Not all video content does the same job. A cinematic hero video builds your brand. A product demo builds buyer confidence. If you use the wrong one in the wrong place, you lose impact — or worse, confuse your audience.
Here’s how to tell the difference and when to use each.
What is a hero video?
A hero video is built to set the tone. It captures the vibe of your brand, sparks desire, and gets the viewer curious. It’s often cinematic, emotional, and music-driven.
You’re not showing every product detail. You’re making people feel something.
Use a hero video when:
What is a product demo?
A product demo shows the how. It focuses on usage, benefits, and clarity. It proves the product works and makes the purchase feel safer.
It can still be stylish, but its job is to answer: “Will this work for me?”
Use a product demo when:
The smart move: use both
A hero video pulls them in. A product demo closes the loop. Together, they move people from curiosity to confidence.
Final thought
Don’t make your product demo do the emotional heavy lifting. And don’t expect your hero video to explain the details. Let each video do its job — and watch your funnel perform better.
Want to avoid the five most common video ad mistakes?
Download our free guide at upstir.co/5-video-ad-mistakes
It is 14 pages of real tips to help you improve your hooks, lower ad costs, and create content that actually works.
Here’s how to tell the difference and when to use each.
What is a hero video?
A hero video is built to set the tone. It captures the vibe of your brand, sparks desire, and gets the viewer curious. It’s often cinematic, emotional, and music-driven.
You’re not showing every product detail. You’re making people feel something.
Use a hero video when:
- You want to stand out with bold storytelling
- You're building top-of-funnel interest
- You’re launching a new collection or rebrand
- You want visitors to feel the mood right away (homepage, above the fold)
What is a product demo?
A product demo shows the how. It focuses on usage, benefits, and clarity. It proves the product works and makes the purchase feel safer.
It can still be stylish, but its job is to answer: “Will this work for me?”
Use a product demo when:
- You're retargeting warm audiences
- You need to reduce objections
- You're highlighting a feature, use case, or result
- You want to support sales with clear info (landing pages, ads, PDPs)
The smart move: use both
A hero video pulls them in. A product demo closes the loop. Together, they move people from curiosity to confidence.
Final thought
Don’t make your product demo do the emotional heavy lifting. And don’t expect your hero video to explain the details. Let each video do its job — and watch your funnel perform better.
Want to avoid the five most common video ad mistakes?
Download our free guide at upstir.co/5-video-ad-mistakes
It is 14 pages of real tips to help you improve your hooks, lower ad costs, and create content that actually works.