Whiteboard Animation

Whiteboard animation videos use a distinctive style—a hand "drawing" illustrations on a white background while a voiceover explains concepts. This format excels at making complex ideas accessible and is popular for educational content, marketing explainers, training materials, and YouTube channels.

For digital nomads, whiteboard animation is pure laptop work. Software like Videoscribe, Doodly, or Vyond handles the animation mechanics, while you focus on scripting, storyboarding, and visual design. Projects arrive digitally, you create remotely, and deliverables transfer electronically. The work travels anywhere with your laptop.

How Whiteboard Animation Works

The "hand drawing" is simulated by software. Your workflow:

1. Script: Write or receive the narration
2. Storyboard: Plan visual sequence matching script
3. Asset selection/creation: Choose or create illustrations
4. Animation: Set timing, hand movements, transitions
5. Audio sync: Match visuals to voiceover
6. Export: Deliver final video file

No actual drawing skill required—software includes stock illustrations. Custom art is optional and costs more.

Income Potential

Pricing is typically per finished minute:

Experience Level	Per Minute Rate	2-Minute Video
Beginner	$100-300	$200-600
Intermediate	$300-700	$600-1,400
Professional	$700-1,500+	$1,400-3,000+

Monthly income examples:

• 4 simple videos at $500 each = $2,000
• 2 premium videos at $2,000 each = $4,000

Project volume depends on marketing and client relationships.

Software Options

Software	Cost	Best For	Notes
Videoscribe	$35/month or $168/year	Pure whiteboard style	Industry standard
Doodly	$67 one-time	Budget-conscious	Upgrades cost extra
Vyond	$49-99/month	Broader animation	More styles beyond whiteboard
CreateStudio	$67 one-time	Multiple animation types	Good value if you want variety
Animaker	Free-$39/month	Beginners	Limited free tier

Recommendation: Start with Doodly (cheapest entry) or Videoscribe trial. Upgrade as you get paid work.

The Creative Process

Creating effective whiteboard videos requires:

Scripting skills:

• Clear, concise writing
• Proper pacing for visuals
• Understanding what works on screen
• Translating complex ideas simply

Visual storytelling:

• Choosing illustrations that reinforce points
• Creating visual flow and progression
• Timing reveals for maximum impact
• Maintaining viewer engagement

Technical execution:

• Software proficiency
• Audio synchronization
• Smooth transitions
• Quality control

Most projects: 50% scripting/planning, 30% animation, 20% revisions.

Finding Clients

Who needs whiteboard videos:

• SaaS companies explaining products
• Consultants presenting frameworks
• Educators creating course content
• Non-profits explaining missions
• Startups pitching investors
• Marketing agencies outsourcing production

Where to find them:

• Upwork: Search "explainer video"
• Fiverr: Competitive but steady
• Direct outreach to SaaS companies
• Agency partnerships
• Educational content creators

Track projects and client communication in Notion. Store scripts, assets, and project files in Google Drive.

Project Workflow

Typical client project:

Phase 1: Discovery

• Understand client's business and goals
• Define target audience
• Clarify key messages
• Agree on length and style

Phase 2: Script

• Write or refine script
• Client approval before animation
• Plan voiceover (client provides or you source)

Phase 3: Storyboard

• Create visual plan matching script
• Select illustrations for each section
• Client review (optional but recommended)

Phase 4: Animation

• Build in software
• Sync to voiceover
• Add music/sound effects

Phase 5: Delivery

• Client review
• Revisions (define limits in contract)
• Final delivery

Style Evolution

Whiteboard animation peaked in popularity around 2015-2018. The market has evolved:

Current landscape:

• Still effective for educational/explainer content
• Overused in some markets (feels dated to some)
• Variations emerging (doodle videos, hybrid styles)
• Quality separates professionals from templates

Staying relevant:

• Develop distinctive illustration style
• Combine with other animation techniques
• Focus on storytelling quality over style
• Consider broader "animated explainer" positioning

Is This Right for You?

Consider whiteboard animation if you:

• Enjoy explaining complex concepts simply
• Have writing/storytelling aptitude
• Want creative work without drawing skills
• Like combining visual and narrative elements
• Want project-based creative work

Consider alternatives if you:

• Want more variety in visual style
• Prefer live-action video
• Dislike scripting and conceptual work
• Want higher volume, lower-touch projects

Related paths: Video editing offers broader work. Graphic design is purely visual. Course creation uses explainer skills for your own content.

Getting started: Learn whiteboard animation software—Videoscribe and Doodly are accessible starting points. Study effective explainer videos to understand pacing and storytelling. Practice scripting—clear, concise writing matters as much as visual skills. Build a portfolio with sample animations for different industries. Find clients through freelance platforms, agency partnerships, or direct outreach to businesses with complex offerings that need explaining.