Step-by-Step Guide: Producing SaaS Explainer Videos on a Startup Budget

Creating a high-quality SaaS explainer video doesn’t have to be expensive. For early-stage startups, every dollar matters and so does every second of your audience’s attention. The good news is: with a clear plan and a few smart tools, you can produce a professional, effective video that drives results, even with limited resources.

In this guide, we’ll walk through a simple, step-by-step approach to producing an explainer video that’s sharp, persuasive, and built to convert all without blowing your budget.

Step 1: Set a Clear Goal for the Video

Before you think about visuals, animation tools, or editing, define the purpose of your video.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to increase demo signups?
  
• Explain a new feature?
  
• Improve user onboarding?
  
• Generate early investor interest?
  

A clear, specific goal keeps your message focused. It also helps you avoid wasting time and money on features that don’t serve your objective. When a video tries to do too much, it usually ends up doing nothing well.

Step 2: Write a Simple, Focused Script

Your script is the heart of your explainer video and it’s free to create.

Keep it short (about 150 to 200 words), stick to one clear message, and use plain, relatable language. A proven script structure looks like this:

• Hook: Grab attention
  
• Problem: Describe the challenge your user faces
  
• Solution: Introduce your product
  
• Benefits: Show how life improves with your solution
  
• Call to Action: Guide the next step (e.g., “Start your free trial”)
  

Write like you’re having a conversation with your ideal customer. Show empathy, avoid buzzwords, and don’t worry about sounding flashy clarity and simplicity sell better than cleverness.

Tip: Free tools like Hemingway Editor or Grammarly can help make your script more readable and polished.

Step 3: Record the Voiceover (Yes, You Can DIY)

A professional-sounding voiceover adds polish but it doesn’t require a big budget.

If you have a decent mic (like a Blue Yeti) or even a good phone mic, you can record the voiceover yourself. Choose a quiet space, avoid background noise, and speak slowly, clearly, and with natural emotion.

Want to outsource? Freelance platforms like Fiverr or Voices.com offer solid voiceover options starting under $100.

Focus on authenticity. A calm, confident voice that matches your brand is often more effective than overly polished narration.

Step 4: Choose the Right Animation or Video Style

Animated explainer videos are often the most affordable and flexible option for startups, especially when explaining software or abstract ideas.

Here are a few budget-friendly tools you can use:

• Vyond, Animaker, or Renderforest: Drag-and-drop animation platforms
  
• Loom or OBS Studio: Great for screen recordings or product walkthroughs
  
• Canva Video: Useful for combining visuals, text, and branding
  

If your SaaS product has a visual interface (like a dashboard), a mix of screen recordings and simple animations can work well. Keep things consistent with your brand colors, fonts, and tone.

Step 5: Add Background Music and Sound Effects

Music helps set the tone of your video and keeps viewers engaged but it shouldn’t distract from the voiceover.

Choose royalty-free music from platforms like:

• YouTube Audio Library
  
• Bensound
  
• Artlist
  

Subtle sound effects like mouse clicks or swooshes can enhance transitions and make your video feel more polished. Just don’t overdo it. The goal is to support the message, not compete with it.

You can add music and effects using free tools like CapCut, Canva Video, or DaVinci Resolve.

Step 6: Edit Everything Together (No Expensive Software Required)

You don’t need Adobe Premiere or Final Cut to edit a clean, high-quality explainer video. Free or low-cost video editors are more than enough.

Tools like:

• Clipchamp (now owned by Microsoft)
  
• CapCut (mobile or desktop)
  
• Canva Video
  
• DaVinci Resolve (more advanced)
  

These platforms let you:

• Trim clips and align timing
  
• Add subtitles or captions
  
• Insert your logo and CTA
  
• Export in web-optimized formats
  

Keep your final video under 90 seconds, ideally around 60 to 75 seconds. Add captions so it works even when muted especially for viewers on social platforms.

Step 7: Optimize Placement and Performance

Once your video is ready, give it the best chance to perform.

Best practices for publishing:

• Place it above the fold on your homepage or landing page
  
• Add a visible call to action nearby or within the video
  
• Use native uploads on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter (don’t just link from YouTube)
  
• Embed it into blog posts, onboarding emails, or help docs
  
• Use tools like Wistia, Vimeo, or Vidyard to track performance (watch time, drop-off points, etc.)
  
• A/B test video thumbnails, captions, and placement to improve engagement
  

A good explainer video isn’t a passive element; it should actively support your conversion goals.

Step 8: Promote It Without Breaking the Bank

You don’t need a large advertising budget to get eyes on your video.

Here are low-cost ways to promote it:

• Share it with your email list
  
• Pin it to the top of your Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook profiles
  
• Post it in SaaS forums and startup communities (like Indie Hackers, Product Hunt, or relevant Slack groups)
  
• Include it in investor or partner decks
  
• Add it to feature pages, FAQs, or blog posts
  

Think of your video as a 24/7 team member. The more places you embed or share it, the more chances it has to educate, convert, and build trust.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a massive production budget or a creative agency to make an explainer video that works. You need a clear message, the right structure, and a few smart tools to bring your story to life.

When done right, your explainer video becomes more than just content it becomes your elevator pitch, sales rep, and onboarding guide all in one.

Focus on simplicity. Speak to one real person. And let your video do the heavy lifting.

Need Help Bringing Your SaaS Video to Life?

At SaaSlooper, we specialize in helping early-stage SaaS brands craft videos that explain, engage, and convert all without blowing your budget.

We combine:

• Smart ad and email automation
  
• Killer landing pages
  
• Scroll-stopping creative
  
• Explainer videos that sell your story
  

Let your video become your most powerful sales asset.

➡️ Visit SaaSlooper to start your project today