The battle for your target audience’s attention is fierce, and getting your message across is increasingly challenging. The need for sharp and engaging communication has never been greater. An explainer video is the perfect way to convey your content briefly and precisely. They are engaging and emotional, but above all, effective and persuasive.

Why create an explainer video?

So, in a time when we are constantly bombarded with information, grabbing your audience’s attention – and keeping it – is harder than ever. We believe that explainer videos can be the solution to the problem.
As attention span of your audience gets shorter, the animation is the perfect way to deliver information in very little time. It’s engaging, emotional, convincing, but most important it’s effective that’ll make your audience go from I don’t get it to Sign me up!

What is an explainer video?

You’ve probably come across them before. A colourful, animated video that persistently, yet purposefully, tries to explain a problem and how a product or service provides the solution. An explainer video. While explainer videos aren’t a new phenomenon, they are often the medium of choice when conveying something abstract or complex. And that is where their true strength lies.
The most basic definition of an explainer video is a short video that explains a product or service in a simple and easy-to-understand way. They are often animated and typically short – no more than 1-2 minutes. They are frequently used to explain complex topics concisely and clearly. Think of it as an elevator pitch wrapped in an engaging and inviting design.

Here’s an example of an explainer video we did for the Energy Cluster Denmark:

What can you use explainor videos for?

Explainer videos offer incredible versatility, effectively clarifying a wide array of content across diverse industries. For instance, they excel at explaining products, services, educational material, and processes. While these examples highlight their utility, the possibilities are vast. Essentially, if your message needs to be understood quickly, clearly, and engagingly, an explainer video is a powerful asset. Its visual nature cuts through jargon, making complex information accessible to a broad audience.

Why are explainer videos so effective?

Explainer videos are powerful because they combine visual and auditory communication, increasing both understanding and engagement.

By using animation you can expand worlds, jump in time and space, and use abstract visuals to illustrate complex topics more effectively. Explainer videos are a highly efficient tool for delivering messages quickly, visually, and precisely.

What types of explainer videos can you do?

1. Animated explainer videos: Ideal for simplifying complex concepts and narratives using illustrations, sound, and motion. These often feature illustrated characters driving the story.
2. Live-action explainer videos: Great for building credibility, as they often feature an expert explaining a product or service.
3. Motion graphics: Similar to animated explainer videos but primarily use animated text and graphic elements rather than characters.
4. Whiteboard animation: A style where elements are drawn in real time on a whiteboard.

Each type has its advantages. But our favorite at Ferdio is undoubtedly the animated explainer video. For example, we created an animated explainer video about following safety guidelines at home for VKR Group:

What do you need to get started?

The core elements are surprisingly straightforward: a good story and a clear message. That is all you need to bring to the table. While most clients we encounter are usually quite confident in their own story’s appeal, an unbiased perspective might reveal otherwise. But, the crucial takeaway is that a solid narrative and a well-defined message should invariably be the bedrock of any effective explainer video.

Of course, the execution is where things get tricky. Because what follows is all about how to deliver this story in the most convincing and unforgettable manner – but the how part is usually best taken care of by a professional animation studio, preferably someone specialised in explainer videos. So for now, all you should care about is the what, not the how.

What is the process of an explainer video?

We make all kinds of animations, for all kinds of clients. So every project is different and the stages may vary. However, having 5 years of experience we stick to our 5-steps process. We start with the brief to understand the objectives in order to move on with the concept, script and storyboard before we produce crisp design and animation.

For the 5-steps process here are five essential advice to making an effective explainer video for each step in the process:

1. Get the brief right. The brief is the foundation for any successful animation project. Define all relevant aspects of the animation, such as target audience, key messages, purpose, channels, etc.
2. Write a strong script. The script is the backbone of the entire story. It should be sharp and concise but still include all essential information.
3. Start by sketching fast and ugly is the most efficient way to identify your core visual concept for the video, as you can quickly explore various visual concepts and decide on the most effective one for your explainer video.
4. Balance appeal and clarity in the design. An explainer video should be concise and easily comprehensible as well as captivating and intriguing
5. Use professional animation. The quality of the production significantly impacts how effectively your message is communicated. Invest in quality.

For more advice on all aspects of the process, we encourage you to check out more hard-earned insights, tips and tricks in our Notebook on Animations.

Where are explainer videos used?

Explainer videos have a wide range of use cases and work well in most situations that calls for visual communication. They are particularly effective on company websites, for instance to explain products or services or on social media where they can boost engagement and shares. But also in emails where they can illustrate concepts and ideas convincingly. The list goes on, and is by no means complete.

How much does an explainer video cost?

The price of an explainer video largely depends on its length, style, and complexity. However, explainer videos can be created in countless ways, and we are happy to discuss a project and provide a quote. No strings attached! Get in touch here.