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You’ve got an awesome video you’re dying to share with your audience. But when you try to send it through email, you hit a wall. The file’s too big, or your email client just won’t cooperate. Sound familiar?
Sending videos via email can be a real headache. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the easiest ways to send videos through email so you can share your masterpiece with the world.
Table Of Contents:
- How to Send a Video Through Email
- Send Large Videos Through The Cloud
- Alternative Methods for Sending Large Video Files
- Tips for Ensuring Successful Video Email Delivery
- FAQs: How to Send a Video Through Email
- Conclusion
How to Send a Video Through Email
You’ve just finished editing your video and you’re dying to share it. But there’s just one problem — you’ve got a very large video file!
You try to send it as an email attachment but you get an error message saying your video is too large.
Ugh, we’ve all been there.
As someone who creates and sends videos daily, I’ve learned a thing or two about getting those large video files from point A to point B.
Follow these three steps on how to send a video through email.
Step 1: Choose the Right Video File Type
First things first, let’s talk about video file types. When it comes to sending videos via email, not all file types are created equal. You want to choose a format that’s widely compatible and doesn’t take up too much space.
My go-to? MP4. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of video files – it works on pretty much any device or platform.
Other solid options include MOV, AVI, and WMV.
Just keep in mind that the recipient’s email client or device needs to support the file type you choose. If you’re unsure, stick with MP4 — it’s a safe bet.
Step 2: Compress Video for Email
If your video file is still too large, it’s time to bring out the big guns: compression tools.
These handy little helpers can reduce the size of your file while keeping the quality mostly intact.
There are tons of video compression software options out there, both free and paid. Some popular choices include HandBrake, Adobe Media Encoder, and Apple’s built-in iMovie.
Personally, I’m a fan of HandBrake – it’s free, easy to use, and gets the job done.
When compressing your video, aim for a balance between file size and quality. You want the file to be small enough to send via email, but not so compressed that it looks like a pixelated mess. Experiment with different settings until you find that sweet spot.
Step 3: Attach Video Directly to Email
Now that you’ve got your video file compressed and ready to go, it’s time to attach it to your email. Most email clients make this a breeze — just look for the paperclip icon or an “attach file” button.
Keep in mind that email providers have size limits for attachments.
For example, Gmail allows attachments up to 25MB, while Outlook caps it at 20MB. If your video file is under that limit, you’re good to go. Just attach it like you would any other file.
Source: EmailLabs
Need to send your video to a lot of people? Learn how to create a group email to send one attachment to multiple recipients.
Now what if your video is still too big, even after compression? That’s where cloud storage can help.
Send Large Videos Through The Cloud
Cloud storage services are the ultimate solution for sending large video files. With these online platforms, you can easily upload your videos to the cloud and share them with others through a simple link, eliminating the headache of attachment size limits.
Popular cloud storage options
Cloud storage is a must-have these days, and luckily, you’ve got options galore. Take your pick from the cream of the crop – these popular services are loaded with handy features and pricing plans to suit every need.
Personally, I’m a big fan of Google Drive. It offers a generous 15GB of free storage, and its integration with other Google apps is super handy.
Plus, most people already have a Google account so sharing files in your Google Drive is a breeze.
Uploading video to cloud storage
Uploading your video to a cloud storage service is pretty straightforward. Just sign in to your account, find the upload button, and select your video file.
Depending on the size of your file and your internet speed, the upload process might take a few minutes.
Once your video is uploaded, you can organize it into folders, rename it, and adjust the sharing settings.
Make sure to set the right permissions so that your intended recipients can view the file.
Sharing video link via email
Now it’s time to share your video. Most cloud storage services generate a unique link for each file you upload. Just copy that link and paste it into your email.
When your recipient clicks the link, they’ll be taken directly to the video file in their web browser. They can watch it right there or download it to their device. Easy peasy.
One thing to keep in mind: some cloud storage services have download limits or expiration dates for shared links. If you’re sending a video to a large group or want it to be available indefinitely, double-check your service’s sharing policies.
Alternative Methods for Sending Large Video Files
Cloud storage isn’t the only way to send long videos through email. There are a few other tricks up my sleeve that I want to share with you.
Use Video-Sharing Platforms
Video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are great for sending large video files. Just upload your video to the platform, adjust the privacy settings, and share the link with your recipients.
The beauty of this method is that you don’t have to worry about file size limits or compatibility issues. As long as your recipients have an internet connection, they can watch the video right in their web browser.
Video-sharing platforms have all sorts of cool built-in features like tracking comments, likes, and view counts. And when you’re sharing a video with a bunch of people, these features are perfect for starting conversations and seeing what everyone thinks.
Explore File Transfer Methods
If all else fails and you simply can’t get your video to send via email, alternative file transfer methods can get the job done.
Services like WeTransfer, SendSpace, and Filemail are designed specifically for sending large files, including videos. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces for uploading your video and generating a download link that you can easily share with your recipient.
Create a Custom Shareable Link
Most video-sharing platforms generate a unique URL for each video you upload. Just copy that link and paste it into your email, and you’re good to go.
If you want to get fancy, you can even customize the link’s appearance with a URL shortener like Bitly. This can make the link look cleaner and more professional in your email.
Embed Video in Email
If you really want to wow your recipients, you can try embedding the video directly into your email. This way, they can watch the video right in their email client, without having to click a link or open a new tab.
Not all email clients support video embeds, but some popular ones like Apple Mail and Outlook do.
To embed a video, you’ll need to use HTML code in your email. If you’re not comfortable with coding, there are plenty of online tools that can generate the embed code for you.
Keep in mind that embedded videos can significantly increase the size of your email, so use this method sparingly. And always include a fallback link to the video, just in case the embed doesn’t work for some recipients.
Tips for Ensuring Successful Video Email Delivery
You’ve created an engaging video for your email campaign — nice work.
But hold up, before you hit send, there are a few crucial steps to ensure your video actually reaches your recipient’s inbox.
You want to make sure it plays smoothly once it gets there, right?
Take it from me, crafting the perfect video email is only half the battle. There’s nothing worse than hitting send, only to have your message bounce back or end up in spam purgatory.
Here are my top tips for ensuring your video emails land in inboxes, not junk folders.
Check The Recipient’s Email Size Limits
First things first, you need to check your recipient’s email size limits. Every email service provider has different restrictions on attachment sizes.
For example, Gmail allows attachments up to 25MB, while Outlook limits it to 20MB.
If your video file exceeds these limits, it’s likely to get rejected or end up in the spam folder. So, before you compose your email, do your research and find out the maximum file size allowed by your recipient’s email client.
Test With a Smaller Video File
Even if your video meets the size requirements, it’s always a good idea to test with a smaller file first. This helps you identify any potential issues with playback, compatibility, or deliverability before sending the full-sized video.
I recommend exporting a lower resolution version of your video or trimming it down to a shorter length for testing purposes.
Send a test email to yourself and a few colleagues to ensure everything works smoothly.
Follow Up With The Recipient
Once you’ve sent your video email, follow up with your recipient to confirm they received the video and were able to view it without any issues.
If there are any problems with the video, you can quickly troubleshoot and resend if necessary.
By following these tips, you’ll greatly increase the chances of your video email landing in your recipient’s inbox and making the impact you intended.
Additional Resources:
FAQs: How to Send a Video Through Email
How do I send a large video through email?
To send a big video, use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Upload the video there and share the link via email.
How do I attach a video to an email?
Click “attach” or the paperclip icon in your email draft, find your video file, and select it to attach before sending.
How do I send a video that is too long?
For lengthy videos, compress them using tools like Handbrake or upload them to YouTube to share via link.
Why can’t I email a video?
Email platforms have size limits for attachments. If your video exceeds this limit, consider compressing it or using cloud services.
Conclusion
Sending a video through email doesn’t have to be a nightmare. By choosing the right file type, compressing your video, and using cloud storage or video-sharing platforms, you can make sure your video reaches its destination without any hiccups.
And if you do run into trouble, don’t panic. There are always alternative methods and workarounds to try. With a little persistence and know-how, you’ll be sending videos like a pro in no time.
Written by John Pratt
See more from John Pratt
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