A Guide on How To Create Explainer Video

“According to a survey conducted by Biteable, a staggering 74% of marketers affirm that video content offers a superior ROI compared to static imagery.”

Are you considering the creation of an explainer video for your business? Explainer videos prove to be exceptional tools for enhancing your return on investment (ROI).

If you find yourself navigating the realm of explainer videos for the first time, fear not. This article is your comprehensive guide through the step-by-step process of how to create an explainer video.

How To Create an Explainer Video in 5 Steps

1. Narrative Script

Our journey begins with script writing, specifically the narrative script intended to be voiced by an actor if required. This differs from mere scene suggestions or ideas. While crafting the script, you can envision how each scene will unfold. Typically, for projects like this case study, we enlist the expertise of our professional copywriter partner.

For this particular project, our goal was a concise 60-second duration with a relaxed, conversational tone to avoid sounding overly ‘salesy.’ The script-writing and editing phase typically spans 2-3 days.

2. Visual Style

Once the script lays the foundation, we move on to another critical aspect—the visual style. Before diving into the full storyboard, we create a mock-up, a sample scene from the script showcasing how the visuals will appear in the video. This preliminary step ensures satisfaction with the visual direction before proceeding further.

For a glimpse of animation styles we’ve employed in previous projects (character animation, motion graphics, whiteboard, typography/infographics, screencast, live footage editing, etc.), you can explore our explainer video portfolio. After experimenting with different approaches, we settled on a specific style during this 1-2 day phase.

3. Storyboard

With the foundational elements in place, we advance to creating the complete storyboard. If the term is unfamiliar, a storyboard is a graphic organizer displaying illustrations or images in sequence, facilitating the pre-visualization of a motion picture, animation, motion graphic, or interactive media sequence.

At this stage, our focus is ensuring the script translates appropriately through visual representation. This crucial step takes approximately 4-6 days, contingent on script length.

4. Voice Over

Simultaneously with the storyboard process, we collaborate with our voice actor partner to record the voiceover. Before selecting the voice actor, we present a variety of examples to our client, allowing them to choose the preferred tone and reading style.

For this specific project, an upbeat, relaxed reading style was the goal. It’s imperative to confirm no script changes will occur in the future before commencing recording. This phase spans 2-3 days, depending on voice actor availability.

5. Animation

The final and pivotal step is animation—bringing the illustrations to life. Animating the storyboard is the most intricate and time-consuming part of the process. Upon closer inspection, numerous elements come to life—objects, texts, character movement, background, and transitions, to name a few.

Beyond the surface, we synchronize the illustrations’ animation with the voiceover’s speed and timing. In certain instances, adjustments to the voiceover may be necessary, such as pausing the audio manually to allow more time for the animation to complete.

Additionally, sound effects are incorporated to complement the on-screen actions, including popping sounds, clicks, typing, and more. Background music, aligned with the video’s tone, is added to emphasize the mood. The animation and sound editing phase spans 6-8 days, contingent on video length.

Hiring Professionals vs. DIY

In the realm of animated explainer video production cost, businesses face a crucial decision between hiring professionals and adopting a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. Hiring professionals from animation agencies offers distinct advantages, including expertise, efficiency, comprehensive services, and the ability to customize animations to align with a brand’s identity. However, this comes at a cost, both financially and in terms of potential communication challenges and reduced creative control.

On the other hand, the DIY route presents cost savings, greater creative control, and flexibility in timelines. Yet, it comes with its own set of challenges, such as a steep learning curve, time-consuming processes, and concerns about maintaining quality without professional expertise.

Ultimately, the chosen approach—whether hiring professionals or opting for a DIY strategy—should be driven by a careful consideration of budget considerations while ensuring the selected method aligns with the creative vision and overall goals of the business.

“The objective remains the creation of compelling, effective animated explainer videos that resonate with the target audience, regardless of the chosen production path.”

Conclusion

Crafting an explainer video is a meticulous process, involving crucial steps such as script writing, determining visual style, storyboarding, voiceover recording, and animation. Each stage demands careful consideration and attention to detail to ensure the final product effectively conveys the intended message. While the entire process may span several weeks, the impact on a business’s marketing efforts can be substantial, given the proven superior ROI of video content compared to static imagery.

If you are considering creating an animated explainer video for your business, our team is here to work with you. We’ve helped countless businesses just like yours in creating handmade explainer videos that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. So, let’s chat and see how we can help take your business to the next level!