The Ultimate Guide To Creating Effective Explainer Videos That Drive Results

Are you looking to captivate your audience, increase brand awareness, and drive conversions? Look no further than the power of explainer videos. In today’s fast-paced digital world, explainer videos have become an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. But what makes an explainer video truly effective? How can you create one that not only grabs attention but also drives results?

This ultimate guide is here to answer all your questions and provide you with a step-by-step roadmap to creating compelling explainer videos. We’ll cover everything from understanding your target audience to crafting a persuasive script to choosing the right visuals. So, whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a small business owner looking to boost your online presence, this article will help you with getting effective explainer videos that will leave a lasting impact on your viewers and help you achieve your business goals. Let’s dive in and discover the art of storytelling through video!

Why explainer videos are important for businesses

Explainer videos have become an integral part of a successful marketing strategy for businesses across industries. They offer a concise and engaging way to communicate complex ideas, products, or services to your target audience. By using visual storytelling, explainer videos can capture attention, simplify information, and leave a lasting impact on viewers. Not all explainer videos need to advertise. You can also build relationships with potential clients by explaining helpful concepts.

One of the key benefits of explainer videos is their ability to increase brand awareness. With a well-crafted explainer video, you can showcase your brand’s unique value proposition, highlight key features, and establish an emotional connection with your audience. This helps you stand out from the competition and builds trust and credibility. Explainer videos have also been proven to drive conversions. An explainer video on a landing page can increase conversion rates by up to 80%. By combining compelling visuals, persuasive storytelling, and a clear call-to-action, explainer videos can effectively guide viewers through the buyer’s journey and encourage them to take the desired action.

In summary, explainer videos are important for businesses because they can boost brand awareness, increase conversions, simplify complex information, and engage viewers in a memorable way.

Explainer Video Statistics

Before we dive into the process of creating effective explainer videos, let’s look at some eye-opening statistics that highlight the impact these videos can have on your business:

1. Websites with video content are 53 times more likely to appear on the first page of search engine results.
2. Including a video on a landing page can increase conversion rates by 80%.
3. Approximately 95% of people have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service.
4. Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to only 10% when reading it in text.
5. 92% of mobile video viewers share videos with others.
6. Explainer videos can increase email click-through rates by 200-300%.

These statistics illustrate the power of explainer videos in capturing attention, driving engagement, and ultimately, delivering results. By incorporating explainer videos into your marketing strategy, you can effectively communicate your message, increase brand awareness, and boost conversions when you advertise.

Types of explainer videos

When it comes to creating explainer videos, there are various types to choose from. The type you select will depend on your specific goals, target audience, budget, and the nature of your product or service.

Here are some popular types of explainer videos:

1. 2D Character Animation Explainer Videos: These videos are animated and show characters in environments. You’ll see animated characters interacting with objects, standing in an office, walking down the street, and so on. These videos are great for storytelling and getting your target audience to connect with the characters in the video.
2. Graphic Animation (aka Motion Graphics) Explainer Videos: These videos also use animation and usually contain more abstract concepts or scenes, often without environments. Think of software videos, for example, with folders and user icons floating in a scene without a background. Graphic animation explainer videos are versatile and can be tailored to suit any brand or industry.
3. Text On Footage Explainer Videos: In this kind of video, the text is placed over footage (or photos). This is a more budget-friendly option that is still very effective.
4. Whiteboard Explainer Videos: Also known as doodle videos, whiteboard explainer videos use a hand-drawn illustration on a whiteboard background to visually explain ideas or concepts. This type of video is engaging and can create a sense of curiosity.
5. Live-Action Explainer Videos: These videos feature real people, locations, and props to showcase your product or service in action. Live-action explainer videos are ideal for businesses that want to add a personal touch and create a sense of authenticity.
6. Screen Capture Explainer Videos: Screen capture explainer videos are used to demonstrate how to use a software or app. By recording the screen and adding voiceover narration, you can guide viewers through the features and functionalities of your product.

It’s important to choose the type of explainer video that best aligns with your brand and resonates with your target audience. Each type has its unique advantages and can be customized to suit your specific needs.

Steps to create an effective explainer video

Creating an effective explainer video requires careful planning and execution. By following these steps, you can ensure that your video captures attention, communicates your message clearly, and drives results:

1. Writing a compelling script for your explainer video

The script is the foundation of your explainer video. It’s crucial to craft a script that is concise, engaging, and effectively communicates your key message. Start by defining the problem or pain point that your product or service solves. Then, outline the benefits and features that set you apart from the competition. Use a conversational tone and include a clear call to action at the end of the script.

A professional explainer video company will help you with this

2. Choosing the right visual style for your explainer video

The visual style of your explainer video should align with your brand identity and appeal to your target audience. Consider factors such as colour palette, typography, and overall design aesthetics. Whether you opt for a sleek and modern animation or a warm and inviting live-action video, ensure that the visuals enhance the storytelling and effectively convey your message.

3. Voice over and music selection for your explainer video

The voiceover and music in your explainer video play a crucial role in setting the tone and creating an emotional connection with viewers. Choose a voiceover artist that resonates with your brand, and background music that complements the visuals and enhances the overall viewing experience. The voiceover and music should work together harmoniously to convey your message effectively. Sound effects also make a video more engaging.

4. Animation and motion graphics in explainer videos

If you’re creating an animated explainer video, the animation and motion graphics will bring your story to life. Use engaging visuals, transitions, and effects to capture attention and maintain viewer interest. Ensure that the animation is smooth, the text is legible, and the visuals are visually appealing. The animation should enhance the storytelling and convey information clearly and concisely.

5. Optimizing your explainer video for SEO search rankings and social media

To maximize the reach and impact of your explainer video, it’s important to optimize it for search engines and social media platforms. Use relevant keywords in the video title, description, and tags to improve its visibility in search results. Consider creating shorter versions or teaser clips for social media platforms to generate interest and drive traffic to the full video. Additionally, you can include your explainer video on landing pages to give visitors a better understanding of your services or products.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your explainer video is optimized for SEO search rankings and social media, which will help to maximize its reach and impact.

6. Measuring the success of your explainer video

After your explainer video is live, it’s essential to track its performance and measure its success. Monitor metrics such as views, engagement, click-through rates, and conversions. Analyze viewer feedback and comments to gain insights into what resonates with your audience. Use this data to refine your future video marketing strategies and optimize your videos for better results.

Some key metrics to consider when measuring the success of your explainer video include:

1. View count: The number of times your video has been viewed.
2. Engagement rate: The percentage of viewers who have taken action, such as liking, commenting, or sharing.
3. Conversion rate: The percentage of viewers who have completed a desired action, such as signing up or making a purchase.
4. Click-through rate: The percentage of viewers who have clicked on a call-to-action within the video or its accompanying description.
5. Time watched: The average duration of time viewers spend watching your video.

Examples of successful explainer videos

To inspire and guide you in creating your own explainer videos, let’s take a look at some examples of successful explainer videos:

1. Dollar Shave Club: Dollar Shave Club’s explainer video went viral and played a significant role in their success. The video humorously highlights the pain points of traditional shaving methods and memorably introduces their subscription-based razor service.

2. Dropbox: Dropbox’s animated explainer video effectively communicates the benefits of its cloud storage service. The video uses simple animations and clear visuals to show how Dropbox can simplify file sharing and collaboration.

3. This Voltage Cyberres video (created by us) has garnered almost a million views on YouTube and explains data protection in a simple and fun way.

These examples show the power of storytelling, engaging visuals, and a clear message in creating effective explainer videos that resonate with viewers and drive results.

Hiring a professional explainer video production company

If you prefer to leave the creation of your explainer video in the hands of professionals, hiring an explainer video production company is a great option. A professional production company will have the expertise, experience, and resources to create a high-quality explainer video that aligns with your brand and achieves your goals.

When evaluating and choosing a professional explainer video production company, it is important to consider the full scope of their services. Look at their portfolio to see examples of their work and get a feel for their style. You should also read client testimonials to determine if they provide quality services and if they have satisfied customers. Also, check their pricing to make sure it fits within your budget. Finally, it is important to ensure that they have a clear communication process that allows you to stay updated on the progress of the project. The most important factor in selecting a production company is to find one that understands your vision and can bring it to life in a way that is captivating and engaging. Through interesting storytelling and high-quality visuals, the right production company can create an explainer video that perfectly conveys your message and resonates with your audience.

Best Practices for Creating Effective Explainer Videos

Creating effective explainer videos requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and attention to detail. To help you craft videos that truly drive results, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Keep it concise: Aim for a video length of 60 to 90 seconds to maintain viewer engagement.
2. Focus on benefits: Highlight the benefits of your product or service and how it solves your audience’s pain points.
3. Use visuals strategically: Visuals should enhance your message and make it easier for viewers to understand.
4. Use a professional voiceover: A high-quality voiceover can add credibility and authority to your video.
5. Include a clear call-to-action: Tell your viewers what you want them to do next, whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.
6. Test and iterate: Continuously monitor the performance of your videos and make adjustments based on data and viewer feedback.
7. Stay true to your brand: Ensure that your video aligns with your brand identity and messaging to maintain consistency.

By following these best practices, you can create explainer videos that effectively communicate your message, captivate your audience, and drive the desired results.

Conclusion

Explainer videos have become an indispensable tool for businesses looking to captivate their audience, increase brand awareness, and drive results. By following the steps outlined in this ultimate guide, you can create effective explainer videos that leave a lasting impact on your viewers and help you achieve your business goals. From crafting a compelling script to choosing the right visuals, using animation and motion graphics, and optimizing for SEO and social media, every aspect plays a crucial role in creating a successful explainer video. So, get ready to unlock the power of visual storytelling and take your marketing efforts to new heights with the art of creating effective explainer videos.

Here at Impact Animated Videos, we specialize in animated explainer videos. We offer full video services, from scriptwriting, storyboard creation (with custom, hand-drawn art), and animation, plus voiceover, music, and sound effects. We’d love to chat with you about your video. Click here to get started.