What an explainer should do
A visitor should finish your explainer able to repeat what you do in one sentence. Everything in the video serves that — which is why the best explainers are short, problem-first and visual.
Start from what you already have
| You have | Start with |
|---|---|
| A product page | Paste the link |
| A pitch deck | Upload it as PDF |
| A clear idea | Describe it in one line |
| A finished script | Paste it |
How it works
- Give Sketchvo the material. Plus who it's for and the one action you want.
- Sharpen the script. Check every claim is accurate.
- Pick voice, length, shape. 60–90 seconds, 16:9 for site, 9:16 for social.
- Generate and test. Make two hooks and see which performs.
Where to use it
- Above the fold on your homepage
- In the first sales email
- Pinned on social profiles
- In onboarding emails for new customers
- On product launch pages
AI vs. a studio
A studio explainer typically costs thousands and takes weeks; Sketchvo takes minutes and costs under a dollar a minute on paid plans. A studio still wins on custom art direction — see the cost breakdown.
The one-sentence test
Before making an explainer, write what a viewer should be able to say afterwards: "It's a tool that lets small shops take bookings online without a website." If you can't write that sentence, the video won't be clear either. Give that sentence to Sketchvo along with your material.
Explainer script mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Opening with your company's history | Open with the viewer's problem |
| Listing every feature | Show three that matter |
| Jargon | Words your customer uses |
| Vague benefit ("boost productivity") | Specific outcome ("save two hours a week") |
| Three calls to action | One |
Testing versions
Because each video costs little to make, you can test. Change one thing at a time — the hook, the length, the call to action — and compare watch time or click-through. Teams that test their explainer usually find the hook matters more than anything else.
Explainers for different stages
| Stage | Video |
|---|---|
| Awareness | A 30-second social explainer of the problem |
| Consideration | A 90-second homepage explainer |
| Decision | A short video comparing plans or answering objections |
| Onboarding | A 2-minute getting-started walkthrough |
When to hire a studio
A flagship launch, a TV ad or a brand film with custom characters justify a studio. Everyday explainers — for features, help articles, sales follow-ups and social — are where AI saves the most time and money. See the cost guide for typical prices.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an explainer video be?
60–90 seconds for most products and services.
Can AI write my explainer?
Yes; give it a link, deck or one-line description.
Can I make several versions?
Yes, it's cheap enough to test different hooks.
Can I use it in ads?
Yes, videos can be used commercially.
What does it cost?
Plans start at $19.99 a month; 1 credit = 1 minute of video. You can start free.
How many explainers should a company have?
Usually one main homepage explainer, plus short ones for key features, onboarding and common questions.