Pitch is a very widespread practice in the field of startups! Are you a project leader and want to present your solution to a jury? Between the required information, length of speech, and vocabulary, it’s sometimes difficult to know how to recognize a good pitch. Discover our best tips for pitching a project like a pro in this article!
What is pitch and what is it for?
definition
What is a pitch? Pitch, or its full name Elevator Pitch, is a short speech intended to convince an audience. It is often used by professionals who want to become self-employed by creating startups, for example, in front of investors or during admission sessions within an incubator.
nice to know
It is said of a good pitch that it should be able to persuade any person in equal time to travel in an elevator, hence the name “elevator pitch”.
If the literary translation of pitch is “pitch”, then the actual translation of elevator pitch is actually: “summarized in a few seconds”. We then understand in this definition and in this translation that a pitch is an oral speech that aims to be effective, precise and as short as possible!
What are the components of a good pitch?
For your pitch to be successful, you must make sure to build it on a good foundation.
We generally talk about 4 essential elements for an effective pitch:
- slogan (catch phrase) : An essential element of a project, the idiom will allow you to mark spirits effectively. So be sure to choose the right, striking words and a small slogan to make it easy to remember!
- Ideal : The real engine of your pitch, ideally your base. This element should carry the values ​​of your project, your motivations and your motivations.
- magic sword : This rather basic name represents the element or elements that differentiate you from what is already in the market. This image of Magic Accessory shows the little extras you bring in to make your idea unique and innovative. This element can materialize in the form of a new design, a specialization or an innovative technology.
- Solution : You have to provide a concrete solution in your pitch. Through facts or studies that you may have done before, you have to justify as much as possible the feasibility of the solution you bring!
5 tips for successfully pitching your project
1. Define Your Pitch Plan
To ensure the consistency and relevance of your pitch, an essential step would be to define a precise plan. To get started, list your ideas and rank them in order of importance. Contrary to what one might think, pitch will not be planned under the funnel diagram but vice versa. You need to present your project in a broad outline to accomplish the solution you want to bring.
Once you’ve listed and prioritized your ideas, create an outline that aligns with the story you want to tell your audience. Your pitch should challenge and hold the attention of the jury to which you will present your project.
2. Use precise and engaging vocabulary
Depending on the nature of your project, you will need to use a special lexical field. However, be careful not to use too technical terms at risk of losing your audience’s attention.
Find out about the members of your jury, if you can. Getting an idea of ​​their background and their professional skills will allow you to tailor your speech.
3. Practice in front of your mirror or in front of an audience
This step, often intimidated by those who are less comfortable speaking, is an important step in the proper preparation of your pitch. If we often criticize these training sessions for their lack of naturalness, we often feel that after several attempts, the training makes it possible to correct some aspects of speech!
Whether it’s the gesture, eloquence or clarity of the message you want to convey, practicing in front of a mirror, in front of a camera, or in front of a third party will allow you to adjust to details that can be crucial.
4. Study Your Workspace
To deliver a compelling, high-value pitch, you have to make sure you know your subject from the inside. Note that your theme not only stops at the development of your project but includes all the elements that revolve around it. Competitors, field of activity, key players, problems… You have to position yourself as a real expert in order to convince the jury that you have become aware of all the elements that will be necessary for the realization of your project.
5. Prepare a Presentation Material
If the value of pitch is essentially based on speech quality, then presentation support is an element that should not be overlooked. In fact, excerpts from images, infographics or even videos would always be welcome to illustrate or support your comments.
However, be sure to create a medium that doesn’t curtail or obstruct your speech.
6 mistakes to avoid when presenting your project well
1. Bet on improvisation
As we explained a little earlier, preparing your pitch is an essential step, even if you’re confident you know your project.
If you want to look even more casual, we recommend you try your hand at improvisation lessons. These sessions with a professional coach will make you feel more comfortable expressing yourself in public and may help you bounce back if you lose track of your speech.
2. Not speaking in the present tense
To appear even more confident, one of the tips to apply during your pitch is to express yourself in the present tense! In fact, the use of future conjugated verbs gives your pitch a less real and concrete meaning. Keep in mind that you need to present a compelling solution that feels viable.
3. Spending Too Much Time on Introductions
If it’s important to take some time to present your project and uncover some information to make it relevant, then to avoid a mistake is to spend more time on it than necessary. They say a good pitch should solve the problem and solve it within the first 30 seconds!
So be sure to keep the main objective in mind: to want your audience to believe in your project in the shortest amount of time.
4. Making a pitch that is too long and heavy
When appearing before the jury, you must remember that a question and answer session is scheduled. There’s no point in trying to get too tired when you’re pitching. The best advice to apply is to create an attractive frame that will inspire your audience to learn more about your project!
5. Ignoring Jury Feedback
If the main purpose of the pitch is to sell your project, you should also note that the jury is usually made up of professionals who are experts in their field. So make sure to dedicate some part of your pitch to getting feedback from the various actors who will be involved. It will also be an opportunity for you to seek advice and adjust the angle of your observations to identify your potential areas for improvement.
6. Using Overly Technical Terminology
We know how certain projects require precise formulations. However, be sure to note that some members of your audience may not be hungry for all the technical aspects of completing a project in any given area.
That’s why you have to articulate your pitch with a literal field suited to the largest number!
questions to ask
Do you have to follow a training course to properly project your project?
It is not necessary to follow a training course to advance your project! Elevator pitch, on the other hand, consists of online or face-to-face training with specialized coaches.
What is pitch used for?
The purpose of the pitch is to convince your audience. It should be short, clear and catchy.