10 Tips For Pitching Like A Pro

Pitching your business to investors, a product to a buyer or a proposal to your boss, whatever the situation getting the presentation on point is always half the battle to securing the outcome you so desperately want. Making a pitch is a skill in itself and nerve-racking enough, especially when the result can be so crucial to kick starting your career. Stick to these 10 tips however and you’ll become a seasoned speaker in no time; investors will be parting with their cash and sales numbers will go through the roof.

KEEP IT SHORT

Don’t waffle, know your points and make them in a concise manner. Leave out all of the unnecessary details; keep it focused on what you’re actually trying to say.

BE PASSIONATE

Why should someone believe in or fund your idea if your enthusiasm for the subject is seemingly non-existent. Ensure your excitement for what you’re proposing is coming across, although don’t get too giddy with it; remain professional at all times.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

You should have all of your revenues, projections, sales, profits etc. all locked into your mind. Bumbling around looking for a piece of paper with them on doesn’t look good, straight up not knowing them even worse.

PLAIN ENGLISH PLEASE

Don’t talk in abstracts and confusing metaphors, it’s long-winded and unnecessary. Investors and buyers want to know exactly what they’re getting into, not spend half the time trying to work out what you’re actually saying. Be concise and have conviction.

KEEP CALM

The confidence in which your pitch is delivered is almost as important as the content. Project your voice and keep the wobbly knees in line, a poor delivery will likely blow any chance you had at winning your audience over.

HAVE A PLAN

For the presentation and your concept. Going in there with no long-term goals and an unpractised pitch is a one-track road to disaster and no result. Craft and curate your concept and your presentation to secure the best outcome.

DON’T BE BORING

The most common mistake made during presentations? Reading off of the slideshow. You’re audience can read, they’re probably reading it faster than you’re saying it, they’re bored and not paying attention to you. Keep the visual aids simple, and with as few words as possible; talk around the keynote and be engaging, confidence will play a big part here.

BE REALISTIC

Have a plan but don’t have your head in the clouds. Unachievable projections or exaggerations will be sniffed out in an instant, killing your pitch dead when they’re questioned. Be positive, not fantastical.

HAVE THE RIGHT AUDIENCE

It’s all well and good doing all the legwork and nailing the pitch but if your audience isn’t in a position to do anything with it, then what was the point really? Ensure that you’re talking to the person in charge of the money or at least someone high ranking who can relay the information on to those who matter.

LISTEN

Yes, you’ll be doing most of the talking but when it comes to questions, listen to what they’re actually asking. Don’t go through the disappointment of doing all the above but then falling at the last hurdle as you fail to answer a vital question without any conviction.