100 Explainer Video Tips For Any Business

100 Explainer Video Tips- Introduction

Capturing your audience’s attention is more challenging than ever.  Over the past decade, explainer videos have emerged as a powerful tool to convey complex ideas succinctly and engagingly. Whether you’re a startup aiming to introduce a new product or an established enterprise seeking to simplify your services, the right explainer video can make all the difference. 

At Gisteo, we’ve spent over a decade crafting compelling explainer videos that resonate with audiences and drive results. With more than 3,000 projects under our belt, we’ve distilled our knowledge into this comprehensive list of 100 explainer video tips for any business. These insights are designed to help you create videos that not only inform but also inspire action.

Pre-Production Tips

Strategy & Planning

1. Define clear objectives – Determine exactly what you want your explainer video to achieve (increase conversions, explain a concept, build brand awareness).
2. Know your audience – Research your target viewers’ demographics, pain points, and preferences before scripting.
3. Focus on one core message – Resist the urge to explain everything; concentrate on a single concept per video.
4. Keep it concise – Aim for 60-90 seconds for optimal engagement (viewers’ attention drops significantly after 2 minutes).
5. Start with a problem – Begin by addressing a pain point your audience experiences to immediately grab attention.
6. Create a content brief – Document key information including target audience, core message, and call-to-action before production begins.
7. Establish a realistic budget – Determine your spending limits upfront to guide production decisions.
8. Set a timeline – Create a production schedule with milestones to keep your project on track.
9. Research competitors’ videos – Analyze what others in your industry are doing to identify opportunities to differentiate.
10. Choose the right style – Select an animation style (2D, 3D, whiteboard, motion graphics) that aligns with your brand and message.

Scriptwriting Excellence

11. Write conversationally – Use natural language as if speaking to a friend, not reading a technical manual.
12. Apply the KISS principle – Keep It Simple, Stupid. Avoid jargon and complex terminology.
13. Structure with a beginning, middle, and end – Follow the classic storytelling format: problem, solution, benefits.
14. Use the “problem-agitate-solve” framework – Present the problem, emphasize its impact, then introduce your solution.
15. Create a compelling hook – Capture attention in the first 8-10 seconds to prevent viewers from clicking away.
16. Include a clear call-to-action – Tell viewers exactly what to do next (visit website, download app, subscribe).
17. Write for the ear, not the eye – Read your script aloud to ensure it flows naturally when spoken.
18. Time your script – Estimate 125-150 words per minute of finished video for comfortable narration pacing.
19. Use questions – Engage viewers by posing thought-provoking questions they can relate to.
20. Incorporate transitions – Smooth connections between scenes maintain the flow of information.

Storyboarding & Visual Planning

21. Create a detailed storyboard – Sketch each scene to visualize the video before production begins.
22. Plan scene timing – Allocate appropriate durations for each scene based on its importance.
23. Use visual metaphors – Represent abstract concepts with familiar visual analogies.
24. Maintain visual consistency – Ensure colors, styles, and character designs remain uniform throughout.
25. Design for accessibility – Consider viewers with disabilities by incorporating clear visuals and avoiding reliance on color alone to convey information.
26. Plan camera movements – Map out zooms, pans, and transitions to create dynamic visuals.
27. Create a visual hierarchy – Guide viewers’ eyes to the most important elements in each frame.
28. Design custom characters – Develop unique characters that represent your brand personality.
29. Include your branding elements – Incorporate logos, colors, and brand personality throughout the video.
30. Create an animatic – Develop a preliminary version with rough animation to test timing and flow.

Production Tips

Voice Over Excellence

31. Hire a professional voice actor – Invest in quality narration that matches your brand tone.
32. Match voice to audience – Choose a voice actor whose tone and style will resonate with your target viewers. Sites like Voices.com can help with this.
33. Consider regional accents – Select accents that will connect with your primary audience location.
34. Record in a proper studio – Ensure clean audio by using professional recording facilities.
35. Direct the voice talent – Provide clear instructions about tone, pace, and emphasis points.
36. Allow for breathing room – Don’t overpack the script; include pauses for important points to sink in.
37. Match energy levels – Ensure the voice talent’s enthusiasm matches your brand personality.
38. Consider multilingual versions – Create versions in different languages if targeting international audiences.
39. Balance technical terms – If jargon is necessary, have the voice actor emphasize these terms with care.
40. Record extra variations – Capture different readings of key lines to have options during editing.

Animation & Design

41. Maintain a consistent animation style – Don’t mix animation techniques unless it serves a specific purpose.
42. Use motion to direct attention – Guide the viewer’s eye to important elements through movement.
43. Apply animation principles – Incorporate fundamentals like squash and stretch, anticipation, and follow-through.
44. Create smooth transitions – Design seamless scene changes that maintain the flow of information.
45. Animate with purpose – Every movement should serve the story, not just exist for visual interest.
46. Limit on-screen text – Use text sparingly and ensure it’s on screen long enough to be read (about 3 seconds per line).
47. Apply the rule of thirds – Position key elements according to this photography principle for balanced composition.
48. Use color psychology – Select colors that evoke appropriate emotions and align with your message.
49. Incorporate iconography – Use simple, recognizable icons to represent complex concepts quickly.
50. Balance visual density – Avoid overwhelming viewers with too many elements on screen simultaneously.

Sound Design & Music

51. Choose appropriate music – Select tracks that match your brand tone and complement the narrative.
52. License music properly – Ensure you have the rights to use all audio in your video.
53. Balance audio levels – Mix voice over, music, and sound effects so none overpower the others.
54. Use sound effects strategically – Add audio cues to emphasize key points or transitions.
55. Consider ambient sounds – Create atmosphere with subtle background noises when appropriate.
56. Align sound with animation – Synchronize audio effects with visual movements for impact.
57. Create audio transitions – Use sound to smooth scene changes and maintain continuity.
58. Develop audio branding – Consider creating a sonic logo or distinctive sound identity.
59. Avoid copyright issues – Use royalty-free music or commission original compositions.
60. Test audio on different devices – Ensure your sound works well on smartphones, laptops, and other platforms.

Post-Production Tips

Editing & Refinement

61. Maintain proper pacing – Ensure the video moves quickly enough to maintain interest but slowly enough to comprehend.
62. Create rhythm through editing – Develop a cadence that carries viewers through the narrative.
63. Add text overlays for emphasis – Highlight key points with on-screen text when appropriate.
64. Include subtitles – Add captions to improve accessibility and engagement when videos are watched without sound.
65. Optimize transitions – Refine scene changes to maintain narrative flow and visual continuity.
66. Cut ruthlessly – Remove any content that doesn’t directly contribute to your core message.
67. Test different versions – Create variations to test with sample audiences before finalizing.
68. Color grade consistently – Apply color correction that aligns with your brand identity.
69. Review on multiple devices – Check how your video appears on phones, tablets, and computers.
70. Get feedback before finalizing – Share with colleagues or focus groups to identify potential improvements.

Distribution & Optimization

71. Optimize file formats – Use appropriate video formats for different platforms (MP4 for most web use).
72. Create platform-specific versions – Adapt aspect ratios and content for different social media platforms.
73. Add a custom thumbnail – Design an enticing thumbnail image that encourages clicks.
74. Optimize video SEO – Use relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags.
75. Upload native videos – Post directly to platforms rather than sharing links for better reach.
76. Consider autoplay settings – Design the opening seconds to work well with or without autoplay.
77. Add end screens and cards – Include YouTube end screens or similar features to encourage further engagement.
78. Enable embedding – Allow others to embed your video to increase reach.
79. Create a video sitemap – Help search engines discover and understand your video content.
80. Optimize loading speed – Compress videos appropriately to ensure fast loading without quality loss.

Measurement & Improvement

Analytics & Performance

81. Track view-through rates – Measure how many viewers watch your video to completion.
82. Monitor engagement metrics – Analyze likes, shares, comments, and click-through rates.
83. Set up conversion tracking – Connect video views to desired actions on your website.
84. Use heatmaps – Implement video heatmaps to see which parts viewers watch or skip.
85. Compare performance across platforms – Identify where your video performs best.
86. A/B test different versions – Create variations to determine which elements drive better results.
87. Analyze viewer demographics – Understand who is watching your videos to refine targeting.
88. Monitor drop-off points – Identify exactly where viewers stop watching to improve those sections.
89. Track ROI – Calculate the return on investment for your explainer video.
90. Gather qualitative feedback – Collect viewer comments and reactions beyond quantitative metrics.

Advanced Strategies

91. Develop a video series – Create connected explainer videos that build upon each other. Gisteo Unlimited is a perfect plan for this.
92. Repurpose content – Extract clips for social media or convert into other content formats.
93. Update videos regularly – Refresh outdated explainer videos to maintain accuracy.
94. Implement sequential retargeting – Show follow-up videos to people who’ve watched previous ones.
95. Add interactive elements – Include clickable elements if your platform supports them.
96. Optimize for search visibility – Create companion blog posts that feature your video.
97. Test different video lengths – Experiment with shorter and longer versions for different platforms.
98. Develop platform-exclusive content – Create unique versions with platform-specific features.
99. Consider livestreamed explainer sessions – Complement videos with live interactive explanations.
100. Build a comprehensive video strategy – Integrate explainer videos into your broader marketing plan.

Explainer Video FAQs

What is an explainer video anyway?

An explainer video is a short, engaging video that clearly explains a product, service, concept, or idea in a simple and compelling way. These videos typically combine animation or live action with narration to deliver information in an easily digestible format.

How long should an explainer video be?

As mentioned in our 100 explainer video tips above, the ideal length is typically 60-90 seconds (although there can be some exceptions to this). Viewer engagement drops significantly after 2 minutes, so keeping your explainer video concise is crucial for maximum impact.

How much does an explainer video cost?

The cost of creating an explainer video varies widely based on style, complexity, and production quality. Simple explainer videos may start around $1,000, while ultra premium productions can cost $10,000 or more. Our 100 explainer video tips include budget considerations to help you maximize value at any price point. At Gisteo, we offer an aggressive value-for-money proposition. More information on our pricing here.

What style of explainer video works best?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best style depends on your brand identity, target audience, and message complexity. Among our 100 explainer video tips, we recommend considering 2D animation for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, 3D for complex products, whiteboard for educational content, and motion graphics for data visualization.

Where should I publish my explainer video?

For maximum impact, publish your explainer video on your website’s homepage or landing pages, YouTube, social media platforms, email campaigns, and at trade shows or presentations. Our 100 explainer video tips include specific optimization strategies for each distribution channel.

How do I measure explainer video success?

Key metrics to track include view count, view-through rate, engagement (likes, shares, comments), click-through rate, conversion rate, and ROI. Above, we discuss analytics provides detailed guidance on measuring and optimizing performance.

Can I create an explainer video myself?

Yes, with the right tools and following our 100 explainer video tips, you can create effective videos in-house. However, complex animations or premium quality often require professional assistance. Consider your needs, budget, and internal capabilities when deciding whether to produce in-house or outsource.

How often should I update my explainer video?

Update your explainer video whenever significant changes occur to your product, service, or brand messaging. As a general rule, review your explainer videos annually to ensure they remain current and effective. This list of explainer video tips include strategies for efficiently updating your content.

Final Thoughts

Creating an effective explainer video involves more than just animation and voiceovers; it’s about telling a story that connects with your audience. The 100 explainer video tips for any business we’ve shared are grounded in years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of what works.

At Gisteo, our mission is to help businesses like yours communicate more clearly and effectively. Whether you’re looking to boost conversions, enhance brand awareness, or simply explain a complex concept, our expertise is here to guide you every step of the way.

Need help bringing your story to life? Let’s create something remarkable together. Schedule a free consultation now to discuss a project.