What Is an Explainer Video?

At its core, an explainer video is a short, engaging video that explains a product, service, or concept in a simple, easy-to-understand, and often entertaining way.

History and Evolution of Explainer Videos

While the modern concept of explainer videos may seem like a recent phenomenon, its roots can be traced back to early forms of visual storytelling and educational media. Think all the way back to what you’ve learned about cave paintings or hieroglyphics: visual aids have always served as effective tools for storytelling and education, laying the groundwork for the modern explainer video.

Educational films became popular in the early 20th century, often employing a combination of live-action footage, animations, and illustrations to elucidate various subjects, from science and history to health and safety.

The advent of digital technology in the late 20th century ushered in yet another a new era of communication, enabling the creation of high-quality videos with ease. The proliferation of the internet and social media platforms further accelerated the demand for short, attention-grabbing content, paving the way for the widespread adoption of explainer videos as a marketing and communication tool.

Types of Explainer Videos:

Explainer videos encompass a variety of formats, each tailored to suit different communication needs and preferences. Read a few examples below, or visit here for a more comprehensive overview.

Each type of explainer video offers unique strengths and advantages, allowing businesses to choose the format that best aligns with their objectives, target audience, and brand identity. Whether it’s the creativity of animated videos, the authenticity of live-action, or the simplicity of whiteboard illustrations, the key is to leverage visual storytelling to effectively communicate your message and engage your audience.

Why Use Explainer Videos?

Whether you’re a startup trying to pitch your revolutionary product, a nonprofit aiming to spread awareness, or a business seeking to explain a complex service, understanding explainer videos is crucial in today’s communication toolkit.

Here’s a short list of reasons to consider incorporating explainer videos into your communication strategy:

Simplifying Complex Concepts: Explainer videos excel at breaking down complex ideas and concepts into digestible, easy-to-understand content.

Increasing Engagement: By delivering information in a format that is both entertaining and informative, explainer videos can hold the attention of your audience and keep them invested in your message.

Boosting Brand Awareness and Recognition: By incorporating elements such as brand colors, logos, and messaging into the video, you can reinforce your brand identity and increase awareness with an explainer video.

Increasing Retention and Recall: By presenting information in a format that appeals to both visual and auditory learners, explainer videos can increase the likelihood that viewers will remember and recall your message.

Driving Conversions and Sales: Ultimately, the goal of any marketing or communication effort is to drive action; use clear and compelling calls to action in your explainer videos to guide viewers through the conversion funnel and turn engagement into tangible results.

Adaptable Across Platforms and Channels: Whether you’re sharing them on your website, social media channels, email newsletters, or presentations, explainer videos can effectively communicate your message and engage your audience wherever they may be.

Communicating the depth and impact of nonprofit work is no easy feat – but the explainer video rises to the challenge.  After checking out this video we created with DKT to explain their mission, check out our blog article about explainer videos for nonprofits.

Now that you have an idea of what an explainer video is, let us give you our tips from thirteen award-winning years in the business.

This is a brief overview of the most important factors we consider when creating our professional explainer animations designed for impact. For more detail, continue to explore our blog or check out this article from expert Neil Patel.

Target Audience Analysis: Understanding your target audience is key to crafting an effective explainer video. By tailoring your message to resonate with their needs and preferences, you can ensure maximum impact and engagement.

Crafting the Message: A well-crafted script lies at the heart of every successful explainer video. By keeping it concise, engaging, and informative, you can effectively communicate your message and capture the attention of your audience from the outset.

We created this explainer animation to demonstrate how we create compelling narratives for our whiteboard videos.

Call to Action: Every explainer video should conclude with a compelling call to action, prompting viewers to take the next step. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, visiting your website, or making a purchase, a clear and concise call to action can drive conversions and maximize the impact of your video.