Oct 20, 2024
What does it take to grab your audience’s attention in the first
few seconds?
Bill Sherman explores the art of pitching with Joanne Tombrakos, storyteller, marketing strategist,
NYU
professor, podcaster and writer. and expert in crafting powerful messages.
Joanne breaks down the misconception that pitching is just about
selling. Whether you're selling a product or an idea, the goal is
the same: persuasion. It’s about getting your audience to stop,
listen, and invest time in your idea. Joanne shares the importance
of setting the hook early and keeping people engaged by delivering
value quickly and clearly.
Joanne emphasizes that pitching is not just for salespeople—it's a
skill everyone needs. In business, you're constantly pitching
yourself, your ideas, or your projects. She compares pitching to a
form of storytelling, where your narrative must not only catch
attention but also build trust. Joanne also touches on the fine
line between pitching and selling, explaining that while every
pitch has an underlying goal of persuading, the real focus is on
creating a connection. Through storytelling and strategic
messaging, you can build a relationship that makes people want to
listen longer.
The conversation also delves into modern challenges, like competing
with digital distractions. Joanne stresses that grabbing attention
isn’t enough—you need to hold it. Like a Netflix series that hooks
viewers in the first few minutes, your pitch needs to pull the
audience in right away and deliver substance, not just flash. For
leaders, entrepreneurs, and marketers, her advice is clear:
simplify your message, make it relatable, and always lead with
value.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Pitching is about persuasion, not just selling:
Whether you’re pitching a product, idea, or project, the goal is to
persuade your audience and capture their attention. It’s not just
about making a sale—it’s about getting them to care.
• Hook your audience quickly: Joanne stresses the
importance of grabbing attention within the first few seconds. Like
a great story, your pitch needs to engage right away, offering
value and building trust so your audience wants to stick
around.
• Simplicity wins: Don’t overcomplicate your
message. The most effective pitches are clear and concise.
Distilling your idea into one sentence can help you stay focused
and make a more powerful impact.
Joanne helps us understand how the Pitch needs to move beyond
persuasion and into a relationship. If you want to understand
how those relationships can help ideas reach scale be sure to check
out this video by Thought Leadership
Leverage COO Bill Sherman.