Why Your Marketing Needs Explainer Videos
Do you want to grab your audience’s attention, simplify complex ideas, and increase your conversions? Here’s a strategy you can’t afford to ignore—explainer videos. These short, powerful, and highly effective tools are taking the marketing world by storm, enabling businesses to communicate their value propositions in just a matter of seconds.
Explainer videos aren’t just a trend; they’re proven to boost engagement, inspire trust, and drive action. Whether you’re a marketing professional, a small business owner, or the head of a SaaS enterprise, leveraging these videos can elevate your strategy and skyrocket your success.
This blog dives deep into the what, why, and how of explainer videos—equipping you with everything you need to know to start reaping their benefits.
What Exactly Are Explainer Videos?
Explainer videos are concise, visually-driven pieces of content that explain what your company, product, or service does—often in under 2 minutes. They’re crafted to simplify complex ideas and present them in an engaging, easy-to-digest format.
How do these differ from other marketing videos? While tutorial videos might focus on “how-to” processes, and commercials aim to evoke emotions to sell a product, explainer videos have a singular goal—clarity. They break things down into bite-sized, relatable visuals and messages, making them perfect for enhancing user understanding and motivation.
The Marketing Magic of Explainer Videos
The Psychology Behind Their Impact
Why are explainer videos so effective? Humans process visual content 60,000 times faster than text, making video a far more digestible and memorable way of communicating complex information. Explainer videos combine the power of storytelling with motion graphics and voiceovers, engaging multiple senses to hold the viewer’s attention.
Backed by Numbers
Still hesitant? Consider these statistics:
- 86% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, with explainer videos being one of the most popular formats.
- Landing pages that feature explainer videos can increase conversions by up to 80%.
- 72% of customers would rather watch a video than read about a product or service if both are available.
Real-World Success Stories
Take Dropbox, for instance. The company’s simple yet visually engaging explainer video helped them grow their customer base from 0 to 100 million users. Or look at Dollar Shave Club, whose clever and humorous explainer video went viral, generating over 12,000 orders within 48 hours of its launch.
Clearly, the right explainer video can mean the difference between blending in and standing out.
What Makes a Great Explainer Video?
Key Components of an Engaging Explainer Video
- A Strong Script
A great video starts with an exceptional script. It should be concise, focus on solving the problem for your target audience, and end with a compelling call to action.
- Clear and Concise Messaging
Avoid industry jargon. Speak directly to your audience in a language they understand.
- High-Quality Visuals
Good design draws people in. Use professional animations or live-action footage to engage your viewers.
- Background Music and Voiceover
Music and narration set the tone and guide your audience through the video. Make sure both are on-brand.
- A Single, Focused Objective
Every explainer video should have one core takeaway to avoid overwhelming your audience.
Creating High-Quality Videos on a Budget
Don’t worry if you don’t have a massive budget for video production. Tools like Canva, Animoto, and Powtoon offer affordable solutions to create professional-grade videos.
For startups and small businesses, outsourcing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can connect you with freelance creators ready to bring your ideas to life without breaking the bank.
How to Create an Explainer Video in 6 Steps
- Define Your Audience
Understand your audience’s pain points, preferences, and needs to craft a message that resonates.
- Write a Compelling Script
Stick to the “problem, solution, benefits” framework, emphasizing why your product or service matters to your target audience.
- Storyboard Your Idea
Sketch a visual outline of your video to ensure it flows logically and aligns with your messaging.
- Choose Your Style
Will it be animated, live-action, or whiteboard-style? Pick the format most suited to your brand and message.
- Use the Right Tools
If DIY isn’t your thing, professional tools like Adobe After Effects or services like Wyzowl can help you bring your vision to life.
- Add a Strong Call to Action
Clearly tell viewers what to do next—sign up, share, or visit your website.
Where and How to Use Explainer Videos Effectively
Best Platforms for Explainer Videos
- Your Website: Place them on your homepage or landing pages to boost conversions.
- Social Media: Share compelling snippets that drive traffic to your site.
- Email Campaigns: Add videos to your email newsletters to engage recipients.
Real-World Implementation
Consider how Slack uses their explainer video to demonstrate the simplicity of their collaboration tool. By embedding the video on their homepage, they ensure every new visitor instantly understands what makes their platform unique.
Tracking and Analyzing Success
Key Metrics to Measure
- View Count
Tracks the popularity of your video.
- Engagement Rate
Measures how well your video holds the viewer’s attention.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Tracks how many viewers took the intended action after watching.
Continuous Improvement
Platforms like Google Analytics and Wistia offer in-depth reports that can help you refine and improve your video strategy based on real data.
Time to Elevate Your Marketing Strategy
Explainer videos are no longer a “nice-to-have” addition to your marketing strategy; they’re a must-have. Their ability to engage, educate, and convert makes them an invaluable asset for businesses in the digital age.
Whether you’re a SaaS company looking to define your competitive edge or a small business aiming to stand out, an explainer video can provide the captivating clarity you’ve been missing.
Not sure where to start? Sign up today and consult our experts to create the perfect explainer video that elevates your brand.
Don’t wait—turn your message into a masterpiece.