Yesterday, I attended Entrecon at Utah Valley University. During the event, I listened to a presentation by Chad Kerby from InfusionSoft where he pointed out that people don’t buy from people they like, they buy from people they trust. He went on to quote David Horsager, “People trust the clear and distrust the ambiguous.”

So, in order to find paying customers and recruit team members to your new business, you need to be able to clearly state what your business is. This is called your “pitch”.

Unfortunately, not all of us were born with the gift of gab. Maybe you freeze up or forget everything about your business when someone asks you about it. Or maybe you’re like me and find yourself rambling and going off on tangents that have nothing to do with your business. What can you do to improve your pitch and make it more clear?

Well, it turns out that practice really does make perfect. It also helps to get feedback and tips from other business owners and experts. The WBC holds an annual training called Pitch Perfect: Master Your 2 Minute Funding Pitch (coming up on March 22!) where experts come in and help business owners practice and perfect their business pitch and we’ve collected some of the top tips they’ve given at past events.

Top 5 Tips for Pitching Your Business

  • Be natural – Get comfortable with your pitch. You don’t want to sound like a pre-recorded program.
  • Have passion – Communicate your passion for who you are and what you do, yet show some restraint.
  • Make them care – Introduce yourself and address a problem/need right away. Explain the benefits your company can offer to solve problem/fill need.
  • Be clear – If you’re trying to win over a customer or investor, let them know exactly what you want from them.
  • Leave them wanting a little more – Don’t try to pack in too much. Explain your expertise, why you are best suited for the execution, and a general overview.

Try writing an outline for your pitch using the tips above and practice it with someone who will give you honest and constructive feedback. Adjust your pitch if needed and practice some more. Eventually, you’ll gain the confidence you need to successfully pitch your business.

Want more tips or need help practicing your pitch? Join us on March 22nd for Pitch Perfect: Master Your 2 Minute Funding Pitch. See you there!

Valkyrie Johnson