How top SaaS launches increase activation & trust
The Problem With One-Video Launches
Most product launches fail for one simple reason:
They rely on a single “big” video and assume that excitement alone will drive adoption.
That isn’t how real users buy.
And it isn’t how the best companies in the world launch products.
Apple and OpenAI don't just ship one video.
Neither did we at Trello.
They ship a system.
At UI Motion Studio, I productized that system into a repeatable, high-conversion video bundle.
Founders usually invest everything into a single launch video:
A flashy reveal
Big claims
Beautiful visuals
A strong story
It creates excitement… for about 48 hours.
Then reality hits:
Users don’t fully understand the product
They don’t know how to use it
They can’t see themselves succeeding with it
They churn or stall before activation
This isn’t a marketing problem.
It’s an onboarding and clarity problem.
People don’t just want hype.
They want understanding.
And humans are visual learners.
They don’t want to read documentation.
They want to watch someone use the product.
The Proven Pattern: Apple’s Launch Playbook (Used by OpenAI too)
Successful product launches follow the same three-layer system:
1) The Launch Hype Video
30–60 seconds
High-energy, cinematic, emotional
Tells the story of the product and why it matters
Creates desire and momentum
2) The How-It-Works Walkthrough
2–5 minutes
Slower pace, calmer tone
Shows how the product actually works
Walks through real use cases
Helps users decide if it’s right for them
3) The Feature Support Library
Short, focused videos
One feature per video
Pure clarity and education
Built for onboarding, retention, and self-serve learning
Apple doesn’t expect one video to do everything.
They separate:
Excitement
Understanding
Mastery
Each video has a single job.
That separation is what makes their launches feel effortless and premium.
The Trello Proof: This Strategy Works
I used this exact structure at Trello for the biggest pivot in the company’s history.
1) Launch Video
A one-minute cinematic reveal
High energy
Big story
Positioned the new direction and vision
2) Walkthrough Video
A slower, longer video
One real user
One real use case
Step-by-step explanation
Removed confusion and friction
3) Support Videos
Short videos for individual features
Used directly inside onboarding
Answered the exact questions users were searching for
The result:
Stronger activation
Lower confusion
Higher feature adoption
Measurably better onboarding performance
Millions of views across the video ecosystem
A successful pivot for the product
User research confirmed it:
People weren’t just watching the launch video.
They were actively searching for “how to” videos immediately after.
They wanted more video.
The UI Motion Studio 3-Video Launch System
The same launch structure used by Apple.
The same system that powered Trello’s successful pivot.
Most SaaS launches fail for one simple reason:
they try to do everything with one video.
One video is asked to:
Create excitement
Explain how the product works
Prove the product is worth trusting
It can’t do all three well.
So I turned this proven launch framework into a done-for-you system you can deploy for your own product.
Not “video production.”
A launch engine built to move users from interest to understanding to action.
Why This System Converts Better
This system works because it matches how humans actually make decisions:
Step 1 — Emotion
“Do I want this?”
→ Launch Hype Sizzle Reel
Step 2 — Understanding
“How does this actually work?”
→ Product Walkthrough Video
Step 3 — Confidence
“Can I use this successfully?”
→ Feature Support Video Library
One video cannot do all three jobs well.
This bundle does.
The result is a repeatable launch stack that:
Improves conversion rates
Reduces onboarding friction
Lowers support load
Increases feature adoption
Makes your product feel more premium
Scales across marketing, product, and growth
You’re not buying a video.
You’re buying a product launch engine.
What you get
(Real LinkedIn comments from Trello’s product launch video)
1) Launch Hype Sizzle Reel
30–60 seconds
High-impact, cinematic, story-driven
Built for homepage heroes, social, email, and press
Purpose: Create emotional desire and launch momentum
2) Product Walkthrough Video
2–5 minutes
Slower pace, human-centered
Real workflows and real use cases
Clear narrative from the user’s perspective
Purpose: Turn excitement into clarity and trust
3) Feature Support Video Library
Short, focused clips
1 video for key feature
Built for onboarding flows, help centers, and in-product embeds
Purpose: Drive activation, retention, and self-serve learning
Bonus (Included Free)
One additional feature support video
Normally $4,000
Perfect for your highest-friction feature or most important onboarding step
Total Investment
$24,000 USD
One-time
No subscriptions
No retainers
No hidden fees
To maintain quality and speed, I only take 2 new launches per month.
This includes:
Strategic messaging framework
Creative direction
Scriptwriting
Storyboarding
Motion design
Video production
Revisions
Final delivery assets for web, social, and onboarding
4 Videos total
You’re not buying “videos.”
You’re buying a launch system that compounds.
Who This Is For
This is for teams who are:
Launching a new SaaS product
Rolling out a major product pivot
Shipping a flagship feature
Preparing for funding, press, or a big marketing push
Tired of wasting money on one-off launch videos that don’t convert
Not for:
Pre-revenue MVPs
Hobby projects
Anyone just looking for “cheap video production”
Every bundle is built custom.
No templates.
No outsourcing.
No assembly-line work.
Let's chat about your 3-Video Launch System:
On the call, we’ll:
Map your product to the 3-video structure
Identify your highest-conversion use case
Choose which feature becomes your free bonus video
Build a launch timeline for your release window
If it’s not a fit, I’ll tell you.
No pressure. No hard sell.
Selected Video Works
Marketing
Improved Brand Awareness and Engagement
Video content is highly engaging, with users spending 88% more time on websites that include video. This increased engagement not only boosts brand awareness, but also encourages users to explore your software more deeply. source
How-To Videos
Enhanced User Understanding
An overwhelming 96% of marketers agree that videos play a pivotal role in improving user comprehension of products or services. This clarity helps users quickly grasp your software’s value, leading to more informed purchasing decisions. source
"The best marketing is education" - Regis McKenna
In-Product
Boosted Conversion Rates
Incorporating video on landing pages can significantly enhance conversion rates. Studies have shown increases ranging from 80% to 86%, highlighting video’s persuasive power in turning visitors into customers. source
Presentations
Increased Sales and Lead Generation
Video marketing has a direct, positive impact on sales, with 78% of marketers reporting increased sales due to video content. Additionally, 90% of marketers say video has helped them generate leads, demonstrating its effectiveness in attracting and converting potential customers. source
About me
I’ve spent over a decade as a product designer, working with some of the world’s top technology companies including Trello, Atlassian, Shopify, and Vox Media.
Along the way, I also bootstrapped a SaaS product called Evey Events, which we grew into a successful business that I was fortunate to exit.
What I’ve learned from all of this?
Telling your product’s story is everything.
If people don’t instantly understand how your product solves their problem, they won’t sign up.
If they forget it after seeing it, they’ll never come back.
That’s where video comes in.
I’ve created videos that closed six-figure deals.
Launched videos that drove signups.
Designed walkthroughs that helped users activate—fast.
In my experience, video is one of the most powerful tools a software product can use to succeed.
Make the sale. Make it memorable. Make it work.
Make a video to get there.
