Monthly Archives: May 2014

Explainer Videos – The Best Of The Best

We’re always looking at the explainer videos of others for inspiration. Here is our compilation of some of the best we have come across…and one of the worst so you can see how not to do it!

1. Chipotle – ‘Back To The Start’

We love this video and in fact it is quite unique in many ways. There is no script, there is no clear product and the story takes the viewer through a number of emotions from start to finish. There are the cute cylindrical piggies at the start (Ahhh), then there is the realisation that the piggies are off to meet their doom (Oh) and possibly a little anger and guilt about mankind’s wanton destruction of the planet.  And then Chipotle makes the world right again with their clear ethical message that makes us want to buy their products and perhaps stroke a cylindrical pig on the head. This video is simple, it’s quirky and it features a Willie Nelson Coldplay cover. What’s not to like?

2. TED Education – ‘One Is One…Or Is It?’

Explainer videos don’t have to be selling a product or promoting a service. Just take a look at this video from TED Education. Now, if you had taken the same subject matter and published it in text form, you probably would have lost a good slice of your audience. But add pictures, colour, music and animation and it’s a complete different story. Video can transform a subject and make it intriguing, memorable and engaging and TED has worked the medium perfectly here.

3. MINT – ‘The Best Free Way To Manage Your Money’

Mint is a shining example of why some services are best suited to animation rather than a live video shoot. Mint had quite a complex product to advertise and they needed to do it in such a way so that they gained the trust of their audience. After all, their product pulls information from their customers’ bank accounts. They needed a video that would show clear screenshots of the product in action and a clear message on how secure the service is. They do this perfectly by taking advantage of animation that instantly familiarises viewers with the arrangement and design of the product.  

4. The Dollar Shave Club – Live Action Explainer Video

The moment The Dollar Shaving Club’s video starts, you know you are onto something a little edgy. With the slogan “Our Blades Are F***ing Great,” you immediately realise you’re not watching an ad with a corporate message. Wacky, memorable and fun, this video was designed to appeal to 20-30-something men who would be interested in ordering a steady supply of affordable razors online. We think they have done an awesome job!

5. Poopouri - Warning! Do not watch if you are easily offended. 

When we first saw this live action explainer for a product called Poopouri we thought it was a spoof product or an April Fool’s prank. But no, just take a look at the reviews on Amazon to see for yourself that Poopouri is very much alive and kicking and doing rather jolly well for itself. It really does go to show that there is a market for anything, but that video can make those awkward or embarrassing products much easier to advertise.

So there you have it. These are just some of the ‘best of the best’ posts we will be featuring in coming months and we would love to hear from you if you have your own nominations.

Oh wait…we promised you the worst explainer video too, didn’t we? 

Well, here it is and we almost can’t bring ourselves to even share it, but it does highlight how bad an explainer video can be. Is it the jarring voice over? Could it be the amateur Powerpoint slide style animations? Or is it the drab colours or the annoying sound effects? Or is it that now and again the brand name ‘Chitrr’ sounds like something completely inappropriate that only Poopouri could deal with?  We’ll leave it to you to decide.

Stormnet Media – The Home Of Truly Great Explainer Videos

So, why didn’t we feature one of our videos in our ‘best of the best’ collection? Well, it’s not really up to us to decide, but we do know that our captivating explainer videos go on to do some amazing things for our clients. Like the videos you see before you, we take the time to understand a business, the target audience and the best way to make a connection in around 60 minutes.

Think you’ve got a great story for video? We’ll turn it into something spectacular. Speak to us today and find out how our video production services can help you to make an impact with your audience. Call us today on 01527 910050 or request a quote and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

 

Explainer Video Case Study – Bisbell Magnets

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Bisbell Magnets have been manufacturing and supplying magnetic products and magnetic materials since 1971 and they are now one of the leading companies in their field. Their innovative products and commitment to quality were deserving of a very special explainer video.

In fact, they ordered two!

There are effectively two sides to the Bisbell product line – premium quality knife storage and their versatile range of magnetic materials. Bisbell Magnets wanted a separate video for each that would showcase their products and their many features and benefits. They also manufacture bespoke products and wanted their videos to highlight this.

Bisbell magnetic knife storage and more ...... YouTube (3)

Getting To Grips With The Brief

Bisbell were really open to ideas and for there to be a fun and fresh element to their videos. Their knife storage products are diverse and range from classic designs perfect for the professional kitchen to funky neon designs that would look great in the contemporary home. Their magnet sheeting products are also the perfect solution for stores looking for a versatile advertising solution.

We love speaking to clients to get a feel for their business and what they hope to achieve with their video. It’s probably the most important part of the briefing process as it allows us to share our expertise and ideas and to get a firm idea of what the client needs.

Writing A Killer Script

It all starts with the script. The script forms the foundation of the video production process and is the first glimpse a client gets into how awesome their video will be. At this stage we work out the script for the voice over and also work out some animation ideas so the client can really get a feel for how the video will play out on screen.

Most of the time, we produce explainer videos for products or services that solve a problem. The purpose of the video is to tell viewers how their problem can be solved, and we often only have 60 seconds to do that! But when you consider that we need to hook viewers at around the 5 second mark to watch the video to the end, we often have our work cut out for us. The good news is that we have an expert creative team that have written hundreds of scripts over the years!

Getting To The Heart Of The Problem And Solving It

So, the problem for Bisbell customers was that they needed somewhere to store their expensive knives or some way of changing their advertising displays quickly and easily.

Remember, we only had 60 seconds to get the message across. Here’s how we approach most explainer videos:

  • We describe the problem.

  • We agitate the problem a little more.

  • We reveal the solution and deliver it with impact.

  • We leave the viewer with a powerful call to action that compels them to take action immediately.

We worked closely with Bisbell to understand the problems of their customers and the solutions available. They wanted a video that would present their products in a fun and enticing way that they could use on their website, in client offices and at exhibitions.

Choosing A Captivating Voice Over

The voice over stage is crucial to the sound and feel of the video so we choose the voice over artists we work with very carefully. We are quite lucky in that we have forged strong working relationships with three dynamic and professional artists who have worked for prestigious brands such as Apple, Jaguar and Hyundai.

Bisbell Magnets decided to work with Emma Thurston – an excellent choice. She’s the voice of many ads including those for Littlewoods, Hyundai and Natwest, to name a few. Getting the voice over just right is important for both the client and our animation team and it forms the wireframe that we use to build the animation sequence around.

Bringing Those Ideas To Life

Whilst every stage of the video explainer process is exciting, it’s the animation stage that really brings everything together. We start by generating the assets that will be used in the video. For Bisbell this involved creating kitchen and shop scenes, recreating animated versions of their products in the minutest detail and including the branding that would ensure their video was absolutely unique.

Bisbell magnetic knife storage and more ...... YouTube (1).png

We then develop the characters and animate them so they can interact with the background scenes we have already created. Then we add in any funky text, animated slogans and other elements that will ensure the video is totally awesome in every way.

Once we have completed the visual elements of the video, we move on to what we call the final audio pass. We add a cool soundtrack, stunning sound effects and other audio elements that really bring everything together.

Presenting The Final Cut To The Client

Bisbell Magnets were delighted with the results and after a few minor tweaks they signed off their videos and we handed full control and copyright them them. Their videos how have pride of place on the Bisbell Magnets YouTube channel and we are sure they will continue to bring in new business for many years to come.

Boost Sales And Revenue With Your Own Explainer Video Production

We mean it when we say we can produce a video for any business, any product and any service. And that video will add a new dimension to your marketing strategy, helping you to pitch and persuade in a unique, exciting and innovative way.

Speak to us today for a free and informal consultation. We offer professional video production for any channel and any audience and we would be delighted to learn more about your business and how we can make video marketing work for you. Call now on 01527 910050.

Written By Ian Stainton. Ian is the CEO and Founder of Stormnet Media Ltd, an award winning video production and digital media agency based near Birmingham in the UK. He is trusted by global brands, SMEs and start-ups to help them engage and interact with their customers  - ultimately selling more stuff. You can check him out on Google+.