How Learning Storytelling is the Key to Pitch Flow
You have an incredible idea. Maybe your idea has already gained traction! You’ve hit a road-block, though — you need funding, and let’s be honest with ourselves: though you pride yourself on being a confident person, the thought of pitching actually causes your stomach to contract. You might even throw up in your mouth a little — GROSS!
You get your numbers together: after-all, investors want to see data, right? An opportunity falls in your lap. You seize the moment and pitch like the fierce female you know you are by presenting all of the facts. The investor says, “thank you,” and you walk out the door with no deal. WTF?!
A great pitch isn’t just facts & data. YES — numbers matter. But when it comes to on-boarding people to your vision, you must get them to invest in YOU! Ok, great. Now how?
STORYTELLING!
Stories connect people. They have from the beginning of time. If you want to learn how to inspire anyone to take action, learn to tell them a story.
WHY?
Stories take an audience on a journey. Stories keep people engaged, anticipatory, and excited. Stories allow our vulnerabilities to have a voice. Stories reveal the truth in a way that lasts in hearts and minds for lifetimes.
Would you rather be another “smart, capable” founder who is forgettable, or would you rather remain in the hearts and minds of the investors, partners, and clients you seek to bring into your orbit?
HOW?
Every story has a beginning, middle and end. Every story follows a hero. A great story follows a hero who is HUMAN, multidimensional and flawed (PRO HINT — founders are human too). Every story has a conflict that the hero must overcome. Every story is contained within a specific setting, comes alive with interesting supporting characters, and ultimately leaves the audience with a lesson learned.
WHAT’S THIS GOT TO DO WITH MY PITCH?
Everything. YOU are the hero of your own story. There’s a reason why you created your service, product, or company, and we need to hear, feel, and understand that. As good stories have multiple characters, maybe your product is a character too. The more we can relate to YOU, to your service, and/or product, the more we can see ourselves investing in it and you.
Investors are people too. Let them feel like they are characters in your story (PRO HINT — in every great story, there is a Mentor who sets the hero on her way)! Imagine if you included each potential investor in your storytelling. They’d feel seen and heard in a way they are not used to. Now put yourself in the investor’s shoe. Wouldn’t you feel more apt to invest in a founder who invited you into her journey?
THIS SOUNDS COMPLICATED!
It is and it isn’t. Once you understand story structure, you have a foundation that will carry you through all of your communications — from writing, to pitching, to speaking and leading a team. It’s like a superpower! But it isn’t enough to just follow a formula word-for-word and think that’s going to solve your problems when opportunity knocks. Storytelling takes honing, dedication and practice, like any craft.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Every founder faces panic and anxiety daily. This is why we are so attracted to the “quick fixes,” “formulas,” and anything that makes us feel like we are in control of ourselves. Once we accept this about ourselves, we can recognize that these “quick fixes” and “formulas” will NOT get us the results we desire.
Take a breath, practice your story, and trust that your story, and your vulnerability is ultimately the key to your flow.
NEED SUPPORT?
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