The classic explainer structure
Great explainer videos follow a simple four-part story: problem, solution, how it works, call to action. Because viewers usually watch for about a minute, every sentence has to earn its place. A typical 90-second explainer is around 200–230 spoken words, which fits comfortably into Speechma’s 2,000-character limit for a single conversion, though generating one clip per scene makes animation timing easier.
Here is a complete sample script for a fictional meal-planning app:
Problem: It’s six p.m. You’re tired, the fridge is half full, and nobody can agree on dinner. Again.
Solution: Meet PlatePlan; the app that plans your family’s week in two minutes.
How it works: Tell PlatePlan what you like and what you have. It builds a weekly menu, writes your grocery list, and sends it to your phone. Need to swap a meal? Just tap.
Call to action: Stop stressing about dinner. Download PlatePlan free today!
The semicolon after the product name creates a natural beat for the logo reveal, and the exclamation point gives the call to action extra energy.
How to voice an explainer video
- Lock the script firstFinalize wording with your team or client before animating. Changing narration later shifts every scene’s timing.
- Choose a brand-fit voiceFriendly and conversational for consumer apps, calm and authoritative for finance or healthcare, upbeat for e-commerce.
- Generate one clip per sceneSeparate clips for problem, solution, features and CTA let the animator match each beat exactly.
- Hand off the MP3sDownload all clips as a ZIP and import them into After Effects, Vyond, Canva, Animaker or your video editor of choice.
Voice tone by industry
| Industry | Tone to aim for | Example line |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS and B2B software | Clear, confident, modern | “Your whole team, one dashboard.” |
| Healthcare and insurance | Calm, reassuring, trustworthy | “Finding a doctor in your network just got easier.” |
| Fintech and banking | Steady, professional | “Send money in seconds, with no hidden fees.” |
| E-commerce and consumer apps | Upbeat, friendly | “Shop, swipe, done.” |
| Nonprofits | Warm, sincere | “Every dollar helps a family stay warm this winter.” |
| Real estate and local services | Approachable, neighborly | “Your next home is closer than you think.” |
These are starting points. Preview a few voices with your actual script before deciding.
Why teams voice explainers with Speechma
Fast iterations
Test three different voices on the same script in minutes and share them with stakeholders.
Animation-friendly
Scene-sized MP3 clips are easy to align with keyframes and transitions.
Painless revisions
Client changed the tagline? Regenerate just that one clip.
Localize quickly
Create Spanish, French or German versions of the same explainer with native voices.
Commercial use
Use the audio in client work, product pages and paid campaigns.
A voice that’s yours
Create a one-of-a-kind brand voice with Voice Design.
Checklist before you export
- Product and company names are pronounced correctly (spell them phonetically if needed).
- Prices, dates and percentages are written as words, like “twenty-nine dollars a month.”
- Each clip ends on a complete sentence, so cuts sound natural.
- Speed matches the animation: slower for detailed screens, a little faster for montages.
- Background music sits well under the voice. Make a royalty-free track with the AI Music Generator.
- Captions are added; many viewers watch explainers on mute in social feeds.
How long will my voiceover be?
A comfortable explainer pace is about 140 to 160 words per minute. Use that to budget your script before anyone opens an animation tool:
- 30-second social cut: roughly 70 to 80 words. One problem, one benefit, one call to action.
- 60-second homepage video: roughly 140 to 160 words. Room for two or three key features.
- 90-second product explainer: roughly 200 to 230 words. Add a short customer scenario.
- 2–3 minute demo walkthrough: 300 to 450 words, split into several clips by screen.
If your first draft runs long, cut adjectives before you raise the speed. A slightly faster voice is fine, but a crowded script always sounds rushed, no matter who reads it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make an explainer video voiceover for free?
Can agencies use Speechma voices in client projects?
How long should an explainer video script be?
Which voice works best for a SaaS explainer?
Can I change one line without redoing the whole voiceover?
Should I use a male or female voice for my explainer?
Can I make the explainer in other languages?
Make better voiceovers, faster
- New voices and features the day they launch
- Script templates and tricks that make AI voices sound human
- Creator stories, community picks and early access
