6. Pitching: Tips & Techniques

Pitching: Tips, Tricks & Techniques

Since we would have to pitch our project proposal to our clients, I thought it would be beneficial if I did some research into pitching presentations to help me with my own strengths and weaknesses as well as aiding me when it came to reflecting on my own pitch. I did various forms of research such as reading articles surrounding the subject pitching, watching footage of successful pitches and finding out from experts what they think makes a successful pitch. Below is some of the results of my research into pitching.

1. Presentation Tips For Pitching - Richard Branson

Carmine Gallo is a communication coach, keynote speaker, and author of several books including The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs and his latest, Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets Of The World’s Top Minds. He wrote an article for Forbes magazine last year about tips for presentations from his interviews from people who have successfully pitched to mass organisations or owners and operators of these organisations. In this article he explains the following points, mainly from his interviews with Richard Branson.

- Keep the story tight, short and simple.  --> Great leader are simplifiers. “They can communicate to their entire audience in terms that are universally understood.” Branson says when he hears a long-winded speaker, “It’s all I can do to prevent myself from grabbing them by the collar and yelling, ‘Life’s too short! Get to the point.

- Start with a headline --> The big picture should be summed up in no more characters than a tweet. The human brain sees big picture before details. If you can’t articulate the big idea behind your product in a short sentence or two of 140 characters, keep working on the message. In one interview with Branson he told Gallo that if an idea cannot fit on the back of an envelope, “it’s rubbish.” Enough said.

- Wear your passion on your sleeve! --> “Passion (capital P) is unquestionably the secret sauce of every one of Virgin’s scores of highly diverse businesses,” writes Branson. In my 25 years of studying communication I’ve never met an inspiring entrepreneur or business leader who isn’t abundantly passionate about his or her company and the role it plays in improving people’s lives.

- Enjoy making a difference. --> “If you aren’t making a positive difference to other people’s lives, then you shouldn’t be in business,” says Branson.

- Demonstrate good listening skills. --> Branson carries a notebook everywhere he goes and constantly solicits feedback from employees and customers. And when he listens, he really listens. “Listening while keeping your mouth shut and saying nothing is a whole lot smarter than not listening, speaking up and saying nothing,” according to Branson.

2. Deborah Meaden's Tips on Pitching

Deborah Meaden is a successful UK entrepreneur and Dragons' Den investor. Being a big fan of the show, I thought I'd look into her opinion on what makes a good pitching as she will have a huge amount of experience and knowledge surrounding the matter. Some key points she makes which I will take from are:

- Really know your stuff

- Be clear on what drives the business forward

- Get the message across in a concise and credible way

- Use your own language, don't try to be over-clever by using "insiders" jargon; you will run the risk of baffling your audience and looking like a smart-alec!

- Memorise key points throughout your presentation so that, if you lose your thread, you can easily pick up again.

- Make sure you look good and therefore feel good on the day. Wear your favourite suit (or relevant clothing), take time with your grooming in the morning, make sure you feel "a million dollars". All this will help with your confidence and confidence is contagious. 

Bibliography

1. http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2014/09/12/5-presentation-tips-for-pitching-richard-branson/
2. http://www.deborahmeaden.com/20/pitching