The Ultimate Cheatsheet to Explainer Video Scripts [INFOGRAPHIC]

First things first, let’s get to what you came here for: our free explainer video checklist and infographic.

As someone who’s written and produced countless explainer videos, I know how overwhelming it can feel to start from scratch.

That’s why our design team put together an infographic you can download and use as a practical guide for your next project, complete with an embed code if you’d like to share it.

Below, I’ll walk you through the same steps we use in our studio when planning a successful explainer video, with extra insights and real-world tips you won’t find in the infographic alone.

To start building an explainer video script from the ground up, you need to understand the fundamentals first.

So let’s walk through them together.

What’s an Explainer Video Script?

An explainer video script is the written foundation of your video. Basically, it outlines both the voiceover narration and the key visual cues that guide the entire production.

From my experience producing explainer videos for clients across different industries, I’ve seen how the script sets the tone, structure, and message for everything that follows.

In every project we handle, the script serves as the blueprint our designers and animators use to build characters, scenes, and transitions.

When that blueprint is clear and well-structured, the final video feels cohesive and impactful.

Why Do I Need an Explainer Video Script?

Because the script is what transforms your message into a story your audience actually wants to watch.

Explainer videos work best when they blend storytelling with clarity, and the script is what makes that possible.

It’s what the voice actor delivers, what the visuals sync with, and what ensures your brand message stays consistent throughout the video.

When I write scripts, I always collaborate closely with our designers and animators to make sure every word can be visualized effectively.

That close teamwork ensures the final result feels seamless, where narration, visuals, and pacing all move in harmony.

The Explainer Video Script Checklist

Before we dive in, let me say this: writing an explainer video script is a creative process. There’s no single “right” formula.

But after years of writing scripts that actually convert, I’ve found a few essential questions that help keep every project focused and effective.

These are the questions I always ask myself, and our clients, before finalizing a script:

Are you addressing the right audience?

Make sure that at the beginning of the script, you address specifically who you are talking to with your explainer video.

Do not shy away from directly mentioning professions or occupations, as you need to attract people with high buying intent.

What’s the problem that you can help them solve?

Hit your target audience right in the feels.

Introduce the problem that you can help them solve by turning it into a relatable story that you know they generally experience from time to time.

A great example of this is Dropbox’s hook story about how you always misplace small things in your life, as in anatomy, and how you forget where you save files on your computer. Here’s the line:

“You’ve been there, you’re about to buy lunch and you realize your wallet is in your other pants. Or maybe you left your keys at home. The problem is the organization.”

Is there an existing solution to that problem?

If there is, that means you’ve got a competitor.

As competitors, it’s on you whether you want to explicitly mention them or just hint strongly at them.

The point of this part is to make sure that you tell your audience what drawbacks or inconveniences they get when using your competitor’s product.

What do you have to offer to solve the problem?

After showing people the drawbacks and inconveniences of other solutions, it’s time to highlight what you’re offering that’s better.

This comes down to the quality of your product before anything else.

For example, if your competitor offers a 3-month money-back warranty, is your product good enough to offer a 6-month warranty? Or are you willing to charge less for a similar quality product?

Have you invited people to try your product for free?

A trial period is always a good idea for any product, especially digital ones.

Provide a 7-day trial period so users can give your product a spin and decide for themselves whether they can use it.

This may result in fewer buyers in a short period, but it will give you a long-term user.

Did you include your contact information?

It should be a no-brainer to include your contact information near the end of your explainer video script.

The problem is that some scriptwriters tend to only show it on the screen and not in the voiceover.

If it’s possible, put the contact info both on-screen and in the voiceover.

Is your tagline memorable and not cheesy?

The tagline is not the most important part of branding, but it helps associate your brand with certain phrases.

There are many products that have been associated with a single phrase just because they use it in every promotional content they have.

So, spare some time to brainstorm your version of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “I’ll Be Back” from Terminator.

Is the copy fluff-free?

The strength of an explainer video lies in its duration.

The longer an explainer video goes, the less the message gets delivered.

Our research on explainer video duration shows that the optimum explainer video duration is between 60-90 seconds.

Expert’s Tips on Writing an Engaging Explainer Video Script

An explainer video script is a narrative read by a voice actor for an animated video.

A professional script is a cornerstone of a quality explainer.

Writing a script for your video is a tricky matter.

A good video must have a uniquely written script to support it instead of a template.

The purpose of handwriting a script is that each company has a different target market with its unique preferences.

Diction, phrasing, and references in a script that reflect the company’s character are vital elements of a quality explainer video.

A voiceover is complementary to the visual aspects of an explainer video.

They work in harmony: the voiceover explains what might be overlooked in the visual, and the visual shows what the voiceover can’t quite deliver with words alone.

That said, writing an animated video script template is a handful–but you can do it yourself, assuming you have the time.

Based on what I’ve learned from experts in the field, I’ve decided to write a blog post about their best tips and guidelines for writing an explainer video script template, and I’m going to share them with you.

Here are the key insiders’ tips for writing an excellent script:

1. Write an explainer video script with visual words

Our new clients who come to us prepared with a script often use complicated words that even our writers have to look up first.

In order for an explainer video script to convey the intended message, you need to use simple words that can be easily translated into visual action to avoid problems in the illustration process.

Simple changes in the words you choose can help the graphic design team create a more accurate illustration of the subject.

Keep in mind that explainers are short.

Writing a script that can be represented visually means conveying a lot of information about a product in a short time frame —usually about 60 seconds.

When we started creating explainer clips, all we cared about was smooth animation and pretty illustrations.

We now know that a poorly visualized script can be fatal to an animated clip.

When executed correctly, animated explainer videos can be a powerful digital marketing tool because they provide both visual and auditory information to help viewers learn.

2. Show your sense of humor

People tend to watch a video for one of two purposes: to gather information or to be entertained.

You have to understand that there are enough ads and salesmen in the world.

Bettina Hein, the co-author of Video Marketing for Dummies, says that the most successful marketing videos can include both humor and information, which is why humor in video marketing is such an important and popular tool.

Explainer videos are marketing tools, and sometimes it’s hard to get people’s attention when a video is exclusively about you trying to sell a product.

Dollar Shave Club’s video has enough humor to make its audience (or at least me) laugh loud enough to be heard by the whole office.

I find this kind of video entertaining and refreshing, coming from a commercial company.

In a video under 3 minutes, it was easy to attract thousands of customers in their early days.

I don’t mean to say that humor is the only way to write a video script. Still, it’s definitely a viable solution to overcome the stigma around promotional videos, and it works.

In a nutshell, if you infuse your script with humor, your audience will be amused throughout the video.

3. Emphasize your words and tone

Write your script in a way that can be easily read by the voice actor.

That means including the pace and tone, as well as the words, events, or phrases you want to highlight, and don’t forget the music to sync with.

These things matter to your explainer because the tone is what brings your brand to life: It helps shape your brand’s persona in the eyes of your audience.

When you’re thinking about using an explainer video as part of your video marketing, your first thought might be about the amazing and creative visuals your viewers will see.

That’s the most common mistake made in video marketing.

To address, avoid, and solve this issue, you must not forget that the tone of voice is more important for branding your business than anything else.

Essentially, the tone of voice should reflect the brand’s personality and values.

Don’t forget that in an explainer clip, you can be more playful with words and pronunciation.

Some clever puns never hurt since your viewers will be able to hear how the words are pronounced, so there will be context.

4. Write as you talk

Writing is one of the most important features of a successful explainer video script template; there is no excuse for writing poorly or providing content that lacks real value.

Writing as you speak, or using a ‘conversational tone’, means writing in a way that is easily understandable and free from long words.

Good writing is like a conversation between the writer and the reader: it is a dialogue.

So, when you’re writing your explainer video script, imagine yourself trying to explain your products to a close friend.

If you were having an actual conversation about your business with a friend, what kind of words would you use? What tone would you speak with?

Apply those to your video script template and you’re off to an incredible start in making an awesome animated clip.

Also, there are a lot of emerging AI tools to help you write a script.

Take this advice with a grain of salt, though.

You don’t need to use the script as-is. Use it as an initial script and spend some time polishing and improving.

5. Write just enough

An explainer video script should only be as long as it needs to be.

There’s a reason you have all of those characters and objects moving around: to make you talk less.

Based on our data, an average 60-second script is 160-180 words long and should provide the general idea of a product or service.

That number may vary, mainly due to:

• Language
• Tone
• Pauses and stresses

As a matter of fact, it is possible for a voice actor to read up to 240 words per minute.

Read more about animated video length in my in-depth analysis here.

Longer scripts for an explainer clip will not perform well when shared on social media like Facebook or Instagram.

6. Apply The Classic Structure

Last but not least, you need to implement the classic structure of any narrative script ever.

Remember, a great explainer video serves as both a story and a promotion.

The What

The first thing you should address in an explainer video script is the problem viewers are experiencing.

This will shape viewers’ perspectives and encourage them to see themselves in the video, giving you an opening to introduce your product or service to an audience more receptive to your answer.

The Who

The introduction of your explainer video should be very brief.

For example, if we were to introduce ourselves, we’d say: “We’re Breadnbeyond and we help startups explain their products with animated videos” or something along those lines. Sharp, focused, and to the point.

The Why

Explain the reason your proposed solution to the problem is better than anyone else’s.

Your message on this subject shouldn’t beat around the bush.

For example, “We’re better than Acme company because we’re cheaper and just as good”.

The How

The next part should explain how you solve the aforementioned problem better than any other company in the market right now.

There should be clear steps that demonstrate your product or service can actually solve the problem.

This approach effectively assures viewers that your solution isn’t just another flop that won’t work.

Closing Thoughts: Ready to Write Your First Script?

If you’ve made it this far, you already have the foundation you need to write an effective explainer video script.

The best scripts should both inform and move people.

When you combine clear storytelling, emotional resonance, and a solid understanding of your audience, your video becomes a tool that builds trust and drives action.

Start small, test your ideas, and refine as you go.

The more scripts you write, the more natural it’ll feel to balance creativity and strategy.

And if you ever need help crafting your first (or next) explainer video script, we’d be happy to guide you through the process!

Not all scripts are created equal. Watch this video to know more!

Mini FAQs on Explainer Video Scripts

1. How long should an explainer video script be?

From my experience, the sweet spot is usually 150 to 180 words per minute of video. So if you’re aiming for a 60-second explainer, your script should be around that length. Anything longer tends to feel rushed or overwhelming unless the pacing is intentional.

2. What makes a great explainer video script?

A great script is clear, concise, and emotionally engaging. It focuses on the audience’s pain points first, then introduces your solution as the natural next step. In our studio, we always prioritize storytelling and flow, ensuring every sentence either builds empathy or moves the viewer toward action.

3. Can I write an explainer video script myself?

Absolutely! And I often encourage clients to try. You know your product better than anyone else. My advice is to start simple, write like you’re talking to a friend, and focus on one main message. If you get stuck, a professional scriptwriter (like our team) can help polish and structure your ideas.

4. How do I make sure my script connects with my target audience?

It starts with understanding who you’re talking to and what they care about. Before writing, I always create a quick audience snapshot that includes their goals, frustrations, and motivations. This helps guide tone, word choice, and even pacing. The more you sound like them, the more likely they’ll listen.

5. What comes after the script?

Once your script is solid, the next steps are storyboarding and voiceover recording. In our workflow, we always make sure the script is fully approved before moving to visuals, as even small changes later can affect timing and animation.

At Breadnbeyond, we have professional scriptwriters who create stunning explainer video scripts. Check out our packages (including script-writing) and get your FREE consultation on the banner below: