Whiteboard animation has gained popularity over the years as an effective, versatile, and affordable way to create animated marketing and communication videos and engage target audiences.
In 2023, this has never been truer.
Here’s what you should know about whiteboard animation videos, how video animation is changing the communication landscape in 2023, and how to get help creating dynamic, effective whiteboard video marketing and communication assets.
What are Whiteboard Animation Videos & Why Are They in High Demand?
Whiteboard animation videos are a type of explainer video that appear to be hand-drawn on a whiteboard.
They are typically characterized by the presence of a hand that ‘draws’ animated characters and objects on a white background while a voiceover narrates the script.
These videos typically begin with a blank white canvas, gradually filled with drawings accompanied by a voiceover that walks listeners through a specific journey and perfectly aligns with the video sequences.
They’re often used to explain complex concepts, products, or services in a simplified, engaging, and visually compelling manner.
When you create a whiteboard video, you’re creating actionable content that serves a direct communication purpose.
Ultimately, this helps you deliver a concise and memorable message to your target audience.
10 Benefits of Whiteboard Explainer Videos
The way businesses communicate with their audiences has drastically evolved. While textual content remains integral, visual content, particularly video, has taken a significant leap forward.
Characterized by the simulation of static images drawn on a whiteboard accompanied by a narrative, these videos are compelling and offer a range of benefits.
From simplifying complex concepts and enhancing message retention to ensuring cost-effectiveness, the advantages of whiteboard cartoon videos are numerous and significant.
Let’s delve deeper into the top benefits of these unique communication tools.
- Simplicity: Whiteboard animations can break down complex concepts and present them and engagingly. They’re excellent for explaining difficult or complex topics related to your business, products, or services.
- Retention: Research shows that people remember information better when it’s presented visually and audibly, instead of just text. The visual storytelling nature of whiteboard videos helps improve message retention.
- Engagement: Whiteboard videos are fun, unique, and have a higher engagement rate than traditional videos. The process of images being drawn grabs the viewer’s attention and keeps them engaged until the end.
- Versatility: They can be used for various purposes, such as product demonstrations, company introductions, training, and tutorials. They’re perfect for both B2B and B2C communications.
- Cost-effective: Unlike live-action videos, whiteboard animations don’t require actors, sets, or extensive equipment, making them relatively cheaper to produce.
- Quick to Create: Compared to traditional video, whiteboard videos can often be produced quicker, requiring less coordination and resources.
- Brand Consistency: You can incorporate your brand’s colors, logos, and themes into the animations, helping to maintain consistency and boost brand recognition.
- Global Reach: They can easily be translated or subtitled, making them an effective tool for communicating with audiences worldwide.
- Shareability: Due to their engaging and easily digestible nature, whiteboard videos are more likely to be shared on social media platforms, thus increasing your brand’s reach and visibility.
- SEO Benefits: Video content, especially engaging content like whiteboard videos, can improve SEO. Google tends to favor pages that include videos, and users are more likely to spend more time on a page with a video, both of which can improve search engine rankings.
Examples of Whiteboard Animation
- Goal: This whiteboard explainer video was made to help promote the new franchising opportunity at The Vitamin Shoppe, opening a limited number of territories in a booming industry with a beloved and trusted brand. This is example of our “Whiteboard Deluxe” style, which incorporates more advanced animation, sophisticated visual concepts, and a highly polished illustration style.
Use Cases for Whiteboard Marketing Videos
Looking for reasons why to use whiteboard animation?
Each of these use cases highlights the adaptability of whiteboard videos. Whether for internal training or external marketing, these videos offer an engaging, effective way to communicate your message.
Product or Service Explanation
Whiteboard videos can simplify complex product features, technical specifications, or intricate processes into easily understood visuals.
For instance, a software company could use an animated video to explain how a new feature works. The narrative can guide viewers step-by-step, while the illustrations provide visual support, making the explanation more comprehensive and less abstract.
This visual demonstration can also help to show the value of the product or service, as viewers can see it in action and understand how it could benefit them.
Training and Onboarding
For new employees, entering a new work environment with its unique culture, systems, and procedures can be overwhelming.
Whiteboard videos can streamline the onboarding process, illustrating company policies or job-specific tasks in an engaging and clear way. These videos can be paused, replayed, or rewatched as needed, allowing employees to learn at their own pace.
They’re also more cost-effective and consistent than in-person training sessions.
Sales Pitches and Presentations
Whiteboard videos can be a powerful tool in the sales process. They can introduce a problem, offer your product or service as a solution, and outline its benefits, all in a few minutes.
The engaging nature of these videos can keep viewers’ attention, while the visual and auditory explanation can help to persuade them of the value of what you’re offering.
Plus, these videos can be shared easily, helping reach potential clients beyond face-to-face meetings.
Marketing and Advertising
In today’s crowded digital space, standing out can be a challenge. Whiteboard videos can make your marketing efforts more engaging and memorable.
They can be used on your website to explain your business, in email campaigns to increase click-through rates, or on social media to boost engagement and shares.
They can also be tailored to different segments of your audience, communicating your message in a way that resonates with them.
Customer Support
Customer inquiries or issues are inevitable, but whiteboard videos can help to minimize them and improve customer satisfaction.
A video explaining how to use a product, troubleshoot common problems or answer frequently asked questions can be an invaluable resource for customers.
This not only provides better service but can also reduce the workload of your customer service team.
Storytelling and Branding
Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your audience; whiteboard videos can bring your brand’s story to life.
You could create a video about your company’s founding, the inspiration behind your products, or your brand’s mission and values. These stories can make your brand more relatable and trustworthy, fostering a stronger emotional connection with your audience.
Things to Keep In Mind During the Whiteboard Video Production Process
Creating a whiteboard video requires thoughtful planning and execution to ensure it’s effective and engaging.
Here are some key points to consider during the whiteboard video production process.
- Define Your Goal: Before starting production, clarify what you want to achieve with the video. Whether explaining a complex process, educating your audience, or promoting a product, having a clear goal will guide the production process and help you measure success.
- Know Your Audience: Understanding who will be watching your video is crucial. This knowledge can influence your video’s language, tone, complexity, and even humor to ensure it resonates with your intended audience.
- Script Writing: A well-written script is the backbone of your video. It should be engaging, clear, and concise. It should also reflect your brand’s voice. Remember, the script should align with the visuals, with each reinforcing and building upon the other.
- Storyboarding: This is the step where you plan what will be drawn for each part of the script. Each scene should contribute to the overall narrative. It’s also where you can start thinking about where and when to use your brand’s colors for emphasis.
- Keep It Simple: Whiteboard videos are meant to simplify complex concepts, so avoid overcrowding the board with too many drawings or text. Each frame should contain only what’s necessary to convey the idea at that moment.
- Engage with the Viewer: Whiteboard animations often involve a “hand” doing the drawing, which can help give the impression of a story unfolding in real time, making it more engaging. Also, consider asking questions or using other tactics to engage your viewers and keep them watching.
- Voiceover: A professional voiceover can greatly improve the quality of your video. The speaker’s pace, tone, and enunciation should complement the video’s content and style. Also, ensure the voiceover syncs well with the visuals.
- Length: Attention spans are short, especially online. Aim to keep your video concise, ideally under 3 minutes. If you have a lot of information to convey, consider breaking it up into a series of videos.
- Call to Action: Don’t forget to include a clear call to action. What should viewers do after watching the video? Whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or purchasing a product, make sure it’s clear and compelling.
- Feedback and Review: Before finalizing the video, gather feedback from others. Fresh eyes might spot something you’ve missed or suggest improvements. Make sure to review the video multiple times to ensure it aligns with your goals and meets quality standards.
Create Professional Whiteboard Explainer Videos With The Sketch Effect
It’s no secret that creating whiteboard videos that look professional and polished is best left to whiteboard animation companies.
They have the skills, software, and expertise to create dynamic video marketing and communication assets that can be used and reused by your organization to capture the attention of your target audience, drive traffic, and convert leads.
At The Sketch Effect, hand-drawn whiteboard explainer videos are what we do best. We specialize in creating effective video marketing and educational tools for many purposes and industries and can help your organization better drive your message to your core audience.
Contact us today to learn more about our video animation capabilities, and let’s create something extraordinary together!
