Got a great idea? Awesome. But you know what? That’s not enough.

The success of an idea often doesn’t depend on how good it is, but on how well it’s told. How you present it is how it’ll be received. And every presentation isn’t just a pitch – it’s also a test of your leadership and communication skills.

So ask yourself a few brutally honest questions: Are you convincing? Can people see that you believe in your idea and your team? Can you say it clearly, briefly, without five extra PowerPoint slides?

Foto: Sora AI

If you start blushing or freezing up, your pitch won’t land. Why? Because you didn’t present the idea, you buried it under boredom, insecurity or confusion.

So, what is a pitch?

In short: it’s your moment. A short, punchy presentation where you’re trying to get something you need – money, a partner, a client, a green light.

Most people associate pitching with startups and investors. But in reality, you’re pitching every time you want someone to say “yes.”

You pitch when you ask for funding, sell a service, present an idea to your boss, or even when you're trying to get your team to take your vision seriously. And yes – that exact part, turning an idea into reality, is often the most stressful moment of any creative process.

Rule No.1: Get to the point.

Forget long intros and “First, I’d like to thank you all for being here.” No. People’s attention span is shorter than an Instagram reel. Grab it with your first sentence. You need to say who you are, what you want, and why they should care in one minute. No fluff.

Ditch the slide overload

Buyers and investors hate endless slides. Ten slides max. If you can’t summarise your idea in ten, you probably don’t understand it well enough. Less is more. Period.

Say it clearly: what problem do you solve?

People want to know: what’s the point? Give clear answers. Show one or two real-life situations that make the problem (and your solution) obvious. Problem–solution. That’s what sticks.

Do you have a message map?

If you can’t explain what you do in 15 seconds, you’ve got a problem. A message map helps turn complex ideas into clear, sharp messages: → A headline like a tweet → Three key benefits → Backed by a short story, stat or image. All on one page.

Prepare your pitch in 3 layers:

5 seconds: One-sentence idea.

30 seconds: How it works and why it’s interesting.

5 minutes: The full version with all the juicy details.

If you can’t condense it, you can’t expand it. A pitch doesn’t start with five minutes – it ends there.

Mention the competition

Be smart: don’t avoid competitors – show them. Then explain why you’re better. Or at least different. And say what you’ll do if someone even better comes along.

Got a signature line?

That sound bite people remember even when they forget the numbers. That’s the Velcro your message sticks to. If you don’t have it, you’re just listing facts, not pitching.

Present your team like you're selling a Ferrari

People invest in people. Show who’s in your team, why they rock, and why they’re the right crew to bring this idea to life. Photos, references – short, but powerful.

Learn when to stop

There’s a point when it’s enough. Go past it – and you’ll turn a “maybe” into a “no.” Learn to recognise when your idea has landed. Stop. Watch reactions. And – be quiet.

What’s the next step?

A pitch without a next step is like a pilot episode with no follow-up. Be ready for a “yes.” Got an offer? Great. So what now? If you don’t know, you’re not ready.

Learn from the best

The internet is full of great pitch examples. Watch them. Analyse them. Even better – work with someone who knows. Pitch coaches can save you months of trial and error (and nerves).

And no, never beg

🔥 Passion? YES. 😬 Whining? NO. Begging is the fastest way to a polite “no thanks.” If you believe in your idea, you’re not inferior. No one’s doing you a favour. It’s not arrogance – it’s confidence. You’re pitching because you’ve got something valuable. Act like it.

In the end...

Take control. And remember: the idea is yours – but it’ll only come alive through your delivery. These tips can help you be more persuasive, more precise – and unforgettable.