Learn how to create impactful explainer videos with our detailed guide and 13 real-world examples that drive engagement and conversions.

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, capturing and maintaining your audience’s attention is more challenging than ever. Creating engaging explainer videos is a powerful strategy to convey your message succinctly and effectively. Whether you’re a marketer, educator, or content creator, explainer videos can significantly enhance your communication efforts, driving higher engagement and conversions.

What is an Explainer Video?

An explainer video is a short, compelling video—typically two to three minutes long—that succinctly explains a product, service, or idea. Think of it as a video elevator pitch that highlights your offering’s key benefits and value propositions. Unlike tutorials or how-to guides, explainer videos focus on high-level concepts, making complex information easily digestible for your audience.

Why Are Explainer Videos So Beneficial?

Explainer videos offer numerous advantages across various aspects of your business:

Drive Engagement: Videos are processed by the brain 600 times faster than text, making them highly effective in capturing attention. According to research, 68% of marketers cite video as having the best ROI of all content types.
Save Time: With the average attention span of internet users under nine seconds, explainer videos deliver your message quickly, enticing viewers to explore further.
Be Memorable: High-quality videos are more memorable than text. Visuals help retain information better, ensuring your message stays with your audience.
Improve Branding: Professionally designed explainer videos can differentiate your brand, showcasing your culture, tone, and personality effectively.

How to Create Effective Explainer Videos

Creating an engaging and effective explainer video involves several key steps:

1. Clarify the Goal for Your Video

Begin by defining the purpose of your explainer video. Ask yourself:

Why are you creating this video?
Who is your target audience?
What action do you want viewers to take after watching?
How does it align with your broader marketing and branding goals?

2. Choose an Explainer Video Type

Select the type that best suits your goals and resources. Common types include:

Live Action: Show real people using your product or service.
Animated: Utilize 2D or 3D animations to illustrate concepts.
Whiteboard: Feature hand-drawn animations for storytelling.
Kinetic Typography: Focus on animated text to convey messages.
Screencast: Demonstrate product features through screen recordings.

3. Create a Storyboard

Develop a high-level outline of your video’s flow, including scenes, characters, and key messages. A storyboard helps visualize the narrative and ensures a coherent structure.

4. Finalize the Characters

Decide whether to use real people, animated characters, or voiceovers. Characters should resonate with your audience and align with your brand’s personality.

5. Write the Script

Craft a concise and engaging script that clearly communicates your message. Focus on benefits rather than features, and ensure the language is relatable and easy to understand.

6. Produce Your Video

Using the chosen video type, begin production. Tools like Hera can streamline this process with AI-driven motion graphics, enabling high-quality output in less time.

7. Edit for Higher Engagement

Refine your video by trimming unnecessary parts, syncing audio, and adding elements like background music and call-to-action (CTA) prompts. High-quality editing enhances the overall professionalism and effectiveness of your video.

13 Inspiring Explainer Video Examples

Here are 13 exemplary explainer videos that showcase different styles and approaches:

1. Asana

Asana’s live-action video demonstrates how their project management tool simplifies workflows, highlighting real-life applications without being overly promotional.

2. ClickUp

Using 2D animation, ClickUp explains its unique features and benefits, making complex functionalities easy to understand.

3. Mailchimp

Mailchimp’s 3D animated series offers insights into running a business, blending creativity with informative content without relying on voiceover narration.

4. ScheduleBase

A whiteboard animation by ScheduleBase effectively communicates how their scheduling tool benefits remote teams, making the process engaging and easy to follow.

5. Airbnb

Airbnb utilizes both live-action and animated videos to share host experiences and promote their creative hosting fund, emphasizing community and innovation.

6. Shopify

Shopify’s animated video on their homepage illustrates how their platform empowers entrepreneurs to launch and manage e-commerce businesses effortlessly.

7. GetResponse

GetResponse’s live-action video features the CMO discussing new initiatives, combining professional presentation with subtle animations for a polished look.

8. Dropbox

Dropbox’s minimalist explainer video uses smooth animations to showcase their file-sharing capabilities, focusing on simplicity and user benefits.

9. Tesla

Tesla’s live-action explainer videos highlight the features of their electric vehicles, using high-quality visuals to convey innovation and sustainability.

10. Slack

Slack employs animated explainer videos to demonstrate how their communication platform enhances team collaboration, emphasizing ease of use and efficiency.

11. Trello

Trello’s whiteboard animation effectively outlines their project management tool’s functionalities, making it easy for users to grasp its value quickly.

12. Spotify

Spotify’s kinetic typography videos showcase their music streaming service’s features, blending animated text with compelling visuals for a dynamic presentation.

13. Zendesk

Zendesk’s explainer video uses a combination of live-action and animation to explain their customer service solutions, highlighting real-world applications and benefits.

Maximize the impact of your explainer videos by sharing them across multiple platforms:

Website Homepage: Embed a compelling explainer video to engage visitors immediately and communicate your core offerings.
Product Feature Pages: Use dedicated videos to illustrate specific features, enhancing user understanding and adoption.
Brand Story/About Page: Share your brand’s story and values through engaging videos to build a deeper connection with your audience.
Social Media Platforms: Distribute short, focused explainer videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to reach a broader audience.
Presentations and Conferences: Incorporate explainer videos into your presentations to make your sessions more engaging and informative.
Marketing and Fundraising Campaigns: Utilize explainer videos to pitch your ideas effectively, increasing the chances of securing investments and donations.

Conclusion

Creating engaging explainer videos is a strategic approach to enhancing your communication efforts, offering clarity, engagement, and memorability that text alone cannot achieve. By following a structured process and drawing inspiration from successful examples, you can produce explainer videos that resonate with your audience and drive meaningful conversions.

Ready to revolutionize your video content creation? Discover how Hera can help you create stunning explainer videos effortlessly.