Founders’ Guide to Becoming a Pitching Pro 🎯

It Typically Starts with Dread and Unease

When it comes to pitching and presenting, it's not uncommon to feel a sense of dread or unease. I, too, was once in that boat. However, I discovered a simple yet effective method to overcome this hurdle: daily rehearsal.

It's not that I did not practice before. But I did it the way most people do; I prepared the presentation, I wrote notes, I rewrote notes, and then I waited for the “right moment” when I felt I had the energy to practice, and then I practiced. And I didn't like what I saw at all, so I rewrote the presentation and ... did the whole circle again, probably in a week's time.

Then a friend recommended to speed up the process: "Just run through the pitch at least once every day. Try it for at least 3 weeks. It's not about perfect but about regular. And that practice will get you going forever." he said.

Of course, I knew that repetition is the key to improvement, and pitching is no exception. I just didn't understand back then how big of a difference can the frequency of practice make in the early stages.

Frequency of Practice over Preparation

So, I made it a point to rehearse my pitch every day for an entire month before my sales meetings. And the results were astounding. There's so much more you gain with frequent practice than just "better pitch". It kinda becomes the second nature.

It's like with learning a new language. It doesn't matter when you start actively using it - once you break through the barrier of shyness and fear of being wrong or sounding ridiculous - you've made it! And you can speak fluently from there on using new words, on new topics, and even new languages.

Founders Start Now

Here's the thing - you shouldn't wait for a specific event or meeting to start practicing. If you're a founder, you can and should start right now. You will find this skill useful no matter what. You may not address full stadiums but you will sure as hell want to talk to your team, customers, partners or investors. That's all pitching. Start the practice now - choose any upcoming meeting and make it a big deal.

In my case, I also decided to send my daily pitch (for the next committee meeting) to two of my friends. It wasn't so much about seeking their feedback, although that was helpful too. The real power lay in the sense of accountability it created.

"Just run through the pitch at least once every day. It's not about perfect but about regular."

By committing to sending my pitch daily, I had to follow through because I had told them to expect it. And let me tell you, I would probably drop the practice without them because watching those first pitches just made me feel pain in my eyes. That's how bad it was.

But since I asked them, I didn't want to come across as someone who wasted their time or didn't take their input seriously. Interestingly, most of the time, I could anticipate their feedback even before they sent it. You see, when you watch and critique yourself, you become your own harshest critic.

The beauty of this approach is that you can go from being a complete novice to 80% good a presenting all by yourself or with the help of your friends in a matter of couple of weeks. Of course, having an experienced pitch coach can be immensely beneficial, but it's not a prerequisite. You can start on your own right now.

Power of Compounding Practice

The magic of practicing your pitch every day goes beyond just improving your delivery. It offers two additional benefits that often go unnoticed.

• Firstly, it teaches you to switch into pitch mode within seconds. This skill is invaluable in situations where you need to seize an opportunity to present your ideas.
• Secondly, with consistent practice, your pitch becomes second nature - no more awkward silences or filler words. It flows effortlessly, making you appear confident and captivating.
• And on top of all that - when you master at least one pitch this way, any other consequent presentation and pitch will take you about 1/3 of the time to get right. Such as the power of compounding practice.

As a founder, being able to deliver a natural, confident, and enjoyable pitch is crucial. It exudes an intoxicating energy that others can't help but feel. So, start your everyday practice today and watch as your skills soar. I felt like I could watch my pitches without pain after about two weeks.

Remember, it's not just about becoming a better presenter; it's about embodying the essence of your vision and captivating those around you.

One thing 1:1 coaching does for founders is accountability. Your coach is your accountability partner. Another thing 1:1 coaching does for founders is focus on the most important thing at any given time.

You don't need a coach to start practicing, but if you do, I'm right here 😉

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