A common trend today in online video is the use of Explainer Videos, also known as Infographic videos. These types of videos are often seen on the landing pages of websites that are selling online services. Many Software as a Service (SaaS) companies use an Explainer Video to explain how their service works and the benefits of their software.
These kinds of videos utilize creative motion graphics with 2D, and sometimes 3D elements, along with music and voice over.
Using These Videos
These short, animated videos are often used online and sometimes in trade shows. It’s common practice to utilize Explainer Video on landing pages so that it’s the first thing a visitor sees when they come to your site.
The Benefits of Explainer Videos
Explainer videos can be very powerful when done correctly. In just a couple minutes, you can effectively communicate your product or service in a simple, easy-to-follow way.
The personality is in the production, not in the person on the screen. That keeps the focus of the video about your business. It’s direct and it’s simple. This simplicity leads to more conversions and longer time on your website.
Since Explainer videos do not require any on-screen talent or expensive production days, they tend to cost less than typical on-camera productions.
How to Produce Explainer Videos
Explainer videos are produced using these steps:
Write the script
Record a voice over
Score the music
Design graphics and storyboard
Animate
Sound design and mix
The first step is writing the script. It is important that you effectively capture your story and value proposition in a short, compelling story. The entire production hinges on the script.
Once the script is written, approved and locked, then a voice over talent is audition and selected. Once the voice over is recorded, then you can move to the music. Sometimes, a custom score is used and other times, you can pull music from a library of options.
Another key step is the creation of the graphics. This will determine the look and feel of your explainer video. Sometimes, storyboards are created to communicate the visual style of your explainer video.
Finally, all the pieces come together as you move into the animation. This is where it all comes together. The voice, the music and the visual elements are brought to life in the animation.
Another important element is sound design. This step can make the moving elements of your story come to life. Sound design is an effective way to tie all the elements of your animated story together.
Samples
Here are some samples of Explainer Videos: