What's the best way to present your video production portfolio in a pitch meeting?

1 Know your audience

Before you prepare your portfolio, you need to research your audience and understand their needs, goals, and preferences. What kind of video are they looking for? What is their budget and timeline? What are their pain points and expectations? How familiar are they with video production? By answering these questions, you can tailor your portfolio to match their criteria and demonstrate your value.

2 Select your samples

Your portfolio should include a variety of video samples that showcase your skills, creativity, and versatility. But don't just include everything you've ever done. Choose your samples carefully and strategically. Pick the ones that are relevant to the project you're pitching for, that highlight your strengths and specialties, and that have positive feedback or results. You can also group your samples by category, such as genre, style, industry, or client type.

3 Optimize your format

Your portfolio should be easy to access, view, and share. You can use a website, a cloud service, a USB drive, or a combination of these options. Make sure your portfolio is compatible with different devices and browsers, and that it loads fast and smoothly. You can also use a video player that allows you to control the playback, volume, and quality settings. And don't forget to add your contact information and branding to your portfolio.

4 Prepare your presentation

Your portfolio is not just a collection of videos. It's also a story that you tell to your audience. You need to prepare a presentation that explains the context, process, and outcome of each video sample. You can use slides, notes, or scripts to guide your presentation. You should also anticipate the questions and objections that your audience might have, and prepare your answers and solutions. And remember to practice your presentation before the pitch meeting.

5 Engage your audience

Your presentation should not be a one-way monologue. It should be a conversation that engages your audience and builds rapport. You can use techniques such as asking questions, soliciting feedback, telling anecdotes, or showing enthusiasm to make your presentation more interactive and memorable. You should also pay attention to the body language, tone, and mood of your audience, and adjust your presentation accordingly. And don't forget to thank them for their time and attention.

6 Follow up after the meeting

Your portfolio presentation doesn't end when the meeting is over. You need to follow up with your audience and keep the communication open. You can send them a thank-you email, a summary of your presentation, a link to your portfolio, or any additional information or resources that they might need. You can also ask them for their feedback, their questions, or their decision status. And don't hesitate to follow up again if you don't hear back from them in a reasonable time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?