Presenting your software....

Apologies to those who do not live in the UK, If you were to be presenting a prototype of your software in front of a panel of people (Dragon's Den-esque) -- with a view to potentially obtaining funding to 'improve' it, bearing in mind you have utter faith in the GUI's etc. associated with that app, which of the following options would you opt for:-

1. Demo the software (small risk of it failing)
2. Demo a 'video / animation' of your software in action - if so what software might you use to capture the operation of your software (mmm - maybe I should just video it in action...?)
3. Opt for a combination of paper handouts detailing what they can glance at a video of the software - the more I think about it a video of the software in action is more reliable in the fact that you can present it without any 'presentation guffs...., providing the justification in that it is a prototype of the software'
4. opt for a brief intro, followed by a video of the software in action, wrap up with a conclusion - offering the opportunity to use my 'prototype' software on a laptop.

For the uninitiated, Dragons Den is a program that accepts invitations from entrepeneurs from all 'inventors' - not just software folk. I am incline to opt for a brief intro, followed by a video of the software in action, wrap up with a conclusion - offering the opportunity to use my 'prototype' software on a laptop. Incidentally, it is written in BMax.

I'm in front of the panel this Friday... I'll let you know how it goes....

A working, running version is the only way.

Do it on a touch-sensitive projector screen. That'd be impressive.

Depends on your presentation skills. Are you confident of speaking in front a group such as this without uhmming and ahhing?

If you're a bit nervous, showing a video and talking over it would allow you to practice your pitch until it was word and timing perfect beforehand and allow you to concentrate on the task at hand.

If you're a super confident public speaker then demo your application live, keep your head up and make eye contact, don't mumble. If there is cash involved you must show the software working and allow the potential backers to play with it.

Above all, enjoy yourself and have fun.

I'd have to agree with GFK.

You can't beat showing the actual product. A video is all well and good but the first things I would think of with a video are "what are they hiding, what are they not showing me". You should be showing how confident you are in the product and not hiding behind a pre-made video.

Let them see it working for real, show how easy it is to work with (the key areas), invite questions back, let them use it. They'll be more impressed if they can work it themselves.

Hm my tips from demoing software

Deep breaths before you go in, clear your throat :)

Know your audience - make it a conversation by being friendly (arms not crossed, open gestures, lots of hand movements to point at stuff), don't be afraid to leave gaps after each sentence.

Have a running demo (a video will be a nightmare), but don't show them every little detail. Sometimes people won't talk, other times they will try to talk to you (e.g. "oh so can it do this?") - either way keep positive and don't think they think something is wrong. Just flow through the process of using the software with a real world example.

A killer tip for demoing software is to make sure your front-end GUI (first screen) looks attractive and has a few options (say 5 - 10 immediately visible options / menus / buttons) - graphics, even their company logo, can also help.

Perhaps look at some MSDN walkthrough videos on the Microsoft site to see how they demo their software. Often I find them far too boring, but remember they are pitching at a wide audience.

Demo the software as GFK said - it is the only way - otherwise people think ah yes vapourware!

Demo should definately be no longer than 10 mins. If they want to see more, then sure let them see, but keep your initial 'strike' to a short confident statement.

DO not let them play with it - YOU show them how it works. They will break it whatever your level of confidence.

Have a back up and be prepared for the worst, show you have understood the risks and assessed how to get out of an awkward situation, incase it falls over.

Make sure you know your market, your sales potential figures, your competitors, yours USP's (unique selling points) and don't worry about being a little nervous, that's a good thing.

Good luck.

IPete2.

@ Gfk ... I see your point... inherent risk but I'd be happy to run with it
touch sensi - to flashy for my audience - i know where your at though - it's not the real dragons den - yet....?

@ ardee - thanks for the tips - I enjoy public speaking these days - everyones a bit quibbly about that sort of rubbish - but it's easily resolved by sufficent planning. I am a risk reduction-ist, but gamblings always fun. am tempted to take the gamble...

@ Gabriel - with the first or second point ? or both ?

@ Qube... very thought provoking... Should you be bold enough to ask to overstep the 10 minute boundary... if your product is strong enough (mine is {(;-) - it is in BMax) - this could have potential but is there the danger of being TO confident ?

@ Sonic... yes, yes, 3rd one... - this is my problemo, most details will be apparent - but manageable - all being well, hey thats the other big gamble.... not only do you need to have the nounce to write good software but - (BIG but) do the talk - no bother.

@ IPete2: Thanks for the tips - if I'm running the entertaining risk of going live then a back up is good policy. But would having a secong laptop running your software at a certain point give the (FALSE) impression your minted ? But hey, my softwares gold plated - and I'm an indie developer - unlike other commercial folk (MSoft) that get by with wobbles. I do not mind admitting my graphics need some polish - in fact it is one of the reasons for my pitch. Ipete2, I know your graphics work is exceptional and if I am lucky enough to secure a prize you will be my first candidate for some work - if you have the time.

Thanks for the initial tips... I'm tempted to go for the running my software option.... bit risky.. I've done some risk analysis courses and as a risk reduction excercise I'd be tempted to go for the video approach - but it's more fun to live by the gun LOL {;-)

In all serious though IPete2's last point is worthy of major consideration - thankyou - my time is limited and this point was not high on my priority list. I've got my USP's (the acroynms good) sorted, have researched the market but needs polish.

FRAPS for recording gameplay.

You could always keep a video backup in case the running demo ends up not working.

10 minutes is easily enough time to get your point across. Any longer and boredom could set in. Genuine interest from their side will dictate the total length of the presentation.

A presentation should have a good start, a good middle and a good end. The bits in between take care of themselves.

Definitely run it live, show them the real deal, gain their confidence by getting them to participate. Get them interested in it.

If you're selling software, then demonstrate software.

Do not rely on your software to sell itself, be VERY prepared of left-of-field questions and a grilling over your understanding of your potential market - it's size and your competitors. There is also a very good chance that potential investors will know a great deal more about your target market than you do so don't wing it and don't preach to them.

I would expect to be asked some of the following questions, make sure they are not a show stopper for you :

Why did you develop the software in a high-level compiled 3rd party language? Do you lack the necessary low-level programming skills? What happens when the language is no longer marketed, how will you support, maintain and update existing customers? What is the lifecycle of the product? How soon will we see a return on our investment.... blah... blah... And finally.... Why did you develop this software? What is it's purpose and what are your long terms goals for it?

Sounds like you know what you're doing - good luck with it.

Use Powerpoint or OpenOffice.org Impress. You do not want to demo anything that is even remotely likely to fail. Live software? Not until they've already bought it. You want to make sure you've got complete control of the situation, and with live software, something, somewhere is going to go wrong at the worst possible moment.

Also with live software / running demoes it can be hard to explain what's going on in real time, and if your audience is watching the game unfold they're not listening to your important sales arguments and compelling reasons to buy.

Try watching someone's E3 presentation. What are you concentrating on, the visuals, or the narration? Live software works best if you're at a state where the people involved can experiment themselves. At this point, you're way beyond venture capitalists.

In short, if you want a running demo, you've gotta have the visuals to back it up, and you'd best make sure you're not saying anything really important while the game is running.

@Qube & Jeremy ... Yeah, I think I'll go live

@Indie, some good thought provoking questions, cheers.

Thanks Sonic.

@Flame, your first paragraph confirms my risk element, it's all well and good to joke about going live... it does carry risks.

Your 2nd point was also one of my concerns, I could skirt this issue by doing a 2min intro, 3-4 min deom followed by 2-3 min conclusion whilst not running the software.

Part of my pitch is to source the funds to pay for an artist to 'polish' the

graphics in my prototype - so the visuals aren't quite there yet. Not far off

though, I have already had 3rd party interest from the university (unassociated

with the panel) which is a good sign. I'm helping a friend move house today... I'll be onto the draft of my powerpoint presentation tonight.

Thanks all, Regards,

BP.

The presentation went very well. The 'judges' were so interested in our product that we were in there an hour instead of the allotted 10 minutes. I love it when a plan comes together...

Thanks to all who posted advice/encouragement - we will find out next week if we have won or not. The other finalist presents their product on Monday.

It would not have been possible without the BMax product and Grey Alien's Framework.

Hey great news! I was away so couldn't offer advice but it seems you didn't need it anyway!

Cheers Grey, found out today my (fledgling) business won 1st prize in an university enterprise factor competition. £500, not bad.... (;-) Again, Thx to BMAx and your framework. cheers.

Only thing is... more work to do now..

Congrats!

> Only thing is... more work to do now..

That should be music to your ears!

Thanks Dynaman,

have just tipped the dirt outa my keyboard(we've been struggling to find a location for our 15 year old bugonia - the kittens have let us know that our latest choice was bad)

And yeah, if 500 quid can't keep you motivated what will ?

@ Dynaman - This may take you back some but is your interface de-kludged ?

@ Flameduck... there was a small risk of software failure - but I decided to run with it, and... it worked!

I just need to define my user requirements some more.... but oh theres so many things I could shoehorn in - less is more..... if it results in an end product.