The good news is that it is possible to create a business pitch that will be successful. Even better: This manual explains how. As we examine the various ways to pitch a business idea and learn what makes a strong business pitch, grab your beverage of choice and take notes. Additionally, you’ll see examples of our business pitch templates and hear professional advice from people who have successfully used them (and failure too). If you don’t have the time to read this guide, you may also watch the video below. Additionally, it’s simpler to follow along if you create a free Piktochart account and customise the templates for the business pitch deck (learning by doing).
What is a business pitch?
A business pitch is a presentation of a business concept to a group of potential investors or partners. You could pitch to:
Potential backers of your proposal
Customers that could be willing to pay for your goods or services
Advocates who will back your proposal
A business pitch doesn’t always have to be about introducing a novel concept. You can be requesting additional cash or requesting that a current business endeavour continue to get support.
Now that you are aware of what a business pitch is, let’s examine the many kinds of business pitches in more detail.
Types of pitches in business
You can choose from one of the following types for your business pitch:
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Investor pitch
In this kind of business pitch, you show a group of possible business partners or investors a powerful pitch deck. A typical investor business pitch lasts 45 minutes. Following your 20–30 minute presentation, there will be time for discussion or a Q&A. Another option is the 5–10 minute investor-only business pitch, which is typical during a pitch competition.
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Sales pitch
What’s in it for me? is the question that a sales pitch aims to address. “viewed through the eyes of the future client. The most effective salesman can make a pitch in about a minute. You should be able to give the pitch, often known as the elevator pitch, in just one elevator ride (in 30-60 seconds).
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Product pitch
Similar to a sales pitch, a product pitch focuses mostly on the product itself. One or two of the advantages of an email automation programme, for instance, will be highlighted in a sales pitch. A product presentation for the same automation software, however, will place more of an emphasis on the software’s functions, features, and integration options.
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Job pitch
Consider pitching yourself to a potential employer if you’re applying for a job or internship and are wondering how you may stand out among a sea of competent candidates like you.
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Workplace pitching
Do you have a plan or a project that will benefit your coworkers and increase revenue for the business? Present it to your group or manager! You may propose a 4-day workweek or a remote-first culture to your HR department and the rest of the leadership group, for instance. Alternately, you might wish to suggest that a new position be created on your team so that you can both improve your career and solve a problem for the company.
The format of an effective business pitch
We’ve got your back if writing a business pitch seems scary.
By making sure that your business pitch is structured, you may allay this concern.
You’ll be able to predict what you’re going to say next if you have a structure.
Additionally, structure makes your audience remember your company proposal. In particular, it is out that organised information is retained up to 40% more accurately by people than freeform information.
The WHAC Method
Use the WHAC approach to organise your business pitch, whether you’re presenting to a group of potential investors or selling real estate. Award-winning film and television producer Brandt Pividic introduces the WHAC approach in his book The 3 Minute Rule. He wrote the book to share his insights and advice gained from delivering hundreds of pitches to Hollywood studios.
You begin your sales pitch by describing your product or service and outlining what you have to offer.
You now present your business plan and briefly describe the issue and your proposed solution. Consider the scenario where you wish to propose adding a UX researcher to your product team.
You mention the issues and difficulties your team and company are now facing in the absence of a professional UX researcher. Then you suggest paying someone to conduct user research as your solution.
How does it work?
Next, describe your suggestion. Briefly summarise the advantages of your solution. Give an example of how the UX researcher will support the product team in achieving its goals.
Are you sure?
After you have given the solution, those who are hearing your pitch are probably wondering, “Will it actually work? “At this point in your pitch, you must offer credible evidence. You can make use of case studies, statistics, or client testimonials. If you’ve done your study, now is the moment to emphasise your conclusions.
Can you do it?
Your pitch’s conclusion should provide an answer to this query. You need to demonstrate how you’re going to put the answer into practise now that your audience has heard you discuss the issue, the fix, and the evidence that it works. Consider this point to be your pitch’s “actionable” component.
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