Momentum

Want to give a great pitch?  Go with the FLOW

by Laura Percherski

Public speaking is typically not the first skill of a web-based entrepreneur. In fact, from my experience, many entrepreneurs dread it.

Despite that, pitching is a necessary part of being an entrepreneur. Presenting well to investors, potential customers and even your team at times requires intention and practice. To help this year’s startups, Momentum brought in an expert.

Zoe Carmichael, Communications professor at Aquinas College was on hand to give proven tips on presenting, an example of what she aptly calls a “brilliantly executed and memorable presentation” and real time feedback for the Momentum team pitches.

Sidenote – Zoe is also the better half of Grant Carmichael, who delivered Monday’s Momentum’s workshop on user experience and people focused design. Um, can you say power couple?

Zoe gave us these four steps to help any presentation become ‘brilliantly executed & memorable’.

F.L.O.W.

Focus

• Grab the attention of your audience. -In her presentation, Zoe used a quote: “There are always three speeches. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.” – Dale Carnegie. Zoe recommends using statistics or questions to engage your audience they are all acceptable ways to bring focus to the beginning of your presentation.

Lead-In

• Preview your talk by stating the purpose (why you’re there) and reviewing the main ideas. Basically, tell them what you’re about to tell them.

Organization

• This is the place for your in-depth analysis of your topic. Use outside sources and mention them – this gives you credibility and shows that you’ve done your research.

Wrap-Up

• Summarize your points (tell them what you told them) and remind. What is the one thing you want your audience to remember?

I loved Zoe’s example of a great wrap-up by Mickey McManus at TEDx Grand Rapids. In this presentation, Mickey reminds his audience of the main points and also shows a very memorable video of a child who created a video game through his education in design thinking. This really wrapped up his message and drove home his message.

So, Zoe says to go with the F.L.O.W.

In addition, she had the following “awesome nuggets” to help entrepreneurs get over fears of speaking and woo their audience:

Your audience wants you to succeed.
Be confident and DO NOT apologize!
Speak with good volume.
Avoid ‘um-s’ by using a pause, instead.
Practice in front of a live audience (not your mirror).

I think some people view public speaking in absolutes (‘I’m not good at it,’ ‘they’re just great speakers,’ or ‘it doesn’t come naturally’). But, using a framework like this, it takes a lot of the mystery or romanticism about presentations away. Anyone can deliver a “brilliantly executed and memorable presentation” using this guide- and practicing a ton.

After Zoe’s presentation, each Momentum team had a chance to give their elevator pitch in front of the room and receive feedback from her and the audience. Now, they are armed and ready to pitch at the AimWest/Momentum Meetup.

Hope to see you there!