So you need to put together your first sales enablement demo in Arcade, and you want it to actually help your reps (not just check a box for your boss). Maybe you’re a product marketer, a sales enablement pro, or the only “techy” person on your team. Either way, you want the demo to be clear, sharp, and not a waste of anyone’s time.
This guide walks through everything you actually need to do. No vague best practices—just a practical checklist you can follow, with tips for avoiding the usual headaches.
Step 1: Get Your Story Straight
Before you even open Arcade, figure out what you’re trying to show and who it’s for. Too many demos flop because they try to do too much, or they’re built for “everyone” and end up helping no one.
- Who’s the audience? Be specific: new AEs, channel partners, sales engineers? Each group cares about different things.
- What’s the goal? Is this demo for learning a product’s basics, handling objections, or showcasing that one feature everyone messes up?
- What’s the story? Instead of a product tour, tell a simple story: “Here’s the problem, here’s how we solve it, here’s the outcome.”
Pro tip: Write down your “demo promise” in one sentence. If you can’t, stop and get clarity before you record a single thing.
Step 2: Map Out Your Demo Flow
Arcade makes it easy to capture steps, but it can’t fix a rambling, unfocused walkthrough. Planning now will save you hours later.
- List the key steps: Bullet it out. 5–7 steps is usually enough.
- Decide what to skip: Don’t show every click. Skip login screens and obvious setup unless they’re the part reps always screw up.
- Check for blockers: Are there any screens or actions you can’t show due to test data, permissions, or privacy? Handle these before recording.
Honest take: If you’re demoing a complex workflow, break it into two Arcades. Better to have two short, clear demos than one 10-minute slog.
Step 3: Gather What You Need
You’ll need:
- Access to a sandbox or demo environment (with good sample data—no “Test123” accounts)
- The exact version of the product you want to show (features change fast; double-check)
- Any scripts, talking points, or customer stories you want to weave in
What to ignore: Don’t waste time writing a full script word-for-word. You’ll sound robotic. Outline talking points for each step instead.
Step 4: Record Your Demo in Arcade
Now, actually build the demo in Arcade. Here’s how to do it without pulling your hair out:
- Log into Arcade and start a new recording. Keep distractions closed—nobody wants to see your Slack notifications.
- Go through the steps you mapped out. Move at a steady pace, but don’t worry about being perfect. You can trim later.
- Add callouts and instructions as you go. Arcade lets you drop in arrows, text, and highlights. Use them, but don’t overdo it—too many and your demo looks cluttered.
- Narration: Yes or No? You can record voice, captions, or both. Voice is more personal, but only if you sound confident and clear. Otherwise, stick to text.
What works: Short, clear highlights and simple language. Avoid jargon unless your audience truly speaks it.
What doesn’t: Screens crammed with notes, or demos that drag on. If you’re over 3 minutes, you’re probably losing people.
Step 5: Polish and Edit
You’ve got a rough demo. Now, make it good:
- Trim dead air and mistakes: Arcade lets you cut unnecessary parts. Shorter is always better.
- Fix or redo confusing sections: If a step feels clunky, re-record just that part.
- Add intro and outro screens: A quick “what you’ll learn” at the start helps. At the end, tell them what to do next—book a call, try it themselves, whatever.
Pro tip: Watch your own demo with sound off and on. If it doesn’t make sense both ways, tweak your captions or narration.
Step 6: Test with Real People
Don’t launch yet. Grab one or two people who match your audience (not just your product team) and have them watch the demo.
- Ask for blunt feedback: What’s confusing? Where did they zone out? Did they get the point?
- Check for technical issues: Does the demo play smoothly on the devices and browsers your reps use?
- Iterate: Make the fixes. Don’t be precious—if something’s unclear, cut or rework it.
Honest take: Most demos need at least one round of edits after real feedback. If yours doesn’t, you’re either a genius or nobody’s being honest.
Step 7: Launch and Share
You’re ready to go live. But don’t just drop a link in Slack and call it a day.
- Host the demo where people actually look: Embed it in your sales enablement platform, CRM, or even a Notion doc. Arcade gives you easy embed codes.
- Tell people why it matters: Don’t just send “New demo, check it out.” Say what problem it solves and when to use it.
- Track usage: Arcade offers analytics. Watch who’s viewing, and how much they watch. If nobody’s using it, ask why.
What to ignore: Don’t obsess over making it “perfect” before launch. It’s better to have a good demo in the wild than a perfect one nobody sees.
Step 8: Keep It Fresh
Sales demos go stale fast. Make a habit of reviewing and updating your Arcades:
- Set a reminder: Quarterly is a good cadence. More often if your product moves quickly.
- Ask for feedback: Sales reps will tell you what’s missing or outdated—if you ask.
- Retire old demos: Don’t confuse people with multiple versions. Keep only the latest and best.
Final Thoughts
Don’t overcomplicate your first sales enablement demo in Arcade. The best demos are simple, focused, and built for real people—not for awards or ego. Get it out there, get feedback, and keep improving. You’ll learn way more by doing than by overthinking.