How to Create a SaaS Explainer Video in 5 miniutes

Think about the last time you had to evaluate a new software tool at work.

You open Google, click into a few top results, and start scanning. One website greets you with long paragraphs, feature tables, and dense explanations. Another opens with a short explainer video that shows, within two minutes, what the product does, who it’s for, and why it matters.

You don’t need to think twice. You watch the video, understand the value instantly, and move that product to the top of your shortlist.

This is why explainer videos have become one of the most effective tools in modern marketing. They remove friction, shorten decision cycles, and help buyers understand complex ideas faster than text ever could.

Regardless of the product or service you’re promoting, explainer videos consistently outperform static content when it comes to engagement, comprehension, and conversion.

So what separates explainer videos that actually work from those that get skipped?

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes explainer videos effective, explore how AI agents are changing SaaS video production, and walk through a proven step-by-step process for creating explainer videos that communicate value and drive real business results.

Key Takeaways

How AI agents help founders create SaaS explainer videos
The exact steps great SaaS explainer videos use to simplify complex ideas
How to create your own video content co-pilot

What Is an Explainer Video?

An explainer video is a short, purpose-built video designed to help people understand a product, service, or idea as quickly as possible. Rather than diving into technical depth, it delivers a clear, high-level message that answers one essential question: why this matters to the viewer.

Explainer videos are typically under three minutes and are most often placed on homepages or key landing pages. They use a combination of visuals, motion, and voiceover to communicate value faster and more effectively than text alone.

A strong explainer video anticipates the audience’s main points of confusion and resolves them immediately. It shows the problem, introduces the solution, and highlights the benefits in a way that feels intuitive and easy to follow.

Because of this, explainer videos are widely used across SaaS products, consumer apps, service businesses, nonprofits, and marketing campaigns to simplify complex ideas and speed up decision-making.

Unlike tutorials or walkthroughs, explainer videos are not about step-by-step instructions. Their role is to create understanding and interest, setting the stage for deeper engagement later.

How Can AI Agents Help Founders Create SaaS Explainer Videos?

AI video platforms have become extremely popular among marketers, founders, and content creators. Tools like Synthesia and Runway make it possible to generate videos from scripts, prompts, and images without a full production team.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on agencies, anyone can now create videos with generative technology.

The challenge is that many of these tools stop at basic video generation. The output often feels generic, lacks personality, and still requires heavy manual editing.

This is where AI agents come in.

AI video agents act as content co-pilots rather than simple generators. They don’t just create videos. They manage the entire workflow, from script creation to visuals, voiceover, music, captions, and optimization, often with minimal human input.

Video Generators vs AI Video Agents

The difference is significant:

Video generators turn prompts into videos, but you still need to edit, customize, and export manually. Customization is limited, templates are generic, and voices often sound artificial.
AI video agents handle the full content lifecycle. They generate scripts, select visuals, sync voiceovers, add music, and even help with testing and iteration. You retain creative control while automation handles execution.

If your goal is professional, high-performing SaaS explainer videos, relying on a simple free generator is rarely enough. AI video agents offer the depth, flexibility, and consistency needed for real results.

The SaaS Explainer Video Production Process

Creating an effective explainer video follows a structured workflow. Each step builds on the previous one to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact.

Step 1: Creative Brief — Defining the Strategic Foundation

The creative brief is the blueprint of the explainer video. It defines why the video exists before any production decisions are made.

At this stage, teams align on:

Target audience and primary pain points
Core message or value proposition
Business goal such as awareness, conversion, or onboarding
Tone, style, and brand guidelines
Distribution channels and success metrics

A strong creative brief prevents misalignment, reduces revisions, and ensures every creative decision supports a clear objective.

Step 2: Script Writing — Crafting a Clear and Persuasive Narrative

The script is the heart of the explainer video. It transforms strategy into a narrative that guides the viewer from problem to solution.

Effective explainer scripts:

Start with a relatable problem
Clearly explain the stakes
Introduce the product as the solution
Focus on benefits, not features
End with a clear call to action

Clarity and brevity matter. Every line must earn its place.

Step 3: Storyboarding — Planning the Visual Story

Storyboarding turns the script into a visual roadmap. Each scene outlines how visuals, motion, and text will support the narration.

This step helps teams:

Validate pacing and flow
Keep one clear idea per scene
Simplify complex concepts visually
Catch logic gaps early

A strong storyboard reduces guesswork and keeps production focused.

Step 4: Visual Styles and Stylescapes — Establishing the Look and Feel

Visual styles define the overall aesthetic direction before detailed design begins.

This includes:

Color palettes and brand alignment
Typography and icon systems
Illustration or UI styles
Motion and animation references

Locking this in early ensures consistency and reinforces brand recognition.

Step 5: Design and Illustration — Creating Visual Assets

Designers produce all visual assets needed for the video. These visuals are functional, not decorative.

Effective explainer visuals:

Simplify complex ideas
Guide viewer attention
Reinforce the spoken message
Stay engaging without distraction

All assets are designed with animation in mind.

Step 6: Voiceover Recording — Giving the Message a Human Voice

Voiceover adds emotion, pacing, and personality. Whether using a professional narrator or a brand voice, audio quality is critical.

Key considerations:

Tone aligned with audience and brand
Clear pronunciation and natural rhythm
Consistency across future videos

A strong voiceover builds trust and keeps viewers engaged.

Step 7: Animation — Bringing Everything Together

Animation is where visuals, text, and voiceover merge into a cohesive experience.

Effective animation:

Highlights key points clearly
Uses motion to show cause and effect
Maintains steady pacing
Supports understanding, not distraction

Purposeful motion matters more than flashy effects.

Step 8: Music — Setting the Emotional Tone

Music subtly shapes how the video feels.

The right soundtrack:

Enhances emotion
Supports the narrative
Never competes with the voiceover

Music choice should align with both brand and message.

Step 9: Sound Effects and Audio Mixing — Refining the Experience

Sound effects add realism and polish. Audio mixing ensures all elements work together smoothly.

This includes:

Balancing voiceover, music, and effects
Improving clarity and consistency
Final audio polishing

Professional audio finishing elevates perceived quality.

Step 10: Review and Rendering — Final Optimization and Delivery

Before release, the video goes through structured review cycles to refine visuals, timing, and messaging.

Once approved, it’s rendered in multiple formats for:

Websites and landing pages
Social platforms
Email and presentations

This ensures strong performance across all channels.

Step 11: Recap — The Complete Explainer Video Workflow

To summarize, the full process includes:

Creative Brief
Script Writing
Storyboarding
Visual Styles and Stylescapes
Design and Illustration
Voiceover Recording
Animation
Music
Sound Effects and Mixing
Review and Rendering

Following this structure results in explainer videos that are clear, engaging, and aligned with real business goals.

Create Your Video Content Co-Pilot Today

SaaS marketing is challenging, but creating high-quality explainer videos no longer needs to be expensive or complex.

With platforms like Leadde, founders and marketers can build a true video content co-pilot. Instead of generic outputs, you get videos that feel authentic, on-brand, and built to convert.

If your goal is to create SaaS explainer videos that build trust and scale with your business, Leadde is a strong place to start. You can try it for free, and for $19 per month, create an AI agent that helps you produce professional-grade videos even without prior editing experience.

Instead of searching for another free SaaS explainer video tool, start building videos that actually work.