1.2 billion people currently use Facebook Messenger. More than 2 billion people — about 80 percent of smartphone users — are expected to be on messaging apps by 2018, according to eMarketer.

In a world where phone calls go unanswered almost 90 percent of the time, you have to showcase yourself as a sales professional in a unique and different way to connect and convert leads.

Consider taking advantage of an application that you and billions of other people use every day to do so – Facebook Messenger.

You may already be sending Facebook messages to initiate and sustain conversations. If so, send better messages by adding a video. Facebook Messenger videos help you communicate more clearly, connect more deeply, and convert at a higher rate.

Here in this post: learn how BombBomb helps you with Facebook Messenger videos – and get tips to increase your chances of them getting opened in the post below.

Send Facebook Messenger Videos from Laptop or Desktop

Sending Facebook Messenger videos natively is only available on mobile. If you’re using a laptop or desktop, BombBomb makes it easy to add videos. Here’s how …

Go to the “Videos” tab inside your BombBomb account (if you don’t have one, start a 2 week free trial right here).

Record a new video by clicking “new video” or choose one you’ve already recorded.

Click the dropdown to the right of your video.

From that dropdown, choose “Link & Share.”

Click the Facebook logo to open the Facebook sharing screen.

“Share on your timeline” is checked by default. You can share the video along with any text you type in as a Facebook update.

You can also share the video on a friend’s timeline, inside of a group or event, or even a page you manage.

What we’re talking about in this post, though, is “Send in a private message.” Start typing a name and the window autofills with Facebook contacts’ names until you narrow into the person to whom you’d like to send the video message.

You can send to more than one person. And, of course, you can type in text to support the video.

Sending Videos through the Facebook Messenger Application on your cell phone:

Maybe you’re already sending Facebook Messenger videos on your mobile device directly in the app. If that’s the case, you may already know that you’re limited to 15 seconds or less.

15 seconds may not be enough time to build a little connection, show some personality, communicate your message, and deliver a call to action worth hearing in that short amount of time.

BombBomb’s a great help here!

Start out in your BombBomb mobile app (available both for Android and iPhone).

You can record a new video. You can upload a video from your camera roll. Or you can choose a video you’ve already got in your BombBomb account.

Once you’ve got your video, select “Next.” Then you’ll choose how you want to share your video – by email, text message, or social.

Select social, and choose Facebook Messenger. If you don’t see Facebook Messenger as an option, select “more” to add it to list of options.

From there, you’re just a step away. Choose the person, add some text if you’d like, and send!

Check out the images below for a step-by-step guide.

When to Send Facebook Messenger Videos

Here are just a few ideas:

• Introducing yourself to a new Facebook connection you’ve not met in person.
• Congratulating someone on a new life milestone – baby, career transition, starting or completing school, purchasing a home, etc.
• Following up after a networking event or trade show.
• Reaching out to set an appointment and/or to follow up afterward.
• Saying thank you to anyone who’s given you time or done you a favor.
• Sharing an article that reminded you of that particular person to stay top of mind.

Hopefully, this gives you a good starting point for being more personal and human in your Facebook messages.

So many messages you’re ready to type out are said better through video.

Two Pro Tips for Your Facebook Messenger Videos

Both of these tips are designed to let your Facebook connection know that your video message is just for him or her (or them!).

1. Write a short message on a small dry erase board.

I keep a whiteboard, marker, and wipe-off cloth at my desk. For most of the videos I record, I write a note on it that’s seen in the animated preview or thumbnail image.

Want one? Here are some options from Amazon. For reference, mine is 8.5″ wide and 6.5″ tall.

Note: some people use post-it notes, notecards, or other write-it-down/hold-it-up pieces to accomplish this.

2. Hold up his or her business card.

When I return from a networking event or trade show, I often have a stack of business cards from people I met at the event. To build on that exchange and to stand out from his or her stack of business cards, I send personal, one-to-one follow up videos.

By holding up each person’s card, he or she knows I made that video just for him or her. And it’s a talking point to open the video “You gave me your card when we met yesterday at (name of event).”

Better Relationships with Facebook Messenger Videos

Because it’s more personal and human, video helps you communicate, connect, and convert more effectively.

Improve the quality of your Facebook messages by including video in some of them. You’ll love the replies and they’ll be happy to see you.

Bonus: this type of video message also builds propinquity with the people who matter most to your business and to your life.

Try This Out Today

If you’re not yet using BombBomb, click here to start your 2 week free trial with no credit card information required.

You can send by email or text messages (with our mobile app), with your webcam or smartphone (or upload any video you’ve got), to one person or your entire database – and track all your results.

And you can share videos in a variety of ways in several social networks.

Try BombBomb Free for 14 Days.

For example, if you’d like to learn how you can send videos in LinkedIn Messages, click here!