How to win at virtual pitching
Are you using virtual pitching in your business?
Many of our clients tell us that the virtual pitch has some great benefits over the traditional, formal pitch in a meeting room. The virtual environment is more relaxed and there’s plenty of opportunity to still “meet face to face” and get to know one another and establish that much needed potential chemistry.
Even though most of us are fairly comfortable now communicating in the virtual arena, there is still potential for miscommunication, especially in a sales pitch – something you really want to avoid.
What are the best pitch practices for remote presentations?
Staging your new virtual pitch theatre
Pitches delivered virtually can be just as impactful, create as much chemistry and engagement as their ‘traditional’ face-to-face equivalents. And in some cases be much more effective.
Actors are experts
Actors are consistently being called upon to adapt and work effectively in a variety of performance ‘stages’ while still being able to engage and develop chemistry with any audience. They are masters at it.
Actors are experts at revealing and framing information in the most interesting and exciting way and ensuring that key messages are clear and memorable, whatever the channel of communication. Whether that’s up close and personal, or over a tiny, little screen. And you can do it too.
The actors ‘method’ is at the core of our innovative training modules that equip professionals at every level with the practical tools to take control of their behaviours, and consistently deliver top performance in their roles. So how can you take control of your virtual pitch and get the results you need?
Top tips to move from face-to-face to virtual
But even though you can achieve great results from virtual pitches, don’t try to shoehorn them into the old-style pitch formula. It just won’t work.
Boil it down
Be succinct, very clear and use your first few minutes wisely. Holding your audiences concentration is hard enough in the face-to-face world, but with the potential of additional home distractions maintaining virtual attention can be even harder. Boil your pitch down and be confident it’s going to deliver the lasting and authentic impact that catches and holds attention for some time after. Shorten your deck and keep the client interested by not drowning them in content.
Engage, engage, engage
Over communicate if you have to. Work harder on building chemistry and empathy. Share the experience. Make the pitch more of a conversation and do as much as you can to draw the client in. They’ll feel more engaged if they are able to take part.
The devil is in the detail
You can build better chemistry over the phone or via video conference than many bland, boring, in-person meetings, by paying attention to your less played presentation talents. Bring chemistry into your voice, the way you sit, how you use facial expressions, how you use your hands so that they really get to know who you are. It’s good to understand that remote pitching isn’t ‘less than’ doing it in person, it just needs to be tweaked.
Check the tech
Don’t let your tech let you down. Rehearse your pitch alongside testing the tech and ironing out the gremlins. Record your pitch and play it back and spot the areas to improve. Rehearse and practice until you’re happy you’ve got it right.
Need more help with your virtual pitch impact?
We’d love to help! Please get in touch for an informal chat or if you have something specific in mind, we’ll help you pick the right programme.
