How to demonstrate software, the 100-word version
Maybe you went to last night's Web 2.0 Social Networking Tech Meetup in Chelsea. Put on by the same people who hosted New York's first Lunch 2.0 last month, the event was a fine stage for a wantrepreneur to turn the corner. Presenters Snooth, Buddy Media and Convos, however, tripped over themselves in trying to display their wares. Fortunately, Joel Spolsky is here to help with a post titled "How to demo software." It's an excellent how-to, except for its length — 2,483 words. Here's a readable 100-word version.
Go to London, Toronto, Seattle, Austin, or Boston. Silicon Valley finds tech demonstrations boring. Get the nicest venue. Look for libraries, museums, and universities. Get a room the right size. OK if people have to stand in the back. Get a high-ceiling room so everyone can see. Serve coffee. Play upbeat music loudly. Give people name tags. Cover the place in logos (brochures, pens, pads, and banners). Dress just better than your audience. Set the screen to 800x600. Unscrew the lights shining on your screen. Lock the doors until ready. Make the demonstration a story. Have the protagonist almost solve the problem, then the necessary boring stuff and then the protagonists solves the problem. Say important points two ways. Tape yourself. Review. Let the demo evolve.
