-
=X
Welcome Log out
Are you a life coach, business coach or NLP practitioner? Join us Log in
Find a coach
  • Home
  • Coaching Areas
  • NLP
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Local events
  • Your stories
Welcome !
Member's AreaLog out
Log inJoin us
Bookmarks (-)
  • Home>
  • Articles>
  • Pitch perfect

Pitch perfect

By a listed life coach
21st July, 2016
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark
21st July, 2016
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark

Pitching yourself, some love it, some hate it. When attending a network event or a new business opportunity presents itself, its beneficial to have a well-rehearsed elevator pitch to pull out the bag in an instant and make you stand out from the crowd. People build an impression of you in 30-60 seconds, so you need to get your message across quickly and with confidence. So by the time you’ve finished reading this paragraph they’ve possibly already formed an impression of you - make the time count.

So let’s start to think about what you need to get across. It’s not just about what you say, but also about how you engage with the other person and displaying the right behaviours to build rapport instantly. People will support you if they like and trust you.

Take some time out and consider the following:

  • What do you want them to remember about you as a person and what can you offer?
  • How could you fit in with their organisation or clientèle?
  • Consider how you can hook them – think about 3 areas of passion, interest or objectives.
  • What are you working on now and what’s your aims for the future?
  • Engage with them by asking questions – remember you’re not quoting your CV but engaging in real conversation
  • What’s your call to action that’s value-added – perhaps it’s to stay in touch or offer something to them?
  • Remember the behaviours and the rapport building:
    • Do –
      • match their body language
      • make eye contact
      • use their name at least once
      • really listen and show genuine interest in what they have to say
      • be enthusiastic.
    • Don’t –
      • corner them and keep them too long
      • get hung up on your job title – it says nothing about who you really are
      • forget it’s a real conversation and not a speech.

Once you’ve thought about this, start to formulate your pitch and reflect on the required behaviours. Then get yourself in front of a mirror, camera, or voice recorder and practice, practice, practice. You’ll learn so much about your mannerisms, buzz words you always use, and tone of voice, so don’t skip this part no matter how uncomfortable this may feel. If you’re feeling brave, and to get maximum benefit, enlist the help of a trusted friend or colleague to pitch to. Ask them to be completely honest in their feedback, what’s the point otherwise. If you’re feeling really brave, ask them to ‘step into your shoes’ and copy both physically and word for word how you introduced yourself. Just 10 seconds of your greeting as they see and hear you will tell you what no amount of practising in front of a mirror will. Do it, you’ll learn something about yourself you didn’t know.

By putting in the time to create your pitch in advance, practice it, refine it, and practice some more, you’ll set yourself up to deliver a perfect pitch with confidence and get your message across.  Good luck!

“Remember, if you don’t promote yourself, then no-one else will! Likewise, believe in yourself or no-one else will either.” – Donald Trump

Career coachingPersonal development
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Life Coach Directory is not responsible for the articles published by members. The views expressed are those of the member who wrote the article.

Has this article rung true for you? Use our advanced search to speak to a Life Coach.
Believing in yourself Coaching for life
Find a business or life coach near you
advanced search

print this page

Related articles View all

Personal development Retirement
Article author image
In midlife? Trying to work out what to do in your second half?
By Carol Pearson
Are you in midlife? No longer loving your job? Feeling a lack of energy and...
Personal development
Article author image
The nuts and bolts of personal values
By Florentina Caras- Personal Development Coach
Before exploring different aspects of personal values, let’s have a deeper look at...
Personal development
Article author image
Crack your planning and blast your goals in 6 simple steps
By Jackie Meek - Executive, Business and Life Coaching for Mums
Recently I had the opportunity to speak at a networking event for consultants on the...

Connect with us

Facebook
Twitter
"'The P.E.O.P.L.E. Programme' book launch and personal development workshop" in London is running on Sat 2nd Mar… https://t.co/vi1bZKMusd
Get involved
More information
  • Home
  • About
  • Legal terms
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy notice
  • Browse by region
  • Links
  • Press Centre
  • Site help

Company Details

  • Life Coach Directory, Building 3
  • Riverside Way, Camberley
  • Surrey, GU15 3YL
  • Membership Services Team: 0333 325 2501 *
  • Contact us
  • * Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calling an 01 or 02 number and count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.

Copyright © 2019
Site by Memiah Limited

Healthy ideas that change the world

Get our free monthly e-magazine straight to your inbox

Find out more at happiful.com

Happiful magazine cover
Before using our site, please take a moment to review our Privacy Notice and Cookies policy. By continuing to use this site we'll assume you agree to both.
Ok