Tips and Tricks

Ways To Make Your Pitches Rock
Features

Mash Up

A propsoal does not have be a boring document. Just like you may combine images or charts in a text document or PDF, you can now add video, slideshows, audio, and dynamic media files to engage the buyer and show your passion with the amazing tools installed on your hard drive or from the Internet. It's the 20th century, it's time to stand out from the competition and look like it's the new millenium.

Embed Video

If you do not have a video camera connected to your PC or a webcam, then get one or be left in the dust. You may have delivered an amazing presentation to the team at a company but there are almost always more people who will ultimately make the decision. How are you going to show the amazing chemistry you had in the pitch meeting? How are you going to show the passion you have about the project? How are you going to stand out from the competition?

Create a video. No need to hire a film crew - but this does not hurt - just gather your team around and see what happens. If you feel the need to script it out then outline your points and freestyle or it may feel canned. Don't forget to smile, a blank face looks like a frown on screen.

How To Add Videos

The best way is to "embed" videos in the Splash or the Presentation areas. You can add code to any parts of the pitch also. Most services will provide you with the code to put in the text edit window then click on "save" and you should see the video start screen appear. Here are a list of sites that can be used for videos. We like VideoEgg.com because we can record with the software and then they supply the code after the file is uploaded. Remember to check "private" to keep the video from being viewed publicly:


Embed Slideshows

Sure you may have sent a Powerpoint document via email but how can you guarantee that the file is handy? What if the contact wants to share the file and does not want to send a pesky attachment? It is a good practice to post your capabilities slideshow online and when you have a custom pitch, these online tools below can be helpful to the creation process. Embed the code from these sites and then adjust the dimensions to be 640 wide by 500 high (or 510 depending on the player):

 

Test Your Work

It's a good idea to keep the pitch in draft mode and have a team member view it as an invited contact. They can be deleted later in the "Share" section of the pitch. Also test the PDF, there may be some things you want to adjust or pages you do not want exported. Click on the checkboxes to turn on/off the pages.

Share the Efforts

Distribute the labor with others on the team if possible. Have someone work on the slideshow and someone else handle the video editing. With the tools available it is easy to do it all yourself to make a powerful proposal that is rewarded when the contact approves the pitch.

Customize Each Pitch

Honeypitch has automated the process and also given you the power to see who has viewed the pitch and when. Now make something that will blow them away. Get as detailed as you can with the proposal and hit the ball out of the park on the first pitch. The less that is left to interpretation on a proposal the better informed the buyer is to make a confident decision.

Add Personality

This may not fit with each proposal but the Introduction section allows for more relaxed communication that can be shared privately. The world will not see it so take a chance here. Be yourself and show the personality of the company and team. If the contact is turned off by that then it may not be a good fit anyway.

Use Splash Screen

Embed a video or presentation here if you want the contacts to see this first. It can be a powerful way to deliver a message about your solution or a smart branding video of your company.

Duplicate the Master Pitch

Spend a little time on the first pitch and then duplicate this pitch in the future. If the terms and Introduction sections are complete then spend time on the schedule, estimate, and the presentation.

Show That You “Get It”

Nothing makes a prospect more interested in a seller's services than when the seller totally understands the needs and requirements. Show this with relevant case studies, SWOT analysis, isolated solutions, reports, and process diagrams. Of course the written word can also be used but try to present your solution in a snapshot experience.