Your audience is shopping for great chemistry – be sure to give them something to buy. 10 Tips:
Consider the wisdom of basing your pitch entirely on the strength of your references, expertise or experience. It is very likely your competition has them as well. Even if you have a rock star talent or charismatic CEO leading your pitch, an executive audience will want to know who they can trust and work with day-to-day – unlikely the rock star. What will it be like working with your whole team for the months and years (hopefully) to come? For many reasons, your audience is shopping for great chemistry – be sure you give them something to buy. A few tips to build it:
Know your own team (interests, histories, hobbies, etc.). When rehearsing, ask yourself: Are we a club the audience wants to be part of?
Avoid a crowd. Your audience is deciding whom to trust. Decide who that person(s) will be and avoid bringing others who may make it unclear.
3 Things to Remember: After you have left the pitch, what 3 things do you want the audience to repeat and discuss internally? Make them memorable.
Invite interruption. Nothing beats positive engagement from your audience. By definition, it is impromptu; rehearse as a team how to handle it.
Speak with intention. Statements that ramble or end like questions are like speed bumps to your team’s momentum.
Smile. A pitch is an implicit invitation to a relationship. If you’re not enjoying the process, neither will your audience.
Concentrate AND Listen. Practice your part of the pitch in advance so you can be more responsive to what is happening in the room. Key to spontaneity!
Say Something. If you have little or nothing to say, have a reason for being in the pitch and communicate it during introductions.
Genuine interest. Find something in common with your audience in advance: a shared interest, a recent achievement, etc. to have as an icebreaker.
Best Story Ever Told. Imagine your pitch is a revelation, wisdom revealed for the 1st time. Belief and respect for your own ideas is key.