Creating Explainer Videos: Ultimate Guide to Engaging Content

Do not index

Let's be honest, trying to explain a complex idea with just a wall of text is like trying to teach someone to swim through a PowerPoint presentation. It just doesn't work. That's where explainer videos come in—they're the fastest way to turn your "big idea" into a "got it!" moment for your audience.

This isn't just about slapping together some animations. It's about strategically boiling down your value proposition into something so clear and compelling that your customers can't help but take action.

So, Why Are Explainer Videos a Business Superpower?

Stop thinking of explainer videos as just another box to tick on your marketing to-do list. In an age of information overload, they're your secret weapon for cutting through the noise and making an instant connection. Our brains are hardwired for visuals, processing them 60,000 times faster than text. That makes video the perfect medium to get your point across, fast.

Imagine you're launching a sophisticated new SaaS platform. You could write a novel on your homepage detailing every feature, or you could create a fun, 90-second animated video that does the heavy lifting. A great video can walk viewers through the core functions, show off the user experience, and nail the key benefits—all in a format that's easy to digest and even easier to share. That's the magic of clarity.

The Real-World Impact on Customer Decisions

The numbers don't lie. When people want to learn about a new product, they're not reaching for a user manual; they're hitting play on a video. And this isn't just a casual preference—it directly impacts their buying decisions. A staggering 98% of consumers report watching an explainer video to learn more about a product or service. If you're curious, you can explore more on how video shapes consumer behavior and see for yourself how it's shaking up marketing.

This massive shift means explainer videos are no longer a "nice-to-have." They're a must-have if you want to keep up. For an e-commerce brand, a quick video showing a product in action can be the final push a hesitant shopper needs to hit that "add to cart" button.

By breaking down complex information into an engaging, easy-to-understand format, explainer videos build the trust and clarity needed to turn curious visitors into paying customers.

Think of it as building a bridge. When customers feel like they truly get what you're offering and how it solves their problem, they're way more likely to pull out their wallets. A well-made video doesn't just inform; it educates, persuades, and delivers real, measurable results, making it one of the most powerful tools in your entire content arsenal.

Here’s a quick look at how explainer videos directly tackle some of the most common business hurdles.

How Explainer Videos Drive Key Business Goals

This table breaks down how explainer videos address common business objectives, based on real consumer behavior data.

Business Goal	How Explainer Videos Help	Supporting Statistic
Increase Sales	Videos clarify product value and demonstrate usage, directly influencing purchase decisions.	88% of people say they've been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a brand’s video.
Improve Conversion Rates	A video on a landing page can make the offer more compelling and easier to understand.	Including a video on a landing page can boost conversion rates by over 80%.
Reduce Customer Support Queries	Proactively answering common questions visually can decrease the volume of support tickets.	91% of consumers have watched a video to learn how to do something.
Boost Brand Awareness	Engaging, shareable videos increase reach and introduce the brand to new audiences.	Video content is twice as likely to be shared on social media than any other form of content.

Ultimately, these videos act as your 24/7 salesperson, consistently delivering the perfect pitch every single time.

Nailing the Script Is Half the Battle

Let's be real. You can pour a fortune into stunning visuals and mind-blowing animations, but if your script is a dud, the whole video is toast. The script is the skeleton of your explainer video—it’s where you grab your audience by the collar and refuse to let go.

Forget about those dense screenplay guides and overly academic storytelling models. The most effective explainer videos I’ve ever seen all boil down to a simple, classic, three-act structure. It’s been around forever because it just plain works.

It’s a beautiful formula: kick things off with a relatable Problem. Swoop in with your product as the undeniable Solution. Then, wrap it up by telling your audience exactly what to do next with a clear Action.

Crafting the Three-Act Story

So, how does this actually play out? Let's say you're making a video for a slick new fintech app designed to help freelancers finally get a grip on their invoicing.

The Problem: You have to start with the pain point. Show me a freelancer pulling their hair out, surrounded by a chaotic mess of receipts and overdue invoices. The narration hits home: "Tired of chasing down payments and getting lost in spreadsheet hell?" We've all been there.

The Solution: Now for the grand entrance. Your app appears on screen, a beacon of order and simplicity. The music shifts, the tone becomes empowering, and you show just how easy it is to automate invoices, send polite payment reminders, and see all your finances in one clean dashboard.

The Action: Don't just fade to black! You need to give them a clear next step. Something direct like, "Download the app for free today" or "Start your 30-day trial and reclaim your financial freedom."

This framework gives your video a sense of purpose and momentum, making sure every single second is pulling its weight.

Finding Your Authentic Voice

The structure is the bones, but the tone is the personality. Are you a fun, quirky B2C brand or a serious, no-nonsense B2B powerhouse? Your word choice needs to reflect that. A script for a new gaming headset will be buzzing with high-energy slang, while one for a cybersecurity firm needs to project authority and rock-solid trust.

Getting the voice right is a genuine challenge. In fact, one study of U.S. startup leaders revealed that a whopping 70% outsource scripting and concept development. That little stat tells you everything you need to know about how critical this stage is.

Pro Tip: Read your script out loud. Seriously. Do not skip this step. What reads like Shakespeare in your head can sound like a robot having a bad day when spoken. Reading it aloud is the only way to catch clunky phrasing, trim down sentences that go on forever, and find a natural, conversational rhythm.

This one simple trick can be the difference between a video that connects and one that makes people click away.

If you want to dive deeper, our guide on how to write a video script that converts is loaded with templates and actionable tips. Trust me, putting in the effort here makes the rest of the production process a thousand times easier.

Picking a Look and a Production Lane

Okay, you've got a killer script locked and loaded. Now for the really fun part—deciding what this thing is actually going to look like. This isn't just about picking pretty colors; it's about finding the visual vibe that fits your brand, your message, and, let's be honest, your wallet.

Think of it like dressing for a first date. A sharp suit says something completely different than a band t-shirt and jeans. Your video's style is that first impression. A B2B tech firm trying to explain a complex SaaS platform probably shouldn't use a cutesy, hand-drawn style. They'd be better off with slick motion graphics that scream competence.

What Are the Go-To Visual Styles?

The world of video is a big, beautiful place, but a few styles have become the heavy hitters for a reason. They just work. Each one has its own personality, and picking the right one is key.

Here are the main players on the field:

2D Character Animation: The classic. You get relatable characters to guide your audience through a story. It's fantastic for making a faceless company feel more human or breaking down a complicated process.

Motion Graphics: Think slick, moving text, dynamic charts, and smooth-as-silk transitions. This is the go-to for anything data-heavy or for B2B services that need to project an air of polish and professionalism.

Whiteboard Animation: You know this one—the hand that magically draws everything on screen. It’s a powerhouse for educational content because it makes the viewer feel like they're watching an idea come to life right in front of them. Super engaging.

AI Avatar Videos: This is the new kid on the block, and it's a total game-changer for anyone who needs to create content fast. You get a hyper-realistic digital presenter to deliver your script, turning text into a finished video in minutes. It's a lifesaver for creators and businesses pumping out content at scale.

Your visual style isn't just window dressing. It's a strategic tool that broadcasts your brand's personality before a single word is spoken. Make sure it feels authentic to who you are.

So, Who's Actually Going to Make This Thing?

Once you've landed on a style, you have to figure out the "how." Who is going to bring this vision to life? You've basically got three roads you can go down, and each comes with its own mix of cost, time commitment, and creative control. For a much deeper dive, you should definitely check out our complete guide to successful explainer video creation.

Thanks to huge leaps in tech like real-time rendering, production is way faster than it used to be. We're talking a reduction in animation time by up to 40%. This has made high-quality video accessible to way more people. You can get the full scoop from this in-depth look at video animation stats.

So, which path makes the most sense for you and your team?

Hire the Pros (Freelancer or Agency): This is the white-glove service. You'll get incredible expertise and a top-tier final product. The downside? It costs the most and takes the longest.

Build Your Own A-Team (In-House): If video is central to your marketing, having your own team gives you total control. But it's a huge investment in salaries, software, and hardware.

Do It Yourself (with a Little Help from AI): This is where platforms like Dalm come in. It’s the fastest, most budget-friendly route. You can create professional-looking videos with AI avatars yourself, no technical skills required. It’s the perfect sweet spot for agile teams who need to move quickly without breaking the bank.

So, How Do These AI Avatar Video Tools Actually Work?

Ready to see just how ridiculously fast you can go from a blinking cursor on a blank page to a fully-realized video? AI avatar platforms are the ultimate cheat code for creating explainer videos. They take what used to be a multi-week headache of production and turn it into an afternoon's work. This isn't about cutting corners—it's about working smarter, not harder.

Forget the logistical nightmare of booking studio time, fiddling with lighting, or enduring the soul-crushing process of doing 50 takes to get one right. With a tool like Dalm, you just feed it your script, and a shockingly realistic digital presenter takes care of the rest.

Let's walk through what this actually looks like in practice. You'll see it’s less "rocket science" and more "connect the dots."

The whole process really just comes down to a few creative decisions. This infographic breaks down the typical flow pretty well.

As you can see, once you've got your style nailed down, it's a logical path from asset creation to animation—which is exactly what these AI platforms do for you automatically.

First Things First: Pick Your Presenter

Your very first creative decision is choosing your AI avatar. This isn't just a digital puppet; they're the host of your video, the face of your message. Think about your brand's personality. Are you shooting for a friendly, "let's grab a coffee" vibe, or something more buttoned-up and authoritative? Most platforms have a whole library of diverse avatars to pick from.

After you've found your star, you need to give them a voice. The text-to-speech tech available today is spookily good. You can usually choose from a ton of different languages, accents, and tones—from high-energy and peppy to calm and reassuring. This one-two punch of avatar and voice becomes the personality of your video.

Setting the Stage and Slapping on Your Brand

Okay, you've got your talent. Now it's time to build their set and make this video look like it's yours. This part is usually a simple drag-and-drop affair, and it's where the magic really happens.

You can typically:

Pop your company logo into a corner of the screen.

Swap out the background to match your brand colors or even use a custom image.

Layer in some subtle background music to set the mood and prevent awkward silence.

Add on-screen text overlays or bullet points to really hammer home your key messages.

It's these little details that take a video from "generic AI project" to a polished, professional piece of marketing that looks and feels like it came straight from your in-house creative team.

Directing Your Digital Talent

Now for the secret sauce—the part where you make your AI presenter sound less like a robot reading a script and more like an actual human. The trick is all in how you format the text. You have way more directorial control than you might think.

A simple comma, for instance, tells the AI to take a small, natural pause. A period creates a more definitive stop. You can often use specific punctuation and text commands to fine-tune the pacing, tone, and inflection.

My Two Cents: Don't just copy-paste your script and smash the "generate" button. Read it aloud yourself. Where do you naturally breathe or pause for emphasis? Add commas or even ellipses (...) in those spots. A few tiny tweaks can make the final delivery sound worlds more conversational.

By tinkering with the script like this, you're essentially coaching your AI avatar. It’s a simple step, but it’s what separates the good AI videos from the great ones, making sure your message lands exactly how you intended. Suddenly, you’re not just a user; you’re the director.

Getting Your Video Seen by the Right People

Alright, you did it. The script is perfect, the visuals are sharp, and your AI avatar delivered a flawless performance. You’ve created an absolute gem of an explainer video.

But here’s the hard truth: a masterpiece gathering digital dust on your hard drive has an audience of exactly one. Now the real work begins—getting that video in front of the people who actually need to see it.

Distribution isn't just the last step; it's where your video starts paying its rent. A classic rookie mistake is to upload the exact same video file everywhere and call it a day. Don't do that. You have to think like a social media native.

That full, glorious two-minute explainer is perfect for your website's landing page. But on Instagram or TikTok? You need a punchy, 30-second clip that grabs them by the collar and gets straight to the point.

Every platform speaks its own language. A video that absolutely crushes it on LinkedIn could be a total ghost town on TikTok. The secret sauce is tailoring your content to fit the vibe and expectations of each channel. That’s how you get maximum reach and real impact.

Optimizing for Search and Discovery

When people have a problem, what’s the first thing they do? They head straight to Google or YouTube. Your explainer video needs to be there, ready and waiting. This means you’ve got to get friendly with video SEO, which is way less intimidating than it sounds.

Your mission is to send crystal-clear signals to these platforms about what your video is about. It all starts with the fundamentals:

A Magnetic Title: Your title needs to be a perfect cocktail of curiosity and keywords. Ditch something bland like "Our New App." Instead, try "How to Stop Wasting Time on Invoices (New App Demo)." See the difference?

A Keyword-Rich Description: This is your chance to expand on the problem your video solves. Weave your main keywords into the first couple of sentences so search engines see them right away.

A Can't-Miss Thumbnail: Think of your thumbnail as the movie poster for your video. It has one job: get the click. Use bold text, high-contrast colors, and a human face to make it pop and send your click-through rate soaring.

Nailing these simple optimizations is the key to creating videos that get discovered organically for months—even years—to come.

Here’s something I always tell my clients: YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine. Treat it that way. When you optimize your titles, descriptions, and tags, you’re not just uploading a video; you’re building a lead-generation machine that works for you 24/7.

Weaving Your Video into Every Touchpoint

Your video’s job isn’t done once it’s on your homepage and YouTube. Think of it as your most versatile team member, ready to jump in at every stage of the customer journey.

Where else could it make an impact?

Embed it in your email campaigns to wake up a cold list. Have your sales team send it to warm leads for a quick, dynamic overview of your solution before a call.

Even better, chop up short clips and use them in hyper-targeted ad campaigns. It's an incredible way to grab attention on social feeds and drive high-quality traffic back to your site. The more you integrate your video into your existing communication, the bigger your return on this whole project will be.

Answering Your Burning Questions About Explainer Videos

Even when you have a solid plan, a few questions always seem to pop up once you're in the creative weeds. Let's tackle some of the most common head-scratchers I hear from creators. Getting these answers straight will help you dodge the usual roadblocks and keep your project cruising along.

The first thing everyone wants to know is about length. How long should an explainer video really be? There’s no single magic number, but I’ve found the sweet spot for keeping people glued to their screens is somewhere between 60 and 90 seconds.

That’s just enough time to hook them with a problem, dazzle them with your solution, and tell them what to do next—all before their attention span goes on vacation. Think of it as a sprint, not a marathon. If your script is getting long, it’s a clear signal to start trimming the fat. Get ruthless and focus only on what’s absolutely essential. Your audience will thank you.

How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?

Ah, the million-dollar question! The truth is, the cost of an explainer video can swing wildly from practically free to the price of a small car. It all boils down to the path you take.

The DIY Route with AI: Using an AI avatar platform like Dalm is, without a doubt, the most wallet-friendly option. You’re typically looking at a simple monthly subscription that lets you pump out as many videos as you need.

Hiring a Freelancer: A good freelance animator can create a polished, custom video, but it’ll cost you. Expect to pay anywhere from 5,000 for a short piece.

Going with an Agency: For the full, hands-off, white-glove treatment, an agency is the way to go. But be prepared for a price tag ranging from 25,000, depending on what you’re after.

The trick is to find the sweet spot between your budget and your goals. If you need a steady stream of content, AI tools offer a return on investment that’s pretty tough to beat.

Can I Get Away With Not Hiring a Voice Actor?

You absolutely can. This used to be a massive hurdle, but text-to-speech technology has come a long way. It's not the robotic, monotone voice you might remember from a decade ago.

Modern platforms offer AI voices that sound incredibly human, with tons of options for different genders, accents, and emotional tones. You can find a voice that perfectly matches your brand's vibe without ever stepping into a recording booth.

If you want to dive even deeper into the nuts and bolts, check out our complete guide on making explainer videos that get results. Having the right tools in your corner changes everything.

Ready to create professional videos in minutes, not months? With Dalm, you can generate endless content with your own hyper-realistic AI avatar, saving you time and production costs. Skip the cameras and studios—start creating today at https://dalm.co.