How can you use product demonstrations to create social impact without being preachy?

Effective product demos with social impact hinge on empathy and relatability. Instead of preaching, weave a story that places your audience in the shoes of someone truly helped by your product. Highlight how the product solves a challenge they can identify with, and subtly align its benefits with broader social themes. This way, the demo isn’t just informative—it’s a compelling narrative that connects personal utility with collective progress.

Make a plan and work the plan according to who really cares as much as you. Sometimes I find I am so passionate about educating my readers/listeners that I am simply confusing them. Simple straightforward words. Using language from the heart always paints the prettiest picture or always kicks the ball through the goalposts. Give tips and advice that work. For instance, if you are trying to get everyone thinking and supporting recycling/circularity make it as convenient as possible. Put signage everywhere, even in the bathroom stalls. It’s all about repetition. Get everyone involved. Don’t dictate, encourage and welcome participation. Use Gamification. It’s always a journey just like technology.

The way you shape your product message matters. If you emphasize solely on product features and benefits, it might come off as too sales-driven. However, positioning the product as customer-centric, offering a solution to real problems, builds credibility by showcasing it as a problem-solving asset.

While I'm known for my podcasts, I love to use visuals when I'm giving speeches to demonstrate my story. In some cases, they can be examples of how other people have tried, or how I have tried and failed. If I'm making fun of myself, but trying to make a point, failing is not failure. Not trying is the failure. When I poke fun of myself, for example, either through words or pictures, I am trying to humanize the experience so others can learn what I am trying to share. For instance, I have a habit of saying "you know" when I am talking. So, hoping to get rid of this habit, that's the first word I see on every document before I begin to talk; "Don't say, You Know." If your product is easy, then say it. Don't over promise and under deliver.

One of the best ways to effectively demonstrate and convince is showing a real life real time example with your product. This creates a sense of attachment, relatability and hits cognitive thinking cycle. By demoing your product through a real user you create experiences that people can associate themselves with. Also this is way cheaper, way more effective and accurate then a typical sales pitch

While narrating or describing features or benefits, we are just throwing boring info on to our audience. This is why we focus on user stories and use cases. This defines the purpose of the product and showcases it to masses

When "Showing" think about the "AHA!" moment. That is, when will a viewer not just see an overview of your product, but rather, go "Ah... I totally get it!" . Focus on what that "Aha!" moment is, what feature(s) it is, and emphasize. There is no need (initially) to show the entire breadth of your product .

Creating social impact at the end is about solving a problem. Nothing preachy about that. Here are my recommendations to stay honest about that: #1 – Clarity on the highest value/ most critical pains No demos until it’s 100% clear what’s stopping your prospect from achieving its aspirations. Zoom into 3 questions: What’s the situation? – listen What’s changing? – listen What’s most challenging? – listen You'll get a pretty good overview of the following two things: 1 - What are the most valuable problems to solve for your customer 2 - Which ones are most critical on their agenda and why #2 – Clarify which pain points you can solve and exceed expectations and prove it That's what your demo should focus on. Nothing more, nothing less.

Feedback is by far the best tool for improvement. Market research is good at the beginning but one of the key factors to success is listening to your users and correcting your course of action

Keep it simple Keep it purposeful Keep it experimental (room for more, room for creating more experiences with the same experience you showcased)