Explainer videos are the superheroes of content marketing. They’re fun and engaging and pack a punch when it comes to explaining even the most complex ideas. If you’re launching a product, educating customers about your services and their benefits, or boosting your brand, animated explainer video is the way to go.
But there are times when you have no idea what kind of explainer video you should create. Don’t worry; this blog is going to vanquish all your confusion with ten creative ideas to inspire your next explainer video project, along with some extra tips. So, let’s get into it!
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The “Day in the Life” Video
Ever wonder how your product or service can fit into someone’s daily routine? This type of video shows exactly that! It’s relatable and memorable, and it helps customers visualize the value of what you have to offer.
Here are a few examples:
- Fitness apps could show how their platform users stay on track throughout the day.
- Home automation companies might highlight how their smart devices make mornings stress-free.
With animated explainer videos, you can create lively characters and scenes that make your video more engaging and fun to watch.
Pro Tip: Keep the storyline simple and focus on relatable moments your audience will constantly connect with.
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The “Problem-Solution” Explainer
The “problem-solution” format is a tried-and-true favorite because it works for any industry. Why is that? Because it speaks directly to your audience’s pain points and offers your product or service as the solution they’ve been looking for.
This is how you make it work:
- Start with a common frustration your audience faces.
- Present your solution as the story’s main savior.
- Wrap it up with a call-to-action that encourages viewers to take the next step.
Need a few examples?
- A meal prep service could show the stress of grocery shopping and how their ready-to-go meals save time.
- A software company might highlight the chaos of manual processes before showcasing its streamlined platform.
In these cases, animated explainer videos are perfect. Explainer video makers use visuals to focus on the “pain” and then highlight the “gain” with clear, stimulating graphics.
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The “How It Works” Breakdown
Does your product have multiple features? Are you introducing something completely new? No one in the marketplace has come up with the idea, and you have to give a thorough explaining? A “how it works” video is your best friend.
This format breaks down complex processes into simple, easy-to-follow steps. This approach makes it ideal for industries like tech, manufacturing, or finance.
Here are a few examples:
- Tech companies can explain how to set up and use a new app.
- Retailers could show how to assemble furniture or use DIY craft kits.
Animated explainer videos make the process even smoother, especially when you need to visualize complex and technical concepts.
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The Origin Story
Every brand has a story; why not share yours? People love hearing about the “why” behind the company. This type of explainer video can build trust and establish an emotional bond with your viewers.
For example:
- A small business could share how it started in a garage and grew into a successful company.
- A non-profit can highlight the life-changing moment that sparked their mission.
Professional explainer videos with thoughtful animation can make your story even more influential by using rich visuals to highlight milestones and show off their personalities.
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The Testimonial Video with a Twist
Customer testimonials are more powerful than you think, but they don’t have to be boring. You can spice things up to keep the audience engaged by animating them!
- Create short animated videos instead of filming the customer and turn their story into something interesting.
- Use characters, icons, or motion graphics to show their journey to success and how your products or services have helped them.
This method works well for service providers like consultants, healthcare professionals, or even online educators. It’s a creative way to engage with your viewers while sharing social proof.
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The FAQ Video
Let’s be honest, no one enjoys reading through long and boring FAQ pages. Find the answers in the FAQ explainer videos!
Create a video that answers your common customer questions in a way that’s easy to understand and fun to watch for your audience.
Here are some examples:
- A tech company could explain how to set up their device.
- A beauty brand might show the best way to use skincare products.
Short animated videos work wonders here. You can pair each question with an engaging graphic to hold the audience’s attention.
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The “Myth-Busting” Video
Every industry has misconceptions. If you want to clear any misconception, why not do it with an easy animated explainer video? This not only educates your audience but also holds you in a position of an expert in your field.
For example:
- A nutrition brand could disprove common dieting myths.
- A legal firm might clarify misconceptions about contracts or legal rights.
Animated explainer videos make it easier to present information in a way that’s approachable, understandable, and visually pleasing to watch.
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The Industry Trends Overview
If your business is in B2B, marketing, or consulting, this is a great option. Create professional explainer videos that highlight major trends and awareness in your industry.
Use this layout to set a structure:
- Share predictions for the future.
- Highlight statistics or case studies.
- Show why your company is leading the way to innovation.
Professional explainer videos with clean visuals and short narration make you look like a thought leader, building trust with potential clients.
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The Interactive Explainer
Want your business to stand out? Make your explainer video interactive! Include clickable elements or hotspots that let viewers explore features or fall into specific details.
The format works particularly well for:
- Tech companies that want to display app functionalities.
- Educational platforms that offer engaging tutorials.
While interactive videos might require advanced tools, the payoff is worth it. They create a memorable experience that keeps your audience engaged.
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The Product Comparison
Being in a competitive market can weaken your ways to reach a wider audience. Hence, a comparison explainer video is a smart move. Show how your product or service stacks up against the competition.
Here are a few examples:
- A smartphone brand could compare camera quality, battery life, and unique features.
- A streaming service might show off its exclusive content library.
Animated explainer videos can visually highlight the comparison and the difference in a clear, convincing way to help your product shine in the competitive room.
Why Do Explainer Video Work So Well
Explainer videos aren’t just trendy; they have proven their way out by giving 90% ROI, according to marketers. Connecting with the audiences, boosting engagement, and driving results. But what makes them so effective? Here’s why:
They Simplify Complexity
Explainer videos take complex ideas and break them into bite-sized, digestible pieces. Be it a technical product or an abstract service, an animated explainer video can turn anything “confusing” into “crystal clear.”
Here’s a fact: A crypto currency platform uses simple animation to explain blockchain technology in a non-technological way. The same way, a healthcare provider shows how their progressive treatment works without overwhelming viewers with complexity.
They Grab Attention Quickly
We live in a modern digital, content-saturated world. Short animated videos with bright visuals and active storytelling grab attention immediately, perfect for social media platforms, websites, or even email campaigns.
Did you know?
Most viewers decide if they should watch a video within the first 10 seconds. This is why starting with a hook, like an interesting question or a relatable scenario, is so important.
They Build Emotional Connections
Emotions influence people’s decisions, not just facts. When you initiate your storytelling by focusing on relatable situations, the explainer videos can evoke emotions like excitement, trust, or even nostalgia.
You can get the idea as your inspiration for an animated explainer video from a non-profit organization. They use animated explainer video to show the real-word impact of donations, striking a chord with the audience. A travel company can also be a great example of this because of their showcasing chasing dream destinations through entertaining animations.
How to Choose the Right Style for Your Explainer Video
Every explainer video is unique; they have their own style, tone, storytelling concepts, brand, audience and goals.
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Animated Explainer Videos
They can be used to grab the audience’s attention, especially making them understand a specific service or product with complex ideas. But when to use them? There are many tech entrepreneurs and businesses that need to explain their app features in a simple way. With explainer videos, you can guide your audience easily and specifically.
If there is a product or any service that isn’t as simple as it seems to use or doesn’t have physical elements like SaaS tools, this can be explained thoroughly through an animated explainer video.
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Live-Action Videos
Sometimes, a human face is the best way to connect with other fellow humans. Live-action explainer videos create a personal connection and work well when your product is tangible.
But when can you use them? If your products are like skincare, makeup, gadgets, etc., you can easily explain how to make the best use of them with a clear explanation and word of mouth. Also, if you want to highlight your team or promote your company culture, these live-action videos can show your business environment, collaboration and bond clearly.
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Whiteboard Videos
These videos mimic someone drawing or writing on a whiteboard and are great for educational content with step-by-step guides.
What you can do with these whiteboard animation videos is talk about the benefits of your products or services and start with storytelling that is also based on real-life facts. So your audience knows the difference between the perks of using the products and the cons of not consuming any of them.
All you need to do is explain a detailed process, like financial planning or medical procedures. This is the exact way your audience prefers content: a clear and minimalist aesthetic.
Where to Use Explainer Videos
Explainer videos aren’t just for your website’s homepage. Here’s where explainer video experts suggest putting them to work:
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On Social Media
Social media users love video content, and it gets the most engagement compared to images. This is why professional explainer videos are perfect for grabbing the attention of the crowded feed.
Explainer video experts believe if you keep your explainer videos short for social platforms, it will make visuals pop and drive immense results.
Need a tip? Add captions so your video is engaging even without sound because most social media users scroll with their audio off!
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On Your Website
Your homepage is prime real estate for an explainer video. This is where audiences from any social platform or even with a search will find your business website and engage with your content. So, place it in the center to greet visitors, giving them a brief synopsis of your brand or offering.
You can add videos to other places like product pages to highlight features, FAQ sections to address common questions, or blog posts to break up text and keep readers engaged.
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In Email Campaigns
Including a video in your email campaigns can increase click-through rates dramatically. Using a thumbnail image linked to your explainer video to spark curiosity.
For example, a real estate agent could send an email with a video walkthrough of a new property listing.
Ready to Create Your Explainer Video?
Explainer videos are great and one of the most effective tools for marketing. Be it an entrepreneur, startup, or large company, this creative strategy can be anyone’s piece of cake.
You can make short animated videos for social media or professional explainer videos for your website. Just remember to keep them simple, interesting, and aimed at your audience. So, what are you waiting for? Pitch your creative ideas to Video Jeeves, pick a style that matches your brand, and tell your story with a great explainer video!
