How to create explainer videos is a question many businesses and beginners ask when trying to communicate their message effectively. In this complete guide for beginners, we’ll show you step by step how to plan, script, and produce engaging explainer videos that capture attention, simplify complex ideas, and drive results. Moreover, whether you’re launching a new product, introducing a service, or teaching a concept, this guide will help you create videos that resonate with your audience.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create a compelling explainer video that captivates your audience and drives measurable outcomes.
1. Define Your Purpose and Audience
Before you start creating an explainer video, it’s essential to define its purpose. For example, are you explaining how a product works, educating your audience about a topic, or promoting a service? Furthermore, once you have a clear goal, you should analyze your target audience. In addition, understanding their needs, pain points, and preferences ensures your video speaks directly to them. Therefore, this step sets the foundation for a relevant and impactful video.
Key Questions to Ask:
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What problem is your video solving for the audience?
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What tone and style will resonate with your viewers (fun, professional, educational)?
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What action do you want your audience to take after watching?
By answering these questions, you can align your video strategy with audience expectations.
2. Craft a Clear and Concise Script
The backbone of any successful explainer video is a well-crafted script. In other words, the script determines how clearly and effectively your message is delivered. Moreover, a great script focuses on clarity, brevity, and a logical flow. Since explainer videos are typically short (1–2 minutes), every word counts. Consequently, start with a strong introduction that grabs attention, explain the problem, introduce your solution, and end with a clear call-to-action (CTA).
Basic Script Structure:
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Introduction: Grab attention by addressing the viewer’s problem or pain point.
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Problem: Briefly describe the issue, showing empathy and understanding.
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Solution: Present your product, service, or idea as the solution.
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How It Works: Provide a simple explanation or demo (use visuals for support).
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Call-to-Action: Encourage viewers to take action, such as visiting your website or signing up.
Pro Tips for Writing Scripts:
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Keep sentences short and easy to understand.
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Use a conversational tone, speaking directly to the viewer.
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Focus on benefits, not just features—in other words, show how your solution improves their life.
3. Storyboarding: Visualizing Your Script
A storyboard helps you visualize how each scene will unfold in your explainer video. In addition, it ensures your visuals align with the script and helps plan the video’s flow. For example, a storyboard can indicate key scenes, camera angles, and visual effects. Furthermore, you don’t need to be a professional artist—a simple sketch works perfectly How to create explainer videos.
How to Create a Storyboard:
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Break your script into key scenes or moments.
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Sketch out each scene, highlighting the main visual elements.
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Add notes about camera angles, movements, or transitions.
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Include text overlays, animations, or visual cues that enhance the story.
Tools for Storyboarding:
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Traditional pen and paper.
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Digital tools like Canva, Storyboard That, or PowerPoint.
4. Choose a Style and Visuals
Explainer videos come in various styles, and the one you choose should align with your brand and message. For example, animation is popular because it allows you to explain abstract ideas visually. In contrast, live-action videos involve real people and locations, making them ideal for building trust. Additionally, whiteboard animations and kinetic typography are excellent for educational or fast-paced content.
Popular Explainer Video Styles:
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2D Animation: Simple, clean, and effective for storytelling.
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3D Animation: Adds depth and realism, great for product demos.
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Live-Action: Involves real people and locations, ideal for building trust.
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Whiteboard Animation: Features hand-drawn illustrations, perfect for tutorials.
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Kinetic Typography: Uses dynamic text movements to emphasize key points.
Once you’ve chosen your style, gather or create visuals. If using animation, this may involve working with a graphic designer or animation software. Meanwhile, live-action videos require a camera, actors, and a suitable location How to create explainer videos.
5. Focus on High-Quality Audio
While visuals are important, high-quality audio is equally crucial. For instance, poor sound quality or unclear voiceovers can undermine your message. Moreover, the narration should be clear and the tone should match your message—whether casual, authoritative, or enthusiastic. Additionally, background music or sound effects can enhance the emotional impact of your video.
Audio Tips:
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Use a professional microphone for crisp voiceovers.
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Record in a quiet environment to avoid background noise.
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Choose music that complements the video without distracting.
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Sync sound effects with actions for added engagement.
6. Keep It Short and Sweet
Explainer videos are designed to simplify complex ideas quickly. Ideally, aim for 60–90 seconds. Consequently, this forces you to get straight to the point and keeps viewers engaged. In addition, shorter videos are more likely to be watched fully, making your message memorable and impactful.
Why Shorter Is Better:
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Respects the audience’s time.
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Increases the likelihood viewers watch the entire video.
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Delivers a concise, memorable message.
7. Use Engaging Animation and Transitions
If using animation, make sure to include engaging transitions and movements. For example, smooth scene transitions, animated text, and subtle effects can make your video dynamic. However, avoid overloading with flashy visuals, as this can distract from the message. Moreover, highlight key points using simple animations, like text popping up or icons moving into place.
8. Add Subtitles or Closed Captions
Many viewers watch videos without sound, especially on social media. Therefore, add subtitles or closed captions to ensure your message reaches everyone. In addition, captions improve accessibility for hard-of-hearing viewers and non-native speakers. Consequently, you expand your audience and boost engagement.
9. Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Every explainer video should end with a clear and compelling CTA. For example, encourage viewers to visit your website, sign up for a newsletter, or make a purchase. Moreover, the CTA should align with your video’s purpose and be easy to follow. As a result, viewers are more likely to take the next step after watching How to create explainer videos.
Effective CTA Examples:
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“Sign up now for a free trial!”
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“Learn more on our website.”
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“Get started today and improve your workflow.”
10. Optimize for Different Platforms
After creating your explainer video, share it across multiple platforms, including websites, social media, and email campaigns. For instance, Instagram prefers square videos, while YouTube works best in widescreen. In addition, optimize captions, thumbnails, and mobile responsiveness. Consequently, your video will reach more viewers effectively.
Platform Optimization Tips:
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Add captions or subtitles for social media.
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Create custom thumbnails to attract clicks.
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Ensure mobile responsiveness for better viewing on smartphones.
11. Test and Analyze Performance
Once your video is live, monitor its performance using analytics tools. For example, track views, engagement, click-through rates, and conversions. Furthermore, analyze this data to understand how well your video resonates with viewers. Consequently, you can make improvements for future videos and maximize ROI How to create explainer videos.
Metrics to Track:
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View Count: How many people watched your video?
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Engagement Rate: Are viewers watching the full video?
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Conversions: Did viewers take action after watching?
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Comments/Feedback: Are viewers engaging with your content?
FAQ – Explainer Videos
Q1: Why should I use an explainer video for my business?
A: Explainer videos help convey complex ideas quickly and clearly. Moreover, they engage viewers visually and emotionally, which can increase retention and conversions. In addition, they build trust by presenting your brand professionally.
Q2: How long should an explainer video be?
A: Ideally, 60–90 seconds. Since viewers often have short attention spans, keeping your video concise ensures your message is absorbed fully. Consequently, shorter videos are more likely to be watched in their entirety.
Q3: Which style of explainer video is best?
A: It depends on your goal and audience. For example, animation is great for abstract ideas, while live-action builds trust and relatability. Furthermore, whiteboard or kinetic typography works well for tutorials and step-by-step content.
Q4: Do I need professional audio for my video?
A: Yes, high-quality audio is crucial. Poor sound can distract viewers, while clear narration, background music, and sound effects enhance engagement. Therefore, investing in good audio ensures your video is more effective.
Q5: How can I measure the success of my explainer video?
A: Track metrics such as views, watch time, engagement, and conversions. Additionally, analyzing audience feedback and drop-off points helps you optimize future videos. As a result, you can create content that consistently performs well.
Final Thoughts
Creating an engaging explainer video requires a clear script, appealing visuals, smooth narration, and concise messaging. Moreover, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can craft a video that simplifies complex ideas, resonates with your audience, and drives action. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, explainer videos are a versatile tool to communicate your message effectively and leave a lasting impression.
Now that you have a roadmap, it’s time to start creating your own explainer video and captivate your audience!
