PITCHING 101
10 questions to ask yourself before your ‘Make The Pitch’
(or have the conversation).
1. Who are you pitching to?
Research your decision maker. Their slate of work and program line-up are vital to identifying and communicating what about your project is especially suitable for them.
2. What is your role in the project?
It’s important to let the decision maker know up front the role you fill in this project. They will expect you to approach the pitch with different information, based on your role.
3. What is the title, short synopsis, long synopsis of your project?
Keep it simple but specific. Make every word, character name, and image, work for you. You want the decision maker to see your project in their head.
4. What sets your project apart? What are its unique selling points?
Keep it simple but specific. Make every word, character name, and image, work for you. You want the decision maker to see your project in their head.
5. What are your ‘Package of Pluses’?
What are your highlights: team, financial partners, project origins, the stage of the project?
6. What are you bringing to the project?
Your heart in the project. Specifically, how does your life experience, personal credentials contribute to the project, to set it apart, illustrate ownership, authenticity? The more personally you are committed to the project and become involved in its telling, the chances are the more your “decision maker’ will “buy in”.
7. What questions are you hoping they won’t ask?
Have answers to these questions before you go in.
8. What are your goals for the meeting?
The clearer you are about what you want from the conversation, the more direct the journey.
9. How will you close the meeting?
Always good to stay within the time allotted. A review of next steps is also a solid way to close a meeting.
10. How do you intend to follow-up?
Each meeting is first and foremost a conversation. Deliver what you promised as to follow up. Don’t let it slip through the cracks. And a follow-up thank you is all about building the relationship.