The Ultimate Explainer Video Guide
20 tips and tricks for creating a blockbuster explainer video
- Keep it Short – The shorter the better, but shoot for a 2 minute video or less
- Keep it Simple – Don’t try to explain every little detail about your company, just get viewers interested enough to take the next step
- Get to The Point – Introduce your solution in the first 30-seconds and before viewers drop off
- Know Your Audience – Take time to define your target audience and gather some real customer feedback before you craft the message
- It’s All About the Script – The foundation of any explainer video is a well-written script that anyone can understand
- Read it Out Loud – Read your script out loud to keep things natural and conversational
- Focus on Benefits – Avoid listing features and focus on customer benefits instead
- Use a Pro Voice Talent – Nothing is worse than bad audio. Hire a pro to record the voiceover.
- Plan Ahead – Follow a step-by-step project plan to keep things on track and avoid costly revisions
- Avoid Design by Committee – Limit your video project team to 2-3 people and appoint a lead decision maker
- Visuals Aren’t Everything – Sometimes fancy visuals can be distracting – everything you do should reinforce your message
- Have a Call-to-action – When the video is over, let your viewers know what to do next and how to do it
- Be Yourself and Have Fun – Whether your audience is accountants, pastors, or C-level executives, every viewer wants to be entertained.
- Try Something New – Don’t make another “Meet Bob” video, do something original that fits your company culture
- Don’t Expect a Viral Video – The success of your video depends on production quality, distribution, marketing, and luck
- Don’t Force Humor – Your video doesn’t need to be laugh-out-loud funny, just try to get people smiling
- Have a Launch Plan – Be prepared to launch your video by selecting a video hosting partner that aligns with your goals
- It’s All About Placement – Make sure visitors can find your video above-the-fold with a nice, big play button
- Don’t Forget the Marketing – Send out a newsletter, share it on social media, add a link in your email signature, create a video sitemap
- Track the Results – Use video analytics, like views, engagement, and viewer location to constantly improve your video