Do you hate pitching? Would you rather have teeth drilled than give an investor pitch in front of a group?
If you avoid pitching because you think you are not good at it or you simply hate public speaking, you might be missing important opportunities to connect with investors.
My years of working with people on their presentations and pitches have shown me something – the belief that you are either a good presenter or not is incorrect.
No matter your lack of skill or the level of your fear, communication skills are something that can be improved!
How do I know this with certainty? I have seen people go from terrified and frozen behind a podium to being an effective speaker in one day. It is possible!
I also recognize the fear. Statistics show that more people fear public speaking then death. I often hear founders speak of stage fright or that they dread the process of pitching. I know that it is hard.
However, there are times in your career that being able to communicate clearly is vital to your success. If you are the leader of a growing business, you will need to pitch: to investors, customers, to potential team members.
Also, there are many techniques, methods and tools that will make the practice of learning and the process of pitching, less painful and more effective.
Think of the benefits of good pitching skills. Imagine what would feel like to pitch with clarity, have confidence and be authentic. It is possible, even if you are nervous!
Here are some steps to help you overcome nerves and give an impactful pitch. I call them the four Ps.
- Plan – The best way to overcome nerves is to plan what you going to say before you are in front of people. Why? Adrenaline. I have seen people go in confidently to a presentation. They are the expert. They don’t need notes. Heck, they wrote the book on this subject. Adrenaline hits and they um and ah, and freeze. Or worst, they go off track incoherently.
Don’t wing it or rely on memory.
Do your planning in the calm of your office or dining room, wherever you can think clearly. Write it all down, section by section.
Tip: Create an outline or notes even if you have slides. - Practice – Pitching skills, like any other skill, improve with practice and coaching. Whether you want to learn to play an instrument or improve your tennis game, you would practice. Imagine being invited to play an instrument in front of a crowd. You would practice first. You might even get lessons. You wouldn’t think of performing without practicing first.
Treat pitching the same way. Before you perform, practice to improve.
Tip: Record your pitch on your phone or Zoom.
Watch it. Notice the content, your eye contact, the pace. Get help if you need it. The more you practice out loud, the more comfortable you will be. - Prepare your set up – Set yourself up for success. Have what you need to be effective. Whether you practice with slides, notes or a script, use what helps you stay on message. This will help your confidence.
Important tip: You don’t need to memorize your pitch.
Ignore advice that tells you otherwise (remember the adrenaline effect). It is more important that you are effective at getting your message across than looking perfect. - Perfect, NOT (or Progress over Perfection) – Your goal is to help investors understand your business and get to know you. This does not require perfection. Besides, perfect is boring! Be yourself.
Tip: Be authentic.
Investors want to get to know you as well as your business. After all, investors invest in people, not decks! Show that you are enthusiastic about this business, even if you are a bit nervous.
In any event, your pitch will never be perfect. You will be adapting your pitch as you meet different investors.
That’s the 4 Ps for people who hate presenting. I hope that you are inspired to plan, practice, and prepare an imperfect investor pitch.
Want more? Check out my recent LinkedIn Live:
http://bit.ly/3KQLU22
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