How do I pitch?

I'm in my fifth year at SSG and I tell you what, it's been a lot of fun and hard work. Even on a cold winter morning, travelling to work isn't such a bad thing after all. Having met hundreds of recruiters over these years and probably as many aspiring recruitment business owners, I've realised that storytelling is essential.

But why would you want to tell a story? To connect with your audience. It should show loss, struggle and transformation - not unlike all those fairy tales you grew up reading. When you think about your start-up, ask yourself this: what is the issue you are trying to solve or the gap in the market you're hoping to fill? How can you fix the problem?

In order to grab your audience's attention, tell them how you have triumphed and how you are going to make a real difference. You want to show that you are innovative and that your business plan is solid.

To simplify your story takes a lot of work and practice. The process is important but never forget what you want to achieve. Aim for fluency.

1. Keep it short. Don't beat around the bush and take the first 30 seconds to grab their attention.
2. Be clear and precise. If you are precise, you can paint a picture in your listener's mind to help them remember you.
3. Be authentic. After all, you don't want to sound like a clone; people ant to see the real person behind the venture.

Preparation is key

1. Research your investors and know who you are addressing. Is there something that could help create a connection?
2. Test your pitch in front of friends. Practice will help you gain confidence and when the day comes for you you'll be ready.
3. Go with the flow. You don't want your pitch to sound too robotic or rehearsed. I suppose you can liken it to driving - when you first start, you're really tense but with practice you become more relaxed.

Showcasing your passion is important when pitching, in order to differentiate yourself from others. When the proverbial hits the fan, how strong are you? How driven are you to sustain the difficulties and struggles that you might face as a business owner?

And finally, be clear on what key messages you want to get across and make sure they are repeated sop that they sink in!