We all have those little pleasures in life, the treats we don’t mind paying a little extra for. It might be sinking into the delicious taste of a coffee or losing ourselves in the blu-ray version of our favourite movie. When we enjoy that taste or get lost in that scene, we’re experiencing much more than that immediate moment. We’re getting everything that went into making it possible.
The same is true of whiteboard videos, which have emerged as a popular and effective communication tool for businesses. When considering incorporating whiteboard videos into your marketing or communication strategy, it's essential to understand the factors that influence pricing. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of whiteboard video pricing, providing insights to help you understand the investment involved and make informed decisions.
The Charm of Whiteboard Animations and Animated Explainer Videos
Among the various styles of animated explainer videos, whiteboard animation has garnered significant attention for its distinctive aesthetic and nostalgic appeal. Originating from the traditional method of scribing, this animation style features hand-drawn illustrations and characters unfolding on a white background, mimicking the process of sketching on a whiteboard. The simplicity and charm of animated explainer video make it a popular choice for businesses looking to convey their message in a clear, approachable, and memorable manner.
Whiteboard videos and explainer videos have a proven track record of engaging audiences and enhancing information retention. Their dynamic visuals and storytelling prowess can captivate viewers and leave a lasting impression, ultimately driving desired actions and fostering brand loyalty.
Deciphering Whiteboard Video Pricing
When you work with a whiteboard animation production company, you are investing in your audience, your brand and in the impact of your message. That final whiteboard animation incorporates a lot of value, and you start to get a return on that investment from the very first meeting.
Staff Experience
When you work with a creative team, you get more than just their creative talents; you get their experience. Whiteboard animation production companies work with lots of clients from lots of sectors. Our team joke they have worked on everything from the rules of golf to the scientific challenges posed by black holes.
This means when you tell a creative team about your project in that first creative meeting, they will not only listen as you explain your message and vision, they will be able to use their experience and learnings from previous projects on similar topics. Ultimately, everything in the project is your choice, but these insights can help you get your project off to the very best start and avoid potential problems.
Research
A good creative team will always research the topic of your animation. This research builds on what you discuss and share in your meetings and allows the whiteboard animation production company to get to grips with your subject and the fine details that make a big difference when it comes to sharing the topic with your audience.
This research is always important, and really comes into its own when on animations about sensitive, nuanced and complex subjects. The research stage is one of the reasons we love our job. With every project we work on, our knowledge base grows, allowing us to get the project just right and to take it forward into future work.
Licensing and Usage Rights
Depending on your intended use of the whiteboard video, licensing and usage rights may impact pricing. Factors such as whether the video will be used internally or externally, limited or unrestricted usage, and the duration of the license agreement can influence the cost. Ensure that you discuss these details with the explainer animation studio to align on the licensing terms and associated pricing.
Project Management
Managing teams, schedules and deadlines is a work of art in itself, and when this goes wrong it can cause delays that ripple out and affect not only the launch of an individual animation but also the delivery of bigger marketing plans. Part of what you pay for when you work with a whiteboard animation studio is project management to avoid this.
Our project managers keep the whole team on track, ensuring deadlines are hit and feedback is put in place. They enable the smooth communication between a whiteboard animation production company and your team, making sure your vision is realised in full and on time.
Scriptwriting and Voiceover
Scriptwriting and voiceover are crucial elements of whiteboard videos. The complexity and length of the script can influence pricing. Customised scripts that require research, storytelling expertise, or multiple revisions may incur additional costs.
The choice of voiceover talent also affects pricing, with professional voice actors typically charging higher rates than amateur or less experienced talent. Factors such as accents, languages, and the length of the script also play a role in determining costs.
Tailored Illustration
Whiteboard animations are able explain the most every day and the most complex subjects, in a way which is unique and tailored to your message and your audience. The custom illustrations provided by a whiteboard animation company are one of the things, alongside areas like scriptwriting, that makes them stand out over whiteboard animation software.
At their core, whiteboard animations are vehicles for sharing and explaining your message in a lasting and impactful way, and bespoke illustration is at the heart of this. Tailored illustration makes your whiteboard video animation as unique as you are and ensures it is perfectly designed to resonate with your audience.
Animation
The level of animation quality desired for the video influences pricing as well. Basic animations with minimal movement and detail may be more cost-effective, while high-definition animations with sophisticated designs and fluid motion will command a higher price tag.
There is a lot that goes into a professional animation. It plays a crucial part in the delivery of your message and the way you connect with your audience, and the return on your investment in this area is evident when you compare a professional animation with one made using an app or piece of software.
Visual Thinking Skills
Illustration and animation both draw on the ability of a creative team and the visual thinking skills they have. Visual thinking provides the toolbox used by illustrators and animators. It incorporates visual devices like visual metaphors, semiotics, icon images and the use of set pieces. It also allows a great strength of whiteboard animation to be harnessed, layering and developing information or ideas.
Illustrators and animators incorporate these considerations as they plan and develop creative ideas. It is the visual thinking behind them that allows illustrations, characters and animation styles to capture and communicate information so well, and just one of the many perks that comes from working with a whiteboard animation company.
Connecting Ideas To Each Other And The Bigger Picture
Another strength of whiteboard animation is its ability to connect ideas and show how they fit in the bigger picture. When working with a whiteboard animation studio, this is considered from the very first meeting, and plays a big role in the explanatory power of a whiteboard video.
This happens throughout the animation through the creative use of illustration and animation, and at the end, when the camera pans out to reveal the full animation and big picture that has been created. A whiteboard animation production company designs the whole animation with this final image in mind, which can be turned into an image, along with smaller scenes from the animation.
Versatility and Longevity
Whiteboard videos and explainer videos have a timeless appeal and can be repurposed across various channels and platforms, including websites, social media, presentations, and email campaigns. Their versatility allows businesses to maximise their investment by reaching a broader audience and extending the lifespan of the content.
Revisions and Iterations
Whiteboard video pricing generally includes a specific number of revisions or iterations during the production process. However, significant changes or additional rounds of revisions beyond the agreed-upon limit may result in extra costs. Clarify the revision policy with the provider to avoid any surprises in terms of pricing.
Sound Effects and Music
Sound effects are an amazing way of adding engagement, charm and emphasis. They build connection with viewers and add to the overall feel of an animation. Working with a studio’s animators, you can place them at moments to highlight a point, capture attention or complete a mood.
Getting this just right is important and professional animators will have access to libraries full of sound effects. These libraries also hold the music that we often hear underscoring an important message in an explainer video. Working with a whiteboard studio, you can draw on their experience to pick the right track and to use it in a way which contributes to the tone and atmosphere without reducing other parts of the whiteboard video.
Translation and Accessibility
This is our final point for this post, but we’re ending on a big one. Translation and accessibility are important considerations when thinking about your audience and where your whiteboard animation may be used. When it comes to translation, there are several methods. These range from adding a new voiceover to tailoring the illustrations, references and animation, and this blog on explainer video translation options explains more.
Accessibility is an essential consideration and can take many forms. You may want to add subtitles or design the whole whiteboard video around these considerations, thinking carefully about onscreen text and colour choices. The Bureau of Internet Accessibility provides a thorough list of options.
When considering whiteboard video pricing, it's essential to weigh the investment against the value and impact the videos will have on your communication goals. By understanding the factors that influence pricing, such as video length, animation complexity, scriptwriting, production timeline, licensing, revisions, and provider expertise, you can make an informed decision and select a whiteboard video package that aligns with your budget and requirements.
Remember that whiteboard videos are an investment in effective communication and can deliver significant returns by engaging your audience, conveying your message, and driving business success. If you have a message you think could benefit from the whiteboard animation technique, we’d love to talk to you about how this could look and to answer any questions you might have. Book a free creative consultation today!
By combining simplicity, creativity, and visual storytelling, whiteboard animation offers numerous benefits that can help companies improve their communication strategies. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key advantages that whiteboard animation brings to the table.