Crush it! Last-minute tips for your final project

Hey guys, just some last minute tips and inspiration while you are finishing up your projects. Although the deadline is this Friday, we've decided to give you an extension (if you need it) until the following Monday.

Grab us with your idea!
In one to two minutes (or less), “show and sell” us your product idea
Include info about who you are, what your concept is, why it's unique, useful and how it works.

What format should you use?

Record a video and post it on youtube or vimeo.

Use http://www.screenr.com to create a screencast that talks through the idea

Upload a slideshow and accompanying audio (Slideshare.net / Slidecast).

What's in a good pitch?

Google News (video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxL5BlVzZQ

Why we think this is a good pitch:

It clarifies the problem and the solution early in the pitch
It shows why Google News is important/useful, instead of telling
It uses concrete, relatable examples
Mock-ups are simple enough to understand at first glance, but detailed enough to suggest their real functionality

Dropbox (screencast):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QmCUDHpNzE

Why we think this is a good pitch:

Speaker identifies himself, the problem DropBox solves, and what makes DropBox different in about 10 seconds.
Screencast is readable in video resolution
Visual example of platapus is humorous, specific, relatable

TurboVote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcacafJnHsY

(This is a recent successful software project on Kickstarter, check it out here)

Why we think this is a good pitch:

Starts with key insight in 1 sentence: "If voting were easier, people would do it!"
Identifies the problem early on and makes it relatable with specific details, surprising figures
Includes motion, emphasis, and exciting visuals to communicate ideas
Consise description of how the product solves the main problem. No feature sets, elaboration here!
The whole video is under 2 minutes

More to come... suggest your own!

Task Discussion

Sedef Gavaz Aug. 8, 2011, 1:35 a.m.

I thought it might be useful to share with you all a few questions that helped with my final report:

1) WHO is it for?
Which audiencce groups e.g. citizen journalists, journalists, news consumers/users etc. Tip: Keeping it to more than 3 different gorups is a good idea.

2) WHAT difference will it make?

3) WHY will it be used?

Good luck! :)
Pippin Aug. 5, 2011, 1:03 a.m.

I sent this out to a few of ya'll but I think it's worth sharing.

If you have time, here's a fairly quick, but interesting challenge that may help you focus any ideas you have that. We used it many times at a brainstorming session this past weekend.

The goal: to give your product/idea a specific use case (don't be afraid of the edge-case subject either!). Here's an example: http://openjournalism.ca/uploads/definepointofview.jpg You can easily do this for all ends of the spectrum, but you'll begin to see how you are able to get deeper into understanding how and what you idea/product will face.

Crush it!
Katie Zhu Aug. 5, 2011, 3:16 a.m.
In Reply To: Pippin Aug. 5, 2011, 1:03 a.m.

This is a great exercise Pippin! Thanks for sharing.
Samuel Huron Aug. 4, 2011, 7:03 p.m.

In the same mood i like the "in plain english video" for instance on twitter (low budget good impact ) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o