Explainer video fatigue isn’t the problem, information overload is. Imagine this: you’re a new employee at a global company. You open your laptop for your first day of onboarding and are greeted with a wall of PDFs, dense policies, and 60-minute slide decks. Ten minutes in, your eyes glaze over. You’re not alone.
In an era where people swipe through social media reels, binge how-to videos, and Google “how to” more than ever, traditional corporate training feels painfully out of sync. Learners crave content that’s quick, visual, and meaningful, delivered in formats that feel intuitive and engaging, not outdated and obligatory.
That’s why explainer videos are taking center stage in modern eLearning. These short, animated videos are designed to explain, not overwhelm. They take big ideas, complex workflows, and critical policies and distill them into clear, watchable, and memorable learning experiences.
In this blog, we explore why explainer videos are revolutionizing corporate training, how to use them effectively, and what tools can help you create high-impact, scalable learning content, fast.
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Table Of Content
- What Are Explainer Videos?
- Why Explainer Videos Work in eLearning?
- Top Explainer Video Tools Aligned to Training Types
- How Can L&D Simplify Complex Training Without Compromising Clarity?
- How to Make Explainer Videos Effective?
- What’s the ROI of Explainer Videos in Corporate Training?
What Are Explainer Videos?
It is a short multimedia presentation, usually one to five minutes long, designed to communicate a specific idea, concept, product, or process. Combining narration with visuals, animation, and often storytelling, it distills information into a format that is easy to follow and retain.
Widely used in corporate training, marketing, and internal communication, explainer video production has become a powerful strategy for conveying critical information in the workplace.
In the context of custom eLearning, explainer videos are ideal for:
- Introducing new tools or features
- Demonstrating software workflows
- Clarifying policies or compliance requirements
- Welcoming new hires
- Offering performance support at the point of need
Well-suited for mobile, remote, and hybrid teams, these short videos support asynchronous learning and can be embedded seamlessly into digital training environments.
Why Explainer Videos Work in eLearning?
Explainer videos aren’t just engaging; they’re grounded in science. Backed by cognitive theory and learning psychology, they transform passive consumption into active understanding. Here’s why they consistently outperform traditional formats in modern eLearning.
How to Make Explainer Videos Effective?
Here are the key practices:
- Keep It Short and Sweet
- Start with a Hook
- Use Clear, Conversational Language
- Visualize the Message
- End with a Strong CTA
1. They Align with Cognitive Science
Explainer videos cater to how the brain learns best:
- Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text
- Combining audio and visuals enables dual coding, improving comprehension and memory
- Storytelling and animation boost emotional connection and retention
2. They Boost Engagement and Completion
- Learners retain 95% of a video message, compared to 10% when reading text
- 83% of employees prefer video for instructional content
- Short, focused content increases completion rates by up to 83%
3. They Offer Flexibility and Accessibility
- Access anytime, anywhere ideal for remote and hybrid teams
- Easily translated and localized
- Work across multiple formats (microlearning, VILT, courses, job aids)
4. They Scale Across Roles and Geographies
- Once produced, videos can be reused and repurposed
- Consistent messaging across teams
- Reduce reliance on instructors or one-time sessions
If you’re looking for a powerful way to train, teach, or sell, the benefits of explainer videos are hard to ignore.
Top Explainer Video Tools Aligned to Training Types
A wide range of tools are available today to help instructional designers, L&D teams, and marketers create high-quality, scalable explainer videos. Whether you're building interactive onboarding training, compliance modules, or enabling software adoption across teams, these tools help bring your training content to life.
1. Vyond Go
Vyond is an AI-powered explainer video maker that transforms a simple prompt into a fully storyboarded video perfect for fast-paced corporate training needs.
- Supports customization in Vyond Studio
- Strong fit for:
- Compliance training
- Product walkthroughs
- New hire onboarding
- Excels in creating microlearning and mobile-friendly videos at speed and scale
2. Animaker
Animaker is a free online explainer video maker that offers intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and a rich library of prebuilt templates for quick video creation.
- Includes voiceovers, lip sync, and character animations
- Great option for:
- Soft skills training
- Scenario-based microlearning
- Internal communications
- Especially useful for teams looking to create quick, engaging videos without technical expertise
3. Synthesia
Synthesia is an advanced AI-powered explainer video maker that brings human-like AI avatars to life without the need for actors, microphones, or studios.
- Supports 120+ languages
- Recommended for:
- Multinational onboarding training
- DEI and compliance training
- Cybersecurity awareness
- Enables realistic, localized training without the need for actors or studios
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4. Powtoon
A flexible explainer video maker that supports both animated and live-action formats
- Offers a broad template library and real-time editing tools
- Well-suited for:
- Leadership messaging
- Sales enablement
- Change management communication
- Ideal for L&D teams aiming to combine storytelling with dynamic visual design
5. Moovly
A cloud-based video creation platform with advanced automation and integrations
- Seamlessly connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, and YouTube
- Effective for:
- Operational and policy training
- Product knowledge libraries
- Multi-role training consistency
- Supports bulk content creation for large enterprise needs
6. Camtasia
A robust screen recording and editing tool favored for technical training and instructional content
- Includes transitions, callouts, quizzes, and narration tools
- Perfect for:
- Software training and walkthroughs
- IT onboarding
- Recording instructor-led VILT sessions
- Especially powerful for creating evergreen support and tutorial resources
How Can L&D Simplify Complex Training Without Compromising Clarity?
For L&D teams, the challenge isn’t just delivering training, it’s translating complex information into formats that employees can understand, retain, and apply. Whether it’s compliance protocols, product specs, or multi-step workflows, traditional formats often fall short.
That’s where explainer videos, especially when structured as part of a microlearning strategy, offer a smarter approach.
Watch how AI and microlearning come together to deliver real-time training that drives performance.
These short, focused videos break down heavy content into bite-sized learning bursts ideal for today’s busy, distracted workforce.
Why L&D Professionals Count on Explainer Videos:
They clarify the complex
Through motion graphics and storytelling, explainer videos bring abstract concepts to life no more overwhelming slide decks or info-dumps.
They are made for microlearning
Each video focuses on a single objective, making it easy to embed into spaced learning journeys, onboarding tracks, or quick reference libraries.
They reduce time-to-competency
A well-crafted 2-minute video can achieve what used to take a 20-minute presentation without sacrificing depth or clarity.
They drive reuse and scalability
One video can serve multiple training needs, from onboarding to performance support to refresher modules.
They support global reach
With narration, captions, and multilingual support, explainer videos scale effortlessly across teams, locations, and languages.
In today’s fast-moving learning environment, explainer videos aren’t just helpful, they’re essential. They enable L&D teams to deliver impactful learning, faster.
Got it! Here's the final, polished version of “How to Make Explainer Videos Effective?” with crisp examples, no use of “was”, and clear, professional language throughout:
How to Make Explainer Videos Effective?
To make explainer videos truly impactful in corporate training, they must go beyond just looking good. They should be focused, relevant, and easy to absorb.
Here are five proven practices that ensure your videos are both engaging and effective:
1. Keep It Short and Sweet
Focus on a single key idea and keep the video between 60 to 90 seconds. Shorter videos are easier to consume and retain.
Example: A compliance video covering multiple policies turned into a 90-second clip highlighting only breach reporting, leading to higher engagement.
2. Start with a Hook
Begin with a question, stat, or relatable scenario to grab attention and make the topic feel relevant from the first second.
Example: A cybersecurity training opened with: “What would you do if your screen demanded $10,000?”—immediately drawing learners in.
3. Use Clear, Conversational Language
Use plain language that sounds natural and professional. Avoid technical jargon unless it’s essential—and always explain it simply.
Example: Saying “Use the engagement tool to follow up with customers” connects better than “Utilize the customer interaction module.”
4. Visualize the Message
Pair spoken content with supporting visuals - animations, icons, or side-by-side examples—to reinforce understanding.
Example: A safety training course showed unsafe and safe lifting techniques side by side, making the difference instantly clear without extra narration.
5. End with a Strong CTA
Finish with a specific, action-oriented next step that tells the learner exactly what to do after watching.
Example: “Now open the Helpdesk Simulator and resolve two tickets” provides direction and reinforces application.
By applying these practices, your explainer videos won’t just inform, they’ll motivate action and enhance learning outcomes.
What’s the ROI of Explainer Videos in Corporate Training?
Explainer videos are not just engaging, they’re cost-effective, measurable, and strategically transformative for modern training teams.
Animated explainer videos offer a compelling blend of cognitive stimulation and emotional connection. By combining motion graphics, characters, and voiceovers, they simplify complex topics while enhancing memory retention and learner satisfaction. When incorporated into blended learning modules, these videos enable higher engagement, faster knowledge transfer, and better learning outcomes.
They also reduce the need for repeated instructor-led sessions, speed up onboarding, and support consistent knowledge delivery across geographies. This makes explainer videos one of the most scalable, flexible tools for corporate L&D teams today.
Measurable Returns
Animated explainer videos are proven to deliver measurable training impact:
- A PwC workforce study found that 79% of employees believe training videos make them feel more confident and productive at work. In organizations using animated learning content, engagement levels increased by up to 60%, while training time decreased by up to 40%
- 95% message retention with video vs. 10% with text, demonstrating their superiority for long-term learning
- 75% retention in microlearning formats, particularly when using visual storytelling
- Training time reduced by 60% and support queries cut by up to 50% when explainer videos are used for software or product rollouts
- 1200% more shares and 88% longer engagement when video is used on internal learning portals or help centers
Strategic Value
- Enables faster onboarding and quicker time-to-productivity
- Scales across teams and global regions with consistent messaging
- Reduces L&D workload for recurring sessions
- Boosts learner confidence and performance across job roles
By embedding animated explainer videos into your custom eLearning strategy, you don’t just enhance the learning experience you accelerate business outcomes. From shortening ramp-up times to reducing overhead and improving workforce capability, explainer videos act as a high-leverage asset that delivers continuous returns across training cycles and teams.
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Next Steps
Explainer videos have earned their place in the modern L&D toolkit, offering a powerful way to simplify complex topics, support microlearning, and boost learner engagement. Their flexibility, reusability, and proven ROI make them an ideal choice for today’s fast-moving training needs.
Whether you're scaling onboarding, making compliance easier to grasp, or rolling out new tools across global teams, explainer videos help make learning stick.
For deeper insights into how video and AI are reshaping corporate training and helping L&D teams build smarter, faster, and more effective strategies, download the free eBook now
