Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the practice of optimizing your site to rank higher in search engines like Google and Bing. And one way to do that is through the use of explainer videos those short introductory clips you see on many websites, explaining what they do and why they’re useful. More often than not, SEO professionals use such videos to increase their clients’ website rankings. Here are some tips on how to create these explainer videos yourself.
Why Explainer Videos Boost Your SEO
If you’re wondering how explainer videos can boost your search engine optimization, it has a lot to do with our natural human behaviors.
While it isn’t an exact science, we tend to click on links that appear higher up in Google results or on websites that have loads of video content. Since good explainer videos are relevant and engaging, many people share them online, leading to traffic from all over the web.
In addition, if your goal is ranking high in organic search results, creating high-quality explainer videos will help get you there. Here’s why
What Are They?
Like infographics, video explainers are graphic-heavy content pieces. The difference is that they incorporate video and audio. If you want to boost your website’s SEO and make it more user-friendly, there’s no better way than with an explainer video
Explainer videos explain services or concepts quickly and succinctly. The best ones utilize motion graphics, animation and relevant images in order to draw viewers in right away. It takes a lot of work to create a great video explainer but if you do it right, your audience will be willing participants in your message.
What Are Some Best Practices?
If you’re unfamiliar with explainer videos, there are a few best practices that can set you up for success. First, consider your audience and how much time they’ll have to watch your video.
Next, think about what tone of voice will be most engaging for viewers. Do you want something more serious or perhaps more silly? Make sure it’s clear from within your first five seconds what kind of style you’re going for.
Consider Using Micro-Influencers
Micro-influencers are exactly what they sound like: people with a smaller audience. These influencers can have anywhere from just thousands of followers on social media, to perhaps a few hundred. While their reach may be small, these people have other benefits that make them worthwhile they’re more engaging, authentic and creative.
Try reaching out to a handful of micro-influencers in your niche who you could strike up conversations with; offer them access to your product or service for free in exchange for mentioning it on their feed or giving it a review.
They’ll provide you with good exposure at little cost, and many will likely return-free products sent to them in good faith too!
How Much Do They Cost?
There are two main ways to use explainer videos. First, you can buy one. This is likely going to cost a few thousand dollars. Alternatively, you can create your own using:
- (1) Illustrator or Photoshop;
- (2) After Effects or some other animation software
- (3) Audacity or some other audio-editing software and then hire someone who knows how to use those tools on freelancer sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru.
The only variable there is how much your labor costs. At a minimum, though, expect your budget for that project ($500 – $1,000).
Where Should You Get Them Created?
Since you’re looking for quick turnaround, look to freelancers on sites like Upwork and Guru. Be sure to check a portfolio before hiring and run a Google search on them.
Also, only work with someone who has experience creating explainer videos for businesses; not just marketing firms.
Freelancers are an affordable and easy way to have your own explainer video created that way you can focus on promoting it! Keep in mind that using an independent contractor means they aren’t guaranteed by your business like full-time employees would be, so make sure they’re insured in case something happens when working at your company or live location.
Common Mistakes Made When Creating Explainer Videos.
Do a cost/benefit analysis before you get started. Explainers often take longer than expected and sometimes your concept will just not be good enough to keep.
Trust your gut and move on quickly if that happens it’s not a waste of time, you’re just creating something people don’t want or need.
So long as you learn from your mistakes, it can be an invaluable experience for future projects.
