Creating Interactive Explainer Videos: Using Video Editing Software to Engage Your Audience

Although capturing your audience’s attention is quite easy, keeping them interested throughout your video can be a challenging task. When you explain a concept or an idea through a plain video, you run the risk of losing viewership. Interactive elements, however, won’t let that happen.

Let’s go through what interactivity brings to your videos and explore some tips on making a good video instruction.

What Are Interactive Explainer Videos?

An interactive explainer video takes the standard format of a video that explains a product, service, or concept and layers it with elements to interest the viewer. This can include clickable buttons, decision-based navigation, or embedded quizzes that make the viewer an active participant.

Compared to traditional videos, interactive explainer videos have a higher retention rate as they give more things to explore, add the sense of control over the viewing experience, and simply make the process more enjoyable.

Also Read: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/explainer-videos

How to Pick Video Editing Software?

What’s better: an all-in-one software or a niche tool? While the answer heavily depends on the type and goals of your project, both options are capable of adding interactive elements to videos.

If you’re just starting, it’s better to begin with software that offers various multimedia features. This way, you can experiment with different types of interactive elements without having to switch between programs. For more specific needs, consider something easy but maybe not that popular.

Still, the video editor should offer:

• High-definition quality to keep visuals sharp.
• Audio editing tools to synchronize system sound and your voice accurately.
• Customizable transitions and effects to add professionalism, fun, or any other atmospheric elements to your video.
• User-friendly interface to make the editing process smooth, even if you’re not an expert editor.

Many modern video editing tools also come with pre-made templates for explainer videos. These templates can also include interactive options like buttons and menus, which can be customized to match your content and branding.

Adding Interactive Elements: 6 Tips and Tricks

1. Create a Welcome Message

Start by greeting viewers with a warm welcome message at the beginning of your video. This can set a friendly, engaging tone and make the experience feel more personal.

You can even include a quick question at the start, allowing viewers to click and personalize their journey based on their preferences. For example, if the video covers multiple topics, let viewers choose which one interests them most and direct them down a path tailored to their interests.

2. Embed Call-to-Action Buttons

Use CTAs to guide viewers to related resources, encourage them to explore additional content, or prompt them to make a choice within the video. For instance, in a tutorial video, a “Try it yourself” button can link viewers to exercises or downloads that reinforce the material.

Strategically place these buttons to flow naturally within the content and make sure they’re visually appealing to attract clicks.

3. Implement Decision Points

Decision points allow viewers to influence the video direction by making choices that align with their interests or skill levels.

If you’re creating a training video, viewers might choose between beginner, intermediate, or advanced modules. This feature lets them access information that’s most relevant to them, providing a customized viewing experience that holds their attention longer.

4. Include Progress Bars and Checkpoints

Progress bars and checkpoints give viewers a sense of where they are in the video and how much content remains, which can be motivating, especially for longer videos. Consider adding interactive checkpoints where viewers can pause and review what they’ve learned or even replay certain sections if needed.

These features provide structure, giving viewers the option to reflect on what they’ve watched or skip ahead if they feel ready. Checkpoints can be particularly helpful for viewers to retain information by dividing content into manageable parts.

5. Add Polls and Surveys

Place a quick poll or survey question at strategic moments to gauge audience understanding, ask for feedback, or even steer the direction of future videos.

For example, a question like “Would you like to see more on this topic?” can provide valuable insights for content planning while also giving viewers a sense of control over what they’re watching. Keep the polls short and relevant to the content so they feel like a natural part of the viewing process.

6. Use Gamification Techniques

People love games. The element of competition, even if it’s against oneself, is often enough. And it’s not about video games only. Quizzes, puzzles, points, levels, and achievements can make the viewing experience more rewarding for viewers.

And they will be very glad to share it with their friends to compare results if you provide the option to do so.

Want an extra engagement layer in your explainer videos? Start implementing interactive elements through easy-to-use video editing software.

Personalize viewers’ experience and keep them entertained till the end. Influence their perspective and transform them into loyal followers by making the learning process informative but fun at the same time.