Video Content Ideas – Part 1: Ten Elements of a Quick and Easy Explainer Video
Quick and easy. Painless. Right on the money. When you create an explainer video, you need it to come off clear and concise. You also want the process to go smooth and, ideally, not take up too much of your time (after all, you still have a business to run).
The thing is, you can’t exactly rush the job because explainer videos are crucial to engaging your customers. The explainer video is also a good tool for getting your video content out to your target market. So you need to get it right. And here are Giseto’s top ten elements to making a quick and easy explainer video.
1. The way it is written.
How do you write a smashing script for an explainer video? For starters, it doesn’t have to match Oscar-worthy dialogue. It just has to address its purpose: What is it about? What problem are you addressing in the video? What product or service is highlighted? And what benefits will the product or service have?
Once you get the nitty-gritty out of the way, then you can focus on the style, the tone, and overall creative direction of your explainer video. In that order.
2. Short videos work.
Say what you need to say and then get out. Shorter videos always work better at conveying the message. They never keep viewers longer than they should—and for great reason. People have shorter attention spans these days. According to psychologists, the average sustained attention span is 20 minutes; for online videos, it’s one to two minutes. Have you ever heard of the United States Navy’s acronym K.I.S.S.? It means, “Keep it simple, stupid“. The same apply’s to your explainer videos.
3. Simplicity never fails.
You might have a hundred and one ideas about how to do your explainer videos, but if they all muddle up the message, it’s not going to work well with your target audience. We know, you are trying to cram several messages into one video, but it’s important to really lay out a strategy. Let’s say you are a Human Resources Manager, and you want an explainer video for potential candidates to learn more about your company. Don’t try and cram in everything from core values, benefits, opportunity for growth and what you are looking for in an employee into one explainer video. We promise it will be worth the time and investment to break them up into separate videos. The key is to always strive for simplicity if you want your message to be heard and well received.
When you keep the video simple, you also keep it short and focused. You can break your explainer video down into four essential items: the problem, the solution, the brief description on how it works, and the call to action (never forget that CTA). If you’re able to do this, you may just cut your video down to optimal time.
4. Highlight the benefits.
Technical details will matter, especially for certain industries like technology, or DIY videos for service based companies. You do not want your explainer video to drone on about the product specifications or the patented technology used for your service. Instead, focus on the benefits: how is your product or service going to make your customer’s life easier—better? It’s not about how much you know it’s about how much you care. Share content that helps your customers not your company. Authentic marketing is so in right now.
5. Invest in professional voice talent and equipment
The poor audio quality of your video content can undermine the overall quality of your production. Consider upgrading your gear and you will see a marked improvement in the quality of the sound. You may also want to invest in the services of an experienced and trained voice over professional who can give depth and character to your audio. Better yet, hiring a company like Gisteo will solve all of these problems. We have a team of some of the best voice-over talent in the world. If you are in need of a company who is fairly prices, professional and delivers great quality explainer videos, you are in the right place!
Stay tuned to part two (6-10) of our top ten elements of quick and easy explainer videos!
