Whiteboard videos or as they are sometimes called explainer videos are very good at delivering complex information in a simple way. You’ve seen these videos, they look like someone is drawing words and images on a whiteboard as if you are in a business meeting or a classroom. This draws the viewer in and they become part of the video. They are in the room as someone is giving them information. These videos use images, words on the whiteboard and the spoken word to convey sometimes very complex information and because it's in a familiar environment the viewer is relaxed and receptive.
Whiteboard videos are also great marketing tools giving a company a way to explain their products or services in a way that is easily accepted and understood.
Here are some things to think about when planning a whiteboard explainer video.
1. What is the message?
In a paragraph or even bullet points, what do you want to say? Whiteboard videos are usually shorter so you need to be very concise with your script. If you have more than one or two important points you might want to consider making more than one video. Boil your message down so that you can convey it in less than a minute.
2. How do you visualize your message?
Not all messages are easily delivered in a whiteboard video. Explainer videos are usually very concrete and have images that easily explain the message. If your message is more ethereal then it will be harder to find appropriate visual images for your video. Ideas that have a physical component will have images that can express the message more effectively. Think of what pictures say what you want to say and then find those pictures.
3. Which words can easily express your message?
Whiteboard videos work best with limited use of words on the screen. In this way it's like a slide presentation. You can use words as bullet points but go deeper in the voice over of the video. If you can be selective in the words on the screen then they will be remembered more easily. Long sentences on the screen will be easily forgotten even if you echo them in the voice over. One or two words or a series of short combination of words works best. The word exercise and then images of workout equipment or people working out works better than a sentence saying “Exercising everyday helps you to get in shape and helps your mental health.” Use those words in the voice over and just use the images on the screen.
4. The voice over is the backbone of the video.
The voice over or the spoken word is where you can express more of the content of the video. In the above example the words and images on the screen are sparse but powerful but the voice over can drive the message home explaining the message in a more in-depth manner giving the viewer one more way to remember your message.
Whiteboard videos are great at explaining your product or service and also at explaining how your company is better than your competitor. Every company should have a whiteboard video to help them get their message to their clients or potential customers.
