How to Pitch Yourself and Your Business to Investors
You have attended an event and where others are seeing a lot of people, all you can see are potential employers, clients and investors. You are scared and nervous as you think of the many ways to pitch yourself to these people by making yourself stand out among others who are also thinking like you.
You spot that CEO you are following on social media and wish to work with or for. You walk up to her and she flashes a smile at you. You open your mouth to speak and then… you start speaking!
Let’s hope the elevator pitch is ready and a killer one!
Have you ever wondered how people pitch themselves or their businesses all in the guise of small talk and the person listening asks to have their business cards? No need to wonder because you just stumbled on the right page. We are going to explain the what and the how of elevator pitch!
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your organization does. You can also use them to create interest in a project, idea, or product — or in yourself. A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in an elevator. An elevator pitch can be given in any place at anytime and even in awkward situations.
A solid elevator pitch will allow you to distill down to the most pure form exactly who you are and what you offer, and that focus can help to set you apart from all the other candidates who are vying for the same job or role.
Think of it as a commercial and you’re the product. You’ve got 30 seconds to 3 minutes to market yourself and convince whoever is listening to not only change the channel, but to buy what you’re selling…you as the Perfect Candidate!!
How To Prepare An Elevator Pitch
The three minutes pitch guide
Start with a catchy tagline of your value proposition and relate it to the problems you are solving (40 seconds).
A value proposition (VP) is a quick one sentence overview of your business and the value that you provide to your customers. It has to be short and simple. It’s also advisable to compare your VP to your competitors especially a well known business.
State the market size of your industry (potential, total, served, addressable, serviceable and obtainable (20 seconds).
How do you position your business in the market? This is where you tell the story about the scope and scale of the problem you are solving. Clearly define exactly who you serve in the market because the more specific you are, the more realistic your pitch would be.
Tell a story about your solution (product/service) and how it is different from existing solution (competitors) (40 seconds).
Having stated the problem and the people experiencing the problem, you need to proffer the solution(s) to the problem. How does your business come to the rescue to solve that problem? Remain focused on your customers by highlighting a problem one of them faced and how you helped solve it using your product or service. P.S. showing them images will make it even easier for you.
How will you be paid? Have you already recorded traction, mentions, partnership, won awards,etc? (30 seconds).
Who is your primary customer and how do you make money? How much do you charge? Do you offer discounts? How many people have you worked with or partnered with? Have you been recognised (reviews) because of your product or service?
Talk about your team, their expertise and why you believe the team can address the problems you highlighted to the delight of the clients (30 seconds).
What are your milestones and how much do you need to accomplish them and conclude with a rhetoric question (20 seconds).
Tips on Pitching to Investors
- Tell a story
- Know your audience and their interests
- Practise ahead especially on likely questions
- Dress well
- Have a simple pitch that is easy to understand and very incisive
- Set your timelines
- Emphasize on your sales
- Be bold and enthusiastic
- Conclude with a rhetorical question
