Explainer videos have quietly taken over the way we communicate online. Whether it’s a startup introducing their new app, a teacher making a quick lesson, or a brand explaining why their service matters, the format works.
Why? Because video is one of the fastest ways to make ideas stick. But here’s the catch—making one used to be expensive and time-consuming. You needed a production team, scripts, professional voiceovers, and lots of editing muscle.
Now things have changed. With AI video generation for beginners, the barrier has almost vanished. You don’t need to be a filmmaker or even have fancy editing software.
You just need an idea, a willingness to experiment, and the right tools. But there’s still a process—and in this guide, I’ll walk you through it step by step. I’ll also share my own opinions, some trial-and-error lessons, and a few cautions that could save you time.
Why Explainer Videos Still Matter
Some people ask: in a world of podcasts, TikToks, and livestreams, do explainer videos still have a place? My answer—absolutely yes.
Explainer videos live at the sweet spot between clarity and engagement. A report by Wyzowl in 2024 found that 91% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and a staggering 96% of people say they’ve watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service. That isn’t just hype—it’s proof that explainer content shapes decisions.
And with attention spans supposedly shrinking, explainer videos provide a concise way to say: “Here’s what we do, here’s why it matters, and here’s how it can help you.” No fluff, no 20-minute deep dive. Just answers, framed in story.
Step 1: Start With Your Story
Every great explainer starts with a story. Notice I didn’t say “script” yet. A story is different. It’s the backbone.
Ask yourself:
- What problem am I solving?
- Who needs to hear this?
- How will their life be different after watching?
This isn’t marketing fluff. It’s empathy. Think of your viewer as a person who’s frustrated, curious, or skeptical. If you were in their shoes, what would make you nod along?
For example, imagine you’re making a video about a budgeting app. Instead of opening with “Our app tracks expenses with AI,” you start with: “Have you ever looked at your bank statement and wondered where all your money went?” That single question pulls people in.
Personal tip: don’t skip this step. It’s tempting to jump straight into software, but every AI video tool in the world won’t fix a boring, unclear message.
Step 2: Write the Script (But Don’t Overthink It)
Here’s where you turn your story into words. Scripts scare people because they sound formal. They don’t need to be.
The rule of thumb: write how you speak. Read it out loud. If it feels stiff, your viewer will sense it. Natural dialogue structures matter. For example:
- “So, what does this mean for you?”
- “Here’s the tricky part—but don’t worry, there’s a fix.”
- “Think of it like this…”
See the rhythm? It feels like conversation.
Now, length. For most explainer videos, keep scripts under 90 seconds (around 200–250 words). Longer is okay if your topic is complex, but attention spans dip fast.
My personal approach is messy. I scribble drafts, read them, cringe, tweak, and sometimes even start over. And that’s fine. Writing is part therapy, part problem-solving.
Step 3: Choose the Right AI Tool
Here’s where it gets exciting. We’ve hit a point where AI tools can turn text into polished video with little effort. But the landscape is crowded. So let’s do ai video tools compared.
Some of the most popular platforms today include:
- Pictory – Great for turning long content into short, shareable clips.
- Synthesia – Known for lifelike AI avatars and multilingual voiceovers.
- Lumen5 – Drag-and-drop simplicity, geared toward marketing.
- Runway – More creative freedom, suited for those who like cinematic styles.
- Descript – Fantastic for editing and repurposing audio + video.
Each tool has strengths. Synthesia is fantastic if you want a “presenter” explaining something without hiring an actor. Pictory shines if you want to know how to use AI to repurpose text blogs in video form, which is a goldmine for content marketers.
Friendly banter here: don’t get paralyzed by choice. Just pick one and try it. My first attempt was with Lumen5, and honestly, it wasn’t perfect. But I got a video out in under 20 minutes, which was mind-blowing.
Step 4: Record or Generate Voiceovers
Do you use your own voice or an AI-generated one? Both have pros and cons.
- Your own voice: authentic, emotional, and personal. But maybe you don’t like how you sound.
- AI voices: polished, professional, and flexible (different languages, accents). But sometimes they feel too clean, almost uncanny.
Here’s my opinion: if the video is for your personal brand, your voice adds trust. If it’s corporate, AI voices might fit better.
Some tools even let you clone your voice. That’s a strange but powerful option—it keeps your tone but saves time. Just make sure to review carefully. Early versions sounded robotic. Modern ones? Surprisingly warm.
Step 5: Add Visuals That Fit
Explainers thrive on visuals. But don’t overcomplicate it. The AI tools usually provide stock video, images, icons, or animations. Use them wisely.
Tips from experience:
- Use metaphors visually. Explaining cloud storage? Show a literal cloud filling up with files.
- Avoid cliché stock footage. (Nobody wants another handshake-in-a-boardroom clip.)
- Less is more. Too many cuts = viewer fatigue.
Runway and Pictory even let you generate visuals with AI. It feels almost magical—type “animated factory line of robots building cars” and watch it appear. But be cautious. AI visuals can sometimes miss details (extra fingers, odd text). Always double-check.
Step 6: Edit With Flow in Mind
Editing is where AI helps the most, but humans still need to guide. A few things I always look for:
- Pacing: Does the video move too fast or drag?
- Clarity: Are there visuals that don’t quite match the script?
- Transitions: Do scenes flow naturally?
AI can suggest cuts and music, but trust your gut. Sometimes silence between lines is powerful. Sometimes you need to trim half a sentence because it ruins the rhythm.
When in doubt, test with a friend. Ask them: “What did you take away from this?” If they stumble, tweak.
Step 7: Add Music and Subtitles
Music sets mood. Most AI platforms give you libraries of royalty-free tracks. Choose carefully—wrong music can kill a video’s vibe.
Subtitles are non-negotiable. Not only are they accessibility-friendly, but around 80% of social media videos are watched without sound (Forbes).
Good AI tools auto-generate captions. Always proofread, though. I once had “budget app” turn into “bucket map.” Funny, but not the message I wanted.
Step 8: Export and Test
After exporting, watch your video on different devices. Something that looks fine on desktop may feel cluttered on a phone.
Also, test length. Some platforms (Instagram, TikTok) prefer short videos, while YouTube allows more breathing room. You may need multiple cuts.
Don’t be discouraged if your first video feels clunky. My first explainer felt awkward, but it still got attention—and taught me what to fix next time. Progress, not perfection.
Advanced Moves (Once You’re Comfortable)
After you’ve made a few explainers, you might want to push further:
- Personalization – AI lets you generate different versions of the same video tailored for different audiences.
- Localization – Translate your script into other languages with AI voiceovers. Suddenly, your audience multiplies.
- Interactive explainers – Some platforms let you create clickable elements inside videos. Great for tutorials.
This is where creativity comes in. Tools are just the beginning—your imagination makes the video memorable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’d be lying if I said AI solves everything. Here are the traps I’ve seen (and sometimes fallen into):
- Relying too much on stock footage—viewers can smell generic content.
- Skipping the storytelling step. Without a clear arc, your video is just noise.
- Forgetting emotional nuance. AI is great at structure but weak at empathy. Add the human layer yourself.
One personal frustration? Over-polishing. Sometimes I get stuck tweaking tiny things (font size, transition timing). Viewers rarely notice. It’s better to publish an imperfect video than sit on it forever.
The Future of AI Explainers
We’re only at the beginning. In the near future, expect:
- Real-time video generation from live prompts.
- Hyper-personalized explainers (imagine a video that greets you by name and adapts to your browsing history).
- Seamless integration with VR/AR environments.
This excites me but also worries me. AI gives us efficiency, but if every video looks machine-made, audiences will tune out. The human touch—our quirks, humor, empathy—will matter even more.
Final Thoughts
Explainer videos aren’t going away. They’re evolving. With AI, you can make them faster, cheaper, and sometimes better than traditional methods. But the secret sauce remains unchanged: clear stories, empathy for the viewer, and creativity.
So, if you’ve been hesitating, start small. Use ai video generation for beginners to dip your toe in.
Experiment with how to use AI to repurpose text blogs in video form—you’ll be surprised how far a single blog post can stretch. Check out a few ai video tools compared reviews, but don’t let analysis-paralysis stop you.
And remember: perfection isn’t the goal—connection is. If your video makes one person say, “That finally makes sense,” you’ve succeeded.
