How to make a product demo video
A good demo shows one problem, how your product solves it and what to do next. Here's how to make one from a few screen recordings and a short script.
2 min read. Updated .
1. Record the key moments
- Download videoFn, open it and click Connect next to your AI assistant.
- Record short clips of the moments that matter, one feature per clip. On a Mac, Shift-Command-5 records the screen.
- Put the recordings in one folder.
2. Write three or four lines
You don't need a full script. Write the problem, what your product does about it and what the viewer should do next. For example:
- “Your to-do list is a mess.”
- “Type a task and Beacon sorts it for you.”
- “Try Beacon free on your Mac.”
3. Ask for the demo
Make a 30-second demo for Beacon from the recordings in Movies/demo. Use my script for narration and zoom in on the part of the screen that matters.
generating the narration from your script
one scene for each line
zooming in as each feature appears
adding a call to action at the end
videoFn generates the voiceover on your Mac. If you'd rather use your own voice, add a recording and ask for that instead.
4. Tighten it and export
Watch it once as a new visitor would, then ask for changes:
- “The middle drags. Cut it to 25 seconds.”
- “Try a different voice.”
- “Add captions for people watching on mute.”
Export when you're happy. Ask for a square or vertical version too if you'll post it on social media.
Tips
- Show the product within the first few seconds.
- One idea per scene. A demo that shows everything shows nothing.
- Clean up your screen before recording: hide notifications and use real-looking data.
Questions
- How long should a product demo be?
- For a website or social media, 30 to 60 seconds. Longer walkthroughs work for onboarding and help pages.
- Can I make an App Store preview the same way?
- Yes. See App Store preview videos.
- Can it turn release notes into an update video?
- Yes. See release notes videos.