What Are Explainer Videos?

Before we explore the different styles of explainer videos, let’s first understand what they are. Explainer videos are short, informative videos designed to explain a product, service, or idea in a simple and engaging way. These videos are typically between 1 to 3 minutes long and are used to break down complex information, making it easy for the audience to understand.

Businesses use animated explainer video services to provide visual demonstrations of their offerings, making them more accessible and appealing to their target audience. By incorporating clear messaging, engaging visuals, and storytelling, explainer videos make it easier to grab attention, increase engagement, and drive conversions.

What Styles of Explainer Videos Work Best?

There are several different styles of explainer videos, each with its own advantages. Some styles may suit certain industries better, while others work well for particular types of content. Here are some of the most effective styles and the scenarios where they shine:

1. Animated Explainer Videos

One of the most popular and effective styles of explainer videos is animation. Animated explainer videos use colorful characters, objects, and environments to illustrate a product or service in a fun and engaging way. Animation has the unique ability to simplify complex concepts by visually breaking them down into smaller, easier-to-understand components.

Animated explainer video services are highly versatile, meaning they can be tailored to suit any business, industry, or message. Whether you’re explaining a SaaS product, introducing a new mobile app, or showcasing a product feature, animation can make your video both informative and entertaining. The visuals in animated explainer videos allow for creative freedom, enabling businesses to highlight their brand personality and keep viewers engaged.

This style works well when you need to explain intricate processes or abstract concepts that are difficult to convey through live-action footage. For example, a product explainer video for a new tech gadget can show how the product functions, all while maintaining viewer interest with dynamic animations and creative visuals.

2. Whiteboard Explainer Videos

Another highly effective style of explainer videos is the whiteboard animation. Whiteboard videos feature hand-drawn illustrations that appear to be sketched on a whiteboard or digital canvas. These videos are typically used to explain more technical concepts or processes, making them an ideal choice for industries such as education, finance, or B2B services.

The simplicity of whiteboard explainer videos helps make complex ideas feel more approachable. The hand-drawn visuals combined with a clear, concise voiceover can lead to higher retention rates because viewers focus on the illustrations as they are drawn out in real time. This visual storytelling technique is perfect for businesses aiming to explain how their product or service solves a problem in a straightforward way.

For example, if you’re creating an explainer video for an insurance company, a whiteboard video can effectively illustrate the benefits of various policies, clearly showing how they work and how they can protect clients in different scenarios.

3. Live-Action Explainer Videos

Live-action explainer videos involve actual footage of people, products, or services. These videos are often used for more personal, relatable content because they feature real-life scenarios that audiences can easily connect with. In a live-action explainer video, the product is typically demonstrated in real-life contexts, which helps establish a sense of trust and credibility.

While animated explainer videos offer creative freedom, live-action videos can humanize a brand by showing real people interacting with a product or service. This can be a powerful approach for businesses focused on building customer trust, as it provides a more authentic and tangible feel.

For example, a company selling a home cleaning service might create a live-action product explainer video that shows a professional cleaning team in action, demonstrating their process and highlighting the benefits of using their service.

4. Screencast Explainer Videos

Screencast explainer videos are a great choice for software, app, and SaaS businesses. These videos involve recording your computer screen as you walk viewers through a process, such as using a software tool, setting up an account, or demonstrating a feature. Screencast videos are typically used for tutorials or demonstrations, where the goal is to show the user how to navigate a platform or complete a task.

The main advantage of creating explainer videos in this format is that they provide a step-by-step walkthrough that can be extremely useful for new customers who need assistance understanding the functionality of a software product or tool. The visual aspect of screencasts makes it easier for viewers to follow along with the instructions, and the clear voiceover further guides them through the process.

For example, a company offering project management software might create a screencast explainer video showing how to create and manage tasks within the platform. This helps potential customers see exactly how the software works in real-time.

5. Kinetic Typography Explainer Videos

Kinetic typography explainer videos focus on text as the main visual element. The text moves, changes, and animates throughout the video to create emphasis and maintain viewer interest. These videos are particularly effective for conveying short messages quickly and are a great choice for businesses with a clear, concise message to deliver.

While kinetic typography explainer videos rely heavily on text, the dynamic animation of the words keeps the viewer engaged. This style works best when the message is simple and straightforward, such as for promotional videos or product highlights.

For instance, a product explainer video for a new mobile app could use kinetic typography to highlight key features and benefits, keeping the content fast-paced and attention-grabbing. The text animations can break up the information and make the key points stand out in a visually appealing way.

Choosing the Right Style for Your Explainer Video

Now that you know the different styles of explainer videos, the next question is: how do you decide which one works best for your business? The right style depends on various factors, such as your industry, your message, and your audience. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right style for your explainer video company:

1. Consider Your Target Audience: Understanding your target audience is crucial when choosing an explainer video style. If your audience is younger and tech-savvy, an animated explainer video might be the best option. On the other hand, if you’re targeting a professional audience, a live-action or whiteboard video might be more appropriate.

2. Think About the Complexity of Your Message: If your message is highly complex or technical, an animated explainer video or a whiteboard video may be the most effective. These styles can help break down complicated ideas into easy-to-understand visuals. If the message is simpler, a kinetic typography or live-action video could suffice.

3. Budget and Resources: Different video styles come with different price points. While animated explainer videos might require more upfront investment due to the creative process and animation production, live-action videos may be less expensive if you already have the necessary equipment and talent. It's important to choose a style that fits your budget.

4. Brand Personality: Your brand personality should influence the style you choose. If you want to appear friendly and approachable, an animated explainer video might be ideal. If you want to establish credibility and trust, a live-action video may be the best option.

Conclusion

In summary, the question "What styles of explainer videos work best?" depends on your specific needs, goals, and target audience. Each style – whether it’s animated explainer video, whiteboard animation, live-action, or kinetic typography – has its own strengths and applications. By carefully considering your message, audience, and brand, you can select the style that will most effectively communicate your ideas and increase engagement with your viewers.