Do SaaS Products Really Need Explainer Videos or Is It Just Video Production Propaganda?

SaaS Explainer Videos: Essential or Overhyped?

Hey there, SaaS enthusiasts, skeptics, and video aficionados,

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Do SaaS products actually need an explainer video, or is this just a clever pitch cooked up by video production houses (yes, I see you, my fellow animators, nodding in the corner)?

As someone who dances on both sides—selling SaaS and crafting videos—here’s the truth bomb you didn’t see coming:

The Case for Explainer Videos:

1. Complex Products Need Simpler Stories SaaS solutions often solve intricate problems. Explainer videos simplify your offering into a digestible, bite-sized format, letting your audience grasp the why and how in less than two minutes.
2. Retention Is King Studies show that people retain 95% of a message when delivered via video, compared to just 10% through text. Don’t shoot the messenger; science says so.
3. Videos Save Time for Everyone Want to reduce the time your sales team spends repeating the same demo? Explainer videos do the heavy lifting. Prospects come prepped, informed, and halfway down the funnel.
4. SEO’s Favorite Tool Websites with videos are 53 times more likely to rank on the first page of Google. Yes, even your product demo can be an SEO superhero.

The Counterargument: Propaganda, Anyone?

But here’s the spicy part. Do all SaaS products truly need an explainer video? The answer is no.

• If your product is intuitive (think Canva or Slack) and your target market gets it immediately, an explainer might be overkill.
• If you’re a bootstrapped startup with a thin budget, dumping cash into a flashy video won’t fix broken messaging or product issues.

Instead, focus on what your audience truly needs: clarity, trust, and relevance. A poorly made or rushed video can backfire harder than a bad joke in a crowded room.

So, What's the Verdict?

Explainer videos aren’t a propaganda piece from video production houses (though some do oversell them). They’re a tool. A powerful one, yes, but not an automatic fix-all.

If you can create a short, engaging video that communicates your SaaS’s value effectively—go for it. If not, skip the video, refine your messaging, and circle back when you’re ready.

At the end of the day, videos aren’t a must; they’re a smart choice when the timing and product are right.

Until next time, keep it clear, concise, and, dare I say, sexy.

Thanks for reading this whole and let me know your feedback on this.