The inside work: how to order the right animated video for your business

These days, any business can’t promote itself properly without a video. And while video marketing evolves rapidly, business owners should start diving deeper into various forms of this industry right now.

If you’re looking to create a video that will leave a lasting impact on your audience, then you’ll want to know the essential features and insider secrets that go into crafting a great video. It is not like you will have to make it, but understanding what you can order and what your brand actually needs will be of a great advantage.

We’ve compiled a wealth of knowledge gleaned from over 1000 practical cases we had during our existence as an animated studio. And we want to share them with you.

By knowing these insights, you’ll be better equipped to work with your studio or contractor and communicate with them on the same page. You’ll be able to streamline the creation process and achieve a final product that meets and exceeds your expectations.

But here’s the catch: these tips aren’t just handed out willy-nilly. You’ll have to do a bit of digging and searching to uncover them. But trust us when we say that the effort will be worth it. By unlocking them, you’ll be able to take your video creation game to the next level and create something truly spectacular.

Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and mastery. The power to create an amazing video is within your grasp!

Get to know the industry to understand what is happening there

Firstly, you have to know what kind of videos are there and what the heck is a good animated video!

Ordering a video from a studio can be a significant investment for any business, and it is essential to ensure that the end result is of high quality and meets your expectations. Knowing the key features and secrets of creating a good video can help you achieve this goal.

So, what to start with?

Watch the industry best practices and existing videos.

• Before choosing a specific type of animated video, it is better to get a quick tour through the industry. What has been done already here? Maybe your competitors already ordered a video that might be a good reference for you. Take your time to learn what is out there, or ask an animated studio to provide you with the examples.

• Watch animated commercial videos, and watch a lot of them from different areas. Analysing them, you’ll get a more clear idea about what you need for your own business. Besides, after watching these videos, you will be able to come up with a few ideas of your own and share them with a studio.

• Make a list of references that you like and find relevant, as well as the list of those you find irrelevant. This will help you to separate the chaff from wheat, and better understand your own preferences. You can look for such videos on Vimeo, Behance, or even YouTube. Just put a filter “animation”.

The bottom line is very simple yet fundamental: you have to understand yourself what kind of animated videos are there, what formats you can choose from, how complex or simple — or deceptively simple — it could be. With this, you’ll be able to make a first step and have first criteria for a video.

Moodboard: a display of your research

On the next step, your inquiry becomes real research. After all, you want the best video, right? So, you need to come up with its features and parameters.

Moodboard is basically a display of the objects that will help to find the right mood for a video. It could be characters, buildings, photographs, anything.

Creating it is a simple process that involves gathering all the elements that you find relevant and arranging them in a visually appealing way. Again, the elements can be anything that speaks to you, from pictures and graphics to fonts and color palettes.

Furthermore, a moodboard can also help you to communicate your vision to others, such as an animated studio. Instead of trying to explain your ideas in words, which can be difficult and subjective, you can simply show them your moodboard and let the visuals speak for themselves. This can save time and prevent misunderstandings, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

A moodboard is a powerful tool that can help you to stay focused, inspired, and organized throughout the creative process. It allows you to explore different styles and moods, clarify your ideas, and communicate your vision to others.

A story is the foundation of a video

Storytelling. You may have heard that word many times, and it is not just some meaningless hype. The stories matter.

A good story has the power to captivate audiences, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression. In an engaging animated video, the story should be the centrepiece that ties everything together. It should be authentic, meaningful, and memorable, and it should connect with the audience on a personal level.

A key to a successful story is compelling characters. They should be relatable, memorable, and the audience should root for them. If the characters are not well-developed, the story may fall flat, no matter how compelling the plot is.

Make sure to choose a skilled screenwriter who can bring your vision to life. Check his/her portfolio, look for persuasive examples.

When done well, storytelling can be a powerful tool for building brands, inspiring audiences, and making a lasting impact.

Making it real: working on details

Never lose a chance to be curious about any local things for your video: objects, houses, anything that might be different from the general what people used to see. The best thing is to be attentive to important details and properly conveying them. How?

• If your video may include something authentically inherent to some place, just show a photograph to an animated studio;

• To make a video more appealing and unique, it is essential to pay attention to the details that represent your country or industry. For instance, cultural references, traditions, and even landscapes can help create an authentic atmosphere that viewers can easily identify;

• One way to achieve this is to conduct research and gather information about your country’s unique elements that can be incorporated into the video. It may involve examining popular themes or cultural aspects that are specific to your region and considering how they can be portrayed in the animation. You can also collaborate with artists who are familiar with the style and culture of your country or industry to help create a distinctive look and feel;

• It is crucial to remember that small details can make a big difference in the success of the video. Therefore, it is crucial to work closely with the animation team to ensure that every element is relevant and accurate to the theme of the video. If you don’t work on these elements, the animators will create typical objects that want to convey the important things.

Ultimately, creating a unique and authentic video requires time, effort, and a willingness to collaborate with experts in the field by working on distinctive details that speak for the whole piece.

Figuring out key points

An animated video isn’t a 40-page document. It is a very concise format. Inside such a tight shape, you have to find key points of the video and talk about them to a studio.

To determine the key points, it is essential to understand the purpose of the video and the target audience. What is the message you want to convey? What action do you want the viewers to take after watching the video?

Once you have identified the key points, it is important to communicate them clearly to the creative team. Providing a brief summary of each key point in a few sentences can help the screenwriter or studio understand the focus of the video and develop a script that effectively communicates the message.

This approach can help streamline the creative process, as it ensures that the team is working towards the same objectives. It also allows for feedback and collaboration throughout the project, which can help refine the final product and ensure that it meets the client’s expectations.

Animatic: to be or not to be?

An animatic is an important tool in the video production process, as it allows you to see a rough version of the video before the final product is complete. This can help you get a better idea of the pacing, flow, and overall direction of the video, which can ultimately save time and money by catching any major issues early on.

When discussing the animatic with the studio, it’s important to clarify what you expect to see in the animatic. Will it be a rough sketch of the storyboard, or a more polished version with some animation and sound effects? This can help the studio understand what is expected of them and can prevent any misunderstandings or miscommunications.

So, should you make it? 

If the project is rather complex, yes, go for it.

If it is simple, probably you don’t have to spend time and budget on this.

Freshen your perspective: gain an outside look

Seek unbiased feedback by sharing illustrations midway through the project or the final video with people who have a fresh perspective. When you’re highly involved, it’s easy to become biased and overlook whether the video’s story is compelling and comprehensible to the audience. Others can provide valuable insights on what works and what doesn’t. Collect their feedback and communicate with the studio to make necessary revisions.

By doing so, you can ensure that the final product is not only visually appealing, but also tells a clear and engaging story that resonates with your target audience. This feedback loop can also save you time and money in the long run, as making major revisions after the video is completed can be much more costly and time-consuming. By incorporating unbiased feedback early on in the process, you can catch any issues before they become larger problems and make sure that your video meets your goals and objectives.

“First 5-second” rule

There is no such rule, but it had to be invented. 

To capture the attention of viewers, the first 5–10 seconds of a video are crucial. Avoid including dull facts or immediately showcasing your product during this time. Instead, aim to make this section as captivating, lively, and engaging as possible, while leaving product features for the middle or end of the video. Doing so ensures that the viewer won’t quickly switch off the video, dismissing it as just another advertisement.

It’s crucial to capture the viewer’s attention from the very beginning of the video, as attention spans are short in today’s fast-paced world. Therefore, creating an engaging and compelling opening that piques the viewer’s curiosity is essential to ensure they continue watching. You can achieve this by using storytelling techniques, visual and audio effects, and other creative elements to create a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Finally, promotion

Having a concise version – approximately 10–20 seconds – for each video is advantageous. It allows you to effectively advertise your product not only by publishing it on YouTube or your website, but also by showcasing it on platforms like Instagram Stories, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts. Customers who take an interest in your product through the condensed version in Stories will be intrigued to explore your website or channel for the full video and discover more about the product.

As viewers’ attention becomes increasingly valuable, captivating them with inventive methods becomes crucial. Supplementary versions (condensed, alternative formats, or in various languages) can simplify and expedite this process!

Summary

When working with an animated studio, be open and transparent. Share your doubts, ideas, and edits – and the process will flow smoothly, resulting in a truly awesome animated video that will bring you greater profits and impact in your advertising campaign.

Working with an animated studio can be a thrilling experience, filled with creativity, imagination, and innovation. As you embark on this journey, it’s essential to keep in mind that success lies in your ability to collaborate effectively with your studio team.

One of the most critical aspects of collaboration is openness and transparency. When working with an animated studio, it’s vital to be honest and upfront about your doubts, concerns, and expectations. This transparency will help build trust and a more profound connection between you and your studio team, allowing them to understand your vision and bring it to life.

Sharing your ideas is another key element in achieving a successful partnership with your animated studio. No one knows your brand better than you do, and sharing your unique perspectives, goals, and preferences will help your studio team create a video that resonates with your target audience.

Don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your feedback and edits as well. Remember that the final product is a result of your collaboration, and your input is essential in ensuring that the video aligns with your vision and objectives.

By working together in a spirit of openness and collaboration, you and your animated studio can create a truly awesome animated video that will have a lasting impact on your target audience. This video will not only drive greater profits and results for your advertising campaign, but also leave a lasting impression on your viewers, enhancing your brand’s reputation and credibility in the long run.