The Art of Pitching - Global Ecovillage Network

Description of Challenge

Sometimes you have very little time to talk about an idea or a project. Sometimes you
have an opportunity talk about it in front of a large audience, sometimes you are having
an accidental meeting with someone important in an elevator and you have only 30
seconds to two minutes to make him/her want to know more. If the conversation inside
the elevator in those few seconds is interesting and value adding, it will probably
continue after the elevator ride.

“The trick is to understand that you are simply talking with your audience, sharing your
thoughts. You’re not arguing. You’re not selling. You’re having a conversation. You’re

giving them a gift.” Peter Coughter

Solution

Practice the “art of pitching” craft a short pitch and try it out. Learn through the
feedback of peers or members of your audience. Film it and look at the videos
together. Learn from the pitches of others, learn from online ressources.
When crafting your elevator pitch, you first need to think about who is the audience
you’re trying to reach. Lead with the information that the recipient / the audience will
care most about. It is always good to start with a “hook” a statement or question that
piques their interest to want to hear more. Be passionate and express what excites you
be authentic.
Don’t overwhelm with technical or statistical terminology. Keep it simple!
Think about a request what you could ask for at the end. What is the main goal of
your pitch? Practice and become comfortable to talk about your idea/project in 3
minutes, in 1 minute and even in one sentence. Importantly, it’s not just what you say
but how you say it.

References:
Web: http://readwrite.com/2010/04/16/theartoftheelevatorpitch10greattips
(2.2016)

Submitted by Pioneers of Change