ph-video-demo skill

---
name: ph-video-demo
description: Create effective demo videos for Product Hunt launches. Use this skill to script, structure, and produce demo videos that showcase your product's value and drive engagement.
---

# Product Hunt Video Demo

This skill helps you create demo videos that capture attention, demonstrate value, and convert Product Hunt visitors into users.

## When to Use This Skill

- Scripting your Product Hunt demo video
- Deciding on video format and length
- Planning the visual flow
- Choosing recording tools
- Optimizing for Product Hunt audience

## Video Specifications

### Technical Requirements
- **Platform:** YouTube only (for PH embedding)
- **Visibility:** Public or Unlisted (NOT Private)
- **Upload timing:** Before launch day (test embed!)

### Optimal Length
| Type | Length | Purpose |
|------|--------|---------|
| Teaser | 15-30s | Quick hook, curiosity |
| Demo | 45-90s | Full product showcase |
| Walkthrough | 2-5min | Detailed tutorial |

**Product Hunt Sweet Spot: 30-60 seconds**

## Video Structure Framework

### The 3-Act Structure

```
ACT 1: THE HOOK (0-10 seconds)
├── Problem statement OR
├── Bold claim OR
└── Question that resonates

ACT 2: THE DEMO (10-45 seconds)
├── Show product in action
├── Highlight key features
└── Demonstrate the "aha" moment

ACT 3: THE CLOSE (45-60 seconds)
├── Recap value prop
├── Call to action
└── Special offer (optional)
```

## Scripting Guide

### Second-by-Second Template

```
[0:00-0:05] HOOK
"[Problem statement or attention-grabber]"

[0:05-0:10] INTRODUCTION
"[Product name] lets you [core value prop]"

[0:10-0:20] FEATURE 1 (Most impressive)
"Watch how easy it is to [action]..."
[Show action happening]

[0:20-0:30] FEATURE 2
"And when you need to [action]..."
[Show action]

[0:30-0:40] FEATURE 3 / THE WOW MOMENT
"The best part? [Unique capability]"
[Show the magic]

[0:40-0:50] RESULTS / PROOF
"[Users/Companies] have already [achieved result]"

[0:50-0:60] CTA
"Try [Product] free at [domain].
Special for Product Hunt: [offer]"
```

## Hook Formulas

### Formula 1: The Pain Point
```
"If you've ever spent hours [frustrating task],
you know how painful [problem] can be."
```

### Formula 2: The Bold Claim
```
"What if you could [impressive outcome]
in [surprisingly short time]?"
```

### Formula 3: The Question
```
"Why do [target audience] still struggle with
[problem] in [current year]?"
```

### Formula 4: The Statistic
```
"[Target audience] waste [X hours/dollars]
every [timeframe] on [problem]. We fixed that."
```

### Formula 5: The Story Start
```
"Last month, I lost [something valuable]
because [problem]. So I built [Product]."
```

## Demo Section Best Practices

### Show, Don't Tell
- ✓ Cursor movements with purpose
- ✓ Highlight clicks with zoom/callouts
- ✓ Real data (or realistic fake data)
- ✓ Smooth, practiced actions

### Pacing
- ✓ Fast enough to maintain interest
- ✓ Slow enough to follow
- ✓ Pause on key moments
- ✓ No dead time

### What to Demonstrate
1. **Simplest path to value** (Getting started)
2. **Most impressive feature** (The wow)
3. **Unique differentiator** (Why you, not them)

## Voice & Narration

### Option 1: Founder Voiceover
**Pros:** Authentic, personal, builds connection
**Cons:** May not be professional quality

**Tips:**
- Use external microphone
- Record in quiet space
- Speak naturally, not scripted
- Energy matters!

### Option 2: Professional VO
**Pros:** Polished, clear
**Cons:** Less personal, costs money

### Option 3: No Voice (Music + Text)
**Pros:** Universal (no language barrier)
**Cons:** Less engaging, harder to follow

**If using text overlays:**
- Large, readable font
- High contrast
- Short phrases
- Synced with actions

### Option 4: AI Voiceover
**Tools:** ElevenLabs, Murf, Play.ht
**Pros:** Quick, consistent, multiple takes
**Cons:** Can sound robotic

## Visual Production

### Screen Recording Tips
- Clean desktop (hide personal info)
- Close unnecessary tabs/apps
- Use zoom/focus effects
- Highlight cursor
- 1080p minimum resolution

### Recommended Recording Tools

**Basic:**
- Loom (free tier available)
- QuickTime (Mac)
- OBS (free, powerful)

**Professional:**
- ScreenStory
- Screen Studio (Mac)
- Camtasia

**For Polished Demos:**
- Arcade
- Supademo
- CleanShot X

### Post-Production
- Cut dead time
- Add zoom on important actions
- Include transitions (subtle)
- Add background music (quiet)
- Export at 1080p

## Music & Audio

### Background Music
- Keep it subtle (under voice)
- Upbeat but not distracting
- Royalty-free sources:
  - Epidemic Sound
  - Artlist
  - YouTube Audio Library (free)

### Audio Levels
- Voice: Primary volume
- Music: 10-20% of voice volume
- No sudden volume changes

## Thumbnails & Titles

### YouTube Thumbnail
- Custom thumbnail (not auto-generated)
- Product name visible
- Clear, simple design
- Matches PH gallery style

### Video Title
```
[Product Name] - [Core Value Prop] | Product Hunt Launch
```

Example:
```
Raycast - Supercharged Productivity for Mac | Product Hunt Launch
```

## Video Types by Product

### SaaS/Web App
```
[Hook] → [Dashboard tour] → [Key workflow] → [Integration] → [CTA]
```

### Developer Tool
```
[Problem] → [Installation] → [Code example] → [Result] → [Docs mention]
```

### Mobile App
```
[Phone mockup] → [Onboarding] → [Key screens] → [Use case] → [Download CTA]
```

### AI Product
```
[Input example] → [AI processing] → [Output magic] → [Variations] → [Try it]
```

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- ❌ Too long (over 90 seconds)
- ❌ Slow start (hook must be immediate)
- ❌ Too many features (focus on 2-3)
- ❌ Poor audio quality
- ❌ Robotic reading of script
- ❌ No clear CTA at end
- ❌ Private YouTube video
- ❌ Uploading on launch day (test first!)

## Video Checklist

### Pre-Production
- [ ] Script written and practiced
- [ ] Hook crafted for first 5 seconds
- [ ] Features prioritized (top 3)
- [ ] Recording environment prepared

### Production
- [ ] High-quality recording (1080p+)
- [ ] Clear audio (external mic)
- [ ] Smooth demo (no fumbling)
- [ ] Clean desktop/environment

### Post-Production
- [ ] Dead time removed
- [ ] Zoom effects on key moments
- [ ] Background music added
- [ ] Captions/subtitles (optional but helpful)

### Publishing
- [ ] Uploaded to YouTube (Public/Unlisted)
- [ ] Custom thumbnail set
- [ ] Descriptive title
- [ ] Tested embed on PH before launch

## Output Format

```
VIDEO SCRIPT FOR: [Product Name]

DURATION: [X seconds/minutes]
FORMAT: [Screen recording / Mixed / Animation]
VOICE: [Founder / Professional / AI / None]

---

SCRIPT:

[0:00-0:05] HOOK
[Write exact script]

[0:05-0:10] INTRO
[Write exact script]

[0:10-0:25] DEMO - FEATURE 1
Visual: [Describe what's on screen]
Script: "[Narration]"

[0:25-0:40] DEMO - FEATURE 2
Visual: [Describe what's on screen]
Script: "[Narration]"

[0:40-0:50] WOW MOMENT
Visual: [Describe what's on screen]
Script: "[Narration]"

[0:50-0:60] CTA
Visual: [Describe what's on screen]
Script: "[Narration]"

---

PRODUCTION NOTES:
- Recording tool: [Recommendation]
- Music style: [Upbeat/Calm/None]
- Key zoom moments: [Timestamps]
- Thumbnail concept: [Description]
```