CRM-Friendly Video for Dealerships: What Works Best With Elead CRM

Why CRM Video Matters for Dealerships

Your dealership CRM is where deals are made — or lost.

It’s where your team:

• Follows up with internet leads
• Nurtures phone-ups
• Re-engages no-shows
• Drives appointment confirmations
• Sends post-sale thank-yous

But here’s the reality: most CRM follow-up looks exactly the same.

• Same generic email templates
• Same automated texts
• Same “check-in” messages that get ignored

That’s why top-performing dealerships are adding personalized video to their CRM workflows — and seeing:

• Higher open rates
• More lead replies
• More booked appointments
• Better CSI scores

If you’re wondering:

“Will video work with my CRM — especially Elead CRM?”
The answer is: YES.

And in this guide, we’ll show you exactly:

• What works
• How to do it
• Why TradePending’s Video for Sales makes it easy
• And how dealers like you are using CRM video to close more leads today

Let’s get started.

What Is CRM-Friendly Video for Car Dealers?

When we say “CRM-friendly video,” what we really mean is:
Video that works seamlessly with your dealership’s existing CRM tools and lead process.

In other words:

• No uploading to YouTube
• No broken links
• No file compatibility issues
• No extra steps for your sales or BDC team

CRM-Friendly Video Must Be:

• Quick to record — ideally from phone or desktop
• Branded and professional-looking — with a proper thumbnail and player
• Easy to copy into CRM emails — via link or embed
• Mobile-optimized — since most leads open on their phones
• Trackable — so your team knows when a lead watches the video

Why Does This Matter?

Because:

• Leads live inside your CRM.
• Follow-up happens through your CRM.
• BDC processes are built around CRM workflows.

If video can’t easily be used in the CRM, your team won’t use it.
And adoption is the #1 key to success with video.

CRM-Friendly Video Works For:

• Internet lead responses
• Appointment confirmations
• Missed appointment follow-ups
• “Thank you” videos post-sale
• CSI survey prep messages
• Trade-in video outreach
• Service department lead reactivation

Wherever your CRM touches the customer, video belongs.

Why Adding Video to Your CRM Drives More Appointments

At first glance, CRM video might seem like a “nice to have.”
But for top-performing dealerships, it’s a high-ROI tool that consistently increases appointments, engagement, and closes.

Here’s why:

1. Video Lifts Open and Response Rates

• Plain-text CRM emails? 15–25% open rates.
• CRM emails with video thumbnails and “Play” CTA?
  → Often 40–60% open rates or higher.

Why?
Because video grabs attention — it looks human, personal, and different from 99% of dealership follow-up.

2. Video Builds Trust and Familiarity

Leads don’t trust:

• Generic CRM templates
• “Automated” email signatures
• Robotic follow-up

They DO trust:

• A real voice
• A real face
• A personalized message

Video makes your CRM outreach feel authentic — which builds buyer confidence.

3. Video Increases Appointment Show Rates

Leads who watch a video:

• Feel like they “know” the rep
• See the vehicle before arriving
• Feel more invested in visiting

This typically results in:

• 10–30% higher appointment show rates
• Fewer no-shows
• More high-intent showroom traffic

4. Video Speeds Up the Sales Process

A CRM email with video answers:

• “What does this car look like?”
• “Is the dealer legit?”
• “Is this worth my time?”

When leads feel informed, they:

• Book appointments faster
• Show up more ready to buy
• Close sooner — with fewer objections

In a nutshell:

CRM video works because it:
✅ Captures attention
✅ Builds trust
✅ Drives next steps
✅ Outperforms plain email follow-up at every stage

Will Video Work With Elead CRM? (Yes — Here’s How)

If you’re using Elead CRM — one of the most popular dealership CRMs in North America — you might be wondering:

“Can I easily send video through Elead CRM?”
“Do I need to buy extra software or integrations?”
“Will it break my CRM process?”

Good news:
✅ YES — video works perfectly with Elead CRM
✅ NO — you don’t need extra IT help or plugins
✅ YES — your team can start using video today

Here’s How It Works With TradePending Video for Sales:

1 – Record a video — walkaround, intro, thank-you — from your phone or desktop using the TradePending app
2 – TradePending automatically generates:

• A CRM-friendly video link
• A branded video thumbnail
• A preview with clickable “Play” button

3a – Send the video directly from the TradePending app

• All activity, including the link to the video, syncs back directly with Elead in real time. 
• No duplicate entry required, and any new activity from the customer syncs directly with both Elead and TradePending

OR

3b Copy & paste that link or thumbnail into:

• Elead CRM email templates
• 1:1 CRM email replies
• CRM text messages (if SMS-enabled)

4 – When the lead clicks to watch:

• You get a real-time view alert
• You can follow up while interest is hot

Why It’s Better Than DIY Video Links:

• No YouTube ads
• No raw file uploads
• No broken links or formatting
• No complicated workflows for your team

It’s simple, fast, repeatable — designed to fit right into Elead CRM’s natural process.

Tip:

Dealers using TradePending Video for Sales in Elead CRM often:

• Build video into automated templates for first-touch
• Have BDC reps send 1:1 personalized video replies
• Use video to follow up on appointment no-shows
• Send “thank you” videos post-sale or post-service

If your dealership uses Elead CRM, your team can use video follow-up by the end of today, no coding, no extra setup.

What Other CRMs Does It Work With?

While Elead CRM is one of the most popular platforms for franchise dealers, it’s far from the only one.

That’s why TradePending’s Video for Sales was built from day one to be CRM-agnostic, meaning it works seamlessly with any CRM that supports email or text links.

100% Compatible With:

• VinSolutions
• DealerSocket
• AutoAlert
• Reynolds & Reynolds CRM
• Salesforce Automotive Cloud
• ProMax CRM
• DealerCenter
• DriveCentric (coming soon!)
• And virtually any other CRM used by independent or franchise dealers

Why It Works Everywhere:

Because TradePending Video for Sales:

• Generates CRM-ready video links and thumbnails
• Requires no custom integration
• Doesn’t rely on proprietary API connections
• Plays perfectly on desktop, mobile, and tablet
• Uses secure, trackable video hosting — no broken links or formatting issues

What This Means for You:

• You can send video today — no IT or dev team needed
• You can train your team quickly — reps use video in the CRM just like they send a normal link
• You can standardize your video process across sales, BDC, internet, and service
• You’re protected if your dealership group switches CRMs — Video for Sales still works

Whether you’re on Elead CRM, VinSolutions, DealerSocket, or anything else — you can use personalized video today to improve your lead conversion.

Real Dealer Results — CRM Video That Converts

Dealers who add personalized video to their CRM process see a clear and measurable improvement in key metrics:

• More lead replies
• More appointments scheduled
• Higher appointment show rates
• Faster sales cycles
• Improved CSI scores post-sale

Case Study: Longo Toyota of Prosper Sells More Cars with Video

Dealership: Longo Toyota of Prosper (Penske Dealership, Prosper, TX)
Department: Sales
Product: TradePending Video for Sales

Challenge

Longo Toyota was new to a competitive market and tried using a CRM-integrated video tool, but the results were poor:

“The videos were often fuzzy or inaudible, and they didn’t include engagement prompts such as scheduling options or confirmation requests.” 

Solution

They switched to TradePending Video for Sales, and onboarded quickly with training from their Customer Success Manager. As Sales Manager Michael Lankford noted:

“You don’t get scripted interaction; you get genuine, personalized support. That’s a big plus.” 

Results (First Month)

• Manager Event Engagement: 40% of customers (4 out of 10) said,
    “We saw the video you sent; it engaged us more.”
  
• Sales Increase:
  • “The dealership sold 25–30 more cars than usual in the first month of using Video for Sales.”
  • Michael sent over 1,000 videos in one month, boosting monthly sales from 20–25 to 36–37, with 12–15 sales directly linked to video views.

Trust-Building:

“Since adopting Video for Sales, engagement and customer trust have increased. Customers appreciate confirming a vehicle’s presence, which builds trust and opens communication with the dealership effectively.”

 — Michael Lankford.

What These Dealers Did Right:

✅ Used CRM-friendly video links — no friction for the team
✅ Focused on short, personal videos
✅ Added video at key conversion points:

• First-touch
• No-show recovery
• Post-sale thank-yous
  ✅ Tracked what worked and scaled it across the store

Case study: Longo Toyota of Prosper Sells More Cars with Video

How to Track CRM Video Performance

Adding video to your CRM process is powerful — but like any tool, you need to track what’s working so you can optimize for even better results.

The good news?
With TradePending Video for Sales, tracking is simple and built in.

1. See Who Watches — In Real Time

Every time a lead:

• Opens your CRM email
• Clicks on your video
• Watches it

You get:

• Real-time view notifications
• Alerts when they engage with your CTA
• Data on how long they watched

2. Monitor Key CRM KPIs

Track:

• Open rates (video vs. no video)
• Reply rates (video vs. no video)
• Appointment conversion rate
• Appointment show rate
• Time-to-sale for leads with video vs. no video

3. Connect Video to Sales Outcomes

Most CRMs (Elead, VinSolutions, etc.) let you tag or note:

• Leads that received a video
• Leads that watched video
• Leads that booked an appointment post-video

This lets your internet manager or GSM compare:

• Close rate on video leads vs. standard leads
• Time-to-close with video vs. without
• Gross profit and CSI scores for video-engaged customers

Tip: A/B Test Your CRM Video

• Use video in 50% of first-touch templates
• Leave 50% as standard email
• Compare the results after 30 days

Almost every dealer who runs this test sees:

• +50–80% open rate
• +40–60% higher reply rate
• +20–30% more appointments
• Higher quality engagement overall

Why TradePending Video for Sales Works Best for CRM

Not all video tools are designed with dealership CRMs in mind.
Many generic platforms:

• Don’t format well for CRM email
• Break when pasted into text messages
• Can’t track views across CRM stages
• Are too slow or too complex for busy sales teams

TradePending Video for Sales was built specifically for dealership workflows — especially CRM lead handling.

Here’s why it works better:

1. Simple, Fast Workflow

• Record on desktop or phone
• Video link & branded thumbnail generated automatically
• Copy & paste straight into:
  • Elead CRM
  • VinSolutions
  • DealerSocket
  • DriveCentric
  • Any CRM that sends email or SMS

2. CRM-Ready Video Links and Thumbnails

• No broken links
• No weird formatting
• No clunky file attachments
• Just clean, clickable video previews with Play button — proven to drive clicks

3. Fully Mobile-Optimized

Since most customers open CRM emails on their phones, Video for Sales is:

• Mobile responsive
• Loads fast on any device
• Displays perfectly in mobile CRM templates

4. Built-In Tracking + Alerts

• Real-time view notifications sent to your team
• Lead engagement tracked inside the Video for Sales dashboard
• Integrates with CRM notes and reporting

Your team knows exactly who to follow up with — and when.

5. Designed for Dealers, Not Generic Users

Unlike video platforms built for marketing agencies or generic use, TradePending Video for Sales is:

• Affordable and scalable for dealerships
• Easy to train on (5 minutes to onboard new users)
• CRM-agnostic — won’t break if you switch providers
• Supported by dealership-savvy customer success teams

CRM Video Best Practices for Dealerships

To get the most ROI from video inside your CRM, follow these simple best practices:

1. Keep It Short (30–60 Seconds)

• Attention spans are short — especially on mobile
• 30–60 second videos get the highest play and completion rates
• Don’t try to tell the whole story — just enough to build interest and drive next steps

2. Personalize the Intro

Whenever possible, include:

“Hi [First Name], I saw your request about the [vehicle/model]…”

This builds instant trust and connection.

Even when using templates, a quick name drop personalizes the experience.

3. Always Use a Clickable Thumbnail

Plain links get ignored.
Video thumbnails with a big Play button dramatically increase clicks.

TradePending Video for Sales does this automatically — no extra work required.

4. Prioritize Mobile Optimization

Since over 60% of CRM emails are opened on phones:

• Record videos vertically or in square format
• Use captions when possible
• Keep text legible for mobile viewing

5. Use Video at the Right CRM Stages

Most successful dealers use video at these key points:

• First-touch lead response
• Appointment confirmation
• No-show follow-up
• Post-sale thank-you
• CSI survey encouragement

6. Reuse and Repurpose Video Across Channels

One good video can go far:

• Send through CRM email
• Text via CRM SMS
• Add to retargeting ads
• Share in social DMs

Tip: Create reusable templates for:

• New leads
• Appointments
• Sold customers
  This makes it easy for your team to scale video without burning out.

When your CRM video process is fast, personal, and consistent — the results follow:
✅ More replies
✅ More appointments
✅ Happier customers
✅ More cars sold

Conclusion — Ready to Make Your CRM Follow-Up Stand Out?

Your CRM is the heart of your dealership’s sales process — but without personalized video, even your best leads can go cold.

Adding simple, fast video to your CRM:
✅ Increases open and reply rates
✅ Drives more appointments
✅ Improves show rates
✅ Boosts CSI scores
✅ Shortens the sales cycle

And with TradePending Video for Sales, your team can:

• Record video in under 90 seconds
• Copy/paste into any CRM — no extra software needed
• Track results and follow up when it matters most

Ready to Convert More Leads From Elead CRM (and Any CRM You Use)?

👉 Book your free demo of TradePending Video for Sales
See how easy it is to upgrade your CRM follow-up — and start closing more deals this month.