Introduction
Explainer videos have become an essential tool for businesses aiming to clearly communicate their products or services while connecting meaningfully with their audience. When crafted well, an explainer video can spark interest, foster trust, and ultimately drive sales. However, creating an effective explainer video is far from simple—it requires strategic planning, creativity, and attention to detail to avoid wasting time and money on content that fails to engage.
Drawing on years of experience in the industry, here are 10 proven explainer video tips to help you create outstanding explainer videos that truly resonate with your audience and deliver measurable results.
Tip 1: It’s All in the Script
The foundation of any successful explainer video is a compelling script. No matter how stunning your visuals are or how polished your voiceover sounds, your video won’t make an impact without a clear, concise, and engaging script. The language you choose should be simple and easy to understand, ensuring your message is accessible to your entire audience.
A tried and tested structure that works exceptionally well breaks the script down into four key steps:
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Highlight the Problem: Start by identifying a challenge or pain point your audience faces—something your business is uniquely positioned to solve.
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Present the Solution: Introduce your product or service as the clear and concise answer to this problem.
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Explain the Benefits: Focus on the main advantages your customers will gain—sell them the dream and show how your offering improves their lives.
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Call to Action: End with a strong, direct call to action (CTA) so viewers know exactly what to do next.
This structure isn’t the only way to craft your script, but it’s a powerful template that consistently delivers. If you want to explore more script frameworks, check out this short video:
Tip 2: Hook Them In
In today’s fast-paced digital world, you only have a few seconds to grab your viewer’s attention. The first 10 seconds of your video are crucial—make them count by creating a hook that sparks curiosity and encourages viewers to keep watching.
Here are three proven ways to craft an irresistible hook:
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Introduce a relatable problem: If your audience sees themselves in the issue you present, they’ll want to discover how you can help.
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Use a relatable character or story: People love stories, so introducing a character your audience can follow along with creates an emotional connection.
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Surprise or entertain: A shocking fact, an unexpected twist, or a touch of humor can immediately capture attention and make your video memorable.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with humor or quirky elements if it fits your brand voice. The goal is to engage your audience right from the start.
Tip 3: Focus on Benefits, Not Features
Understanding the difference between features and benefits is critical for creating an explainer video that drives action. While features describe what your product or service does, benefits explain why those features matter to your customer.
For example, imagine you’re selling accounting software designed for non-professionals. If your explainer video simply lists technical features—like “general ledger module,” “integration with CRM and ERP systems,” or “produces P&L statements”—you risk overwhelming and confusing your audience with jargon.
Instead, focus on how the software improves their life:
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Your accounting data is safely backed up and accessible anywhere.
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The software is fast and user-friendly, saving you time and hassle.
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You’ll save money by reducing the need for an external accountant.
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It’s the most affordable accounting tool on the market.
This benefits-first approach appeals to emotions and addresses the real reasons customers buy. You can always dive deeper into features later in your sales funnel, but the explainer video’s job is to sell the dream.
Tip 4: Nail the Voiceover
A professional voiceover elevates your explainer video, giving it polish and credibility. Choosing the right voice is about matching your audience’s demographics and your brand’s tone. For example, if your target customers are young women, an older male voice might not resonate well.
Consider the tone you want to convey—professional and trustworthy, fun and quirky, sincere and inspiring? Generally, a positive, expressive, and upbeat voice works best to keep viewers engaged.
Commissioning a voice actor is often the most effective choice, and there are plenty of online platforms to find talented voiceover artists at reasonable prices. Websites like voices.com, Voice Casting Hub, Mandy, and Soho Voices allow you to browse samples and audition voices. Alternatively, freelancers on Upwork and Fiverr provide another avenue to hire voice talent.
If you’re building a personal brand, doing the voiceover yourself can add authenticity. Just keep these tips in mind:
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Vary your tone to avoid sounding monotone.
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Invest in a good quality microphone for clear sound.
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Record in a quiet space with no echo or background noise.
Perfecting your voiceover takes practice, but it’s worth the effort for a professional finish.
Tip 5: Don’t Overspend on Visuals
While visuals are important, you don’t need a Hollywood-level budget to create a standout explainer video. Big-budget graphics can be costly to produce and update, which may not make sense financially, especially for small businesses or startups.
Simple, elegant visuals paired with a strong script and professional voiceover often deliver the best return on investment. When considering your visual style, here are some popular options:
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Live Action: Perfect for introducing yourself or your team and adding a human touch.
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2D Character Animation: Adds personality and allows for creative storytelling with limitless imagination.
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Motion Graphics: Ideal for professional, mature brands that want to present data and facts engagingly.
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Whiteboard Animation: A favorite for educational content, proven effective for helping viewers retain information.
- AI videos: an emerging, exiting type of video to keep you eye on in the next year or so. At Gisteo, we are, that’s for sure.
Choose the style that best fits your brand and message, and focus on clarity and simplicity rather than flashy effects. This production, for instance, was produced entirely by AI, with a modest budget (and plenty of creativity):
Tip 6: Add Music and Sound Effects
Music and sound effects play a vital role in giving your explainer video personality and emotional depth. The right audio elements can make your message more engaging and memorable.
To illustrate, imagine watching a clip with no sound—it feels flat and uninspiring. Now add music and sound effects, and suddenly the video comes alive, creating an emotional connection with the viewer.
If you’re on a tight budget, websites like FreeSound and Sound Effects Plus offer free sound effects, though be mindful of usage restrictions. For higher quality and more extensive libraries, consider subscription services like Soundsnap, Storyblocks, Envato or Epidemic Sound, starting from around $15 per month. These platforms are trusted by major production companies worldwide.
Tip 7: Make Your Call to Action Count
The call to action (CTA) is the final push that guides your viewers on what to do next. A strong CTA can significantly increase conversions, so it’s crucial to get it right.
Here are five tips for crafting an effective CTA:
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Use direct language: Choose clear action words like “buy,” “click,” or “subscribe.”
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Be clear: Display your CTA in both the voiceover and visuals so it’s unmistakable.
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Provide a reason: Briefly remind viewers of the benefit they’ll gain by taking action.
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Spark emotion: Create urgency or a fear of missing out to motivate immediate response.
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Keep it short: Focus on one clear instruction to avoid confusion.
Remember, a well-crafted CTA is your chance to convert interest into action.
Tip 8: Be Playful
Too often, explainer videos fall into the trap of sounding overly serious or corporate, which can make them forgettable and dull. Injecting a bit of playfulness can make your video more enjoyable and memorable.
Of course, your video should align with your brand identity, but don’t shy away from bold creative choices. Adding humor, surprising twists, or quirky elements keeps viewers entertained and engaged until the very end.
Playfulness helps your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace and fosters a positive emotional connection with your audience. Here’s fun explainer video production we did for a pest control company:
Tip 9: Get Ready to Launch
Creating your explainer video is just the beginning. How you share and promote it is equally important to ensure it reaches and resonates with your target audience.
Here are some key steps to prepare for launch:
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Choose the right video host: Platforms like Wistia, Brightcove, and Vidyard offer customization options and detailed analytics, helping you track video performance. For tighter budgets, Vimeo is a popular choice with a sleek aesthetic but fewer analytics.
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Create a marketing plan: Leverage any existing channels such as your blog, social media profiles, email newsletters, or industry events. Don’t hesitate to ask well-connected contacts to share your video.
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Integrate the video seamlessly on your website: Use an eye-catching thumbnail and place the video prominently, ideally at the top of your landing page (the cover fold) to ensure visitors see it immediately.
Proper planning maximizes your video’s impact and ensures your message reaches the right people.
Tip 10: Hire a Professional Explainer Video Production Company Like Gisteo
While DIY tools are readily available, there’s no substitute for the experience, strategy, and storytelling chops that come from working with professionals. A seasoned explainer video company knows how to bring all the elements together—script, visuals, voiceover, sound design, pacing, branding—into a final product that looks great and performs even better.
Gisteo has been producing explainer videos for over 13 years, serving thousands of clients across industries. From simple animations to high-concept storytelling, working with an experienced team ensures your message is crafted with clarity and creativity- all at a fair price.
So if you’re serious about leveraging the power of video, one of the most proven explainer video tips is this: bring in the pros. A company like Gisteo can save you time, elevate your content, and help you get real results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the ideal length for an explainer video?
Explainer videos typically perform best when they are concise—usually between 60 and 90 seconds. This timeframe is enough to deliver your key message without losing viewer attention.
Should I focus more on features or benefits in my explainer video?
Always focus on benefits first. Explain how your product or service improves the customer’s life or solves their problem. Features can be detailed later in your sales funnel.
Can I use my own voice for the voiceover?
Yes, especially if you’re building a personal brand. Just ensure you have a good microphone, record in a quiet space, and vary your tone to keep the narration engaging.
How important are visuals in my explainer video?
Visuals are important but don’t need to be overly complex or expensive. Simple, clear visuals that complement a strong script and voiceover often deliver the best results.
Where should I host my explainer video?
Choose a host based on your budget and analytics needs. Wistia, Brightcove, and Vidyard are excellent for customization and tracking, while Vimeo offers a cost-effective and visually appealing option.
Conclusion
Creating an outstanding explainer video is a powerful way to connect with your audience, clarify your value proposition, and boost your business. By focusing on a compelling script, engaging hooks, benefits-driven messaging, professional voiceovers, and thoughtful visual and audio elements, you can craft a video that captivates and converts.
Remember to keep your call to action clear and persuasive, inject some playfulness to stand out, and plan your launch strategy carefully to maximize reach and impact. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, these proven explainer video tips provide a solid roadmap to producing videos that truly work in 2025 and beyond.
And don’t forget the final (but critical) tip: if you want your explainer video done right, hire a professional company like Gisteo to bring your vision to life.
Don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation today to further discuss.
