Becca
When considering how to make an explainer video, you need to grab yourself some top-quality inspiration. Explainer videos can be tricky to make, but the pay-off is 100% worth it. How you really should be wording the question is – how to make an informational video? As an explainer video needs to be packed full of information.
Think about it – videos are quickly becoming the #1 source of media thanks to popular platforms like YouTube and Facebook, which celebrate the format. And why are they so popular? Well, video explainers are quick to watch, easily sharable and often are produced in an engaging way.
So, how do you really capture the essence of your business in just a couple of minutes – and is it even possible on a startup budget? In this article, we’ll show you how you can bag yourself an incredible explainer video, with inspiration from 7 of the greatest!
7 Best Explainer Video Examples
You’ve probably seen some of these videos before, and it’d be no surprise.
What these informational videos all have in common, is a perfect blend of engagement, imagination and of course information. They’re fantastic examples of what can be achieved with a well-made explainer video – worth watching again and again and again…
Airbnb
You can’t really talk about startups without mentioning Airbnb – and this top-notch explainer video may tell us why…
Working with Singapore production house, TBWA, they brought their miniature world to life. And it wasn’t an easy task: it took 30 people 5 weeks to build the set, and a whopping 85 takes to get the final shot!
That said, it’s a lovely video that accurately showcases the way Airbnb works, capturing the idea of making the world more connected by taking you from a tiny jungle treehouse through to the grand entrance of a castle.
Dollar Shave Club
When you think of an explainer video you may automatically attribute it to animation – however, it’s important to note there are many different types of videos that are considered explainer videos. And this, well it’s the stuff of marketing legend…
This uber viral video was a massive success for Dollar Shave Club, propelling the startup into the public consciousness. Its blend of comedy and an innovative service proved to be the perfect recipe for a viral hit.
And, considering its phenomenal success, it was pretty cheap – coming in at a price tag of $4500. They worked with LA video production duo Paulilu to create this hilarious explainer.
Tonx
Although they haven’t quite hit the viral success of Dollar Shave Club, Tonx clearly know how to make an explainer video – and sell their coffee subscription!
They’ve got just the right amount of humour and lots of tempting shots of coffee to entice you. Plus, by setting it in a normal house, you can just imagine how it’d fit into your daily routine (dressing gown and oversized head towel included). On top of that, they tell you exactly how it works and it all sounds super easy.
Tonx opted for an agency, working with the full-service video team Sandwich Video to get the end result. Whether it’s an explainer video company or explainer video freelancer, do your research on the types of videos they create.
Litmus
Slightly different from the others – but, c’mon, who doesn’t love an animation explainer video with ninjas?
Their product isn’t the easiest to market and is pretty niche. Essentially, what Litmus‘s product does, is check how your emails look across every browser.
This explainer video shows you can take any product, and make it really exciting and creative. B2B doesn’t have to mean boring!
To create this fun, animated explainer video, Litmus worked with Planet Nutshell – a small motion graphics company that produces animated educational and explainer videos.
Text Me Up
This is another fantastic example of how you can make your own animation videos!
By using the (very cute) animals, they make their product seem really universal. Plus, they really demonstrate the need for their product in their explanation and make it clear how you can use it too.
An animation like this never comes cheap though. Thinkmojo, the masterminds behind this video, charge between $5000 and $25000 for a video, depending on its complexity and how advanced the animations are.
How to get your own explainer video
Although agencies are a fantastic way to produce explainer videos, they can break the bank a bit. This isn’t always an option when you’re running a new startup and counting pennies. Plus, you don’t always get the full level of creative input you might want either, as it’s harder to work closely with a large agency. They’ll generally take an idea and run with it. So how can you get an explainer video and dodge these hurdles?
Enter Twine.
Check out this awesome explainer video by Twine member Anastasia Belenova. (It’s explaining explainer videos!) Her work shows you can find awesome, quality creatives who you can work with closely to get your perfect video. We’re not saying we’re the cheapest option, because we don’t want to be. But we’re more affordable than hiring an entire agency and you’ll get a bit more creative input into your project.
Here’s another one of our favourites. Stefan Fitzner is a super talented motion designer and he created this video for Clariant International’s social media web series, explaining the science behind everyday phenomena.
Tempted yet? If you want to get started on your explainer video, you can post a brief on Twine today. Make sure you read our blog on making your video the best it can be too.
Stuart Logan
Raksha
