What is whiteboard animation?
Simply put, it’s a style of animation that depicts graphics being physically drawn by a hand on a plain white space, similar to a whiteboard being used. It’s pretty straightforward.
But what’s really interesting about it is how effective and budget-friendly it is when compared to other video formats.
And that’s what we’re going to get into.
The cost of an animated whiteboard video depends on several key factors:
The duration of the video is, broadly, the biggest cost driver.
The longer the video, the more time and effort is required to create it, from scripting to animating and editing.
Typically, prices are quoted in minutes; as in, the length of the final video produced.
The level of detail and sophistication in the animation also affects the cost.
More complex animations with intricate characters, detailed backgrounds, and smooth transitions require more time and skilled labor, thus increasing the price.
The creation of a compelling script and a detailed storyboard is crucial for an engaging video.
If you don’t have your own script ready, most animation companies can handle this part too.
Some companies offer scriptwriting and storyboarding as part of their package, while others charge separately.
Professional voiceovers can add a polished touch to your video, but they come at a cost.
The price can vary depending on the experience and popularity of the voiceover artist.
Additionally, sound design, including background music and sound effects, can enhance the video but will also contribute to the cost.
The number of revisions included in the initial price can vary between providers.
Additional revisions or extensive changes beyond the initial agreement can increase the cost.
It’s important to clarify how many rounds of revisions are included in the quoted price.
Rush projects that require expedited production often come with higher fees to accommodate the need for additional resources and overtime work.
They say you get what you pay for, and established companies with a strong portfolio and high demand usually charge more for their services compared to newer or less experienced providers.
These factors are by no means some exact formula to go by, but they give you a good idea of what to expect and will help you make more informed decisions that align with your budget and project goals.
As we just covered, the cost of an animated whiteboard video can vary widely based on several factors.
But here's a general breakdown of what you might expect to pay:
Cost: $500 to $2,000 per minute
Features:
Cost: $2,000 to $5,000 per minute
Features:
Cost: $5,000 to $10,000+ per minute
Features:
A 2-minute business animation explainer video for a small brand might cost around $1,000 to $3,000 if using a mid-range production company or freelancer.
A 5-minute corporate training video for a B2B client with high customization and professional voiceover might range from $10,000 to $25,000.
A 3-minute Kickstarter campaign video with engaging animations and professional scriptwriting might fall in the $6,000 to $15,000 range.
When budgeting for an animated whiteboard video, it's essential to consider not just the cost but also the quality and experience of the production team to ensure the final product meets your expectations and effectively communicates your message.
But maybe you want a more specific answer to how much your whiteboard video could cost.
So while we can’t speak for every other company, here are some quick examples of animated whiteboard videos we made for our clients of various sizes with different requirements:
FibroGen is a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics.
They needed a video to explain Roxadustat, their Nobel-prize winning science, and a completely new and physiologic approach to treating the anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
This is a complex topic that goes into a lot of medical science.
So while it’s obviously aimed at an audience that is at least somewhat familiar with the topic, we were still careful not to get so technical that it could bore or overwhelm a novice viewer.
So we put an emphasis on bright, friendly colors and lively visuals to keep things visually interesting.
The video’s script was also crafted to keep the viewer’s perspective in mind and address and solve pain points.
Total cost: $14,570
Hours: 280
Christian Church Homes (CCH) is a non-profit organization that has been building and managing affordable housing communities where seniors can live and thrive in the comfort of their own homes.
The client, CCH, asked us to create a video that explains who they were, their history and values, and their story.
And being a non-profit and not a Fortune 500 juggernaut, the video also needed to be budget-friendly.
The challenge was that there was a lot of information to pack into these videos.
We needed to keep it interesting and engaging throughout.
So we opted for a whiteboard video with relatable graphics that are timeless and cross socio-cultural boundaries to cover a wide audience.
Animated whiteboard videos also have universal appeal and the ability to explain a lot of things simply, so it’s especially useful for non-profits.
Total cost: $10,000
Hours taken: 180
Epicor Software is a global business software company founded in Texas in 1972.
The company designs industry-specific software for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services industries.
But regardless of how big companies are, there's always a need to generate brand awareness.
The better brand recall is the more your target audience thinks of you when they face a problem.
This makes your offering their go-to solution for their problem.
Epicor wanted to build such a recall and they wanted us to help them out with it.
They had made landing pages for their products, but the conversions they drove from their landing pages wasn't enough.
So they wanted to try videos to help explain their products better and inspire viewers to take action.
So we suggested multiple options and landed on a storytelling-style testimonial video using whiteboard animation.
This was relatable, interesting to the viewer, and helped create a strong emotional connection with the audience.
Total cost: $9000
Hours: 187
Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is a Japanese pharmaceutical company specializing in ophthalmology and known for being one of the pioneers in contact lenses.
Santen wanted to make a video about eye irritability, and how their products solve this problem.
The video had to be short and entertaining to keep the viewer interested throughout.
And since healthcare can be confusing for a general audience, it had to be simple while explaining somewhat complex topics.
So we suggested an animated whiteboard video.
The video was kept short and crisp with lots of colors to make it visually appealing.
We addressed the user pain points to hold their attention and get them emotionally connected with the video, and build trust with Santen and their products.
Total cost: $4230
Hours: 132
Hopefully, this blog post will help you figure out the right solution for you, your budget, and your needs.
Is it worth it? In short, yes. Video is the de-facto language of the internet today.
Even a short video can pack a lot of information, and be attention-grabbing and interesting.
And studies have shown that people retain information from watching a video once far better and longer than through images, audio, or text.
To put it simply, people love videos!
And it’s a fantastic tool for businesses to spread their message and connect with their audience and customers easily and effectively.