If you have a great product idea, you want to share it with potential customers, investors, or partners. But how can you capture their attention and convince them of the value of your product in a short time? Here are some tips on how to pitch a product to someone with a short attention span.
Before you pitch your product, you need to know who you are talking to and what they care about. What are their pain points, goals, and motivations? How does your product solve their problems or improve their situation? How do they make decisions and what are their criteria? By understanding your audience, you can tailor your pitch to their needs and interests, and avoid irrelevant or confusing information.
First, assume everyone has a short attention span. :-) If it's a product pitch - the value and idea should be clear and communicated in the first minute. If you're using slides, your first slide should convey - what (the idea is), why (you think it'll work) and how (you'' take it to market). The rest of the preso gets into the specifics and you summarize again at the end. Understand your audience and tailor the ancedotes/examples accordingly. Remember if it's your product, you're pitching the product but also yourself as the person to make it happen. Good luck!
Story time! A story is something that catches human attention and gets human retention. Build a great storyline, add a bit of humour and a hero your product. This is exactly why Jira has the user story feature. Somehow we have forfeited the purpose of it. Always always back it with data!
Mais importante que conhecer a sua audiência, é se conectar com ela, com a forma que ela gosta de falar, de ser tratada e saber a hora certa de soltar toda e qualquer informa??o. Isso vale para qualquer tema e n?o seria diferente para falar sobre o produto. Saber se comunicar com clareza abre muitas portas com qualquer pessoa e em qualquer tema proposto.
Most importantly understand your customer. You need to pin-point with a short pitch what exact value your product can add. Go directly after the value creation. Once you have captured the attention, you can move on to explanation and dialogue. Always remember to listen and pay attention, and check whether you have the customer's attention. You must be well prepared, persuasive but not pushy. Be humble, committed and positive while showing that you yourself are genuinely passionate about the idea or product.
I would be doing this : 1.Perform a background study on the person to whom u r pitching to. 2.Prepare a one liner about the product , which would excite the person and arouse their interest to know what is in it for them and how it would help their business. 3.Make ur presentation or discussions very crisp and clear (avoid Jargons) on how it will help ur customer -Reduce their time in mundane work in their business and where they can invest their time for business growth 4.Be inquisitive to keep them focused. 5.Provide them visual data to compare between similar ones in the market and our product. 6. Clarify their Doubts which would automatically elevate their trust on the product and the company . 7.End with appreciation.
Your pitch should have a clear and concise message that summarizes the main benefits of your product. You should be able to explain what your product does, how it works, and why it is better than the alternatives in a few sentences. Use simple and direct language, avoid jargon and technical details, and use examples or stories to illustrate your points. Your message should also have a hook that grabs the attention of your listener and makes them curious to learn more.
A particularly effective framework I use to pitch products is “Descibe your product pitch in 50 characters”. The 50 characters forces you to think - What is the real essence of the product? - What choice of words will be easily understood by my audience. - What words are absolutely necessary to convey the product idea. To put into practice, you start with a word and try to best identify the word that represents your product or service. For e.g Car You then add adjectives/verbs/nouns, one word at a time to keep strengthening your communication. E.g Car - > Car Service -> On-Demand Car Service -> On-Demand Car Service via iPhone. You keep a check with every word addition that the character count doesn’t exceed 50.
Some pointers that can be considered: -Start with an attention grabbing question to cause curiosity -Highlight key benefits -Point out the problems that the product solves -Use engaging visuals to coney product’s value -Keep it short and crisp -Focus on the uniqueness of the product -End with a call-to-action by guiding the audience on the next steps
Giving a clear and concise message is another area of strength a product manager should be armed with. Before pitching, draft out your scope and know what problem your product solves currently and how it will soothe the user pain. Narrate this solution in a storytelling way, carefully highlighting each benefit in a relatable way for the users. Avoid technical words and relate in layman understanding.
One of the best pitches i saw was a presentation with just a number on each slide :) The audience listened very carefully since they were interested in a creative way of presenting an idea. It was such a relief after endless slides full of text.
Use the one-sentence formula to describe the product. The structure of the sentence could be, "We __(verb)__(product/services)__ for __(target customer) so that they can _(do something they value)__." For example, (A Video conferencing tool): We develop a video conferencing platform for remote teams to communicate effectively and work seamlessly across time zones. (A Coffee Shop): We brew and sell coffee beverages for young professionals so they can be productive for the day.
Visual aids can help you communicate your product idea more effectively and engagingly. They can also help you overcome language barriers, reduce misunderstandings, and increase retention. You can use visual aids such as sketches, prototypes, mockups, screenshots, videos, or demos to show how your product looks and functions, and how it creates value for your customers. Visual aids should complement your verbal pitch, not replace it, so make sure they are relevant, simple, and easy to follow.
Perfect reason to enable attachments, images and videos to these LinkedIn Contributions ?? A picture speaks 1000 words A video replaces a million pictures A demonstration makes it real Give your audience an opportunity to experience the emotion you feel with a final product and bring it to life through artful storytelling.
It's like using illustrations in a book – they make the story more engaging and easier to understand. Visual aids such as infographics, charts, or even a simple prototype can bring your product to life. For our e-commerce solution, a quick, interactive demo or a few impactful slides highlighting key features and benefits helped in capturing and retaining attention. Visuals act like magnets for the eyes, drawing the viewer in and making complex information more digestible. They serve as powerful tools to complement your words, ensuring your pitch is both memorable and persuasive
Simplicity is Key: Keep visual aids simple and uncluttered. Use visuals that support and reinforce your key messages without overwhelming the audience. Infographics and Diagrams: Utilize infographics and diagrams to illustrate complex concepts. Visuals should be self-explanatory, requiring minimal verbal explanation. Demo or Product Showcase: If possible, provide a brief product demo or showcase key features through visuals. Seeing the product in action can be more impactful than verbal descriptions.
Clearly articulate the key benefits of your product. Highlight how it solves a problem, improves efficiency, or enhances the user's experience. Keep it simple and emphasize the value proposition.
Since we are talking about a product, creating a user persona from the start to the end of the pitch gives a sense of relatability and holds the attention of stakeholders. Giving a name to the persona, creating story around it and using the context to better communicate the pointers also improves communication and attention span.
After you pitch your product, you should expect and welcome questions from your audience. Questions are a sign of interest and engagement, and an opportunity to clarify and reinforce your message. You should prepare for common or likely questions in advance, and have data, evidence, or testimonials to support your claims. You should also be honest and humble about the limitations or challenges of your product, and show how you are addressing them or learning from feedback.
Interest in your product often leads to questions :-) These Qs are invaluable for gaining insight into what others are thinking. It's impossible to predict every question that might arise. Therefore, it's crucial to respond to each one with enthusiasm and confidence, demonstrating your expertise and dedication.
FAQ Preparation: Anticipate frequently asked questions and prepare concise, clear answers. Limit each response to the most crucial information. Bridge to Key Points: If a question threatens to derail the conversation, skillfully bridge back to your key points. For example, "That's an interesting point, and it ties directly to how our product addresses key benefits." Confidence and Composure: Project confidence and composure when answering questions. This helps build trust and credibility.
Genuinely interested audiences will surely come up with a number of questions, especially what-if’s, after a product pitch. You may not have all the answers right away. It always okay to get to back to them with an effective, well-thought response instead of giving a hasty, unstable answer. You do not require jargons to establish your intellect. Your product, if worthwhile, will speak for itself. Story-telling is a skill that everyone needs to master. If this skill reflects in your responses, they will surely be convincing enough. If the listener identifies and questions a deficiency in your product, respectfully accept and acknowledge it. If you have a committed plan of action, communicate it in your defence.
Here are a few reasons why being prepared for questions is essential: Demonstrates Confidence and Knowledge: Being ready for questions signals that you are confident about your product and well-versed in its features and benefits. This confidence can instill trust in your audience and stakeholders. Opportunity for Clarification: Questions provide an excellent opportunity to clarify any points that may not have been fully understood during the initial pitch. It allows you to address potential misunderstandings and reinforce key messages. Sign of Interest and Engagement: When the audience asks questions, it indicates a genuine interest in your product.
Share concise testimonials, reviews, or statistics that validate the effectiveness and popularity of your product. Social proof adds credibility and builds trust in a short amount of time.
The last part of your pitch should include a clear and specific call to action that tells your audience what you want them to do next. Do you want them to sign up for a trial, schedule a demo, provide feedback, or invest in your product? You should also explain the benefits of taking action, and create a sense of urgency or scarcity. For example, you can offer a limited-time discount, a free bonus, or an exclusive access to your product. Your call to action should motivate your audience to act on your pitch and stay in touch with you.
Clarity in Next Steps: Clearly articulate the desired next steps. Whether it's signing up for a trial, scheduling a demo, or making a purchase, make the action straightforward. Sense of Urgency: Introduce a sense of urgency to encourage immediate action. Limited-time offers or exclusive deals can create a compelling reason for the audience to take the next step. Contact Information: Provide clear contact information for follow-up. Make it easy for the audience to reach out with additional questions or to proceed with the desired action.
Engage the listener by asking questions or encouraging them to try a quick demo. Interaction can help maintain focus and involvement during the pitch.
Conclude your pitch with a clear, specific call to action, directing your audience on the desired next steps. Whether it's signing up for a trial, scheduling a demo, providing feedback, or investing in your product, articulate the benefits of taking action. Create urgency or scarcity by offering a limited-time discount, a free bonus, or exclusive access. The call to action aims to motivate your audience to act on your pitch, fostering engagement and ongoing connection. It's like extending an invitation—clear, compelling, and prompting a response.
Crafting a compelling Call-to-Action (CTA) is about leaving a lasting impression. Picture a tagline that not only communicates your product's value but does so with a touch of humor and memorability. Dollar Shave Club nailed this with their tagline, "Shave Time. Shave Money." It's catchy, it's witty, and it sticks in your mind. Infuse a bit of personality into your message. Consider a tagline that sparks interest and adds a human touch. Humor can break down barriers and create a connection, making your product more relatable and, consequently, more memorable.
Start with your hook and then get into the details. End with a clear call to action, showing how this will directly help the stakeholder. Will it save them time, automate a process, or improve customer retention?
A pitch should not be confused with a feature demo. Early on, it's important to establish a rapport and find common ground. "Our customers with similar background to you frequently face X as a problem. Can we agree that X is a problem that is important for you to solve?" If no, then the product is not for them. Be prepared to walk away. If yes, then dive deeper. What have they done to solve problem X? Have they committed money or resources? If yes, it would give an idea whether your solution is cheaper or superior than alternatives. Then explain how your product solves their most critical problems. Then keep your pitch limited to those 3-4 features that best solve the customer's problems. Real-time feedback is very important part of pitch.
Typically all C-Suite execs or VCs have very less attention span, its primarily because of the busy schedule or too many things on their plate. If they don't see the value in your pitch in 2 mins, they just time out. Some techniques i learnt from my boss are a) Find and understand everything about your key stakeholders likes/dislikes - If a exec hates visuals, don't go for it. b) Come straight to point with compelling pitching techniques - Start with "bear eating tent" technique where audience wants to know what happens next c) Be passionate about delivery and impact - Always tell in story format, with personal "stakes" and accurate "stats" d) Drum Support - Ensure someone in audience backs your points, verbal/non-verbal ( small wins)
Dynamic Visuals: Use dynamic visuals, such as animations or videos, to maintain visual interest. Movement on the screen can help capture attention and focus. Timing and Pacing: Be mindful of the timing and pacing of your pitch. Keep it dynamic and avoid monotony. Use pauses effectively to emphasize key points and allow the audience to absorb information. Personalization: Personalize your pitch based on the individual preferences or characteristics of your audience. Tailor your message to resonate with their specific needs, making the pitch more relevant and impactful. Use Analogies and Metaphors: Simplify complex concepts by using analogies or metaphors that resonate with your audience.
Consider leveraging visuals like infographics or a brief demo to convey information quickly. Also, emphasize the simplicity and ease of use, ensuring the product aligns seamlessly with their lifestyle or workflow.
First of all, we need to benefit from the results of evolutionary psychology. Evolutionary psychology and the neuropsychological literature developed in the light of it say: Cognitive processing occurs in two ways: Top down and bottom up. The first of these processes requires relatively high-level cognitive processing and is affected by internal states. Bottom up is more primitive and can be perceptually manipulated more easily. For pitch deck the focus is clear, the answer is: Bottom up. The higher you keep the external stimuli (of course in a certain harmony), the more time you will get the deck. For more, I presented you with academic keywords. It's up to you to research :)