What Is An Explainer Video: Complete Guide 2025

In today’s busy digital world, grabbing and holding attention is harder than ever. That’s where explainer videos come in brief, efficient visual tools to break down complex ideas into bite-sized facts. With the arrival of 2025, explainer videos have come of age as an integral aspect of contemporary communication strategies.

From explaining a product idea to customer onboarding and branding messaging, these videos achieve their purpose by blending storytelling, animation, and audio to create compelling, informative experiences. Because they can so efficiently educate and persuade audiences, they’re marketers’, educators’, and business leaders’ go-to. With visual content in greater demand than ever, explainer videos are more timely and effective than ever.

What is an Explainer Video?

An explainer video is a concise, educational video that deconstructs complex ideas, goods, or services into digestible pieces of information. Normally between 60 and 90 seconds, the videos use images, voice-overs, and soundtracks to transmit messages that connect. In 2025, explainer video services will play a central role in marketing, training, and customer education as an all-purpose tool across industries.

Definition and Purpose of Explainer Videos

To the main core of an explainer video, it turns into a simpler view on clarification. To show a new product, a service, or a process, these videos create an entertaining story out of complex facts. They are meant to maximize understanding, improve retention, and drive action. This is why it is one of the most valuable tools a company will ever have in its entire communications arsenal.

Why Explainer Videos are Essential in 2025

In the rapidly changing digital era, viewers demand content that is fast, concise, and engaging. Static text and long descriptions no longer capture attention like they used to. That’s where explainer videos step in a contemporary solution that integrates visuals, audio, and narrative to convey messages with maximum effect.

Enhanced Engagement

Explainer videos tap into the strength of visual storytelling to engage interest at once. In contrast to plain text, they utilize motion, color, voice, and music to engage viewers on a more emotional level, rendering the content much more interactive and interesting.

Improved Retention

Humans remember what they see and hear much better than what they read. With the addition of sound along with interactive imagery, explainer videos cause viewers to remember essential information, as well as enhance understanding.

Versatility

Explainer videos do not belong to a single platform. Whether they are embedded on a website, shared on social media, included in an email, or shown at a presentation, they easily fit into any format and marketing channel.

Efficiency

Time is precious, particularly in the online environment. Explainer videos convey messages rapidly and economically, making them perfect for today’s speedy consumption of content.

As we move through 2025, attention spans are getting shorter while demand for meaningful, bite-sized content only increases. In such a landscape, explainer videos are no longer a nicety but an indispensable component of any effective communication and marketing strategy.

Types of Explainer Videos

Explainer videos exist in different styles, all applicable to different messages and audiences. Knowing the different types assists in choosing the best format for your content.

2D Animated Explainer Videos

Utilizing flat graphics and animations, 2D explainer videos are cost-effective and versatile. They are ideal for simplifying complex ideas and are widely used in corporate settings.

What Makes 2D Animation Popular?

Simplicity: Clear visuals make information easy to digest.
Affordability: Less expensive than 3D or live-action alternatives.
Flexibility: Easily updated to reflect changes in products or services.

3D Animated Explainer Videos

3D Animation video services offer depth and realism, making them suitable for showcasing products or intricate processes. They are particularly effective in industries like manufacturing and healthcare. It enhances the overall outlook of content related to that sector for maximum audience awareness.

When to Use 3D Animated Explainers?

Product Demonstrations: Showcasing the inner workings of complex machinery.
Medical Procedures: Illustrating surgical techniques or anatomical functions.
Architectural Visualizations: Presenting building designs in a realistic manner.

Whiteboard Animation Videos

Mimicking the act of drawing on a whiteboard, Our whiteboard animation service is excellent for educational content and storytelling. Their straightforward style keeps viewers focused on the message. It is safe to say that the message is clear and easy to understand with the help of whiteboard animation.

Why Whiteboard Style Still Works in 2025.

Clarity: Step-by-step illustrations enhance understanding.
Engagement: The drawing process keeps viewers intrigued.
Cost-Effectiveness: Less resource-intensive than other animation styles.

Live-Action Explainer Videos

Featuring real people and settings, Our live-action video services add a human touch, building trust and relatability. They are ideal for services that rely on personal interaction. It does not only engages audience but also give them a sense of connection.

Live Action vs. Animation: Which is Better?

Live Action: Best for showcasing real environments and human interactions.
Animation: Ideal for abstract concepts and scenarios difficult to film.

Screencast Explainer Videos

These videos capture screen activity, making them perfect for software tutorials and demonstrations. They guide users through processes in a clear, step-by-step manner. They are detail oriented and provide a sense of clarity among the viewers.

Ideal Scenarios for Screencast Explainers

Software Onboarding: Teaching new users how to navigate applications.
Technical Support: Providing visual solutions to common issues.
Process Demonstrations: Explaining workflows or system operations.

Motion Graphics Videos

Combining text, shapes, and animation, motion graphics are dynamic and engaging. They are excellent for presenting data, statistics, and abstract concepts. Be it social media hype reels, announcements, or anything that is exciting, motion graphic videos take the front seat.

Why Motion Graphics Videos Are Trending

Visual Appeal: Eye-catching designs capture attention.
Information Delivery: Effectively conveys complex data.
Branding: Aligns well with corporate aesthetics.

Benefits of Using Explainer Videos

Explainer videos or any kind of Saas Videos offer a captivating way to communicate ideas simply and powerfully. They boost engagement, improve understanding, and yield better results. The purpose of Saas videos is clear, authentic and engaging communication that is beneficial for users in every way.

How Explainer Videos Grab Audience Attention

Through eye-catching visuals and storytelling, explainer videos immediately capture attention. This keeps viewers engaged longer than traditional content. People usually like story-telling and they tend to be engaged with some sort of videos that are engaging and captivating.

Increasing Conversions with Explainer Videos

By establishing transparency regarding your value proposition, explainer videos create trust. Such transparency tends to bring about increased conversion and improved ROI. These videos are actually good for conversations and boosting reach.

Using Explainer Videos to Simplify Complex Topics

Explainer videos break down complex concepts into short, visual narratives. Glowza Digital Healthcare Video Production makes it easier for audiences to understand and retain information. In reality, if something is easy to digest for the audience and when it is about cutting down large content into pieces, it is explainer videos.

Why They Work Across Various Platforms

Highly adaptable, explainer videos perform well on websites, social media, emails, and presentations. Their format suits multiple devices and content strategies. In addition, these kinds of videos adapt easily to websites, social media, and email. Their versatility makes sure that your message reaches and resonates with every audience.

Steps to Create an Explainer Video

The technique of creating an explainer video is anything but just a combination of visuals with audio. Your message must be communicated effectively to also be strategically aligned with your target audience’s requirements. Below, the steps are dissected to ensure that ultimately, you are creating an engagement-generator and result-generating video.

Step 1: Define the Purpose and Target Audience

Before you even think about visuals or voiceovers, clarify your “why.” What is the core goal of this video? Are you aiming to educate, promote, onboard, or convert?

Questions to Clarify Your Objectives:

What is the video’s main goal? (E.g., increase sign-ups, explain a new product, simplify a complex service.)
Who is the target audience? (Demographics, pain points, buyer journey stage.)
What action should viewers take after watching? (CTA such as “Sign Up Now,” “Book a Demo,” or “Download the App.”)

Taking time to answer these questions helps anchor the messaging and structure of your explainer video.

Step 2: Choose the Right Video Style

The style of your explainer video plays a big role in how effectively your message is conveyed. Each style comes with its own pros and ideal use cases. Style plays a vital role in developing the right kind of video for the right person in order to deliver desired message.

Factors to Consider When Picking a Style:

Complexity of the subject matter: Technical concepts may benefit from animated or whiteboard videos.
Budget constraints: Live-action videos tend to be more expensive than animation.
Brand identity and tone: A fintech startup may choose a sleek 2D animation, while a children’s learning platform might opt for playful, colorful motion graphics.

Popular Explainer Video Styles:

2D animation – Great for startups and SaaS products.
Whiteboard – Ideal for instructional or educational videos.
Live-action – Effective for building personal connections.
Motion graphics – Best for data-heavy content.

Step 3: Write an Engaging Script

The script is the heart of your explainer video. A great script keeps viewers hooked, delivers value, and prompts action all in under 90 seconds. The most interesting and captivating part is being involved in the engaging script writing to meet the desired end result.

Scriptwriting Tips for Maximum Impact:

Begin with a hook: Grab attention in the first 5–10 seconds with a problem or surprising stat.
Keep it benefit-driven: Rather than focusing solely on features, highlight how your product/service improves the user’s life.
Use conversational language: Talk to your audience like a human, not a corporate brochure.
Include a compelling CTA: End with a direct next step so it’s bold and impossible to resist.

Example CTA: “Get started today with a free 14-day trial!”

Step 4: Develop Storyboards or Concepts

A storyboard is a visual document of your script. It breaks down each scene, allowing it to be visualized more easily for transitions, characters, and on-screen text before production starts. It is the foundation of clear and authentic compelling video. You can even visualize your message before the final production.

Why Storyboards Matter:

Help identify visual gaps early.
Align the creative team on a unified vision.
Streamline production by avoiding guesswork.

Even a rough sketch or a slide-by-slide mockup in Google Slides can serve as a functional storyboard.

Step 5: Select Music, Voiceovers, and Other Assets

Audio is just as important as visuals. The right music and voiceover can dramatically elevate your message or detract from it if poorly chosen. The right audio and visuals elevate your explainer video’s impact. Select music, voiceovers, and assets that goes well with your brand’s tone and image.

Best Practices for Background Music and Voice Overs:

Match music to mood: Use energetic music for promotional videos or softer sounds for explainer content.
Voiceover tone should suit the brand: Select a professional voiceover actor who appeals to your listeners warm and friendly, authoritative, playful, etc.
Balance audio elements: Make sure the music does not overwhelm the narration. Mix and master all the tracks for clarity and effectiveness.

Pro tip: Utilize royalty-free libraries such as Artlist, Epidemic Sound, or Envato Elements for great quality music.

Step 6: Leverage Creation Tools or Production Companies

You can do it yourself (DIY) or contract the job to a professional video agency. Your choice will depend upon your budget, timeline, and level of video complexity.

Step 7: Produce and Edit Your Video

With all your assets in position, it’s time to make the video come alive. This is the animation, voice syncing, transitions, text overlays, and more.Turn your concept into reality with professional production and editing. This stage brings together visuals, audio, and motion for a polished final product.

Tips for High-Quality Production:

Maintain consistent branding: Stick to your brand’s color palette, fonts, and tone.
Keep the pacing tight: Don’t let any scene drag aim for ~150 words per minute.
Watch, revise, repeat: Review the first cut internally, collect feedback, and iterate.

Use tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or DaVinci Resolve for advanced editing or stick to built-in editors within tools like Canva or Animoto.

Step 8: Publish and Promote Your Explainer Video

Your video is only as effective as it’s viewed by the right people. Strategic distribution is what drives views, engagement, and conversions. Basically, the idea of compelling and engaging videos are backed up by explainer videos in all forms.

How to Optimize Video Distribution:

Website integration: Place the video on your homepage, product page, or landing pages for better conversion.
Social media: Share it on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube via captions, hashtags, and eye catching thumbnails.
Email marketing: Insert the video in onboarding streams, newsletters, or product release notifications.
Sales outreach: Put videos into cold emails or embed them in presentations and demos.

Bonus Tip: Track video analytics using platforms like Wistia, Vidyard, or YouTube Studio to measure engagement and optimize over time.

Keep It Short and On-Point

Attention spans are brief, and so your video will need to strike the nail on the head in a timely manner. 60 to 90 seconds is the perfect length. That will enable you to introduce the issue, bring forward the solution, and make a clean call to action without hopefully losing the attention of your viewers.

Focus on Benefits Over Features

People don’t buy products; they buy solutions. Make your explainer video revolve around how your product or service helps, not just what it does. Show real-world applications and outcomes that resonate with your target audience.

Use Visual Storytelling to Make an Impact

A strong visual story can accomplish what words cannot. Whether by motion graphics or live-action, Glowza Digital E-learning Video Production takes viewers on a journey from issue to resolution. It is a very nice idea engaging your audience with narratives and storytelling that keeps them glued to the screens.

Captivating Thumbnails and CTAs

Your thumbnail is your first impression. Make it count with a clean, high-contrast image and readable text overlay. Pair that with a strong call to action (CTA) that encourages clicks, sign-ups, or purchases. They are never underestimated by successful and promising brands because they are like the ice-breakers to your visuals.

Where to Use Explainer Videos

Wondering where to place your video content? These platforms are ripe for results.

On Your Website

Embed your explainer video on your homepage, service pages, or product landing pages. This instantly grabs attention and clarifies your offer. It brings the audience to your content and keeps them hooked.

Social Media Platforms

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok are goldmines for engagement. Post short versions with hooks that stop the scroll. These platforms ensure that the maximum number of audience is involved in your social media stories and content creation to understand your brand well.

Email Marketing Campaigns

Including an explainer video in your emails can increase click-through rates by up to 300%. Just make sure the thumbnail or GIF links directly to the video page. They have to be engaging and connective as well to let the audience get the real essence of the experience.

Ads and Retargeting Campaigns

Use your video in PPC campaigns to re-engage visitors who didn’t convert the first time. A visual reminder can be the nudge they need.

Sales Pitches and Presentations

Start your pitch with a 60-second video to summarize your solution. It sets the tone and keeps your presentation concise and persuasive.

Trends Shaping Explainer Videos in 2025

Let’s talk about the future. The way we make and consume explainer videos is evolving fast.

The Rise of AI in Explainer Video Production

AI is streamlining everything from scriptwriting to voiceovers. Platforms now use AI to analyze viewer behavior and auto-adjust scripts and visuals for better engagement. AI is taking toll on many creative elements including story telling, narratives and so on.

How Personalization Is Changing Explainer Videos

Personalized videos, where names, roles, or industries are inserted dynamically, are crushing conversion rates. This one-to-one approach makes the viewer feel seen and understood. The sense of connection and personal touch is to be understood well by the viewers.

Integrating Explainer Videos with AR and VR

Welcome to the next frontier. AR and VR explainer videos offer immersive experiences that are transforming industries like real estate, education, and retail. The difference in AR and VR is all about how impactful the experience is for the audience and how rich it is going to be in the future.

Examples of High-Performing Explainer Videos

Let’s look at real-world success stories to show how powerful these videos can be.

Case Study 1: How a SaaS Company Increased Conversions

A cloud software firm added a 90-second explainer video to their homepage. Within 60 days, their signups increased by 45%. The video simplified the platform’s complex features and built trust quickly.

Related: Check out our SaaS Videos portfolio for more examples.

Case Study 2: The Power of Animated Explainers in E-Commerce

An e-commerce skincare brand used a 2D animation to showcase product usage. The result? A 28% increase in cart completions within the first month.

Explore our E-commerce Video Production strategy guide.

Case Study 3: Simplifying Technical Concepts with Explainer Videos

A B2B tech company used motion graphics to explain blockchain. The video turned a high-abandonment page into one of the top-performing landing pages, reducing bounce rates by 60%.

Check out our Motion Graphics services for similar case studies.

Final Thoughts on Explainer Videos in 2025

The power of video is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a necessity. As digital content becomes more crowded, a well-executed explainer video helps your business cut through the noise and deliver value fast.

Why Every Business Needs an Explainer Video

From startups to global enterprises, explainer videos are the go-to format for capturing attention, building credibility, and increasing conversions. They’re versatile, engaging, and work across every platform.

Getting Started with Your First Explainer Video

Ready to roll? Start by defining your goal, audience, and style. Need help? Reach out to our team or explore our Explainer Video Services to get started with confidence.