Creating Engaging Infographic Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide

May 10, 2024 5:30:00 AM

Did you know that according to a study by MIT, it takes just three milliseconds for your brain to process an image? 

So if you want your message to be memorable, visuals are the way to go.

But this is easier said than done. When people try this, they get stuck on all the head-scratching technical stuff.

How do you make that information really stick with your audience, while also making it easy to digest?

Knowing how to make infographics videos can make the visualization process feel second nature for your audience.

And in this blog, we’ll give you the blueprint to achieve exactly that!

We’ll explore simple yet effective steps toward simplifying complex information using the power of visual storytelling.

  1. Understanding Infographics
  2. Why Use Video for Infographics?
  3. How to Make Video Infographics: Step-by-Step
    1. Step #1: Planning Your Infographic Video
    2. Step #2: Creating a Script for Your Infographic Video
    3. Step #3: Designing Your Infographic Video
    4. Step #4: Animating Your Infographic Video
    5. Step #5: Exporting Your Infographic Video
    6. Step #6: Distributing your Infographic Video
  4. Tools for Creating Video Infographics: 5 Best Software Options Explored
  5. Best Practices for Making Engaging Video Infographics
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. How long should a video infographic be?
    2. Can I make a video infographic without design experience?
    3. What type of content works best for video infographics?

Understanding Infographics

A visual representation of a typical infographic (Source: Freepik

Infographic videos are visual representations of data, processes, or concepts designed to make complex information easy to digest. 

Traditionally, infographics use charts, diagrams, icons, and concise text to convey data in a more compelling format than plain text.

But when you take that static content and transform it into an explainer video, you take engagement to a whole new level. 

Infographic explainer videos bring motion, sound, and narrative into the mix, making it easier for your audience to stay engaged, absorb key points, and remember the information long after they’ve seen it.

Why Use Video for Infographics?

Infographic Video

Infographic videos offer a range of benefits that traditional media simply can’t match. Here’s why you should consider using video:

  • Enhanced Engagement: Moving visuals, sound effects, and narration capture attention and keep viewers watching.
  • Simplification of Complex Ideas: Explainer video animation can break down complicated data, processes, or statistics into digestible, easy-to-understand chunks.
  • Increased Shareability: Infographics as social media videos are more likely to be shared across social platforms, expanding your reach and boosting brand visibility.
  • SEO Boost: Video infographics are great for SEO, helping to increase time on page and improve search engine rankings.
  • Versatility: Infographic explainers can be repurposed across multiple platforms—from social media to your website to presentations.

In short, infographic videos take the power of visuals and amplify them, making them an incredibly effective tool for communication and marketing.

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How to Make Video Infographics: Step-by-Step

Ready to create your own infographic explainer video?

Let’s break down the process into manageable steps to help you go from concept to completion.

Step #1: Planning Your Infographic Video

Image Credits: Freepik (Source)

A wise man once said: “If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit your target.”

So before you get started, sit down and clearly define what it is you want to achieve with your explainer video.

Are you trying to: 

  • Explain a concept?
  • Share crucial data and insights?
  • Tell a story?
  • Showcase your brand?

What is it you want your video to achieve?

Setting clear goals with your infographic video production will guide your content and design choices and help you be more specific with your content.

Think about how you want to organize the information in your explainer video.

Will it flow chronologically? Will it show a cause-and-effect relationship? Map out the structure so that your video has a logical flow and is easy for viewers to follow.

Write down every possible iteration and version of your main objective and the key message you want to convey with your video.

Go through all the variations and pick the one that resonates the most with your explainer video’s vision and end goal.

Protip: If you can’t get clarity on your video’s objective right away, try doing a brain dump on a piece of paper or a Google Doc and go from there. 

Step #2: Creating a Script for Your Infographic Video

Image Credits: Pinterest (Source)

Create a concise explainer video script that narrates your data and story in a cohesive manner. 

Your infographic explainer script should have a clear introduction, middle, and conclusion, and it should be engaging to keep your audience interested.

Read your video script aloud to ensure it flows well and sounds natural, adjusting as necessary.

Protip: Let others read your script as well and give feedback for improvement or additions. It’s essential to get the script right before going to the next crucial step!

Step #3: Designing Your Infographic Video

Image Credits: Freepik (Source)

Create a storyboard that outlines each scene of your video infographic. You could sketch it out on paper or use digital drawing tools, whatever works.

The storyboard helps you visualize how your data and script fit together. Think of it as the skeleton on which you build your video. It also helps sort out the timing of your video so that your voiceover and your animation are in sync. 

For a storyboard, just use simple stick figures and shapes to outline your scenes to get a rough idea as to how each scene will play out.

Then, select a distinctive visual style for your infographic explainer. 

Choose an animation style that best represents your brand and what it stands for.

To get further inspiration, make a list of industry favorite explainer video production companies.  Make a list of their portfolio of work and observe the visual style they have used for their client videos.

Step #4: Animating Your Infographic Video

Image Credits: Dribble (Source)

At the end of the day, infographics are just data presented in the form of visuals.

While this increases the retention of hard to grasp information instantly, static visuals can only take retention so far.

To truly make your infographics pop, animate them to tell your story dynamically. 

Use a careful blend of keyframe animations, transitions, and effects to make complex data and information more engaging and appealing.

Start with the basics and build a foundation before moving into advanced animation.

This could include the use of simple fades and cuts when moving from one data to another.

Step #5: Exporting Your Infographic Video

Image Credits: Dribble (Source)

Once your infographic explainer video is ready, it’s time to export it. Make sure to choose the right settings for the platform where your video will be displayed.

For online use, you’ll want to export in a format that maintains high-quality visuals while minimizing file size.

Common formats include MP4, which is widely supported and offers a good balance of quality and compression.

Be sure to review your video thoroughly before exporting, checking for any issues with timing, audio, or animation that need to be adjusted.

Step #6: Distributing your Infographic Video

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Now that your video is complete, it’s time to get it out into the world.

Distribute your infographic video across multiple platforms for maximum reach.

Post it on social media, embed it on your website’s landing page, include it in video email marketing campaigns, or use it in presentations.

Remember to optimize your video for SEO by adding relevant tags, a strong description, and an engaging thumbnail. This will help your video appear in search results and attract more viewers.

Review your video’s timeline during and after editing, multiple times if need be. 

Make adjustments to the graphics, audio, and animations as needed. 

To refine your video further, get feedback from others and incorporate them into their suggested places.

Once everything is good to go, export the video in the highest resolution, 1080p (Full HD) at minimum.

Watch your video on different devices to ensure it looks and sounds good on various screens and sound systems.

It’s always a good idea to optimize your video for mobile screens as well by utilizing a vertical aspect ratio.

Protip: Try taking clips from your video and turning them into short-form infographic videos.

Use them as Instagram Videos and YouTube Shorts to get more views on your infographics videos.

Remember that creating animated explainer videos really is more art than science.

There’s no one perfect formula that you can apply to every video that’s guaranteed to work.

Allow room for plenty of trial and error, and feel free to experiment and refine to see what works best!

Tools for Creating Video Infographics: 5 Best Software Options Explored

Here are five great tools you can use to create professional videos, even if you’re not a seasoned animator:

  1. Adobe After Effects: The industry standard for motion graphics animation and other animated video styles, offering powerful tools for customizing your video infographic.
  2. Animaker: A user-friendly platform for animated explainer video production, ideal for beginners looking to craft professional infographic explainers quickly.
  3. Powtoon: A popular tool for creating character animated explainer videos, complete with templates that make building video infographics easy and efficient.
  4. Vyond: Best for those wanting to create custom animated characters alongside their infographic data, adding a personal touch to your videos.
  5. Canva: Known for its simplicity, Canva offers a video creation feature that allows you to animate your infographic designs.

Best Practices for Making Engaging Video Infographics

Image Credits: Freepik (Source)

To make your infographic video truly engaging, keep these best practices in mind:

  • Keep It Short and Focused: The best video infographics are concise and to the point. Aim for a length of 60-90 seconds to keep viewers engaged.
  • Use Visual Cues: Motion graphics, arrows, and transitions help direct the viewer’s attention to key data points and maintain focus.
  • Incorporate Storytelling: Don’t just present data—craft a narrative that guides your viewers through the information in an engaging way.
  • Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your video infographic is mobile-friendly since many viewers will be watching on their phones.
  • Add Captions: Include captions to make your video accessible to a broader audience and allow viewers to follow along without sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should a video infographic be?

A: Aim to keep your video infographic between 60-90 seconds. This ensures your content is concise and keeps your audience engaged from start to finish. You may be tempted to throw in everything but the kitchen sink into your script, but remember the creative storytelling rule: “Less is more.”

2. Can I make a video infographic without design experience?

Yes! Many software options like Animaker, Powtoon, and Canva offer pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features, making it easy for beginners to create high-quality video infographics.

3. What type of content works best for video infographics?

A: Infographic videos work best when you’re explaining data-heavy topics, presenting statistics, or breaking down complex processes in an easy-to-follow, visual format.

Conclusion

An informative video is much more than just a script paired with visuals.

It’s a narrative experience where the animation and script/voiceover combine like fine ingredients in a dish to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

It makes consuming that information a fun experience, something that keeps learners interested, even entertained, and coming back for more.

And in this regard, infographic videos are one of the best tools you can have in your arsenal.

Implementing these steps can take your infographics video production to a whole new level.

And it starts by believing that your videos can truly contribute to your viewer’s information retention.

Once the belief is strong with you, everything else falls into place!

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