This document provides tips for giving effective presentations when pitching an idea or product. It recommends coming prepared with materials like photos, sketches, prototypes and presentations. The first impression is important, making eye contact and handshake. The sales pitch should tell a story with a user scenario and address how it solves problems compared to competitors. Anticipate common questions and practice answering them as a team. Maintain enthusiasm and sell the benefits to investors. Homework includes finalizing materials and prototypes, brainstorming questions, writing the pitch, and practicing.

1. Pragmatic Presenting
Table Pitches CLEMENS WAN
MAY 2014

2. What to Expect
1. Prepared Materials
2. First Impression
3. Sales Pitch
4. Expected Questions
5. Closing

3. Prepared Materials
Photos, Sketches, Features List, Prototype,
Presentations, Hand-outs

4. Designer
○ Requirements → Features
○ Sketches
○ Design Justification / Research
○ Trade-offs / Limitations ?
○ Advanced: Digital drawings

5. Engineer
○ Materials Available
○ Technical Specifications
○ Prototypes
○ Advanced: Test Results

6. Marketing
○ User stories / Use cases
○ Poster Material (Photos)
○ Features List (for consumer)
○ Hand-out material (Summaries)
○ Advanced: Video, How-to

7. First Impression
Eye Contact, Smile, Handshake, Greeting
(Young Professional)

9. Communication
○ Appearance
○ Eye Contact
○ Body Contact
○ Gestures
○ Posture
○ Facial Expressions
○ Movement

10. Sales Pitch
User Story, Hook, Content, Demo

11. Write Your Prod Pitch!
○ Why is it needed?
○ What is it?
○ Who will buy it?
○ Features
○ User story
○ Address Competitors
Investor’s Filter
○ Do I understand the need
for it?
○ Do I understand it?
○ What’s unique?
○ Compared to competitors?
○ Is it profitable?
○ Is your team competent?

12. The PitchWhat’s Your Pitch?

13. Sales pitch madlibs
○ Tired of … <common problem> / Have you ever wanted
to … <generic happiness>
○ Don’t worry because … <product>
○ This will revolutionize <industry>
○ Imagine yourself … <scenario>
○ Think of a time when you … <scenario>
○ With our beautiful design, it will make <action> easier
than ever

14. Most Simple Pitches
“My team, <name of team>, is developing <a
defined solution> to help <target audience>
solve <a problem> with <secret sauce>”
- Or -
“We’re like the <popular competitor> for
<different area> / but with <unique
features>”

15. Art of Pitching
○ Enthusiasm
○ Personal Connection
○ Sell the Benefit (Why invest?)
○ Tell a Story and Ask Questions
○ Address the obvious questions
○ Teach something new

16. Art of Q&A
Prepare, Be a team, Think on your feet,
Deferring questions

17. ○ Inspiration?
○ More time?
○ Do differently?
○ Next steps?

19. Instead of “I don’t know”
○ “We’ve considered this, but…”
○ “You make a good point. We can follow-up with this
and email you.”
○ “That’s a good question. I would love to get back to you
with that information.”

20. Closing
Additional information, Thank you,
Handshake, Smile

22. Interactive Practice!
You’re at Emoti-con and
someone approaches your
table…

23. The Good
○ Simple explanation (but
lacking context and hook)
○ Used lingo: ‘aerodynamic’
(but could have explained
more detail)
○ Lesson learned to come up
with more designs (but could
have included others)
○ Clear and concise answers
(but not conversational)
The Great
○ Enthusiastic first impression
○ Started with an engaging
question
○ Used materials available
showing work done by group
○ Use of stories and setting
context
○ Allowed entire team to
contribute
○ More in-depth lessons learned

24. Less This
○ Mumbling
○ Nervous Ticks
○ Up-Speak
○ Slang
○ Smart Phones
○ Filler Words
○ Go Off Topic
More this
○ Teamwork
○ Everyone Practice!
○ Pay attention
○ Represent your role
○ Tell stories/lessons
learned
○ Communicate
effectively
○ Prepare Extra Material

25. Presentation Tips & Tricks Summary
○ Do your homework
○ Expect common questions
○ Know your purpose and
audience
○ Practice!
○ Dress to Impress
○ Make a good first impression
○ Face your audience
○ Tell stories
○ Speak Louder!
○ Slow Down / Pause
○ Remove distractions
Have Additional Material

26. Actual Homework
○ Prepare your materials for poster (more photos and keywords)
○ Prepare your materials for hand-outs (summaries)
○ Brainstorm common questions and answers specific to your
product
○ Write your pitch
○ Test your prototype!
○ Practice with your team!
○ Get feedback from friends/family

27. … ? Clemens.wan@gmail.com
seelemonslive.com