HeyGen for Agencies: The Ultimate AI Video Jumpstart Guide

Welcome to Your AI Video Quick-Start Guide

Want to create more video content but feel held back by limited time, budget, or production resources? You’re not alone. Here’s the good news: with HeyGen, your team can produce videos that look even better than traditional productions at a fraction of the cost and time.

This guide is designed for agencies that are ready to elevate their clients’ marketing and content with AI video. You’ll learn how to move from concept to campaign, creating high-quality, scalable content without needing cameras, studios, or on-screen talent.

Don’t miss the hands-on video creation exercise in the Making Your First Video section. It’s designed to help you learn by doing and get up to speed in no time. Let's get started!

Top Use Cases: How Agencies Are Using HeyGen

HeyGen is more than a video tool. It’s a creative engine built for teams who need to move fast, scale content, and drive results without sacrificing quality. From influencer ads to onboarding flows, here’s how agencies and customers across industries are using HeyGen to create high-impact videos at scale.

Why Video is Critical in Business Growth Today

The Challenge

• Traditional production is costly, slow, and constrained by budgets
• Teams have to achieve more with fewer resources—tighter budgets, less time, and increasing pressure to outperform competitors

What AI Video Unlocks

Speed

• 40 hours/week video production time saved, allowing Reply.io to grow its CEO’s TikTok account to a quarter million followers in under a year
• 5X faster production timeline for educational video content at leading financial services organisation Equity Trust

Cost Savings

• 60% reduction in video production costs by Tomorrow.io
• €1,000 saved per minute of training content by Sibelco

Scalability

• A/B tested 6X faster, deploying 50 unique AI influencer ads with Favoured
• 80–90% average completion rate for customer and partner training videos with Komatsu

Localisation

• Reached 30 different markets, saving 3–4 months of post-production time for Trivago

Personalisation

• 50k+ personalised videos with 3X the engagement produced by Videoimagem for AB InBev

Want to explore this in more depth?

→ AI Video Marketing Strategy eBook

→ 5 ways to use your marketing budget more efficiently eBook

→ Explore our practical guide for L&D professionals eBook

HeyGen for Agency Partners

HeyGen’s Agency Partners programme is designed for creative and marketing teams looking to scale high-quality video production with the speed and efficiency of AI. From global agencies like Ogilvy and Publicis to fast-moving boutique teams, partners rely on HeyGen to deliver compelling video content at a fraction of the traditional cost and time.

What Agencies Partners Get

• Unlimited video creation
• Flexible seat management for teams
• Organised client workspaces with sub-workspace support
• Remote likeness consent and streamlined avatar creation tools
• Enterprise-grade security, admin controls, and SSO
• Dedicated customer support and partner success resources
• Certification program and potential inclusion in the HeyGen Agency Directory
• Early access to new features and discounted enterprise pricing

Why Agencies Choose HeyGen

• 10x content production output
• 50%+ reduction in video costs
• Enables white-glove service at scale
• Structured onboarding, live training, and access to the community
• Ideal for modern, scalable video strategies

→ Find out more about HeyGen for Agency Partners

→ Talk to our Agency Team: Calendar Link

→ Watch: How AI Video Generation Can Validate Your Content Strategy with Marketing AI Institute

Creating Your First AI Video

Introduction

New to video or trying out HeyGen for the first time? You’ve got this. This section will guide you through each step to help you create a great video, quickly.

Prefer learning by doing?

Select a video type above to open a ready-made template in HeyGen and follow along as you proceed.

Not ready to get started yet?

No worries. Glance through the steps now and return to the full how-to whenever you are ready.

Ready to get started? Begin with this 2-minute tour of HeyGen’s AI Studio Editor, and then let us dive in!

→ HeyGen Academy: 101

broad overview of all HeyGen features

→ HeyGen Academy: AI Studio

more in-depth exploration of video editing

Step 1: Set up for scale: Brand Kit & Sub-Workspaces

Efficient teams do not start from zero every time – they build systems that scale.

With HeyGen, it’s easy to keep your clients’ videos on-brand by setting up a Brand Kit for each, making their fonts, colors, logos and assets easily available within HeyGen’s AI Studio editor.

Just paste in your client’s URL to get started, or upload your brand elements manually.

In a hurry? No problem. You can always come back and complete this step later.

Certified HeyGen for Agency Partners programme members also have access to Sub-Workspaces, which are separate workspaces within a HeyGen account that enable better team and project management. Each Sub-Workspace has its own members, permissions, and settings, allowing your team to manage access, billing, and API usage across different clients and campaigns.

Pro tip

Once your Brand Kit is set up with your brand colours, you can easily update most HeyGen Templates to match. Simply swap in your colours so every video stays on-brand, or click the Shuffle Colors button to have HeyGen change them automatically.

Step 2: Write Your Script

The script is the backbone of a great video. Here’s how to make it count:

• Start with a strong hook (the first 3–5 seconds matter the most)
• End with a clear CTA (call to action)
• Keep it simple, direct, and free of jargon

Pro tip: Want to move faster? Have a look at the Best Practices page below for guidance on using tools like ChatGPT to write your script.

Still not sure where to start? Here are a few sample outlines to inspire you.

If you’re following along in HeyGen, these scripts are already built into your template.

Explore script templates and more tips for popular marketing and communications video types

Video Ads - Social Influencer Videos - How-To Videos - Product Explainers - Brand Videos - Webinars and Podcasts - Newsletters - Learning Courses - Explainer Videos - Corporate Training - Skills Training - HR and Onboarding Training - Compliance Training - Safety Training - AI Tutorials - Leadership Updates and Internal Communications

Best Practices: Write Scripts Better and Faster with AI

Want to work smarter, not harder? Here are some tips for leveraging tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or others to speed up script-writing.

Give the AI a direct and detailed prompt to describe the video you’re making. Add important context, such as:

• What kind of video you’re creating (influencer ad, product tutorial, brand video)
• Who it’s for (target audience)
• The goal of the video (drive clicks, explain a concept, educate)
• Tone or voice you would like it to use (friendly, professional, conversational)

Sample prompt:

"Write a 60-second video script for an influencer ad promoting a new skincare line called HeySkin to a Gen-Z audience. The tone should be confident and clear. End with a strong call to action."

Step 2: Add key discussion points

You can get more accurate results by adding a short bullet list of the key points you want the video to cover.

Example:

• Product/service name
• Key value proposition
• Call to action

Example prompt:

"Include the following points: HeySkin helps you stay moisturised all day. CTA: Use my discount code for 10% off."

Step 3: Ask for the right format

Let the AI know you need the script in a way that works well for a video.

Example:

• A spoken script delivered by a Gen-Z beauty influencer
• A casual, conversational tone

Example prompt:

"Write this as a spoken script read by a Gen Z beauty influencer. Use natural, playful, and conversational language."

Step 4: Review and refine

Next, copy and paste the script into HeyGen and click the preview button to have your avatar read it aloud. Does it sound natural? Does it flow the way you want? If not, ask ChatGPT to revise it with prompts such as:

• Make this more casual or more formal
• Add a more compelling hook at the beginning
• Include a line about [feature or benefit]
• Turn this into a 30-second version
• Give me three variations of the CTA

Step 3: Create a Hyper-Realistic Avatar

Your spokesperson sets the tone. HeyGen has 700+ ready-made Public Avatars for use, but creating a hyper realistic Custom Avatar gives you the ability to adapt to any client’s needs.

HeyGen offers multiple options for creating Custom Avatars. Click the links below to dive into the details further.

When creating a Custom Avatar, remember: the quality you put in is the quality you will get out. The better your photos, videos, and written prompts, the more realistic and polished your avatar will be.

Whatever is included in your Hyper Realistic Avatar training video, from gestures and facial expressions to vocal inflection, will be reflected in the final result.

Expert tip

Use HeyGen’s Generate Looks feature to change your avatar’s pose, surroundings or attire using just a text prompt.

Want to explore this in more depth?

→ Step-by-step guide for creating Hyper-Realistic Avatars

Best Practices: Creating High-Quality Custom AI Voices

HeyGen has a vast library of stock AI-generated voices in over 175 languages, dialects, and emotional tones, but sometimes the perfect video needs something custom. Below are three ways to create Custom Voices.

For the best voice quality, start with clear, high-quality source audio. Here is how you can get a great recording:

• Use a high-quality mic or smartphone, held 6–8" away from your mouth

• Record in a quiet, noise-free environment

• Speak clearly, with natural pauses and a touch of emotion in your voice

• Upload multiple samples with different emotional tones for greater versatility (for HeyGen Custom Voice Clones only)

Want to explore this in more depth?

→ Ultimate guide to hyper-realistic Custom Voice Cloning

→ Add emotions to your Custom Voice Clone

Best Practices: Prompting Like a Pro

Prompting is the practice of carefully crafting and refining text instructions (called prompts) used to guide AI tools to create content from scratch, such as images, motion, or audio.

Prompting is a powerful skill for any AI creator. When combined with HeyGen, prompting opens up countless ways to create high-impact videos where your imagination is the only limitation. Get ready to experiment and iterate.

Best Practices for Prompting

Be specific

The more clearly you describe what you want (tone, look, gesture, emotion), the better the AI can match your vision.

Start with Structure

Follow a consistent structure: what, who, where, how. This applies to visuals, tone of voice, and motion direction.

Include Context & Intent

Let the AI know the purpose: Is it for a product demo? A social ad? A tutorial? Context helps tailor the result.

Use Descriptive Language

Use adjectives that express emotion, style, or clarity (for example, “confident”, “minimalist”, “high energy”, “calm pace”).

Iterate & Refine

Do not settle for your first attempt. Even small prompt adjustments can lead to significantly better results across all media types.

Prompting best practices can vary slightly depending on what you are creating

Explore the resources below to understand each type in more depth and get the most out of your prompts.

• Prompting best practices, common issues, and solutions
• Prompting best practices for generating looks
• Prompting best practices for adding Motion

Step 4: Create and refine your scenes in AI Studio

Now that your script and avatar are ready, it’s time to bring your message to life in HeyGen’s AI Studio editor, where it’s easy to customise, enhance, and polish every part of your video – no editing experience required!

• Create your scenes within minutes using the Brand Kit or Templates that you set up in Step 1.
• Strengthen your message with on-screen text or visuals and set them to appear or disappear using Animations.
• Browse HeyGen’s stock media library for high-quality, royalty-free b-roll video.
• Use Premium Scene Transitions to give your video a smooth, professional finish.
• Add and customize Captions to make your videos more engaging and accessible.
• Translate your videos to reach global learners, teammates, and audiences

Expert Tip

Create and A/B test multiple versions of your videos to improve performance, drive results, and increase conversions.

Ready to edit like a professional?

→ HeyGen Academy: AI Studio, an in-depth video course covering HeyGen's editing features

Best Practices: Adjust Pronunciation, Emotions, and Intonations

Need your avatar to sound just right? HeyGen gives you powerful tools to fine-tune voiceovers for natural, accurate delivery that feels true to life.

Want to see it in action?

→ HeyGen Academy: AI Studio - Pronunciation module

Strategies to Scale Your Impact

Whether your clients are trying to reach new markets, test what works, or tailor content to niche audiences, these advanced best practices and tools will help you scale your impact with precision.

Optimize and Iterate like a Performance Marketing Pro

With HeyGen, creating multiple versions of your videos for A/B testing has never been easier, faster, and cheaper. Learn how to A/B test like a performance marketing pro and start boosting conversions, maximizing performance, and building campaigns with data-driven confidence!

Go Global with Translation

Learn how to translate and localize your videos into 175+ languages and dialects, no dubbing or voice actors required.

Use HeyGen’s Brand Voice feature to maintain consistency in translated videos by customizing how certain words are handled (i.e., brandname pronunciations, forcing or blocking translation for certain terms).

Enterprise and Team plan users can also make edits directly to translated scripts by using our Proofread feature.

Need some inspiration? Check out how Trivago used HeyGen to simultaneously localize TV ads in 30 markets.

Personalize At Scale

Add a personal touch to your email campaigns, sales outreach, or customer support with Personalized Videos. By using dynamic elements, like the viewer’s name or details tailored to their interests, you can create a unique, more engaging experience for each person.

Integrate Personalized Videos directly into your workflow on HubSpot, Zapier, Make, Clay and more!

Interactive Avatar

Whether for sales, customer support, or education, Interactive Avatars turn one-way videos into dynamic, two-way conversations. It’s a powerful way to boost engagement, personalize experiences, and drive action.

Need some inspiration? Check out how getitAI increases ecommerce sales with live, personalized shopping experiences.

Support Change Management with Flexible, Updatable Content

Change is constant and your learning materials need to keep pace. Whether you’re refreshing a full course module or updating a single training video, traditional content production with re-shooting and editing can turn even a small update into a major lift.

With HeyGen, updating videos takes minutes, not days. Swap out scripts, edit text, change visuals, and generate new versions with just a few clicks. No more bottlenecks. Just fast, flexible video that helps your learners adapt as quickly as your organization moves. Learn more about using HeyGen for change management.

Accessibility and Inclusive Learning at Scale

In today’s learning environments, accessibility isn’t optional- it’s essential. Learners bring a wide range of abilities, preferences, and digital literacy levels, and your content needs to reflect that.

Dive into our guide on how to create accessible training videos that meet diverse learner needs for more info on how to easily adapt for visual and auditory accessibility needs, create microlearning modules, and adjust for cultural differences.

Use Case #1: Video Ads

Customer Stories & Examples

Best Practices

• Keep videos short. Aim for under 30 seconds to keep viewer attention and increase completion rates.
• Lead with the value. Make sure your core message or value proposition is conveyed within the first few seconds
• Match the format to the funnel. Tailor the ad length, style, and CTA based on where it will appear and what action you want.
• Think mobile first. Optimize framing and pacing for small screen consumption.
• Make your edits pop. Use b-roll, animated text and motion to keep visual energy high and engagement steady.
• Test and optimize performance.A/B test different hooks, visuals, avatars, and CTAs to find what converts.

Top Features

• Product Placement: add physical products to your videos with a click.
• Generate Looks: make your avatar more dynamic by switching their pose, surroundings or attire with nothing but a text prompt.

Pro tip

Here's a tried and true script structure from social media producer George “GG” Gossland of Favoured:

• Hook – Something visually weird or unexpected.
• Problem – What challenges is your viewer facing?
• Solution – How does the product or service alleviate those challenges?
• USPs – aka “unique selling point.” Show the features that stand out!
• CTA – Always give viewers something to do next.

Ready to level up?

→ Watch a step-by-step tutorial for creating video ads

→ Dive into HeyGen’s 5 ways to improve your video ads and performance ebook

Use Case #2: Social Influencer Videos

Customer Stories & Examples

Best Practices

• Hook viewers fast. Aim to grab attention in the first 1-2 seconds with motion, bold text, or a compelling visual.
• Design for silent autoplay. Use captions, text overlays, and visual storytelling since many users watch without sound.
• Keep it short. Less is more. Aim for under 15-30 seconds on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Adjust your script speed using advanced voice settings.
• Frame it for the feed. Use vertical (9:16) or square formats depending on the platform. Avoid landscape orientation unless you’re posting to YouTube.
• Lead with the “aha.” Highlight the transformation, benefit, or emotional payoff early, not just the product features.
• Make it look native. Use platform trends, faster-paced creator-style edits, or UGC avatars to blend into the feed.

Top Features

• UGC avatars: browse hundreds of AI-generated stock avatars with an authentic content creator feel.
• Captions: make sure your message gets through, even when the sound is off.

Pro tip

Here’s a high-performing content structure used by top creators across TikTok, Reels and Shorts:

1. Scroll-stopping visuals: open with bold text, motion or a surprising visual to halt the scroll
2. Relatable moment: reflect a real pain point or “I’ve been there” situation to build an instant connection
3. Transformation or payoff: show the value of your product in action
4. Creator POV: use voiceover or on-screen text to narrate with a personal, authentic tone
5. Simple CTA: make the next step obvious! (“Try this,” “watch more,” or “visit website.”)

Ready to dive in deeper?

→ Watch a step-by-step tutorial for creating social influencer videos

→ Dive into HeyGen’s ebook 5 ways to improve your video ads and performance

Use Case #3: Personalized Videos

Customer Stories & Examples

Best Practices

• Segment your audience for relevance
  Break your audience into meaningful groups (leads, customers, event attendees, etc.) so each video feels tailored and intentional.
• Create a flexible base script
  Write one strong script with clearly marked variables (like [First Name], [Company], [Product]) that can be easily swapped out without disrupting flow.
• Use natural tone and pacing
  Keep a consistent, neutral delivery across both the static script and dynamic variables, avoiding exaggerated emphasis on names or custom inserts.
• Keep it short and sharp
  Aim for 30–60 seconds. Focus on one key message or CTA to drive results without losing attention.
• Be strategic with dynamic elements
  Add personalization through names, logos, and visuals, but don’t overload. Let the message stay clear and focused.
• Test before scaling
  Run small test batches to check that variables render smoothly and don’t sound awkward in context.
• Stay on-brand
  Use your client’s fonts, colors, and tone of voice. Personalization should feel like an extension of their brand.
• Include a clear, personal CTA
  End with a call-to-action that aligns with your campaign goal like “Schedule your demo, [Name]” or “Let’s connect this week.”
• Track performance and optimize
  Use video analytics or UTM links to measure watch rates, clicks, and conversions and refine your approach based on what works.

Top Features

• Personalized Video: Create personalized videos that greet new hires by name and customize other variables such as department or region to streamline onboarding and boost engagement.
• Custom Avatars: Give your onboarding a human touch with a digital twin or department-specific presenters to deliver training in a familiar, branded voice.
• Brand Kit: Maintain visual brand consistency by setting up a Brand Kit with approved logos, fonts, colors, and assets.
• Integrations: Browse our partners and distribute your personalized videos through Zapier, Clay, HubSpot, Make, and more