20 Product Demo Videos That Will Teach You How to Do It Right!
25/09/24
Author: Eric Olsen
22 min reading
MarketingVideo Production
As every experienced marketer knows, people buy with their eyes. Meaning if they don’t have a clear idea of how a product or service looks and behaves, chances are they won’t commit to a purchase decision. That’s where a great product demo video comes in.
This fantastic style of video content offers audiences the next best thing to actually interact with your product – which can be a powerful edge, especially when it comes to eCommerce.
However, the most successful video demonstrations do more than just list a product’s main features: they also show the practical value and benefits that users can derive from it, and do so in really creative and engaging ways!
In this article, we’ve hand-picked 20 of the best videos out there, so that you can learn how to do it right from the very best, and we’ll also cover the most frequently asked questions about creating your own demonstration video, to hopefully set you up for success!
Let’s get started
Content
How to Make a Product Demo Video
20 Best Product Demo Videos to Learn From
Do You Need a Product Demo Video for Your Business?
Want to Make a Great Product Demo Video? These Are Our Recommendations!
Table of Contents
What Is a Product Demo Video?
Product demos (also known simply as “product videos” or “video demonstrations”) are videos that present a product or service’s most relevant characteristics to a potential customer. For brands, these videos are an opportunity to showcase their products or services in a fresh and engaging way.
Because of their use of powerful visuals, creative animation, and compelling storytelling, they’ve become a reliable alternative to the traditional video commercial, while also providing an effective form of communicating the differential benefits of a product.
Moreover, these videos present the best alternative to satisfy online shoppers’ curiosity about a product; eliminating any possible ambiguity that may keep customers from understanding what the product or service is like, and making a purchase.
And they can do it in a lot of varied and interesting ways!
How to Make a Product Demo Video
If you want to truly understand what makes a great product demonstration video, you first need to know how to create one!
1. Understand your target audience: Your audience is made up of real people, they’re not just numbers on your screen. So, you need to get familiar with their needs, pain points, motivations, and favorite video platforms to craft a piece that resonates with them.
2. Define your objectives: While it’s true that your product demo video most likely aims to drive sales, it’s still possible to have it meet other goals. For example, the same piece can help you boost brand awareness and even educate your audience.
3. Set your budget and timeline: A clear budget ensures you allocate resources effectively, preventing overspending and fostering better decision-making. Having a fixed timeline, on the other hand, helps organize the project and ensures it stays on track, minimizing delays and allowing for proper coordination between team members.
4. Outline your video’s structure: To ensure that your message is clear and concise, and your viewers can properly understand your narrative and understand the key points, you need a clear structure. This structure needs to present the information in a logical and compelling sequence to prevent the content from becoming confusing.
5. Decide on animation or live-action: Depending on your goals, budget, and timeline, you’ll have to choose between these two styles for your product demo video. Animation is usually a bit cheaper than live-action, but the latter can make demonstrations feel more authentic.
6. Develop the script and storyboard: Having your script and storyboard ready before you start producing your product demonstration video will help you keep everything focused and on track. Scriptwriting and storyboarding define the tone, pace, and message, preventing any costly mistakes and delays down the line.
20 Best Product Demo Videos to Learn From
As you’ll soon learn from the following product demonstration examples, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes: they may include animation, live-action footage, and even infographics to get their message across.
That being said, there are some tips and tricks that every piece should follow if you want your target audience to understand how a product works while maximizing appeal. So, let’s see what helpful lessons we can learn from some of them.
4 · Phillips Airfryer XXL Product Demo Video
6 · Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
14 · Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking
15 · Your Phone App for Windows 10
1 · Amazon Coins Product Demo Video – Explain the Novelty
When creating a video demonstration about a novelty software product or feature, animation can be a great resource to make a fun and engaging piece that clearly breaks down the uniqueness of what you’re offering.
That was the core premise behind this video demonstration we made here, at Yum Yum Videos, for our friends at Amazon.
Animation was the perfect choice for this demo because it allowed the company to recreate real-life scenarios while highlighting key features. Moreover, it enabled it to zoom in on certain parts of the interface, exaggerate movements, and highlight specific elements in a way that’s hard to do with real footage.
2 · Pixie Product Demo Video – Keep It as Simple as Possible
Nobody has the time to sit through a long and complex video – nor do they want a lengthy set of instructions on how to make a good coffee!
Nespresso understands those basic preferences from their audience, so they made this extremely simple video for one of their coffee machines.
The simplicity of use they want to showcase from their product – just push one button, and that’s it! – is reflected in the unassuming nature of their content. Plus, their music choice goes great with those close-ups of their product’s elegant design.
A perfect example of simplicity and efficiency!
3 · Catan – Educate Your Audience in the Process
(Created by educational video production company Yum Yum Videos)
While most product demo videos often stick to a promotional tone, you can also use an educational approach to offer your audience valuable information about your product or service while promoting it.
That’s exactly what we did with Catan, the world-famous board game, in this charming animated video.
If you’ve ever tried the game, you’ll probably know that it can be difficult to explain how it works to someone who’s never played it before. So, we created a beautiful, animated explainer video that transports the viewer to a fantasy land full of fun adventures, as if being experienced in the first person. That way, we got to cover all the relevant, technical information, but in a unique and memorable way.
Who said you can’t turn an explanation into a charming experience?
4 · Philips Airfryer XXL Product Demo Video – Break the Mold Using Interesting Visuals
Some products just don’t look visually striking appealing – a challenge you can imagine that Philips encountered when thinking of ways to showcase their fryer; a product that essentially looks like a black box.
But do you know what most people will agree does look good on camera? Food!
So, the company came up with flashy ways to showcase their visually uninteresting product by focusing on all the meals you can prepare with it. The result is a mixture of hypnotic visuals full of slow-motion close-ups that get the viewer’s attention from the start and don’t let go until the end.
Just look at those unique and interesting opening shots, and how it all naturally transitions into the product itself and its benefits!
5 · Blume Product Demo Video – Show a Peek Behind the Curtain
No one knows your product better than you do; and in your demonstration video, you should always try to share the excitement and motivation with your audience!
In this illuminating product demo video we did for Blume Beverages, we focused on the company’s long journey to making their delicious super-food drinks. You can outright feel the passion they have for their product and the care they put into getting the best ingredients in the market.
A heartful piece like this one can help your brand connect with your customers on a more personal level, and nurture brand loyalty that goes far beyond a single purchase.
6 · Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones – Convey How Your Product Feels
Like we’ve mentioned earlier, showcasing your product being used in context is essential to make the most effective demonstration video. However, you can go deeper by showing what your product makes people feel like!
This cinematic tech demo video by Sony revolves around how its customers feel like they’re being transported to another world thanks to the noise-canceling function of their headphones.
Also, of note is how they chose to show the inside of the product and its processor using animated renderings – a feature that would otherwise be too technical or boring to describe.
Using futuristic animation, Sony does a great job of helping the audience understand the innovation and tech that powers their product without getting bogged down with technicalities. A great job indeed!
7 · Rhombus Network – Creating a Product Demo Video for Software
It can be tricky enough to make an interesting video centered around a physical product, but crafting a video for an app or an online service can be even more daunting!
Here at Yum Yum Videos, we had to figure out an engaging way to show all the benefits of using Rhombus Network as a software solution for smart contracts, but in a more visually interesting way than simply having someone in front of a computer.
Our solution? A tech demo video that combines motion graphics and flashy animation to show how Rhombus works and explain all of its possible applications.
A recipe we knew their target audience would find as appealing as useful 😉
8 · Introducing iPad Air – Let Your Products Speak for Themselves
Nothing can make audiences excited about a new product launch like Apple’s tech demo videos, and this one is especially creative since it uses the iPad Air’s own set of functionalities to showcase its new features.
Notice how the piece relies solely on drawing apps and its Apple Pencil to explain what makes its tablet so innovative. This is a very inventive way of demonstrating the usefulness of your product: rather than just telling, show it!
9 · Redbaby Product Range – Combine Emotion with Storytelling in Your Product Demo Video
We already talked about how people buy with their eyes, but a lot of the time is also true that they buy with their hearts as well.
Emotion is the most powerful resource in marketing storytelling, and infusing your content with it can help you establish meaningful connections with your customers.
Redsbaby’s demonstration video showcases the brand’s entire new collection of products by portraying the different stages of parenting they can be used for. Through subtle music and beautiful slow-motion shots, this example shows the real-life uses of their products in a heartfelt and genuine way.
A feeling they certainly want their audience to relate to their brand.
10 · Say Hello to Headspace – Model Your Characters After Your Audience
If you want audiences to identify with the problems and solutions they see in your video, then using empathetic characters they can see themselves in is the way to go.
Headspace does a terrific job at this by using lovely animation on their product demo to explain the benefits of using their meditation app. Its quirky style is also clear and concise, perfectly acing the difficult assignment of promoting something as abstract as meditation.
Don’t be afraid to explore ways to showcase your products that go beyond the traditional, and you might end up with a thoroughly unique piece that fits perfectly with your product and brand.
11 · Solo Stove Bonfire – Incorporating User-Generated Material
People tend to put a lot of stock in other people’s opinions, it’s a simple fact of life. So, what better way to have potential customers trust your products than by showcasing all the people you’ve helped along the way with them?
Right around the 18-second mark, Solo Stove’s product demo video incorporates footage of their real customers using their bonfires, giving their message a more authentic feel. An approach that also strengthens the brand’s leading position in the industry, demonstrating the long and strong relationship they have with their loyal clients.
12 · DollarShaveClub.com – Humor is the Best-Selling Technique!
Customers nowadays respond to content that makes them feel something, even just a tiny laugh. If you can spark even a little joy from your audience while promoting your products, then your job is almost done!
The folks at Dollar Shave Club understood this and went with a very humorous, very explicit choice for their product demo video, to great success.
This extremely hilarious piece also shows that the company knows its audience, their pain points, and what kind of content makes them tick, weaving all those elements into a video that’s not only memorable and funny but also gets the job done in terms of product promotion.
13 · Recognize – Leveraging Multiple Video Styles
I know I’ve mentioned before how animation can be a great resource to illustrate and communicate highly technical or complex topics in a way anyone can understand. But have you thought about combining it with live-action footage? Showcasing real people using the software in everyday environments can help the audience connect with the software on a practical level.
Live-action humanizes the product while animations bring in the “wow” factor, keeping the video visually engaging.
14 · Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking – Give Your Audience a Taste of Your Product
If you want your audience to feel intrigued by your product, you can offer a good glimpse that keeps them enticed, without trying to give away the farm.
The online teaching service MasterClass does a fantastic job of editing its video courses into short and intriguing trailers that double as product demo videos.
In just a few minutes, they give you a sweet taste of what their content is like, leveraging the star power and brand recognition behind their on-camera talent, but they are also wise to end it before it gets to be “too much”.
Remember that lesson: your video should be trying to accomplish a specific goal and end as soon as that task is complete. Dragging on will only impact negatively your piece.
15 · Your Phone App for Windows 10 – Some Rules Are Made to be Broken
So far, we’ve covered tons of different ways to approach the making of a product demonstration, but it’s good to know that trends and styles are more guidelines than rules!
To promote their new phone app, Windows decided to avoid the usual tech demo video route of showcasing its product in context or hiring actors to use it, going instead with a motion graphics video that focuses on mind-bending visuals accompanied by striking music.
In the traditional sense, their piece seems more like a conceptual video than a conventional demonstration since it reflects the brand’s unique personality in a very creative way. But this out-of-the-box approach provides a great example of how you can sometimes take artistic license in order to make your video more interesting and unique.
Users may not experience this app exactly as it’s shown in the video, but the piece will definitely get their attention!
16. Collaboration Squared Product Demo Video – Present Relatable Situations
Transforming your video product demonstration into a story of someone facing a challenge that the product solves is a great idea to make it feel more relatable and less like a sales pitch. And animation is a wonderful way to present multiple scenarios where the product comes in as the solution, showcasing the “before and after” effects of using it in a fun way.
Thus, through animation, you can create fun, story-driven content that not only showcases the product’s features but also builds a narrative around its usage. This adds an emotional connection with the audience and helps them imagine how it fits into their lives.
17. Pipedrive – Let Your Personality Shine Through
This example by Pipedrive stands out by the combination of screencast animation with live-action footage that makes the video interesting and fun to watch.
While the script might be pretty straightforward and nothing out of the ordinary, the touch of humor in the live-action scenes makes this product demo video incredibly engaging. What’s more, you’ll notice that there’s no background music, yet the voiceover artist does a perfect job of delivering the script with no need of additional audio elements.
All of this goes to show that, sometimes, you don’t need to have all the bells and whistles to make a fantastic asset that humanizes your brand —just focus on your script and let your personality shine!
18. Western Union U.S. Mobile – Don’t Forget to Brand Your Product Demo Video
Every piece of content you put out there should feel uniquely yours, which is why it’s so important to brand them. Using your brand elements in your video can take many forms. As you can see in this example by Western Union, they’ve decided to go with the company’s iconic yellow and black palette.
While it’s true that there are several other colors at play here, those two are always present throughout the entire piece, constantly reminding you that it belongs to WU.
Branding can serve a variety of other purposes as well, such as spreading brand awareness and boosting reliability. Thus, I strongly believe it’s something you should definitely keep in mind when developing your own video product.
19. RVR by Sphero – Make Your Video Look Like an Exciting Movie
If you want to take your video marketing game to the next level, you can follow this product demo video’s example and transform your demo into a cinematic experience.
The shots in this piece and the on-screen text detailing the robot’s features look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Tell me it doesn’t catch the eye from the very first second. It’s actually no surprise because Sphero is a robotics company that always produces cool videos like this for their products.
If this is out of your budget, you can still get similar results with animation and some creative editing to highlight and explain your product’s features! Consider partnering with an animation company as well- a good one can help you develop an adequate piece for your current goals.
20. Accelerant – Use Concrete Examples
Sometimes, it can be challenging for people to picture just how what you’re offering plays into their lives. That’s why it can be a good idea to use concrete examples and situations in your product demo video.
Accelerant’s demo video starts by presenting a problem businesses face, then immediately after gives a concrete example of such problem. Moreover, they break down the process of acquiring insurance in the form of an example as well to illustrate the complexity of the value chain.
Then, the company is introduced as the solution to those challenges and the key features of its insurance broking service are exaplained.
Do You Need a Product Demo Video for Your Business?
Here, at Yum Yum Videos, we truly love what we do, something that’s reflected in each and every video we make. Thanks to our detail-driven production process and our passion for the medium, we can create fantastic and effective pieces for our clients that reach their audiences and nail all of their marketing goals.
With a talented team of professional designers, producers, directors, and writers who all work hard to provide the best results combined with several layers of quality control, we can provide videos that taste different. It’s not magic; it’s hard work that ensures a quality signature. If this sounds like something you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’ll be happy to hear from you 😄.
Want to Make a Great Product Demo Video? These Are Our Recommendations!
If there’s anything these examples prove, it’s that there are countless ways to showcase a product or service. However, they all rely on certain essential elements to grab the viewer’s attention and drive them toward making a purchase:
- Showcase your product clearly: Make your product the focal point of the video, utilizing various camera angles and shots or animation to simulate the experience a user would have interacting with it.
- Tap into emotions: Use your product demo video to engage viewers on an emotional level by presenting relatable situations and positioning your product as the solution to a problem.
- Include a clear call to action: Don’t just assume viewers will automatically know what to do after watching your video. Instead, guide them toward your website or prompt them to make a purchase with a strong CTA, using action-oriented words like “visit,” or “get started.”
- Ensure high-quality production: A polished and professional product demo will impress viewers with its quality. So, consider investing in professional video production services or in editing software.
Product Demo Video FAQ
Before we wrap things up, let’s cover a few frequently asked questions about the demonstration videos to make sure you’ve got everything you need to get your piece started on the right foot.
1. How Do You Start a Product Demo Video?
- Get to understand your product’s key value proposition: getting to the essence of what your product does and who is it aimed at will nurture your video and your whole marketing strategy as well.
- Take the time to know your target customer: understanding who your ideal buyer is will
help you customize your message and make your video feel like it’s talking directly to them. - Take your time with your script: Your first draft should contain all the key elements of your message, like what are your product’s main features and benefits. Also, come up with
creative but realistic ways of using your product to give your audience a clear picture of
what they are about to buy.
2. How Long Should a Product Demo Video Be?
Just like most marketing videos, product demos should be kept short. A maximum length of 2 minutes should give you plenty of time to introduce your product, list its main feature, and show the more relevant benefits.
If you feel you need more time, then consider doing a more educational type of video like a tutorial on how to use your product for a specific purpose.
3. Where Should I Promote My Product Demo Video?
This type of video can be a great addition to your website page, especially if you have separate sections for each of your products and services. Creative demos can also become shareable content, so don’t shy away from posting your masterpiece on social media for everyone to admire.
Moreover, if you have a newsletter for clients, you may consider including your piece in one of your mailings. Loyal customers are always happy to watch content from the brands they love!
4. What Should Be in a Product Demo Video?
A compelling product demo video should cover several key components to effectively engage viewers and drive conversions:
- Product overview highlighting key features and the problem it solves.
- Explanation of the benefits and value proposition.
- Step-by-step guide of how to use the product, walking the viewer through the main functions and processes.
- High-quality visuals and clear audio.
- Call to action.
- Branding elements.
5. How to make a good demo video?
Besides following the steps already mentioned in this guide, make sure your piece:
- Clearly showcases your product.
- Can build an emotional connection with the audience.
- Has an effective CTA.
- Is of high quality.
6. What is the difference between brand video and product demo video?
A brand video focuses on conveying the company’s identity, values, and mission, aiming to build an emotional connection with the audience, whereas a product demonstration video is centered on demonstrating a specific product or service, highlighting its features, benefits, and real-world applications.
Wrapping Up
Back in the days of traditional advertisement, video commercials were a luxury only the most resourceful brands could afford. Luckily, in today’s world, creating a video that reaches thousands of users only takes planning and a reasonable budget (check out our article on animation cost to learn more about it!).
Has any of our product demonstration examples inspired you? You can always take a look at our portfolio for more awesome videos like these!
Now it’s your turn to use all the tips we’ve learned and start creating your own product demo video. If you put the effort and know-how into producing a video that will reach your audience’s heart, then your brand will stay on their minds long after they finished watching.
Good luck!
