Look, I’ve been in marketing for… what feels like forever now. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned watching businesses struggle to get noticed, it’s this – **people don’t read anymore**.
They scroll. They swipe. They watch.
And that’s exactly why animation and explainer videos have become the secret weapon for smart local businesses.
## **Why Your Marketing Needs Moving Pictures (Like, Yesterday)**
Remember when you could just throw up a billboard and call it a day? Yeah, me neither. Because that stopped working about the same time we all got smartphones glued to our hands.
Here’s what’s actually happening out there:
• **Our attention spans are shot** – we’re talking 8 seconds tops before someone’s brain checks out
• **65% of people are visual learners** (that’s not made up, I checked)
• **Videos get shared 1200% more than text and images combined**
But here’s the kicker…
Most businesses are still trying to explain their complicated services with walls of text. Or worse – those stock photos of people shaking hands in suits.
Come on.
## **Animation Isn’t Just For Pixar Anymore**
Let me tell you about this plumbing company I worked with last year. They had this revolutionary pipe-lining technology that could fix pipes without digging up your yard.
Cool tech, right?
But try explaining that in a Facebook ad. Or a flyer. Good luck.
So we made them a 60-second animated explainer. Little cartoon pipes, friendly technician character, the whole deal. **Their inquiries jumped 340% in two months**.
Why? Because animation can:
• Show the invisible (like what’s happening inside those pipes)
• Make boring stuff interesting (yes, even tax services)
• Explain complex ideas without putting people to sleep
• Work 24/7 on your website, social media, everywhere
## **Real Talk: What Makes Videos Actually Work**
**1. They Build Trust Faster**
When someone watches your video, they’re spending time with your brand. That’s huge. It’s like… they’re inviting you into their space for a minute. And if you don’t bore them to death, they actually start to trust you.
**2. They Stick In People’s Brains**
Quick – what’s the last blog post you read? Can’t remember?
Now think about the last video that made you laugh or taught you something. See what I mean?
**3. They Actually Get Watched**
Here’s a dirty little secret – most people won’t read past your headline. But they’ll watch a video. Especially if it’s under 2 minutes and doesn’t suck.
## **But Here’s Where Most Businesses Screw It Up**
They make videos about themselves.
“We’ve been in business for 30 years…”
“Our founder started this company…”
“We pride ourselves on…”
NOBODY. CARES.
Your video needs to be about THEM. Their problems. Their life. How you make it better.
Think about it like this – if you’re at a party and someone just talks about themselves for 10 minutes straight, you’re looking for the exit, right?
Same thing with videos.
## **The Local Business Advantage**
Here’s something big companies can’t do that you can – **show up as real people in your community**.
Your explainer video can feature:
• Local landmarks people recognize
• Real customer stories from neighbors
• The actual team they’ll meet when they call
• Problems specific to your area (like Melbourne’s crazy weather affecting roofs)
This isn’t just marketing. It’s building relationships at scale.
## **Making It Actually Happen**
Alright, so you’re sold. Now what?
**Start small:**
1. Pick ONE thing people always ask about
2. Make a 60-90 second video explaining just that
3. Put it on your homepage
4. Watch what happens
Don’t try to explain your entire business in one video. That’s like trying to eat a whole pizza in one bite. Doesn’t work.
**The money question** – yeah, good videos cost money. But compared to what you’re probably wasting on ads that don’t work? It’s nothing.
Think about it… one video can work for you for YEARS. That Facebook ad you boosted last week? Already forgotten.
## **Bottom Line**
Look, I get it. Video feels complicated. Expensive. Technical.
But you know what’s really expensive? Having a great business that nobody understands.
Animation and explainer videos aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore. They’re how people expect to learn about businesses. And if you’re not using them, you’re basically choosing to be invisible.
The good news? It’s never been easier to get started. Find a local video production team (hint: they’re probably closer than you think), start with one simple explainer video, and watch what happens.
Because at the end of the day, what you show really is what you sell.
And right now, you might not be showing much at all.
—
*Bryce has been helping businesses cut through the marketing noise for over two decades. When he’s not writing, he’s probably watching poorly made commercials and muttering “they could’ve just used animation…”*
