Using Text in Your Explainer Video? Avoid This One Mistake

Attention spans are shorter than ever, making effective communication key for every business. Explainer videos have become a popular tool for conveying information concisely and engagingly. However, there’s one common mistake that many creators make: relying too heavily on text.

Let me take you back to my high school days, where PowerPoint presentations were the norm for every report. I had a teacher who was adamant about one rule: minimal text on slides. She’d deduct points if she saw paragraphs crammed onto a single slide. Her reasoning was simple yet profound: no one wants to read your slide.

Fast forward to today, and the same principle applies to animated explainer videos. Just as nobody wanted to squint at a text-heavy PowerPoint slide, nobody wants to watch a video overloaded with text. It’s a recipe for disengagement and audience abandonment.

Here’s why you should avoid relying too much on text in your explainer videos:

1. Visual Overload

Too much text on the screen can overwhelm viewers. Instead of absorbing the information, they may feel bombarded and struggle to focus on the core message of your video. Remember, simplicity is key to effective communication.

2. Cognitive Overload

Human brains are wired to process visual information more efficiently than text. When you inundate viewers with text, you’re forcing them to split their attention between reading and listening, which can lead to cognitive overload. This diminishes the impact of your message and hampers comprehension.

3. Lack of Engagement

Text-heavy videos are boring. Period. Viewers are more likely to tune out or click away if they’re confronted with a wall of text. To keep your audience engaged, leverage visuals and animations to convey your message in a dynamic and compelling way.

So, What’s the Solution?

Instead of relying solely on text, use visuals and voice-over to your advantage. Here are some tips to create effective explainer videos:

1. Visual Storytelling

Harness the power of visuals to tell your story. Use illustrations, animations, and graphics to simplify complex concepts and captivate your audience visually.

2. Succinct Messaging

Keep your script concise and to the point. Focus on conveying your message in the simplest terms possible, avoiding jargon and unnecessary details.

3. Engaging Voice-Over

A well-scripted and professionally narrated voice-over can breathe life into your video. Choose a voice actor whose tone and style resonate with your target audience.

4. Strategic Text

While text should be minimized, it can still play a supporting role in your video. Use it sparingly for emphasis or to highlight key points, but avoid turning your video into a reading assignment.

In conclusion, don’t make the mistake of inundating your explainer videos with text. Just as my high school teacher taught me, remember that less is often more when it comes to visual communication. By leveraging visuals and voice-over effectively, you can create engaging and impactful explainer videos that captivate your audience from start to finish.