10 Keys to a pitch that no one will forget

Imagine this: you have 3 minutes, a room full of expectant eyes and only one chance. 

Would you know what to say - and above all, how to say it - so that you will be remembered when you leave the stage?

Here's the inconvenient truth: a winning pitch is not just about having a brilliant idea. It's knowing how to tell it in such a way that no one wants to look at their cell phone while you're talking. Sounds simple, but it's not. To achieve it you need to master two elements that always go hand in hand: what you say and how you say it.

1. Content is your source code

Believing in your project is the best starting point. But let's be honest: for others to believe, you need more than overflowing enthusiasm. You need structure.

This is where the STAR method comes in , your best ally to organize ideas and build a narrative that really connects:

• Situation: The context of the problem

• Task: The specific challenge

• Action: Your solution (here you shine)

• Result: Tangible impact

• Takeaway: The key message you want them to take away

This method takes your audience from the classic "what about me?" to "I need this now." 

Transforming your vision into a story with logic and direction is not an impossible task if you follow this roadmap.

Problem, opportunity, solution, impact and action. It's that simple.

Simplify to reduce cognitive effort.

First of all: your audience is not in "I want to know more" mode. They are in "maximum distraction" mode, thinking about a thousand things while you talk.

Every unnecessary piece of information, every extra block of text, is a brick that builds a mental wall between your message and their attention. So cut mercilessly. Eliminate everything that doesn't add direct value to your proposal.

The equation is simple: Less information + More clarity = Greater impact.

3. Visual design: think architecture

Your presentation should be a guide for you, not your teleprompter script. If you are reading word for word, it shows and looks terrible.

Design clear hierarchies, leave blank spaces (yes, emptiness also communicates), limit each slide to a single idea and make sure everything is readable even from the last row of the auditorium.

For the audience, the slides are a reinforcement of the ideas they hear. Numbers, graphs and percentages will always be your best allies. A visual data has more impact than a thousand words.

The golden rule: rely on a clean, visual and coherent design. Your form also communicates.

4. Consistent visual identity

If design is not your thing (don't worry, not all of us got that talent), use this basic rule: 

3 colors, 2 fonts.

• A typeface for headlines

• Another for content

Need extra help? Use platforms like Canva or Google Slides. Select a predesigned background template that identifies you and follow its structure.

Unify the style of icons and photos. The visual hodgepodge has never, ever given good results.

Remember: Visual consistency is silent branding. 

5. Close with a CTA that leaves an impression

A pitch without a call to action is like a movie without an ending: it leaves the audience confused and not knowing what to do next.

So end with a powerful phrase and a very clear action: invest, partner, contact you, test your product... whatever, but guide them to the next step. Don't assume they'll know what to do. Tell them.

Remember: being proactive always opens more doors than waiting for them to open for you.

6. Stage presence: channels the nerves.

Let's make peace with one truth: nerves are not eliminated. They are channeled.

Before going on stage:

• Take a deep breath (try the t4-4-4 techniqueinhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4)

• Activate your body: jump, move your arms, release tension.

• Visualize every part of your presentation before going on stage.

When we are nervous, we tend to hold our breath without realizing it. But the brain needs oxygen, and so do the muscles. Breathe consciously and you will see how everything starts to flow.

The key: It's not about hiding your nerves, but transforming them into energy that projects energy and confidence.

7. Your image speaks before you do

Before you open your mouth, you are already communicating.

Your appearance is not superficial vanity. It is coherence between what you are, what you represent and what you want to transmit. You don't need to disguise yourself, but you do need to align yourself.

Ask yourself before going out: How do I want to be perceived? 

8. Make the most of your voice

The microphone is your ally, not your enemy. Hold it firmly, keep it about 10-15 cm from your mouth and parallel.

Avoid the dreaded "popeo" (that annoying rush of air), modulate your tone and, here's the important part: use pauses with intent.

Silence is not your enemy. A well-placed pause allows ideas to breathe and elevates your speech.

Oh, and don't forget to hydrate your throat before climbing. It seems obvious, but in the moment we forget.

9. Move with purpose

Walk with intention, not out of anxiety. Use your hands to emphasize your message, not to hide.

Analyze the space before you start and position yourself in the center. Define a small radius of movement that allows you to maintain visual and emotional control without looking like a caged tiger.

Remember: Body language is a powerful tool for communicating. It can work for you... or against you.

10. Practicing is not enough: you must train.

Here's the key difference: rehearsing is not the same as training.

Your training plan should be:

1. Record yourself on audio and listen to your rhythm, your crutches, your pauses.

2. Videotape yourself to check your body language

3. Seek out real audiences (friends, family, colleagues) and ask for honest feedback.

If you are in the Tetuan Valleycommunity, take advantage of the Pitch & Feedback sessions, its "in-house" dynamic. Hearing different opinions will help you polish your message from angles you hadn't considered.

If you still have doubts, validate with your mentor. But above all: trust your judgment and the essence of your project.

A final thought

The best pitches don't sound like corporate presentations. They sound like passionate conversations about something that really matters.

And there, precisely in that authentic connection, is where the "yeses", alliances and opportunities that change everything happen.

So now you know: the next time you have the opportunity to go on stage, go all out. With structure, with passion and with these 10 keys in your tool kit.

Bonus track: Andrew Stantonthe director of the movie WALL-E, sums it up perfectly: "Make me care". That's the number one job of your pitch.

In the meantime, now it's your turn: Which of these 10 points do you have the hardest time mastering? Tell us in the comments. Sharing our challenges is the first step to overcoming them.