Those familiar with 3Ci know we preach the Art & Science of Mobile Marketing. The Art being the program submission and carrier relationship process and The Science being the platform. But even the Science has a bit of Art.
As one of guys that demos our platform, I’ve spent time learning the best practices. Special credit goes to Guy Kawasaki, for How to Be a Demo God and Dave Winer, for Demoing Software for Fun and Profit.
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Prepared
When demoing a platform, it’s important to make sure the audience brings their mobile phone. For a WebEx demonstration you will experience lag between the presenter and the audience; bring two laptops so you can adjust to the lag. Talking through lag points will smooth over WebEx’s rough edges.
2. Know The Demo Process
This goes along with setting up in advance. Knowing your cadence, and structuring files accordingly, will keep the focus on your platform. If you’re going off-site, it will help you understand what you need to bring with you.
3. Get To It
If your technology platform is your product, minimize the time it takes to get started. The more talking you do beforehand, the less attention the user will have on the demo. Focus is everything.
4. “Do The Last Thing First”
Since Guy stole it from Peter Cohan, I felt obligated to steal it too. Guy adds, “You have about one minute to captivate your audience, so don’t try building to a crescendo. Start with ’shock and awe.’” Dave Winer adds, “Don’t start with talk. Make something happen on the screen.”
5. Show the “how” Second.
Do not lose your audience in how it works. Start with the bang and then work backwards.
6. Minimize Points to Derail
This applies to questions and jargon. Save the questions until the end, so you can stay on pace and keep the audience’s attention. At the same time, minimize jargon that will lose the audience or stir questions.
Here are the seasonings to make the demo extra special:
- Make sure you use and enjoy the software you are demoing. If you don’t, it will show.
- Throw in one advanced feature. For me, taking a consumer beyond a simple mobile marketing campaign, and including a POST or GET with Campaign Designer is the perfect way to close a demo.
As always, contact us for a walk-through of our technology.
- Ainsworth