over 2 years ago

How to make a great demo video

We know as devs and innovators, your expertise normally lie behind the scenes, however, the submission video needs time too!

Your video is a major component of your submission to the Snap Kit Dev Challenge. Here are some helpful tips for you to plan, create, and publish a winning video.

Get organized. Write out a script of what you need to say and demonstrate in your video and rehearse it before recording. Essentially a good script should:

Include your elevator pitch of why you built your project.
Include a visual walkthrough of your project’s features and functionality.
Mention which Snap Kit tools you used.
Be around three minutes in length.
Help judges understand and appreciate your project by providing real-life context and benefits.

Start Recording. The great thing about pre-recorded demo videos is that it doesn’t have to be perfect on your first try. Here are some suggestions for recording:

Use an emulator or create a screencast with audio narration.
There are many programs that might help you such as Quicktime Player for mac and/or recording a Zoom meeting presentation.
Editing is great, but don't go overboard. Focus on the content and flow of your video instead of fancy effects.
Before you are done with your video, get feedback from a friend or family member.

Pro Tip: Don't wait until the last minute to upload your video. Due to file size, format, and your Internet connection, uploading a video to Facebook Video, YouTube, Vimeo, or Youku could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. We cannot stress this enough! There have been many times a submission becomes ineligible due to errors with video rendering and uploading.

We can’t wait to see your project and how you showcase it in your video.

Lights, Camera, Action!