If you’re in B2B sales, chances are you’re tired of hearing about “game-changing” tools that end up gathering dust. But here’s the truth: interactive product demos can actually move the needle—if they’re done right. This guide is for sales teams who want to make demos that work for real buyers, not just check a box for marketing. We’ll walk through the practical steps to get up and running with Arcade, skip the hype, and focus on what actually helps you close deals.
Why Bother With Interactive Demos?
Let’s be honest: most buyers hate sitting through canned demos or watching another lifeless product video. But giving everyone a live walkthrough isn’t scalable either. Interactive demos bridge the gap—they let prospects click around and see your product in action, on their own time.
What’s in it for you? - Prospects get hands-on experience without a 30-minute Zoom. - Sales teams can focus on qualified leads, not endless dog-and-pony shows. - You get insights into what prospects care about (and where they get stuck).
But not all demos are equal. The trick is to keep them short, targeted, and actually useful—not just a flashy product tour.
Step 1: Get the Right Story Before You Touch Any Tools
Before you open Arcade or start recording, figure out what you want to show—and, more importantly, why. The best demos solve a real pain for the buyer. Don’t try to show everything. Pick a single workflow or use case that matters to your target customer.
Ask yourself: - What’s the “aha” moment for most prospects? - Where do sales calls usually get bogged down? - What objections or confusions come up again and again?
Pro tip: Write out a rough script or outline before you touch any software. If you can’t describe the value in a few sentences, the demo will be muddled.
What to skip: Don’t try to create a full product tour. Stick to one job-to-be-done per demo. You can always make more later.
Step 2: Sign Up for Arcade and Set Up Your Workspace
Arcade is built for this exact use case. Go to Arcade, sign up, and set up your workspace. You’ll need: - A browser extension or desktop app (Arcade offers both—browser is usually easier to start). - Access to a demo or sandbox account of your product. Don’t use a live customer environment.
Initial setup tips: - Clean up your browser—close unrelated tabs, use an incognito window if needed. - Hide any sensitive info; Arcade records your screen. - If you’re demoing a SaaS tool, make sure your test data looks realistic (not “Test User 123”).
What to ignore: Don’t waste time customizing your Arcade profile or workspace colors yet. Focus on getting one solid demo out the door.
Step 3: Record Your Demo Steps
Now you’re ready to actually make something. Start Arcade’s recording tool and walk through your carefully chosen workflow.
Do: - Go slow and steady—Arcade captures clicks, scrolls, and fields. - Narrate your actions (out loud or in your head) to keep on track. - Keep each demo under 2 minutes. Shorter is usually better.
Don’t: - Wing it. Prospects can spot a messy, confusing flow from a mile away. - Over-polish. If you mess up, just re-record that step, not the whole thing.
Pro tip: If you need to blur sensitive info, Arcade lets you do that after the recording. You can also crop out parts of the screen.
Step 4: Edit and Annotate—But Don’t Go Overboard
After recording, Arcade gives you a step-by-step breakdown. Here’s where you can add value: - Annotations: Use callouts, arrows, or highlights to point out important features. - Text explanations: Short captions help explain why something matters. - Branching steps: Only add if the workflow genuinely has more than one path. Don’t force it. - Blurring: Use this to hide emails, account numbers, or anything sensitive.
Keep it simple: One or two annotations per step is plenty. Too many, and you’ll overwhelm the viewer.
What works: Highlighting pain points (“See how easy it is to pull a report?”) and common objections (“Most tools force you to export to CSV, but here it’s one click”).
What doesn’t: Cheesy clip art, emoji overload, or animations for their own sake.
Step 5: Customize for Your Audience (But Don’t Overdo Personalization)
Tailoring demos for different buyer personas is smart, but you don’t need to start from scratch every time.
How to do it right: - Duplicate your demo; tweak the intro or specific steps for verticals (e.g., finance vs. healthcare). - Swap out test data or company logos if it helps the prospect see themselves. - Use the “description” or intro text to set context—who this demo is for, what they’ll learn.
What to skip: Avoid making 10 different versions for every prospect. Focus on 2-3 core demos for your main buyer types.
Step 6: Share and Embed the Demo
Arcade gives you a link you can share directly, or you can embed the demo in your website, email, or sales deck.
Tips: - Test your demo link in a private browser window—make sure it works and looks right. - If embedding on your site, check mobile (Arcade is mostly desktop-first, but you never know what device a buyer will use). - Add a call to action at the end: “Want a walkthrough tailored to you? Book a call.” Don’t just drop the link and hope for the best.
What works: Embedding demos in outbound emails or LinkedIn messages to warm up cold prospects. Putting them on landing pages for self-serve buyers.
What doesn’t: Gating the demo behind a signup form. If people have to jump through hoops, they won’t bother.
Step 7: Review Analytics and Iterate
Arcade gives you basic analytics—views, step completion, where people drop off. Don’t obsess, but do check: - Are people finishing the demo or bailing early? If so, it’s probably too long or unclear. - Which steps get the most engagement? That’s your “aha” moment—lean into it. - Is anyone actually clicking your call to action? If not, try a more direct ask.
What to ignore: Vanity metrics. 100 views from unqualified leads won’t close deals. Focus on what moves real opportunities forward.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Trying to cram everything in. One job, one demo. Less is more.
- Overproducing. Interactive demos aren’t TV commercials. Clarity > gloss.
- Ignoring feedback. If sales or prospects say it’s confusing, fix it. Don’t defend your masterpiece.
- Not updating regularly. Products change. Schedule a quarterly review to keep demos fresh.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Interactive demos are a tool, not magic. The goal isn’t to wow people with fancy transitions—it’s to help real buyers see value fast, on their own terms. Start small, focus on what actually helps your prospects, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go. The best demos are the ones that get used (and reused), not the ones that win design awards.
Now go make something real. And remember: done is better than perfect.