Why whiteboard suits explainers
An explainer has one job: get a viewer from confused to clear. Whiteboard animation helps because it reveals information in the same order the brain needs it. The viewer can't see step three before step one, so nobody gets ahead of the story.
The structure that works
| Part | Length | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | 1 sentence | A question or surprising fact |
| Problem | 2–3 sentences | What's hard, slow or confusing today |
| Answer | 2–3 sentences | The idea, product or method — in plain words |
| How it works | 3 short steps | One drawn scene each |
| Close | 1 sentence | A recap or one clear next step |
That's about 150 words — a 60-second explainer. For a 90-second version, add two or three benefits before the close.
Making one with Sketchvo
- Describe the topic and audience. Or paste your script, or upload the document behind it.
- Edit the scenes. Check the hook especially.
- Choose voice and shape. 16:9 for a website, 9:16 for social.
- Generate. Every scene is sketched in sync with the narration.
Five mistakes that sink explainers
- Opening with your company name instead of the viewer's problem.
- Listing features instead of outcomes.
- Cramming two ideas into one scene.
- Running past two minutes for a product explainer.
- Ending with three calls to action instead of one.
Price
You can start free: every account gets one AI-made video, plus five free Studio videos every day where you write the scenes and choose the pictures (720p, small watermark, kept for seven days). Paid plans start at $19.99 a month, and one credit makes one minute of finished video.
A complete 60-second explainer script
Problem: Questions get lost in email threads and chat. The same ones get asked again and again, and the person who knows is always in a meeting.
Answer: AskDesk turns your team's answers into a searchable library, so the next person finds them in seconds.
How it works: Connect your chat. AskDesk spots questions that get answered well. It saves them, tidied up, for everyone.
Close: Fewer interruptions, faster answers. Try AskDesk free.
About 90 words, seven or eight scenes. Notice the problem takes as long as the product — viewers need to recognise themselves before they care about the answer.
Explainer types and how to structure each
| Type | Structure | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Product explainer | Hook → problem → product → 3 steps → CTA | 60–90 s |
| Concept explainer | Question → simple answer → example → recap | 1–3 min |
| Process explainer | Goal → step 1…n → common mistake → recap | 2–5 min |
| Comparison explainer | Choice → option A → option B → which to pick | 1–3 min |
Testing your explainer
Show the finished video to someone who's never heard of the topic, then ask them to explain it back in one sentence. If they can, the video works. If they can't, the gap tells you which scene to fix. Because regenerating is quick, it's worth doing this twice.
Where to put your explainer
- Above the fold on your homepage or product page
- In the first email new sign-ups receive
- In sales follow-ups, instead of a long written summary
- Pinned on social profiles
- In help-centre articles that get the most questions
Frequently asked questions
How long should a whiteboard explainer be?
60–90 seconds for a product or service; 2–5 minutes for teaching or training.
What's the difference between a whiteboard video and an explainer video?
An explainer is a purpose; whiteboard is a style. A whiteboard explainer uses hand-drawn scenes to explain one idea.
Can AI write my explainer script?
Yes, Sketchvo drafts a scene-by-scene script you can edit.
Can I make the explainer vertical?
Yes, choose 9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
Is it free?
You can start free with one AI-made video and five free Studio videos a day.
Should the explainer mention price?
Usually not. Explain the value first; send people to a pricing page for the numbers.