General Strategies

Module 2 * Part 3

What are some strategies you can use to make your pitch more persuasive and successful?

You want to use the PAID approach.

Preparation

By preparation, we mean you need to prepare for further discussion of:

  • Your own pitch (including all logistical and financial details)
  • Your victims (who they are, how they are being harmed and what they might want)
  • Your audience (who they are, what they might want)
  • Your resources (what is currently available; what more do they want and why)

    Articulation

    By articulation, we mean that during the presentation you need to be able to clearly communicate your message. As such, you want to:

  • Prepare a script but speak in a natural and spontaneous way
  • Prepare visuals to support your ideas
  • Prepare a prototype of your product if possible
  • Prepare samples All of the preparation contribute to your articulation of your proposal and your vision.

    Interaction

    By interaction, we mean how you draw your audience’s attention during the entire pitch. This includes:

  • Being friendly and engaging when you first greet your funders / investors
  • Being engaging during your presentation and always addressing the funders / investors’ concerns
  • Being inviting when answering questions by providing extended but concise answers
  • Being open to criticism at the end of the pitch, and by responding to the criticism without sounding defensive

    Determination

    By determination, we mean that you show passion for the project that you believe in. This means:

  • Being passionate about the cause you are fighting for (without imposing moral obligations on others, i.e. guilt-trip your audience)
  • Not showing fear when you are being criticized
  • Not abandoning your vision and your goal
  • Being consistent your approach towards the problem
  • Being flexible in making modifications to your solution without abandoning the core of your mission

    If you are able to use the PAID strategies, then you will have a successful pitch, and ultimately be able to obtain support and funding for your project.