How to Create an Explainer Video for Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Businesses today need engaging ways to share their products and services with potential customers.. Explaining a complex product, technical service or business process using only written content can be difficult at times.

That is where explainer videos can make a difference.

An explainer video uses visuals, storytelling, animation and demonstrations to turn information into easy-to-understand content for viewers.

From startups launching apps to well-known brands launching new purchases businesses use explainer videos on websites, social media, digital ads and sales presentations.

Creating a professional explainer video still needs careful planning, a clear script, good visuals and a smooth production process.

In this guide we show you how to create an explainer video for your business from the idea, to the finished video.

Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your Explainer Video

Before you begin making the video think about what you want it to accomplish. Different companies make explainer videos for reasons. Some want to introduce a product. Others want to show how a product works explain details or teach customers something important.

For instance a software company might make a video to show how their app functions. A company that makes home appliances could create a video to show how a product simplifies routines.

The goal of the video should shape every part of the process. That includes writing the script choosing visuals and deciding on the tone. It’s better to pick one goal than to try to include too many messages in one video.

Focusing on a purpose helps keep the video clear and easy to follow. It also ensures the message stays strong and consistent from start, to finish.

Step 2: Understand Your Target Audience

The video needs to be produced keeping in mind the needs of its audience.

Prior to writing the script for the video, one needs to ascertain whom the video is meant for and what kind of information they need.

Consider the interests of the target audience, their knowledge of the product, difficulties they may encounter, and expectations from the product.

For example, the explainer video for new software users should not contain any technical jargon.

Alternatively, the video for industrial engineers needs to have the product specifications and demonstration.

This helps the company to decide how much information they need to provide.

Step 3: Identify the Main Message and Product Benefits

Once the objective and audience are clear the first step is to figure out the important message the video should send. Businesses often get this wrong by listing many product features in one explainer video. It's better to focus on the features and benefits that really matter to customers. For example a kitchen appliance might have technical functions.. Instead of going into every detail the video can show how it makes cooking faster and easier. This way the message becomes more relatable and meaningful, to the people watching.

A useful approach is to organize the message around three elements:

• The problem customers experience

• The solution offered by the product or service

• The practical benefits customers receive

This structure helps the audience understand not only what the product does but also why it may be useful.

Step 4: Choose the Right Explainer Video Format

The next step is selecting a suitable production format.

Different explainer video styles communicate information in different ways.

Animated Explainer Videos

Animated explainer videos use illustrations, characters, and graphics to explain concepts.

They are suitable for software products, educational services, financial solutions, and ideas that are difficult to demonstrate through live-action footage.

Product Explainer Videos

Product explainer videos demonstrate the features, functionality, and practical applications of physical or digital products.

These videos are commonly used for electronics, kitchen appliances, consumer products, and e-commerce businesses.

Live-Action Explainer Videos

Live-action explainer videos use real products, people, and locations to demonstrate how something works.

They are useful when businesses want to show authentic product usage or practical demonstrations.

Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Motion graphics videos use animated text, icons, illustrations, and visual elements to communicate information.

They work well for explaining business processes, technical information, statistics, and corporate services.

Selecting the right format depends on the product, target audience, message complexity, and intended platform.

Step 5: Write a Clear and Engaging Explainer Video Script

Writing a script can be said to be one of the crucial steps in creating an explainer video.

Good scripting will help in delivering the message to the audience in an interesting way.

The script should not be based on technical jargons and sentences, but should be more practical and helpful for the customer.

Explainer video script usually has five main stages.

Introduction: Start with an example of the situation or problem that the customer has.

Problem: Explain the problem faced by the audience.

Solution: Bring out the product as the solution to their problems.

Benefits: Show them how the product functions and how it is helpful.

Call to action: Give directions where the customer should go after watching the video, either visit the website, request demo, or contact the company.

For instance, a software explainer video starts with the problem of manually handling the inventory.

The next step would be bringing the software which makes it easy to manage the inventory and show some features.

Step 6: Create a Storyboard for the Video

With the scripting done, the next step is the process of storyboarding.

The storyboard is an illustration showing how the scenes would look like in the final video production.

Storyboarding helps the production team plan on how to organize illustrations, animations, shots, demonstrations of the products, and transitions.

An illustration of the storyboard of a product explainer could be as follows: a first shot of the product, then a closer look at the key features of the product, how it is being used, and finally a brand message.

Through storyboarding, businesses can also be able to detect any issues before even getting into production through filming and animation.

This makes sure that the production is cost-effective.

Step 7: Plan the Visual Design and Production Requirements

After the storyboard gets approved I see the production team start working on the elements needed for the video.

When the explainer is animated I watch the production team design characters, backgrounds, illustrations, graphics and other assets.

When the explainer is live‑action I see the production team pick locations set up equipment ready the products and plan the shoot.

The business is asked to give product information, logos, brand colours, packaging references and other useful materials.

Keeping design consistent helps the explainer video match the brands identity.

Before the production team starts I make sure the required video resolution, aspect ratio and distribution platforms are all set.

Step 8: Begin Animation or Live-Action Production

Production is where the approved script and storyboards are brought to life.

In animated explainer videos, animators design movement, transitions, characters, and illustrations through storyboarding.

On the other hand, live action videos involve filming the products, presenters, demonstrations, and any other scenes that may be necessary.

The process of production will depend on the format chosen and the nature of the content to be produced.

For instance, a software animated explainer will incorporate screen recording and motion graphics whereas for a kitchen appliance video, close up images and demonstration scenes will be necessary.

The main aim here is to communicate the information in a clear manner.

Step 9: Add Voiceover, Music, and Sound Design

Audio has an important role to play when creating explainer videos.

Voiceover helps viewers understand the content. Explain features of the product.

The voiceover tone should be in line with the communication requirements of the brands because voiceover acts as the voice of the brand.

For instance, while making a corporate explainer video, a professional tone may be required. But for making an explainer video of a consumer product, a lively tone may work better.

Background music and sound effects can be used to add value to the video. But it should not overshadow the voiceover.

However, use of any audio should not overshadow the narrative. It could distract viewers from the main message because clarity of audio makes sure that the message is not lost.

Sound mixing and audio quality is important for maintaining the viewing experience.

Step 10: Edit and Review the Explainer Video

Once the visuals and audio are prepared, the video enters the editing and post-production stage.

Editors combine footage, animations, voiceovers, graphics, music, and sound effects into a complete video.

They also review the pacing, scene transitions, visual consistency, and message clarity.

Businesses should carefully review the video before final approval.

Important elements to check include product accuracy, correct branding, readable text, appropriate narration, and consistency with the approved script.

Feedback should be consolidated and communicated clearly to the production team.

This helps avoid unnecessary revisions and keeps the project moving efficiently.

Step 11: Prepare the Video for Different Marketing Platforms

After approval, the video should be exported in formats that would fit the various platforms intended for use of the video.

A business may want to use the explainer videos in its website, landing pages, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, digital ads, and sales pitch.

Different platforms might have different needs in terms of aspect ratio, time frame, or the layout of the videos.

For example, videos in horizontal view may be appropriate for website and YouTube, while vertical view for Instagram reels.

Otherwise, short explainer videos may be created to highlight some of the advantages of the product being advertised through digital ads.

Making such considerations before the production process can help avoid unnecessary edits.

Step 12: Measure the Performance of Your Explainer Video

Creating an explainer video is only one part of the process.

Businesses should also evaluate whether the video is achieving its intended communication or marketing objective.

The appropriate performance metrics depend on how the video is being used.

For website explainer videos, businesses may monitor video engagement, enquiry submissions, and landing-page conversions.

For social media videos, useful metrics may include views, watch time, audience retention, and engagement.

For digital advertising campaigns, businesses can measure click-through rates, leads, and conversions.

These insights can help identify opportunities to improve future video content.

How ZoomMantra Helps Businesses Create Explainer Videos

ZoomMantra Productions is a video production company based in Mumbai, offering professional explainer video services for businesses across different industries.

The company provides production formats including animated explainers, product demonstrations, motion graphics, and live-action videos.

From understanding the business brief and developing creative concepts to scriptwriting, production, editing, and final delivery, ZoomMantra supports the explainer video creation process.

Businesses looking to explain products, demonstrate features, or communicate technical services can explore ZoomMantra's Explainer Video Production Services.

Conclusion

The development of an effective explainer video needs more than the creation of eye-catching visuals or animations.

The success of the production process involves an understanding of the target audience, determination of the key message to deliver, formulation of the script, and choosing the right video format.

Such processes as storyboarding, production planning, professional editing, and sound design may help to unite the message.

It is also important for businesses to determine the place of publishing and measuring the effectiveness of the video.

The adherence to the explainer video production process allows a brand to produce content which would help in delivering messages effectively, increasing the understanding of products, and meeting business goals.

This can be achieved regardless of the purpose of the video whether it is to introduce a product or service.