In a world where attention is a scarce resource, knowing how to pitch has become a key skill for entrepreneurs. Whether in front of investors or potential customers, you have only a few minutes – sometimes a few seconds – to capture interest, convey your value, and spark a desire to learn more.

1. The importance of first impressions

The first impression often sets the tone for the rest of the exchange. In a pitch, everything is decided in the first few seconds: your posture, your smile, the tone of your voice, and the clarity of your first words.
An engaging opening could be:

• A thought-provoking question: "Did you know that 60% of SMEs waste time because of...?"

• A striking figure: "Every year, this issue costs X billion to companies."

• A personal anecdote that shows why you are legitimate in carrying this project.

👉 Your goal: to captivate immediately and make the audience eager to listen further.

2. The ingredients of an effective pitch

A pitch must be structured and logical. Both investors and clients want to understand quickly:

• The problem: show that you have identified a real pain point in the market, that you understand your customers.

• The solution: clearly present your product or service and what makes it unique. Be simple and concrete.

• The market: prove that there is a real opportunity and that you can carve out a space for yourself.

• The proof: support your speech with tangible results: revenue, number of customers, testimonials, prototypes.

• The call to action: conclude by indicating what you expect. A fundraising? A follow-up meeting? A free trial? Be explicit.

👉 A pitch is not a novel: it is a clear and impactful summary.

3. Tailoring your pitch to your audience

The essence remains the same, but the emphasis changes depending on who you are addressing.

• For investors: they want to know why investing in your project is a good decision. Emphasize the numbers, business model, traction, and scalability.

• For customers: they want to know what your product changes in their daily life. Highlight the concrete benefits, ease of use, and immediate impact.

👉 Adapting your speech means showing that you understand your interlocutor's expectations.

4. Form matters as much as content

A solid pitch can lose all its strength if the presentation is monotonous or too technical. The way you speak has as much impact as the content itself.

• Speak with energy and conviction: if you don't believe in your project, no one else will.

• Be clear and avoid complicated jargon: speak as if you are explaining to a friend.

• Use images, metaphors, or comparisons to make your words memorable. Example: "Our solution is the Uber of logistics."

• Bring your story to life: a pitch should evoke emotion, not just data.

👉 People do not just buy an idea; they also buy the passion of the person behind it.

5. Practice, again and again

Even the best speakers do not become convincing overnight. A pitch requires work, testing, and improvement over time.

• Practice in front of a mirror to work on your gestures and gaze.

• Record yourself on video to spot your speaking ticks or moments of hesitation.

• Test your pitch with different people (friends, colleagues, mentors) and adjust based on their feedback.

• Prepare multiple formats: a 30-second "elevator pitch," a 2-minute version, and a more detailed version.

👉 The key is to be able to pitch naturally and fluidly, without reciting.

Conclusion

The art of the pitch rests on a simple equation: captivate + convince + call to action.
In a few minutes, you need to spark interest, demonstrate value, and open the door to what follows.

👉 Don't try to say everything: aim to spark the desire to learn more.