Explainer Video Production in Ireland: Overview and Benefits
Irish businesses now use explainer videos to share complex ideas quickly and connect better with their audiences. These short videos work well for marketing, training, and customer engagement.
Key Reasons to Choose Explainer Videos
Explainer videos turn complicated ideas into simple visual stories that keep people watching much longer than plain text ever could. Studies say viewers remember 95% of a message when it’s in a video, but just 10% when they read it.
At Educational Voice, I’ve watched a 90-second animation replace pages of technical documents. A Belfast software company cut their customer support queries by 40% after they launched a product explainer that guided users through the main features.
Explainer video production grabs attention fast. People can understand your value in under two minutes, so they don’t have to spend ages figuring out what you do.
Animation gives you flexibility. If your product changes or your prices shift, we can update animated elements far more easily and cheaply than live-action videos.
Business Applications Across Sectors
Explainer videos play different roles across Ireland and Northern Ireland. SaaS companies use them for product demos and onboarding. Healthcare providers make medical procedures and patient info clearer. Financial firms break down investment products or insurance policies.
Manufacturers show off production processes that you just can’t film safely or easily. Retailers create promo videos that highlight product benefits and boost conversions on their landing pages.
“Educational animation works especially well when you need to keep viewers interested while explaining multi-step processes or abstract ideas that don’t work in live footage,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
I’ve teamed up with edtech clients who needed to show off software interfaces and teaching methods. Educational animation made it possible to demonstrate their platforms without drowning potential customers in technical jargon.
Corporate video uses include internal training, investor presentations, and recruitment. Marketing videos often blend brand storytelling with direct calls to action.
Market Trends in Ireland
Irish businesses now want shorter, mobile-friendly explainer videos. Attention spans are shrinking, so 60 to 90 seconds works best for most marketing, though training videos might run a bit longer.
Animation and video production have become more popular, as companies realise video content gets 1200% more shares than text and images together. With more people working remotely, explainer videos help companies share policies and processes with teams spread out everywhere.
UK and Irish firms are ditching generic stock animation for custom styles that match their own branding. Custom characters and unique colour schemes help your video pop in busy social feeds.
Before you start your explainer video, figure out your main business goal. Maybe you want fewer support tickets, more demo bookings, or better employee compliance. Clear goals guide every step, from script length to visuals.
Types of Explainer Video: Animation, Live Action, and Hybrid
Your choice between animated explainer videos, live action, or a mix of both shapes how your message lands, your costs, and how quickly you get results.
Animated Explainer Videos
Animated explainer videos use illustrations and motion graphics instead of real people or places. This style works well for abstract ideas, software demos, or products that are tricky to film.
At Educational Voice, we focus on 2D animation that turns complex ideas into clear stories. Animation gives you total creative control, from characters to backgrounds. It’s ideal for businesses in Belfast and across Ireland who need to explain tricky services.
Some big pluses of animated formats:
- Cheaper than live action filming
- No need for location scouting or hiring actors
- Easy to update after it’s done
- Keeps your brand style consistent
Animation can cross language and cultural barriers more smoothly than live action. You can use characters and scenarios that appeal to everyone, without worrying about the limits of real-world filming.
“When a Belfast software company wanted to explain their AI platform, we used animation and storytelling to show data flows that you just can’t film,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
2D animation usually takes four to eight weeks, depending on how complicated it is. If you want content that stays fresh for years, animation makes a lot of sense.
Live Action Explainer Videos
Live action explainer videos show real people, real places, and your actual products on camera. Viewers trust what they see, especially when it looks genuine.
Financial services, healthcare, and customer testimonials often work best with live action formats. When you need people to connect with real faces or see your product in action, live action brings authenticity that animation can’t quite match.
Live action needs a bigger budget for crews, gear, locations, and actors. Weather, scheduling, and permits can drag out production. Northern Ireland has great filming spots, but organising everything can be a headache.
Live action suits you if:
- You want to build trust and personal connection
- You need to show products being used
- You want real customer stories
- You want to feature your actual team or workplace
Remember, live action videos can look dated quickly. Fashions, hairstyles, and interiors change, so you might need a reshoot sooner than you think.
Hybrid and Mixed Media Formats
Hybrid videos mix animation with live action, so you get the best of both. You might film a presenter talking, while animated graphics pop up to explain the details.
This approach works nicely for product launches. You can show real people using your product, then add animated overlays to highlight features. More UK businesses are trying hybrid formats for a balance of realness and creativity.
We often suggest hybrid for clients who need to show off software interfaces. Filming someone holding a phone looks authentic, while animated screen recordings show exactly what’s happening in the app.
Costs for hybrid videos sit between full animation and full live action. You do need to plan carefully, so the animation and live footage match up neatly.
Try hybrid if your budget covers live filming but you still need animation for the tricky bits. It’s a good way to get clarity and connection together.
Choosing an Explainer Video Production Company in Ireland
A good production partner gets your business, delivers quality animation on time, and keeps you in the loop from start to finish. Local experience and a solid track record matter more than flashy sales talk.
What to Look For in an Agency
Your ideal video production company should walk you through their process from the get-go. They should ask about your target audience, business goals, and how you plan to use your video. This shows they’re focused on results, not just pretty pictures.
Check their portfolio for different styles and quality. A good agency adapts to various industries. Take a close look at client testimonials—do clients mention good communication, sticking to deadlines, and helping after the video is done?
Ask how they handle scriptwriting. The best videos start with a clear, simple script. Studios with in-house writers usually make more effective explainer videos than those who treat writing as an afterthought.
Find out how many revisions you get, how long projects take, and what happens if you want changes after delivery. Transparent pricing and clear contracts protect both sides and avoid nasty surprises.
Working With Local Talent
Irish production teams know how to talk to UK and Irish audiences. They’re in the same time zone, so collaborating during your project is much easier. Studios like 5 Films and Unbound Media work across Ireland, giving you local options.
Local studios often offer flexible meetings. Face-to-face chats help when you need to explain technical stuff or services that are hard to describe over email. These meetings are especially useful during concept and script stages.
Northern Ireland studios bring the bonus of experience with both Irish and UK markets. At Educational Voice, we work with clients from both sides, so we’ve got a feel for what clicks with different audiences.
“When you work with a studio that gets your market, you spend less time explaining and more time fine-tuning the message that actually converts,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Consider booking animation consultation early on. A bit of expert advice helps you set realistic goals, pick the right video length, and choose suitable animation styles before you dive into production. This usually means fewer revisions and a stronger final video.
Notable Agencies and Studios
Several top video production companies work with Irish businesses, each with their own specialities. Advids partners with brands like Google and Mercedes, offering full production in both English and Irish. Their global background fits big companies after high-end results.
Jelly stands out in healthcare and technical explainer videos, making tricky medical topics easier to understand. Their whiteboard animation style works well for teaching content. Regulated industries often like their compliance experience.
For SaaS and tech, studios such as Sparkol focus on product demos and service videos. They turn abstract software features into clear visuals.
Compare prices, turnaround times, and creative team sizes when you shortlist agencies. Big teams handle complex projects quickly, while smaller studios might give you more personal attention. Ask for case studies in your field and check how they measure video performance after delivery. The best partners track things like viewer retention and conversion rates, not just awards.
Explainer Video Production Process
The explainer video production process moves through three main stages. These steps turn your business message into a finished video. Each stage builds on the last, making sure your animation meets customer needs and delivers results.
Discovery and Briefing
The discovery phase lays the groundwork for your whole project. At Educational Voice, we start by learning about your business goals, your audience, and the problem you want your explainer video to solve.
We ask about your customers’ pain points and what you hope to achieve. For example, a Belfast software company might need to explain a tricky feature to non-technical buyers. A Dublin retailer might want to boost online conversions by 25% in three months.
We also collect your brand guidelines, info about competitors, and any marketing materials you already have. This helps your explainer video fit with your wider marketing and stand out in your sector.
A solid brief at this stage saves headaches later. We write down everything, including your preferred animation style, video length (usually 60-90 seconds), and deadlines. This upfront clarity helps you get the video you want without endless back-and-forth.
Scriptwriting and Storyboarding
Strong script writing really forms the backbone of good animation and storytelling. We write scripts that speak directly to your audience, starting with the problem they face and then introducing your solution.
The script hooks viewers in the first five seconds, then presents the problem. After that, we introduce your product or service as the fix, explain how it works, and finish with a clear call to action. Every word counts. A 90-second video fits about 225 words.
Once you sign off on the script, we get started on a detailed storyboard that lays out each scene visually. You’ll see what viewers will watch at every moment, from characters to on-screen text.
We recently storyboarded a 12-scene explainer for a Northern Ireland healthcare client. It guided patients through a new booking system and cut support calls by 40%.
The storyboard stage gives you the chance to request changes before animation begins. We usually include two rounds of revisions, making sure you’re happy with the visual direction before production starts.
Voice-Over and Casting
Choosing the right voice over artist brings your script alive and helps you connect emotionally with your audience. The voice should match your brand’s personality and fit your target demographic across the UK and Ireland.
We send you voice samples from professional artists who specialise in explainer videos. You’ll hear different accents, tones, and energy levels. A friendly, conversational style usually works well for B2C brands, while a more authoritative voice often suits B2B technical products.
“The voice-over can make or break viewer engagement, so we always record a short sample with your actual script before committing to the full recording,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice. “This way, you hear exactly how your message will sound in the finished video.”
Once you pick your artist, we direct the recording session. We focus on pacing, emphasis, and getting industry terms pronounced correctly. Professional voice-over work includes several takes, so we can pick the best performance for each line.
Ask for sample voice-overs using your script, not just generic demos. That way, you can make a proper casting decision.
Animation and Motion Graphics Techniques
Irish explainer video studios use three main animation approaches to help businesses communicate clearly. 2D animation offers cost-effective character storytelling. 3D animation delivers realistic product visuals, and motion graphics turn data into dynamic visual content.
2D Animation
2D animation creates movement across flat, two-dimensional space using characters, backgrounds, and objects drawn or designed digitally. At Educational Voice, I use 2D animation for most explainer video projects. It delivers professional results without blowing the budget.
Key advantages of 2D animation:
- Lower production costs than 3D
- Faster turnaround times
- Great for character-driven stories
- Works brilliantly for educational content
Irish businesses often pick 2D animation when they want to explain services, train staff, or launch products. It’s especially handy for abstract ideas that are tricky to film or model in 3D.
I can finish a 90-second 2D explainer video in about three to four weeks, depending on how complex it is. This covers scriptwriting, storyboarding, illustration, animation, and voiceover.
The style ranges from simple whiteboard animations to fully illustrated character pieces. Most Belfast businesses go for a clean, modern look that matches their brand guidelines and keeps the message clear.
3D Animation
3D animation builds objects and characters in three-dimensional digital space. This lets viewers see depth, texture, and realistic movement. The technique differs from 2D because we have to model, rig, and render each element.
Irish product companies often want 3D animation when they need to showcase physical items from different angles. Architectural firms, medical device manufacturers, and industrial businesses get the most out of this approach.
Common 3D animation applications:
- Product demonstrations
- Architectural walkthroughs
- Medical procedure explanations
- Machinery operation guides
Production takes longer than 2D. We have to build, texture, light, and animate every object in virtual space. A similar project might take six to eight weeks instead of four.
Costs run higher too. Expect to spend about three to four times more than on 2D animation. The investment makes sense when your product’s physical features are central to your message.
Motion Graphics Animation
Motion graphics combine text, shapes, icons, and data visualisations to create engaging content without character animation. I use this technique for corporate presentations, social media content, and data-heavy explainer videos across the UK and Ireland.
Motion graphics services work well when you need to present statistics, explain processes, or create branded content quickly. The style keeps production lean and still looks professional.
“Businesses see 40% better engagement when complex data is presented through motion graphics rather than static charts,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Motion graphics suit these formats:
- Social media ads
- Logo animations
- Title sequences
- Statistical presentations
I usually deliver motion graphics projects in two to three weeks. The shorter timeline is possible because we skip character design and focus on typography, colour, and movement.
Pick the animation style that matches your message, audience, and budget. Decide if you need character storytelling, product visuals, or data presentation, then choose the approach that fits your goal.
SaaS and Software Explainer Videos
SaaS explainer videos turn complex software into clear visual demonstrations that drive user adoption and cut support costs. These videos work best when they focus on solving a specific user problem, not just listing features.
Purpose and Impact
SaaS explainer videos clarify what your software does, who it serves, and why it matters to potential customers. Your explainer should show the problem your software solves in the first 15 seconds, before diving into how it works.
At Educational Voice, we create SaaS product videos that boost conversion rates by making technical ideas easy to grasp. A Belfast-based HR software company we worked with saw a 40% drop in demo call requests after launching their animated explainer because prospects understood the platform before booking sales calls.
These videos usually live on your homepage, landing pages, and in email campaigns. They work best when kept between 60 and 90 seconds, focusing on one main user journey.
Best Practices for SaaS Demos
Your software explainer video needs to address your user’s pain point before showing your interface. Start with the frustration your audience feels, then reveal how your software fixes it.
“Focus your SaaS demo on the transformation your software delivers, not just the features it contains,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice. “Show the before and after clearly.”
Creating professional SaaS explainer videos in Ireland usually takes four to six weeks from idea to completion. Use plain language in your script and avoid technical jargon that might put off non-technical decision-makers.
Include clear calls to action that guide viewers to sign up for trials or book demos. Build confidence in your product by using real-world scenarios that matter to your target market across the UK and Ireland.
Training, Corporate, and Internal Communications Videos
Businesses across Ireland use explainer videos to train employees, share strategy, and keep teams on track. These formats help organisations send out consistent messages, save time, and keep people engaged.
Training Video Solutions
Training videos change how companies onboard new staff and develop teams. They deliver the same information every time and cut down on the inconsistency you get with live training. Employees can watch at their own pace and revisit tricky topics when needed.
At Educational Voice, we produce corporate training content that breaks down procedures into clear visual steps. Animation works well for software walkthroughs, compliance, and safety protocols.
For a Belfast-based financial services client, we created five animated modules on data protection rules, which reduced onboarding time from three days to one.
The best training videos run between 90 seconds and three minutes per topic. Longer content should be split into chapters. This keeps attention high and helps learners find what they need later.
Corporate Messaging
Corporate videos help you share your company’s culture, values, and vision with stakeholders. They’re handy for investor presentations, recruitment, and brand storytelling. Animation lets you show abstract ideas like growth or market position in ways live action just can’t.
We often help organisations in Northern Ireland explain complex business models quickly. A 60-second animated explainer can say more than pages of text. “The right corporate video doesn’t just inform, it builds confidence in your business and gives decision-makers a clear reason to engage,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Keep your corporate content on-brand but accessible. Avoid jargon that could put off external audiences, and focus on the results your business delivers.
Internal Communications
Internal communication videos keep teams informed and engaged, no matter where they are. They work for change announcements, leadership updates, and policy changes. Video builds a personal connection that email alone just can’t, especially when teams are remote or spread out.
Companies across the UK use animated explainers to roll out new systems, explain restructures, or share quarterly results. We created a series for a Dublin-based tech company to introduce a new project management platform. The videos cut support tickets by 40% in the first month because employees understood the system before using it.
Keep internal videos short and action-focused. Add captions for accessibility and clarity, and share them through your usual channels like intranets or team messaging apps.
Marketing and Promotional Explainer Videos
Marketing explainer videos help businesses boost brand visibility and drive customer engagement across digital platforms. These videos work best when they clearly communicate value and fit into your wider content strategy.
Supporting Brand Awareness
A promotional video builds recognition by telling your business story in a way people remember and want to share. Explainer videos for brand awareness focus on what sets your company apart instead of pushing for instant sales.
At Educational Voice, we create marketing videos that build trust with UK and Ireland audiences. These videos usually run between 60 and 90 seconds, which gives enough time to introduce your brand values without losing viewers.
“Marketing videos should answer why your business exists before explaining what you sell,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice. “When companies in Belfast and Dublin get this order right, they see stronger audience connection and better campaign performance.”
A good promo video becomes a reusable asset. You can put it on your homepage, include it in email campaigns, and use it at trade shows. This way, you get the most from your production spend while keeping your messaging consistent everywhere.
Engaging Website and Social Media Content
Animated explainer videos keep people on your website for longer and boost social media engagement. When visitors see video content, they stick around, and search engines notice, which can lift your rankings.
For social media, I suggest you create sales animations made for mobile and always add captions. Most people scroll with the sound off, so your message needs to work visually. A snappy 30-second version of your main explainer fits Instagram and LinkedIn. Longer videos do better on YouTube.
Marketing videos for Northern Ireland businesses tend to get more attention if you reflect local context. Try showing recognisable places or talking about issues your audience actually faces.
You’ll want to figure out which platforms your customers use most, then plan your video content to match how they interact there.
Web Design, Digital Integration, and Accessibility
Explainer videos work best when you embed them properly in your website’s design and make them accessible everywhere. Your animation needs technical setup that makes sure videos load quickly, work on mobiles, and stay accessible for everyone.
Embedding Explainer Videos on Websites
You need to place your explainer video carefully on your website to get more engagement and conversions. Videos above the fold on landing pages often bump up conversion rates by 80%, but only if you integrate them well so the page loads fast and looks good on any device.
When you embed videos, pick HTML5 players instead of old Flash ones. This way, your videos work on all modern browsers and devices. I usually recommend hosting on Vimeo or Wistia for business sites because they offer better analytics and custom options than YouTube. Add lazy loading to your embed code so your video doesn’t slow down the page.
Remember these technical points:
- Optimise video files to save bandwidth
- Use responsive embed codes for all screen sizes
- Add schema markup so search engines understand your video content
- Choose custom thumbnails that invite clicks
At Educational Voice, I help Northern Ireland businesses fit their explainer videos into their websites, providing the right embed codes and technical support for a smooth process.
Accessibility and User Experience
You need to include accessibility features in your explainer video to reach everyone and meet UK legal standards. The Equality Act 2010 says businesses must make digital content accessible for disabled people. Digital accessibility is essential for people with disabilities and useful for all.
Captions matter most. They help not just people with hearing loss but also the 85% of social media videos watched without sound. Make sure your captions are accurate, well-timed, and describe sounds when needed.
Audio descriptions narrate what’s happening on screen for people with visual impairments. For explainer videos, you’ll need to describe on-screen text, character movements, and key visual changes not mentioned in the voiceover.
“When we produce explainer videos for Belfast businesses, we build accessibility into the production from the start, not as an afterthought, because it expands your audience reach by at least 20% whilst ensuring legal compliance,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Your video player should let users navigate with a keyboard if they can’t use a mouse. This means play/pause, volume, and caption controls must work with keyboard shortcuts.
Optimisation for Multiple Platforms
Your explainer video needs different technical specs depending on where you plan to show it. One master file won’t work everywhere—websites, social media, and mobile each have their own needs.
For websites, I recommend MP4 with H.264 codec at 1080p. This gives a good balance between quality and file size for desktop viewing. Your hosting platform should create different versions to match the viewer’s internet speed.
Social media platforms all want something different. Instagram likes square or vertical formats. LinkedIn prefers horizontal (16:9) videos under two minutes. Facebook’s autoplay videos need captions burned in, because most people won’t turn them on.
Mobile optimisation is now a must. Over 70% of video views come from smartphones. Use bigger text that’s easy to read on small screens, keep important visuals in the centre, and test your video on several devices.
I give clients versions of their explainer videos tailored for each platform, so the video works well wherever someone watches it. This approach means your investment pays off whether people see your video on your Belfast website or while scrolling LinkedIn on their morning train.
Budgeting and Pricing for Explainer Video Projects
Production costs in Ireland usually range from £2,000 to £15,000, depending on how complex the video is, the style you want, and which company you pick. Knowing what affects these costs helps you plan a realistic budget for your project.
Factors Affecting Cost in Ireland
A few main things shape the final price of explainer videos in Ireland. Animation style is a big one. Simple 2D character animation takes less time than detailed motion graphics or 3D.
Video length matters. Most videos run 60 to 90 seconds, so longer videos mean more production time.
The script and storyboard phase lays the groundwork. At Educational Voice, we usually spend 10-15 hours on concept development for a typical project. That covers scriptwriting, planning visuals, and making changes based on your feedback.
Voiceover can add £200-£500, depending on whether you want a professional Irish voice or a stock option. Custom illustrations cost more than template graphics.
Timeline also affects price. If you need your video in under four weeks, expect to pay 20-30% more than standard rates. Knowing animation service costs helps you see where your budget goes.
Budget Ranges and Packages
Irish animation studios usually offer three pricing levels. Basic packages start at £2,000-£4,000 for simple whiteboard or motion graphics videos under a minute. These are good for startups trying video marketing for the first time.
Mid-range projects cost £4,000-£8,000. You get custom 2D animation, detailed storyboards, and a professional voiceover. Most Belfast clients go for this level for product launches or service explainers.
Premium productions run £8,000-£15,000 or more. These include complex animation, several characters, and multiple revision rounds. One pharmaceutical client spent £12,000 on a 90-second animation that boosted their website conversion rate by 34% in six months.
When you look at animation pricing, focus on cost per finished second, not just the total price. This helps you compare quotes from different companies.
Ask for itemised quotes that break down scripting, illustration, animation, and revisions. This way, you spot hidden charges in animation costs and avoid surprises. Keep 15-20% of your budget aside for extra revisions beyond what’s in your contract.
Measuring Explainer Video Effectiveness
Tracking the right metrics shows if your marketing video meets your business goals and where you could get better results. Focus on indicators that match your aims and adjust your approach as you learn.
Key Performance Indicators
Your explainer video’s success comes down to tracking metrics that tie back to real business outcomes. View count and watch time tell you how many people watch and for how long. Click-through rate shows the percentage who take action after watching.
Conversion rate matters most for sales-focused videos. This tracks how many viewers do what you want, like request a quote, book a demo, or buy something.
At Educational Voice, we track these for clients in Belfast and across Ireland:
- Play rate: How many visitors click play
- Engagement rate: Average percentage watched
- Social shares: How often people share your video
- Conversion rate: Viewers who complete your call to action
A Belfast software company I worked with had their product demo video hit a 68% watch-through rate and a 23% conversion rate in the first month. That showed us the content really connected with their audience.
“Track your explainer video metrics weekly for the first month, then monthly after that to spot trends and tweak your placement on your website and social channels,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Continuous Improvement Techniques
Your marketing videos need regular tweaks based on how they perform. A/B testing different thumbnails, titles, and opening scenes helps you see which parts keep people watching.
Check your analytics every month for spots where viewers drop off. If people leave at the 30-second mark, maybe your main point comes too late or the pace feels slow.
Try your explainer videos on different platforms and placements. Sometimes a video does great on your homepage but falls flat on LinkedIn. That’s a sign you might need a different version or aspect ratio.
At Educational Voice in Belfast, I suggest these improvement steps:
- Change video length if people don’t finish watching
- Tweak calls to action if conversions are low
- Update thumbnails if click-throughs slow down
- Refresh content every 12-18 months to keep it current
Compare your results to industry averages in Northern Ireland and the UK. This helps you set targets that actually make sense, rather than just chasing numbers that don’t matter.
Working With Irish Explainer Video Companies: Next Steps
Your first consultation lays the groundwork for your whole project, and the development phase makes sure your message comes across clearly in the animation.
Initial Consultation and Brief Preparation
When you meet with an explainer video production company in Ireland, focus on your core message and audience before you talk about visual styles. I suggest you bring details about your product or service, the problem it solves, and the action you want viewers to take.
Most Irish studios will ask for a creative brief. This should cover your brand guidelines, key messages, ideal video length (usually 60 to 90 seconds for explainers), and any technical needs like aspect ratios.
Key info to prepare:
- Your value proposition in one sentence
- Three to five main benefits or features
- Details about your target audience and their challenges
- Brand assets (logos, colours, fonts)
- Examples of animation styles you like or dislike
At Educational Voice, I’ve noticed that clients who prepare clear answers to these questions usually save a week or two in production. The more you bring to the brief, the quicker we can move to scriptwriting and storyboarding, keeping your project on time and within budget.
Collaborative Development and Iteration
Getting involved during development really helps your animation reflect your business properly. Most video production companies break things down into approval stages: script, storyboard, visual style frames, and animation drafts.
I’d say it’s better to schedule feedback sessions at each milestone instead of leaving everything until the end. When you’re reviewing storyboards, ask yourself if the narrative flow makes sense and whether the key messages pop up at the right moments.
During animation reviews, see if the pacing gives viewers enough time to take in the information. Nobody likes to feel rushed.
“The most successful explainer videos come from clients who give specific, actionable feedback at each stage, not just vague requests like ‘make it more dynamic,’” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Most studios in Belfast and across Ireland offer two or three rounds of revisions per stage. I’d suggest pulling your team’s feedback into one document, using timestamps or frame numbers. It just makes the process smoother.
Expect these typical revision stages:
- Script approval (1-2 rounds)
- Storyboard refinement (2-3 rounds)
- Style frame adjustments (1-2 rounds)
- Animation revisions (2 rounds)
Ask for regular updates and keep the lines of communication open with your project manager. You’ll catch issues early when they’re easier and cheaper to fix. That way, your explainer video actually delivers what your business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Business owners usually have similar worries when they start thinking about explainer videos. Most want to know about timelines, costs, and what results to expect from an animation studio in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
What are the key components of a successful explainer video?
A good explainer video needs a clear script. It should tackle your audience’s main problem and offer your solution in the first 30 seconds. We always spend time getting the message right before any animation starts.
Visual style should match your brand, but keep it simple. Too much detail just distracts people. At Educational Voice, we often go for 2D animation in business explainer videos because it lets us show ideas that would be tricky or expensive to film.
Professional voiceover and sound design really finish things off, adding a bit of personality and making the key messages stick. One Belfast software company we worked with got 40% more demo requests after swapping a text-heavy homepage for a 90-second explainer.
Stick to one core message in your video. Trying to cover everything just confuses viewers.
How does the production process for explainer videos work?
We kick things off with a discovery phase. We’ll chat about your business goals, target audience, and the problem your video needs to solve. That first conversation shapes everything, from the script’s tone to the visual ideas.
Once we’re clear on the brief, we start scriptwriting. Usually, we go through two or three rounds of revisions to make sure the story flows and speaks to your audience.
After you approve the script, we move to storyboarding. You’ll get rough sketches of each scene. It’s a chance to see how the video will look before we start animating.
Next comes animation. We bring in your brand colours, characters, and movement. At Educational Voice, we work with businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland, so we keep you updated regularly without eating up your time.
“The most successful projects happen when clients trust our process but stay involved at key decision points, especially script approval and initial animation reviews,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of Educational Voice.
Voiceover recording and sound design come near the end. Sometimes we record a scratch voiceover early on just to test the pacing. After a final round of tweaks, we deliver the finished video.
You’ll spend the most time on script approval and storyboard review, so set time aside for those.
What are the average costs associated with creating an explainer video?
Professional explainer videos can range from €1,500 to much higher depending on length, complexity, and what you want included. A simple 60-second 2D animated explainer usually sits in the lower to mid-range of professional video budgets.
Custom character design and animation cost more than using templates, but you get unique assets that your competitors can’t copy. Script complexity can push up the price too, especially if your product is technical and needs extra research.
The number of scenes matters because each one needs separate illustration and animation. We’ve found five to eight scenes is the sweet spot for most business explainers—enough variety, but not overkill.
Voiceover costs vary depending on the talent’s experience and usage rights. If you want to use your video on lots of platforms or for a long time, licensing fees go up.
Think of explainer video production as a long-term marketing asset. A good video carries on working for you for years.
How long does it typically take to produce an explainer video from start to finish?
Most explainer videos take four to eight weeks from first chat to final delivery. The timeline depends on how complicated the project is and how quickly you can give feedback. Rushing things rarely gives you the quality you want.
The script phase usually takes one to two weeks. That includes research, writing, and revisions. It often takes longer than people expect, but it saves headaches later.
Storyboarding takes about a week after the script is signed off. We give you a few days to review before moving on.
Animation is the longest part—usually two to three weeks for a 90-second video. That covers the first animation, your feedback, and changes. At Educational Voice, we work with businesses across Belfast and the UK. Some have tight deadlines, so we can speed things up if needed, though it might affect availability or cost.
Voiceover recording and sound design add another week, sometimes running alongside final animation tweaks.
If you need your explainer video for a specific date or campaign, plan for at least six weeks. Let us know your deadline when you first get in touch.
What are the most effective ways to distribute an explainer video in Ireland?
Put your explainer video front and centre on your website homepage. Ideally, it should sit above the fold so visitors see it straight away. Companies that do this usually see better conversion rates than those relying on text alone.
Social media is a great way to share your video, but each platform needs a slightly different approach. LinkedIn is strong for B2B companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Facebook and Instagram work well for consumer brands. We suggest making platform-specific versions, like square videos for Instagram or shorter clips for Twitter.
Email marketing works well too. Just adding ‘video’ to your subject line can bump up open rates. Use a thumbnail in your email that links to your video to get more clicks.
At industry events and trade shows in Ireland, play your explainer video on a loop at your stand. It draws people in and shares your message even if your team’s busy.
Paid ads on YouTube and social media can help you reach new audiences. Belfast businesses have had good results by targeting specific groups or even competitors’ followers with explainer video ads.
Sales teams should show explainer videos in presentations and send them in follow-up emails after meetings.
Pick two or three main ways to share your video at first. Once you see what works, you can branch out.
How can one measure the impact and effectiveness of an explainer video?
View counts give you a basic idea of reach, but they don’t tell the whole story. Engagement metrics like watch time and completion rate actually show if people stick around or just click away.
If most viewers leave before the 30-second mark, your opening probably doesn’t grab them. It’s worth asking—does your intro really spark interest?
Website analytics can show how your video changes visitor behaviour. Track things like time on page, bounce rate, and conversion rate for pages with your explainer video. Then compare those numbers to similar pages that don’t have it.
At Educational Voice, we’ve worked with
