Guest
By Bret Bilbrey, University of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Student.
What makes a good pitch? That is what many startup entrepreneurs had to figure out in the “Quick Pitch” contest at Everywhereelse.co 2013.
For Lou Griffith with iLocale, his strategy is to get the person he is pitching to think.
“You want to hit three or four key points in your pitch and then what I like to do is ask questions. That gets them thinking,” said Griffith. “For instance, with iLocale, I might ask them: ‘Do you have a hard time keeping track of your receipts? Wouldn’t it be easier if you could track it on your phone?’”
Many entrepreneurs have their own style of pitching, complete with hooks, key phrases, and taglines. To capture investors’ attention, Ben Wagner of LifeKraze, a social community that lets people post their accomplishments, starts his pitch with “We help people facilitate action.” Richard Billup of Screwpulp, a self-publishing startup, captures investors with the line “Breaking into traditional publishing is like climbing Mount Everest… on roller skates.”
It is important that your pitch be clear, concise, powerful, and visual.
“Be light on the details, that is what a flyer is for,” Griffith said. “The pitch is to connect with the person and form a relationship.”
