Software Demo Script Checklist To Create The Perfect Script

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November 15, 2024
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12 minutes
Lorenzo Nicolini image

Creating software demo videos can feel like a daunting task. You have to think about so many things before you even start recording, like explaining your product clearly and engagingly, all while keeping your target audience in mind. Writing a software demo script to help you organize your thoughts and create a clear structure for your video is essential to creating a high-quality product demo that resonates with viewers. In this blog, I will break down everything you need to know about writing a software demo script, from its value to the best practices for creating an effective one. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a solid understanding of creating a product demo video that showcases your software, engages viewers, and helps your business achieve its goals. You’ll even find a handy checklist to help you write an excellent software demo script. One way to think of a software demo script is as a blueprint for your video. It enables you to organize your thoughts, create a logical structure for your demo, and outline what you’ll say to explain your software to your audience. Writing a script before recording your demo will help you create a clear and engaging video that will resonate with your target audience to achieve your goals. 

Moonb's product demo video service can help you organize and create a compelling software demo video to impress your audience.

What is a Software Demo Script?

man on a laptop - Software Demo Script

A software demo script is like a playbook that guides presenters step-by-step through each feature and key message during a software demonstration. It’s not just about listing features; it’s about crafting a narrative that engages the audience and addresses their specific challenges and goals. 

With a script, presenters can highlight the software's value, explain how it works, and tackle common objections, all in a logical flow that feels seamless and focused.

Standardizing Demos for Impact

This script also creates consistency across presentations. It ensures every demo covers the core benefits while allowing presenters to personalize based on the audience's needs. By sticking to a well-structured script, presenters can keep their message clear and compelling giving viewers a strong sense of how the software can make a difference in their work.

Why You Should Use Video to Deliver Software Demos

Video has become a highly effective format for delivering demos. However, research shows that many demos are conducted too early in the buying process, often before potential customers are ready to commit. 

Video demos allow teams to share the software’s functionality at scale, educating early-stage leads while freeing time to focus on qualified prospects closer to a purchase decision.

How Software Demos Impact the Buyer Journey

Plus, buyers are increasingly preferring video demos. According to Gartner Digital Markets recent survey on software buyer trends, product demos, and customer reviews rank among the most influential content when making buying decisions. This makes sense; videos offer a hands-on view of the software and let buyers experience its features and benefits in a way that text or static images can’t match.

Software Demo Script Checklist To Create the Perfect Script

employees on a laptop - Software Demo Script

Know Who You’re Writing For

Before you start a software demo script, research your audience:

  • Needs
  • Goals
  • Challenges

Consider the following:

  • Roles: Are they end-users, executives, or IT professionals? Each group will value different aspects of the software.
  • Pain Points: What daily challenges do they face that your software can solve?
  • Goals: Are they looking for efficiency, cost savings, scalability, or something else? Tailor your demo to highlight how your software addresses these goals.
  • Prior Knowledge: Assess how familiar they are with similar tools or concepts. This will help you adjust your language and the level of detail accordingly. Considering these lets you target your messaging and demonstrate the most relevant features.

Start with a Bang

Begin your demo with a hook that will immediately captivate your audience’s attention. This could include:

  • A Question: For example, “How much time do you spend managing data manually each day?” This encourages them to think about their current struggles. 
  • A Relevant Statistic: Share an industry-related fact or data point that underscores the need for your solution, like “Over 70% of businesses lose productivity due to manual processes.”
  • Problem Summary: Describe the problem in relatable terms, showing that you understand their current frustrations and that your product can help solve them. The goal is to make your audience feel understood and eager to see what’s next.

Use Real-Life Examples

Use scenarios that reflect real situations your audience might face. For example, if your software is a CRM, walk through a scenario where a sales team member can:

Streamlining Workflows

If you’re demoing project management software, demonstrate how it helps streamline communication and track progress, making it easy to meet deadlines. Connecting your software’s functions to specific, relatable tasks helps the audience visualize how they would use the product daily, making the benefits feel tangible and immediate.

Make It Interactive

A good demo feels like a conversation, not a monologue. Some tips for engaging your audience include:

  • Encourage Questions: Pause at key points to ask if they have any questions. This makes them feel involved and lets you address any concerns early on.
  • Ask for Feedback: For example, “Would this feature help solve a challenge your team faces?”
  • Interactive Elements: Let participants interact with the software directly, such as testing features or navigating the interface.

This hands-on experience can deepen their connection to the product. Engagement holds attention and builds a sense of collaboration and trust.

Demonstrate Instead of Explain

In a software demo, showing is always more effective than telling. Consider the following: 

  • Screen Sharing: Walk the software live, demonstrating specific features or workflows.
  • Highlight Key Actions: Use visual cues like arrows, highlights, or zoom-ins to focus attention on specific screen parts.
  • Keep it Simple: Avoid overloading the screen or jumping too quickly between features; present one or two key actions at a time instead. Visual elements can convey complex functions more clearly, making the demo more engaging and easy to follow.

Focus on Benefits

Instead of listing features, show how each feature adds value:

  • Highlight User Benefits: Frame each feature as a benefit by focusing on what the user can do. For instance, instead of saying, “We have real-time data updates,” you could say, “Real-time data updates let you make quick decisions based on the most current information.”
  • Tie Features to Pain Points: Describe how specific features address your audience's common challenges or goals.
  • Demonstrate Efficiency Gains: Explain how the software can save them time, effort, or resources. This will help the audience visualize the impact on their work, making the product more appealing.

Incorporate Customer Success Stories

Success stories add credibility and show the practical results of using your product. Tips for effective storytelling include:

  • Choose Relevant Examples: Pick examples that match the audience’s industry or challenges.
  • Describe the Before and After: Explain the customer's problem, how your software helped, and the result (e.g., time saved, revenue growth).
  • Quantify Results When Possible: If there are measurable improvements, such as “40% reduction in manual data entry time,” include those metrics to reinforce the impact. 

Success stories make the benefits feel real, building trust in your software’s potential to deliver results.

End with a Strong Call to Action

Don’t leave your audience hanging. End with a clear next step. For instance:

  • Book a Personalized Demo: Invite them to schedule a one-on-one session for a deeper dive.
  • Start a Free Trial: Offer a trial to let them explore the software themselves.
  • Connect with a Sales Rep: If they have questions, offer to connect them with a specialist.
  • Emphasize Urgency or Incentives: If there’s a limited-time offer, mention it. The CTA should make it easy for them to act on their interest.

Practice Your Delivery

Even with the perfect script, delivery can make or break the demo. Practicing helps you:

  • Master the Flow: Practicing familiarizes you with the order of features, so the demo flows smoothly.
  • Ensure Timing: Plan the demo to fit within the allotted time, allowing pauses for questions without feeling rushed.
  • Adapt to Audience Reactions: Practice lets you become more flexible and adjust based on audience feedback or questions.
  • Boost Confidence: With preparation, you’ll feel more at ease, making it easier to focus on your audience and deliver an engaging, compelling presentation. 

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We’re the ideal partner for companies aiming to enhance their marketing and educational efforts through powerful video content.

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Why You Need The Perfect Software Demo Script

man on a laptop - Software Demo Script

A software demo script is essential because it aligns the sales team with a consistent, polished approach that speaks directly to buyers' needs. In today’s competitive market, buyers are informed and come prepared, often familiar with various solutions and features. They expect a demo that showcases the product’s value and speaks to their unique challenges and goals. 

Here’s why a well-structured demo script is key for sales teams in this environment:

A Well-Prepared Sales Team

Demo scripts serve as a foundation, giving sales teams a checklist of points to cover, which enhances their readiness for each call. With a script in hand, reps can focus on delivering a smooth presentation without worrying about forgetting key points. 

This preparation improves the team's confidence and lets them make a strong first impression, which is critical in decision-making. Presenters can effectively stay on track with a winning demo script and highlight features. You can feel more confident and prepared by:

  • Reducing anxiety
  • Allowing you to deliver a polished and convincing demo 

Faster Training and Onboarding

Demo scripts simplify the training process, allowing new sales reps to learn the following:

By following a standardized script, new reps can confidently deliver demos, reducing the time it takes them to get up to speed and contribute to the team’s success.

Preparedness to Handle Objections

Objections are a normal part of any sales conversation, and handling them effectively requires finesse. A well-designed demo script anticipates common objections and includes responses, helping reps address concerns naturally during the demo. 

This preparedness can turn potential doubts into reassurances, showing prospects that the team has considered their needs and pain points.

Demo Standardization

Consistency across demos builds trust; every prospect experiences a high-quality, professional presentation. A script ensures that every new or seasoned rep follows the same narrative and conveys the same core message. 

This standardization helps prospects understand the product’s value without confusion or mixed messages, strengthening the perception of the brand and solution.

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6 Factors To Keep In Mind When Writing A Software Demo Script

man on a laptop - Software Demo Script

1. Social Proof: The Real-World Evidence You Need to Include in Your Demo Script 

Incorporating testimonials, case studies, or user success stories is crucial for establishing credibility and trust in your product. When potential clients see real-world examples of how your software has positively impacted others, it validates its effectiveness and reliability. This social proof can increase the audience's confidence in the software's capabilities and make them more likely to consider it for their needs.

2. Product-Market Fit: Address Your Target Audience’s Needs 

Your script should address your target market's specific needs, challenges, and goals. By aligning your presentation with the audience’s pain points, you can demonstrate how your software provides tangible solutions to their problems. This relevance makes your demo more compelling and helps the audience see the immediate value of your product in their context.

3. Audience & Engagement: Tailor Your Script to the People Watching

Tailoring the script to resonate with your target audience's preferences, interests, and communication styles is vital. Use language and examples that are familiar to them, and consider incorporating interactive elements or storytelling techniques to capture their attention. 

Engaging your audience throughout the presentation helps maintain their interest and makes the demo more memorable.

4. Length: Keep It Short and Focused 

Keeping your script concise and focused is essential. Aim to prioritize critical information while avoiding unnecessary details that could overwhelm or bore your audience. Consider their attention span; shorter scripts often convey key messages clearly and keep the audience engaged.

5. Feedback: Don’t Skip This Step 

Gathering feedback from stakeholders, sales teams, or beta testers is invaluable for refining your script. Constructive feedback allows you to identify areas for improvement and ensures that the script effectively communicates the value proposition of your software solution. Iterating based on feedback can help you create a more polished and impactful presentation.

6. Plan for Audience Interaction: Make Your Demo a Conversation

Encourage questions and feedback during the demo to make it feel more conversational. This keeps the audience engaged and lets you address their concerns in real-time. Pausing to ask if they have questions or if they can see how a feature would help them provides opportunities to customize your presentation to their needs.

9 Best Practices For Writing Software Demo Scripts

man on a tablet - Software Demo Script

1. Know Your Audience: The Secret to Writing a Good Software Demo Script

The best way to start writing a software demo script is to get to know your audience. What are their needs, and what challenges are they facing? Next, tailor the demo to address those needs. Before your demo, ask the prospect questions or do some research to learn about their business. Then, make sure your actual demo talks directly to those needs. 

2. Start with an Engaging Opening

First impressions matter. Your demo’s opening is your opportunity to make a lasting impression on your audience. Start with something that grabs attention, like immediately telling them what the software or product solves or why your product is particular. Using fascinating facts or stories can make all the difference. 

Remember, when you start strong, you set the tone for the rest of your demo, leaving your audience eager to learn more. 

3. Illustrate with Real-Life Scenarios

Instead of jumping straight into the demo, makeup stories your audience can relate to. These will help ease prospects into your product’s capabilities. But don’t go over the complete story; show them how your product fixes the problems. By showcasing how your software solves problems at different stages of their journey, you:

  • Capture their attention
  • Ignite their imagination
  • Inspire confidence in your solution 

4. Engage Your Audience

Don’t let your audience sit there passively while you talk. Make sure they are part of the demo. Ask them questions, get them to share their similar challenges, and keep them involved throughout. 

5. Utilize Visual Demonstrations

Humans are visual learners. So, use pictures, sales demos, or slides to help explain your product. Make sure they’re easy to understand and make your points more straightforward. 

6. Emphasize Benefits Over Features

When writing your software demo script, it can be easy to list the features of your product. After all, your audience wants to know this, right? Well, not really. Instead of discussing what your product can do, discuss how it helps your audience. Tell them how it will make their lives easier or solve their problems. 

7. Incorporate Customer Success Stories

Your demo will be more convincing if you include stories from happy customers to show that your product works. Use examples similar to your audience to help them see how it could help them, too.

8. End with a Strong Call to Action (CTA)

Finish your product demo video by telling your audience what to do next, as the key takeaways can be a great sales funnel. Leave a clear call to action and make it clear and easy for them to take the next step, like signing up for a trial or asking for a follow-up call for more information. 

9. Practice Your Delivery

No matter how great your software demo script is, it won’t matter if you don’t deliver it well. Practice your demo many times before you do it for real. Pay attention to how you talk, how fast you go, and how you move. Ensure you’re confident, precise as you present, and not overwhelmed with too much information.

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Start a 3-day free trial with our product demo video service to take your content to the next level. 

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