What is an explainer video? Why do you need it?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, effective communication is not just a valuable skill; it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a business trying to capture the attention of potential customers, an educator looking to convey complex ideas to students, or simply someone with a message to share, the way you communicate matters. This is where explainer videos come into play.

The Importance of Visual Communication

Why do explainer videos matter in today’s communication landscape? The answer lies in the way humans consume information. Studies have shown that people are naturally drawn to visuals. In fact, the human brain processes visual information much faster than text, and it retains visual content better over time.

Explainer videos tap into this innate preference for visuals, making them an ideal choice for capturing and retaining your audience’s attention. They combine the power of storytelling with the impact of images and sound to create a multi-sensory experience that resonates with viewers.

Moreover, in an era where information overload is a constant challenge, explainer videos offer a solution. They provide a concise and easily digestible format that can convey a message or teach a concept in a matter of minutes. In a world where time is precious and attention spans are short, explainer videos stand out as a communication tool that respects your audience’s time while delivering a memorable message.

As we delve deeper into the world of explainer videos, we’ll explore what makes them effective, how they benefit users, and the myriad of applications they have in today’s digital landscape. So, whether you’re a marketer seeking to boost conversion rates, an educator aiming to facilitate learning, or simply someone curious about the power of visual communication, join us on this journey to discover why explainer videos are a communication game-changer.

What Are Explainer Videos?

Explainer videos are a versatile and engaging medium that effectively conveys information and ideas to a wide range of audiences. To fully appreciate their power and potential, let’s explore the various facets of explainer videos.

Type of Explainer Videos

• Animated Explainers: Animated explainer videos use captivating visuals and animations to simplify complex concepts. They are highly flexible in terms of style, allowing for creativity in design and storytelling.
• Whiteboard Animations: Whiteboard animations mimic the process of drawing on a whiteboard, using time-lapse or stop-motion techniques. These videos are excellent for educational content and step-by-step explanations.
• Live-Action Explainers: Live-action explainer videos feature real people, settings, and objects to demonstrate products, services, or concepts in a relatable and authentic manner.
• Motion Graphics Explainers: Motion graphics combine animation, text, and graphics to create dynamic and visually appealing videos. They are often used in business presentations and marketing campaigns.
• 3D Explainers: Three-dimensional explainer videos add depth and realism to visual storytelling. They are ideal for showcasing products from various angles or explaining complex spatial concepts.

Key Characteristics

Regardless of the type, explainer videos share several key characteristics that set them apart as an effective communication tool:

• Clarity: Explainer videos are designed to be crystal clear in their messaging. They avoid jargon and unnecessary complexity, making it easy for viewers to grasp the main points.
• Engagement: These videos captivate audiences through storytelling, animation, or live-action sequences. They keep viewers interested and encourage them to watch until the end.
• Conciseness: Explainer videos are concise by nature, typically lasting between 60 seconds to a few minutes. This brevity ensures that the message is delivered succinctly.
• Visual Appeal: Visual elements are at the forefront of explainer videos. They use striking visuals, colors, and graphics to reinforce the message and make it memorable.
• Narration or Voiceover: Many explainer videos include narration or voiceovers that guide viewers through the content. This auditory element enhances understanding and engagement.
• Call to Action (CTA): Explainer videos often conclude with a clear CTA, directing viewers on what to do next, whether it’s making a purchase, subscribing, or learning more.

Explainer videos are not just limited to marketing; they are used in education, training, internal communication, and various other fields. Their adaptability makes them an invaluable asset in conveying information effectively and engagingly.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

In the realm of communication, storytelling has always held a special place. It’s the art of crafting narratives that captivate, engage, and leave a lasting impression. When combined with the visual medium of explainer videos, storytelling takes on a whole new dimension, making the content not just informative but also highly memorable.

Engaging Your Audience

One of the standout features of explainer videos is their ability to engage audiences effectively. They achieve this through compelling storytelling techniques:

• Narrative Structure: Many explainer videos follow a clear narrative structure, beginning with an introduction, introducing a problem or scenario, and then providing a solution or resolution. This structure keeps viewers invested in the unfolding story.
• Characters and Personification: Animated explainer videos often use characters or mascots to personify concepts or products. These characters provide relatability and can make abstract ideas more tangible.
• Emotional Appeal: Through visuals, music, and narration, explainer videos can evoke emotions in viewers. Whether it’s humor, empathy, excitement, or curiosity, these emotions help forge a deeper connection between the audience and the message.
• Conflict and Resolution: Many compelling stories involve a conflict or problem that needs solving. Explainer videos present the viewer with a relatable problem and then provide a solution, making the content more engaging and solution-oriented.
• Simplifying Complex Ideas:

Explainer videos excel at simplifying complex ideas or concepts. They take intricate subjects and distill them into digestible, easy-to-understand segments:

• Visual Metaphors: Visual metaphors are a powerful tool in explainer videos. They use symbols, icons, and imagery to represent abstract ideas, making them concrete and comprehensible.
• Step-by-Step Demonstrations: For instructional or how-to videos, explainer videos break down processes into sequential steps. This format is particularly effective for teaching and learning.
• Comparisons and Analogies: By drawing comparisons or analogies to familiar concepts, explainer videos bridge the gap between the unknown and the known, aiding understanding.
• Highlighting Key Points: Through visuals, explainer videos emphasize key points and takeaways, ensuring that viewers grasp the most important aspects of the message.
• The combination of storytelling and visuals in explainer videos is a potent recipe for communication success. It not only captures and maintains viewer attention but also enhances understanding and retention of the message.

Why Users Need Explainer Videos

Explainer videos have become an integral part of the digital landscape, and their popularity among both content creators and audiences is no accident. Users, whether they are consumers, learners, or employees, have specific needs that explainer videos fulfill effectively:

Enhancing User Experience

• Simplified Understanding: Users often encounter complex concepts or unfamiliar products online. Explainer videos simplify these by breaking them down into easily digestible pieces. This simplification enhances user comprehension, reducing the frustration of not understanding a topic.
• Quick Information Access: In a fast-paced world, users appreciate quick access to information. Explainer videos provide just that. Users can get the gist of a topic or product in a matter of minutes, saving them time and effort.
• Engagement and Retention: Static text can be monotonous, and it’s easy for users to lose interest. Explainer videos, with their engaging visuals and storytelling, captivate audiences. When users are engaged, they are more likely to remember and act upon the information presented.
• Mobile Optimization: With the rise in mobile device usage, content must be mobile-friendly. Explainer videos are inherently suited for mobile viewing, offering a seamless and engaging experience on smartphones and tablets.

Increasing Conversion Rates

Marketing and Sales: In the realm of e-commerce and digital marketing, explainer videos are a potent tool for boosting conversion rates. They can highlight product features, demonstrate benefits, and address common objections, all in a concise and persuasive manner.

• Call to Action (CTA): By incorporating a clear CTA at the end of an explainer video, users are guided toward the next step, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting customer support. This directs user actions effectively.
• Building Trust: Explainer videos can also help build trust with users. They provide an opportunity to introduce your brand, showcase expertise, and communicate a genuine commitment to solving user problems.
• Reducing Bounce Rates: Engaging content, like explainer videos, can reduce bounce rates on websites. When users find content that answers their questions or meets their needs quickly, they are more likely to explore further.
• Educational Impact: In educational and training contexts, explainer videos ensure that users not only understand the material but also retain it. This is especially vital in e-learning environments where the goal is to facilitate long-term knowledge acquisition.

In essence, explainer videos cater to the needs of users by delivering information in a format that is engaging, informative, and conducive to action. They enhance user experiences across various digital platforms and significantly contribute to achieving conversion goals.

Applications of Explainer Videos

Explainer videos have proven to be versatile communication tools with applications that span across different industries and sectors. They are not limited to a single use case; rather, their adaptability allows them to serve various purposes effectively:

In Marketing and Advertising

• Product Promotion: Explainer videos are a marketer’s best friend when it comes to introducing and promoting products or services. They can showcase the features and benefits in a visually appealing and memorable way, increasing consumer interest and driving sales.
• Brand Awareness: Building brand awareness is crucial for any business. Explainer videos can convey your brand’s story, values, and unique selling points, helping you establish a distinct identity in the market.
• Social Media Marketing: Short explainer videos are tailor-made for social media platforms. They grab users’ attention in crowded news feeds, making them an ideal choice for sharing bite-sized information, teasers, and advertisements.
• Email Marketing: Including explainer videos in email marketing campaigns can significantly boost engagement rates. Videos provide a more dynamic and visually engaging way to convey your message to subscribers.

In Education and Training

• E-Learning Modules: Educational institutions and businesses alike are turning to explainer videos to create engaging e-learning content. They can explain complex subjects, guide learners through processes, and reinforce key concepts effectively.
• Employee Training: Companies use explainer videos for onboarding new employees, explaining company policies and procedures, and providing ongoing training in areas such as safety, compliance, and product knowledge.

In Internal Communication

• Company Updates: Explainer videos are an engaging way to communicate company updates, such as changes in strategy, mission statements, or important announcements, to employees and stakeholders.
• Process Documentation: They simplify the explanation of internal processes, making it easier for employees to understand and adhere to organizational procedures.
• Knowledge Sharing: In large organizations, explainer videos can facilitate knowledge sharing by allowing experts to create informative videos on specific topics that can be accessed by others in the company.

In Healthcare and Medicine

• Patient Education: Healthcare providers use explainer videos to educate patients about medical conditions, treatment options, and post-treatment care. These videos empower patients to make informed decisions about their health.
• Pharmaceutical Marketing: The pharmaceutical industry employs explainer videos to simplify complex drug mechanisms, making them accessible to both healthcare professionals and patients.

In Nonprofits and Advocacy

Raising Awareness: Nonprofit organizations use explainer videos to raise awareness about social issues, diseases, or environmental concerns. These videos can be emotionally compelling and encourage viewers to take action or donate.

In Technology and Software:

• Software Demos: Tech companies frequently use explainer videos to showcase the features and functionalities of software or mobile applications. These videos guide users on how to use the product effectively.
• Technical Support: Explainer videos can serve as a valuable resource for troubleshooting common technical issues, reducing the need for customer support calls.

In Real Estate

Property Listings: Real estate agents use explainer videos to provide virtual property tours, showcasing homes to potential buyers in an engaging and immersive way.

In Tourism and Hospitality:

Destination Promotion: Tourism boards and hospitality businesses use explainer videos to highlight tourist destinations, accommodations, and travel experiences, enticing travelers to visit.

The versatility of explainer videos is evident in their wide-ranging applications. Whether you’re looking to market a product, educate an audience, streamline internal processes, or raise awareness for a cause, explainer videos offer an effective and engaging way to achieve your goals.

Explainer Videos vs. Other Content Formats

In the ever-evolving landscape of content creation, various formats compete for the attention of audiences. To understand the unique value of explainer videos, it’s essential to compare them with other popular content formats.

Compared with Textual Content

Strengths of Explainer Videos

• Visual Engagement: Explainer videos leverage visuals, animations, and sound to engage viewers. This visual appeal can captivate audiences more effectively than text alone.
• Simplified Communication: Complex ideas are often challenging to convey in text. Explainer videos simplify these ideas through visuals and narration, making them accessible to a broader audience.
• Time Efficiency: In a fast-paced world, viewers appreciate the brevity of explainer videos. They can grasp essential information in a matter of minutes, saving time compared to reading lengthy articles.

Weaknesses of Textual Content

• Limited Engagement: Textual content may struggle to capture and maintain the attention of readers, especially when dealing with complex or dry topics.
• Accessibility: Some audiences may have difficulty accessing or comprehending text-based content, particularly those with literacy issues or disabilities.
• Retention Challenges: Readers may struggle to retain information from text-based content, especially when it lacks visual aids or interactivity.

Comparing with Infographics and Images

Strengths of Explainer Videos

• Narrative Structure: Explainer videos offer a structured narrative that guides viewers through the content, ensuring they receive information in a logical sequence.
• Dynamic Storytelling: Unlike static images or infographics, explainer videos can tell dynamic stories, making them ideal for demonstrating processes or explaining complex sequences of events.
• Emotional Impact: The combination of visuals and sound in explainer videos can evoke emotions effectively, which may be challenging with static images.

Weaknesses of Infographics and Images:

• Limited Interactivity: While infographics can convey data effectively, they lack the interactivity and depth of explanation that explainer videos offer.
• Complex Concepts: Some concepts may require more than a static image or infographic to explain thoroughly. Explainer videos can provide a richer understanding.

Comparing with Podcasts and Audio Content

Strengths of Explainer Videos

• Visual Aid: For topics that benefit from visual explanations, explainer videos have a clear advantage over audio-only content.
• Engagement: The combination of visuals and narration in explainer videos can engage viewers on multiple levels, enhancing comprehension and retention.

Weaknesses of Podcasts and Audio Content:

• Lack of Visuals: Audio content relies solely on auditory input, which may not be suitable for conveying visual concepts or demonstrating physical processes.
• Accessibility: Some audiences may face barriers in accessing audio content due to hearing impairments or the need for a quiet environment.

In summary, explainer videos excel in engaging audiences with visual storytelling and simplifying complex concepts. However, the choice between explainer videos and other content formats should depend on the specific goals, target audience, and nature of the content. In some cases, a combination of different formats may be the most effective approach.

Tools and Resources for Creating Explainer Videos

Creating an explainer video is a creative endeavor that requires the right tools and resources to bring your vision to life. While there are various software options available for explainer video production, we’ll introduce you to a promising new addition to the field: “Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer.”

Introducing Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer:

Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer is an innovative and user-friendly explainer video making software that empowers creators to craft compelling and visually captivating videos. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• User-Friendly Interface: Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer boasts an intuitive interface that makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced video creators. You don’t need to be a video editing expert to use it effectively.
• Diverse Animation Styles: The software offers a wide range of animation styles, from 2D and 3D animations to whiteboard animations and more. This versatility allows you to choose the style that best suits your message and audience.
• Extensive Asset Library: Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer includes a comprehensive library of pre-designed characters, objects, backgrounds, and templates. These assets can save you time and effort in the creation process.
• Text-to-Speech Integration: With built-in text-to-speech functionality, the software enables you to add professional-quality voiceovers to your videos without the need for external recording or narration.
• Scriptwriting Assistance: The software provides scriptwriting tools and templates to help you craft a compelling narrative that aligns with your video’s visuals.
• Real-Time Preview: Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer allows you to preview your video in real-time as you work on it, making it easier to fine-tune your animation and pacing.
• Export Options: You can export your completed explainer videos in various formats, including popular video file types and web-optimized versions for easy online sharing.
• Affordability: Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer offers competitive pricing plans, making it an accessible choice for individuals, businesses, and educators.

Conclusion

In the realm of modern communication, where capturing and retaining audience attention is paramount, explainer videos have emerged as a game-changer. These concise, visually engaging, and informative videos simplify complex concepts, convey messages effectively, and leave a lasting impact on viewers. As we conclude our exploration of explainer videos, it’s clear that they offer a multitude of benefits and applications across various industries.

Explainer videos excel in the art of visual storytelling, bringing together the best of narratives and visuals to engage, educate, and inspire. They enhance user experiences by simplifying understanding, providing quick access to information, and boosting conversion rates in marketing and sales. Moreover, their adaptability ensures that they find a home in education, internal communication, healthcare, and many other fields.

The comparison with other content formats highlights their unique strengths, but it’s essential to choose the format that best suits your specific goals and audience. Explainer videos shine not only in what they convey but also in how they convey it, making them a valuable addition to your communication toolbox.

Explainer video creation can be a rewarding journey, whether you opt for in-house production or collaborate with professional services. The choice should align with your resources and objectives, ensuring that your message is effectively conveyed to your audience.

Looking forward, the world of explainer videos continues to evolve. Innovative tools like “Visual Paradigm Animated Explainer” offer accessible and user-friendly ways to create captivating videos, opening up new possibilities for businesses, educators, and content creators.

As you embark on your own explainer video projects, remember that the key to success lies in understanding your audience, crafting compelling narratives, and leveraging the power of visuals and storytelling. With the right approach and the creativity that explainer videos inspire, you can captivate your audience, simplify complex ideas, and make a lasting impact in the ever-evolving landscape of communication.

So, whether you’re introducing a new product, teaching a complex concept, or simply seeking to engage your audience, consider the potential of explainer videos. They have the power to convey your message with clarity, creativity, and impact, ensuring that your audience not only hears your story but truly understands and remembers it.

Start exploring the world of explainer videos today, and unlock the potential of visual storytelling in your communication endeavors.