Explainer video creation made simple
If you’re looking to learn more about explainer videos and how to easily and quickly create your own animated videos, then you’re in the right place. We’re walking you through everything you need to know about planning, making and using our explainer animated video maker.
Keep reading for our comprehensive guide to explainer videos, or skip ahead to answer your specific question:
What is an explainer video?
An animated explainer video is a short, concise video used to explain a product, service or concept. They’re commonly used as online marketing videos to illustrate how something works or what a business does. Educators use them too to break down a complex topic into easily digestible and informative chunks.
Explainer videos work brilliantly across different marketing channels, whether it be website or social media videos. According to research, users spend 88% more time on a website with video. Plus including animated explainer videos on your homepage can increase conversion rates by 20% or more. You can find more video marketing statistics here.
Benefits of explainer videos
Ever wondered why explainer videos are effective? Read through five benefits below:
Explain what your product does in seconds. Crucial in today’s world of short attention spans!
Improve your SEO. Video content ranks well on Google and is 50 times more likely to rank on the first page than plain text.
Increase conversion rates. Video can convert 20% more visitors into customers than text alone.
People love sharing videos. Your audience is 1200% more likely to share your video than text or images combined.
Guaranteed ROI. Explainer videos can be really cost effective and with these results it’s no wonder 88% of marketers are satisfied with the ROI of their video marketing.
Save time with our explainer video software
To start capitalizing on the benefits of explainer videos in less than 5 minutes, use our professional quality templates. With a whole library to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to explain your idea, product or service, we’ve got you covered.
The library of VideoScribe templates gives you access to a range of different explainer video templates, along with different GIF templates, social media templates and more. You just simply choose a template that suits you, and drag and drop new content, images, or text in to create your own animated explainer video! Start a 7-day VideoScribe free trial to access our full template library.
Animated explainer video examples
My Journey
This template is the perfect opportunity to show where your journey started, how it's progressed, where you are now, and everything you've learned along the way.
Whiteboard Explainer Collage
A collage is a great layout when you have the a lot of information. Use this template to lay out your message as one holistic image.
Your Story
Use this template to explain your business, product or service in an engaging and memorable video. Simply switch out the text and images to suit your organization.
How to make an explainer video in 4 easy steps
Whether you want to get started with a template or kick off with a blank canvas, VideoScribe makes it easy to create custom explainer videos in minutes. Plus, it’s a lot easier than you might think. No animation or video creation experience needed here. This is how to make an explainer video in four easy steps...
Step 1: Sign up for your free VideoScribe trial
With no credit card details needed, you can start experimenting with VideoScribe in a couple of clicks.
Step 2: Pick a video template or start with a blank canvas
If you’re prone to blank screen fear then browse our ready-made template library and click to open one that suits your topic.
Or for a completely custom animation, get started with a blank canvas ready to fill with your ideas. Our free video planning template can help you refine your ideas before you move onto step 3.
Step 3: Record or upload your voice-over
We always recommend adding your voice-over to your video before you start tweaking the animations. That way you can time everything perfectly to your audio, the first time around. Get our tips and advice on recording a professional quality voice-over here.
Step 4: Tell your story
If you’re working with one of our templates then it’s time to get customizing. Just click to edit text, images, colors and fonts. Or drag and drop elements to customize the layout.
For our blank canvas crew - head to our image library to pick graphics that explain your message, add text and select music to bring your story to life.
Then hit publish to share your creation with the world!
What makes a good explainer video?
Now unfortunately not all explainer videos are created equal… To ensure yours stands out from the crowd and truly is an awesome explainer video, here are some of our top tips.
Keep it short and sweet - around 40 seconds is the perfect length to capture attention and get your message across.
Focus on one main message - like anything, if you try to cram too much information into a short space of time it’s easy to get lost. So hone in on one key storyline or benefit your audience will resonate with.
Start with a bang - don’t save your juiciest information, killer graphics or wow-factor for the middle or end of your video as your audience might not get there. Hit them with intrigue and or excitement early on to draw viewers in and build from there.
Speak directly to your audience - using ‘you’ and ‘your' can help bridge the gap and ensure your viewers feel like the main character.
Cut the jargon - it might roll off your tongue but don’t presume your audience understands the lingo. Think - could a 7 year old understand this?
Get inspired by these explainer video success stories
How Barrister and VideoScriber, Christian Weaver explains complex laws in digestible 60 second animations.
How one VideoScriber turned scientific research into viral explainer animations attracting 4.5 million impressions.
How Exaltus founder, Carole Alalouf explains her business’ origin story with VideoScribe animations.
The most popular types of explainer videos
Animated explainer videos
Animated explainer videos explain a product, service or concept using moving graphics. Forget the expense and time of hiring actors and finding the perfect set location. Whether your video is set in space or Seattle, you can create the perfect animated video in no time using explainer video software, like VideoScribe.
If you’re strapped for time our Sparkol Studio team can create a custom animated explainer video for you instead.
Whiteboard explainer videos
Whiteboard videos are a specific type of animated video in which the images appear to be hand drawn and erased on a whiteboard (or chalkboard!). VideoScribe is the world’s first whiteboard explainer video software. It’s a hugely popular format due to how quick, easy and low cost it is to create a whiteboard video and keep it up to date.
Live action explainer videos
This type of video includes real people and real products, it’s more like a TV ad or short film. They work better for companies selling tangible products, for example clothes, or where it’s important to show the real world setting like a tourist destination.
Mixed media explainer videos
This is often the best of both worlds. It combines animation with live action footage or images. This way you often get to make use of existing film or photos you have while giving them new meaning and life with overlaid animations and text. Mixed media is particularly great for product explainers. You can add captions, diagrams and extra value to filmed scenes of the product in action.
Animated explainer video software
So you can see just how easy it is to create explainer videos with VideoScribe in minutes. But that’s just the start. VideoScribe as an explainer video maker has a whole host of easy-to-use features that make creating videos a breeze. Let’s take a look…
Library of over 5 million images and GIFs
From backdrops and scenery to medical equipment, school supplies and people and pets we have images covering every topic. Plus, with the option to upload your own images, photos and GIFs your creative potential really is limitless!
Diverse range of drawing hands, pens and erasers
For a truly custom explainer, pick a drawing hand and pen that’s right for your character, story or message. From paint brushes and markers, to pencils and crayons, there’s something for everyone.
Creative animation options at your fingertips
All VideoScribe images will automatically draw themselves when you hit play. But for extra sparkle, experiment with other animation options including move in, fade in, morph images from one to another and more. Hello professional animation techniques!
Canvas sizes for every occasion
Whether you’re creating explainer videos to share on your website or social media, VideoScribe has canvas sizes to suit your needs. Just click to switch between square, vertical and traditional 16:9 canvas options.
With desktop and browser options, VideoScribe flexes to suit you
If you prefer creating quick animations on the go, you’ll love the browser based version of VideoScribe. For more in-depth creations our downloadable desktop tool is perfect. With one subscription you’ll get access to both giving you ultimate flexibility!
Unlock limitless creativity with premium features
Plus, with a paid VideoScribe subscription, you’ll get access to all of the above and these killer tools to make explainer videos that dazzle:
Full access to thousands of premium images
Download your creations as HD MP4s, GIFs, PowerPoint presentations and more
The option to resell your video creations
Unlimited online support from our knowledgeable team
Most effective ways to use and share your explainer videos
On your website
These days most of us head to the internet when we’re looking to buy a product or service. So make sure your explainer video is front and center on your homepage to ensure visitors know how you can help them as quickly as possible. Get our tips on optimizing your video for websites here.
On social media
From LinkedIn and Facebook to Twitter and Instagram, explainer videos work so well on social media because they’re short and snappy. They attract attention, get your message across and leave viewers wanting to know more. Check out our top tips for sharing your animations on social media here.
In your classroom
Educators can benefit greatly from explainer videos. Since their main purpose is to help others understand a topic or idea, they’re excellent teaching resources. Use an explainer to introduce a new topic, summarize class content or as an assignment guide.
In presentations and elevator pitches
It’s easy to get a little flustered when presenting and forget key bits of information about your product or service. But an explainer video takes all that stress away. Simply hit play and then answer value-adding questions afterwards.
In advertising
Whether it’s boosted social media posts, YouTube advertising or even TV commercials, explainer videos are perfect for promotion. They’re generally the perfect shorter length, convey the main message your organization or business is trying to get across and show off your brand. Plus, there’s no editing, in this format your video is good to go as it is!
In emails
This is a great way to repurpose your explainer video. Since most email providers don’t allow you to embed video, an awesome way to still include movement is to download your video as a GIF. You can do this in just one click with VideoScribe! Then just add your GIF to the email and hit send.
