feel truly valued, fostering goodwill and deepening their emotional investment in your mission or brand.

4 Benefits of Personalized Video Marketing

Personalized video marketing isn’t just a trend — it’s a powerful strategy that delivers real results. By tailoring videos to individual viewers, businesses can create stronger connections, drive engagement, achieve better outcomes, and, of course, make money.

Here are four key benefits of incorporating personalized video marketing into your strategy:

1. More Conversions

As your future annual video marketing benchmarks will likely reveal, personalized videos naturally guide potential customers further down the sales funnel by delivering content that feels relevant and meaningful. Whether it’s showcasing a product they’ve shown interest in or offering a special promotion, these tailored videos make viewers feel understood and encourage them to take action.

2. Enhanced Customer Experience

Many people engage with brands through video, and adding personalized videos for customers makes the experience even more compelling. Instead of generic messaging, personalized videos offer each customer a unique interaction designed specifically for them. This thoughtful approach stands out in a crowded market and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

These days, personalization doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds of hours on video production. By balancing AI efficiency with traditional production quality, you can maximize both budget and impact in this new era of more accessible video marketing.

3. Stronger Brand Loyalty

When customers feel valued as individuals, they’re more likely to develop a deeper connection with your brand. Personalized videos show you understand their needs and preferences, fostering trust and goodwill. These videos play a vital role in building relationships that lead to long-term loyalty.

4. Improved Viewer Engagement

Personalized videos excel at capturing attention and encouraging interaction. When viewers receive content that feels tailor-made for them, they’re far more likely to engage — whether that means opening an email, clicking a link, or sharing the video with others. This level of engagement sets your marketing efforts apart and helps you build stronger connections with your audience.

By leveraging these benefits, personalized video marketing can help you create campaigns that resonate and drive meaningful results.

Ways To Use Personalized Video Marketing

Personalized video marketing isn’t limited to just one type of content — it’s a versatile tool that can be used across various channels and campaigns. Here are some innovative ways to incorporate personalized videos into your marketing strategy:

• Personalized customer support: If a customer is facing a complex issue, sending them a screen-share explainer video tailored to their specific problem can make all the difference. This personal touch not only resolves issues quickly but also shows customers that you genuinely care about their experience, boosting satisfaction and loyalty.
• Video emails: Elevate your email campaigns by embedding personalized videos directly into the message body. Whether it’s for sharing company updates, promoting sales offers, or nurturing leads, video emails grab attention and make your communication more engaging and memorable.
• Social media campaigns: Stand out on social media by creating campaigns centered around personalized videos. Highlight your most loyal customers with shout-out videos or generate fun, meme-style clips that resonate with your audience. Personalization adds a unique flair that encourages shares and interactions.
• Event invitations: Increase attendance at your next event by sending personalized video invitations. Addressing potential attendees by name and explaining why their presence matters makes the invitation feel special and increases the likelihood of a positive response.
• Brand loyalty videos: Leverage customer data to create heartfelt videos that celebrate milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, or a “year in review” recap. Sending these thoughtful messages — especially during the holiday season — shows appreciation for your customers and strengthens their emotional connection to your brand.

Armed with these ideas and a knowledge of why and how they work, you can harness the power of personalized video marketing to engage your audience, build stronger relationships, and drive meaningful results.

How To Use AI for Personalized Video Marketing

As we’ve explored throughout this guide, personalized video marketing is a profound advantage for businesses looking to connect with their audience on a deeper level. By leveraging AI-powered tools, you can streamline the process of creating tailored videos at scale, ensuring each piece of content feels unique and impactful. From automating personalization to analyzing customer data, AI makes it easier than ever to deliver the right message to potential customers when they’re ready to hear it.

Here are some ways you can use AI video creation tools to make personalized videos for your audience.

Feature Star Athletes in Famous Movie Scenes

This image was created using Magic Hour’s free AI Face Swap tool.

Sports teams can use face swap video tools to craft striking promotional content that truly resonates. Imagine a basketball star’s face seamlessly swapped into a legendary action movie scene, emphasizing their unstoppable energy and larger-than-life persona. This innovative approach not only highlights the athlete’s unique story but also captivates fans by merging pop culture with personal branding in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

This example showcases how a team like the Dallas Mavericks could place star player Kyrie Irving into an iconic action scene from “Black Panther.” This bold, personalized video highlights Kyrie’s agility and fierce competitiveness, drawing a powerful parallel between his on-court style and the superhero’s strength.  

Create Personalized Globalized Marketing Campaigns

This image was created using Magic Hour’s Video-to-Video tool.

Marketing agencies managing global campaigns can use video-to-video tools to effortlessly create localized versions of a main video that resonate with different cultural or regional audiences. For instance, a beauty brand could customize a campaign with vibrant Japanese manga-inspired visuals tailored for Tokyo viewers, while Nordic markets receive a sleek, minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic. 

This approach allows agencies to deliver culturally relevant content at scale — maximizing impact and engagement — without the need for costly reshoots or multiple creative teams.

Make Videos Accessible for All Viewers

This image was created using Magic Hour’s Subtitle Generator tool.

An AI-powered subtitle generator is a powerful tool for making marketing content more accessible and inclusive. By automatically generating accurate, customizable subtitles, businesses can ensure their videos are easy to understand for viewers with hearing impairments, as well as those watching without sound. 

This feature not only helps with accessibility but also broadens your content’s reach — subtitled videos are more engaging and often better retained across social platforms. Whether you’re sending out promotional materials, product demos, or social ads, adding subtitles shows that your brand values inclusivity and is mindful of diverse audience needs.

Create Personalized Videos With Magic Hour

Ready to take your personalized video marketing to the next level? Discover how Magic Hour’s suite of AI tools can help you create professional, engaging videos effortlessly. 

With the right strategy and tools in place, you’ll be well-equipped to captivate your audience, drive conversions, and build lasting relationships — all through the power of personalized video marketing.