Pitch Perfect - Presenting and etiquette

Posted by Ivor Smith on 23 September 2019 | 0 Comments Articles

In the last of this short series we look at some tips for presenting your pitch and also pitching etiquette. This follows on from the previous posts on creating the pitch perfect, deciding on your content and putting it all together.

be yourself, be passionate, be confident, be happy

Presenting

The way you tell your story can be just as important as the story itself. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time in front of your audience.

  • Be yourself and relax. Take a deep breath and slow down.
  • Be passionate and confident. You are the expert on your business / product / service.
  • Notes – if you must use notes try not to read them verbatim – use bullet points as a prompt and talk around them. You’ll come across much more naturally and engage more with your audience.
  • Mannerisms – avoid jangling coins in your pocket, wringing your hands, clapping etc. It’s at best distracting and at worst annoying for your audience.
  • Be heard – you can have the best presentation in the world but if people are struggling to hear you then it’s wasted. If you’re not using a microphone then you need to project your voice so that everyone in the room can hear. An easy tip to help with this is to locate the person furthest away in the room and imagine that you are talking specifically to them. That way if they can hear you everyone in between you and them will hear you too.
  • Face your audience – if you’re standing side on or with your back to your audience you’re not only alienating them but also making it more difficult for them to hear you. As such if using Power Point don’t turn and read off the screen behind you. If you must refer to information on the screen have the relevant notes to hand or have the presentation showing on your lap top in front of you.
  • Make eye contact with your audience. This helps you engage with your audience.
  • Your expression – Don’t worry, Be happy.

Pitching Etiquette

  • Begin by thanking them for their time and the opportunity they have given you.
  • The more you can relate to your audience, the better the chance you will have of making a successful pitch.
  • Know who you’re pitching to – tailor your pitch to your audience.
  • Interact with the audience.
  • Involve your team where practical.
  • Be realistic with your financial projections.
  • Be prepared to answer questions.
  • Know when to stop and listen.
  • If you don’t understand the question or any feedback given, ask for clarification.

Contact us to find out how we can help engage your audience at staff and client events.

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