How to make a product demo video that people watch

A product demo video shows what your product does and why it matters, in the order a new user would meet it. The best ones are short, use the product's real screens, and end on one clear result. You can make one from a few screenshots and one line of text.

What is a product demo video?

It's a short video that walks through your product: the problem it solves, the few steps that matter, and what the user gets at the end. Unlike a launch film, which announces the product, a demo shows how it works.

Founders use demos on the website's first screen, in sales emails, in pitch decks and on social posts.

How long should a product demo video be?

Short enough to watch to the end. For a social post, 30 to 60 seconds is plenty: one problem, three steps, one result. On a landing page or in a sales email, one to two minutes is enough. If you need longer, make two videos, each with one job.

What should a product demo show?

Five things, in this order:

The problem, in one line your customer would say themselves.
The moment of value: the one screen where the product does its job.
Two to four steps to get there, no more.
The result: what the user has now that they didn't before.
The next step: your product's name, its address, and what to do.

How do I make a product demo video from screenshots?

With Van-Goh, a demo starts from one prompt and your screenshots:

1Write one prompt. Say what the product is, who it's for and the one thing the demo must show. One line is enough.
2Add your pictures. Add two to six screenshots or photos of the product. Clean, full-size images work best; the video is built around them, in their colours.
3Read the plan. Van-Goh shows you the style, the shape and the music before anything is made. Change it, or press Start (10 credits).
4Watch it and ask for changes. Say what to change in plain words, like "slower" or "show the price earlier". Each new version takes 3 credits. Then download the MP4.

Tips that make a demo easier to watch

Few words on screen. One idea per scene; let the voice or the captions carry the detail.
Make it work without sound. Many people watch with the sound off, so the screen alone should tell the story.
Use real screens, cropped tight on the part that matters. Tiny interface text helps nobody.
Start with the problem, not the logo. Put your name at the end, where it's remembered.

Common mistakes

Showing every feature. A demo that shows everything shows nothing.
A long introduction before the product appears.
No ending: the video stops, and the viewer doesn't know what to do next.

Try it on your product

Your first 2 videos are free. All you need is an email address.

Make your first video