Today, video marketing isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity.
With attention spans getting ever shorter and competition only getting fiercer, businesses need videos that not only attract, but also engage and convert.
And while any video can grab attention, animated explainer videos take it a step further.
They simplify complex ideas, tell compelling stories, and drive real results.
But how do you make your video marketing campaigns stand out?
To answer that, we’ve gathered 30 expert tips to supercharge your strategy, with a focus on leveraging animated explainer videos for maximum impact.
It’s not just about what you say in your video; it’s knowing who you’re saying it to.
Understanding who your audience is and what they care about is the foundation of any successful video. Tailor your content to their needs and interests, and address their pain points.
A good strategy to determine your ideal audience is to categorize them according to brand archetypes.
We have a detailed explainer video on brand archetypes which you can check here:
Using brand archetypes will help you pinpoint what your audience is looking for, their emotional requirements, and aspirations.
There’s an old saying, “Less is more”.
For most platforms, multiple studies have shown that videos under two minutes perform best.
Animated explainer videos need to be concise, delivering your core message without fluff.
But with the rise in short-form video content, you have to ask yourself…
Will long-form content help my case or short-form?
Let’s help you make the right decision here.
The first few seconds are critical. Use an attention-grabbing hook—whether it’s a question, a bold statement, or eye-catching animation—to reel viewers in.
People remember stories, not stats. Use animated characters or scenarios to tell a relatable, engaging story that connects emotionally with your audience.
Storytelling has a uniquely powerful way of connecting with your audience’s hearts and minds simultaneously, forming a bond and staying memorable long after they’ve watched your video.
Your script should be simple and direct.
Avoid heavy jargon and write like you’re having a natural conversation with your audience.
That said, also refer to the first point above: The language of your video needs to match your audience’s.
An explainer video aimed at a B2C broad general consumer audience, for example, would be worded and phrased differently than, say, a B2B video about a piece of medical equipment aimed at trained professionals in a specific space.
The latter can be allowed to get more technical and specific and not need to be “dumbed down” as much.
Poor visuals can hurt your brand image and leave a poor impression of your business.
High-quality animation shows professionalism and leaves a lasting impression on viewers.
As for choosing an animation style that feels coherent to your message, we have got you covered in this video
After all, it’s a reflection of your brand, business, and personality.
So it’s important you get the visuals right in every frame.
According to the stats, most video content is consumed on mobile devices.
So ensure your videos are optimized for vertical or square formats, or have clear visuals even when on small screens.
Plan ahead to make your video work on all kinds of screens and devices so it won’t be a headache later on.
Many people watch videos on mute, especially on social media.
Adding captions ensures your message gets across regardless of sound.
Basically, make sure your video is not totally dependent on a voiceover to work.
It can also help your content get discovered in search rankings.
Learn more here.
Always guide viewers on what to do next through a good call to action—whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for a demo, or sharing the video.
But what does an effective video CTA look like?
Let us demonstrate with some amazing examples here.
If your product or service is highly technical, animated explainer videos can break it down into visually digestible content, making it easier for your audience to visualize and understand.
It’s not over once your video is online.
Follow up by tracking metrics like watch time, engagement rates, and conversions.
Use these insights to tweak your videos for better performance going forward.
Your audience wants to know how your product or service will solve their problems.
Highlight benefits rather than just listing out features. How will your offering change their lives for the better?
Tease your audience’s imagination and encourage them to visualize your solution improving their daily routine.
Pro tip: turn a single video into multiple pieces of content for different platforms.
For example, use snippets for social media, embed the full video on your website, and include it in email campaigns.
Learn more about content repurposing here.
Experiment with various animation styles—whiteboard, motion graphics, 3D—to see what resonates most with your audience.
Remember that animated explainer videos are more art than science.
There’s no magic formula to use right away. You have to experiment with it to find what works best specifically for you and your brand.
Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords to improve search visibility.
Don’t forget to include a transcript for better ranking.
We said earlier to make videos that work on every platform and screen.
But also bear in mind, what works on TikTok might not work on LinkedIn.
You also need to tailor your videos to fit the platform and audience accordingly.
Animated characters can represent your target audience or convey your brand personality, making your videos more relatable and engaging.
The power of using a character is the “audience surrogate” theory in storytelling, where the audience aligns themselves with the main character and roots for them in the story.
It’s why we love heroes and heroines in movies and stories.
Ensure your video’s colors, fonts, and style align with your brand identity for a cohesive look and feel.
This not only brings a polished, professional look to your video, but it also forms a subtle connection with your branding through the video itself.
You wouldn’t task your accountant with fixing an IT problem. The same idea applies here.
Whether it’s a professional animation studio or a scriptwriter, working with experts ensures your video meets high-quality standards.
A good team will work closely with you to bring your specific vision and message to life in the best possible way, staying true to your brand image.
There’s nothing like a peer review of a business, customer to fellow customer.
Combine animated videos with testimonials or reviews from your customers to build trust and authenticity.
The testimonial itself brings a powerful sense of authenticity and trust, while the animation adds life and color and makes things interesting and lively.
For more on this, check out our blog on user-generated content!
Everyone appreciates a good laugh.
The right touch of humor can make your videos more engaging and memorable.
You don’t have to be a professional comedian to pull this off. But just ensure it aligns with your brand tone.
Videos that evoke emotions—whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or curiosity—are more likely to be shared and remembered.
Use animated infographics to showcase testimonials, case studies, or statistics that back up your claims. Show, don’t tell! Don’t have your audience simply take your word for it.
For social media ads, keep it short (under 30 seconds). For product demos, 2-3 minutes might be necessary to fully explain the value.
Animation allows for creative metaphors that make complex ideas easier to grasp.
Visual metaphors, symbols, and clever transitions all combine to create an immersive video experience for your audience.
This makes things interesting and lively and captures and holds interest.
Besides captions, focus on visuals that can tell the story on their own without relying on audio.
Remember that many people watch videos on mute, so rather than fight it, use that limitation to deliver a less intrusive message that’s still attention-grabbing and interesting.
Conduct A/B tests on different versions of your videos to see which ones perform best. Use this data to refine future campaigns.
Did you know that just adding “video” to your email subject line can boost open rates? Include a short, compelling animated video in your email to increase engagement.
You don’t always have to save the best for last. Make sure your audience knows the value you offer within the first 10 seconds.
Add clickable CTAs, positive user testimonials, and/or branching storylines to make your videos more interactive and engaging.
People also love tutorials and “how-to” guides and actively seek them out. It also engages your audience on a personal level, building a sense of community with your users/customers. Check out our dedicated blog post on the topic here!
Video marketing, especially with animated explainer videos, is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience and drive results.
By following these expert tips, you can create videos that not only grab attention but also inspire action, boost engagement, and grow your brand.
Ready to take your video marketing strategy to the next level?
Whether it’s crafting an engaging script, designing eye-catching animations, or optimizing for different platforms, the right approach can transform your campaigns into powerful storytelling tools.
Let’s get started—because your audience isn’t just watching; they’re waiting to be wowed!