Pitching your animation project remotely can be challenging, but also rewarding if you follow some best practices. You want to showcase your creative vision, capture your audience's attention, and communicate effectively. Here are some tips to help you prepare and deliver a successful remote pitch.
Before you pitch, research your potential clients, partners, or investors. What are their goals, needs, and preferences? How familiar are they with your genre, style, or format? How much time do they have to listen to you? Tailor your pitch to suit their expectations and interests, and avoid jargon or technical terms that might confuse them.
Create a Compelling Visual Presentation: Use engaging visuals, concept art, or storyboards to illustrate your project's key elements. Tell a Captivating Story: Craft a compelling narrative that captures the essence of your animation and hooks your audience. Highlight Your Unique Selling Points: Emphasize what sets your project apart, whether it's the story, art style, or technical innovation. Convey Passion and Confidence: Show enthusiasm for your project, and be confident in your pitch, as it instills trust in your potential partners. Keep It Short and Clear: Ensure brevity and clarity in your pitch. Prepare for Queries: Anticipate and address audience questions and concerns.
You need to have a clear and concise pitch deck that summarizes your animation project, its main features, benefits, and value proposition. You also need to have a demo reel, a trailer, or a sample of your animation work that showcases your skills, style, and vision. Make sure your materials are well-designed, engaging, and easy to access. Use online tools or platforms that allow you to share your screen, audio, and video smoothly and securely.
You want to sound confident, enthusiastic, and professional when you pitch your animation project remotely. Practice your delivery in advance, rehearse your script, and time yourself. Use a friendly and conversational tone, and avoid reading from your slides or notes. Make eye contact with your camera, smile, and use gestures and expressions to convey your emotions. Test your equipment, internet connection, and software before the pitch, and have a backup plan in case of technical issues.
You want to make your audience feel involved and interested in your animation project. Start with a hook, a question, a story, or a surprising fact that grabs their attention. Use examples, anecdotes, or testimonials that illustrate your points and connect with their pain points or aspirations. Ask open-ended questions, invite feedback, and address any objections or concerns. End with a clear and compelling call to action that tells them what you want them to do next.
When I pitched a children’s animated series to multiple networks this past year, I wanted them thinking about the project before we even showed up on their screen; and also even after our pitch. I designed some tangible swag that made sense with the world we had developed, and we produced a limited run of product. About a week before each pitch, the networks received the swag and all of them mentioned it during our calls. Holding someone’s attention is especially hard in 2023, even if you get them on a call. You’ve got to think outside of the box, but don’t need to reinvent the wheel. What can YOU do to stand out to these folks who hear thousands of ideas every year. They’ve heard a pitch like yours before; but not from YOU. Seize it.
After you pitch your animation project remotely, don't forget to follow up with your audience. Thank them for their time and attention, and restate your main message and value proposition. Send them a summary of your pitch, your contact details, and any additional materials they might need or request. Keep in touch with them until you get a response or a decision, and be ready to answer any questions or provide more information.
Follow-up after the pitch is crucial. Send a thank you email reiterating key points and expressing your enthusiasm. Be ready to answer any questions or concerns as soon as possible. To prove you're committed, you should keep investors and partners updated on project developments. You've got to keep in mind that these are people too, so building a relationship long-term is key. Be patient and understand that a no can also mean not now. Use these best practices to make your animation project more trustworthy and confident, increasing the likelihood of a successful collaboration.
Every remote pitch is an opportunity to learn and improve your skills and strategies. Ask for feedback from your audience, your peers, or your mentors. Analyze what worked well and what didn't, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Use the data and insights you gather to refine your pitch deck, your materials, and your delivery. Keep practicing and experimenting with different techniques and tools until you find the best way to pitch your animation project remotely.
When pitching an animation project remotely, these best practices are key: Clear Presentation: Craft a clear and concise presentation that outlines the project's concept, goals, and target audience. Engaging Visuals: Use compelling visuals and concept art to illustrate the project's look and feel. Compelling Story: Emphasize the narrative and character development to capture the audience's interest.