What is an Explainer Video? 8 Tips to Create a Killer Explainer Video

Explainer videos are the secret sauce to grabbing attention online, where everything’s competing for a viewer’s time. Whether you're promoting a product, concept, or service, these concise and compelling videos can break down complex ideas in seconds. But what exactly is an explainer video, and how can you create one that stands out? This article explores the ins and outs of explainer videos, giving you the tools to understand their importance and master the art of how to make an explainer video. Read on to learn what an explainer video is and tips for creating a killer one.

With the right guidance and professional touch, you can craft videos that educate and captivate your audience. That's where Moonb's explainer video production services come in.

What is an Explainer Video?

An explainer video is a short video that effectively communicates a company’s product, service, or business idea. These videos are usually animated, but they can also be live-action. They often employ a problem-solution format to distill complex topics into easy-to-understand narratives. 

Most businesses host explainer videos on their landing pages or feature them on their website. Some even use these videos to advertise their products or services on social media. 

Engaging Your Audience

Explainer videos are short, snappy, and engaging and can transform how people connect with a product or service. People listen to stories, understand stories, and empathize with stories. An explainer video is the way to go to engage your potential customers and keep their attention.

What is the Purpose of an Explainer Video?

An explainer video’s primary purpose is to quickly and efficiently communicate a company’s product, service, or business idea compellingly and efficiently. Explainer videos are short, snappy, and engaging and can transform how people connect with a product or service. They are often used to distill complex topics into easy-to-understand narratives. 

The Versatile Format of Explainer Videos

Explainer videos are usually animated but can also be live-action. They often employ a problem-solution format to distill complex topics into easy-to-understand narratives. Most businesses host explainer videos on their landing pages or feature them on their website. 

Leveraging Explainer Videos for Marketing and Engagement

Some even use these videos to advertise their product or service on social media. Explainer videos are short, snappy, and engaging and can transform how people connect with a product or service. People listen to stories, understand stories, and empathize with stories. An explainer video is the way to go to engage your potential customers and keep their attention.

Why Are Explainer Videos so Effective?

Explainer videos are compelling because they are short, snappy, and engaging. They can transform how people connect with a product or service. They are often used to distill complex topics into easy-to-understand narratives. 

Explainer videos are usually animated, but they can also be live-action. They often employ a problem-solution format to distill complex topics into easy-to-understand narratives. 

Most businesses host explainer videos on their landing pages or feature them on their website. Some even use these videos to advertise their products or services on social media. 

The Impact of Explainer Videos on Conversions

Explainer videos are the most popular form of marketing video, with nearly three-quarters of marketers choosing them as their number one choice. A 2020 study found that 84% of consumers said an explainer video convinced them to buy a product or service. Embedding an effective explainer video into a company website has boosted conversion rates by up to 80%. 

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10 Types Of Explainer Videos You Can Make

1. 2D Motion Graphics: Versatile Visuals for Any Brand

2D Motion Graphics stands out as a flexible choice for explainer videos. They manipulate images, whether stock or custom, to convey your message effectively. This style works wonders for:

• App demos
• Tech animations
• Financial graphics
• Corporate explainer videos

It seamlessly integrates brand logos and assets, transforming them into engaging visuals.

2. 2D Character Animation: Bringing Stories to Life

2D Character Animation is the go-to for many startups. It offers the best cost value and allows you to replicate customer experiences with relatable characters. Use this style to showcase interactions between your target audience and their pain points or the benefits of your product.

3. 2D Animation With 3D Elements: The Best of Both Worlds

Need to showcase an object from different angles? Enter 3D elements in your 2D animation. While 3D animation is costly and time-consuming, incorporating 3D elements for key moments can enhance your video without breaking the bank.

4. 2.5D Animation: Adding Depth Without the Cost

2.5D animation gives the illusion of depth by adding illustrations to flat images. It’s a step closer to 3D but remains cost-effective. Use it to add a little extra punch to your visuals.

5. Whiteboard Animation Videos: A Dated Classic

Whiteboard videos, once famous for their affordability, have fallen out of favor. They can’t be customized to match your brand’s style and may appear outdated. Plus, production costs now rival those of high-quality 2D animated videos. Choose wisely.

6. 3D Animation: High-Cost, High-Impact Visuals

3D explainer videos are expensive and resource-intensive. They require powerful computers to process massive data and can take hours or even days to render. While stunning, they may be optional for storytelling or app demos. Even big companies like Google and Microsoft often opt for 2D animation instead.

7. Live-Action: Putting a Face to Your Message

Live-action videos are perfect for directly addressing your audience or demoing your product. With a basic setup, they can be cost-effective. But costs can skyrocket once you add locations, actors, and crew. An average 30-second live-action video can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $250,000.

8. Live-Action With Track Elements: Adding Flash to Real Life

Enhance your live-action video with animation to make key moments more impactful. You’ll see trail effects, text bubbles, and statistics popping off the charts. This style is excellent for brand videos and presentations.

9. Stop Motion: Artistic and Eye-Catching

Stop motion is created by filming one frame of a model at a time and moving the subject slightly between shots. It’s eye-catching and has a unique charm, but it’s also challenging to create and pricey. Use it when you want to make a statement.

10. Screencast Video: Showcasing Software in Action

Screencast videos are ideal for demonstrating software. They provide a clear look at your product before users try or buy. Use this style when your goal is to educate and inform.

Elevate Your Content with a Free Trial

Are you looking to elevate your explainer videos? Moonb's product demo video service offers a contract-free, full-service approach with seamless project management integration and weekly strategy calls. 

Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level.

What Makes a Great Explainer Video?

A great explainer video captures attention, communicates value effectively, and inspires action—all within a short time frame. Here's what sets the best ones apart:

Keeping It Short: The Sweet Spot for Engagement

A good explainer video is short and to the point. Most engaging explainer videos should be one to two minutes long, though some can be up to three minutes. This ensures the audience stays engaged and gets the message while staying interested.

Creating a Strong Call to Action

An explainer video should end with a clear call to action. Whether it’s encouraging viewers to sign up, purchase, or explore a website, the call to action should leave no ambiguity about what they should do next. A strong CTA ties the video to your business goals and gives viewers a clear path to follow.

Solving a Problem: The Key to Connection

A great explainer video focuses on solving a specific problem for the audience. It shows how the product or service provides the solution and answers the critical question: Why is this the right choice? This approach helps viewers connect with the message personally.

Aligning with Brand and Audience

A good explainer video should reflect the brand’s identity and resonate with its target audience. Everything, from the tone and visual style to the language used, should align with the brand’s voice and appeal to its customers. This consistency builds trust and enhances the brand's relatability.

Producing High-Quality Videos

Quality is king. A polished video with clear visuals, crisp audio, and professional editing reflects the brand’s professionalism. Equally, the script and messaging must be compelling and free from fluff, delivering the brand's value proposition in a way that’s easy to understand.

The Core Structure of Effective Explainer Videos

Every outstanding explainer video follows a tried-and-true structure that simplifies the messaging while keeping it impactful:

• What: Start by identifying the audience’s problem. This will hook viewers and show that you understand their pain points.
• How: Present your product or service as the solution, clearly explaining how it addresses their problem.
• Why: Explain why your solution is the best choice. Highlight your unique value, purpose, or mission to connect emotionally with your audience.

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8 Best Tips for Creating a Killer Explainer Video

1. Nail the Script

A killer explainer video starts with a rock-solid script. It's the backbone of your project. Get an outsider to write it. They'll offer a fresh perspective and explain your business in simple terms. Many video pros will have you fill out a creative brief first. This helps you think big-picture about your business and pinpoint what truly matters. Once you’ve brainstormed, start writing the script. Your brief will help keep you on track.

2. Keep It Brief

"The less you say, the more likely people are to remember," says Helen Klein Ross, a writer and creative director. You might have a lot to say about your business, but this video is meant to be an overview, the hook to get people interested in learning more. The industry standard is 150 words per minute. You might be able to read faster, but remember: 

You need breathing room and time for the message to sink in. Plus, the longer your video is, the less people will pay attention.

3. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

To keep it short, you need to keep it simple. The best explainer videos focus on four things:

• The Problem: Address the pain your customers are having (0:00-0:20)
• The Solution: Introduce your product or service as the answer (0:20-0:25)
• How it Works: Briefly describe how it works or how to get started (0:25-0:50)
• A Call to Action: Tell people what to do next (0:50-0:60)

4. Focus on Benefits, Not Features

When you have a new product, app, or service, the temptation is to show off as many features as possible: 100GB of storage, a 60-inch HD screen, unlimited users, and so on. But it’s the benefits that matter to customers. Instead of droning on about technical nonsense, explain how your product or service will improve customers’ lives. Swap “100GB of storage” for “Plenty of space to safely store your family photos.” You get the idea.

5. Use a Pro Voice

Poor audio can ruin a video faster than anything else. Invest in professional talent. There are lots of options, but a good place to start is Voices.com.

6. Have Some Fun

It’s essential to develop a video that resonates with your audience. But we’ve found that regardless of who’s watching—CEOs, marketers, working moms, children—one thing is always true: People love to be entertained. 

Adding something a little different to your video—humor, a surprise, or something downright wacky—can go a long way. It gets people smiling and helps them connect with your brand in a way that a website can’t.

7. Use Music to Set the Tone

It’s amazing what a song can do. Like video, music can evoke all kinds of emotions and set the tone and pace of your explainer. Sometimes, we’ll have the perfect song in mind when developing a video, but most of the time, we research music after the video is complete, finding a tune that fits the mood.

8. Plan for the Launch

Many people get so excited about creating a video that they forget to plan for the launch. A successful video launch consists of three things:

• Select a Video Host: There are many options, but we suggest looking at Wistia, Vimeo PRO, Brightcove, or Vidyard.
• Have a Marketing Plan: Let’s face it: Your video probably won’t go viral, but you can take steps to get extra eyes on it. Share your video through your blog, newsletter, social media channels, email signatures, and events.
• Integrate the Video Into Your Website: Most companies like to put the video front and center on their homepage. Wherever you place it, it should integrate seamlessly with your brand and content.

7 Examples of Great Explainer Videos To Copy From

1. Moonb’s Animated Explainer Videos: Reimagining Engagement

Moonb is revolutionizing how software products are explained through animation. This video marketing agency pools:

• Senior motion designers
• Illustrators
• Editors

Together, they create explainer videos that captivate and inform. 

Crafting Engaging Visual Stories with Moonb

Using animated visuals, Moonb turns complex software solutions into relatable stories that captivate audiences. This approach makes the information digestible and leaves a lasting impression on viewers. Through their unlimited video-making and editing subscription, businesses can leverage Moonb's expertise to create engaging content without limitations. 

This strategy helps build stronger connections with audiences and enhances understanding of the product offerings.

2. Tripcase: Amplifying Pain Points for Emotional Impact

Tripcase’s explainer video is a masterclass in addressing customer pain points. By focusing on the chaos and stress of travel, the video highlights the problems travelers face, such as missing flights or losing luggage. This emotional connection fosters a sense of empathy and trust, encouraging viewers to consider Tripcase as a solution. 

By highlighting the pain points, the video effectively communicates the product’s value and encourages viewers to take action. This strategy is essential for businesses looking to connect with their audience on both a practical and emotional level.

3. Grammarly’s YouTube Short: Simplicity and Clarity for Maximum Impact

Grammarly’s YouTube Short is a shining example of how to create a compelling explainer video. The spokesperson quickly introduces the video's purpose and uses a conversational tone to explain three key features of Grammarly’s business version. This straightforward approach makes the information easy to understand and encourages viewers to explore the product further. 

By simplifying complex features, Grammarly ensures its audience can easily grasp the product’s benefits and make informed decisions. This strategy is particularly effective for businesses looking to introduce new or unfamiliar features to their audience.

4. Notarize: Using Humor to Make Boring Topics Engaging

Notarize’s explainer video takes a potentially dull topic, making it entertaining and watchable. The video uses humor and authenticity to turn the notarization process into a fun and engaging experience. 

This approach builds goodwill with the audience and encourages them to share the video with others. The video’s humor and creativity make it memorable and helps the audience relate to the topic. This strategy is particularly effective for businesses looking to make their products or services more appealing to potential customers.

5. Crazy Egg: Showcasing Product Features for Clarity and Confidence

Crazy Egg’s explainer video demonstrates the company’s heat and scroll map tools in action, providing viewers with a clear understanding of what they’ll get for their money. The video removes potential customers' uncertainty and encourages them to purchase by showing the product in use. 

This approach is efficient for online services or software that may need help to explain through text alone. By providing a visual demonstration, businesses can give their audience a better understanding of how the product works and what to expect.

6. Amazon Go: Highlighting Novelty to Educate and Build Trust

Amazon’s explainer video for its new shopping service, Amazon Go, highlights its revolutionary nature and explains how it works step-by-step. This approach helps familiarize potential customers with the new technology and builds trust by showing its ease. 

By presenting the service's benefits and features, the video positions Amazon as a market leader and encourages viewers to embrace the new technology. This strategy is particularly effective for businesses looking to introduce innovative or unfamiliar products.

7. Panorama9: Using Visuals to Captivate and Communicate

Panorama9’s explainer video uses quirky visuals and a fun metaphor to engage viewers and explain its IT management service. By emulating the look of retro games, the video captures the audience’s attention and keeps them entertained while delivering key information. 

This approach is efficient for businesses looking to communicate complex ideas or concepts in a way that’s easy to understand. Using visuals to complement the message, the video ensures the audience can quickly grasp the product’s benefits and features.

Start a 3-day Free Trial to Take Your Content to the Next Level with Our Product Demo Video Service

Explainer videos are short, engaging content that break down complex ideas or products in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Picture a guide that turns the complicated into the clear, and you’ve got an explainer video. 

These videos often use animation, voiceovers, or live-action to convey their message, making them versatile storytelling tools. They can transform dry, technical information into something lively and engaging. Whether on websites, social media, or during presentations, these videos grab attention and keep viewers interested.

Simplifying Explainer Video Creation with Moonb

Moonb is a video marketing agency that specializes in explainer videos. It helps businesses communicate complex ideas simply and effectively by offering an unlimited video editing subscription service and seamless project management integration via Trello, Slack, and MS Teams. 

Weekly strategy calls ensure that projects stay on track and meet clients’ goals. Unlike traditional video agencies, freelancers, or in-house teams, Moonb offers a flexible, subscription-based model with no contracts. This makes it easy for clients to get the necessary videos without committing to long-term agreements. 

Moonb’s expertise in creating compelling video content means clients get high-quality videos that drive results. Start a 3-day free trial to see how Moonb can elevate your marketing and educational initiatives with their explainer video service.

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