Whether you’re trying to demonstrate a concept, explain a service, illustrate an event, or educate your customers about a product – explainer videos are easy to produce, entertaining to watch and cost-effective. But coming up with an explainer video idea can be incredibly challenging. So we’ve put together this helpful guide so you can start generating ideas and producing awesome explainer videos of your own today!
What explainer videos can be used by businesses?
1. Product Explainer Video
Explainer videos can be used to explain any product or service, from software to hardware, services to products, and more. Examples of products and services that could be explained with an explainer video include online services, apps, software, e-commerce websites, online course platforms, marketing automation tools, customer support tools, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and more. Additionally, explainer videos can be used to educate viewers about complex topics, such as financial services, healthcare, and legal services.
2. Brand Storytelling Video
What makes an explainer video suitable for branding? An effective explainer video should have a combination of a rich and compelling story, visuals, imagery, and sound/FX music background to make it resonate with the viewers and capture their attention. An effective explainer video should also be able to communicate the brand’s message efficiently and quickly, so that it leaves a positive impression on the viewers. Furthermore, an explainer video should be able to engage the viewers with a narrative that resonates with them, in order to build trust and loyalty in the brand. Finally, an explainer video should be able to captivate the viewers with its visuals, music, and storytelling, so that it stands out from the competition and engages the viewers.
3. Product Review Video
For a product review, a video that focuses on the product itself and its features is needed. This type of video should combine visuals of people using the product in different settings, informative text on screen, and an upbeat soundtrack to highlight the amazing features of the product. It should also answer consumer questions directly in the video and show how to use the product in realistic situations. By blending stop motion puppetry with 2D animation, the video can represent the real world ‘you’ and the ‘you’ that companies are creating based on the personal data we all leave all over the internet. Additionally, the video should be short and sweet, but should be long enough to communicate the product idea in full.
4. Animated Explainer Video
An animated explainer video is an effective tool for businesses to explain complex concepts and reach their target audience. Depending on the product or service, businesses can choose between motion graphics, 3D, 2D, and even whiteboard animation. Combining live-action footage with on-screen animation is also an option to consider. Cartoon explainer videos are a great fit for businesses hoping to explain more abstract concepts as they use fun and quirky visuals and music to make the content more engaging and approachable. Additionally, businesses can address common objections from their audience by mentioning that no design skills are needed to use their software. Animaker offers some templates for these types of videos, so businesses can create a professional yet low-cost option for their explainer video.
5. Informational Video
An informational video, also referred to as an explainer video, is a type of video used by businesses to explain a product or service or educate audiences about a particular topic. It typically uses a mix of live action and animation to present a topic in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. Explainer videos can be used to promote a company’s products or services, pitch ideas and concepts, or to welcome someone to a website. They are often used as part of online marketing strategies and during conferences and events. As people have less time and patience to consume information, explainer videos allow brands to communicate their message as efficiently as possible. They are also effective as they are more likely to help audiences retain complex information than a long article.
6. How-to Video
How-to videos are video tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions on how to do something, from a simple task like cooking a meal to a complex process like building an app. These videos are an effective way for businesses to show their customers how to use their products or services, as well as how to perform certain tasks that may not be covered in the product manual. How-to videos can also be used to give customers a visual demonstration of how to assemble a product, troubleshoot a problem, or use a feature. These types of videos are effective because they allow customers to quickly and easily learn how to use a product or service without having to read a manual or attend a training class.
7. Business Videos
Explainer videos are a great tool for businesses to engage and educate their customers. They can be used in a variety of contexts, including product or service demos, marketing, and customer onboarding. Explainer videos are particularly effective for businesses looking to explain complex concepts or products and services.
Some types of business videos that are particularly appropriate for using explainer videos include:
Announcement Videos: These types of videos are used to announce a new product or service, provide an update about the company, or announce any other major news.
Business Consulting Video: Business consulting firms can use this type of explainer video to explain their services, show case studies of their work, and provide customers with insights into the consulting field.
Branded Video: For businesses that want to create a strong brand identity, branded explainer videos are a great way to do that. These videos can be used to show off the company’s values and mission, and can be used to help customers understand the company’s offerings.
Corporate Video: Corporate explainer videos are perfect for businesses that want to communicate their values and mission to customers, as well as introduce their products and services.
Explainer Video: This is the most popular type of video used by businesses. Explainer videos are used to explain products, services, and processes in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.
Facebook Video Ads: Businesses can use this type of explainer video to promote their products or services on popular social media platforms.
Government Video: Government agencies and institutions can use explainer videos to explain their services, policies, and procedures in an easy-to-understand way.
Healthcare Video: Healthcare organizations can use explainer videos to explain complex procedures and services, as well as to introduce new products and treatments.
Hobby Video: Hobby enthusiasts can use explainer videos to explain their hobby and illustrate the various steps involved in crafting or creating something.
HR Video: Human resources departments can use explainer videos to introduce new policies and procedures to employees.
Instagram Video Ads: Businesses can use this type of explainer video to promote their products or services on the popular social media platform.
Internal Comms Video: These types of explainer videos can be used by businesses to communicate with their employees. They can be used to explain new policies, procedures, and initiatives.
IT Video: Information technology departments can use explainer videos to explain complex processes and services.
Learning & Development Video: Companies can use explainer videos to create tutorials and educational content for employees and customers.
Marketing Video: Marketing departments can use explainer videos to explain their services and promote their products.
News Video: Businesses can use news explainer videos to share their stories or the stories of their customers.
Personal Video: Individuals can use personal explainer videos to introduce themselves, explain their stories, and share their unique perspectives.
Product Video: Product explainer videos are used to explain and demonstrate a product or service.
8. Animated Infographic Videos
There are several types of animated infographic videos that are suitable for businesses. The first type is a 2D video animation, which is often used to create visually exciting explainer videos that are informative yet uncomplicated. Another type of animated infographic video is a character-led explainer video. This type of animation uses fun, bold characters to demonstrate a product or service, making it easy for customers to understand. Thirdly, story-based animated videos are a great way to evoke emotion in the viewer. These videos use characters and storylines to make a product or service more relatable to customers. Finally, simple animated videos are a great way to illustrate a message when combined with live-action shots and modern animated text and imagery.
9. Crowdfunding Videos
When it comes to creating a video for crowdfunding, businesses need to consider the type of video that best suits their needs. Generally, there are four different types of videos businesses can use to raise awareness and capture the attention of potential supporters: demo-style, commercial-style, social media-friendly, and animated explainer videos.
Demo-style videos are short and to-the-point, featuring the product or service and highlighting its main features. These videos often feature the creators or other members of the team speaking directly to the viewer, giving them a personal connection to the project.
Commercial-style videos are often longer and can feature more creative elements, such as music and creative visuals, to help capture the attention of the audience and make them more likely to engage with the project.
Social media-friendly videos are designed to capture the attention of viewers on social media platforms. These videos are typically short and feature a catchy soundtrack and eye-catching visuals to grab the attention of viewers scrolling quickly through their feeds.
Finally, animated explainer videos are a great way to introduce a project and explain its features in an engaging and entertaining way. These videos are often made with vibrant colors and dynamic animations to build associations with the project and its goals.
By creating the right type of video for their crowdfunding campaign, businesses can communicate their message effectively, capture the attention of viewers, and raise awareness for their project.
10. Promotional Videos
How to Find Ideas for Your Explainer Videos
Step 1: Understand your audience and their needs
Understanding your audience and their needs is essential when it comes to creating an effective explainer video. Knowing what challenges your audience faces, what their goals are, and what drives them to take action will help you come up with ideas that will be relevant and compelling. By addressing their needs, you can create a video that will resonate with them, make them understand your message, and encourage them to take the desired action. An outline of the main points you want to discuss in the video will help ensure that you are covering all the essential points that will engage your viewers and make them recognize the value of your product or service.
Step 2: Analyze your competition
Analyzing your competitors can be a great way to come up with ideas for your explainer videos. By researching what they are doing and what works for them, you can easily identify successful strategies that could help you get the most out of your video content. Knowing what works for your competitors can give you a good starting point for coming up with the most effective video strategy for your own business. Additionally, it allows you to identify potential opportunities for improvement or areas where your competitors are falling short. By taking advantage of these missed opportunities, you can create video content that will stand out from the crowd and provide maximum value to your audience.
Step 3: Explore diverse content sources for inspiration
Step 1: Research diverse content sources that could provide inspiration for your explainer video. Some examples of content sources include YouTube, Vimeo, blogs, and forums.
Step 2: Analyze the content you find. Look for videos that have been successful, as well as videos that have failed to make an impact on viewers. Consider the different types of videos, such as live-action and animation, that have been successful and unsuccessful.
Step 3: Consider the lessons that can be learned from the videos you have studied. Some examples include being interesting, funny, concise, socially conscious, pushing boundaries (when appropriate), and simple.
Step 4: Use the lessons you have learned as inspiration for your own video. Develop a script and storyboard that combines clear visuals and a concise script.
Step 5: Find tools to help manage your explainer video project and create the best possible drafts. Some project management tools that could be helpful include Trello, Asana, and Wrike.
Step 6: Create a demo-style, commercial-style, and social media-friendly video. Ensure that the visuals and script complement and enforce one another.
Step 7: Refine your video through multiple drafts to ensure the best possible outcome. Consider feedback from viewers and make adjustments accordingly.
Step 4: Utilize brainstorming techniques
Brainstorming techniques can be an invaluable tool for finding ideas for your explainer videos. Through brainstorming, you can come up with a range of creative solutions and concepts that can be used to create an effective video. By asking questions such as “What do we want to show in the video?”, “What will be the main message?”, “How can we make the video engaging?”, and “What visuals can be used to complement the script?”, you can begin to explore potential solutions and come up with ideas that may have never been thought of before.
The success of your video depends on the quality of your planning and the ability to craft a script and storyboard that are both engaging and visually appealing. To ensure the best results, it is important to use brainstorming techniques to come up with ideas and solutions to create a successful explainer video. By using these techniques, you can generate a range of concepts, visuals, and storyboard elements that will help make your explainer video stand out from the rest.
Step 5: Collaborate with others
- Begin by assembling the right team for the project. Utilize tools like Slack or video collaboration software to communicate, set goals, assign tasks, and stay connected.
- Create a detailed scope statement, project outline, and timeline, and be sure to outline your needs in terms of resources and team members.
- Brainstorm concepts and ideas collaboratively, and use the script and storyboards to create a relationship between visuals and written words.
- Use project management tools to stay organized and ensure the project is on track.
- Encourage feedback and critiques from your team and other stakeholders. These critiques can help refine the idea and create the best possible drafts for production.
- Engage with sound engineers and designers to add necessary sound effects or other touches that bring the video together.
- Before publishing the video, conduct a final check and share it with colleagues. This will help ensure that the video is the best it can be.
Step 6: Keep track of your ideas
Creating an explainer video for your company can be a daunting task. To ensure success, it’s important to plan ahead and keep track of all your ideas. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you stay organized.
Step 1: Create a detailed scope statement and project outline. This will help your team collaborate in an efficient way and map out your needs in terms of resources and team members.
Step 2: Write a script that addresses your customer’s problem right away and showcases how your company can solve it. Put the “Aha!” moment at the front to get people hooked and happy.
Step 3: Develop a storyboard that maps out your video visuals. This will help everyone involved in the creation process stay on the same page.
Step 4: Pack the most important stories or messages in the first 30 seconds and make sure the first message or illustration captures viewers’ interest.
Step 5: Take your script and storyboards through multiple drafts to refine the idea and get the best possible drafts ready for production.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep track of your ideas and create an explainer video that is both visually stunning and effective at conveying your message.
Step 7: Test and validate your ideas
Creating an explainer video is a complex process, so it’s key to test and validate your ideas before you take the plunge. Here are the steps you should follow to ensure you get the best results.
Step 1: Create a Detailed Scope Statement
Before you start scripting and storyboarding, create a detailed scope statement outlining the project’s goals, objectives and deliverables. This will help keep everyone focused and on the same page throughout the process.
Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas
Once you have your scope statement, it’s time to brainstorm ideas. Think of your target audience and come up with a concept that will resonate with them. For example, if you are selling an online service or software, you may consider telling a real-life story of someone who solved a problem with your product.
Step 3: Storyboard and Script
Once you have the concept, it’s time to start scripting and storyboarding. Some project managers prefer for the script to take the lead, but it’s often best to approach these tasks simultaneously for the best results. Pay special attention to making sure the script and visuals are blended well together.
Step 4: Test and Validate
Before production begins, make sure to share your script and storyboard with colleagues for a final check. You can also use a video collaboration software to facilitate the feedback process. This is a great opportunity to make tweaks and ensure that the concept is as strong as possible before you move forward.
Step 5: Production
Once you’re happy with the concept, it’s time to begin production. This is where the professionals come in. You’ll need a team of sound engineers, editors and animators to bring the concept to life.
Step 6: Preview and Finalize
Before you publish your video, make sure to review the final product. Invite colleagues to watch the video and provide feedback. Even small changes can make a huge difference.
Step 7: Publish
Once all the changes have been made, it’s time to publish your explainer video. Use a reliable hosting platform to ensure the video is delivered to your target audience without a hitch.
By following these steps and taking the time to really refine your concept, you’ll be able to create an explainer video that resonates with your target audience and gets your message across. Good luck!
How to take inspiration from existing explainer videos?
Analyzing existing explainer videos
- Step 1: Watch existing explainer videos carefully and take note of the techniques used to hold your attention. Look for things like camera angles, motion graphics, text, humour, and pattern breaks.
- Step 2: Analyze how the video is narrated. Is it clear, simple and at a slower-than-normal pace to make sure viewers can understand the key points?
- Step 3: Evaluate the use of assets, such as images, animations, and live-action footage. How do they help to emphasize points or break up the monotony of a talking head video?
- Step 4: Consider the branding in the video. Does the creator wear their company’s clothing or feature their products in the video?
- Step 5: Review the script. Is it tight and to the point, or does it meander and get off track?
By analyzing existing explainer videos, you can get a better idea of how to create your own. Keep all these points in mind as you review existing videos and you’ll soon be able to create your own explainer videos with ease.
Break down the components
- Step 1: Watch the explainer video to identify the problem it is trying to solve. Make note of any pain points the audience experiences.
- Step 2: Introduce a relevant solution to the problem. Present the audience with what your product or service offers as a solution.
- Step 3: Demonstrate how the product or service works in a simple way. Showcase the features and benefits in relation to the problem.
- Step 4: Make the value proposition of the product or service clear. Explain why the audience should care and what they will get out of it.
- Step 5: End with a clear call-to-action. Give the audience a way to take the necessary action to solve their problem.
Step 6: Identify the visual style of the explainer video. If it is using flat design or using simple visuals, make note of that. This can help you create visuals that communicate the message in an effective way.
Identify what resonates with your target audience
Step 1: Understand Your Target Audience: The first and most important step when creating an explainer video is to understand who your target audience is. Knowing your audience’s needs, problems, and pain points will help you create an effective explainer video that resonates with them.
Step 2: Analyse Existing Explainer Videos: To identify what resonates with your target audience when looking at existing explainer videos, you should analyse them carefully. Take note of how the video is presented and how the messaging is delivered. Look for how the product or service is showcased, how the story is told, and how the visuals, music, and sound effects are used.
Step 3: Consider the Benefits: It’s important to think about what your audience will gain from choosing your product or service. What’s in it for them? This is an important factor when trying to create an explainer video that resonates with your target audience.
Step 4: Highlight the Pain Points: When explaining your product or service, make sure to highlight the pain points of your audience. Focusing on the problems they’re facing will help them relate to your explainer video and make them more eager to learn more.
Step 5: Make it Interesting and Funny: To make sure your explainer video resonates with your target audience, make it interesting and funny. People have low attention spans, so you need to grab their attention right away. By making your video humorous and interesting, your audience will be more likely to watch it until the end.
Step 6: Show Your Product or Service in Action: Showcase your product or service in action in your explainer video. This will help your target audience understand how it works and how it can solve their problems.
Step 7: Push the Boundaries: When appropriate, push the boundaries of what is expected with your explainer video. Showing something unexpected or unique is a great way to get your audience’s attention and make your message stand out from the rest.
Adapt and personalize
Step 1: Choose an existing explainer video that resonates with your target audience. Consider looking at videos from Hubspot, Microsoft Cloud, Evernote, Spotify and Upwork for inspiration.
Step 2: Analyze the video’s content, visuals and style. Take note of what works and what could be improved.
Step 3: Brainstorm ideas on how you can customize the existing explainer video. Consider how you can make it more personal to your target audience. Ask yourself how the video can better explain the solutions to the problem presented.
Step 4: Develop a storyboard for the video. This is where you can really make your video unique. Think of ways to incorporate your own brand’s visuals and style.
Step 5: Create a script for the video. This should include all the points you want to make in the video and the sequence of events.
Step 6: Record the audio for the video. You can either record it yourself or hire a voice-over artist to make it sound professional.
Step 7: Put the visuals together. This can include motion graphics, live footage, stock footage or photographs.
Step 8: Add music and sound effects. The right music and sound effects can add emotion and energy to the video.
Step 9: Publish the video to your website, social media channels or video sharing platforms.
By following these steps, you can customize an existing explainer video for inspiration. Keep in mind that your video should be able to communicate your message quickly and effectively.
Learn from the shortcomings of others
Creating an effective explainer video requires a well-crafted message that appeals to the viewer. Learning from the successes and failures of others is one of the best ways to create an effective explainer video.
Here are some tips to consider when crafting your own video:
- Make it interesting – Your explainer video should be captivating and engaging. Look for unique ways to present your message that will draw in your viewer and keep them watching.
- Make it funny – While there are many serious topics that need to be addressed in an explainer video, the addition of some comedic relief can be a great way to keep viewers engaged.
- Be concise – Keep your message short and to the point. The average viewer doesn’t want to watch a 10-minute video. Keep it short and sweet.
- Be socially conscious – People are more likely to respond positively to a message that reflects their values and beliefs. If possible, try to incorporate social responsibility into your message.
- Push the boundaries – Don’t be afraid to tackle controversial topics in your explainer video. Doing so can help generate conversation and bring attention to important issues.
- Keep it simple – Don’t try to cram too much information into your video. Keep your message focused and easy to understand.
By following these tips, you should be able to create an effective explainer video that will captivate your viewers and effectively convey your message.
Utilize storytelling techniques
How can you utilize storytelling techniques to take inspiration from existing explainer videos? [Step-by-step instructions]
Step 1: Analyze existing explainer videos and identify the storytelling techniques they use. Pay attention to the music, visuals, script, and tagline.
Step 2: Develop a concept for your explainer video based on the techniques you’ve observed. Think about the emotions you want to evoke in the viewers and the message you want them to take away.
Step 3: Create a script and storyboards that bring your concept to life. Focus on blending visuals and words together to create a cohesive narrative.
Step 4: Find a team to help you bring your explainer video to life. Make sure they have the technical skills and creative vision to make your vision come to life.
Step 5: Develop your explainer video using animation and high-quality sound. Make sure to include a strong tagline that ties into the story you’ve created.
Step 6: Share your explainer video with your target audience. Leverage social media and other channels to spread the word about your video and draw attention to your brand.
Experiment with different visual styles
Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas
Start by brainstorming ideas for your existing explainer video. Brainstorm different visuals such as colour palettes, animation, characters, and backgrounds. Think of visuals that will make the video interesting and memorable, while still being relevant to the message.
Step 2: Choose a Visual Style
Once you have some ideas, you can choose a visual style for your explainer video. Consider how the visuals can drive the message and make it more engaging for the viewer. You can opt for a fun and quirky look, a more professional and sleek style, or a mix of both.
Step 3: Implement Your Visual Style
Once you have chosen a visual style, it’s time to start implementing it into the video. This can be done with colours, animation, backgrounds, and characters. Consider using interesting visuals like retro games to make the video more engaging. Also, use a limited colour palette and simple design for a more professional look.
Step 4: Test and Refine
Once you have implemented your chosen visual style, it’s time to test and refine it. Show the video to friends and family to get their feedback on what works and what doesn’t. You can also use analytics tools to track engagement and improve the video further.
Step 5: Publish and Promote
Finally, it’s time to publish and promote your explainer video. Share it on social media, your website, and other platforms to get the word out about your brand and product. Promote it with influencers and other relevant people in your industry, and use it to reach new audiences.
Seek feedback and iterate
Step 1: Evaluate the existing explainer video and seek feedback from those who have seen it. Ask them to provide honest, constructive criticism on what can be improved.
Step 2: Make a list of the most important changes that need to be made, prioritizing those that will have the biggest impact.
Step 3: Iterate on the video by making the changes that were identified in step 2. This could involve altering animations, adding more visuals, or tweaking the script.
Step 4: Test the updated explainer video with a new audience and gather more feedback.
Step 5: Analyze the feedback you have received and make additional changes to the explainer video based on what you have learned.
Step 6: Keep iterating on the explainer video until you are happy with the final result.
FAQ
What is an explainer video?
An explainer video is a short marketing video used to convey a message in a succinct, engaging, and easy-to-understand manner. These videos are typically under three minutes and are used to promote a company’s products or services, pitch ideas, explain a product or service, or educate audiences about a particular topic. Explainer videos often use a mix of live action and animation to make the topic engaging and are used on landing pages, product pages, company ads, crowdfunding campaigns, or during conferences and events. By providing an easy-to-understand explanation of a product or service, explainer videos have the potential to increase engagement and facilitate the retention of knowledge, allowing businesses to succinctly impart information and persuade consumers.
What are the best resources for finding explainer video ideas?
What are the best resources for finding explainer video ideas? [Expanded list]
If you’re looking for explainer video ideas, you’ll want to make sure you use the best resources for finding the right one for you. To help you get started, here are some of our top picks for the best resources for finding explainer video ideas:
- Look at the 10 Best Explainer Video Examples. From live-action to animation, get inspired by these top 10 explainer videos to create a unique video concept.
- Check out 40 Best Explainer Videos Worth Checking Out. From product videos to commercial videos, here are our top picks for the top 30 awesome explainer videos to get you inspired.
- Follow Best Practices. Make sure to follow the best practices for creating an explainer video, from visuals to voiceover, with our list of the 10 things your video will need.
- Read up on How to Choose the Right Video Agency. If you don’t have the resources to create an explainer video, get help from the experts with our guide to choosing the right video agency for you.
- Consider Some Awesome Explainer Video Ideas. Get inspired to create your own explainer video with 10 of the best ideas for explainer videos to try out.
- Use the Right Tools. Make sure you have the right tools for the job with our look into some of the best explainer video software out there.
- Search YouTube and Behance. For more inspiration, search YouTube and Behance for explainer videos. Here you’ll find awesome videos and not-so-great ones that you can use to create your own.
- Try Visme. Create engaging videos and GIFs easily with Visme. Plus, you can make a gripping video intro for free.
With these resources, you’ll be able to find the perfect explainer video idea for your business. Good luck!
What types of animation are used in explainer videos?
Explainer videos come in three major types: live-action, animation, and screencast. Depending on the animation style, a professional yet low-cost option for creating an explainer video can be utilized. Animation types used for explainer videos include motion graphics, 3D, 2D, and whiteboard animation. Motion graphics involves using animations and text to tell a story, while 3D animation is a more realistic and in-depth style of animation. 2D animation is a more cartoon-like style of animation, and whiteboard animation utilizes the concept of a hand-drawn sketch on a whiteboard to help convey a message. Alternatively, live-action and animation can be combined for the best of both worlds. Explainer videos are a great way to help showcase a product, and the different types of animations can be used to create something unique and memorable.
How do you make an effective explainer video?
Creating an effective explainer video that engages and memorizes your message can be a daunting task. To make sure you get it right, follow these steps:
- Identify the problem your product or service solves and the benefits it offers to your target audience.
- Craft a clear, concise message that engages and memorizes this information. Use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms that may confuse the viewer.
- Start your video with a strong hook that captures the viewer’s attention and motivates them to continue watching.
- Demonstrate the benefits of the item used in the video, using visuals and examples to make it easier for viewers to understand.
- End the video with a clear call to action that tells the viewer what to do next, such as signing up for a trial, making a purchase, or contacting the company for more information.
- Test the script with a focus group or friends and family to get feedback before finalizing the script.
By following these steps and putting together an engaging and informative explainer video, you’ll be able to capture the attention of your target audience and effectively communicate your message.
What is the difference between a whiteboard and an animation explainer video?
Whiteboard explainer videos are a type of animation video that uses static images to tell a story. They feature a blend between real people and animated characters and are often quite captivating. In contrast, animated explainer videos use a variety of animation styles, such as motion graphics, 3D, and 2D, to create a visual story. They are generally more colorful and memorable than whiteboard explainer videos, though the latter are still effective. Whiteboard explainer videos tend to focus on simplicity, with the aim of getting to the point immediately and keeping the script precise. They are also often used to address common objections upfront, such as the size of a business. Animated explainer videos, on the other hand, may provide more detail by utilizing a variety of animation styles. Both can be a great option for creating an explainer video, depending on the type of story you want to tell.
What software is used to create explainer videos?
Creating explainer videos can be a great way to establish a company’s persona and engage audiences. To get the best results, you need the right tools for the job. There are many software options available for creating explainer videos, ranging from free online demos to more advanced video-making tools.
Synthesia is a popular tool used to make explainer videos with a simple script and a few clicks. Moovly is a browser-based video maker that can produce videos in different styles, such as animated, whiteboard, or footage-based/documentary. For more complicated tasks, Cyclops can help you create a strong and informative explainer video, while Enable uses clever animation to help viewers understand complex topics. For a more entertaining approach, Visme can be used to describe cloud-based software through visuals and a simple voiceover. Finally, Moovly offers a free online video editor that makes it easy to bring all your ideas to life.
No matter which software you choose, creating an explainer video is an exciting part of the process. With the right tools, you can have your ideas come to life!
What are some tips for creating a successful explainer video?
Creating a successful explainer video starts with understanding your audience and core messaging. Before you dive into production, take the time to survey your target customer and identify their pain points. This understanding will inform your explainer video script and set the foundation for the project. For your script, be sure to emphasize the pain point, keep it simple, be funny, and show your product or service in action. Additionally, prove why the solution needs to be explained and make sure your video is visually interesting and resonates with your audience.
Once the script is written, it’s time to bring your explainer video to life. You can choose between live-action video, motion graphics, or a mix of both. Making sure the video is the right length is important too – aim for 90 seconds or less. To ensure success, follow best practices at every stage of the process.
Finally, don’t forget to broadcast your trust signals in the video. This could include well-known clients, awards, or write-ups. Following these tips will help you create a successful explainer video that resonates with your audience and inspires them to take action.
What are the key considerations when creating an explainer video?
When creating an explainer video, key considerations include emphasizing the pain point, keeping it simple, being humorous, showing your product or service in action, proving why it needs explaining, being visually interesting, and resonating with your audience. It is also important to have a thorough understanding of your target audience and core messaging before creating an explainer video or animation. An explainer video should be part of a larger video marketing strategy, and it should quickly draw the viewer’s attention and explain why they need the product or service. Writing a strong script is essential, and it should include an overview of the product or service, an introduction to the problem, an answer to the problem with the solution, a call to action, and broadcasted trust signals. Additionally, the explainer video should be kept short (90 seconds or less) and include simple language that speaks to the viewer in 2nd person. It is recommended to use a casual, conversational tone and a touch of humor for a more enjoyable video. Finally, when creating an explainer video, make sure to follow best practices throughout the entire process and consider bringing in additional support if necessary.
What are some examples of explainer videos?
Explainer videos are an increasingly popular way to promote a brand and its story. Here are some examples of great explainer videos that demonstrate how versatile this medium can be:
- Mozilla’s “Why Mozilla” video which details the company’s mission and values.
- MyPromoVideos’ “Wizzki Making Hiring Simple” video which outlines the company’s recruitment process.
- Breadnbeyond’s “NextGlass” video which demonstrates the features of their wine-pairing app.
- No Mint’s “Super Sync Sports” video which showcases the features of their competitive gaming app.
- Delve’s “Instagram Direct” video which explains how to use the messaging feature.
- BLACKMATH’s “Unwanted Tracking Is Not Cool” video which educates viewers on cyber security.
- CHI & Partners’ “British Gas” video which showcases their energy efficiency solutions.
- DollarShaveClub.com’s “Our Blades Are F***ing Great” video which introduces their razor subscription service with a humorous edge.
- Twistedpoly // Nejc Polovsak’s “Stampsy Launch Video” which details how to use the platform to create webpages.
- Vireo Films’ “Don’t Be A Pitch” video which promotes responsible investment.
- Passion Paris’ “Dumb Ways To Die” video which highlights dangers in everyday situations.
- Video Brewery’s “Shark Wrap” video which showcases their web design and development services.
- Sevenly’s “Sevenly” video which demonstrates how their platform works.
- Brandon Wall’s “Lettuce App” video which explains how the mobile app works.
- Manifold’s “Introducing Whistle” video which introduces their voice-controlled assistant.
- A76 Production’s “Poo-Pourri Second Hand Stink” video which humorously illustrates the power of the product.
- Palo Alto Software, Inc.’s “LivePlan Explainer” video which explains how to create a business plan.
- TED-Ed’s “One Is One…Or Is It?” video which explores the concepts of fractions.
- TurboTax’s “Affordable Health Care Act Explained” video which outlines the law.
- Office Videos’ “Skype for Business: Simplifying Communication in the Cloud” video which highlights the features of the program.
- Unbabel’s “STFU” video which demonstrates how their translation platform works.
- W3C’s “Web Standards for the Future” video which explains the importance of web standards.
- Thinkmojo’s “Text Me Up App” video which provides an overview of their messaging app.
- Column Five’s “Visa Purchase Alerts” video which explains how to set up the alerts.
- Doug Ludlow’s “The Happy Home Company” video which outlines their home design services.
- XL Team’s “Get Rewarded for Not Texting While Driving” video which promotes their safe driving app.
- BriefMe’s “Just The Cream” video which explains their news curation app.
- FiftyThree’s “Think With Your Hands” video which introduces their sketching app.
- Squarespace’s “Create Your Own Business” video which explains how to set up a business website.
- Zendesk’s “Meet Zendesk Chat” video which introduces their live chat platform.
What are the benefits of using explainer videos?
Explainer videos are an incredibly effective way to reach potential customers, engage with your audience, and build a strong brand. There are many benefits to using explainer videos including:
- Keeping your audience hooked: With short explainer videos, you can engage your audience and keep them interested till the very end.
- Simplifying complex ideas: The best explainer videos make difficult or complex ideas/products easy to understand.
- Boosting conversions: Humans love dynamic, visual content. Therefore, explainers can boost conversion.
- Being sharable: Explainer videos can be engaging; thus, have a high chance of being shared on social media.
- Having a high ROI: Well-made explainer videos are well worth the video cost.
- Having strategic use cases: An explainer video can be produced for each stage of the marketing funnel.
- Increasing conversions: Explainer videos can help to increase conversions by providing a clear explanation of the product or service.
- Improving SEO search rankings with video content: Video content can help to boost a website’s search engine rankings.
- Keeping viewers on your page for 2X longer: Explainer videos can keep viewers on your page for longer due to the engaging nature of the content.
- Getting the word out about your product: Videos are easy to share on Facebook and Twitter, so they can be useful for reaching a wider audience.
- Repurposing for various needs: Explainer videos can be repurposed for an investor pitch, an email signature, or other uses.
- Demonstrating how a product fits into a relatable scenario: Explainer videos can help to show how a product fits into a user’s life without being overly promotional.
- Pitching startup investors: Explainer videos can be used to concisely summarize the value proposition of a product and help to pitch investors.
What should I include in an explainer video?
An explainer video should include a strong hook that captures the viewer’s attention and clearly states the problem the product or service is solving. The video should also illustrate the benefits of the item used and include visuals and examples to make it easier for viewers to understand. Additionally, an explainer video should provide a simple demonstration of the product or a brief explanation of the service, a value proposition that makes the benefits crystal clear, and a clear call to action. Additionally, it is important to address the benefits of the product or service to viewers in the beginning, and make sure the message is simple and easy to understand. Finally, it should be tested with a focus group or friends and family to get feedback before finalizing the script.
