Master Your Pitch: Practice Tips for Startup Founders

As a startup consultant, I often advise founders to practice their pitch, customer pitch, money pitch, and presentation. It may seem tedious, but it’s essential to record yourself and watch it back. Whether you’re in the early stages of your idea or further along in building it, there are a few things you can do right now to help articulate your storyline and be better at talking about it.

One thing you can do is record a one-minute video telling someone what your business does. You don’t need to share it with anyone else, just record it for yourself. Watch it back, take note of any filler words or nervous habits, and then record it again. Repeat this process until you feel comfortable and confident.

Another helpful exercise is to record a three-minute video explaining everything someone would need to know about your business. Imagine an angel investor or VC has asked you to explain your idea in a brief video. Record it for yourself and watch it back, making notes on how you can improve.

If you have a pitch or deck, load up your Zoom or video camera and record yourself presenting it. Watching it back will help you identify areas for improvement and polish your presentation skills.

As you repeat this process, you’ll become infinitely better at talking about your solution, your team, your vision, and your strategy. It’s all about getting comfortable with repetition and iteration.

As an example, David Cancel, CEO of Drift, emphasizes the importance of storytelling in building a successful startup. He believes that “if you can tell a good story, you can build a great company.” By practicing your pitch and presentation skills, you’ll become a better storyteller and increase your chances of success.

So, start recording yourself talking and practice, practice, practice. Don’t wait until your first meeting to stumble through your pitch. Good luck!