Explainer Videos for Social Media: Best Practices for Maximum Engagement
Ever since Mark decided to go ballistic on his ex, social media has dominated the landscape. Websites and the likes are a thing of the past, now it’s Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and the granddaddy of them all, Facebook - or META, depending on what century you’re reading this. These platforms have become a crucial aspect of life — and of marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes. With billions of users across various social media channels, it's no surprise that marketers are on the warpath and always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to tap into that stream — to entice their target audience where they play.
One of the most effective methods to achieve this is through explainer videos. Studies show that social media videos generate 1200% more shares than text and images combined. And as if that little bit of information wasn’t enough, videos on social media have a higher engagement rate compared to other forms of content. In this article, we will discuss the best practices for creating effective explainer videos for social media. We'll provide tips for choosing the right explainer video production company, on how to pinpoint your target audience, and particularly on where to stake your money at — selecting the appropriate social media explainer video platform to maximize your reach.
What are explainer videos?
Explainer videos are short, informative videos designed to communicate complex ideas and promote products or services in a simple and engaging manner. These videos are an excellent way to capture the attention of your target audience, explain the benefits of your product or service, and increase brand awareness.
Explainer Videos for Social Media Engagement — a match made in Heaven
Social media platforms have become an important part of marketing strategies for businesses. For that matter, they’ve become an essential part of human interactions. They help us relate, stay in touch, and function in the world. To what point? Well, some companies have migrated their entire digital presence to their social media channels — forgoing their websites, stores, and whatnots for their platform of choice. Why? Because by putting all their eggs in one basket that can curate said basket for the better.
One way to increase engagement and improve the success of social media marketing is by using explainer videos — for that matter by using any kind of video. Videos are the fastest, and easiest way to reach your audience.
There are several benefits of using explainer videos for social media.
Firstly, explainer videos can improve social media engagement. Videos are more likely to be shared and liked than text-based content. According to a study, social media posts with videos have 48% more views than those without. By using explainer videos on social media, businesses can increase connection with their clients and potential consumers — reaching a wider audience and converting them to their church.
Secondly, explainer videos can increase brand awareness and conversions. A well-crafted explainer video can help businesses effectively communicate their brand message and showcase their products or services in a compelling way — highlight what really matters. This can help attract potential customers and increase brand awareness. Additionally, explainer videos can also help increase conversions by providing a clear and concise explanation of how a product or service works.
Finally, the cherry on the top, explainer videos can simplify difficult ideas - sum them up into digestible info - and build trust with audiences. It can be difficult to explain complex ideas or products in a way that is easy to understand. By using explainer videos, businesses can demystify these concepts and make them more accessible to their target audience.
Kasra Design is an expert in creating high-quality explainer videos that help businesses achieve their marketing goals.
Tips for Creating Effective Explainer Videos for Social Media
Creating an effective video for social media and following the best explainer video practices requires careful planning and execution. You simply don’t walk up to Mordor — we mean, create an explainer video. It takes time, preparation, and a bit of luck.
Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
Define your audience
Before creating an explainer video, it is essential to define your target audience — to really go all sharpshooter and understand who you’re trying to target. Your video might not reach universal levels of viewership, but it will create conversions and followers. For example, a study found that videos that were niche-oriented, created 10X more profit and cost less to promote - PPC - than videos that tried to appeal to everyone all at once.
Choose the right social media platform
Different social media platforms have different requirements for video content. For example, Instagram videos are limited to one minute, while YouTube allows for longer videos. It is important to choose the right social media platform based on your target audience and the type of content you are creating. And it’s also important to stay in the loop. Platforms are always bringing in new features or knickknacks and to promote them they normally give adopters of their new tech primetime exposure — for example, when YouTube launched their “shorts” feature in 2021. If you can get in on the action, before it becomes a trend and widespread, then you have a solid head start.
Choose the right explainer video company
Working with an experienced explainer video company can make all the difference in the success of your video. Look for a company with a track record of creating high-quality videos that meet the needs of its clients. Finding a company that will do the job right, without any hassle, and will deliver on time is critical. You have your deadlines, you have your product launches, you have your marketing team creating strategies with due-dates, the last thing you want is someone dragging your whole endeavor and making you work overtime because, oops, they dropped the ball.
Keep it short and engaging
Explainer videos should be short and to the point, typically no longer than two minutes. It is essential to keep the content engaging and visually appealing to hold the viewer's attention — well, expand on this in the next section.
Stay to the script
Use a clear and concise script — The script is the backbone of an explainer video. This isn’t The Office, there’s no room for improv’ or off-the-cuff horseplay. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Avoid technical jargon or complex language that may confuse viewers — and always hit the mark. For explainer videos, the script is, well, holy scripture, its the Bible.
Short and sweet — the biggest pro tip
One of the best practices for creating effective explainer videos for social media is to keep them short and sweet. Social media users have a limited attention span, so it's important to grab onto their ADHD addled bairns quickly and deliver your message concisely — ride their neurons like a cowboy in a rodeo, knowing your going to get thrown off, but still keeping latched on for the long haul like a tick.
According to HubSpot, the ideal length for a social media video is 30 seconds or less. This means that you need to be very intentional about your script and visuals, focusing only on the most important information that you want to convey. You need to deliver the goods and the benefits and the problems solving whatever of your product right off the bat.
And, finally, it's important to choose the right explainer video company to work with. Look for a company that has a strong portfolio of successful explainer videos, particularly for social media platforms.