Pitching to clients is one of the most important aspects of being a business leader. Although we don’t all love it, we must all do it and so it is essential to learn how. 

If the thought of pitching to your ideal client fills you with dread, or you just want to learn a little more on how to master a successful pitch, here are my top seven crucial key points you need to know before you pitch:

1. Friendly Feedback

It’s important that you practice your pitch on friends or people within your network who have your trust. This is because you are such an expert in your area that you don’t hear your minor mistakes anymore. 

You are so used to your pitch that you have skimmed over those little parts that aren’t quite perfect. However, seeking feedback on your pitch can help you to develop your listening skills and iron out those tiny little last minute bumps. 

2. Excited, Enthusiastic, Passionate 

You need to live and breathe your product or service. How you feel about what you are selling will radiate through your pitch, and that will have more of an impact on your audience than any of the words you are speaking. 

If you can show excitement, enthusiasm and passion about your product or service, your client is much more likely to feel the same. 

3. The DYE Test 

This one’s my favourite. The ‘Ditch Your Ego’ test. Walking into a pitch without your ego in check is one of the quickest ways to totally turn off your ideal client. 

Most people don’t even know they have an ego but trust me, it’s in there somewhere and choosing to ditch it is one of the best decisions you can possibly make for your pitch. 

4. The Solution 

The single most important thing about your pitch is that you are effectively communicating how your product or service solves a problem for your client. 

You must be able to directly link what you are selling to being the solution to their problem. In other words, you need to show them that they need you in order to move forward. 

5. It’s Not About You 

This can be hard to take sometimes as a business leader. However, it is vital that when you pitch to clients, your messaging is totally focused on them, not you, sorry. 

If you can show your client that your solution is centred around them, it will make them feel special and understood. This way, they are much more likely to answer ‘Yes!’ at the end of your pitch. 

6. Preparation 

How you prepare can make or break your pitch. Poor preparation produces poor performance every time and so it is really important that you properly prepare for each of your pitches. 

Some of my top tips for preparing are to learn how to handle objections, plan how to close the deal and never fake it, always be honest and upfront with your client.

7. A Final Point 

Finally, you are an expert. You know all there is to know about your product or service, you know it better than anyone. 

However, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.