6 Key Elements of Effective Whiteboard Videos

Source: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels.com

Contributed to EO by Victor Blasco

Whiteboard animation offers a non-traditional way to promote your brand and connect with your audience. Its ability to break down complex ideas into simple visuals makes it an effective tool for communicating key messages, from introducing new products to sharing core values and missions.

However, ask any experienced video company, and they’ll agree that getting the basics right is essential for success. Even the most engaging whiteboard video can miss the mark without a solid foundation. Explore these six key elements and get tips on using whiteboard animation to make your brand stand out.

1. Choose the Right Whiteboard Animation Software

The first step to whiteboard video marketing is finding the right software. A good whiteboard video maker, such as VideoScribe or Doodly, helps you create engaging content quickly and efficiently. You’ll want a program that balances ease of use with the tools to customize your video’s animated style to get the best results.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing your software:

• Look for drag-and-drop functionality to arrange visuals and animations

• Choose platforms that offer a range of video templates and animation characters to speed up the creation process

• Ensure the software allows you to customize the animated style to match your brand, such as adjusting color schemes or adding your logo

• Opt for software that makes it easy to share your project on social media once the video is created

With the right application, you can create video content that communicates your message, engages your audience, and showcases your brand’s unique personality.

2. Put the Basics in Place

So, what makes a whiteboard video so effective in promoting your message? The combination of simple visuals and storytelling grabs attention and keeps it! A drawing hand sketches out the key points while a narrator explains the story, making it easy for viewers to follow along and stay engaged. 

Whiteboard explainer videos are a visually-based medium that allows you to communicate complex ideas in a simple, understandable format. To create an effective foundation, keep these basics in mind:

• Use fluid animations to keep viewers engaged from start to finish

• Simplify visuals with black-and-white drawings to minimize distractions and keep attention on the message

• Combine visuals with a clear narrative to make your content more memorable than text alone

Include these basic elements in your whiteboard video, and you’ll have the making of a memorable piece of content.

3. Craft an Engaging Story

Storytelling is at the heart of whiteboard explainer videos. The story you tell shapes everything—the illustrations, tone, style, and even the characters. The narrative ties all these elements together, creating a cohesive and impactful message.

Not sure how to start your story? Seek inspiration from pro-level whiteboard videos and take note of what video creation techniques they use to keep viewers hooked. Here are a few tips for crafting a captivating narrative:

• The concept. Decide what you want to communicate to your audience, and let that shape your script. For example, if you’re promoting an eco-friendly product, focus on how it makes life better for people and the planet.

• A gripping beginning. Hook viewers with a relatable situation. If you’re selling a time-saving kitchen gadget, show a busy parent rushing to prepare dinner. That familiar struggle grabs attention and instantly connects with your audience.

• The problem-solver. Position your product or message as the hero of the story. Explain how your kitchen gadget saves time and stress, offering a unique solution that solves their problems or addresses their concerns. Make it clear why your brand is the go-to choice over competitors.

• An impactful ending. End on a high note by showing the impact of your message or product. The once-stressed parent now has dinner sorted and extra time for family fun. It leaves viewers with a feel-good moment and a strong sense of what your product can do for them.

4. Create Compelling Characters

Your audience needs to see themselves in your whiteboard video characters—their personalities, challenges, and goals. Characters are more than visuals; they guide viewers through your story. To make this connection work, tailor your characters to reflect your audience.

• Match their demographic. Create a protagonist that mirrors your audience's age group, profession, or lifestyle. For instance, if you’re speaking to young professionals, make the character a 30-something, juggling a career and personal life.

• Give them a name and personality. Avoid generic, faceless avatars. A named character with a defined personality makes the story feel more real and helps viewers relate to them on a personal level.

• Mirror their expertise. Your character should speak the language of your audience’s field or industry, whether marketing, finance, or creative work. This adds authenticity and strengthens the connection.

Characters with these attributes will help viewers connect with your message. Addressing them directly can help them feel more open to hearing your brand message. 

5. Use Color (But Don’t Get Carried Away!)

Whiteboard videos are known for their black-and-white aesthetic, but that simplicity can make it challenging for your brand to stand out among the many other animated videos and styles. So, how do you make yours unique?

The answer is customization. Every aspect of your whiteboard animation can be tailored to reflect your brand’s identity. Adding strategic pops of color or uploading your own images is a smart way to make your video feel unmistakably yours while drawing attention to key elements.

One effective technique is introducing your logo in full color at a pivotal moment in the video. This reinforces brand recognition and provides a visual break that keeps viewers engaged. Another approach is to use your brand’s color palette to highlight specific graphics, especially if they align with the story you’re telling. For instance, if your video focuses on a product launch, accentuate that product with your signature colors.

But remember, the charm of whiteboard animation lies in its simplicity. Use color sparingly to maintain the clean, uncluttered feel that makes whiteboard videos so effective. Overloading with color can detract from the style’s core appeal and the clarity it brings.

6. Choose Memorable Elements

If you want viewers to pay attention to your message, your whiteboard video must be appealing and memorable. The core idea is to captivate the audience through well-told storytelling, savvy use of your brand’s color palette, and appropriate character design. But if your viewers forget your video 30 seconds after watching it, then the message doesn’t stick.

Use these elements to make your whiteboard videos more memorable:

• Choose a catchy song that fits the tone of your video. Immerse your audience in the animated video with a catchy sound design. Use royalty-free music to save on costs. Avoid loud or annoying sound effects that startle viewers — this disrupts the illusion and takes the viewer out of the animated world you have created. 

• Use the right narrator’s voice to match your video’s tone. Pick a clear, confident voice that matches your video’s tone—whether upbeat, professional, or conversational. By adding your voice to reflect your brand’s personality, you create a connection that builds trust and keeps viewers engaged, helping them retain the message longer.

• Consider the video length. Whiteboard pieces can last longer than the average marketing videos, but never overstay your welcome. 52% of viewers stop watching videos after three minutes, so aim to keep it under that mark whenever possible.`

Boost Your Message With These Whiteboard Video Strategies

Whiteboard animation videos have transformed how marketers, brands, and content creators explain a topic or convey complex ideas. With their unique style, these videos grab attention and break down information in a way that’s engaging and easy to follow.

When making videos like this, the key is to create content that grabs attention while showcasing your brand in the best light. Start producing engaging whiteboard videos today with these effective strategies.