Demo Video Pitch Tips
Getting the demo video right is more important than ever. Every inventor needs to be skilled at VIDEO EDITING and PROTOTYPE MAKING.
In “As Seen On TV” category of DRTV, we often use the inventors original video for the initial survey phase of testing. With smartphone technology and video editing so accessible, learning to make a demo video is a basic skill every inventor needs to have.
“A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words but a Demo Video Is Worth a Million Dollars.”
Carrie Jeske
I’ve included a script writing template at the end of this blog.
Making The Demo Video
- Decide Audience based on Prototype Quality? Are you pitching to our team or our you pitching to potential customers? If you prototype looks good, pitch as you would to real customers. If not, you’ll need to pitch to our group and focus heavily on the problem you’re solving
- Keep It Short. 60 seconds or less is idea for our survey test phase. Visual Demo works best. If you go to 2-min scripts are no more than 300 words with Product Problem/Solution repeating so use most compelling language
- What’s Your Problem? ASOTV products have a clearly understood PROBLEM / SOLUTION pitch. Often problems are shown in B/W for dramatic effect. While that level of production is not necessary for the initial demo video, showing and telling the PROBLEM/SOLUTION is.
- The Product is the Star – Show close ups of the product more than your own self so we can see what we’re buying. Show or explain examples of the Features of your product providing Benefits to the consumer. Add a Wow Factor.
- Editing & Voice Over. If you can shoot the visual then do a voice over of the whole video, that tends to get more responses from consumers. If not and you need to pitch in a one take smartphone format, then speak clearly and show close ups of the actual product more than your own self.
- “WOW” Factor. Outrageous Demos & Amazing Visuals, Unique Materials. Flashlights strong enough to be ran over by a Mac truck. Tape that can reseal boat bottom cutouts. Magic materials that have amazing & unique benefits. These are the secrets of As Seen On TV. Get creative with it, when appropriate.
Product Names. The product name will be tested at the end of the process but creativity up front is important. Names that Explain Function are best. Two Consonant names tend to roll better such a Magic Mesh, Windshield Wonder, Jupiter Jack.
Hosting or Posting the Demo Video
Do not send a large video file to licensee’s. Companies don’t want their email systems bogged down by large files. Instead, host the video on the cloud. There are many options from Dropbox, Google Drive to YouTube Unlisted. Learn to upload your demo video then COPY the link and PASTE it into your email.
Submitting Your Demo Video
- Always put the PRODUCT NAME in the Subject line so feedback can be easily tracked or searched.
- Include a simple link to the demo video or attach a pdf sell sheet along with a SHORT note.
EXAMPLE EMAIL: Dear George, please take a quick look at this new “patented” product and let me know if you company is interested in discussing licensing or acquisition.
ADD LINK to “Unlisted” YouTube Video
Any feedback you have regarding your interest or experience with these kinds of products is appreciated.
I look forward to your response.
DO NOT SEND DUPLICATE EMAILS & WEBSITE SUBMISSIONS.
DO NOT SEND MANY EMAILS ABOUT THE SAME PRODUCT.
DO ALSO SUBMIT ONLINE IF THEY OFFER THE OPTION.
Waiting For A Response
See another blog about this topic. It’s important!
Pitch Demo Video Script Template
Production Notes:
Time Voice Over Audio Portion so the entire spot is no more than 2 minutes and preferably 1 minute with a 30 second action demo edit scene available for social networking interest.
| VIDEO | AUDIO |
| Scene 1 CU Smudged pair of sunglasses | Male VO: Are sunglass smudges |
| Scene 2 CU-Sunglasses with water drops on them | or water drops slowing down your fun? |
| Scene 3 Med. Woman playing tennis misses hit, as she strains to see through a lens smudge Med. Man running stops to clean water off of lenses | Sunglasses are great for outdoor activities but smudges and water can compromise your vision! |
| Scene 4 W. Man using shirt to clean | You’ve tried using your shirt or a cloth to clean them away! |
| Scene 5 CU-scratched sunglasses glasses in man’s hands | But that can scratch you glasses causing permanent damage! |
| Scene 6 Product shot Self-Cleaning Sunglasses | Until now! Introducing Self-cleaning sunglasses! |
| Scene 7 Cleaning Animation | The revolutionary sunglasses that clean themselves without cloths or lens cleaner! |
| Scene 8 Microfiber diagram | The secret is in the specially designed frames with built in microfiber cleaning pads! |
Scene 9 CU-Woman’s hand demoing cleaning feature CU-Woman’s hand returns the frames to original position
|
Simply push the lens up and down slowly to clean! When you’re done return the lens to its original position! It’s just that easy! |
| Scene 10 Boating man testimonial | “Self-Cleaning Sunglasses are the only choice when I’m boating, Jet skiing or doing anything else outdoors.” |
| Scene 11 Product shot with scrolling list of activities Boating, Fishing, Jet Skiing, Tennis, Baseball, Running, Soccer, Hunting, Driving, and more! | Self-Cleaning Sunglasses are perfect for all outdoor activates |
| Scene 12 Pan of 3 additional lenses Interchangeable lenses! | and have interchangeable lenses so you can customize your vision for every sport! |
| Scene 13 Med. Man struggling with competitor brand interchangeable lenses breaks lens | Unlike conventional lens changing systems which are difficult and time consuming. |
| Scene 14 Med. Man easily changes lens from Smokey grey to yellow | Self-Cleaning Sunglasses utilize Piviotlock technology that makes changing lenses quicker and easier than ever before allowing you to customize your Sunglasses in a snap! |
| Scene 15 Product shot clear lenses installed Clear for no light reduction! | Use clear for no light reduction, |
Scene 16 CU Product shot with Smokey grey lenses Grey for the most light reduction!
|
Smoke grey to reduce the most amount of light perfect for boating, sailing, snowboarding, and driving in direct sunlight! |
Scene 17 CU Product shot with Amber lenses To block out hazy blue light! Ideal for judging distances!
|
Or Amber to block out hazy blue light ideal for sports that require judging distance like golf, tennis, baseball and soccer! |
| Scene 18 Product shot with yellow lenses Perfect for foggy or rainy conditions Man running with yellow frames in. | Try Yellow for foggy or rainy conditions ideal for bike riding, running, racquet ball, and hunting! |
| Scene 19 Pan of all of the lenses next to product Polorized to reduce glare | All of Self-cleaning Sunglass’ lenses are polarized to reduce glare! |
| Scene 20 Product shot framed for pricing graphics But wait! There’s More! Pan- Product shot with smokey grey installed, next to other colored lenses All four lenses! | Through this incredible TV offer you can bring home a pair of Self-Cleaning Sunglasses to enhance your outdoor vision for the incredibly low price of $59.95! But wait! There’s more! Act now and we’ll throw in everything you need to get crisp clear vision in any condition! Including all three additional lenses, |
| Scene 21 Man’s hand inserts product into hard case and closes Hard case! | a hard case, |
| Scene 22 Flotation cord on product Flotation cord! Product shot next to all add ons Our gift to you! | and flotation cord as our gift to you! |
| Scene 22 Re-Use scene 3 and 4 Red X graphic | Don’t get caught with smudges or water drops compromising your vision! |
| Scene 23 Med. Man using self-cleaning feature and returns sunglasses to frames, takes off running | Get Self-cleaning Sunglasses and get back to fun! |
| Re-Use Scenes 9, 14, 21 | Here’s how to order! |
| Product Name 1-800-***-**** www.Website.com Only $19.95 + $5. p&h Buy One, Get One Free! (V/MC/Dis/AE logo) 1-800-***-**** $ + $ p& |