Looking to boost engagement for your B2B software platform? An explainer video can transform how you convey value to potential clients, driving conversions and understanding at scale. This guide reveals a step-by-step approach, best practices, and creative insights to help your explainer video stand out—and make a measurable difference to your software’s adoption rates.
Why Explainer Videos Matter for B2B Software Solutions
Explainer videos are powerful tools in the B2B technology market. According to a recent Wyzowl survey from early 2025, 92% of businesses say that video provides an excellent return on investment, and 89% report increased product understanding from video content. Complex software often poses a communication challenge; a well-crafted explainer video simplifies intricate concepts, supporting faster and more effective client onboarding and sales enablement.
Moreover, explainer videos help you differentiate your software platform. They build trust, demonstrate expertise, and make technical benefits accessible to key decision-makers, who may not have time to analyze lengthy documentation. In today’s competitive SaaS landscape, such concise storytelling is invaluable.
Planning Your B2B Software Explainer Video: Key Preparation Steps
Success begins with a robust strategy. To ensure your explainer video achieves its objectives, follow these video production planning essentials:
- Identify the video’s goal: Align the content with a business objective, such as lead generation, customer onboarding, or sales support.
- Define your target audience: Consider job titles (CIO, procurement managers, end-users), industry verticals, and key pain points.
- Distill your core message: What is the unique value your software delivers? Frame it in terms of outcomes, not just features.
- Determine ideal length: B2B explainer videos perform best when kept to 60-120 seconds—long enough to inform, short enough to engage.
- Choose your style: Options include animated, live-action, screen-recorded walkthroughs, or a blend. The best style resonates with your brand and audience preferences.
Thorough planning streamlines future production steps and ensures your final video moves viewers towards your intended goal.
Scripting and Storyboarding for Maximum Engagement
The video script and storyboard form the foundation of a memorable explainer. Clarity and focus are critical when condensing complex software value into a concise video.
- Structure your story: A proven framework is “problem–solution–benefit–call-to-action.” Begin by illustrating a common client pain point, introduce your solution, showcase its impact, and guide viewers on the next steps.
- Use clear, relatable language: Avoid jargon unless it is meaningful to your target viewer. Use analogies, examples, and short sentences for accessibility.
- Feature real scenarios: Weave in customer stories, concrete use cases, or data points to anchor benefits in reality.
- Storyboard visually: Map each script segment to a visual frame, considering animation, on-screen text, and branding. This planning ensures a logical visual flow and pricing transparency in production.
Expert scripting fosters not just understanding but confidence—making prospects more likely to act.
Best Practices for Producing an Effective Software Explainer Video
The actual explainer video production involves more than great visuals. Studio-quality sound, paced narration, and purposeful editing distinguish professional from forgettable content. Here’s what to focus on in 2025:
- Leverage modern animation tools: Platforms like Vyond, Animaker, and Adobe After Effects empower both DIY and agency-led projects.
- Keep branding subtle but consistent: Colors, logos, and typography should enhance, not overwhelm, the message.
- Use authentic voiceovers: Whether hiring a professional or leveraging AI voice tools, choose a tone that mirrors how your clients prefer to be spoken to—clear, professional, and approachable.
- Include UI screen captures: For platforms with a user dashboard, brief walkthroughs instill confidence. Highlight key differentiators such as speed or unique features.
- Pace for comprehension: Space critical information and use pauses to allow viewers to absorb concepts, especially when showing data or processes.
- Test before final delivery: Show a draft to team members representing sales, customer success, and even a few target users. Incorporate candid feedback for maximum clarity and impact.
Investing in these areas leads to a polished, trustworthy video that increases buyer confidence and product clarity.
Distribution Tactics: Getting Your Explainer Video in Front of Decision-Makers
Even the best video needs smart video distribution strategies to reach and engage your audience. Here are highly effective methods for B2B software platforms in 2025:
- Feature on your homepage and product landing pages: Videos on primary website pages can raise conversion rates by up to 80%, according to industry benchmarks.
- Use in email campaigns and lead nurturing: Personalized video snippets can increase email click-through by more than 70% in B2B outreach.
- Share on LinkedIn and industry-specific platforms: Directly target decision-makers on professional networks and B2B social groups.
- Include in demos and sales presentations: Empower your sales team with concise, credible videos to accelerate understanding in meetings.
- Repurpose at conferences and webinars: Use your explainer video as a digital handshake at live and virtual events.
Track engagement through analytics dashboards, using metrics like average watch time, drop-off points, and conversions to refine future videos and campaigns.
Measuring Success: Analytics and Continuous Improvement
To maximize ROI, integrate explainer video analytics into your marketing ecosystem. Modern video platforms such as Vidyard, Vimeo, and Brightcove offer robust tracking features. Key metrics for B2B software platforms include:
- View count: The baseline indicator of overall reach and awareness.
- Engagement rate: Percentage of viewers who watch the video in its entirety.
- Click-through and conversion rate: How many viewers take your desired action, such as starting a free trial or booking a demo.
- Audience drop-off points: Identify where viewers lose interest to optimize scripting or visuals.
- Qualitative feedback: Gather insights from sales teams and clients about how the explainer video affected their understanding and trust.
Use these insights to iteratively improve your video content, ensuring it always delivers value where it matters most in the B2B buying journey.
Conclusion: Creating a High-Impact Explainer Video for B2B Software
An expertly executed explainer video can unlock deeper engagement and trust for your B2B software platform. By focusing on clarity, strategic distribution, and continuous improvement, you move beyond explanation to real-world business impact. Start planning your video today—and set a new standard for client communication in the software sector.
FAQs about Creating Explainer Videos for B2B Software Platforms
-
How long should a B2B software explainer video be?
Keep your video between 60-120 seconds. This timeframe balances detail with attention span, delivering enough value without overwhelming viewers.
-
Is animation or live-action better for B2B software explainers?
Animated videos are well-suited for abstract concepts and process overviews, while live-action works for customer testimonials and team introductions. Many B2B brands benefit from a hybrid approach.
-
What should be included in a software explainer video script?
Focus on the problem your software solves, outline your solution, share concrete benefits or outcomes, and end with a clear call-to-action.
-
How can I measure my explainer video’s impact?
Use platform analytics to track views, engagement rates, watch time, and conversions, then gather direct feedback from your sales team and customers for qualitative context.
-
Can I create an explainer video in-house, or should I hire an agency?
Both are viable. Agencies offer expertise and polish, while in-house teams provide product intimacy and flexibility. For complex platforms, many businesses use a blended approach, creating drafts internally and collaborating with professionals for final production.