Making A Pitch at BlogPaws 2013?

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

For many of the pet lovers that attend BlogPaws 2013 the goal may be to make a pitch to a service provider, a fellow pet lover or a product provider. The pitch could involve your blogging for them, having them guest blog for you, or you may be seeking a job with them. There are ways to make a pitch that may help you hit it out of the park and there are ways to make a pitch that will have you striking out. 

Here are my tips for making a pitch that makes you memorable but also doesn't put the person to whom you're pitching in an awkward position: 

One thing that causes a lot of consternation, at least in my life, is the need to present ideas in a short, catchy way–in what’s called an “elevator pitch,” because you’re supposed to be able to explain your entire big idea to someone while the two of you are in an elevator.

Here are my best practice tips for crafting your pitch:

1. Present your pitch in an intriguing manner. The shorter the better. If you can’t hone your product, service, or yourself into a succinct package, the person you’re speaking with will lose interest. Know who you are so you can pitch what you do.
2. Can you turn your pitch into a question? What if you could shampoo your cat in a quick and easy manner with nary a scratch in sight? (as an example) Well, as a cat owner I’d be intrigued and I’d say, “Tell me more!” Craft your pitch so the audience needs to hear more!
3. Craft your pitch like you’d craft the subject line of an email. Be intriguing yet not vague. Make your pitch specific and one that raises curiosity.
4. Can you make your pitch in 140 words or less? If you’re active on Twitter, I’ll bet you can!
5. Remember the pitch is about what’s in it for them. You know what you can do and the service or product you can provide but how will it enhance their lives? Make it easier or more fun to own a pet? Help them spread the word about what they’re doing?

I learned years ago that a pitch is not something you can hone spur of the moment – or if you can, please tell me how! To make the most of the time you spend with your fellow pet lovers at BlogPaws, work on a pitch and use it wisely!

 

 

Comments

[Carol Bryant]

Great tips and as someone who has been there, done that, and has to explain what I do and what BlogPaws is regularly, honing in on and crafting your elevator pitch makes you appear successful, professional, and ready to do business. It also often impresses the client. Thanks, Robbi!

[Robbi]

Elevator pitches really take time to craft so they sound natural and not sales-y. Thanks for commenting, Carol!