I pitch, therefore I am.

Guy Kawasaki

From this module, I’ve learned that the pitch is the most important part of being an entrepreneur. If you can’t sell your idea to possible investors, then there’s no future for it. In one of the videos from this module, the point of identifying the pain and need for your innovation was expressed as being very important. I think this is something that I could work on because when I talk in front of a lot of people, I tend to get nervous and loose emotions. I get so focused on saying the right thing and worrying about other things that I forget to be authentic. Identifying the pain requires a lot of emotion so I plan to practice this. One way to practice this, which was mentioned in the module, is to set up your phone and record yourself practicing your pitch. I feel like this could help me a lot and help me become more comfortable speaking in front of people. Below are some of they key concepts that I took away from this module.

Essential Information

1. Solve a problem – What am I doing that’s different from everybody else?
2. Explain how it works – How am I making money?
3. Prove there’s traction – How do you know it is going to work?
4. Show team’s expertise – What is my experience?

10 Slides For Your Pitch

1. Title
2. Problem/Opportunity – Tell a Story + Identify a need that is not being met
3. Value Proposition – How is this going to make a difference? Why do people need it?
4. Underlying magic – What is my unfair advantage that makes my business stand out?
5. Business Model – How am I going to make money?
6. Market Plan – How am I going to promote my product?
7. Competitive Analysis – Who are my competitors?
8. Management Team – What are my experience and qualifications?
9. Financial Projections – Present facts behind my numbers
10. Where am I know? – What is my plan/timeline? I got money now, what would be my first step?

The Presentation

• Focus on the pain – less than a minute for short form
• Demonstrate the reachable market
• Explain the business model
• Tout the management team
• Explain your metrics
• Motivate the audience
• Why you and why now?
• Rehearse