💡Oh Pitch Please

How I discovered a simple framework for making winning pitches, and why everyone should steal it.

Aaaand the winner of the best app for the Health category is…

We sat in the room at Miami Dade College with 50 other budding entrepreneurs staring at the futon-sized checks on the stage.

When are we going to grow out of using those ridiculous things? I digress…

…Michelle, uh-... Pen-ahla-verrr!!!

We looked at each other and around the room to see if there were any other Michelles with a similar name.

Eh, close enough, go get yo monayy!

She jumped out of her seat and skipped on stage where they asked her to explain her app to everyone.

With the same level of contagious excitement as during her original pitch, she shared how Formula is a group therapy platform for young people that’s fun and doesn’t even feel like therapy.

The room, full of her target market, applauded.

In just 20 seconds their curiosity was sparked.

Michelle soon disappeared behind the enormous check for photos and a barrage of questions.

Only 3 days earlier, her idea was nothing more than a thought in her head.

Pitching all over yourself

Now imagine you have invested years of your life.

You’ve spent tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars…

…to build a product to change the world.

And you get 30-60 seconds to share it.

This pitch could land you:

• Millions of dollars of investments

• Experienced mentors to help you

• Enterprise-sized clients ready to sign up

• Business connections to share your product

How do you show up?

Months earlier we attended a pitch competition at eMerge Americas, Miami’s biggest tech convention of the year.

Attendees included Kevin O’Leary (SharkTank), Alex Ohanian (Reddit founder), Pitbull (Dale), Serena Williams, the mayor of Miami, and a pack of hungry investors looking for opportunities.

Hi I’m Dave and, uh, this is an app that’s like Uber but for tasks. So… We have a great founding team…

That one didn’t go well. The next three didn’t either.

These were probably awesome ideas, but they were tragically lost in communication.

Yes, we all get nervous.

But have you ever had so much excitement it overpowered your nervousness or fear?

The answer is yes if you ever learned how to drive, became a parent, asked someone out, gave a presentation, played sports… ok you get it.

You’ve always been pitching

The truth is, you’ve already been pitching a product your whole life: YOU.

Why should someone be your friend, partner, teammate, or hire you?

You’ve already given loads of winning pitches.

But if you want to get at least 10% better, keep reading.

Remember pitching doesn’t mean convincing.

It’s just sharing an opportunity, like a new cryptocurrency and that’s going to the mooooooon baby!

Joking aside, here's a simple method I use and share with my coaching clients that will make you instantly better at pitching.

Don’t quit your pitching

This works in any scenario ranging from building rapport, influencing someone, or getting support.l;

The I-See-Better Method:

1. Intentional

2. See Them

3. Better Future

Intentional - Choose three words that describe the best version of you and how you’d like to be perceived by others. Remind yourself of this version of you every day so that it becomes automatic in your interactions (e.g. how would a person who’s “A, B, and C approach today?”)

See Them - When you already know how you want to show up, you save mental bandwidth to focus on them instead of yourself. It’s amazing how much more you’ll notice (see clip from Hitch below). Show them genuine appreciation for something you observe (e.g. their passion for a topic, great energy, unique perspective, etc.)

Better Future - The one thing everyone wants is a better future. When you really see someone, you get a sense of what that would include for them. So when you pitch an idea, a partnership, or opportunity, you know what to include that will grab their interest.

This can take as little as 20 seconds.

Each one builds on the last and it flows from you → them → us.

Pretty simple, right?

I can really pitch-ure you using this.

So give it a shot and let me know how it goes!

The Bottom Line

Whether we like it or not, we are always pitching, so show up with intention.

Like a great adventure, the journey is where the growth happens. Practicing pitching - being intentional about how you show up in the world - is no different.

My challenge for you this week is to implement the I-See-Better Method. Send me your 3 words or your outcome from using it and I’ll feature you in the next issue.

Recommended Podcast

If you’re passionate about positive psychology like Michelle, check out her award-winning Formula. FUN ELEMENT: it’s in Spanish so she probably says things about me that I don’t catch → here

Complementary Call

If you’re craving more adventure in your own life, be it related to health, career, or relationships, there’s no better time than now to embark. Grab a time to chat —> here.

Great Pitch Examples

For an idea (from Shark Tank) —> here

For yourself (from the move Hitch) —> here

That’s all for now my friend.

If you know someone who would love perspective and stories like these, please forward this email or share this link with them to check out past issues: https://jimwall.beehiiv.com/

You’ll also be helping to grow this community of people who believe that life is the greatest adventure.

Next week’s issue may be a bit controversial, but I’ll pitch you on why I don’t regret an incident where I had a beetle squirt acid in my eye. Stay tuned.

Talk to you again soon.

Jim Wall