In 2022, worldwide 70% of marketers created explainer videos and 55% of video marketers created animated videos for their companies. Imagine a potential customer, let's call her Lisa, who is seeking insurance coverage but feels overwhelmed by the industry's jargon and intricate policies. Suddenly, she stumbles upon an animated explainer video that not only educates her about insurance services but also entertains her with colorful visuals and a compelling story. In just a few minutes, Lisa gained a clear understanding of how insurance can protect her and her loved ones in unexpected situations.
It was just an example of how companies can educate their customers with the help of explainer videos. But here, we will delve into the art of creating such impactful animated explainer videos tailored specifically for your company. We'll guide you through each step of the process, from defining your target audience and scriptwriting to choosing the right animation style and voiceover talent. And also we'll talk about how we can help you in this process.
Step-By-Step to Create an Animated Explainer Video
Creating an animated explainer video involves careful planning, creativity, and attention to detail. And apart from this, you need many talented animators, writers, professionals, or animation companies to bring your vision to life. Here we'll see the 5 steps to create an animated explainer video for your company:
Step 1: Define Your Objective and Audience
Before diving into the creative process, clearly define the purpose of your animated explainer video. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with the video and identify your target audience. Understanding your audience's preferences and pain points will help shape the tone, style, and content of your video. Here are some important questions to help you figure out what you want to do:
What's the main purpose of this video for you?
What's the primary message you want to convey through the video?
Are you aiming to explain a product, introduce your brand, or maybe showcase a service?
Who is your ideal audience, and what problems are they facing that your product or service can solve?
Do you have any specific preferences for the tone of the video? Should it be formal, casual, enthusiastic, or something else?
Are there any existing branding elements or design styles that you'd like to incorporate?
Do you have a preferred call-to-action you'd like to include at the end of the video?
By honestly answering these questions, you can start your journey of creating a video that not only looks fantastic but also resonates with the people you're trying to reach. To do this, you can hire a freelance animator or an animation company like, "Wow Animation" that can help you with the following steps.
Step 2: Choose the Right Animation Style
Once you identify your target audience & objective, now it's time to choose an animation style that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience. Whether it's 2D, 3D, motion graphics, or whiteboard animation, each style conveys a different tone and mood. Opt for a style that complements your message and enhances the overall impact of your video. The following guide can help you know more about these styles:
2D Animation
2D animation evokes nostalgia and simplicity, portraying a playful and lighthearted tone. This style is approachable and resonates well with audiences seeking relatable characters and emotional storytelling. It can effectively convey warmth and comfort, making it suitable for purposes like explaining concepts, telling stories, introducing brands, and conveying emotions.
3D Animation
With a focus on realism, depth, and intricate detail, 3D animation exudes professionalism and modernity. It creates a sense of awe and wonder due to its ability to depict complex scenes realistically. This style is perfect for showcasing products, architectural visualization, and conveying technical information in a sophisticated manner.
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics employ visual abstraction to simplify and convey efficiency. They have an informative and dynamic tone, often used for presenting data, statistics, and complex concepts engagingly. Motion graphics can create a professional mood while simplifying intricate information, making them ideal for infographics, data presentations, educational content, and explainer videos.
Whiteboard Animation
Whiteboard animation focuses on step-by-step processes and educational content. It conveys an instructive and systematic tone, making it suitable for tutorials, step-by-step guides, and educational purposes. This style creates an engaging atmosphere for learning and effectively breaks down complex ideas, enhancing understanding and retention.
Choosing the appropriate animation style depends on your brand's identity, message, and desired emotional response. Consider your target audience and the overall tone you wish to establish to ensure that the chosen animation style complements your video's purpose and maximizes its impact.
Step 3: Script Writing
Your script is like the blueprint for your video, setting the stage for everything that follows. Craft a clear script, engaging, and laser-focused on delivering your core message. Think of the script as your storytelling canvas. It's where your ideas come to life through words, creating a narrative that captivates your audience.
Step 4. Voiceover and Sound Design
Now that you've created a script for your video, go ahead for the next step which is voiceover. A professional voiceover can elevate the quality of your animated explainer video. Choose a voice actor whose tone and style match the video's personality. Additionally, incorporate appropriate background music and sound effects to create a more immersive and captivating experience for your viewers.
Step 5: Storyboarding
Imagine this step as a visual map that guides your video's journey, scene by scene. After your script is finalized and the voiceover is done, you'll have to translate those words into a sequence of visuals, helping you visualize how your video will unfold.
Storyboarding is like sketching out the scenes of a movie before it's filmed. Each frame represents a key moment in your video, allowing you to see the flow, transitions, and overall composition. This crucial step helps you spot any potential adjustments needed before the animation process kicks off.
Step 6: Animation and Visuals
With the groundwork laid, finally, it's time to bring your storyboard to life through animation. Whether you're working with an in-house team or outsourcing to an animation production house, ensure open communication to maintain the vision and quality of the final product. Pay attention to visual elements like colors, typography, and transitions to keep the audience engaged throughout the video.
Pro Tip: Collaborate with Explainer Video Production Company
For a seamless and professional animated explainer video, consider partnering with an explainer video production company. Look for a reputable company with a strong portfolio and positive client reviews. Share your script, storyboard, and vision with the production house to ensure they understand your requirements. Effective communication throughout the collaboration will lead to a smoother process and a high-quality result.
Not to mention, we "Wow Animations" stands out as a leading animation production company providing exceptional animated video services to our global clients. Our solution-oriented & attention-grabbing customized animated videos result in high ROI & conversion rates for our clients.
Why Are Explainer Videos Important?
A few of you may think why make an explainer video when you can just introduce your brand vocally or with texts? The answer is the effectiveness of these videos. In a world where customer-centricity and communication are crucial, explainer videos have emerged as a game-changer for companies across various industries. Let's see some specific reasons why explainer videos have become an indispensable asset for companies in any industry:
Simplified Concepts: Explainer videos simplify complex ideas into visuals and narratives for easy understanding, empowering viewers to make informed choices.
Trust and Transparency: Companies build trust through relatable, personalized explainer videos that humanize their brand and show genuine value for customer interests.
Product Understanding: Explainer videos showcase diverse product features, benefits, and examples, helping customers better grasp the value and leading to increased interest.
Empower Decision-Making: Tailored explainer videos act as informed advisors, addressing concerns and aiding well-suited choices for higher satisfaction and loyalty.
Amplify Marketing: Integrating explainer videos boosts online visibility, engagement, and reach across platforms, attracting new prospects and creating buzz.
Conclusion
In the end, crafting an engaging animated explainer video for your company involves a careful balance of creativity, clarity, and relevance. Emphasizing the benefits, highlighting unique selling points, and maintaining a professional tone will ultimately lead to a compelling explainer video that fosters trust, increases brand recognition, and drives conversions for your company.
FAQs
1. What are the essential steps to create an animated explainer video?
To create an animated explainer video, follow these steps:
Plan: Decide your message and target audience.
Script: Write a short, clear script.
Storyboard: Sketch scenes to match the script.
Voiceover: Record or hire a voice for narration.
Animation: Create visuals based on the storyboard.
Sound & Music: Add effects and background music.
Review: Check if it's easy to understand.
Finalize: Make any needed tweaks, then share your video!
2. How do I choose the right animation style that suits my company's brand?
Selecting the most fitting animation style for your company's brand involves a thoughtful and strategic approach. To make the right choice, consider the following factors:
Match the animation style with your brand identity: Align colors, logo, and personality with the style. Modern brands may benefit from 3D animation, while approachable ones could use 2D. Classic brands might find whiteboard animation suitable.
Fit within your budget and timeline: Be mindful of costs and time. 3D animation is pricier, while whiteboard is quicker. Motion graphics and 2D animation are budget-friendly but rely on the artist's skills.
Support brand goals: Align the style with objectives. Use a whiteboard for education, motion graphics for clarity, and 2D/3D for storytelling and engagement.
Connect with your audience: Choose a style that resonates with your target demographic's preferences and associations.
By considering these factors, you'll choose an animation style that accurately represents your brand, engages your audience, and fits your budget and timeline.
3. Can you provide tips on writing an engaging script for the explainer video?
Writing an engaging script for an explainer video requires a mix of creativity, clarity, and audience-centric messaging. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective and captivating script:
Audience-Centric: Tailor the script to address your audience's needs and preferences.
Problem-Solution: Clearly define a problem and showcase how your solution resolves it.
Engaging Story: Craft a relatable narrative with characters and scenarios that resonate.
Benefits Highlight: Emphasize the benefits of your product or service for the viewer.
Clear Call to Action: Conclude with a specific action you want the viewer to take.
4. What is the ideal duration for an animated explainer video?
The ideal duration for an animated explainer video is typically around 60 to 90 seconds.
This duration can vary based on factors such as the complexity of the topic, the target audience, the platform where the video will be shared, and the industry where you serve