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The Complete Guide to Creating Explainer Videos in 2023

Ayesha Shaheryar
September 23, 2022

Do you know why video is mainstream now? Because video has the advantage of conveying information through visuals and sound, it can be more engaging and effective at giving certain types of information.

No matter what you're trying to market, explainer videos almost always do a better job than plain text.

But how do you create engaging and effective explainer videos to sell your ideas?

This article will cover explainer videos in detail, show you the best examples, and teach you how to create explainer videos that drive conversions.

Table of Contents

What Is An Explainer Video?

An explainer video explains a concept or idea in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

These videos are often used to explain complex topics or products in an engaging and informative way. Explainer videos typically include graphics, text, and voice-over narration to help convey the key points clearly and engagingly.

Why Use Explainer Videos?

Explainer videos can be a powerful tool for businesses and organizations to help explain their products or services and to engage and retain customers. They can help explain complex concepts or ideas and engagingly and grab the attention of potential customers.

Save Time & Money

Traditional methods of explaining products and services, such as in-person presentations or written materials, can be time-consuming and expensive to produce. On the other hand, explainer videos can be created quickly and repeatedly used to explain the same information to different audiences.

Engage and retain customers

Explainer videos are often more engaging than written materials or in-person presentations. They can help attract and hold the attention of potential customers. They can also explain complex concepts or ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand way that helps customers understand and retain the information. This can be especially helpful for companies and organizations that offer complex products or services.

Improve conversion rate

Using explainer videos saves time and money and can also help increase conversion rates. Conversion rates refer to the percentage of people who take the desired action, such as signing up for a service or making a purchase, after viewing a marketing message. Explainer videos can effectively communicate a product's or service's value and benefits clearly and engagingly, which can help persuade potential customers to take the desired action. Studies have shown that explaining videos can help increase conversion rates by up to 20%, making them a valuable tool for businesses and organizations looking to drive sales and revenue.

Where To Use Explainer Videos?

You can use explainer videos in various settings, including on a business's website, email marketing campaigns, social media, trade shows, and other events. They can also be used as part of a sales pitch or presentation to help explain a product or service to potential customers.

Business's website

Explainer videos can also be used on a business's website to help explain the products or services that the company offers. By including an explainer video on a website, businesses and organizations can provide additional information and context about their products or services simply and engagingly. This can help potential customers better understand what the company offers and why they should choose it over competitors.

Email marketing campaigns

An explainer video can be used as a CTA (call-to-action) at the end of an email marketing campaign to prompt the reader to take a specific action, such as visiting a website.

Social media

Videos are the most famous content type on social media. Yet, the average watch time per video on social media is just under ten seconds.

The lesson? Short, focused, and engaging videos perform better on social media. This makes explainer videos ideal for sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and most other social networks.

Online courses and e-learning platforms

Online courses benefit from explainer videos and e-learning platforms, as well. Online courses and e-learning platforms are increasingly popular ways for businesses and organizations to provide training and education to their employees and customers. By incorporating explainer videos into online courses and e-learning platforms, businesses and organizations can provide engaging and informative content to help improve learning and retention. Explainer videos can also help deliver overviews or introductions to course topics and explain complex concepts or ideas engagingly.

On-boarding and training materials

Explainer videos can also be helpful for businesses and organizations that offer products or services that require installation or setup. In these cases, explainer videos can provide step-by-step instructions on installing or setting up the product or service, making it easier for customers to use and enjoy. Explainer videos can also be a helpful tool for customer support, as the team can use them for troubleshooting common issues or problems with a product or service.

Trade shows

Trade shows are events where businesses and organizations showcase their products or services to potential customers and partners.

Explainer videos can be used at trade shows to help grab and retain the attention of attendees and persuade them to take the desired action.

Types Of Explainer Videos

There are many different explainer videos, including actual humans, animated ones, and whiteboards. The type of explainer video suitable for a particular business or organization will depend on its goals and target audience.

Explainer Video Type #1: Real Human

Real human explainer videos feature people explaining a product or service simply and engagingly. These videos can be particularly effective for businesses and organizations that want to show the human side of their brand and connect with their audience on a personal level. Real human explainer videos can also be helpful for businesses and organizations wanting to provide a more personal touch and create a sense of trust and credibility with their audience.

Explainer Video Type #2: Animated

Animated explainer videos use graphics, animation, and narration to explain a product or service and engagingly. These videos are often more playful and imaginative than real human explainer videos. They can be helpful for businesses and organizations that want to grab and retain their audience's attention. Animated explainer videos can also benefit companies and organizations that want to explain complex or abstract concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

Explainer Video Type #3: Whiteboard

Whiteboard explainer videos use a whiteboard and hand-drawn images and text to explain a product or service and engagingly. These videos are often used to explain complex or abstract concepts. They can be helpful to businesses and organizations that want to explain a concept step-by-step. Whiteboard explainer videos can also benefit companies and organizations that want to create a sense of informality and approachability with their audience.

4 Top explainer video software

HeyGen - Explainer Video Maker| Choose from 80+ AI presenters

  • Basic info

HeyGen is an AI video generator that allows you to create professional explainer videos in multiple languages at a low cost and with minimal production time.

  • Pros

80+ AI presenters

If you hire a narrator to explain your video, you will have to spend a lot of time shooting. You may find the narrator unsuitable when editing, but HeyGen can help you solve this problem. Choose your AI narrator from 80+ avatars. Then, if you don't feel like the video is a good fit, you can directly replace it without re-shooting.

20+languages

When your video is for a global audience, it is troublesome if the narrator only speaks one language. But HeyGen provides 20 languages that can drive your AI narrator to speak different languages.

Import PPT

It takes a lot of time to upload pictures one by one to the editor. The function of 'Import PPT/PDF' on HeyGen can import your ppt to the editor with one click. You only need to add your AI narrator and enter your text.

Animaker- Make whiteboard videos for free.

  • Basic info

Animaker is an excellent DIY whiteboard animation software and video presentation app that is easy to use and makes stunning animated videos. It's perfect for creatives of all skill levels.

  • Pros
  • Removal of watermark
  • 15/month GIF downloads
  • Live animation mix tools
  • Autofit video editing

Vyond- Branded Explanation Video

  • Basic info

Vyond (formerly GoAnimate) is a cloud-based platform for creating custom animated videos. It is used by educators, in a business context by advertisers and content marketers, and for demos and presentations

  • Pros
  • Automatic character lip sync
  • Customize your creation
  • Character and object animation

Moovly- Explainer Video Software I Make Videos Online

  • Basic info

With Moovly, anyone can easily create videos in any style without being an expert: animated videos, whiteboard videos, footage-based content - or any mix of video content you can imagine if you work with tools like PowerPoint.

  • Pros
  • Animations and transitions、
  • Screen recording
  • Form-based video creation
  • Group and user management
You may be also interested in : Top 9 Explainer Video Software for 2023

4+ excellent Explainer video examples

Grammarly

Grammarly is known in the marketing world for its prolific video ads. The company is constantly creating new ads and placing them in as many places as possible. Despite this abundance of ads, they never scrimp on quality.

Their ads, like this one, are always entertaining and personable, with a bit of humor thrown in. Moreover, they typically show the platform working its magic in pop-up bubbles on-screen, allowing viewers to see how easy it is to use.

Ahrefs

These fun and colorful videos are exactly what animation is for! And it shows that not all product explanations need to include the actual product - especially when it comes to an online platform or software

Because user interfaces and website designs often change faster than you want to update your marketing videos. By using animation to show features in a stripped-down way, you can add longevity to your videos

PayPal

Online payments giant PayPal has released a series of TV spots called "People Rule," along with this explainer video to go with the spots. Strikingly, animations and live action flow into one another, transporting viewers to the land of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." PayPal's core message - payment efficiency - is underscored by a fun country tune, which is also a nice touch.

Fiverr

This Fiverr explainer video kicks things off with a great soundtrack. The storyline, all about the Fiverr journey, follows four different entrepreneurs using the platform to get their businesses up and running.

The extreme close-ups of people's facial expressions are an excellent way to get across the speechless "wow" feeling they're hoping to give customers. The reflections of those faces on the computer screen are technically impressive too. 

How To Make An Explainer Video?

Step 1. Identify your target audience

Before making your explainer video, you must know whom you are making it for. That knowledge will help you tailor the content and style of your video to appeal to your audience.

identify-your-target-audience

Step 2. Select the type of explainer video

Several explainer videos include real human explainer videos, animated explainer videos, and whiteboard explainer videos. Choose the type of explainer video that best suits your needs and audience.

select-the-type-of-explainer-video

Step 3. Create the storyboard

A storyboard represents your explainer video, showing each scene and how it will play out. This will help you plan and organize your video and ensure it flows smoothly from one location to the next.

create-the-storyboard

Step 4. Finalize the characters

If your explainer video uses characters, make sure to finalize their design and appearance before moving on to the next step.

finalize-the-characters

Step 5. Write the script

Write the script: Once your storyboard and characters are ready, it's time to write the script for your explainer video. This should include dialogue and audio elements, such as narration or music.

write-the-script

Step 6: Produce the video

Once your script and other elements are ready, you can start producing your explainer video. This may involve filming live-action footage, creating animations, or using different techniques to bring your video to life.

Overall, making an explainer video involves planning, organizing, and creating the various elements that will go into your video and bringing them together to create a compelling and engaging final product.

produce-the-video

Tips And Best Practices For Making Effective Explainer Videos

  1. Identify your target audience: Before you start creating your explainer video, you must understand your target audience and what they need and want to know. This will help you tailor your message and content to be relevant and engaging to your audience.
  2. Develop a clear and concise script: An explanation video should be short and to the point, so it is essential to have a well-written script that clearly and concisely explains the concept or idea you are trying to convey. Avoid using complex or technical language, and focus on communicating the critical points in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
  3. Please choose the right style and visuals: The style and visuals of your explainer video are essential, as they help to engage and retain the viewer's attention. Choose a type and visuals appropriate for your topic and target audience, which help explain the concept or idea clearly and engagingly.
  4. Use engaging graphics and animation: Effective explainer videos often use attractive graphics and animation to help illustrate and explain the concept or idea in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Consider using colorful and exciting graphics and incorporating energy to help bring the concept or idea to life.
  5. Record clear and concise voice-over narration: The voice-over narration in an explainer video is essential to the overall message and should be recorded clearly and concisely. Use a professional-sounding voice, and avoid using technical or complex language that may be difficult for the viewer to understand.
  6. Incorporate interactive elements: Consider incorporating interactive features into your explainer video to help engage and retain the viewer's attention. This could include quizzes, exercises, or other interactive elements that allow the viewer to practice and apply what they have learned.
  7. Edit and polish the final video: Once you have created your explainer video, take the time to edit and polish it to ensure that it is clear, concise, and engaging. This may include trimming excess footage, adding transitions or other visual effects, and incorporating music or other audio elements to enhance the video.
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