How to make a product demo video
from a screen recording
What a good product video shows
One thing, clearly. A new feature, how to get started, the problem it solves. People watching want to see the product work, not a slideshow. And they want it short: about two minutes for the site, thirty seconds for social.
How product videos are usually made
Someone records the screen, then records it again when a page loads slowly or a click goes wrong. Then the recording waits for whoever edits video: cut the waiting, add a title and the logo, put a camera in the corner, add captions, export a long and a short version. Often the feature has changed by the time the video is out.
Making it in Montage
Send the recording and say what is new: “Cut the parts where it loads, and add a title: New: shared folders.” Montage cuts the waiting and the mistakes, adds the title and your logo from your style, and captions every word. If you filmed yourself too, it can remove your background and put you next to the screen.
One recording, every length
The same recording gives every version you need. “A 30-second version for LinkedIn.” “A square one for the newsletter.” Each version is a video of its own, in your brand's colors.
Work on it with the team
Invite the team to the video. They leave comments right on the video, where the change is needed, and « Fix all » sends them to Montage. Each request makes a new version, so nothing is lost.
Where a product video is used
The same video has several homes. On the website, it shows visitors the product before they sign up. In a launch post, it shows what is new. In the sales team's emails, it answers a question before the call. In the help center, it shows how a feature works. Each place asks for a different length and shape, which is why one recording should give several versions. Say where each version goes, and Montage gives it the right length and shape.
Your camera, without a green screen
A face makes a demo feel like a person is showing you around. Film yourself with your webcam while you record the screen. Montage removes the background, so you sit next to the screen without a green screen, in the same place from start to finish.
Tips for a clear product video
- Record at full screen size, with a clean desktop.
- Use a test account with realistic data.
- Say what you do as you click. The captions come from what you say.
- Keep each video about one thing.
- Start on the result, then show how to get there.
- Make the short version first if it is for social.
- Close the video on one clear next step: try it, book a call, read the docs.