What Makes an Explainer Video Effective?

If a picture says a thousand words, then your explainer video will say much more than you can imagine. Making your video effective is not about how you shoot it, but every technique you use other than that. 

So, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get the job done. Simply pay attention to the key details. Here are things that make an explainer video effective: 

• Cutting with a purpose

During the explainer video production process, it’s easy to go back and forth through the cuts and call it a day; provided your video is of the highest quality, right? 

This couldn’t be more wrong! Granted, we all appreciate a well-shot video but do you realize that every new clip is an opportunity to introduce new information?

Zooming through the video gets old after a while. It is imperative that every video cut speaks to the viewer if your explainer video is going to be effective. 

• High-quality audio

Many professionals tend to focus on the visual aspects of their explainer videos and forget all about the audio effects. Needless to say, your high-quality video should come with a matching high-quality sound. But, it’s not all about the sound we hear. 

Creative audio doesn’t always mean music or dialogue that you can just slap onto the piece. Instead, focus on things like finite sounds, ambiance, foley, and little elements that make your audio unique. These things will give your video life but be careful because they also have a way of taking away from it.

Also, get away from any background noise. Typical street corner noise will add a layer of professionalism in comparison to music that may seem distracting to some audiences. 

The opportunities for creativity abound, just don’t go over the top. Something as simple as adding the right ambiance could make your video seem that much more engaging.

• Getting off the beaten path

And this is not about traveling habits or shooting and editing skills! The beaten path is that which every other explainer video follows. 

You may notice that videos are trying to blend in with the same fonts, transitions, colors, and messages. If you’re looking to be unique, you should make your video unique. 

Of course, there’s nothing ever wrong with following the well-trodden path, but we’re looking to be different from the rest. Know that there are thousands of other explainer videos and you may need to watch them to get a clear insight of what should be presented. 

• Remembering that you have about five seconds

The length of your video doesn’t matter. Usually, your first five seconds are make or break. If they are not interesting and intriguing, you risk losing your viewer’s attention. 

Put any formal information or introduction after the first five seconds so you can wow your audience from the get-go with something more catchy. 

Summary 

Making your explainer video more effective doesn’t mean going all crazy. Ensuring it is high quality in nature, engaging, and conveys a clear message to your audience is key. 

Over to you? Which tips will you try first?