Video Content

What is An Explainer Video & How Does It Work? Full Guide

Laura Chaves
October 30, 2024

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Every brand has a story to tell, and explainer videos make it clear and compelling. These videos are designed to simplify complex ideas and break down information into concise, engaging visuals that resonate.

At Vidico, we’ve helped hundreds of brands simplify their messaging, transforming intricate concepts into clear, memorable stories. Whether you’re a tech brand looking to streamline communication or a startup aiming to scale your message, we create explainer videos that resonate, engage, and convert.

Discover what an explainer video really is and how it can elevate your brand’s message.

Content

    What’s an Explainer Video?

    An explainer video is a short, engaging video designed to communicate complex ideas, products, or services simply and visually captivatingly.

    Often used by businesses to introduce new concepts or explain how something works, explainer videos blend animation, clear narratives, and sometimes voiceovers to hold viewers’ attention and convey messages concisely.

    These videos have proven effective in marketing because they make information easy to digest, leading to higher engagement and better comprehension.

    Explainer videos help brands connect with audiences quickly and effectively, driving action and building trust by simplifying details that might be overwhelming in text form.

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    Types of Explainer Videos

    Animated Explainer Videos

    An animated video explainer uses lively animations and simplified visuals to break down complex information. Ideal for tech and SaaS brands, animated explainers can transform abstract concepts into engaging narratives.

    Vidico’s work for Spotify is a standout example. Vibrant animations make the digital streaming platform both accessible and memorable. Our collaboration with Spotify offers a fantastic showcase of animation used to explain product or service benefits.

    The animation highlights Spotify’s advertising tools, showing how brands can leverage the platform to connect with audiences. It also keeps viewers’ attention through smoothly animated sequences, relatable visuals, and clear messaging.

    Check out the full explainer video here:

    Live-action Explainer Videos

    Featuring real people and environments, live-action explainers connect on a personal level, making them great for brands that benefit from human interaction.

    Vidico’s collaboration with Square highlights the versatility of Square’s payment solutions for businesses of all types and sizes.

    It reassures businesses of Square’s built-in security, fast processing, and transparent pricing with simple visuals and straightforward narration.

    Check out the full live-action explainer video here:

    Whiteboard Explainer Videos

    Whiteboard videos visually unfold ideas as they’re explained, using real-time illustrations to walk viewers through concepts step-by-step.

    This format works well for educational or instructional content, providing clarity and focus as viewers follow along with each drawn element.

    3D & Motion Graphics Explainers

    With high-impact visuals and dynamic 3D animations, most videos are perfect for explaining intricate, technical concepts.

    In collaboration with Digital Ocean, Vidico crafted a 2D animated explainer video for the App Platform feature, emphasizing how developers can launch apps faster.

    Check out the full motion graphics explainer video here:

    What Makes a Good Explainer Video?

    Keep It Short & Stick to One Main Message

    The best explainer videos are concise, generally between 60 and 90 seconds, and they convey a single, clear message.

    Short videos maintain attention, ensure higher information retention, and deliver the core message without unnecessary distractions [1].

    Keeping explainer videos concise and limiting them to a clear topic improves their effectiveness and makes them more memorable for audiences who are often pressed for time.

    Use Storytelling to Connect Emotionally

    Storytelling is essential for making the video relatable. A story-driven approach helps viewers emotionally connect with the content, increasing its impact and memorability in social media channels.

    A good explainer video can mirror the viewer’s experiences by creating a narrative that makes them feel understood and fostering trust in the brand.

    For example, in a tech explainer, a compelling story might illustrate a problem the audience faces and showcase the company’s product as the solution, making it resonate more deeply.

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    Maintain High-Quality Visuals & Audio

    Quality is crucial in video content because it reflects professionalism and builds trust. Sharp visuals, smooth animations, and clear, balanced audio contribute to an enjoyable viewing experience and keep the audience engaged.

    Poor quality can distract from the message, potentially giving a negative impression. Investing in professional graphics, animations, and sound design ensures the message comes across clearly and keeps viewers focused on the content rather than technical flaws.

    End Animated Explainer Video With a Strong Call-To-Action (CTA)

    Effective explainer videos conclude with a direct and compelling CTA, guiding viewers to the next steps, whether exploring the website, signing up, or trying out the product.

    During a screencast video creation, a clear CTA provides direction, linking the video’s message to an actionable outcome and ultimately driving results.

    The CTA should be memorable and easy to follow. It is often supported by on-screen text or a simple button to emphasize what viewers can do next.

    What are the Benefits to Your Brand?

    • Increased Engagement: Explainers capture attention quickly, making them highly effective on social media and websites. This leads to longer viewer engagement and better message retention.
    • Enhanced Brand Awareness: With concise storytelling and memorable visuals, explainers help reinforce your brand message, making your product or service more recognizable and helpful to your sales department.
    • Improved Conversion Rates: Product demos can boost conversions by breaking down complex information and guiding viewers with a clear call to action, leading to higher click-through rates, sign-ups, or purchases.
    • Better SEO and Website Traffic: Explainers improve the SEO of your landing pages by increasing the time users spend on your site. Search engines and Google Analytics interpret this as valuable content, resulting in higher search rankings.
    • Simplifies Complex Topics: Explainers simplify complex products or services through engaging visuals and storytelling. This is especially useful in industries like tech or finance’s landing page, where concepts may be more challenging to convey.
    • Builds Trust and Credibility: High-quality marketing videos demonstrate professionalism, helping to establish credibility and trust with viewers, as well as conveying your brand’s dedication to clarity and customer support.
    • Easily Shareable Content: Explainers are easily shareable, making them ideal for social media, email marketing, and other digital channels, helping you reach potential customers through organic sharing.

    Infographics about How to Make Your Explainer Video Effective

    Steps to Create an Explainer Video

    Identify the Core Message & Target Audience

    Start by defining the main message the video will convey and its audience [2].

    A clear, focused message aligned with the audience’s needs ensures the video resonates and provides relevant value, whether it’s for tech-savvy viewers, small business owners, or general consumers.

    Scriptwriting & Storyboarding

    With the core message in mind, scriptwriting involves crafting a concise, engaging narrative that aligns with the brand’s voice and purpose.

    Storyboarding then visualizes each scene, outlining key elements, transitions, and visuals to create a coherent flow in an explainer video. This stage is crucial for ensuring the video’s pacing and style effectively communicate the message.

    “Vidico is a one stop shop if you are looking for both a creative and highly effective animated explainer video!”Caitlin Knoepp, Founder, Feels

    Choosing the Right Style & Format

    The video style—such as animation, live-action, whiteboard, or motion graphics—depends on the content’s complexity and audience preferences.

    Animations are often ideal for explaining tech concepts, while live-action might suit services requiring a personal touch. An effective explainer video format optimizes viewer engagement and understanding.

    Production (Filming or Animating) & Editing

    In this phase, the video is brought to life through filming, animating, or both, depending on the chosen style. Editing follows, where elements are refined, transitions smoothed, and music and sound effects optimized.

    High-quality production and polished editing are essential for making the video look professional and maintaining viewer interest.

    Distribution & Promotion

    Once completed, the video should be distributed across relevant channels—such as the company’s website, social media, email newsletters, or even paid ads—to reach the target audience.

    Effective promotion ensures maximum reach and engagement, helping the live-action video achieve its intended marketing goals, such as awareness, conversion, or retention.

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    FAQs

    Do explainer videos work?

    Yes, explainer videos effectively engage audiences, simplify complex topics, and drive conversions.

    Explainers boost engagement metrics on websites and social media and often lead to higher conversion rates as viewers understand the product or service offered.

    Ready to have your own explainer video? Vidico’s expert team is here to bring your ideas to life with captivating visuals and clear messaging that engage and inspire.

    Whether you’re looking to simplify complex ideas or build brand trust, we’ll create a video that delivers results. Get started with a free strategy call today, or use our VidiFit Quiz for a quick overview of our costings.

    Who uses explainer videos?

    Explainer videos are popular among various industries, including tech companies [3], educational platforms, financial services, and e-commerce businesses.

    Startups often introduce new products with a brief overview, while established brands use them to explain complex features or processes.

    Many B2B and SaaS companies also rely on a good explainer to quickly convey value to potential clients, making it ideal for any business looking to communicate information efficiently.

    How long should an explainer video be?

    The ideal length for an explainer video is typically between 60 and 90 seconds. This duration is long enough to cover essential information but short enough to retain viewers’ attention in multiple channels.

    A great explainer video can extend up to 2 minutes for more complex topics, but you can save time and keep it concise to maintain engagement and ensure effective message delivery.

    Key Takeaways

    An explainer video is a powerful tool for simplifying complex ideas and engaging audiences in a concise, memorable way. Whether through animation, live-action, or motion graphics, explainer videos help brands communicate their message clearly, build trust, and drive action.

    They’re a valuable asset for any brand looking to increase engagement and conversion rates, making abstract ideas accessible and interesting for viewers.

    If you’re ready to leverage the power of explainer videos for your brand, Vidico’s team is here to help [4]. With expertise in crafting high-impact, story-driven videos, we’ll guide you from concept to final cut.

    Let’s bring your ideas to life. We’ll begin with a free, 30-minute strategy call, during which we’ll collaborate to develop a customized production plan tailored to your goals.

    References:

    1. https://www.forbes.com/councils/theyec/2022/09/16/explainer-videos-and-the-key-to-making-them-great/
    2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/crafting-compelling-message-key-effective-video-content
    3. https://www.britannica.com/browse/Information-Technology
    4. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/08/12/2497652/0/en/Video-Production-Company-Vidico-Launch-Rebrand-To-Offer-Their-Customers-Clarity-Precision-And-An-Even-Higher-Level-Of-Communication.html
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