Deploying demos effectively can significantly enhance user engagement, drive conversions, and improve product understanding. This guide outlines best practices for deploying demos across five key use cases: public websites, internal enablement, customer enablement, sales teams, and conferences.
1. Deploying on a Public Website
Define Your Goal: Before deployment, identify your objective- whether it's educating visitors, generating leads, or showcasing product features.
Choose a Deployment Strategy:
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Homepage: Ideal for grabbing immediate attention and introducing new visitors to your product.
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Product Pages: Effective for detailed walkthroughs targeting interested visitors.
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Dedicated Demo Page: Allows users to explore multiple product aspects at their own pace.
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Category-Based Subpage: Organizes demos by use case, making it easier for visitors to find relevant content.
Showcasing Options:
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Embedded Demos: Highlight key features directly on the site. Place them above the fold to avoid being overlooked.
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Demo Links: Provide comprehensive product tours with clear calls to action.
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GIF Previews: Use GIFs to signal interactivity before embedding demos.
Additional Tips:
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Ensure fast loading times to avoid high bounce rates.
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Keep demos high-level, emphasizing "aha" moments.
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Include clear CTAs within demos, such as prompting users to start a trial or contact sales.
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Promote demos via social media and review platforms like G2.
2. Deploying for Internal Enablement
Define Your Use Case: Determine if demos will be used for onboarding, upskilling employees, or supporting sales teams.
Deployment Strategies:
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LMS Integration: Embed demos within your learning management system for structured, trackable training.
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Feedback Mechanism: Collect user input to continuously improve content and delivery.
Best Practices:
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Incorporate demos into onboarding to ensure new hires gain essential product knowledge quickly.
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Promote demos through internal channels like newsletters, emails, and team meetings.
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Encourage participation with incentives like certifications, recognition, or rewards.
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Implement a monthly review cadence with your demo approver to keep content up-to-date.
3. Deploying for Customer Enablement
Deployment Strategies:
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Support Portals: Host demos on customer support platforms for easy access to self-help resources.
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CSM Tools: Integrate demos into customer success management tools for targeted training.
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Interactive Learning Platforms: Link demos to platforms offering progress tracking, quizzes, and certifications.
Promotion Tips:
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Include demo links in email campaigns and newsletters for timely, relevant content.
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Use demos in live training sessions and webinars for hands-on engagement.
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Follow up with leave-behind demos after sessions to reinforce learning.
Additional Best Practices:
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Ensure fast load times and smooth functionality.
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Personalize content based on customer roles, industries, and use cases.
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Regularly update demos to reflect product changes and user feedback.
4. Deploying for Sales Teams
Training and Enablement:
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Ensure sales reps are well-trained to deliver compelling live demos.
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Train teams to use custom leave-behind demos for prospects to review post-call.
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Leverage resources like the HTML Environment for Demo Users course for in-depth training.
Deployment Tips:
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Establish a comprehensive training program covering demo techniques, product knowledge, and objection handling.
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Collect feedback from sales reps and prospects to refine demos.
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Encourage demo usage through incentives like recognition or performance-based bonuses.
Content Maintenance:
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Work with your program owner to define training responsibilities.
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Regularly update demos to align with product changes and user feedback.
5. Deploying for Conferences
Pre-Event Strategies:
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Drive booth traffic by sharing guided demo links in pre-event emails.
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Promote demo bookings, happy hours, or raffles to encourage attendance.
Demo Optimization:
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Tablet Optimization: Customize demos for tablet viewing if using tablets instead of laptops.
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Bite-Sized Content: Keep demos 5-7 minutes long to avoid overwhelming attendees.
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Event Tailoring: Create custom opening guides and CTAs specific to the conference.
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Offline Mode: Ensure demos can run without Wi-Fi for a seamless experience.
At-the-Booth Tips:
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Offer high-level, unguided experiences for reps to click through live.
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Design shorter, linear demos for BDRs or less technical staff.
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Provide ultra-short guided demos for quick hands-on interaction.
By following these best practices, you can effectively deploy demos across multiple channels, enhancing user engagement, improving enablement efforts, and driving business outcomes. Tailor each deployment strategy based on your goals, audience, and product strengths for optimal results.