Video Content

7 Affordable Explainer Video Styles for Your Marketing Strategy

Laura Chaves
January 12, 2024

The State of Video in 2024

72% of customers prefer learning about a product or service through a video format, according to a report by HubSpot. So, for businesses seeking innovative ways to effectively communicate their brand message, consider explainer videos.

Explainer videos, with their engaging visual storytelling, can simplify complex concepts, improve customer understanding, and ultimately drive conversions.

However, not all explainer videos are created equal. The style you choose plays a pivotal role in how your message resonates with your audience. 

Moreover, budget constraints often pose a challenge for many businesses, especially startups and small companies. But worry not! There are diverse styles of explainer videos available that can align with your brand without breaking the bank. 

This article will explore seven affordable explainer video styles that can significantly impact your marketing strategy.

Content

    Understanding Your Budget

    Planning your budget for explainer videos is a critical step in your marketing strategy. It’s essential to strike the right balance between cost and quality to ensure that your video effectively communicates your message without draining your resources.

    Determining Your Budget

    The first step in budget planning is to determine how much you can afford to invest in your explainer video. This will depend on several factors, including your overall marketing budget, the importance of the video in your marketing campaign, and the expected return on investment (ROI). It’s crucial to remember that an explainer video is an investment, not an expense. A well-crafted explainer video can significantly boost brand awareness, customer engagement, and sales conversions, providing a substantial ROI over time.

    Understanding the Factors that Affect Cost

    Several factors can affect the cost of your explainer video:

    • Length: The longer the video, the higher the cost. This is because longer videos require more time, resources, and effort to produce. However, it’s important to keep your explainer video concise and engaging to hold your audience’s attention.
    • Style: The style of your explainer video also impacts the cost. For example, 2D animation tends to be cheaper than 3D animation, while live-action videos can vary dramatically in cost depending on the complexity of the shoot.

    • Quality: High-quality videos require professional equipment, skilled personnel, and often more post-production work, all of which add to the cost. However, the increased engagement and effectiveness of a high-quality video can justify the additional investment.
    • Customization: Custom videos tailored to your brand and message are typically more expensive than template-based videos. However, custom videos can better reflect your brand identity and resonate more deeply with your audience.
    • Production Company: The choice of production company can also significantly affect the cost. Different companies offer different levels of service and quality, and their prices reflect this.

    Affordable Explainer Video Styles For Your Business

    1. Whiteboard Animation

    Whiteboard animation videos are a popular choice for businesses due to their simplicity and effectiveness. These videos mimic hand-drawn illustrations on a whiteboard, accompanied by a narrated script. They’re perfect for explaining complex concepts in a clear and engaging way. According to a study by Dr. Richard Wiseman, whiteboard animation videos improve knowledge retention by 15% compared to talking head videos.

    The benefits of whiteboard animation include its cost-effectiveness, the ease of making changes, and its versatility across industries. A great example of a whiteboard animation video is the UPS “Whiteboard” commercial series, which effectively explains the company’s services in a digestible manner.

    2. 2D Animation

    2D animation videos use flat, two-dimensional characters and scenes. Despite their simplicity, they can be incredibly engaging and versatile, capable of conveying all sorts of narratives and styles. This style is particularly advantageous for its flexibility, affordability, and its ability to bring any concept to life.

    2D animation is ideal for businesses wanting to create character-driven stories or explain abstract concepts. Dropbox successfully used a 2D animation video when they launched, explaining their then-unique cloud service in an easy-to-understand way.

    3. Screencast Videos

    A screencast video is a digital recording of a computer screen, often accompanied by voice-over narration. These videos are particularly effective for demonstrating software or a website interface as they provide a direct, real-time view of the product in action.

    The biggest advantages of screencast videos are their cost-effectiveness and authenticity. They work best for tech companies or any business that needs to demonstrate ‘how-to’ use their digital product or service.

    4. Kinetic Typography

    Kinetic typography refers to the art of moving text. This style can bring words to life, making it a powerful tool for grabbing attention and conveying emotion. It’s particularly useful when you want to highlight specific words or ideas in your script.

    Despite its simplicity, kinetic typography can be highly engaging and memorable. It’s an excellent option for short promotional videos, lyric videos, or quotes. A popular example of kinetic typography is the opening credits of the film ‘Catch Me If You Can.’

    5. Live Action Explainer Videos

    Live-action explainer videos involve real people and real-world scenarios. They can create a personal connection with viewers and are effective for demonstrating physical products or person-to-person services.

    While live-action videos can sometimes be more expensive due to production costs, simple live-action videos can be quite affordable. They work best for businesses that want to showcase real people and real-life situations. For instance, Dollar Shave Club used a humorous live-action video to introduce their affordable razor subscription service.

    6. Stop Motion Animation

    Stop motion animation is a technique where objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so they will appear to exhibit independent motion when the series of frames is played.

    This style offers a unique charm that can make your video stand out. While it can be time-consuming, simple stop motion videos can be created on a budget. They’re perfect for product demos or creating a quirky brand image. A famous example is the ‘Her Morning Elegance‘ music video by Oren Lavie.

    7. Infographic Videos

    Infographic videos use appealing visuals and animations to represent data or information in an engaging way. They’re perfect for conveying complex data, statistics, or processes in a digestible format.

    The effectiveness of infographic videos lies in their ability to simplify complicated information and enhance viewer comprehension. They’re suitable for businesses that rely on data-heavy communication. A noteworthy example is the ‘State of Airbnb’ video, which uses infographic animation to present data about Airbnb’s global impact.

    Choosing the Right Style for Your Brand

    Selecting the right style for your explainer video is not just about budget and aesthetics; it’s about aligning the video style with your brand identity. Your brand identity includes your company’s mission, values, personality, and target audience. It’s crucial that your explainer video reflects these elements to create a cohesive brand image.

    Aligning Video Style with Brand Identity

    Start by evaluating your brand’s personality. Is your brand serious and professional or playful and quirky? A whiteboard animation or infographic video may suit a more professional tone, while 2D animation or stop motion could be perfect for a playful brand. Next, consider your brand colors and visual style.

    Some video styles, like 2D animation or infographic videos, can easily incorporate your brand colors and visual elements. This helps reinforce your brand identity and make your video instantly recognizable to your audience.

    Factors to Consider When Choosing a Style

    When choosing a video style, you should also consider your target audience, the message you want to convey, and the platform where the video will be shared.

    • Audience: Different audiences respond to different styles. Younger audiences might appreciate the creativity of stop motion or kinetic typography, while professional audiences might prefer the clarity of whiteboard animations or live-action videos. Understand your audience’s preferences and behaviors to choose a style that will resonate with them.
    • Message: The complexity or simplicity of your message can also guide your choice. For complex ideas or processes, whiteboard animations, infographic videos, or screencasts can simplify the information. For emotional or narrative-driven messages, live-action videos or 2D animations can be more effective.
    • Platform: Consider the platform where the video will be shown. Short, visually engaging styles like kinetic typography or 2D animation might work well on social media, while longer, more detailed videos like screencasts or whiteboard animations might be better suited for your website or a YouTube channel.

    Conclusion

    Explainer videos are a powerful tool for conveying your brand’s story, explaining complex concepts, and engaging with your audience in an impactful way. With a variety of styles available – from whiteboard animations to live-action videos – there’s an explainer video to suit every brand’s identity, message, and budget. The key is to understand your brand, your audience, and your goals, and choose a style that aligns with these factors.

    Ready to create an unforgettable explainer video for your business? Visit our website at Vidico to explore our range of services. We’re passionate about helping businesses bring their ideas to life through high-quality, engaging explainer videos. Whether you’re looking to simplify a complex process, launch a new product, or just tell your brand’s story in a unique way, we’re here to help.

    Contact us today and let’s start creating the perfect explainer video for your business!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is an explainer video?

    An explainer video is a short, engaging video that explains a business idea in a simple, concise and compelling manner.

    What are the different styles of explainer videos?

    Common styles include whiteboard animation, 2D animation, screencast videos, kinetic typography, live-action explainer videos, stop motion animation, and infographic videos.

    How do I choose the right style for my brand’s explainer video?

    The choice depends on your brand identity, target audience, the message you want to convey, and the platform where the video will be shared.

    What is the average length of an explainer video?

    The ideal length of an explainer video is usually between 60 to 90 seconds. However, the duration may vary depending on the complexity of the product or service being explained.

    How much does it cost to produce an explainer video?

    The cost can vary greatly depending on the chosen style, complexity, and production quality. It’s best to consult with a professional video production company for an accurate quote.

    In need of video? Get a quick estimate
    Find the right type of video to meet your marketing goals and get an instant estimation on how much it would cost to produce it.
    Get pricing
    Stand out with advanced video marketing insights.

    Stand out with advanced video marketing insights.

    For free
    Once a week
    5-min read

    Unlock maximum content value!

    Learn how to scale creative effectively without stretching your budget.

    The State of Video Marketing 2024

    Discover how 300+ top tech companies use video for...
    Unlock insights

    Start with a free video script 🎉

    New to Vidico? You can try us out before formal engagement. Really!
    Learn more
    3 spots left for February