Cartoon explainer videos are becoming an increasingly popular way to convey complex ideas in a simple and engaging manner.
They can be used in a variety of contexts, from digital advertising to website content, and are often chosen for their ability to connect with audiences and make complex ideas more accessible.
However, some people are concerned that using cartoon explainer videos will make them appear unprofessional or unpolished. In this article, we’ll explore how to use cartoon explainer videos effectively and still maintain a professional appearance.
First, let’s explore what makes a cartoon explainer video effective.
Cartoon explainer videos are typically short, usually lasting between one and three minutes. They’re designed to convey information in a simple and engaging way, often through the use of characters, animations, and a clear and concise script… often used to explain complex ideas, concepts, or processes, and can be used to educate, inform, or entertain audiences.
One of the biggest advantages of using a cartoon explainer video is its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level. Because they are often lighthearted and fun, cartoon explainer videos can make even the most dry and technical subject matter more engaging. Because they are visual and auditory, they can help to reinforce key messages and concepts, making them more memorable.
However, some industries might not be a good fit for cartoon explainer videos. For example, industries that deal with serious or sensitive subject matter, such as healthcare or finance, may want to avoid using cartoon explainer videos as they may not be perceived as professional or appropriate for the subject matter. Also, industries that require a high level of formality, such as law or government, may want to avoid using cartoon explainer videos as they may not be seen as serious or authoritative enough.
That being said, there are lots of industries that can benefit from using cartoon explainer videos. For example, companies that sell consumer products, like food or household goods, can use cartoon explainer videos to demonstrate the benefits of their products in a fun and engaging way. Likewise, companies in the technology or software industries can use cartoon explainer videos to explain complex concepts or demonstrate how their products work.
When using cartoon explainer videos, it is important to keep in mind the tone and style of your brand. While cartoon explainer videos are often lighthearted and fun, they should still align with your brand identity and messaging. For example, if your brand is known for its professionalism and formality, your cartoon explainer video should reflect that tone.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the script and visuals of your cartoon explainer video are well-crafted and polished. While cartoon explainer videos can be fun and casual, they should still be well-planned and executed. A poorly-executed cartoon explainer video can actually detract from your message and make you appear unprofessional.
So, how can you use cartoon explainer videos effectively in various contexts? Let’s take a look.
Digital Advertising
Cartoon explainer videos can be a powerful tool in digital advertising. They can be used to introduce your brand or product, explain a new feature or offering, or demonstrate the benefits of your product or service. When creating a cartoon explainer video for digital advertising, it is important to keep in mind the platform on which it will be displayed. For example, a cartoon explainer video for YouTube may need to be longer and more detailed than one for Instagram, which has a shorter attention span. Additionally, it is important to make sure that your cartoon explainer video is optimized for mobile viewing, as more and more people are consuming content on their mobile devices.
Blog Content
Cartoon explainer videos can be a great addition to blog content. They can be used to summarize key points, demonstrate a process or concept, or provide additional information in a fun and engaging way. For example, if you have a blog post about how to use a new product, you could create a cartoon explainer video that shows the steps involved in using the product. This helps to break up long blocks of text and make your content more engaging for readers. Additionally, including a cartoon explainer video increases the time users spend on your website, which is beneficial a “plus plus” for search engine optimization.
Website Content
Cartoon explainer videos can also be used as part of your website content. They can be used on your homepage to introduce your brand or explain your products or services, or on product pages to demonstrate the features and benefits of your products. When using cartoon explainer videos on your website, it’s important to make sure that they’re well-integrated into the overall design of your site. They should be easy to find and play, and should complement the rest of your content.
Social Media
Cartoon explainer videos can be a great way to engage your social media followers. They can be used to announce new products or services, provide tips or tutorials, or share interesting facts or insights about your industry. When creating cartoon explainer videos for social media, it’s important to keep them short and attention-grabbing (pro tip: use subtitles or captions, as many social media users watch videos without sound).
Examples of Effective Explainer Videos
Now that we’ve explored how to use cartoon explainer videos effectively, let’s take a look at some examples of effective explainer videos.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a cloud storage company that uses cartoon explainer videos to demonstrate the benefits of their product. Their cartoon explainer video What is Dropbox? uses simple animations and a clear and concise script to explain how Dropbox works and why it is useful. The video is relatively short and is well-designed and polished.
Slack
Slack is a messaging platform that uses explainer videos to demonstrate the features of their product. Their cartoon explainer video So Yeah, We Tried Slack… uses humor and relatable characters to demonstrate how Slack can help teams communicate more effectively. The video is just over two minutes long and is engaging and entertaining.
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EnGuard
EnGuard, a secure email services platform that provides affordable HIPAA-compliant email service for the medical industry, uses a cartoon explainer video on their homepage to demonstrate how their product works. Their 49 second cartoon explainer video Introducing Enterprise Guardian uses very simple animations and script to describe both the problem and solution for HIPAA-compliant email.
Hubspot
Hubspot is a marketing and sales platform that uses cartoon explainer videos to demonstrate the benefits of their product. Their cartoon explainer video What is Inbound Marketing? uses simple animations and a clear and concise script to explain the concept of inbound marketing. The video is just over two minutes long and is well-designed and informative.
Industries That May Want to Avoid Cartoon Explainer Videos
While many industries can benefit from using cartoon explainer videos, there are some industries that may want to avoid using them. These industries include:
Healthcare
The healthcare industry deals with serious and sensitive subject matter, and may want to avoid using cartoon explainer videos as they may not be perceived as professional or appropriate for the subject matter. Additionally, healthcare is a highly-regulated industry, and cartoon explainer videos may not meet regulatory requirements.
Finance
The finance industry also deals with serious and sensitive subject matter, and may want to avoid using cartoon explainer videos as they may not be perceived as professional or appropriate for the subject matter. Additionally, finance is a highly-regulated industry, and cartoon explainer videos may not meet regulatory requirements.
Government
The government sector often requires a high level of formality and professionalism, and may want to avoid using cartoon explainer videos as they may not be seen as serious or authoritative enough. Additionally, government agencies may have strict guidelines regarding the use of visual content.
Takeaway
Bottom line, cartoon explainer videos can be a powerful tool for conveying complex ideas in a simple and engaging way. When used effectively, they help to connect with audiences on an emotional level, reinforce key messages and concepts, and make even the most technical subject matter more accessible. It is important however, to keep in mind the tone and style of your brand, as well as the context in which the video will be used. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the script and visuals of your cartoon explainer video are well-crafted and polished.
Cartoon explainer videos can be used in a variety of contexts, including digital advertising, blog content, website content, and social media. When creating cartoon explainer videos for these contexts, it is important to keep in mind the platform on which the video will be displayed, as well as the length and attention span of the audience.
Overall, cartoon explainer videos are a powerful and effective way to convey complex ideas in a simple and engaging way. By keeping your brand identity and messaging in mind, and creating well-crafted and polished videos, you can use cartoon explainer videos effectively and still maintain a professional appearance.
Ivan is a professional digital marketer and advertiser.
He’s been doing this forever and there are few people that know the ins-and-outs like he does at the strategic, technical, and optimizational / practical level.
Whether you’re thinking about advertising for the first time, or looking for help identifying issues and / or correcting current campaigns, Ivan will make the process a truly simple one.
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