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 are not alone. Here is 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.

Do not miss the practical video creation exercise in the Making Your First Video section. It is designed to help you learn by doing and get up to speed very quickly. Let us get started!

Top Use Cases: How Agencies Are Using HeyGen

HeyGen is more than just a video tool. It is a creative engine designed for teams that need to move quickly, scale content, and deliver results without compromising on quality. From influencer ads to onboarding journeys, here is how agencies and customers across industries are using HeyGen to create high-impact videos at scale.

Why Video is Critical for Business Growth Today

The Challenge

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

What AI Video Enables

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 withFavoured
• 80–90% average completion rate for customer and partner training videos at Komatsu

Localisation

• 30 different markets covered, 3–4 months of post-production time saved by 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 efficient avatar creation tools
• Enterprise-grade security, admin controls, and single sign-on (SSO)
• Dedicated customer support and partner success resources
• Certification programme 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 premium, highly personalised 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

→ Speak with our Agency Team: Calendar Link

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

Making 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.

Like seeing learning in action?

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

Not ready to get started yet?

No sweat. Skim the steps now and come back to the full how-to when you’re ready.

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

→ HeyGen Academy: 101

broad overview of all HeyGen features

→ HeyGen Academy: AI Studio

explore video editing in more depth

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 one, making their fonts, colours, logos and assets easily available within HeyGen’s AI Studio editor.

Simply paste 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 control access, billing, and API usage across different clients and campaigns.

Expert Tip

Once your Brand Kit is armed with your brand's colors, you can easily update most HeyGen Templates to match. Just swap in your colors so every video stays on-brand, or hit the Shuffle Colors button to have HeyGen swap them automatically.

Step 2: Write Your Script

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

• Begin 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? Check the following Best Practices page for using tools like ChatGPT to write your script.

Still not sure where to begin? Here are a few sample outlines for inspiration.

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

Explore script templates and additional tips for widely used marketing and communications video formats

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 clear and detailed prompt to describe the video you are creating. Add important context, such as:

• What kind of video you’re creating (influencer ad, product tutorial, brand video)
• Who it’s for (intended audience)
• The goal of the video (drive clicks, explain a concept, educate)
• Tone or voice you’d 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 talking points

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

Example:

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

Sample 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 correct format

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

For example:

• A spoken script delivered by a Gen-Z beauty content creator
• A casual, natural tone

Sample prompt:

"Write this as a spoken script to be 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 hit the preview button to have your avatar read it aloud! Does it sound natural? Does it flow in the way you want? If not, ask ChatGPT to revise with prompts such as:

• Make this sound more casual/formal
• Add a more compelling hook at the beginning
• Include a line about [feature or benefit]
• Convert this into a 30-second version
• Give me three variations of the call-to-action

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 flexibility to adapt to any client’s needs.

HeyGen offers several options for creating Custom Avatars. Click the links below to explore the details further.

When creating a Custom Avatar, remember: quality in = quality 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, background or outfit 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 an extensive library of stock AI-generated voices in over 175 languages, dialects, and emotional tones, but sometimes the ideal video calls for 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 space

• Speak clearly, with natural pauses and a gentle touch of emotion

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

Want to explore this in more depth?

→ Comprehensive 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 keep iterating.

Prompting Best Practices

Be specific

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

Start with the Structure

Use 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, or a tutorial? Providing 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 maximum value from your prompts!

• Prompting best practices, common issues, and practical 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 customise Captions to make your videos more engaging and accessible.
• Translate your videos to reach learners, colleagues, and audiences across the world

Expert Tip

Create and A/B test multiple versions of your videos to enhance performance, achieve better results, and increase conversions.

Ready to edit like a professional?

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

Best Practices: Adjust Pronunciation, Emotions, and Intonation

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

Want to see how it works in real time?

→ HeyGen Academy: AI Studio - Pronunciation module

Strategies to Expand Your Impact

Whether your clients are looking to enter new markets, experiment with what works, or customise content for niche audiences, these advanced best practices and tools will help you scale your impact with precision.

Optimise and iterate like a performance marketing expert

With HeyGen, creating multiple versions of your videos for A/B testing has never been easier, faster, or more affordable. Learn how to A/B test like a performance marketing expert and start increasing conversions, maximising performance, and building campaigns with data-driven confidence!

Go Global with Translation

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

Use HeyGen’s Brand Voice feature to maintain consistency in translated videos by customising how certain words are handled (for example, brand name pronunciations, or forcing or blocking translation for specific terms).

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

Need some inspiration? Have a look at how Trivago used HeyGen to simultaneously localise TV ads in 30 markets.

Personalise at Scale

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

Interactive Avatar

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

Need some inspiration? Have a look at how getitAI increases ecommerce sales with live, personalised shopping experiences.

Support Change Management with Flexible, Updatable Content

Change is constant and your learning materials need to keep pace. Whether you are 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 effort.

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 organisation moves. Learn more about using HeyGen for change management.

Accessibility and Inclusive Learning at Scale

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

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

Use Case #1: Video Advertisements

Customer Stories & Examples

Best Practices

• Keep videos short.Aim for under 30 seconds to maintain viewer attention and improve completion rates.
• Lead with the value.Ensure your core message or value proposition comes through clearly within the first few seconds
• Match the format to the funnel.Adjust the ad length, style, and CTA depending on where it will appear and what action you want users to take.
• Think mobile first.Optimise framing and pacing for viewing on small screens.
• Make your edits stand out. Use b-roll, animated text and motion to keep the visual energy high and audience engagement steady.
• Test and optimise performanceA/B test different hooks, visuals, avatars, and CTAs to see what converts best.

Key Features

• Product Placement: add physical products to your videos with a single click.
• Generate Looks: Make your avatar more dynamic by changing their pose, surroundings or attire using just a text prompt.

Expert tip

Here is a reliable, time-tested script structure from social media producer George “GG” Gossland of Favoured:

• Hook – Something visually odd or unexpected.
• Problem – What challenges is your viewer facing?
• Solution – How does the product or service address those challenges?
• USPs – also known as “unique selling point.” Highlight the features that truly stand out!
• CTA – Always give viewers a clear next step to take.

Ready to take things to the next level?

→ Watch a detailed step-by-step tutorial on creating video ads

→ Explore 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 quickly. Try to capture attention in the first 1–2 seconds using movement, bold text, or a strong 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 videos 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 are posting to YouTube.
• Lead with the “aha”.Highlight the transformation, benefit, or emotional impact right at the start, not just the product features.
• Make it look native.Use platform trends, quicker creator-style edits, or UGC avatars so your content blends naturally into the feed.

Key Features

• UGC avatars: browse hundreds of AI-generated stock avatars with a genuine content creator feel.
• Captions: ensure your message is understood, even when the sound is muted.

Expert tip

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

1. Scroll-stopping visuals: start with bold text, movement or an unexpected visual to make people stop scrolling
2. Relatable moment: reflect a real pain point or an “I’ve been there” situation to build an instant connection
3. Transformation or payoff: demonstrate the value of your product in action
4. Creator POV: use voiceover or on-screen text to narrate in a personal, authentic tone
5. Simple CTA: make the next step clear and straightforward (“Try this”, “watch more”, or “visit website”).

Ready to explore in more depth?

→ Watch a detailed, step-by-step tutorial on creating social media influencer videos

→ Explore HeyGen’s ebook 5 ways to improve your video ads and overall performance

Use Case #3: Personalised Videos

Customer Stories & Examples

Best practices

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

Key Features

• Personalised Video: Create personalised videos that greet new hires by name and customise other variables such as department or region to streamline onboarding and increase 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, colours, and assets.
• Integrations: Explore our partners and share your personalised videos via Zapier, Clay, HubSpot, Make, and more