6+3 Reasons to Use an Animated Explainer Video in Your Marketing

Animation has become an increasingly popular tool for businesses looking to capture the attention of their audience and stand out in a crowded market. From explainer videos to product demos, animation can help businesses tell their brand story in a compelling, engaging way that resonates with their target audience.

But beyond just being visually appealing, animation can also be a powerful marketing tool that can help drive engagement, improve brand awareness, and increase conversion rates.

"A lot of the time in animation is spent getting the story right – that’s something you can’t rush.” – Jennifer Yuh Nelson

In this article, I’ll explore the benefits of using animation in marketing, the different types of animation videos, and best practices for creating effective animation videos that help businesses achieve their marketing goals. Whether you're an experienced marketer or new to the field, this article offers valuable insights and guidance on leveraging animation to enhance your marketing strategies.

Why use Animated Explainer Videos?

6 Reasons to Incorporate Animations into Your Marketing Strategy

Animated Explainer video:

• Captures attention: Animation can help grab the viewer's attention and keep them engaged with the content. The use of colorful, moving visuals can be particularly effective in capturing the attention of the audience, especially in a crowded digital landscape.

A great example of it is Airbnb’s AirCover campaign. The video features a playful animation style and vibrant colors that grab viewers' attention and create a sense of excitement and fun.

• Simplifies complex information: Animation can be an effective tool for explaining complex concepts or processes in a way that is easy to understand. For example, an explainer video can break down a complex product or service into simple, digestible pieces of information.

Even though Microsoft is a well-known company, its products, and services still require an introduction. The following animated video provides an overview of the Azure cloud platform and its functionalities.?

The clarity and effectiveness of the message are augmented by the expertly crafted animation and illustration, enabling the viewers to easily comprehend the information. Accomplishing the feat of educating the audience about a complex system in less than 3 minutes is undoubtedly a significant achievement.

• Appeals to emotions: Animation can be used to create characters and scenarios that appeal to the emotions of the viewer, helping to create a stronger connection between the brand and the audience.

At HBC we’ve created an animation for Secufy, which aims to convey the emotional feeling of security that an elderly woman experiences when wearing the SOS watch from Secufy.

• Builds brand awareness: Animation can be an effective tool for building brand awareness and recognition. Consistent use of animation in marketing can help create a unique visual identity for the brand and make it more memorable.

A great example is Patagonia’s explainer video. Patagonia is an outdoor clothing company and the video shows its dedication to sustainable production and environmental conservation.? You can see modern artwork and illustrations, background music that evokes an emotional response, and smooth animation transitions.

• Increases engagement: Animation videos are often more engaging than static images or text-based content. This can lead to higher engagement rates and more social sharing, which can help increase the reach of the content.

The one-minute animated video by Slack showcases the complexity of work life and how their product can seamlessly integrate into it. The video is dynamic and creative, with no voice-over, making it a challenging task for the creators to convey the message effectively.

• Improves conversion rates: Animation can help businesses convert more leads into customers. For example, a product demo video can showcase the features and benefits of the product in a way that is more compelling than a static image or text-based description. This can help persuade potential customers to make a purchase.

The explainer video for Dropbox is a great example of how animation can break down a complex product into simple, easy-to-understand concepts. According to Dropbox, a company called Common Craft produced the video in 2009 at a cost of $50,000. Since then, the video has been viewed more than 25 million times, resulting in over $48 million in revenue and more than 10 million signups.

3 More Reasons to opt for Animated Explainer Videos

Animated Explainer Videos are:

1. Cost-effective

Animation explainer videos can be a cost-effective way to produce high-quality marketing content. Compared to live-action videos, they require fewer resources and can be created faster, making them a great option for companies on a tight budget or timeline.

The cost of an animation explainer video can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the level of detail required but typically ranges from $2,000 to $20,000 or more.

The resources needed to produce an animation explainer video typically include:

• Scriptwriting: A scriptwriter is needed to write a clear and concise script that effectively communicates the key message or information to the target audience.
• Storyboarding: A storyboard artist is needed to create a visual representation of the script in the form of a series of drawings or sketches that depict the scenes and characters.
• Animation: An animator is needed to bring the storyboard to life using animation software, creating characters, backgrounds, and visual effects.
• Voiceover: A voiceover artist is needed to record the script, providing narration that complements the visuals.
• Sound design: A sound designer is needed to create sound effects and music that complement the animation and enhance the overall impact of the video.
• Editing and post-production: An editor is needed to assemble the various elements of the video, including animation, sound, and music, into a cohesive final product.

In addition to these core resources, other resources may be required depending on the specific needs of the project, such as a project manager, a graphic designer, or a marketing strategist.

Overall, while the cost of producing an animation explainer video can vary depending on the complexity of the project, it can be a cost-effective way to create engaging and effective marketing content for a company.

2. Versatile

Animation explainer videos can be used in a variety of settings, such as social media, email campaigns, presentations, or website landing pages. This versatility makes them a valuable asset for any company looking to expand its marketing reach.

Here are some of the ways in which animation explainer videos can be used:

• Website landing pages: An animation explainer video can be used on a website landing page to quickly and effectively communicate the key features and benefits of a product or service.
• Social media: Animation explainer videos are highly shareable and can be used on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to increase engagement and reach a wider audience.
• Email campaigns: Animation explainer videos can be embedded in email campaigns to grab the attention of potential customers and drive conversions.
• Sales presentations: Animation explainer videos can be used in sales presentations to help explain complex concepts or features in a simple and engaging way.
• Trade shows and events: Animation explainer videos can be used at trade shows and events to attract attention to a company's booth or presentation and communicate key messages or features to attendees.
• Investor pitches: Animation explainer videos can be used in investor pitches to help explain a company's business model, product, or service in a clear and engaging way.
• Training and education: Animation explainer videos can be used for employee training and education on topics such as compliance, safety, or company culture.

Overall, animation explainer videos are a versatile marketing tool that can be used in various ways to effectively communicate key messages and engage target audiences.

3. Memorable

Animation explainer videos are often memorable due to their creative visuals and storytelling. This can help increase brand recall and make your company stand out in a crowded market.

Animation provides a unique way to communicate ideas and tell stories that can capture the audience's attention and leave a lasting impression.

Here are some reasons why animated explainer videos can be more memorable than regular videos:

• Creative visuals: Animated explainer videos can use creative visuals to tell a story, such as using metaphors, symbolism, or abstract imagery to convey complex ideas in an engaging way. The visuals in an animated explainer video can be designed to be more visually appealing and unique than those in regular videos.
• Emotional appeal: Animated explainer videos can use character designs and animation to create an emotional connection with the audience, making the video more memorable, relatable, or humorous.
• Enhanced storytelling: Animated explainer videos can tell a story in a way that is more engaging and memorable than regular videos. The animation can be used to create a distinct visual style and pacing that draws the audience in and keeps them engaged.
• Branding opportunities: A company can use its brand colors, logos, and other design elements to make the video more cohesive and memorable.

In contrast, regular videos can be less memorable because they often use live-action footage that can be less visually engaging and have a more straightforward presentation style. Live-action videos can be limited in terms of creativity and storytelling compared to animated explainer videos.

In conclusion, an animation is an essential tool that businesses can use to capture the attention of their target audience and achieve their marketing goals. By simplifying complex information, appealing to emotions, building brand awareness, increasing engagement, and improving conversion rates, animation can help businesses stand out in a crowded market.

Additionally, animated explainer videos can be cost-effective and require fewer resources than live-action videos, making them a great option for companies on a tight budget or timeline. As such, it's important for businesses to consider incorporating animation into their marketing campaigns.

At Hayrapetyan Business Consulting , we specialize in creating effective animation videos that help our clients achieve their marketing goals. Check out HBC's Portfolio of Animated Explainer videos and our Animated Video Production Process .

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you harness the power of animation to boost your marketing efforts.