How to Demo Your Product and Get Feedback That Matters

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche walk you through how to demo your product in a way that not only shows off your work but also gathers critical feedback. Whether you’re pitching to potential clients, investors, or internal stakeholders, the proper demo can shape the direction of your product and business.

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💡 Quick Insight

The goal isn’t just to impress—it’s to learn. A successful product demo uncovers how your audience thinks, feels, and reacts.

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Why Learning How to Demo Your Product Is Essential

Learning how to demo your product effectively goes beyond closing deals. Product demos are one of the best opportunities to validate your design, features, and user experience. According to Rob, a good demo is a goldmine for insight—not just a flashy sales pitch.

Instead of asking, “Did they like it?” ask, “What did I learn from that?”

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How to Demo Your Product by Highlighting Strengths or Weaknesses

Before presenting, choose your strategy:

• Highlight strengths to double down on what works
• Expose weaknesses to get help improving problem areas

For example, if your product’s interface is great but reporting is weak, don’t ignore reporting. Show it, ask about it, and solicit targeted feedback. That’s how you improve.

Michael shares a story from college where a hardware failure nearly ruined his team’s demo. Thanks to practice, they improvised successfully. The takeaway? Always rehearse your script, because live demo time is valuable and limited.

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🛠️ Subtle Cues: Use Live Feedback in the Moment

Part of knowing how to demo your product includes reading the room. Look for signs of confusion, interest, or resistance. If someone frowns or seems hesitant, ask them directly. Often, people just need a nudge to open up.

“If your audience has no questions, you probably missed the mark.” – Rob Broadhead

The best demos lead to honest conversations, not just polite applause.

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A/B Testing as a Strategy for Product Demos

Want to improve your demo game? Rob suggests using A/B testing for demos. Create two or more variations of your presentation and see which resonates more.

• Demo A might show off Feature X
• Demo B might highlight Feature Y
• Record which gets better reactions, more questions, or stronger engagement

This technique is especially useful at trade shows or meetups, where you can test pitches quickly with varied audiences.

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How to Demo Your Product Like a Pro

Michael reminds us that you don’t need a perfect product to start demoing. Use prototypes, early versions, or limited-feature trials. Attend meetups, present at conferences, or offer free trials with specific features.

Your product won’t grow in a vacuum. It develops through interaction.

And remember: your first audience might not be your best-fit customer. Testing with different people gives broader insights—and sometimes, reveals entirely new market directions.

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🎯 This Week’s Challenge: Demo Your Business

Rob issues a practical challenge:

“What would a demo of your business look like?”

Think beyond elevator pitches. If someone gave you 15–30 minutes, what would you say? What features, benefits, or challenges would you share?

Better yet, record yourself. You’ll identify habits, rough transitions, and opportunities to improve your message and delivery.

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to demo your product is foundational for developers and entrepreneurs. A polished, feedback-focused presentation helps you improve your product, sharpen your message, and better connect with your audience.

Don’t just perform—engage. The right feedback can turn a good product into a great one.

📩 Keep Building Better

Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Do you have feedback or questions? Email the team at [email protected]—they’d love to hear from you!

Additional Resources

• Successful Presentation Tips for Developers: Effective Demo Strategies
• Building Out Your Application From a Demo
• The Power of Clickable Demos in the Software Development Lifecycle
• Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content