How to Make Whiteboard Videos: 10 Steps for Content Creators

Picture this: you’re scrolling through your social media feed amidst the sea of mundane content, and a cute whiteboard video catches your eye.

You’re in for a treat as an interesting story comes to life right before your eyes with beautiful illustrations that seem to be created in real-time. It’s hard not to get hooked, as the stunning blend of visuals and storytelling captivates your attention.

That, my friend, is the magic of whiteboard videos!

Now, creating a whiteboard animation video sounds intimidating and complicated, right? I thought so, too, in the beginning. In this guide, I’ll break down the entire process into simple, manageable steps, so you can confidently create your own mesmerizing whiteboard videos.

These videos are perfect for YouTubers, educators, marketers, digital creators, and anyone who wants to make an impact with their content. It’s time to stand out from the crowd and make your message stick!

We will go through everything you need to know about how to make whiteboard videos, from brainstorming ideas and crafting a compelling script to choosing the right tools and techniques for bringing your drawings to life. Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Plan Your Video

If you love sharing your ideas with others, I’m sure you’ve considered using whiteboard videos to give your visual storytelling a unique twist!

Planning your whiteboard animation video thoroughly before starting the creation process is important. This will help you clearly envision what you want to achieve and prevent any potential issues during production.

This section will discuss the importance of pre-planning your video and provide helpful tips for doing it efficiently.

Define Your Goals

The first step in planning is defining the goals of your whiteboard video.

• What do you want to accomplish with this content?

• Are you trying to educate viewers on a specific topic?

• Tell a story?

• Or promote a product or service?

Setting clear objectives right from the start is always a good idea. This way, you can create content that resonates with your audience. It’s all about making that connection with your viewers!

Identify Your Target Audience

When creating a video, it’s important to remember who you’re making it for. Considering their age, interests, profession, and location will help you create content that resonates with them.

Once you know your target audience inside and out, you can tailor your messaging to meet their needs.

Write an Engaging Script

An effective script is the backbone of any successful whiteboard animation video project. It should be concise yet informative while maintaining an engaging tone. When writing yours:

• Favor simple language over jargon.

• Break down complex concepts into digestible bits.

• Incorporate storytelling elements where appropriate.

• Add humor or emotion to keep viewers engaged.

For more help with creating a script, you can check out my article on how to write a YouTube script. It talks about using AI writing tools such as Jasper or Writesonic to help you write a video script quickly and easily!

Determine Video Length and Structure

Whiteboard videos should be long enough to convey your message effectively but short enough to maintain viewer interest.

A general rule of thumb is to aim for 2-5 minutes. Additionally, consider structuring your video in a logical sequence that flows smoothly from one point to the next.

Gather Necessary Assets

Before starting production, gather all assets you’ll need for your whiteboard animation video projects, like images, icons, fonts, and music tracks. This step ensures that you have everything on hand when it’s time to create your masterpiece.

In summary, planning is an essential aspect of creating high-quality whiteboard videos.

By defining goals, identifying target audiences, writing engaging scripts, determining length and structure, and gathering necessary assets beforehand, you can help ensure a smooth production process and ultimately lead to more successful content creation.

Step 2: Create Storyboards

Storyboarding is essential in creating whiteboard videos, as it helps you visualize your video and makes video production more efficient.

Understand the Purpose of a Storyboard

A storyboard visually represents your video’s narrative, broken down into individual scenes or shots. It serves as a blueprint that guides you through each stage of production, from scriptwriting to animating and editing.

Creating a storyboard before diving into animation ensures that your ideas are well-organized and easily communicated with others involved in the project.

Choose Your Storyboarding Method

There are various storyboard creation methods; some prefer traditional pen-and-paper techniques, while others opt for digital tools like Celtx, Boords, or even presentation software like PowerPoint or Google Slides. Select the storyboarding approach that aligns best with your process.

Break Down Your Script Into Scenes

To begin storyboarding, first break down your script into individual scenes or shots by identifying key moments in the narrative where visuals will change significantly (e.g., new characters entering or exiting).

Decide how many panels each scene needs from the script by sketching out thumbnails.

1. Draw Thumbnails: Start by sketching rough thumbnails representing each scene on paper or digitally using simple shapes to represent characters, objects, and backgrounds without worrying about details yet.

2. Add Details: Once satisfied with the overall flow, refine your drawings by adding more details to characters and objects. Remember that whiteboard videos often use simple, hand-drawn style illustrations.

3. Include Notes: Add any necessary notes or instructions for animators regarding camera movement, transitions between scenes, or other visual elements not easily conveyed through drawings alone.

Review and Revise Your Storyboard

Once the storyboard is done, check it with those included in the project (e.g., customers/team members) to guarantee everybody is on a similar wavelength about visuals and narrative progression.

Be prepared to make revisions based on feedback before moving forward with animation production.

If you want to make a great whiteboard animation video that effectively gets your message across, it’s important to have a good storyboard in place. Use these tips to create a well-organized plan and make your animation process easier.

Step 3: Record Your Voiceover

This section will explore tips and techniques for recording a professional-sounding voiceover for your whiteboard video. A high-quality voiceover is essential to convey your video’s message and engage your audience effectively.

Choose the Right Microphone

The first step in recording a great voiceover is selecting an appropriate microphone. Various mics, such as dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones, are available.

A USB condenser microphone would be ideal for most whiteboard videos due to its ease of use and ability to capture clear audio.

Set Up Your Recording Environment

To ensure a quality recording, create an environment with minimal noise and proper acoustics. Here are some tips:

• Choose a quiet room with little or no echo.

• Closing windows and doors can help reduce outside noise.

• Add soft materials like blankets or foam wall panels to minimize reverb (echo).

• Maintain a consistent distance between you and the microphone while speaking.

You can learn more about how to set up a home voice over studio here!

Prepare Your Script & Delivery Style

Before hitting record on your software program (such as Audacity or Adobe Audition), make sure you have prepared a well-written script that conveys the message you want in your video content creation project. Additionally,

1. Read through the script multiple times before recording to familiarize yourself with the content.

2. Mark any points in the script where you need to emphasize or pause for effect.

3. Consider your target audience and adjust your tone, pace, and delivery style accordingly. For example, a video aimed at children may require a more energetic and enthusiastic voiceover than one targeting professionals.

Record & Edit Your Voiceover

Once you have set up your recording environment and prepared your script, it’s time to record. Follow these steps:

1. Start by doing a test recording to check audio levels and ensure no background noise or distortion.

2. Adjust microphone settings, such as gain or input volume (if necessary), before starting the recording session.

3. Maintain proper posture while speaking into the microphone; this will help improve vocal clarity during recordings.

After completing the recording process, use voice-over software like Adobe Audition to remove unwanted noises (such as clicks and pops), normalize audio levels if needed, and apply equalization effects for better sound quality.

Alternatively, you can use an AI voice-generating software program to provide the voice for your whiteboard animation video. I recommend Murf or Listnr for this.

Step 4: Select a Whiteboard Animation Software

Whiteboard animation videos have become increasingly popular due to their engaging and informative nature. They are definitely one of the newer trends in video creation! Let’s take a look at the aspects to consider when choosing a software program.

Determine Your Budget

Whiteboard animation software can range from completely free options with limited features to paid premium versions with advanced tools and capabilities.

It’s important to evaluate your budget before committing to a specific program. This way, you can choose a tool that meets your requirements without breaking the bank.

Evaluate Features and Ease of Use

Each whiteboard animation program offers different features such as pre-built templates, image libraries, text-to-speech functionality, or even hand-drawn animations using digital pens or tablets and a ‘drawing hand.’

Consider the features most pertinent to your tasks while also considering ease-of-use – particularly if you’re a novice in making animated videos.

List of Popular Whiteboard Animation Software:

• VideoScribe
• Doodly
• Renderforest Whiteboard Animation Maker
• Vyond
• RawShorts

Assess Compatibility and Export Options

Ensure that the software you choose is compatible with your computer’s operating system, whether it’s Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Additionally, consider export options such as video formats (MP4, AVI), resolution settings (HD or 4K), and any potential watermarks on the final output.

Read Reviews and Testimonials

Finally, take some time to read reviews from other users with experience with the whiteboard animation software you’re considering. Learning from other users’ experiences can provide valuable insights into how well the program performs and how easy it is to use.

Step 5: Animate Your Video

If you want to make your ideas stand out and keep your viewers engaged, choosing how to animate your whiteboard video is crucial. Here, you can pick the animation style you like the most and learn how to bring it to life using your favorite software.

Choose an Animation Style

Before creating your animation, you’ll want to choose the animation style that is most appropriate for your content and audience. You can choose from a variety of styles, including traditional hand-drawn animations or more contemporary digital illustrations.

These days, there are even AI animation generators that can create videos for you using artificial intelligence!

Some popular software options will allow you to use different styles, such as ‘blackboard’ and ‘glass board,’ in addition to the ‘whiteboard.’

Import Assets into Your Software

To begin animating, import all necessary assets (images, text elements) into the chosen software program following their specific guidelines for importing files:

• Images: Ensure images are high-quality with transparent backgrounds if possible.

• Text Elements: Make sure the fonts used are legible and complement the overall design of the video.

• Voiceover: Sync voiceover audio with corresponding visuals during this stage for seamless integration later in production.

Create Movement & Transitions

Add movement to each element by applying appropriate animations within the software’s library or create custom ones if needed.

Experiment with different types of transitions between scenes or objects – these can be simple fades or more complex effects like wipes and zooms, depending on what works best for conveying information effectively while maintaining viewer interest throughout the clip.

Here’s a helpful tutorial on creating smooth transitions in VideoScribe.

Timing & Pacing

Adjust the timing and pacing of your animations to ensure they align with your voiceover, providing a seamless viewing experience for your audience. Consider factors such as:

• Scene Duration: Ensure each scene is long enough for viewers to absorb information but not too long that it becomes monotonous.

• Animation Speed: Experiment with different speeds to find what works best for maintaining viewer interest without overwhelming them.

• Voiceover Syncing: Make sure visuals match up accurately with spoken content so viewers can easily follow along.

• Music and Sound Effects: To add style or a personal touch to your video, consider adding music or sound effects to your voiceover and graphics.

Preview & Adjustments

It’s important to regularly review work-in-progress versions of videos within the software program during production. This way, you can identify any necessary adjustments or improvements before finalizing the project.

Remember: practice makes perfect. The more you experiment and refine techniques over time, the better equipped you will be to create engaging whiteboard videos that resonate.

Common Questions About How to Make Whiteboard Videos

How to Create Whiteboard Videos

To create a whiteboard video, follow these steps:

1. Select a suitable animation software like VideoScribe or Doodly.
2. Plan your video by outlining the content and message.
3. Create storyboards to visualize each scene.
4. Record a voiceover that matches the visuals.
5. Add music and sound effects as needed.
6. Animate your video using the chosen software, adding elements such as text, images, and drawings.

What makes a great whiteboard video?

A great whiteboard video is engaging, concise, and visually appealing. It should have clear messaging with easy-to-follow narration synchronized with relevant visuals. The animations should be smooth and professional-looking while maintaining simplicity in design to avoid overwhelming viewers.

How to create whiteboard animations

The best ways to create whiteboard animations include selecting user-friendly software like VideoScribe, Doodly, or Renderforest. Focus on planning your content thoroughly before starting production; this includes writing scripts, creating storyboards for visualizing scenes, and recording high-quality voiceovers synced with visuals.

How to make custom whiteboard animations

To make custom whiteboard animations, first plan your script and storyboard, focusing on unique ideas tailored specifically to your audience’s needs. Then, record an engaging voiceover reflecting on those concepts. Finally, use specialized tools within selected animation software (like importing custom illustrations or adjusting drawing styles), ensuring every video element is personalized and cohesive.

Final Thoughts

If you want to make fantastic whiteboard videos, planning things out in advance is important.

You must pick the right animation software, figure out what you want to say, create a storyboard, record a clear voiceover, and add some great animations to bring everything to life. With a little bit of effort, you’ll be making amazing videos in no time!

With a little effort and attention to detail, you can make captivating whiteboard videos that get your message across loud and clear.