What makes a good pitch? When planning a pitch, do not overlook simplicity and passion. Recall the teenage years when pitch planning played a big role in every teenagers\u2019 life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having to convince Mom and Dad to let you attend sports games, school dances, or go to the movies is how teenagers start making their pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What makes the best pitches exciting, memorable, successful, or even unsuccessful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making a pitch is not an unfamiliar task, but in the wide world of enterprise, one must revert to a teenager’s simplicity and passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rejection is a genuine fear that grips many when pitch-making \u2013 it\u2019s not unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What will they think of me? What if I screw it all up? What happens if I make a perfect pitch and then experience rejection? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fear of rejection is a real thing but also quite overrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pitch by nature is a shot into the dark, a chance, or if one is wise, a very measured risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch maker must accept the reality that not all attempts will result in success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch may be flawed, the listeners may be uninterested, or your audience might be unable to take the journey with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch maker must also recognize the benefits of repeatedly making a pitch \u2013 practice makes perfect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, do not allow fear to stop you from making a pitch. Use fear as fuel to energize your passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make the pitch, expect rejection, and build the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not be deterred; you may very well find success in the next pitching opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While making a pitch can be likened to a shot-in-the-dark, it is not without night vision goggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch maker should know what crucial elements belong in the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, the pitch tone should create a mood in the hearer that intrigues and invites inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are the seven key ingredients to make your pitch a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As obvious as it may seem, it is essential to remind yourself not to disregard the power of telling a story during your pitch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chief concern becomes obtaining “buy-in.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Selfishness is often the root of the problem when it comes to convincing your audience to buy into your pitch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pitch maker earnestly yearning for support, knowing why help is necessary, tie this dynamic into your pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not allow anxiety, fear or zeal to cause you to overlook this necessary story. Remember, people love an engaging story, so tell one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comprise your story with all the right ingredients to make your pitch as powerful as possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short, think Shark Tank when forming the framework of your story within your pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pitches tend to have low initial success rates because the pitch maker does not consider the hearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the pitch maker’s responsibility to know to whom they pitch. The pitch maker should know the right time to approach, whom to approach, how much time the moment should last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are critical to success, but there is something far more important \u2013 your reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch maker’s name must be worth more than gold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The title will precede and even open doors of opportunity or ensure their closure. However, there is more to pitch-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the pitch maker is afforded analytics about their audience \u2013 use it. Commercials are created and canceled because of analytics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it works, continue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it is not working, discontinue the practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch is not a novel, nor is it a saga. Failure will be immediate if the pitch maker’s story drags on and on like a soap opera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The audience does not have the time to listen to episodic telling. Think of the pitch in terms of a commercial break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Television commercials have a very definite place in the viewing of sitcoms. They provide a short 3 – 5 minutes reprieve from the saga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercials effectively tell a story to provoke action in those whom the storyline is targeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercials are a shot-in-the-dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not everyone listening is the intended audience. However, when the pitch is repeatedly delivered, the right people hear the message \u2013 which leads to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research is essential. Successful pitches find their appropriate spot in a dense crowd of coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider commercial breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certain commercials crowd the day, while others the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other commercials prefer particular channels, while others dare not seek coverage on those same channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing where to cast our pitch is vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Differentiating your pitch from other pitches that have found the same audience as yours is just as vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pre-considered answers to these questions will prepare the pitch maker for competition in a dense field of other pitch makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analytics outlined above are essential to bookmark about knowing your audience. Many think analytics are an expensive undertaking, and this stance is not without merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, analytics can take on many forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the most accurate analytics are free of charge and simple to ascertain. When making a pitch, know your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing your audience involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These analytics are perhaps more valuable than the pricey data points purchased from marketing firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How so, might you ask?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These analytics are obtainable from many sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a bit of networking, these crucial data points can be yours free of charge. “And then what?” you might ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use the data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set the appointment, casual meeting, or happenstance convergence in the elevator of the hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use this data to position your pitch to the right person at the right time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The very best pitches come with an element of surprise. The hearer was not expecting to hear about this at any particular time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure your audience remains in awe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If timed correctly, the pitch will come at a time of day where the message is a welcomed distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch might even provide a conduit to an answer the hearer has been seeking. The pitch should be a pleasant surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Intrigue, excitement, and inquiry should follow the welcomed commercial break. Your pitch needs a good story to provide a change in momentum and keep your audience connected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making you pitch memorable is vital. Making a strong connection is excellent. Making a successful partnership is the aim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Successful partnerships come because of mutual connection and benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, do not forget to ask What’s in it for me (WIIFM)? Great pitches create profit and solve problems for the audience, also.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When timed accurately, your pitch can be situated to solve a problem efficiently. Additionally, your pitch can be the inroads to an allusive opportunity for the hearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, put fear in its place and put your emotional equity on the back burner. Make a pitch that creates an opportunity for your hearer as well as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be honest and be earnest. Make your pitch with minimal superlatives. Make sure you address the hardcore data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Express the market need concisely, not exhaustively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create interest and inquiry, but do not attempt to answer all questions in a pitch. The pitch is an appetizer, a commercial break of sorts, possibly a welcome disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not complicate it, and do not present with too much fluff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is what it is, but it is a good thing for you to make the pitch. Be firm and strong, and you will find success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many investors are looking for growth. While short-term investment has its place, long-term growth is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investors, especially in this market, seek sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
o Does your pitch offer this?
o What is the trajectory of your idea?
o One year, two years, five years, beyond?
o Is the return diminishing over the years, or is it growing?
o What is the competitive landscape?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be sure to articulate, possibly as you close the pitch, the future outlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n