The art of explaining complex ideas simply and engagingly is no small feat. Product explainer videos have emerged as a powerful tool for brands, startups, and organizations to convey their message in a concise and entertaining manner. A well-made explainer video can capture attention, explain a product or service, and inspire action in under two minutes.
Here's a rundown of some of the best explainer videos that not only explained concepts beautifully but also left a lasting impact:
1. BOX AI
Year: 2023
Created by: Venture
In the thick of the AI revolution, when every Silicon Valley giant was clamouring to showcase their AI prowess, Box unveiled its Box AI explainer video, setting it apart from the throng.
The key to its success was grounding the explanation in real-world problems businesses face daily, such as data organization, security issues, and collaboration challenges. Box AI was portrayed not just as another tool, but as a seamless assistant that understands and augments human workflows. The narrative was clear: In a world where AI tools are plenty, Box AI is designed with genuine human needs at the forefront.
This stark differentiation made viewers not only understand the product but also appreciate its relevance in a tech-saturated market. The video's success reaffirmed the idea that in the realm of tech, making genuine connections trumps dazzling with complexity.
2. Dollar Shave Club
Year: 2012
With humour at its core, Dollar Shave Club's launch video became an internet sensation. The video's casual tone, combined with its direct message and humour, led to 12,000 orders in the first 48 hours. This video is often cited as a gold standard for startup product videos.
3. Spotify
Year: 2013
When Spotify was trying to introduce its service to the U.S. market, it released a fantastic animated explainer video. The video deftly communicates the pain point of managing downloaded music across devices and introduces Spotify as the simple solution.
4. Airbnb
Year: 2014
Airbnb's “What is Airbnb?" video is a beautiful blend of animation and real-life images. It effectively explains the unique proposition of the platform for both hosts and travelers, painting a warm, communal picture of worldwide exploration and connection.
5. Slack
Year: 2014
Slack's video uses bright animations and a straightforward narrative to explain how the platform can make work communication efficient and organized. The video quickly demonstrates the application's features without overwhelming the viewer.
6. Mint
Year: 2010
Mint’s finance app video is a paragon of clarity. Using smooth animations, it walks viewers through the platform’s features, emphasizing its security and ease of use. The video helped Mint build trust in the competitive finance sector.
7. Crazy Egg
Year: 2018
This explainer video for Crazy Egg's heatmap tool combines animated visuals with a strong script. The video effectively shows how the tool visualizes user activity on a website, leading to a significant boost in the company's conversion rates.
8. Panorama9
Year: 2012
This MSP and IT platform went for a superhero-themed video. The engaging visuals and relatable IT problems showcased in the video were a hit, making a potentially mundane topic quite exciting.
9. Duolingo
Year: Various
Duolingo's videos, especially the ones featuring their mascot, Duo, create a compelling story around language learning. The videos not only explain how the app works but also emphasize the joy of connecting with other cultures.
10. Google Search: Reunion
Year: 2013
Although not a traditional explainer video, Google’s “Reunion” short film is a touching narrative that explains the power of its search engine. The video tells the story of two childhood friends separated during the India-Pakistan partition who are reunited using Google Search.
These videos stand out because of their ability to convey complex ideas simply, engage the audience emotionally, or just present the information in a fresh, innovative manner. They exemplify the impact a well-crafted explainer video can have in promoting a brand, service, or product.
