If you have a great video idea, you need to convince funders to support it. But how do you present your idea in a way that showcases its potential, value, and feasibility? In this article, you will learn some tips and best practices for creating and delivering effective video pitches to funders.
Before you start crafting your pitch, you need to research your target funders. What are their goals, interests, and preferences? What kind of videos have they funded before? How do they evaluate proposals? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your pitch to their needs and expectations. You can also use this information to identify and address any potential objections or questions they might have.
Once you have a clear idea of who you are pitching to, you need to develop your concept. Your concept is the core idea of your video, the main message you want to convey, and the hook that will grab the attention of your funders. Your concept should be concise, original, and relevant. You can use a logline, a one-sentence summary of your video, to communicate your concept clearly and effectively.
Depending on the format and context of your pitch, you may need to prepare different materials to support your concept. These can include a script, a storyboard, a treatment, a budget, a timeline, a sample reel, or a pitch deck. Your materials should be professional, polished, and persuasive. They should showcase your vision, your skills, and your credibility. They should also demonstrate how your video will achieve the goals and meet the criteria of your funders.
The way you deliver your pitch can make or break your chances of getting funded. You need to practice your delivery until you feel confident, comfortable, and prepared. You should rehearse your pitch out loud, preferably in front of a mirror or a friend who can give you feedback. You should also time your pitch and make sure it fits within the allotted slot. You should avoid reading from notes or memorizing your pitch word for word. Instead, you should speak naturally, enthusiastically, and convincingly.
After you deliver your pitch, you should be ready to answer any questions that your funders might have. You should anticipate the most common or likely questions and prepare your responses in advance. You should also do some research on the current trends, issues, and opportunities in the video industry and your niche. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. You should answer questions honestly, respectfully, and concisely.
The last step of presenting your video ideas to funders is to follow up with them after your pitch. You should thank them for their time and attention, restate your interest and enthusiasm, and provide any additional information or materials they requested. You should also ask them about the next steps and the timeline of their decision process. You should keep in touch with them until you get a response, but avoid being pushy or annoying.