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Show, Don't Tell

🀫 Show, Don't Tell #75 - Why is there a cellphone in the help doc?


Read Time: 4.5 minutes

Welcome to our 75th edition of Show, Don't Tell. A newsletter to help you build REMARKABLE interactive demos...3 tips at a time.

This week, we see:

  1. a how-to you can tap through on the phone you’re already using
  2. an interest demo that doesn't pop the question too soon
  3. why your demo deserves to feel sexy

Let's get after it...

Supported By:

  • Navattic is our favorite interactive demo platform ❀️
  • It's easy to build demos of your product, that feel like the real thing
  • With HTML screen captures, easy editing, lots of sharing options, and powerful analytics
  • ​Try building your first demo for free!​
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Tip #1: Put a Cell Phone in Your Help Docs

Let’s say you’re on your phone, searching for a help article about a mobile app.

β€œTap the three dots β†’ Settings β†’ Billing...”

And now you're reading those steps on the same little screen you're supposed to be tapping, flipping back and forth, losing your place every time.

Thryv (business software for small businesses) handles it differently. They dropped an interactive demo straight into a help-center article. Instead of screenshots and numbered steps, you tap through the real mobile experience of sending an invoice.

And the best part is… they put it in a phone frame.

Jason and I love this because:

  • a how-to you can DO beats a how-to you have to read and translate in your head
  • this demo helps someone who is already paying you get unstuck, not just drive new logos

We've been beating this drum for 75 editions now. if your product is mobile, your demo should be mobile.

β†’ Tap through Thryv's help doc mobile demo​

Tip #2: Earn their Interest First

Jason and I have a tiny beef with interest demos.

In many cases, visitors are unfamiliar with your product. So asking them what they're interested in up-front can be confusing 🫀

But one or two context-setting steps can make all the difference.

Every (every.io) uses an interest demo, but they don't open with the question. You get a couple of context-setting steps first so get you oriented with everything.

THEN they ask what you want to dig into. By the time the β€œwhat are you interested in?” moment shows up, you know what you want to pick.

We think the interest demo is great… but only once visitors have their bearings. People can only pick what matters to them once they know what's even on the table, right?

β†’ See how Every sets you up before the ask

Tip #3 - Your Demos Should Be Sexy

Jason and I both believe that demos should look great. Well... Storyblok just took that concept to another level.

Their demo opens with a mesmerizing animation of Earth spinning in outer space. It's not just eye-catching, it's sexy. And why does that matter?

This demo is often a prospect's first real interaction with your product. Just like you wouldn't show up to a first date in sweatpants (we hope), your demo instance deserves to look its absolute best.

This isn't just about being pretty – it's about showing an experience that prospects aspire to recreate in your product. Storyblok reminded us that with a little creativity, you can turn a standard product tour into a showstopper.

​→ See how they're bringing sexy back​

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Everything you need to know about capturing and editing screens in Navattic πŸ‘‡

Screen captures are the building blocks of your interactive demo. You simply can't have a demo without them!

So we created a 101-level intro on how to create/edit them in Navattic.

If you're new to Navattic or still feel like you've barely scratched the surface with screen capturing and editing, this is a video you won't want to miss.

PLUS, you'll get a sneak peek of their new In-line and Copilot editor, which brings Navattic's capture editing, and new AI editing capabilities, directly into the demo builder.

​→ Watch the tutorial video now!​

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Ask the Dash Bros πŸŽ™οΈ

A live, FREE coaching session to help you build better interactive demos (and make them your top marketing asset.)

In these 45-minute coaching sessions, Eric and Jason answer your questions about demo strategy, distribution, sales enablement, and any other challenges you're facing with interactive demos.

The next session is Wednesday, August 25th at 12PM ET.

​→ Register now - It's 100% Free​

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So that’s it. Our 75th edition of Show, Don’t Tell.

3 useful tips to help you build remarkable interactive demos.

Tune in next Tuesday for more advice from DemoDash.

P.S.

If you know anyone else who would love these tips, please consider sending them this edition so they can subscribe πŸ™
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​Jason and Eric​
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Show, Don't Tell

Learn how to create remarkable interactive demos that make your SaaS product easy to understand and buy. 3 practical tips and examples every Tuesday.

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