The Winning Pitch

If someone brings you in to pitch an idea, some pointers…

One. Be grateful for the opportunity. Someone took time out of their busy schedule to listen to you.

Two. Work hard on it. Do your research. Know your subject cold. Think through every detail and try to anticipate questions the person may ask.

Three. Let go. Just like an actor leaving their homework at the door, do the same with your pitch. Don’t hold on to anything. It’s a conversation. Be open to wherever it goes. Trust your work beforehand to let go and be in the moment.

Four. Don’t pitch what you think they want to hear or what you think will sell. Pitch what you’re passionate about.  What lights you up. Authentically convey your enthusiasm and confidence in YOUR idea. 

If you do it right, chances are they’ll either love your idea and want to back it. Or they might not love the idea, but they’ll love you and want to work with you on something else.

Either way, you made a great impression. You made a winning pitch.

P.S. – Speaking of winning pitching, check out the stats from Dwight Gooden (aka “Dr. K”) pictured above. One of my favorite pitchers of all time. As a 19 year-old rookie, he won 17 games with a 2.60 E.R.A. His second year, age 20, he went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and won the Cy Young Award (best pitcher in the league). Crazy good!