Video types

Explainer video

The test of an explainer is not whether it was watched. It is whether it can be repeated.

An explainer video makes one idea clear in under two minutes. State the idea, give one concrete example, name the common misunderstanding, then stop. A presenter carries it without any animation budget.

The detail, in plain English

The most common mistake is explaining the category before the thing. Viewers do not need the history of the industry to understand your idea.

One example does more than three. Three examples signal that you are unsure which one works.

Naming the misunderstanding is the part most explainers skip, and it is the part that stops the follow-up questions.

What to do, step by step

  1. 1Write the idea in one sentenceIf it needs two sentences, it is two explainers.
  2. 2Attach one concrete exampleReal numbers, a real situation, no hypotheticals.
  3. 3Correct the usual misunderstandingSay plainly what it is not.

The short version in a table

Explainer structure and the time each part deserves
PartShare of the videoPurpose
The idea15%Give the viewer something to hold
The example45%Make it concrete
The misunderstanding25%Prevent the wrong conclusion
The next step15%Tell them what to do now

A worked example

Worked example (illustration). A pension provider explains transfer charges with one worked case of a £24,000 pot, and the sales team reports fewer calls that begin with the same three questions.

What to watch out for

  • Avoid internal vocabulary — if it needs defining, it is not the right word.
  • Do not explain the market before the idea.
  • Stop when the idea is clear, even if you are at 50 seconds.

How AutoPersonify does it

AutoPersonify gives you 143 real presenters, scripts in 42 languages and a free tier with no card, so you can make a finished video before you decide on a plan. Paid plans are Starter £49, Growth £149 and Scale £499 a month, all measured in finished video minutes.

Questions people ask

Do I need any video experience?

No. A presenter explainer needs no animation or illustration. If you can explain the idea to a colleague, you can write the script.

How much does it cost?

Most explainers run 60 to 120 seconds, so two fit comfortably inside the free tier's allowance before you move to Starter at £49 a month.

Can I edit it afterwards?

Yes. Explainers age when policy or pricing changes, so edit the affected sentence and produce a fresh version.

Next step

Read the AI presenter video hub for the full picture, or start free and make one. Last updated 14 September 2026.

Start free, no card required

Pick one of 143 presenters, paste a short script, and make a real video before you pay anything.

Also useful: plans and prices and the agency revenue hub. Last updated 14 September 2026.