What are the most effective ways to start a sales pitch?

2 Hook them with a story

A story is a powerful way to start a sales pitch because it can capture your audience's attention, emotion, and curiosity. A story can also illustrate how your products or services have helped other media clients achieve their desired outcomes, and how they can benefit from working with you. Choose a story that is relevant, relatable, and concise, and use vivid details, sensory language, and dialogue to make it more compelling. A story can also help you establish a connection with your audience and show your personality and passion.

3 Highlight your value proposition

Your value proposition is the core of your sales pitch, as it explains how your products or services can solve your audience's problems, meet their needs, and deliver value that they can't get elsewhere. To start a sales pitch with a strong value proposition, you need to focus on the benefits, not the features, of your offer. Use clear, concise, and specific language to communicate how your offer can help your audience achieve their goals, save time or money, increase efficiency or quality, or gain a competitive edge. Use examples, testimonials, or case studies to back up your claims and show proof of your results.

4 Address their objections

One of the biggest challenges in starting a sales pitch is overcoming your audience's objections, doubts, or concerns. These can be related to the price, the quality, the timing, the implementation, or the competition of your offer. To address their objections, you need to anticipate them, acknowledge them, and answer them with confidence and evidence. Use positive and respectful language to show that you respect their opinions and concerns, and use facts, data, or stories to counter their objections and show why your offer is the best option for them.

5 Create a sense of urgency

A sense of urgency is a powerful motivator that can help you start a sales pitch that leads to action. A sense of urgency can be created by highlighting the consequences of not taking action, the benefits of taking action now, or the scarcity or exclusivity of your offer. Use words and phrases that convey urgency, such as "now", "today", "limited time", "before it's too late", or "don't miss this opportunity". However, be careful not to sound pushy or desperate, as this can backfire and damage your credibility and rapport.

6 End with a call to action

The final step in starting a sales pitch is to end with a clear and specific call to action that tells your audience what you want them to do next. A call to action can be a request for a meeting, a demo, a trial, a contract, a referral, or a feedback. Use direct and assertive language to express your call to action, and explain the benefits of taking the next step. Also, provide a clear and easy way for your audience to follow up with you, such as a phone number, an email address, a calendar link, or a website. A call to action can also create a sense of urgency by adding a deadline, an incentive, or a guarantee.

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?