Frequently Asked Questions

About Pitcherific and pitching in general

How much does it cost to use Pitcherific?

Q:

How much does it cost to use Pitcherific?

A:

There’s a 7-day trial to test out the tool. After the trial, a membership is needed to keep benefitting from Pitcherific. Info on pricing can be found under ‘Pricing’ in the header menu.

What is a pitch?

Q:

What is a pitch?

A:

Pitching is about convincing other people to do something - react, respond or maybe act. A pitch can be used in many different situations. As a startup you pitch a new idea to potential investors, business partners or clients. You try to convince them about the greatness of your idea, concept or product, and the possibilities within it. It is not enough to have a good idea – you must be able to sell it to others. You have to convince, sell and communicate to make your message clear. That’s what pitching is about.

Can I use the Pitcherific tool for other things than preparing a 'pitch'?

Q:

Can I use the Pitcherific tool for other things than preparing a pitch?

A:

A pitch comes in many forms. You can use the tool to create and rehearse marketing scripts, video manuscripts, sales pitches, memos, etc.  Basically, everything where you need to communicate something that is short and to the point. If none of the existing templates in the tool fit your purpose, just build a custom pitch. Don't hold yourself back!

Why should I use Pitcherific instead of PowerPoint, Prezi or a pitch deck?

Q:

Why should I use Pitcherific instead of Powerpoint, Prezi or a pitch deck?

A:

Pitcherific is the perfect tool for you to use, before you create a pitch deck or when you can’t use a pitch deck. When you have created and practiced your pitch and know it like the back of your hand, you can make a PowerPoint, Prezi or pitch deck to support your main points. But remember, pitching is more than pointing at your powerpoint presentation - you have to deliver the message in a convincing fashion. Practice with Pitcherific first. It makes a much more convincing presentation and increases your chances of success.

How do I prepare for my next pitch effectively?

Q:

How do I prepare for my next pitch effectively?

A:

Choose one of our pitch templates, and let our helpful hints guide you through the process. And remember – you have to practice in order to persuade.

How do I structure my pitch?

Q:

How do I structure my pitch?

A:

We have made it easy to create a well-structured pitch. Just jump into using one of Pitcherifics best-practice pitch templates and let it guide your way. If you can’t find one that suits the situation, or if you feel creative, we have made it easy to create a custom pitch in a pinch. 

Which pitch template should I choose?

Q:

Which pitch template should I choose?

A:

Choosing the right template is key to delivering a great pitch. Always consider: what do my audience need to know and use that as your starting point. Do you only have a minute to present your business idea? Try the elevator pitch or the NABC-pitch. Do you need to be a bit more comprehensive, then look for a pitch template that fits the situation, or create your own custom template.   

What is the difference between a customer pitch and investor pitch?

Q:

What is the difference between a customer pitch and an investor pitch?

A:

Any pitch should always be tailored to a specific audience. A customer with a need is interested in being pitched a superior solution, presented to them at a fair price. An investor, on the other hand, needs to know about how you run your business: What’s the business model, what market are you're targeting and why, what’s your go-to market strategy, and much more. Take a look at Pitcherifics specific templates to learn more. 

Where can I find examples of a pitch written with the templates in the tool?

Q:

Where can I find examples that will help me write my pitch?

A:

The best-practice templates you’ll find on Pitcherific also comes with examples for each section of the pitch that you can use as inspiration for your own pitch.

Should I make different pitches for different audiences? How do I do it?

Q:

Should I make different pitches for different audiences? How do I do it?

A:

Your message should always be tailored to your targeted audience and the situation (time limit, content must-have ect.). Consider what your audience NEEDS to know. Do they need detailed or technical information about your product, or should you only present the vision as an idea in brief? What do they know about you and your business beforehand? Adjust your message, use of words, and way of presenting for that specific audience. Everytime.

When do I 'finish' my pitch?

Q:

When do I 'finish' my pitch?

A:

There is no such thing as a perfect pitch, and a ‘finished’ pitch is a thing you define for yourself. A pitch is often ‘done’ when you are satisfied with your message, and have practiced the pitch between ten and fifteen times with feedback in between. By then you’ll have moved from ‘this won’t work’ to ‘this works’, both in terms of feedback from the audience and your own gut feeling.

How many times should I practice?

Q:

How many times should I practice?

A:

It’s hard to practice too much and easy to practice too little. To practice at least five times is key, but you’ll still improve if you practice up to ten or even fifteen times. Remember to get feedback along the way, optimally from the relevant audience.

How do I connect with the customer (my audience)?

Q:

How do I connect with my audience?

A:

Connecting with the audience can be achieved with a relevant message that is presented in a way that is coherent and interesting. Communicating to them as an equal is key: not making things too hard to grasp or too simple, as this could make the audience feel stupid.
If you know your audience well, you can use a more direct approach; referring to subjects of interest or asking a question that relates to the audience's own world. 

What words should I use?

Q:

What words should I use?

A:

The most important thing is that you use words that your audience understands. Nothing is worse for an audience than not understanding what you're saying – you might as well be speaking gibberish. Treat the audience as your peers. Avoid making things too hard to grasp or too simple. I could also be a good idea to use words that your audience use themselves.

How do I make a clear message? (and create a common thread)

Q:

How do I convey a clear message?

A:

A clear message can only come from you knowing what you want to say, and based on that select a structure that will support it. When you have found the right structure it’s time to find the proper phrasing and use words that resonate with your audience.

How do I make it interesting to listen to?

Q:

How do I make my pitch interesting to listen to?

A:

There are two main components that will make your pitch more engaging: what you say, and how you say it. The former is about creating a message that in itself is interesting; with a core message, told in a coherent manner, using the most appropriate wording. The latter is about conveying your message in an interesting way using both your body language and your voice, and through this letting your passion for your message shine through. 

Do I run the risk of simplifying my message when pitching?

Q:

Do I run the risk of simplifying my message when pitching?

A:

Yes you do. And mostly it’s for the better. A pitch is often a teaser that is supposed to get people interested enough to find out more, take a meeting with you, or contact you afterwards. It’s better to simplify a little and leave some small gaps to be filled later, than to overwhelm your audience with information. An overload of information doesn’t convince. A sharp, crystal clear, coherent message does. So keep it simple and don't be afraid to simplify. 

How do I comply with the time?

Q:

How do I deal with a time limit?

A:

Time is of the essence. To go over time is a sin and is often severely punished by an audience. This is true for both potential customers and especially judges in a contest. Keeping within time shows your audience that you can plan and execute well. With Pitcherific it’s easy to keep within time with our automatic time checker function that will guide you in terms of how much time you should spend on each section. The function will also warn you if you go over time. 

How do I remember my pitch?

Q:

How do I learn my pitch by heart?

A:

There are many ways to tackle this issue. We don’t recommend that you memorize your pitch word by word. You should practice to know your message by heart, but in a way that sets you free when you present, rather than chain yourself to a script. Much like an actor, you should practice in order to give life to your own performance, even improvise if the situation calls for it, but with a focus on getting the message through!  

How do I avoid getting nervous?

Q:

How do I avoid getting nervous?

A:

A little tension or nervousness is a good thing, but too much will stand in your way. Since nervousness is mostly a mental thing one of the most effective ways to overcome it, is to get well prepared so you’ll get the feeling that you've done your homework. Training for possible questions from the audience will also make you feel more well prepared. Another mental way to tackle nervousness is to ask yourself: what is the worst thing that could happen? The realistic worst-case scenario is not that you will die, but that you’ll have some hard comments – which means you’ll properly learn something. So take the mental stand that you’ll either win or learn when you pitch.

How do I handle it if I get nervous?

Q:

How do I handle it if I get nervous?

A:

If you feel nervous before a pitch: breathe. Take long deep breaths. Close your eyes and focus on your breath only. You should also try to recall that you have prepared well and remember that your pitch doesn’t have to be a win/lose scenario but a win/learn scenario (see also: ‘How do I avoid getting nervous’).

What should I do with my hands?

Q:

What should I do with my hands?

A:

Your body language is important whenever you pitch live in front of an audience (even if it’s just one person). Your hands should be used in a natural way to make your presentation animated and dynamic. It is also possible to support what you are saying with your hands using gestures. 

How do I avoid sounding like a robot?

Q:

How do I avoid sounding like a robot?

A:

Sounding like a robot typically comes from being nervous and wanting to remember everything, which isn't necessary in order to be convincing. Instead you should practice so much that you don't need a script, and from there accept that you'll probably miss something or say something in another wording than originally planned. It’s not a big deal. It actually gives you time to fill in some pauses, and to create variations in your voice, volume, and tone.
If you are worried about nerves, you can read more about it under the question ‘How do I avoid getting nervous?’

Who can give me feedback?

Q:

Who can give me feedback?

A:

The best feedback you’ll get is from the actual audience you’ll present for or a similar audience. It’s also effective to get feedback from other experienced pitchers or a seasoned pitch coach. If none of the mentioned is an option, go for feedback from any person that can imagine being in the shoes of your intended audience and will offer serious advice. Lastly, don’t forget to record yourself and review your pitch!

Want to learn more about pitching?

Then check out our blog:

blog.pitcherific.com

Do you have ideas or thoughts about pitching that you want to share?

Contact us at:

contact@pitcherific.com

Or do you want to start creating and practicing your own pitch?

Try the tool