How To Tailor Explainer Videos for Marketing Funnel Stages

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Picture of Stephen Conley
Stephen Conley
Stephen is Gisteo's Founder & Creative Director. After a long career in advertising, Stephen launched Gisteo in 2011 and the rest is history. He has an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he did indeed inhale (in moderation).

Introduction

Listen up. Most businesses drop the same tired explainer video everywhere and wonder why their conversion rates are flatter than yesterday’s soda.

That’s amateur hour.

Here’s the brutal truth: your prospect’s mindset at the top of the funnel is completely different from someone ready to whip out their credit card.

Yet companies still use the same video for cold traffic and warm leads. That’s marketing malpractice.

The fix? Match your video message to the stage of the buyer’s journey.

When you do, you’ll guide prospects from curiosity to conversion with precision. That’s how smart brands win with explainer videos for marketing funnel stages.

Stage 1: Awareness

Hook ‘Em Before They Scroll

At this stage, prospects don’t know you. Some don’t even know they have a problem. Your job isn’t to sell—it’s to get noticed.

The Awareness Stage Playbook

  • Keep it short. You’ve got maybe 15 seconds.

  • Lead with pain, not product. Talk about their frustration, not your features.

  • Tell relatable stories. Think:

    • The suburban mom juggling work and kids

    • The overwhelmed small business owner

    • The executive buried in inefficient processes

Make it real. Make them nod along.

Best Video Types

  • Animated explainer videos (people love watching problems solve themselves)

  • Brand story videos (but make it about them, not you)

  • Educational content (teach, don’t preach)

Where to Deploy

Use these on social media, YouTube, or your homepage—anywhere new people may find you.

When done right, explainer videos for marketing funnel stages like this can create instant awareness and build curiosity fast.

Stage 2: Consideration

 

Prove You’re the One

Now they know they have a problem. They’re looking for solutions—and weighing their options.

This is where many brands fall flat. They either undersell or oversell.

The Consideration Stage Formula

  • Show, don’t tell. Demonstrate how your solution works.

  • Tackle objections. “It’s too expensive.” “Too complex.” “What if it doesn’t work?” Address these head-on.

  • Let others vouch for you. Customer stories and testimonials go a long way.

Best Video Types

  • Product demos

  • Solution comparison videos

  • Customer testimonials

  • Webinar highlights

Where to Deploy

Perfect for landing pages, email sequences, product pages, and targeted ads to warm audiences.

Explainer videos for marketing funnel stages like this are built to convert—not just entertain.

Stage 3: Decision

Close the Deal

Now they’re almost there. They want what you’re selling, but they need that final push.

The Decision Stage Closer

  • Stack the social proof. Use everything—testimonials, case studies, success stories.

  • Be crystal clear. Make the next step obvious:

    • “Start your free trial”

    • “Call now”

    • “Add to cart”

  • Create urgency. Offer limited-time deals, exclusive access, or bonuses.

Best Video Types

  • Customer success stories

  • Personalized sales videos

  • Tutorials that reduce buying hesitation

  • Limited-time offer promos

Where to Deploy

Great for sales emails, proposal follow-ups, retargeting campaigns, and checkout pages.

Done right, explainer videos for marketing funnel stages at this point remove all friction—and close the sale.

The Million-Dollar Mistake Most Businesses Make

Many brands create one explainer video and push it everywhere.

That’s like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. Technically clothing, but totally wrong for the vibe.

Remember:

  • Awareness videos should intrigue, not sell.

  • Consideration videos should educate, not overwhelm.

  • Decision videos should reassure, not introduce new ideas.

When your video matches their mindset, conversion rates climb.

Track, Test, and Improve

Once your videos are live, don’t stop. Watch the data.

  • Which videos get watched all the way through?

  • Which ones drive clicks?

  • Which ones actually convert?

Use these insights to refine your approach.

Maybe your awareness video needs more emotional punch. Maybe your consideration video is too long. Or your decision video lacks strong enough social proof.

The market will tell you—if you’re listening.

Why Gisteo Gets It Right

If you’re looking for a partner that understands how to craft explainer videos for marketing funnel stages, Gisteo has been doing it long before it was trendy.

Since 2011, we’ve produced thousands of fair-priced explainer videos—each one tailored to where prospects are in their journey. Whether it’s a punchy awareness video for social media or a deep-dive product walkthrough that closes deals, we don’t do one-size-fits-all.

Here’s our secret sauce:

  • We focus obsessively on the script first—because story beats style every time.

  • We match tone, structure, and pacing to the buyer’s mindset, not just the product.

  • We help clients simplify complex messages, so prospects feel understood—not overwhelmed.

Our videos don’t just look good. They move people forward.

If you’re tired of generic content that falls flat, it might be time to partner with a team that knows how to map message to funnel with precision.

Your Next Move

Stop treating all prospects the same. They’re not.

Someone new to your brand needs a different message than someone ready to buy.

Tailor your video strategy accordingly. When you create explainer videos for marketing funnel stages, you guide people from “just browsing” to “take my money.”

Do this right, and your funnel becomes a conversion machine—turning strangers into customers around the clock.

If you’d like to discuss a video project, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation now.

FAQs

How long should each video be?

  • Awareness: 30–60 seconds

  • Consideration: 2–3 minutes

  • Decision: Up to 5 minutes for detailed walkthroughs

Can I use the same video across stages?
Technically? Yes. Strategically? Bad idea. Different stages require different messaging.

What if I only have budget for one video?
Focus on the consideration stage. It’s your most versatile. Repurpose sections for the other stages.

How do I know what stage my prospect is in?
Use behavior:

  • Social traffic = awareness

  • Google searches = consideration

  • Demo requests = decision

Should I include pricing in my explainer videos?
Only in decision-stage content—and only if price is a major selling point. Lead with value, not cost.

Biggest mistake businesses make with video?
Trying to cram everything into one. Pick one goal. Nail it.

How often should I update my videos?
Review quarterly. Update if performance drops. Don’t change just because you’re bored.

Can I apply these tips to other videos?
Absolutely. Whether it’s social clips, webinars, or testimonials—explainer videos for marketing funnel stages follow the same psychological rules.

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explainer videos for marketing funnel stages