The document discusses different types of pitches, including elevator pitches lasting 20-30 seconds and business plan pitches that are 10-20 minutes with slides. It provides tips for pitching successfully, such as memorizing your pitch, telling stories to engage audiences, keeping the pitch short, being enthusiastic but not overbearing, adopting confident body language, dressing professionally, practicing extensively, and maintaining eye contact among other dos and don'ts. The overall goal is to spark interest in your product, service, or organization in a memorable yet concise manner.

2. Content
 What Is A Pitch?
 Types Of Pitch
 Why We Are Here?
 Getting Started
 Do’s And Don’ts

3. A pitch is a summary used to quickly and simply define or
introduce a product, service or organization and its value
proposition.
What is a
Pitch?

4. TYPES OF
PITCH
Elevator Pitch
 An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive
speech that you use to spark interest in
what your organization does. You can
also use them to create interest in a
project, idea, or product – or in yourself.
A good elevator pitch should last no
longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to
30 seconds, hence the name.
 It should be interesting, memorable, and
concise. They also need to explain what
makes you – or your organization,
product, or idea – unique.

5. The Business plan pitch
Is a 10-20-minute talk in person, usually
enhanced by a slide presentation. The
goal of a business pitch is generally to
secure the resources and funding
necessary to move forward with
a business plan or to continue with an
already established venture or business
relationship. For us as a PR agency, a
pitch most times occur when we are trying
to secure new businesses or in the case
of Diageo, maintain an already existing
relationship by providing exciting ideas
based on a brief shared.

6. Memorize Your Pitch and Refine Your
Presentation
 Some people believe that memorizing and practicing
their pitch will make them seem less authentic, but
this is not entirely true. If you are prepared, you can
focus on your audience, walk around and simply
enjoy the moment.
 The best way to memorize your pitch is to break it
into chunks, where you will have the intro, important
points of your presentation and conclusion. As you
practice, give yourself the freedom to speak naturally
while remembering the core elements of your pitch.
 Make sure to practice in a more conversational style,
because this will enable you to memorize the pitch
naturally and you won’t feel the kind of pressure you
STRAIGHT TO
BUSINESS1

7. Become a Storyteller
Storytelling is a proven way to
capture someone’s attention and
hold it. This is what can make your
pitch unforgettable. Prospective
client’s yawn when they see
someone approaching them with
valuations, spreadsheets and
numbers. We all love to hear a
good story, and the same goes for
those data-driven clients (keyword:
Good).
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8. Make It Short
 Timing is critical. Of course, depending on the environment, your
pitch length should vary. But generally, the shorter the pitch, the
better. Your brilliant idea will mean nothing if you cannot present it in
the time given to you.
 Let’s take a look at a few important timing pointers:
 If the client tells you that you have only a certain amount of time to
pitch your idea, your pitch should be at least 5 minutes shorter.
 If you tell the client that your pitch will take only a certain amount of
time, it should take at least 1 minute less;
 Talk at a steady pace, do not rush it, especially in the end;
 If you are using slides, try not to get stuck on one for more than 3
minutes;
 Giving them a short pitch is great, because if the clients are really
interested, they will ask you questions. And if not, you’ll be able to
move on and save both your time and theirs.
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9. Feel Free To Be Enthusiastic
 When pitching your ideas you want to
focus on impressing your clients, so don’t
hold back, and show them your wild
enthusiasm for your service or product.
They need to see that you are passionate
about it, because they know that this is
something that cannot be faked.
 Consider increasing your energy levels,
but not too much, because both you and
the client need to feel comfortable. Don’t
think that being enthusiastic will diminish
your insight, professionalism,
sophistication and integrity – it can only
enhance all these things, so go wild (but
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10. Adopt Confident Body
Language
 We are all a little bit nervous when
we find ourselves in stressful
situations. For instance, many
people sway, put their hands in their
pockets or make nervous
movements with their hands.
 All of these things can easily
distract the clients and draw their
attention away from the things you
are saying. You need to become
aware of these habits and take
control over them. You can try
practicing in front of a mirror to
minimize them and become more
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11. Look Your Best
As much as we don’t like to
think about it, we ALL judge
people by how they look. Most
people will agree that first
impressions are everything, so
don’t hold back on buying a
professional, polished outfit for
your pitch.
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12. After you have been able to create a plan
that suits your clients needs and you have
been called to present your ideas, these
are the things you need to begin with.
GETTING
READY
 Be yourself
 Make an
impressive start
 Take deep
breaths
 Smile
 Introduce
yourself
 Who am I?
 Why am I here?
 What will I be
talking about?
Yes, the presentation plan should be
flawless, but don’t underestimate the
importance of presentation and
communication when you’re meeting
clients.

13.  Practice, Practice Practice
 If possible arrive early
 Check the projector
 Audience sitting arrangement
 Lighting and layouts
 Take back ups; computer, flash drive
 Never start with an apology
 Keep simple and legible
 Concentrate on the audience and not the
aid
 Keep eye contact
 Do not walk in front of the screen
Do’s and
Don’ts

14.  Watch out for ‘err’s and ‘um’s
 Control your hands
 Avoid clicking pens, scratching or
any other distracting hand habits.
 Don’t save the best for the last but
don’t end weakly.
 Be interesting for the love of God
 Choose to say only what keeps the
listener listening
 Tell your audience something they
don’t know
Do’s and Don’ts
(Cont’d)

15. Follow these tips and you will be sure that you are
stepping into your pitch with steak AND sizzle.