Ten steps to a professional software demo

Before you create a product demo with screen recording software, you might be surprised to learn that the best demos require a lot of work before you begin to record your screen actions. Points 2 and 3 are at the heart of this work. To produce the demo, you can expect 1-3 hours of work for every minute of video. This can include writing, rehearsing, and recording. This does not include making the demo interactive. For an interactive movie, expect two to four hours per every 25 slides to make the movie interactive and publish it. This does not include writing the script, rehearsing the steps, and publishing.

  1. Decide who your audience is. Determine whether you are creating a marketing demo or a tutorial demo. Decide if you want the demo to be interactive. Most marketing demos are not interactive.
  2. Create an outline just like you used to do in writing class. Next, storyboard your demo before you produce it. By this, I mean draw pictures on a notepad showing how you want the video to work--or, better, take snapshots of the software and type out the steps you want to demonstrate in a document. Draw the balloons where you want them and write the text you want to use.
  3. In your script, for both text and audio, cut out every word that you can do without. Do not fall in love with your own clever wording. If you can cut words, do it. Often, adjectives and adverbs are candidates for the Delete key.

    Tip

    • I like to use Word and create a table. I use the left column for text and the right column for the screen shot.
  4. Keep the demo short, not more than five minutes. Two or three minutes is better. If you need more time, consider making several shorter demos.
  5. Start the demo by stating a benefit at the beginning of the demo in an entertaining way. Keep it brief. Just one or two sentences can work here.
  6. When setting up your software to record the demo or to create the movie, keep in mind these settings:
    • Unless you have special considerations, set up your screen resolution at 1024 x768.
    • Consider keeping your capture area at 800 x 600 or less, if the application dialog boxes fit this area. Run through the script and make sure every dialog box fits as part of your rehearsal. If you have trouble setting the size of dialog boxes or windows, you can use this handy tool:

      http://www.brianapps.net/sizer.html

    • Consider using 20 fps or less to reduce the finished movie size. 20 fps or less can reduce the size of the finished demo by one-third. However, you should check your finished recording to ensure that the quality is acceptable.
    • Turn off options that record keystrokes and the sound of keystrokes.
    • Turn off options that cause captions or balloons to do anything but fade in. In some special circumstances, you might want fade out. But you can set that on an individual basis for a few captions or balloons while you are polishing the demo.
    • Place your video controls on the top right of the video.
  7. For audio, keep your speaking voice pleasant and relaxed. Or hire someone who can do it for you.
  8. I like to use a Sans Serif font, such as Ariel, in my demos. I also like to place the text flush left. Centered text on web sites is hard to read and looks formal. Wedding invitations are centered.
  9. If you are delivering the demo or movie anywhere but the web, give visitors a choice of audio. Allow them to turn the sound on or off during the demo. Throughout the demo, use text balloons to briefly explain items for folks who do not have speakers, have the speakers turned off, or are deaf.
  10. Include a Buy Now button in the last frame of the demo. Restate the benefit of using your software in this frame.