What is the best structure for an explainer video script?
The structure that works for most explainer videos is problem, solution, how it works, call to action. Open with a problem your viewer recognizes. Introduce your product as the fix in one sentence. Show how it works in three simple steps. Then tell them exactly what to do next. That order works for a $10 app and a $100,000 software contract, because it mirrors how people decide.
Keep the language plain. If a sixth grader couldn’t follow a sentence, rewrite it. Every line of the script should match something on screen, so write the visual idea in brackets next to each line while drafting, then remove the brackets before you generate the voice.
Fill-in-the-blanks explainer script template
Copy this, fill each blank, and you have a 60–75 second script.
- Hook (5–8 s)
Ever [frustrating situation your customer knows]? You’re not the only one.
- Problem (8–12 s)
[Customer type] spends [time or money] every [week or month] on [painful task]. It’s [slow, confusing, expensive], and it gets in the way of [what they actually care about].
- Solution (5–8 s)
Meet [Product]. It [does the main job] so you can [main benefit].
- How it works (20–30 s)
First, [step one]. Next, [step two]. Then, [step three]. That’s it. [Result in one short sentence].
- Proof or reassurance (5–10 s)
[Product] works with [tools they already use], it’s [secure or simple or affordable], and you can [cancel, try, start] [anytime or free].
- Call to action (5 s)
Try [Product] today at [website].
How long should an explainer video script be?
| Video length | Words (about 150 wpm) | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds | 65–75 | Social ads, homepage hero loops |
| 60 seconds | 135–150 | Homepage, landing pages, sales emails |
| 90 seconds | 200–225 | Product pages, investor demos |
| 2 minutes | 270–300 | Onboarding and complex B2B products |
Explainer pacing is usually a little slower than ads because viewers are learning. If your animation needs breathing room, plan for 130 words per minute instead.
Explainer script examples for software and apps
- 1. SaaS invoicing tool (60 s)
If you run a small business, you know the feeling. The work is done, but the money isn’t in yet. You’re chasing invoices, copying numbers into spreadsheets, and sending awkward reminder emails. Meet [Ledgerly], the simple way to get paid on time. Here’s how it works. First, connect your bank and your accounting software. It takes about two minutes. Next, create an invoice from a template, or set one to repeat every month. Then, send it with a pay-now button for cards and bank transfers. If a client is late, [Ledgerly] sends a polite reminder for you. You’ll see who has paid, who hasn’t, and what’s coming in next week, all on one screen. No more spreadsheets. No more guessing. Start your free trial at [ledgerly dot com].
- 2. Mobile habit app (30 s)
You meant to drink more water. And read more. And walk every day. Then life happened. [Streakly] makes habits stick with one tap a day. Pick up to three habits, set a reminder, and check them off. Miss a day? No guilt, just a nudge to start again. Download [Streakly] free on iPhone and Android.
- 3. Cybersecurity for small offices (60 s)
Most small businesses think hackers only go after big companies. But a stolen password at a ten-person dental office can shut it down for days. [ShieldDesk] protects small teams without an IT department. First, install it on every computer in a few clicks. Next, [ShieldDesk] checks for weak passwords, missing updates and risky downloads, and fixes most of them automatically. Then, every Monday, you get a plain-English report: what we blocked, what needs your attention, and nothing you don’t. If something serious happens, a real person calls you. Security that runs in the background, so you can run your business. Get a free scan at [shield desk dot com].
- 4. Scheduling software for clinics (90 s)
At most physical therapy clinics, the front desk spends half the day on the phone. Booking, rescheduling, reminding, and then rebooking the people who forgot. Every no-show is an empty table and lost income. [BookWell] puts all of that on autopilot. Patients book online in under a minute, from your website or a text link. They choose the therapist, the time and the visit type, and [BookWell] only shows slots that actually work. The day before, patients get a text reminder. They can confirm with one reply, or pick a new time without calling. If a slot opens up, [BookWell] offers it to patients on your waitlist automatically. Your staff see everything on one calendar, color-coded by therapist and room. And intake forms are filled out before the patient arrives, so check-in takes seconds. The result: fewer phone calls, fewer no-shows and a front desk that can focus on the people standing in front of them. [BookWell] works on any computer or tablet, and setup takes one afternoon. See how it works for your clinic. Book a demo at [bookwell dot com].
Explainer script examples for services and local businesses
- 5. Home solar installer (60 s)
Your electric bill keeps going up, and there’s not much you can do about it. Or is there? [BrightRoof Solar] helps homeowners in [Arizona] make their own power. It starts with a free online estimate. Enter your address and your average bill, and we’ll show you how many panels your roof can hold and what you could save. Next, one of our local designers visits to confirm the details and answer every question. Then our crew installs your system, usually in a single day, and handles the permits and the utility paperwork. You’ll watch your production in an app on your phone. Get your free estimate at [brightroof solar dot com].
- 6. Meal kit delivery (30 s)
Weeknight dinner shouldn’t take a trip to the store and an hour of chopping. [Fresh Fork] delivers pre-measured ingredients and simple recipes to your door. Pick your meals, get your box, cook in thirty minutes. Skip a week or cancel anytime. Try [Fresh Fork] at [freshfork dot com].
- 7. Accounting firm (60 s)
Tax season is stressful enough without a shoebox full of receipts. At [Parker and Lin CPAs], we take the paperwork off your plate. Here’s how it works. First, upload your documents to our secure portal, or drop them off at our office in [Raleigh]. Next, your dedicated accountant reviews everything and finds deductions you might have missed. Then, we file your return and walk you through it in plain language, on the phone or in person. Need help during the year? Your accountant is one email away. Book a free fifteen-minute call at [parker lin cpa dot com].
- 8. Moving company (45 s)
Moving is one of life’s most stressful days. [Two Brothers Moving] makes it a lot less stressful. Get a fixed quote online in five minutes, with no hidden fees on moving day. Our trained crews wrap your furniture, protect your floors and load everything carefully. And if anything gets damaged, we make it right. Local or long distance, we’ll get you there. Get your free quote at [two brothers moving dot com].
Explainer script examples for nonprofits, schools and HR
- 9. Nonprofit program (60 s)
In [Detroit], [too many] kids reach third grade still reading below grade level. Without help, many of them never catch up. [Read Together] pairs kids with trained volunteer reading buddies for thirty minutes, twice a week, right at school. Here’s how it works. Teachers identify students who need extra support. Volunteers complete a short training and are matched with one student for the whole year. Then, every session, they read together, play word games and track progress. Volunteers need no teaching background, just patience and a love of stories. Become a reading buddy, or support the program, at [read together dot org].
- 10. School district announcement (45 s)
This fall, [Maple Grove Schools] is launching a new parent app. In one place, you can see your child’s grades, attendance and lunch balance. You’ll get alerts for snow days and early dismissals, and you can message teachers directly. To get started, download the [Maple Grove] app and sign in with the email you gave the school office. If you need help, call your school’s front office or visit [maple grove schools dot org slash app].
- 11. Employee benefits enrollment (75 s)
Open enrollment starts [November first] and ends [November fifteenth]. This is your one chance each year to choose or change your health, dental and vision coverage. Here’s what to do. First, log in to the [benefits portal] with your employee ID. Next, review the three medical plans. The [Basic] plan has lower paycheck deductions and a higher deductible. The [Plus] plan costs a little more each paycheck but less when you visit the doctor. The [Family Saver] plan pairs with a health savings account. Then, add or remove dependents and confirm your choices. If you don’t take any action, your current coverage carries over, except for flexible spending accounts, which you must re-enroll in every year. Questions? Join a live Q and A session on [November fifth], or email [benefits at company dot com].
- 12. IT security training (60 s)
Most data breaches start the same way: someone clicks a link they shouldn’t. Here’s how to spot a phishing email in three checks. First, look at the sender. Hover over the name to see the real address. Does it match the company it claims to be from? Second, look for pressure. Messages that say “urgent,” “final notice” or “your account will be closed” are designed to make you act fast. Slow down. Third, don’t click links to log in. Open your browser and go to the site yourself. If you’re not sure, forward the email to [security at company dot com]. Reporting a fake email takes ten seconds. Cleaning up after one can take weeks.
Which voice fits an explainer video?
| Audience | Voice style | Speed | Accent |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2B software buyers | Confident, warm, professional | Normal | US English |
| Consumers and apps | Friendly, upbeat, casual | Normal to slightly faster | US English |
| Healthcare and finance | Calm, trustworthy, mature | Slightly slower | US English |
| Employees (HR, IT) | Clear, neutral, steady | Slightly slower | Match your workforce |
| Global audience | Neutral and clear | Slightly slower | US, UK or a localized voice per market |
How do I turn an explainer script into a voiceover?
- Finish the script firstLock the wording before you animate. Changing a sentence later means re-timing scenes.
- Remove visual notesDelete any bracketed scene directions, so the voice only reads what viewers should hear.
- Generate on SpeechmaPaste the script into the box at the top of this page, pick a voice from the table above and generate. Scripts over 2,000 characters can be split at paragraph breaks.
- Fine-tune the pacingAdd a pause tag such as [break 1s] between steps (the pause buttons in Voice Effects insert one), or start a new sentence for a natural break. Lower the speed if your animation has a lot to show.
- Animate to the audioImport the MP3 into Vyond, Canva, After Effects or Premiere and time each scene to the voice. For other languages, use AI dubbing on the finished video.
Making explainers for many products or clients?
Long onboarding videos fit in one go on SpeechmaPRO.com (10,000 characters per conversion, no ads). Teams that generate voiceovers inside their own tools can use the Speechma API from $9/month.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 60-second explainer video?
Can I use these explainer scripts for my business?
Should I write the script or the storyboard first?
Is an AI voice good enough for an explainer video?
Can I make the explainer in Spanish too?
What is the most common explainer script mistake?
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