How to Use Loom for Startups

Startups need fast, clear communication. Loom lets you record video messages, product demos, and onboarding guides in minutes. This guide shows you how to set up Loom, record your first video, share it securely, and organize a video library that scales with your team.

Table of contents

• 1. Set up a Loom account
• 2. Record your first video
• 3. Share and embed videos
• 4. Organize a video library
• 5. Integrate Loom with startup tools
• 6. Loom vs. competitors
• 7. Frequently asked questions

1. Set up a Loom account

1.1 Choose a plan

The free plan gives you 25 videos per month, each up to 5 minutes. For most early‑stage startups, the Starter plan ($8 / user / month) is enough. It removes video limits and adds password protection.

1.2 Install the desktop app

# Windows
Download from https://www.loom.com/download
Run the installer and sign in with your Google or Slack account.

# macOS
brew install --cask loom

1.3 Browser extension (optional)

If you prefer not to install software, add the Chrome extension. Click “Add to Chrome”, then pin the icon.

2. Record your first video

2.1 Choose a recording mode

• Screen + Cam – shows your face and the screen. Ideal for product demos.
• Screen only – no webcam. Good for quick walkthroughs.
• Cam only – face‑to‑camera. Use for introductions.

2.2 Set resolution and frame rate

Open Loom’s settings (gear icon → Video). Select “1080p” and “30 fps”. Higher settings improve clarity but increase file size.

2.3 Record a demo

1. Click the Loom icon.
2. Select “Screen + Cam”.
3. Choose “Full screen” or a specific window.
4. Press “Start Recording”.
5. When finished, click “Stop”. The video uploads automatically.

2.4 Trim and add a call‑to‑action

After upload, click “Trim” to cut unwanted parts. Then click “Add CTA” and type “Book a demo” with a link to your Calendly page.

3. Share and embed videos

3.1 Link permissions

By default, Loom videos are “Anyone with the link”. For confidential pitches, switch to “Password protected” and set a short password.

3.2 Embedding in Notion

1. Copy video URL.
2. In Notion, type /embed and paste the URL.
3. Adjust the block width to 720 px for best view.

3.3 Sharing on Slack

Install the Loom Slack app (Slack App Directory). Use /loom in any channel to record directly and post the video instantly.

4. Organize a video library

4.1 Tagging strategy

Create tags that match your workflow:

• Onboarding – welcome videos for new hires.
• Product Demo – sales‑ready demos.
• Investor Update – quarterly reports.

4.2 Folder structure

In Loom’s “My Videos” view, click “New Folder”. Recommended hierarchy:

StartupName/
├─ Onboarding/
├─ Sales/
│  ├─ Demo – Free Trial/
│  └─ Demo – Enterprise/
└─ Investor/
   ├─ Q1‑2024/
   └─ Q2‑2024/

4.3 Exporting metadata

Go to Settings → Export. Loom provides a CSV with video ID, title, duration, and tags. Import this CSV into Airtable or Notion to build a searchable catalog.

5. Integrate Loom with startup tools

5.1 Zapier workflow – New Loom video → HubSpot contact

1. Create a Zap: Trigger “New Video” in Loom.
2. Action: “Create Note” in HubSpot, attach video link.
3. Turn on the Zap. Every new demo automatically appears in the contact’s timeline.

5.2 GitHub README embedding

Add a GIF of your Loom demo to a README by using the Markdown image syntax with the Loom thumbnail URL.

![Demo](https://cdn.loom.com/sessions/thumbnails/12345.png)

5.3 Google Slides

In Slides, choose Insert → Video → By URL and paste the Loom share link. The video plays directly inside the deck, perfect for investor pitches.

6. Loom vs. competitors

Feature	Loom (Starter)	Vidyard (Pro)	CloudApp (Business)
Free tier	25 videos / month	None	5 videos / month
Price per user	$8/mo	$15/mo	$12/mo
Max video length	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Password protect	Yes	Yes	Yes
Built‑in CTA	Yes	No	Yes
Integrations	Slack, Notion, Zapier	Salesforce, HubSpot	Slack, Trello
Analytics	Views & watch time	Heatmaps & viewer ID	Basic view count

For most bootstrapped startups, Loom’s low price and simple UI win over the richer analytics of Vidyard.

7. Frequently asked questions

Is Loom free for startups?

Loom offers a free tier with 25 videos per month and up to 5 minutes per video. The Starter plan at $8 per user per month removes limits and adds password protection.

Can I embed Loom videos in Notion?

Yes. Copy the share link, click Embed in Notion, and paste the URL. The video appears instantly.

How secure are Loom recordings?

Loom encrypts videos in transit and at rest. Access is controlled by link permissions or password protection.

What’s the best resolution for startup demos?

Record at 1080p (1920×1080) for crisp product demos. Loom automatically adjusts bitrate to keep file size reasonable.

Can Loom integrate with Slack?

Yes. Install the Loom Slack app, then use /loom to record directly from a channel and share the video instantly.

Conclusion

Loom gives startups a fast, low‑cost way to create video content that drives clarity and sales. Set up an account, record with the right settings, share securely, and keep videos organized with tags and folders. Combine Loom with Slack, Notion, or Zapier and you have a video workflow that scales as your company grows.