Formats · Length 45-120s · 9:16 or 16:9 · intermediate
Explainer video: how to shoot, edit, and prompt it
An explainer breaks down one idea or "why" question with a spoken argument and simple graphics on screen.
By Sulan Zhang, co-founder of Vyra · Updated 2026-09-24 · Example: @sulansart
- Platforms
- YouTube, TikTok, Reels, Shorts, LinkedIn
- Length
- 45-120s
- Aspect
- 9:16 or 16:9
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Gear
- phone or voiceover mic, simple graphics or diagrams
Three ideas max. If you have five, that's two videos.
At a glance
| Best for | Concepts, industry topics, "why does X happen", how your product thinks |
| Hook style | The question, or a surprising fact |
| Pacing | 10-20 seconds per idea, graphic changes with each one |
| Caption style | Phrase captions, key terms as big text |
| Music | Neutral, low |
| Shot list | Face or voiceover. One diagram per idea. Real b-roll where it exists. A summary card. |
| Common mistakes | Too many ideas. Graphics that decorate instead of explain. No summary. |
Structure
- 0-3s: the question
- 3-10s: why it matters to them
- 10-80s: the explanation, 3 ideas, one graphic each
- 80-95s: the summary in one sentence
- 95-100s: what to do with it
How to shoot it
- Write the explanation as three sentences before anything else.
- Record the voiceover close to the mic, calm.
- Sketch one simple diagram per idea. Boxes and arrows.
- Film b-roll of the real thing if there is one.
- Record the summary line to camera.
How to edit it
- Graphic appears the moment the idea is introduced.
- Key terms as big text the first time you say them.
- Build diagrams piece by piece.
- Go back to face or b-roll between graphics.
- Summary card with the three ideas at the end.
- Captions throughout.
Prompt it in Vyra
This is an explainer on why short videos get more reach. Cut it to 90 seconds. When I introduce each of the three reasons, create a simple motion graphic that shows it. A bar chart for "completion rate", a loop arrow for "replays", and a share icon multiplying for "shares". Make the phrase "completion rate" big text the first time I say it. Phrase captions throughout, summary card with the three reasons at the end.
Keep the graphics minimal, black text and one blue accent, matching the attached reference.
Variations
- Whiteboard explainer, drawings appear as you talk.
- Data explainer, charts are the main visual.
- Myth buster, the claim, then why it's wrong.
FAQ
How many ideas? Three.
Do I need a designer? No. Describe the graphic in plain words and Vyra builds it. Shapes, arrows, one accent color.
Face or voiceover? Face for trust, voiceover for clarity. A lot of explainers use face just for the hook and the summary.