How To Plan A 30 Second Animation

Everything you need to know nearly 30-second explainer videos

July xiii, 2020

Then you want to create a thirty-second explainer video — something short, abrupt and super impactful. Something to aid people understand the value of your brand, product or service, but without overwhelming them with content. Something to make people sit up, lean forward and go far touch to larn more. Audio good?

Amazing! Then this blog'due south for you. We'll exist roofing everything y'all demand to know about thirty-2d explainer videos; from what they are to their strengths, weaknesses and use cases, too every bit pre-product considerations, and finally, six constructive types of 30-second explainer videos. So… Let's go started!

What is a xxx-second explainer video?

A 30-second explainer video is a short-form video that uses animations to explicate the what / how / why etc. of a business concern and its products or services. These explainer videos simplify ideas by giving enough detail to exist clear, but not disruptive. Content can include motion elements like typography, icons, illustrations and bespoke animated characters, too equally vocalization-over. .

Branded 30-second explainer videos are 1 of the best ways to clearly, concisely – and successfully – evangelize your message in a way that resonates.

Strengths and weaknesses of xxx-second explainer videos

xxx-second explainer video strengths

Made for lower attention spans: xxx-second explainer videos are merely that – xxx seconds – a competitive format compared to longer-form videos with the burden of fourth dimension commitment. As a consequence, 30-second videos are more effective at stopping thumbs scrolling through news feeds; they're seize with teeth-sized and easy to rationalise, making them perfect for short modernistic attending spans.
Search engine optimisation (SEO) benefits: Between Google and YouTube being the first and second–largest search engines in the earth, video marketing is a core tactic for SEO. Increasing website traffic and dwell time with videos can signal your website's value to Google, which may help increment rankings.
Content repurposing: 30-second explainer videos are powerful multitaskers, as they can be used across your website (e.g. client aid centre) and social media, too every bit internally, or for presentations like pitches.
- According to HubSpot, these snack-able explainers are especially good at attracting visitors to your site in the top-of-the-funnel stage of the buyer'due south journeying – think tips and tricks for solving client problems.

xxx-second explainer video weaknesses

Not for deep-dives: The biggest drawback with 30-second explainer videos is that 30 seconds isn't long, and so it'due south impossible to get granular, or explore multifaceted problems. At that place's also no time for traditional storytelling; in the first 3 seconds, you need to hook viewers or you adventure losing them.
If your brand, product or service is complex or requires the due diligence of more than 30 seconds of content, this video type may non be for you lot – especially if your target audition is the blazon to ask more questions than a xxx-second video can handle (east.g. a production video for potential investors).

When to use a xxx-second explainer video

A 30-second explainer video is useful not only for established audiences – every bit yous tin save time on edifice make trust – only also for raising sensation with new ones. In this attention economy, the rise of 'content fatigue' means brands have even less time to make an affect than previously. A 30-2nd video caters to that, stating the 'what's in it for me' (WIIFM) for your audience up front, so yous can get on with communicating your points and call to action. These shorter videos respect viewers' time, which in turn promotes a meliorate user experience, whether you lot're on social media, your website or whatever other platform.

What to know when planning a 30-second explainer

Video length: Y'all need to leave iii-v seconds at the end for your animated logo. Because these videos are so brusque, nosotros recommend using the first three-five seconds to claw viewers (versus a brand reveal), though this is upwards to you lot. Ultimately, the takeaway is not all 30 seconds should be packed with content.
Key message(southward): As mentioned, in that location'south just no time for deep-dives – brevity is everything with these types of videos. If you do need to cover pain points in club to introduce your brand's solution, be brief and go direct to the point of your unique selling proposition and key messages. Don't forget any side by side steps e.yard. how viewers can go in touch on subsequently watching your video.
Discussion count: Keep in mind that word counts for xxx-second explainer videos normally come in at around 75-85 words. You can use the word count tool in your discussion processor to check and amend accordingly when scripting.

vi constructive types of 30-second explainer videos

one. 2D typography

2D typography explainer videos utilize slick fonts with text-based motility to communicate their message. They can exist text-only or a combination of text overlays and other visual content, oft with voice-over to reinforce key points.

two. Product demo

30-2nd product demos are great for products that are simple or focused on user experience e.thou. technology similar apps and websites. These videos, such as screen demos, cover what a product is and demonstrate what information technology does apace and conspicuously.

iii. Whiteboard

Whiteboard animated explainers are often visualised every bit static images with motion elements, and can be an interesting fashion to communicate dry or complicated topics. The sequential images tell a story, which tin can exist farther enhanced by voice-over.

4. Analogy

The main difference betwixt whiteboard and illustrated animations is the latter are like short cartoons, with more dynamic animated characters and stories. Illustrated videos are also a lighter way to appoint without going total 'character story' video.

v. Flat icon

Like to analogy videos, apartment icon explainers tell a elementary story but with graphic design–based icons that are animated to perform kinetic movement. As with their static form, these flat icons are impactful thanks to their highly stylised look and feel.

six. Character story

30-second character stories are the ultimate in 30-second animated explainer videos. Characters are custom-created and developed with personalities and emotions, equally well as private story arcs. The perfect video type for high-priority internal and external make campaigns.

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