You’re making progress with your final project. You can see the finish line. You’re convinced your work is brilliant. But how do you actually know? What if you missed something? What if you need one more tweak? Easy! Test your project. How? Pitch your peers and get the feedback you need to take your idea to the next level.
You probably understand what a pitch is, but it’s important to remember to clearly communicate the benefits and value of your final project, while also addressing any potential objections or concerns. When you do this, you focus feedback and get the outcome you need.
- This activity can be done in small groups or as a class.
- Agree as a class how long each pitch should be. Most pitches are short and we recommend somewhere in the range of 2-5 minutes. Additionally, be sure to leave time for a few clarifying questions.
- Prepare your presentation using the guide below. Though presenting often feels daunting, this shouldn’t be overwhelming. You’re not pitching for funding or your final grade; you’re testing your idea and your public speaking skills, and setting yourself up to get important feedback.
- If you’re not pitching, you still have a job: you’re the critic! In the next activity, you’ll be asked to review what you’ve heard. So be sure to record and/or take notes of the pitches so you can offer helpful help when called upon.
Whether you’re the reviewer or pitching to be reviewed, don’t forget these tips from your previous activity.
Tips for Effective Presentations & Pitches
- Show your passion and knowledge
- Start with an attention grabbing point (eg. a shocking fact, a surprising insight, a story)
- Keep it simple – what is the key message that you want to get across?
- Smile and make eye contact to build a connection
- Be a storyteller; the audience will engage with and remember your points more easily
- Use visuals to help tell your story and explain your issue
- Practice with a strong voice and in front of peers or family members
- Be animated; make gestures and move around if at all possible
- Engage your audience – pose a question, ask for opinions
- Relax and breathe
If you are using presentation aids:
- Ensure the text is clear
- Ensure pictures, graphs and charts are easy to read
- Be consistent with a readable font and colouring
- Keep it neutral
- Avoid too much animation
- Don’t read off of the aid – expand on the text to your audience
Resources:
Top Tips for Effective Presentations
10 ways to improve your presentation skills