1. Decide the one thing the video must do
Finish this sentence: "After watching, the viewer will…". If you have two answers, make two videos.
2. Write the script
Write the way you speak. Plan roughly 150 words per minute and split the script into scenes of one or two sentences. Use the structure hook → problem → explanation → recap. Our script template gives you a fill-in-the-blanks version.
3. Plan a picture for each scene
Each scene needs one clear subject. If you can't picture a sentence, rewrite it to be more concrete.
4. Voiceover
Record your own in a quiet room, or use an AI voice — faster to produce and to update, and available in many languages.
5. Animate
| AI route (Sketchvo) | Manual route | |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing | Generated and sketched automatically | You place images on a canvas |
| Timing | Synced to the voice automatically | You set it on a timeline |
| Time for a 2-min video | Minutes | Several hours |
6. Export and publish
Export MP4 — 16:9 for YouTube and websites, 9:16 for Shorts, Reels and TikTok. Give it a title that says what viewers will learn.
Common mistakes
- Scenes that are too long
- Abstract sentences that can't be drawn
- Slow intros
- No recap at the end
Make one free
Sketchvo's free plan gives you five Studio videos a day plus one AI-made video, so you can follow this guide without paying.
A full example, start to finish
Goal: new staff at a café can make a flat white correctly.
Audience: new hires, first week.
Length: 90 seconds.
| Scene | Narration |
|---|---|
| 1 | A great flat white comes down to three things: the shot, the milk and the pour. |
| 2 | Start with a double shot of espresso in a small cup. |
| 3 | Steam whole milk until the jug feels hot to touch, but not too hot to hold. |
| 4 | Keep the steam wand just under the surface for silky microfoam — no big bubbles. |
| 5 | Tap and swirl the jug until the milk looks like wet paint. |
| 6 | Pour from close to the cup, finishing with a thin layer of foam. |
| 7 | Too much foam? That's a latte or cappuccino. Keep it thin. |
| 8 | Shot, silky milk, thin foam. That's a flat white. |
Eight scenes, about 110 words, plus pauses — roughly 90 seconds.
Scripting rules
- About 150 words per minute.
- One idea per scene, one or two sentences.
- Write how you'd say it.
- Make every sentence drawable.
- Hook first, recap last.
Recording your own voice instead
If you narrate yourself, record in a small, soft room (a wardrobe full of clothes works), keep the microphone a hand's width away, and read slightly slower than feels natural. Leave a beat between scenes so drawings can finish.
Checking before you publish
- Watch it with fresh eyes. Does every picture match its sentence?
- Watch it on mute. Do the drawings still tell the story?
- Ask someone else. Can they explain the takeaway?
- Check the end. Is there one clear next step?
Where to publish
| Platform | Format | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 16:9 | Title it with what viewers will learn |
| TikTok / Reels / Shorts | 9:16 | Hook in the first line |
| LMS / Google Classroom | 16:9 | Add a quiz after |
| Website | 16:9 | Place it near the call to action |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a whiteboard video?
Minutes with an AI maker; several hours per minute of video by hand.
How many words is a one-minute whiteboard video?
About 150 words.
Do I need to draw?
No; AI makers draw for you, and manual tools use image libraries.
What's the best length?
60–90 seconds for explainers, 2–6 minutes for lessons.
Can I make one for free?
Yes, with Sketchvo's free plan.
Can I make a whiteboard video on my phone?
Yes; Sketchvo runs in any modern browser, including on phones.
What if a drawing doesn't match?
Rewrite that sentence more concretely and regenerate.