If you’ve ever sat through a cookie-cutter product demo and thought, “There’s got to be a better way,” you’re in the right place. This guide is for sales teams, founders, and anyone who wants to make their demos less generic and more convincing—with a focus on customizing meeting templates in Demodesk. Demodesk has some nice features, but if you just use their default templates, you’ll sound like everyone else. Here’s how to actually stand out, without wasting hours fiddling in the app.
Why Customization Matters (And What to Skip)
Before you jump in, let’s be honest: most prospects have seen the same demo a hundred times. They can smell a script from a mile away. Customizing your Demodesk templates isn’t about making things pretty—it’s about staying focused, saving time, and showing you actually listened to what the customer wants.
What actually helps: - Templates that guide the flow but aren’t rigid. - Embedded resources (slides, sites, docs) you really use. - Reminders for the questions you tend to forget.
What to ignore: - Overly slick designs. No one cares if your template has your logo in five different places. - “Personalized” filler slides you never update. - Cramming every possible feature into one template.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Demo Goals
Don’t start with Demodesk. Start with a list of what you need to accomplish in a great demo. That way, you’re not just copying a generic sales flow.
Ask yourself: - What are the 2-3 things every prospect must understand? - Where do demos usually go off the rails? - What do you always wish you had on hand during a call?
Write these down. If you’re not sure, record a couple demos and jot down what’s working and what isn’t. The goal here is a template that fits your style, not some generic “best practice.”
Step 2: Audit the Default Demodesk Templates
Open up Demodesk and take a hard look at their out-of-the-box templates. You’ll probably spot:
- Slides that are too high-level (or too detailed).
- Sections you never use.
- Clunky transitions between topics.
Don’t be afraid to delete or hide what doesn’t fit your sales process. Default templates are a starting point—not gospel.
Pro tip: If something doesn’t make sense to you, your prospects probably won’t care either.
Step 3: Build a Skeleton Template
Now you’re ready to make a meeting template that actually works. In Demodesk, create a new template. Start simple.
Skeleton structure to try: 1. Intro & Agenda - Quick context: who you are, what you’ll cover. - Let prospects add their goals at the start (Demodesk allows agenda editing).
- Discovery Questions
- Add a slide or prompt with your key questions.
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Jot notes here during the call so you don’t forget.
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Core Demo
- Screens or slides for the 2-3 features/functions you always show.
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Embed live websites or docs if it’s useful (not just to show off).
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Q&A / Objection Handling
- List common objections or FAQs.
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Link to a quick resource or support doc if you get stuck.
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Next Steps
- A clear slide with 2-3 options for what comes after the call.
Less is more: You can always add, but a bloated template just distracts everyone.
Step 4: Add Useful Content (and Skip the Fluff)
Demodesk lets you drop in all sorts of resources—slides, websites, PDFs, even pre-recorded videos. Here’s what’s worth adding:
- Live demo environments: If you have a sandbox or test account, embed it directly.
- Short, relevant slides: One or two, max. Don’t make it a lecture.
- Pricing calculators or ROI tools: If prospects always ask, have it ready.
- Case studies or customer stories: Only use these if you can tailor them to the current prospect.
Skip: - Company history slides. No one cares. - Deep-dive technical docs, unless you're demoing to engineers.
Pro tip: Test your links and embeds. Nothing kills momentum like “Hang on, let me find that...”
Step 5: Use Playbooks for Structure, Not Scripts
Demodesk has a feature called “Playbooks”—basically, guided scripts and reminders. These can be useful, but only if you keep them tight.
- Add questions or talking points for tricky parts of the demo.
- Use reminders for things you forget (like confirming next steps).
- Don’t write out word-for-word scripts. You’ll sound like a robot.
What works: Bullet points. Short reminders. “Ask about integration needs” is better than a paragraph of suggested wording.
Step 6: Test Your Template Live (and Tweak Fast)
Here’s where most people get stuck: they build a “perfect” template, then never update it. That’s a waste.
- Run your next 2-3 demos using your new template.
- After each one, make quick notes: What felt clunky? What did you skip? What did you wish was there?
- Update the template right away—don’t let it pile up.
Watch out for: - Over-templating. If every demo feels the same, prospects will tune out. - Missing content. If you keep scrambling for a doc, add it to your template.
Step 7: Make It Easy for Your Team
If you work with a team, share your updated template and get real feedback. Demodesk lets you set templates as default for everyone or share links.
- Hold a quick call to walk folks through why you changed things.
- Encourage people to tweak the template for their own style—one size never fits all.
- Collect feedback monthly. Don’t turn this into a giant project; just check what’s working.
What to Avoid: Common Pitfalls
- Over-engineering: If you need a manual to use your demo template, you’ve gone too far.
- One-and-done: Templates are living documents. Keep improving.
- Ignoring the prospect: Don’t let the template drive the call. If a prospect wants to jump to pricing, jump.
A Few Useful Tips
- Keep a “parking lot” slide: For questions or features to come back to, so you don’t get derailed.
- Build in time checks: Remind yourself to pause for questions—no one likes a steamroller.
- Leave space to take notes: Demodesk lets you jot things down as you go. Use it.
Wrapping Up: Simple and Real Beats Fancy and Forgettable
The point of customizing your Demodesk templates isn’t to make them look impressive; it’s to make your demos actually work for real people. Keep it simple. Iterate after every few demos. Don’t get sucked into the endless tinkering trap—focus on what helps you sell, and ignore the rest.
Better demos aren’t built in one sitting. They come from listening, adjusting, and keeping the process honest. Start small, keep it real, and don’t be afraid to delete what doesn’t work.