Using explainer videos is an effective way to inform your audience about your company, products, or services. As their name suggests, they are great for explaining things to users since they are more engaging than long blocks of text. However, if you plan to create these videos for your business, you will need to think of the animated explainer video pricing first. Truthfully, costs can range from as little as under $1,000 to over $70,000 for a 60-second explainer video.
Now, the huge price range can sound shocking or alarming, and understandably so. Investing a large amount in a short video may seem unreasonable, but in reality, producing high-quality explainer videos is no easy feat. Several elements have to be done correctly to create a good output, so many factors will ultimately affect how much you pay for your video.
Factors Affecting Animated Explainer Video Pricing
Knowing what factors affect the cost of animated explainer videos can help you determine how much you are willing to spend for yours. In terms of video elements, length and animation style are usually two of the biggest considerations to think about.
First, the length will depend on your objective. Explainer videos are generally short and straight to the point, usually about 30 seconds to two minutes. Longer videos will naturally be more expensive, but you still want to make sure you convey everything you need to in a single video.
Second, animation style can greatly impact costs since each type requires varying degrees of complexity and detail. For example, whiteboard animation is one of the more affordable styles, whereas 3D and stop motion animations are in the more expensive range. Many explainer videos are made with 2D animations, but quality can still vary significantly based on the project and team.
Aside from the two elements above, you also have to consider these factors:
- Reputation of company
- Experience of team
- Level of complexity
- Customizations
- Scope of work
- Quality of output
Now, these may all sound overwhelming, but the reality is that making animated explainer videos is not easy. Every step takes time and effort to do. You have to plan the concept to drafting the script and storyboard. After that, there’s illustrating and animating the video to recording the audio to editing the output.
While you might save money from doing some of the steps yourself, you also have to consider whether you are well-equipped for the task. Production companies have the team and equipment to do all the necessary steps. Knowing this, working with one will be ideal if you have no knowledge or experience in the field.
Consider Potential Returns on Investment
If you are still having a hard time deciding whether it is worth spending on an animated explainer video, it helps to estimate your expected returns. For example, hiring a reputable producer to create a high-quality video might come at a high upfront cost, but you get value back if you get a significant boost in your customers, revenues, and KPIs.
Conversely, spending less on your video might be good in the short term, but it might also mean lower quality and possibly a shorter lifespan. You may need to replace the video early on, resulting in more costs. For start-ups, it might be ideal to go for a low-budget video first, especially if you are still testing ideas. However, for larger businesses trying to grow, it may be worth taking bigger risks to reap better rewards.
Ultimately, it is best to think about your potential returns before investing in your animated explainer video. Whether you intend to use this to market your product or improve brand recognition, you want to make sure you create a quality video that captures the audience’s attention and serves its purpose for a long time.
So, how much should you spend on your animated explainer video? As you might have guessed by now, it is hard to specify a fixed answer to this question. It will ultimately depend on what you need, how much work needs to be done, what will set you apart from the competition, and how long it will take to see returns.
Think long and hard about your video and budget before you start on production! Research may take some time, but it will surely help you make more informed decisions regarding animated explainer video pricing.
Looking For Quality Animation?
If you’re looking for a quality animated explainer video, contact Austin Visuals and get your quote with us today.