When you’ve got something complex to explain—think blockchain, SaaS platforms, or internal systems—it can feel impossible to make it click for your audience. That’s where animated explainer videos come in.
These short, strategic videos transform abstract or technical ideas into compelling, visual stories your audience gets. They simplify. They engage. They convert.
Whether introducing a new product, onboarding users, or driving sales, animated explainer videos meet your audience where they are and move them toward action.
What Are Animated Explainer Videos?
Animated explainer videos are short, engaging videos that use animation to clearly explain a product, service, concept, or idea. They typically combine visuals, voiceover, music, and storytelling to break down complex topics into something simple, digestible, and memorable.
Businesses commonly use these videos for:
- Marketing & sales – to highlight features and benefits through storytelling
- Onboarding & training – to teach clients or employees
- Product demos – to show how something works
- Thought leadership – to share insights in an engaging format
Think of them as your brand’s friendly translator—turning “wait, what does that mean?” into “oh, now I get it!”
Explainer Videos in the Marketing Funnel
Animated explainers aren’t just a “nice to have”—they play a critical role throughout the marketing funnel:
- Top of Funnel: Grab attention with an explainer video that makes your audience stop scrolling and start watching.
- Middle of Funnel: Use animation to teach, clarify, and build trust—especially when your solution is complex.
- Bottom of Funnel: Reinforce your value proposition and inspire confident conversions with a clear, polished pitch.
No matter where your audience is in the buyer journey, explainer videos give them what they need: clarity, confidence, and a reason to care.
What Makes a Great Explainer Video?
A high-performing explainer video isn’t just pretty—it’s purposeful. Here’s what sets the best apart:
- A Clear Message: One idea. One goal. A great explainer isn’t trying to say everything—it’s focused, clear, and easy to follow.
- Strategic Scriptwriting: Every word counts. Your message should be conversational, human, and designed to guide viewers through a story arc that keeps them engaged.
- Tailored Visuals: Animation style matters. Whether it’s hand-drawn, motion graphics, or something else entirely, the visuals should reflect your brand and amplify your message—not distract from it.
- A Strong Call to Action: What do you want your viewer to do next? End your video with a clear prompt—visit the site, schedule a demo, download the guide—whatever moves them forward.
- Pacing That Works: Timing is everything. A fast-paced video might be exciting, but overwhelming. A slow one? Yawn. The right pacing keeps viewers watching all the way through.
Where to Use Animated Explainer Videos
Wondering where to put your shiny new explainer video? Here’s where it can make the biggest impact:
- Your Homepage: Quickly show what you do and why it matters—right up front.
- Product Pages: Explain complex offerings or key features with clarity and confidence.
- Social Media: Stop thumbs with snackable, shareable animations.
- Sales Emails: Give your sales team a high-impact asset to warm up leads or close deals.
- Event Booths or Webinars: Grab attention, explain fast, and make a lasting impression.
Bottom line: put an explainer video anywhere you need to explain, persuade, or teach.
How to Measure the ROI of Your Explainer Video
Let’s talk numbers. A great explainer video should pay off. Here’s how to measure its impact:
- Views & Watch Time: Are people watching? Are they staying engaged?
- Bounce Rates: Is your video keeping people on the page longer?
- Conversions: Are more people signing up, booking demos, or clicking through?
- Sales & Leads: Track who engaged with the video and whether it influenced their decision.
Want to optimize performance? A/B test versions of your video with different intros, CTAs, or visuals—and see what drives the best results.
Real Results, Real Clients
At The Sketch Effect, we’ve helped brands big and small use animated explainer videos to transform their marketing. A few recent highlights:
🧳 Delta Vacations
We helped break down their complex rewards structure in a fun, friendly whiteboard-style explainer—boosting understanding and driving advisor engagement.
🚌CTAA (Community Transportation Association of America)
We explained how their “Mobility as a Service” app helps seniors plan, book, and pay for local transportation. The result? More clarity, more trust, and more interest in the program.
🏡Olivette Architectural Review
We worked with the team at Olivette to create a Narrated Time-lapse video and communicate the three steps of their architectural review process. Instead of reading a long Word document (yawn), new homeowners in the Olivette community could watch this quick, fun video to learn their next steps and take action.
Why Choose The Sketch Effect?
Sure, there are a lot of explainer video companies out there. But here’s what makes us different:
✅ No Templates—Ever
Everything we create is custom-built by real artists and writers (not AI or clipart).
✅ Built for Business
We understand strategy, marketing funnels, and what drives conversion, not just how to make things “look nice.”
✅ Creative + Collaborative
We bring the creative firepower, but you’re part of the process at every step.
✅ Trusted by Brands You Know
Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Delta, Chick-fil-A—we’ve helped some of the best bring their ideas to life.
Let’s Make Your Message Clear
A great product or service deserves to be understood. If you’ve been struggling to explain what you do in a way that clicks, an animated explainer video might be your new best friend.
Want to start a project with The Sketch Effect? We’d love to hear about your goals and see how animation can help you reach them.
📩 Let’s bring your message to life—reach out today to schedule a consult.
Resources
Still curious about explainer videos? Check out our guide on Everything You Should Know About Animated Explainer Videos
