The ABC’s Of Pitching Your Business Like A Pro

For most entrepreneurs, pitching their business seems to a very difficult task but may provide the next big break the business needs. Most entrepreneurs believe that this area should be left for the marketing department. No one likes to be under scrutiny which seems to always be the case when a pitch is being delivered.

As a business owner, you must ensure that you effectively pitch your business to the right people at various stages of your business. You may need pitch your business to the right investors for funding, to suppliers, or to clients, etc. What’s important when pitching is to ensure that you are doing it effectively and communicating important details concerning your business.

So how do you ensure you effectively pitch your business?

1. Understand your USP

Occasionally, when entrepreneurs tell me about their businesses and say all the lovely things they do; one of the questions I like to ask is this, ‘what makes your business different from others?’ This question applies to business ideas that are in industries that are wide and a similar product/service like theirs might have been in existence, for instance, fashion designing. So, you need to ask yourself what your unique selling proposition is. You need to know what differentiates your brand from others. By knowing this, you can have an idea of what it is that is unique about your business.

2. Have an elevator pitch

What is your elevator pitch? If you meet an investor or a good client in the elevator, how will you in few minutes communicate what your business is about and how you help others? It might not necessarily be an elevator, you could meet them at different places, but here’s the point – how will you say what you do within few minutes, and say it effectively and meaningfully? In order to keep it short, you must stick to important details. Don’t forget to include your USP in your pitches. In addition, you need to ensure that you practice your elevator pitch before an opportunity presents itself and ask for reviews because you never can tell when you may need to pitch your business.

3. Be prepared to answer questions about your business

Expect questions after you have delivered your pitch. Be ready with facts and figures regarding your business. Investors would like to know if you have done your homework. They would consider if you are financially sound or business savvy and if your business would be profitable. The only way they would know is if they ask questions.

4. Have your contact handy

When you finally give your elevator pitch, how do you expect to foster the relationship? One of such ways is by having a complimentary card in handy to give to people who show interest in your business. One of the easy ways of doing this is by having a business card. Business cards could be physical or they could be digital. Whichever one you settle for, you need to ensure that it effectively communicates what you do and it shows your contact details correctly and easily.

5. Follow-up

In different industries and professions; follow-up is important. If you give an investor a wonderful elevator pitch and you hand him/her your contact details, you need to also follow-up. Did you promise you were going to send him or her some details they need or did you promise you were going to get in touch with them and schedule a proper meeting? Did you promise you will get in touch with them some days later? Follow-up is a way building a relationship with prospective investors and clients. 

Related: How To Make Your Relationship With Clients Less Stressful

Conclusion

Ensure you are as direct as possible and always be ready for an opportunity. If an opportunity doesn’t present itself, create one. As an entrepreneur, you must be prepared to tirelessly announce your brand to prospective investors and clients/customers and even though you face some rejections you must not relent. One right connection could be all that is required to propel your business to the next level.

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