Custom Animation Video vs Animated Video Software; Know The Pros and Cons

With the advent of more and more DIY animation video software in the market, marketers are scratching their heads about whether to consider investing in a custom animation video production company or go for a much cheaper alternative; DIY software.

If you are in the same situation, this article is going to help you understand the underlying pros and cons of using custom animation or template-based software.

I assume that you already know the importance of having an explainer video for your business. However, here is a quick run through about what to expect if you create an explainer video; the right way.

According to Hubspot, more than 81% of businesses use explainer videos to showcase their product and services on their websites. This is no surprise.

The figures are a clear indicator of how you can leverage explainer videos to double up your lead conversions. But let us understand the workflow when you create custom animation video by the help of  professional video making company.

Work process of a custom animation video production company

When you hire an animation video production company to create a custom video for you, they follow a work process that follows several steps.

Step 1 – Building the script
The video script Writing team organizes a brainstorming session with you to understand your goals towards creating the video. Based on your goal, the script is created in a story-based, advertisement, educational, or informal way.

Writing a stellar script is essential to grab your audience’s attention. Professional video production companies ensure that the script is created in a way so that the message is delivered in an easy to understand way while still making sure that the script is conversion-optimized.
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Step 2 – Creating the storyboard
Once, the script is ready, the next step is to create a storyboard. Based on your brand colors and your desired look and feel, the professionals’ hand-craft characters, infographics, background illustrations, etc. All graphics are created from scratch and weaved into a seamless overall theme to create a slide by slide representation of what visuals you can expect in the respective slides.

The process generally takes 1 week for a within a 2-minute video.

Step 3 – Voiceover
The video animation company presents you with voice samples or custom auditions from multiple voiceover artists so you can choose the best voiceover for your custom explainer video animation.

Step 4 – Animation
Custom animation video is created in complex high-end animation software suites and often involves combinations of different software to achieve the highest level of animation quality. Whether it’s a running sequence or a smooth transition from one slide to another, all are created from scratch.

The process generally takes around 2 weeks for a within a 2-minute video.

Work process of animation video software

When you purchase DIY animation video software and wish to make your own explainer video you need to follow the following process.

Step 1 – Script creation
You create the script yourself. You do not need to brainstorm the flow with anyone. Just create a rough outline about the nuances that the video will cater to its viewers with and you are done. The animated video software saves time as well as effort when it comes to writing the script.

Step 2 – Voiceover
You either record the voice yourself or hire a professional voiceover artist to record the voiceover for you. Now voiceover can be a tough nut to crack if you try to do it on your own. So, it is advisable to hire a professional voiceover artist who can again add overhead expenses.

Step 3 – Animation
You directly jump to the animated video software interface and hit the library. You pick the ready-made characters, props, and designs and start composing your animation in sync with your voiceover.

The animation process generally takes 2-3 days to finish a 2-minute video.

Pros and cons of using custom animation video production company and DIY animated video software.

Let’s do a step by step comparative analysis based on the several aspects of a video production journey and output. We will start with the basic factors and gradually move to a more aesthetic comparison.

1. Budget

The budget is often the main deciding factor while choosing between custom animation video and an animation video maker software especially if you are a startup business owner with a limited budget.

DIY software would cost an average of 100USD per month whereas custom videos created by an animated video production company would cost an average of 500 USD for a single video.

2. Time

In certain cases, businesses opt for explainer video maker software because it takes much less time to produce a video as compared to a custom video created by the help of animated video production companies. While the former may take less than a week, the later would take a couple of weeks.

However, if you are new to using DIY software, you might end up using a considerable amount of your valuable time mastering all the available features within the software. To make sure that you get the best output from your software, you also need to be a regular user of that software so that it is easy for you to organize your video content.

From my practical observations, I have also seen people switching from one software to another trying to figure out which might be the best one to use in the long run. This can turn out to be a real hassle because every software has its own pros and cons when you compare with other software in the same category.

3. Scale

In case of large scale production like for example, in an e-learning course or employee engagement training programs, etc. animated video software can come as a savior. There is no marketing goal to be met but the purpose is often solved.

4. Script

There is a popular saying that “The script can make or break your video.”

When you decide to do it yourself, you will obviously try to do the script yourself or you would ask your content writer to write the script for you. However, this often turns out to be a disaster.

Because writing an effective, high-converting video script needs experience.

When you hire custom animation video production companies, you get to involve the expertise of a professional video scriptwriter as well. Video scriptwriters are of a different breed. They are different from copywriters or authors.

A video scriptwriter holds experience in working with close contact with animators. He/she knows how to layout a script while visualizing whether the animator would find logical visual graphics related to the words spoken. The use of the type of words can greatly influence the type of graphics that the animator would visualize.

Professional Video scriptwriters who work with a video production team are also trained in the art of story-telling which is very important when it comes to video.

The script lays the foundation of the video and makes sure that boring subject matters turn to highly engaging stories without compromising the effectiveness of the message.

5. Branding

Let’s be practical. Imagine thousands of other business owners using the same style of characters, graphics, and animation style. How do you make yourself stand out?

Video is no longer a rare occurrence. Almost every business is leveraging the power of video animation. Creating a strong brand image throughout your marketing collaterals as well as the video is very important.

When you see someone wearing the same shirt or using the same car that everyone else is using, you create a “cheap” brand image.

Animated video maker software limits your branding capabilities. Limitations to animation capabilities also create a “Low quality” feeling which creates a negative brand impact.

On the contrary, with the help of a custom animation video, you can create your desired brand image. A professional video animation team will craft you, graphics, and characters that are unique to your brand and match with your existing brand image.

Finesse to the animation quality gives your customers the premium feel that your brand deserves.

6. Lead generation
An explainer video is often part of a bigger marketing strategy. Frequently used as a top-of-the-funnel lead generation tool, an animated explainer video is supposed to engage your audience and create interest in knowing more about your product or service.

As such, animated videos are not just an animated presentation. It’s more like a customer journey where you need to be conscious of customer psychology.

Experienced video marketing professionals from custom animation video companies use proven techniques to hand-craft the right ingredients for your video.

Ideally, they would work with you to understand your customer journey, and can help you craft your video with the right story and the right call-to-action.

However, if you are confident enough about your video marketing expertise and your understanding of the video content, using an animated video maker software can help you save time and money.

7. Creativity
Last but not the least, is creativity. Animation is like drawing & painting. Imagine handing over a set of brushes and paint to a person who does not know how to paint.

Similarly, handing over animation tools to a person who does not have the creative instinct and design knowledge gained through years of experience, would end up with an amateurish work.

If you are from a creative background, or hold some amount of design knowledge, you can create some good videos by the help of animation video making software.

But if you do not hold design knowledge, it is best to let the animation video professional create the video for you.

Conclusion

Yes, I do agree. Explainer video software are great! They can help you save time and money.
BUT only if you do it right. Software is like a tool that helps you save time and money but without an experienced hand, a tool is of no use.

To meet your goals with the help of animation video maker software, you need to be a regular user of that software, have done AB testing, have the required experience in video production, and have creative instincts.

However simple a software might be, you have to take your time to master it so that you can get the best output. Plus, you have to go through the hassle of creating the script, voiceover, storyboard, animation, sound effects, and music.

In this digital age, maintaining a strong presence in the market is getting more and more challenging.

Video is a good solution to stand out but a company’s survival depends on its uniqueness and the only way to stand out is to create a custom animation video.

Mapping all your marketing aspects into a unique coherent format is very important. Goal-conversion by mapping your video content as per your customer psychology is the way to go.

It’s best to consult a professional video making company that has practiced and mastered the art of video creation over several years.

I will end my article with a quote from the legendary Bruce Lee.

‎I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

P.S. If you are looking for a custom made video, feel free to reach us for a free discussion on how we can help you succeed with video.