Do I need a URL or file to use this template?

No. You can describe the topic directly in the [topic] and [concept] slots. URL and PDF are optional inputs that give ngram richer source material — if you have them, attach them; if not, the text prompt is enough.

What is the best length for an explainer video?

30 seconds works for most single-concept explainers on social or a landing page. 60 seconds fits multi-concept topics or onboarding contexts where the viewer expects depth. 15 seconds is for pure awareness — open on the answer, skip the setup.

Can I use this template for a product explainer?

Yes. Paste your product URL as the [source] slot and set [audience] to your buyer persona. ngram reads the page, extracts the value proposition, and writes a script around it. You get a narrated product explainer without writing a word.

What visual styles does the explainer template support?

Motion graphics is the default and works for most abstract or process-based topics. Illustrated and cinematic styles suit physical or narrative content. Minimal text works for social-first content where the caption carries the message.

How do I make an explainer video without voiceover?

Set [narration] to "captions only" in the slot. ngram generates on-screen captions timed to the scenes with background music. Most explainers published to LinkedIn and Instagram run captioned and muted.

Can this template explain a technical concept to a non-technical audience?

Yes. Set [audience] to describe the non-technical viewer (e.g., "small business owners with no finance background") and [concept] to the plain-language version of the idea. ngram adapts the script's vocabulary to the audience you name.

What aspect ratios can I export?

16:9 for YouTube and websites, 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 1:1 for feed posts. Set [aspect-ratio] before generating, or switch formats after the first draft using the editor.

urlpdftopic30smotion-graphics

One prompt that makes any explainer video

Paste a URL, upload a PDF, or describe your topic. ngram writes the script, builds the scenes, and generates a 30-second explainer ready to publish.

The short version

What this template is

An explainer video template is a reusable prompt plus scene structure that turns a concept, URL, or document into a short video that answers one clear question. ngram writes the script, sequences the scenes, and generates motion graphics or visuals — so you only need to name the topic, the audience, and what you want them to walk away knowing. The output is a 30-second clip ready for YouTube, a landing page, or a product onboarding flow.

The template prompt

Copy it, replace the brackets with your topic and source, and paste into ngram — or hit "Use this template" to open the editor with it prefilled.

prompt

Create a [duration] explainer video about [topic]. Source material: [source] (paste a URL, attach a PDF, or leave blank if describing the topic directly). Audience: [audience]. Structure: open with the core question the audience has, explain [concept] clearly in the middle, close with [takeaway-or-cta]. Visual style: [style]. Narration: [narration]. Aspect ratio: [aspect-ratio].

Slot	What to put	Example
[duration]	How long	30 seconds
[topic]	What you are explaining	how compounding interest works
[source]	URL, PDF, or leave blank	https://yoursite.com/about
[audience]	Who is watching	first-time investors
[concept]	The one idea to land	why starting early matters more than investing more
[takeaway-or-cta]	What viewers do next	Open a brokerage account today
[style]	Visual feel	motion graphics, minimal, or illustrated
[narration]	AI voiceover or captions only	AI voiceover, English
[aspect-ratio]	Output format	16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for Reels

Scene structure

What the template builds

Four beats, 30 seconds — the shape most explainer prompts converge on.

1
Hook question
5s
Open on the question the audience already has. Text-forward, no answer yet — just the tension that keeps them watching.
2
Core explanation
16s
Break the concept into two or three clear steps with motion graphics or annotated visuals. No jargon; one idea at a time.
3
Why it matters
6s
Show the consequence — what changes once the viewer understands this. One concrete outcome, not a list.
4
Takeaway or CTA
3s
Close on what the viewer does next. A question answered, a product to try, or a next step to take.

Customize

Make it yours

Duration

A 15-second version leads with the answer; a 60-second version can walk through three sub-concepts.

15s30s60s

Narration

AI voiceover is the default. Switch to captions-only for feed autoplay where sound is off.

AI voiceoverCaptions + musicNo audio

Style

Motion graphics suit abstract concepts; illustrated or cinematic styles work better for physical processes.

Motion graphicsIllustratedCinematicMinimal text

Aspect ratio

Pick the channel before generating — smart reframing handles the rest.

16:9 YouTube9:16 Reels/Shorts1:1 feed

Variations

Common variations

15-second answer-first cut

Lead with the answer, skip the tension build. Good for social feeds where the viewer is already curious.

tweak

Reduce to 15 seconds. Skip the hook question and open directly with the core explanation. End on one-line takeaway.

60-second multi-concept walkthrough

Cover two or three related sub-concepts with a clear transition between each. Works for product onboarding or educational series.

tweak

Extend to 60 seconds. Cover [concept-1], [concept-2], and [concept-3] in sequence. Add a brief recap beat before the CTA.

URL-sourced product explainer

Paste a product URL and let ngram pull the copy, extract the value proposition, and write the script from the live page.

tweak

Source material: [product-url]. Extract the product's core benefit and audience from the page. Structure as intro + value prop + CTA.

PDF-to-concept explainer

Upload a document — whitepaper, policy, spec — and get a visual summary of its key idea in under 30 seconds.

tweak

Source material: uploaded PDF. Identify the single most important concept and explain it visually. Ignore sections that are not relevant to [audience].

How it works