How to make an Premium Explainer Video? That Convert!

Summary

This video guide outlines the step-by-step process for creating a high-quality explainer video. It starts with developing a clear creative brief, moves on to crafting a concept and script, and then covers storyboarding, visual styles, and designs. Emphasis is placed on involving stakeholders at every stage, ensuring all elements align with the brand's identity. The video also highlights the importance of voiceovers, animation, music, and sound effects in enhancing the message. Finally, it stresses the importance of polishing and distributing the video effectively to captivate and engage the audience.

Takeaways

• 📋 Clear and detailed creative brief: It should include the target audience, their preferences, pain points, and how your product solves them. Involve all stakeholders for setting clear expectations.
• 💡 Strong concept and script: Begin with a compelling idea and structure the script around a problem-solution-benefit approach. Keep it concise with 130-220 words for 60-90 seconds of video.
• 📑 Storyboard for clarity: A storyboard helps visualize and refine the concept scene by scene, ensuring clear communication during the production process.
• 🎨 Visual styles define the design: Choose a design style during the stylescape stage, following brand guidelines, to set the theme for the entire video.
• 🖌️ Design process: Begin designing characters, icons, and backgrounds based on the visual style and storyboard, ensuring the graphics are appealing to hold attention.
• 🎤 Professional voiceover: 40% of the video's effectiveness depends on high-quality voiceovers that match the brand's personality.
• 🎞️ Smooth animation: Transform static graphics into dynamic elements. Good animation keeps viewers engaged up to 15 times longer than static images.
• 🎶 Music sets the tone: Carefully select background music that complements the voiceover and story. Custom music enhances the overall experience.
• 🔊 SFX and audio mixing: Sound effects add depth, but they should enhance, not distract. Ensure balance between voice, music, and sound effects for a polished final product.
• 🔍 Final checks and rendering: Review all elements for consistency, clarity, and visual appeal before rendering the final video in the appropriate format, usually MP4 for web and social media.

Q & A

What is the importance of a creative brief in the video production process?

A creative brief is the foundation of the video project. It contains all the relevant details such as target audience, their preferences, pain points, and how the product solves these problems. It also gathers brand assets like logos, product screenshots, and colors. Involving key stakeholders ensures that expectations are aligned and that nothing is missed.

What is the recommended length and word count for an explainer video?

The ideal length for an explainer video is 60 to 90 seconds, which should use between 130 to 220 words. Keeping the script concise and targeted ensures better engagement.

Why is storyboarding important in the video production process?

Storyboarding helps visualize and refine the concept before production. It provides a scene-by-scene guide for animators and designers, helping to avoid confusion during production by acting as a blueprint for the video.

What is a stylescape, and how does it influence the video design process?

A stylescape is a more defined version of a mood board, used to influence design decisions. It involves selecting one or two storyboard scenes, creating design variations, and choosing a design direction that becomes the theme for the rest of the video.

Why is voiceover crucial to the success of an explainer video?

A professional voiceover can enhance the brand’s personality and help retain viewers' attention. It plays a significant role, accounting for around 40% of the video’s effectiveness. Investing in quality voiceover equipment and professionals is crucial.

What role does animation play in an explainer video?

Animation is the core of an explainer video, where static graphics are brought to life. Good animation increases viewer engagement and attention, making the video 15 times more impactful compared to static images.

What is the purpose of adding sound effects (SFX) to an explainer video?

SFX add depth and make the video more immersive by drawing attention to specific actions or transitions. However, they should be used sparingly to enhance the video without distracting from the main message.

Why is proper audio mixing important in a video?

Proper audio mixing ensures that the voiceover, music, and sound effects are balanced, preventing any one element from overpowering the others. This maintains the clarity of the message while keeping the viewer engaged.

What are the different music options for an explainer video, and which is the best choice?

There are three music options: free music, stock music, and custom music. Free music is often generic and may pose copyright risks. Stock music offers a wide range of licensed options at a low cost. Custom music is more expensive but can significantly enhance the overall experience and fit the video perfectly.

What is a common mistake creators make after producing an explainer video?

A common mistake is not distributing the explainer video effectively. Many creators invest significant time and money in production but fail to distribute it widely enough to maximize its impact.