Modern-day explainer videos have evolved to become one of the most critical digital tools any business, educator, or content creator needs in today's digitally information-overloaded world. In a nutshell, they are small, engaging videos, very informative, and simplify topics down into easily digestible material. This guide takes you step by step on how to create an effective logo animations, right from conceptualization to production, with real-life examples that will inspire you.

What is an Explainer Video?

An explainer videos is a very short—normally animated or live-action—video that helps explain a product, service, or concept, or even an idea in an extremely simple and clear way. Videos are usually 60-second to 90-second long; a few combine visuals with narration and sometimes music only in pursuit of getting information across. This would then serve the purpose of making complex information easily understood and remembered.

Why should one use Explainer videos?

• Engaged: Explainer videos are such that information catches the attention of audiences within a very short period, thus keeping them engaged. Furthermore, the visuals and audio are combined in a manner that the information becomes all the more appealing.
• Clear: Explainers break down complex ideas into easily digestible content and see that the right message is communicated.
• Retentive: A video retains information better in people's minds.
• Conversion: Explainer videos increase conversion rates by stating the value of the product or service and giving users a call to action. 

How to Make an Explainer Video: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Define Your Goal

Before you get down to making explainer videos, first be sure of what you want out of it. Be prepared to answer the following questions, among others:

• What is the key message to communicate?
• Who is your target audience?
• What do you want people to do after they have finished viewing the video?

Step 2: Write a Script

The script really is the backbone of your explainer videos. It needs to be short, catchy, and concise in its message. Some hints on writing a great script are:

• Start with a Hook: Get the viewer's attention within the first few seconds.
• Keep it Simple: Avoid jargon and the sentences should be short.
• Focus on Benefits: State how the product or service solves a problem or fulfills a need.
• Call to Action:Close with a call to action, telling the viewer what to do.

Step 3: Create a Storyboard

A storyboard is a visual draft of your video, explaining what each scene in your video will entail. It's essential for conceptualizing the visuals that will be used, and it helps determine whether the visual elements are aligned to the story or not. Each frame should contain the following information:

• Sketch of the scene
• Action described
• Notes on camera angles, transitions, and effects

Step 4: Pick Your Style

There are scores of various styles for the explainer videos. The choice depends on who your audience is and what you're going to say. Common styles include:

• Animated:The video uses animated characters and graphics. This comes in handy, especially when you need to explain something complex in simple terms.concepts.
• Whiteboard: Hand-drawn illustrations on a whiteboard. This is very good for educational videos.
• Live-Action: Uses real people, settings; excellent for personal stories or testimonials.
• Motion Graphics: A combination of text, shape and graphics, superb for visualizing data and corporate messages.

Step 5: Produce the Video

Now that you have locked in your storyboard and style, you are ready to produce the video. This includes:

• Animation/Filming: Depending on the style chosen, animate logo animations or film live action footage.
• Voiceover: Record a professional voiceover recording to narrate your script.
• Music and Sound Effects: Background music and sound effects can also be added to the video.

Step 6: Edit and Refine

This is where everything will come together in the editing process. With a video editing software, do the following:

• Cut and arrange scenes
• Pair voiceover with corresponding shots
• Add transitions and effects
• Adjust timing and pacing

Step 7: Test and Optimize

Before you lock a video, test it in front of a small audience for some feedback. Check for:

• Clarity: Is the message clear, easy to understand?
• Engagement:Does it engage and retain attention?
• Length: Is it the right length for the message? Make any necessary adjustments in view of feedback.

Step 8: Distribute and Promote

Now that your explainer videos is ready, it's time to let the world see it. Here are a few distribution channels you may want to consider:

• Website: Put it on your homepage or relevant landing pages. 
• Social Media: Share on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 
• Email Marketing: Attach to email campaigns for email marketing. 
• YouTube and Vimeo: Share it in places like YouTube and Vimeo for maximum views. 

Good Examples of Explainer Videos That Work

Example 1: Dropbox

One of the most famous explainer videos was created for Dropbox, a cloud storage service. It does this through very simplistic logo animations and a VO that clearly describes what Dropbox is, how it works, and what's in it for the end-user. This video opens with a problem—what a hassle it is to transfer files by email—and then introduces Dropbox as the solution. There's a clearly articulated value proposition toward the end, with an open invitation to try out the service.

Example 2: Dollar Shave Club

This beaver explainer videos from Dollar Shave Club went viral, and the popularity increased incredibly. It features the founder of the company giving a funny and very simple, completely no-frills pitch on their subscription razor service. Again, it's the humor, clear messaging, and strong call to action that has made this video very effective.

Example 3: Crazy Egg

Crazy Egg, a Web analytics tool, uses an animated exploder video to help show customers how the service works. It is showing the value of heatmaps and scroll maps that users can use to improve their website performance. The logo animations is most engaging; the narration is quite clear and very informative.

Example 4: Mint

An animated explainer videos was created for Mint, a budgeting application, to show users how the app helped people organize their money. The tone of the video is streamlined through clean logo animations and verbiage, moving through features and benefits of the app. It does an excellent job explaining how Mint makes financial management easy and encourages viewers to download.

How to Make a Successful Explainer Video:

• Keep it Short: 60-90 seconds. Anything longer will start to lose viewer attention.
• Focus on the Audience: Know their pain points and write a clear message to which they will relate.
• Professional Voiceover:A clear and fine voiceover will add substance to your video.
• Branding should be consistent: Use colors, fonts, and styles that align with your brand.
• Incorporate Storytelling: Relatable storytelling makes a video as appealing and memorable as possible.
• Optimize for SEO: Insert relevant keywords within the title, description, and tags for more discoverability.

Tools and Software to Make Explainer Videos

• Animation Software: All are equally good in producing animated videos; examples include Adobe After Effects, logo animations Toon Boom, and Vyond.
• Video editing software: These consist of advanced editing features, such as video editing Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie.
• Voiceover tools: Audacity and Adobe Audition enable the user to record and edit voiceovers.
• Storyboard Tools: With Storyboarded and Boords, one can get into detailed storyboarding.

Conclusion

Explainer videos are visual displays of information in clear and simple language. In this, you will learn how to create such attention-grabbing videos that explain complex ideas in simple ways and give a call for action. Get inspired by real-life logo animations, and keep testing to further refine your videos to the needs of your audience. An explainer videos is one that puts you in the powers to explain, reveal, or narrate a product, an idea, or any other story in images.