How to prepare your sales pitch
Checklist
- Find out which services or products the customer is interested in.
- Establish your objectives. Do you want to make a sale now, or create initial interest to justify a later presentation to the decision-maker?
- Clarify what style and length of meeting the customer wants: for example, a full presentation, a product demonstration or a short briefing followed by a discussion.
- Establish the key message you want the customer to take away from your presentation - the main benefit that makes your offering attractive.
- Establish a few key points that support this message; relate your points to the customer's needs and interests.
- Prepare a logical argument which will convince the customer to take action: for example, book a follow-up meeting or place an initial order.
- Anticipate any objections or questions the customer might raise; decide whether to answer these in the presentation or just have answers ready.
- Organise your material into self-contained sections which you will be able to expand or shorten in the presentation depending on the response.
- Prepare an introduction and conclusion to introduce the key points at the start of the presentation and to reinforce them at the end.
- Collate any facts and evidence to support your argument: for example, product samples, brochures or customer testimonials. Make sure your samples work.
- Prepare a first draft and read through it aloud, leave it overnight and then revise it.
- Identify and prepare any simple, relevant visual aids which will reinforce or clarify your points: for example, flipcharts, handouts or PowerPoint presentations.
- Transfer the key points of your presentation to cards or a summary sheet and note where any visual aids will be used; discard the draft.
- Rehearse your presentation until you are satisfied; consider asking colleagues for feedback or recording yourself.
- Make sure you know how you will close the meeting and agree follow-up actions.
Cardinal rules
Do:
- find out what the customer wants and expects
- identify the key message you want to convey
- establish supporting points and a logical argument
- make your key points three times - in the introduction, the body of the presentation and in the conclusion
- prepare notes
- rehearse
Don't:
- overcomplicate and confuse your argument
- keep a script to read from
