Ready to present your idea but not entirely sure how to create a pitch that will impress investors and secure funding? We have you covered. This blog will share best practices for an effective pitch, how to incorporate storytelling and adjust your pitch to the audience. You’ll also get additional resources if you want even more help perfecting your pitch.
Best practices for a winning pitch
A winning pitch isn’t just about selling your vision—it’s about making investors feel the problem, believe in your solution and see the opportunity. Whether you’ve got 60 seconds in an elevator or 10 minutes in a boardroom, your pitch needs to hit hard and stick. Here are a few tips to make sure it does.
- Be focused and keep your pitch simple: Consider creating appendix slides that you can refer to during Q&A.
- Make every pitch a visual journey: Create a consistent color palette that is based on your brand. Simplify, reduce or remove text with well-placed infographics, images or icons.
- Make an impression early: People often make instant opinions. Your introduction is crucial.
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Prove that your idea has traction: Share real metrics that show growth or demand.
Always make an ask: This is important specifically when you’re pitching for funding. Say what you’re raising, how you’ll use it and expected outcomes.
Storytelling for pitching
As highlighted in the ASU Edson E+I resource “How do I use storytelling as an entrepreneur?”, facts are great, but stories stick. People connect with stories on a deeper emotional level than with just numbers or data. When you tell a good story, your pitch becomes more relatable, memorable and inspiring. And that makes people more likely to care, get involved and take action.
Here’s a simple structure to help you use storytelling in your pitch:
- Start with a hook: Grab attention right away. Open with something personal, surprising or relatable—a moment that makes people lean in and want to hear more.
- Introduce the problem: Tell a story that brings the problem to life. Show the pain point your audience will care about, and make them feel why it matters.
- Present your solution: Now show how your product or service solves that problem. This is a great moment to share the “why” behind your business—how it started, what you’ve overcome and the passion driving it.
- Show the impact: Back it up with results. Share real success stories, testimonials or clear numbers that prove your solution works and is already making a difference.
- Share your vision: End with where you’re headed. Paint a picture of the future, and invite your audience to be part of it, whether that’s as an investor, a partner or a supporter.
Align your pitch to the audience
Not all investors are the same, so your pitch shouldn’t be either. Every investor has different interests, expertise and expectations. If you want to stand out and make a real connection, you need to customize your pitch to match what they care about. The more tailored your pitch, the better your chances of getting that follow-up conversation or funding.
On the other hand, it’s helpful to research whether an investor aligns with your strategy and is interested in your space so you don’t have to overly adjust your pitch to fit where it’s just not a good match. Understanding their focus upfront helps you craft a more compelling and efficient pitch, leading to stronger investor connections and better outcomes.
Consider the following:
- Align with their thesis: Make sure your business aligns with the investor’s thesis. This includes their industry, geography, business model and check size so your pitch fits naturally within their portfolio.
- Speak their language: Use terms and messaging that align with how they talk about their work. Show you’ve done your homework.
- Tell a story they’ll feel: Weave in details that connect with their background, interests or values to build a stronger emotional hook.
- Focus on what they care about: Frame your milestones and growth plans around ROI and the kind of outcomes they’re looking for.
- Show you’re at the right stage: Make it clear your traction and business stage align with where they usually invest.
Anticipate and be ready for follow-up questions. Questions after your pitch are a good sign—it means they’re interested. Use this chance to build on their curiosity and address any doubts. If you know their values and past investments, you can better predict what they’ll ask. Clear, confident answers show you’re prepared and help move the conversation forward.
Navigating investor outreach and conversations
As you begin your outreach to pitch to investors, you’ve got one shot to make a great impression. Whether it’s a cold email, a warm intro, an initial discussion or a live pitch competition, understanding the nuances of each scenario is key to capturing an investor’s interest.
Successful entrepreneurs tailor their approach to fit the moment:
- Cold outreach works best with a concise introduction that captures attention while keeping the message personal and engaging.
- Warm introductions are an ideal starting point, as they build on trust established through a shared connection.
- Initial discussions benefit from clarity, confidence and a strong value proposition.
- Pitch events call for dynamic storytelling that conveys vision and a clear plan.
No matter the setting, a great pitch isn’t just about the idea, it’s about presenting it in a way that makes investors see the opportunity and potential.
