When to pitch?
I have good news for you.
A few simple tricks can help you to get new customers, get new partnerships or new investors for your company.
By simply pitching a little bit more often, you’ll increase your network significantly.
What is a pitch?
A pitch is a short presentation about yourself, your company or an idea you have. Basically, you can pitch everything.
A pitch is usually intended to get somebody excited and should be a well-trained weapon in your arsenal.
The advantages of a pitch
There are numerous reasons why you should be pitching. I’ve listed them down for you:
- Get better social skills
- Increase your network
- Increase your salary
- Get new customers for your company
- Make others excited about an idea
This list could go on and on, but you get the point. A good pitch helps you to communicate your vision on the world. At the same time, a good pitch shows confidence and get others to like you.
Why you should always be pitching
Have you ever been in a situation where you find yourself talking to a stranger, and ended up exchanging business cards?
Probably somewhere in the conversation one of you asked the other ‘what do you do for a living?’.
Whenever this question gets asked, it’s time to give a short pitch. I am not talking about a sales pitch. I am just talking about a short story about what you do, and why you love it.
You are not looking to generate business; you are looking to make somebody excited about what you do. By getting other people excited about your work or your company one of the following things can happen:
- He might know a potential customer
- He might know a potential partner
- He might know about an interesting job offer
- He might know a potential employee
- He might know a potential investor
By simply making others excited about what you do, others will be excited to help you out. One way or another.
When you should pitch
- In meetings
Whenever you find yourself a board member meeting, the annual company meeting or with other companies, you should have your pitch ready.
If somebody asks you about your latest project, you should know what to pitch.
If somebody asks you about which tasks you are responsible for, you should know what to pitch.
- With customers
You shouldn’t just pitch when you are with new potential customers. Upselling to current customers is usually easier and more profitable than acquiring new customers. Whenever you are in touch with a customer, you should know how to pitch an upgrade to his current product.
- At networking event
Networking events are the place to practice your pitch. During networking events you usually switch from conversation partners quite often. Because of this, this is a great opportunity to practice your pitch multiple times.
Not only does it help you to sharpen your pitch, it could also actually benefit your or your company. As mentioned, if you are able to make others excited about what you do, everything is possible!
- At birthday parties (or other social occasions)
This one you should be careful with. Nobody likes to be sold hardcore in a moment which should be relaxed and friendly.
That doesn’t mean you cannot pitch. Actually I’ve gained a lot of business contacts when I’m on holidays. I don’t sell, I simply tell what I do and make the other person excited.
- With coworkers
Whether you are working on a new project or you are thinking about how to acquire the next big customer, your coworkers can help.
However, if you want your coworkers to help, they have to be willing to help and know what you are looking for. Shortly explain them your idea and how they could contribute to that success will accomplish more than you might think.
Conclusion
You should always be pitching.
When you meet a new person, and he or she asks ‘what do you do for a living’ this should be your signal to start a pitch.
This doesn’t mean you should start a hardcore sales pitch, you simply tell him or her what you do in an exciting way.
Want to learn how to build your pitch?
Did you like this pitch tip? Spread the word, share it with your friends or colleagues.
