Who to make an explainer video for 50$ with Keynote?

As a bootstrapped startup we don’t have almost any money to spend. So, when we wanted to have an explainer video for our app, then we needed to do it by ourselves. I decided to do a short animation using the slides from Keynote and adding the sounds with use of iMovie. This is the result of 1 week work:

And this is my story… ☺.

Tools used: Keynote, iMovie, Stock photos, doido, oDesk, Google docs
Budget: 50$ ( 30$ spent on voice over and 20$ on stock photos)a

1. Benchmarking
Look for explainer videos around startups/companies that you like and create a list of those you like the most. It will help you to create a story, design and give you a direction. As Picasso said:

2. Story
Set a video structure for your story. In our case it was:

• Show the problem and real pain of it
• Ask about solution (where to find it?)
• Present your solution
• Tell how it works
• 3 benefits
• Summarise and give Call To Action

Based on those write down a story what you would like to communicate. Don’t worry to much about the length of it. You will need to cut the story a couple times later. (1.35 min video = ~250 words)

3. Visualize the story
Now is the time to build the presentation in keynote. Try to show what you have written. It is really helpful to connect it with the story that you wrote. Don’t focus here to much on wonderful pictures.

This is a time to do a first sketch — Later on will come time to polish the details and add more vibrant pictures.

Remember: You shouldn’t say the same thing with words and picture. Both should be compelling.

Check my script with slides: Video_DOIDO_oDesk — Google Docs

4. Animate
Animate your slides, don’t thing to much about the length of each scene. Those you will adjust later.

5. Voice over
Record yourself taking the story for each slide and adjust the length of animations. Use in Keynote Play>Record Slideshow function, then you can here it.

Do it 100 times and go to the next step☺

6. Look for a voice over guy on getdoido, oDesk or Elance.
You need a native speaker with microphone who will read the sentences that you have written for each slide. Send him a story with the slides and recorded animation from Keynote.

Tip: To export animation from Keynote go to File>Export to>Quicktime

7. Add music and background voices
Move to iMovie. Past there your animation. Here you can extend or shorten the scenes, too (Even easier than in Keynote).

• Add some background melody from the free iMovie resources
• Add the background sounds, which describes the animations happening on the screen (very important, this will give you this “feel” of professionally made video ☺)
• Add the voice-over from guy

8. Export it and publish on Youtube ☺

It took me more or less 1 week to do the video.
Wish you luck with yours guys!