How to be more persuasive in a pitch

Pitching to a group of people is not easy, being persuasive is even harder. Knowledge and belief in the product or service that you are offering only gets you so far, being able to persuade and win over an audience is essential.

Here are some tips on how to be more persuasive in a pitch:

1. Be clear-cut

Focus is key when being persuasive. Know your message well and keep on track. Sounding unsure or timid will give off the wrong impression. If you can’t explain your message in a 20-minute meeting that it is unlikely you will be able to explain it in 2 hours.

2. Solve a problem

Start your pitch or presentation by outlining a problem, maybe use surprising figures or unexpected images. Then build up to explain how this problem can be solved. By explaining what benefit you can bring or what problem can be solved your argument will gain context and purpose.

3. Looks matter

Consider what the first thing your audience will see when you start your pitch or presentation. Think about what impression you want to give off. Dressing the part will make you seem more confident, therefore more likely to be persuasive.

4. Understand your audience

Do your research; which elements of your pitch will appeal to the audience the most? Pitching is never a copy and paste technique that you can use over and over again on different audiences - you need to tailor your pitch to your audience. Maybe your audience is financially minded, then you should emphasis the cost-saving benefits of what you are proposing.

5. Prepare for negativity

You cannot expect all of your audience to be on your side and willing to agree with you, no product or service is that perfect. Respond with negative feedback with honesty, do not try and make your product sound like there are no drawbacks, this will be very transparent. Instead, demonstrate how you have considered every aspect of what you are offering and try to explain how the positives outweigh the negatives.