Explainer videos have become a cornerstone of modern video marketing strategies. They are short, informative, and visually appealing, making them an excellent tool for promoting products or services. Here, we’re looking at the art of creating engaging explainer videos and the key elements that make them effective.
What is an Explainer Video?
Explainer videos are short videos used to show or explain how something (such as a product) works in a way that is engaging and easy to understand. It is often much easier to explain or demonstrate a concept through a video than through text alone.
Benefits of Explainer Videos
Explainer videos offer a number of benefits for businesses. They can simplify complex concepts, increase brand awareness, boost conversion rates, and enhance user engagement. They are also highly shareable, making them a valuable asset in the age of social media marketing – sharing may only take a couple of clicks, but means your video can reach new networks you may never have been exposed to otherwise.
Key Elements of a Good Explainer Video
There are a few different elements that separate good explainer videos from bad ones. Here’s what to keep in mind when creating your explainer video.
Short and Sweet
To keep your audience engaged, ensure that your explainer video is concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary jargon and lengthy explanations – it’s supposed to be more accessible than text after all!
Grab Your Viewer’s Attention in the First 30 Seconds
The initial moments of your explainer video are crucial. Hook your viewers with an attention-grabbing intro that highlights the problem your product or service solves.
Choosing the Right Visual Style
The visual style of your video should match your brand’s aesthetics and the message you want to convey. Options include 2D animation, 3D animation, live-action, and more. Even with live action videos, visual elements like graphics and animations can make your content more engaging and help clarify complex ideas.
Establish a Direct Connection with the Audience
Speak directly to your target audience. Address their pain points and needs. This personal touch helps create a sense of connection and empathy.
Set the Right Tone
Choosing the right tone for your video is essential. It should align with your brand personality and resonate with your audience. Whether it’s informative, humorous, or emotional, consistency is key.
Don’t Neglect the Audio
Quality voiceovers can significantly enhance your explainer video, choose a speaker who has a clear and engaging voice. Your choice of music is important too – background music sets the mood for your video, so choose music that complements the tone and pace of your content.
Weave a Compelling Story
We are all naturally drawn towards narratives, so if you can make one out of your explainer videos – do it! Narratives create engagement and make information more memorable. Craft a story that takes your audience on a journey, from problem to solution.
Inject Humour Strategically
Humour can be a powerful tool, but it should be used judiciously. Ensure that your humour aligns with your brand image and doesn’t detract from your message.
The Ideal Length of an Explainer Video
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, an effective explainer video typically falls within the 60-90 seconds range. This duration is long enough to convey your message but short enough to retain your viewer’s attention.
Creating a Clear Call to Action
Every explainer video should conclude with a clear call to action (CTA). Prompt your viewers to take the desired next steps, whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting you. Be sure to provide all the necessary details and links to make it as simple as possible for your audience.
Sharing Your Explainer Video and Measuring Success
Share your video across different platforms, including your website, social media, and video-sharing sites like YouTube, and encourage your viewers to share it too.
To reach a wider audience, optimise your video for search engines. Use relevant keywords in your video title, description, and tags. This will make sure your video ends up in front of the right people.
Use analytics tools to track the performance of your explainer video. Monitor metrics like views, engagement, and conversion rates to gauge its effectiveness.
Creating engaging explainer videos is an art that can transform the way people use and understand your products or services. By following these tips, you can produce explainer videos that resonate with viewers and drive results. However, if you want a professional touch to be sure your explainer videos hit the mark, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to help.