How do you overcome nervousness and anxiety when pitching your business plan?

To overcome nervousness and anxiety when pitching your business plan, preparation is key. Start by thoroughly researching your audience to tailor your pitch to their specific needs and interests, which helps build confidence in your message. Practice your presentation multiple times in a simulated environment that mimics the pressure of the actual pitch, such as presenting to friends or recording yourself. Additionally, visualize a positive outcome and focus on engaging with your audience rather than fixating on your own fears; this shift in focus can significantly alleviate anxiety.

Research your audience in advance but also be a keen observer when it’s game time. Who are they? How are they sitting? What are wearing? How are they responding?

Understanding who the audience is critical to effectively presenting relevant information or, as we say, the "so what." By tailoring your pitch to their needs, interests, and expectations, you can avoid irrelevant or inappropriate information. ??

As professionals, we all strive to be the best we can be. However, being the best requires more than hard work and dedication - it also requires the right mindset. Adopting an imperative mindset can help us achieve our goals with progressive actions and push past obstacles without the fear of failure. No one is perfect but not being prepared is suicide. One important step you can take is arriving early at the venue and testing your equipment with the projector. This not only ensures that everything is working properly, but also gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the setup and troubleshoot any issues before your audience arrives. Don't leave anything to chance - arrive early and set yourself up for success!

Knowing your audience is a given; the real skill is reading the room in real-time. While pre-meeting research is essential, it's your ability to adapt on the fly that sets you apart. Watch their body language, gauge their reactions, and adjust your approach accordingly. As Jeff Bezos said, "What's dangerous is not to evolve." Stay flexible, and you'll connect more authentically.

In my experience, breaking down information into three critical areas based on your understanding of the audience's needs enhances your effectiveness. Simplifying your message into three takeaways or bite-sized pieces has been effective in my experience. ??

Start any pitch with a hard hitting fact, statistic or bold statement. E.g. did you know 1.75million tonnes of textile waste is generated each year. The idea is to grab someone’s attention. Then use the power of 3 to your advantage. Outline three things your business will aim to resolve early in the pitch. Then come back to these three things at the end of the pitch as a summary. Pitching is about being liked and never forgot how important that element is in a pitch.

The KISS (Keeping It Short and Simple) technique is effective during presentation. Be concise in your pitch while highlighting the value your solution intends to deliver and how it impacts your target audience. Jargon can be a disadvantage especially if you are presenting to people who are not in your line of industry or practice. Story telling while giving relatable examples helps drive the point home.

a) In my experience, practising the presentation repeatedly is crucial to gaining confidence and fluency. b) Rehearsing in front of colleagues or recording yourself can reveal points for improvement. c) For example, before a big presentation, I practised several times with a mentor, which helped me correct flaws and strengthen my message.

When it comes to delivering a successful presentation, it's crucial to keep your audience in mind. A well-prepared slide deck that can be adapted to their needs is key. Don't be afraid to hide or move slides that aren't relevant to the current discussion. And always tailor your pitch to fit the allotted time - leaving five minutes for Q&A, showcasing a success story, or even a video demonstration. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure your visual aids are on point!

I completely agree! While preparation and practice are crucial when pitching a business plan, it's also important to remain flexible and adaptable. Over-planning can actually hinder your ability to respond to unexpected situations and changes during your pitch. By allowing for some flexibility in your delivery and being open to adjusting your message on the fly, you can better adapt to unforeseen circumstances and improve your chances of success.

Practice and effort builds excellence. Practice your pitch before people who can give you honest feedback. You can also record yourself and study your speech and body language patterns. Research on presentations done before and take note of the tonal variations and body language. Time yourself during the rehearsal to get a glimpse of the time you spend while presenting

As a presenter, you have to believe in your product, service, and most importantly, yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not when you step on stage. Instead, play to your strengths. If you're naturally humorous, incorporate jokes or anecdotes into your presentation. This will help you feel more comfortable and authentic, and engage your audience. While textbooks might say "Dress for success," that doesn't necessarily mean wearing a full suit and tie. It's important to consider your audience and dress accordingly. If they'll be dressed casually, go up one notch-wear slacks or a skirt with a blouse or button-down shirt. Avoid jeans, t-shirts, or dirty sneakers, and make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, fit well, and comfortable.

Practice positivity while doing frequent affirmations which is key towards programming your subconscious part of the brain for greatness. Breath deeply to calm your mind and soul. Perform mock presentations with people who can guide you in order to build personality. Study your presentation role models and observe how they keep calm during presentations.

Be mindful of your body language and nonverbal cues. If you give off signals that you're unsure or not convinced about your topic or product, your audience will pick up on that. Make eye contact with multiple people in the room and use hand gestures to emphasize key points. This will help convey confidence and engagement with everyone in the room. Remember, when you believe in yourself and your product, your audience will too.

Engage your audience and ask for feedback. Use humour but ensure that there is moderation to avoid instances of over using it which can lose the crowd's attention. Remember to keep the audience's names in your memory and mention them while asking questions. Maintain eye contact with all the members of the audience while speaking.

I often see people either not seeking feedback or waiting too long. It is important to show vulnerability and provide a good reason for follow-up, but also prepare them for what is to come.

As professionals, we all make mistakes. But instead of apologizing, it's important to clarify and correct your statements. And with today's technology, it's easier than ever to improve your presentation skills. Simply set up a video camera to record your delivery and capture any questions and answers. This way, you can review and refine your presentation, making any necessary additions or subtractions. Remember, feedback is key to growth and success.

Once you've done all your best planning and preparation, remember that you should, hopefully, truly believe is important for them to hear. If what you're presenting is important to you, let that show through and your passion and authenticity will be contagious. Your passion, if reflected in your tone, words, and body language, will also help boost your own confidence if you focus on why your topic matters to you and to your audience. Finally, remember your humanity. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself, recognize moments of shared awkwardness or humor with the audience, and connect with your listeners as you might with an individual one-on-one. It can diffuse tension and make your audience feel more connected to you and open your message.

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Don't overlook the power of storytelling and vulnerability. Data and facts are crucial, but people remember stories and emotions. Share a personal anecdote or a moment of failure and how you overcame it. As Brené Brown highlights, "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." Being human resonates more than being perfect.

As well as all the comments above, consider where the pitch is to be delivered. Is it being presented online over Zoom or Teams or similar? If 'yes' then is there anything you need or want the host to set up, have configured, be ready for? Are you really familiar with the platform and how you can configure your view of the audience? If the pitch is in person can you get access to the venue prior to the pitch so you can see how it looks and feels? Is there an opportunity to test out any tech before the pitch is delivered? And in person can you provide samples if you are pitching a product? Preparing all these pieces will help you feel more confident. And finally what is the process around the pitch? Do you get a decision immediately?