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How To Write A Perfect Sales Pitch: Best Practices, Examples, And Templates

How To Write A Perfect Sales Pitch: Best Practices, Examples, And Templates

When I hear the phrase ‘sales pitch,’ I have ambivalent feelings about it. On the one hand, it’s just something inevitable, something every sales rep has to deal with. On the other hand, there’s…well…negative shade to it. Pitch? Really? I don’t like people pitching me any sort of thing.

Mulling over this confusion, I dare to infer: a good sales pitch can’t be pitchy.

Otherwise, it will make your prospects experience not the best feelings.

But what makes a sales pitch good? In this post, I’ll answer this question and share sales pitch examples and templates to make your pitch not pitchy but perfect .

What is a sales pitch?

Elements of a good sales pitch.

  • How to make a sales pitch
  • Sales pitch templates

A sales pitch is a concise sales presentation in which a salesperson makes a sales offering. They explain their business and non-intrusively show the value of their product/service. Salespeople commonly make their sales pitch at least once a week, so for sales teams, this is a regular part of the sales process .

You might deal with various sales pitch types depending on which channel you use for it:

  • Cold calling. ‘Call the damn leads’ – the phrase you might have heard hundreds of times, which reflects how you can reach a sales prospect with your offering – by phone.
  • Email outreach. Alternative to calling a prospect, you can use email to present your offering.
  • Social selling. You can contact your prospects on various social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
  • Elevator pitch. You typically use it at business events or when meeting someone in your industry for the first time.

Interestingly, you might come across the term ‘elevator pitch’ as just a synonym for ‘sales pitch.’ It emphasizes the very short time frame within which a sales pitch should be made – within the time of a single elevator ride.

sales pitch speech techniques

I won’t tell you that your sales pitch must have a strict structure. To be honest, I’d prefer to deal with creative sales reps who afford a sort of freedom, as they sound more personal and emanate credibility.

Anyway, creativity is something that should follow knowledge. So, if you’re planning to get some understanding of how a good sales pitch differs from a bad one, I would say that a good sales pitch is commonly based on 6 essentials and advise that you keep them in your pitch.

Sales pitch elements

When you contact a person for the first time, you can’t expect them to embrace you with both arms wide. Just put yourself in their shoes; what would you think? I bet you’d think, ‘What do you want from me?’

There must be something that will show them you are not a stranger – a good hook. As a salesperson, you should do thorough research and find information about the prospect that will let you catch their attention from the start.

You’ve read a prospect’s post? You’ve heard their company launched a new product? Or maybe you’ve just looked through their LinkedIn bio and think you have much in common? All this information can work well.

Here are some examples of hooks you can use:

“I see you’ve been promoted to the position of ___. Congratulations!”

“I’ve read your post about ____. I find your tips really useful.”

Alternatively, start your pitch with a direct explanation of why you’re contacting a person:

“The reason I’m calling/emailing is that ____.”

Even after impressing the prospect with your hook, you’re still a stranger to them. It’s time you told them a bit of information about your company. Just be careful here: you might be tempted to speak/write a lot. Resist it. Your intro must be short and straightforward, something like this:

“I am a sales manager at ____. Our company specializes in ____.”

3. Pain points

You’re making a sales pitch without pitching, remember? In your sales pitch, you’re not someone who is selling; you’re someone who is helping the prospect solve their problem. Your task is to identify your prospect’s pain points and highlight how your solution can help.

For example:

“I’ve read your company is using multiple services for ____, _____, and _____. It looks like you’re spending a lot of money on monthly subscriptions while your team has no single platform for cooperation.”

4. Benefits

I would say that’s the most crucial element of your pitch, your best moment to convince the prospect to buy your product/service.

Sadly, but very often, salespeople mix benefits with features. Don’t do this. In fact, your prospects don’t want to hear how excellent your solution is. They want to hear what they’ll get; they want a result.

Provide them with your value proposition.

Try to create a vision of success your prospect will experience after trying your solution. Will they become more productive? Will they spare money? Will they grow their revenue? You should know particular benefits your prospect will get and clearly state them, better with facts and figures.

For instance:

“With our tool, you’ll be able to manage all your workflow on one platform. This will help you enhance your productivity, sparing up to 5 hours daily, which your team can spend on most important tasks, and saving 30% of your budget.”

Snov.io CRM banner

About 72% of customers say positive testimonials increase their trust in a business. That’s because people need proof, so give it to them.

A good way is to reference companies who are your current customers, especially those who are your prospect’s direct competitors. And don’t forget to support it all with facts and numbers.

“We have been able to help companies like _____ grow their productivity by 30% and increase revenue by 15%.”

6. Call to action

The closing element of your sales pitch should hint at further cooperation with the prospective customer. Here I would advise you to ask your prospect an engaging question and call them to action, for instance, get together for a sales interview . But don’t just appoint a meeting; concentrate again on the value it will bring to your potential client.

“What if we arrange a video call next week for me to show you how we have helped companies like yours specifically. Would it be worth your time to see how our solution could save effort and money?”

Now that you understand the basic elements of a sales pitch let’s walk through some working tactics that will help you make your pitch irresistible.

How to make a sales pitch: best practices and examples

Do your research.

Before making a pitch, the first thing to do is to study your prospect from different angles. You should be clear about who you’re pitching to , so don’t neglect to find the basic demographic and firmographic data, like a person’s name, position, and information about the company.

A good option is to rely on LinkedIn , from which you can collect lots of data, such as the company’s news, industry-related posts, and comments, and use it as a compelling hook for your sales presentation.

Do your research

Use storytelling

Did you know that a great story can lead to the release of oxytocin, which creates a deeper connection between the storyteller and their audience? Not a surprise, storytelling is considered one of the most powerful sales techniques.

I highly recommend that you build your pitch around a narrative. Tell your prospect how other companies started using your product/service and what improvements they got. If you feel your prospect is inclined to object to your offering, you can even tell a brief story of how you have overcome problems by adopting a new technology after several objections.

Use storytelling

Focus on the prospect

Even if you provide an example of your company in your sales pitch, make sure you don’t go too far telling your prospect about your best functionality for another long hour.

A good sales pitch is a story where the main hero is a prospect, not you. So concentrate on your prospect’s current challenges and the bright perspectives they’ll get when they buy your offering.

Focus on the prospect

Balance between emotions and reason

In one of my previous posts about B2B sales psychology , I talked about the importance of appealing to emotions during a sales pitch. Here I would add that you should harmonize it with the appeal to the logical side.

You can appeal to emotions while talking about the prospect’s pain points, say, by asking them how they feel about their current problem. Or you can draw a positive picture of future improvements with your solution by asking them how they would feel if your product/service solved their problem.

sales pitch speech techniques

Create the FOMO effect

FOMO (fear of missing out) is a perception that you’re lagging behind others in experiencing the advantages of your current life. In sales, you can use the FOMO effect as a psychological trick to stimulate your prospect’s motivation to buy.

Try telling them success stories of direct competitors who have been using your product/service for a while. I’ve mentioned it in the previous chapter while talking about proof. This way, your prospects might feel anxious about missing out on something important their rivals already have in their pocket.

Create the FOMO effect

Personalize your sales pitch

Make sure your sales pitch is relevant to your prospect. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and focus on specific needs and pain points of a company you’re going to sell to. And let me remind you again: do research before you start your pitch and learn about your prospects, so you can address them personally, win their positive attitude, and build trust.

Personalize your sales pitch

Another way to build trust with your prospects is to position yourself as an industry expert. Why not add interesting facts to your sales pitch that your prospective customer might not know about?

For example, if your offering concerns a sales CRM , you can add some general information about the CRM market or statistics about how companies are adopting a new CRM. That will show you are well-versed in the subject and only add to the value of your offering.

Educate

Be prepared to handle sales objections

It hurts, but your sales pitch won’t always be accepted as something your prospect has been waiting for. Prospects do object, and yes, they do it quite often. Just be prepared to come up with counter-arguments to back you up.

Collecting a list of typical sales objections is important to the process of strategizing your sales pitch. When you know how to handle objections quickly, you’ll appear more credible and professional to the prospect.

Be prepared to handle sales objections

It might be strange to imagine yourself talking aloud, but you need to practice your sales pitch beforehand. Make a plan of your presentation, including all the elements mentioned above, and exercise what you’ll be saying, in what order, figuring out possible questions and prospects’ reactions to your sales pitch.

The top 5 sales pitch templates for your business

Wow, it seems you’re now ready to conquer the hearts of your prospects. Just one last bonus – I’ve prepared 5 templates to support your sales pitch email efforts.

Just remember: templates are fine, but your pitch must be highly personalized, so use them as convenient backing for your creativity.

templates

Sales pitch email template #1 – Sales introduction

 

Use this template in case your prospect hasn’t heard about you before. Your key goal here is to give them a reason to start communicating with you, so prepare a hook and demonstrate you’ve done your homework, researching a company you’re going to pitch to.

Sales pitch email template #2 – Prospect’s website visit

 

Never miss a chance to make a pitch to a prospect who has visited your website. You don’t need to look for a specific hook in this case, as you’ve got one already. This template will help show you are attentive to your website audience and ready to help immediately.

Sales pitch email template #3 – Responding to content

Most of your prospecting customers are publishing regular content, usually blog articles. This is a wonderful opportunity to use one of their posts as a hook to build links and make a sales pitch.

Sales pitch email template #4 – LinkedIn connection email template

 

LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for getting new customers, so once your prospect has accepted your connection, you can use it as a hook for making a non-intrusive sales pitch. You can do this through LinkedIn messages, InMails, or email. The latter will be a better solution to deal with LinkedIn limits and restrictions .

Sales pitch email template #5 – Objection handling

This template will help you to stay in the game even after your prospect objects. As you see, a bit of storytelling can save the situation. If you don’t have a similar story to share, you can always use one of your customer’s use cases .

Wrapping up

A sales pitch is an inevitable part of your job as a sales rep. And while there are dozens of prospects who have negative associations with it (yes, just like me), you already know that making a good sales pitch is possible without being pitchy.

I hope all the above tips, examples, and templates will help you come up with a sales pitch that will melt your prospect’s hearts the way none ever did. Meanwhile, Snov.io will take care of your sales process from start to finish.

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Examples of sales pitches and ideas for the perfect pitching strategy

Sales Pitch

A well-crafted sales pitch can get your prospect excited about the opportunity you’re offering and encourage them to take the next steps with you.

Sales pitches are about crafting a compelling narrative for your client. However, many it can be easy to fall into the trap of treating your sales pitch as a presentation of facts, figures and results, expecting to make a compelling argument based on data alone.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the power of stories to drive decision-making and close more deals after the sales pitch. We’ll also cover the fundamental elements to include in your sales decks, and practical ideas on how to deliver them (combined. Read on for plenty of great sales pitch ideas and suggestions.

First, though, exactly what is a sales pitch?

What is a sales pitch?

When most people hear the term ‘sales pitch’ they imagine a room full of potential clients and a salesperson or sales team going through a slideshow in front of them – like “Shark Tank” or “Dragons’ Den”.

But a sales pitch is more versatile than that.

“Sales pitch” meaning

It can be a script you go through on a call, a two-minute speech you perfect for networking opportunities or the classic presentation in front of decision-makers. In fact, every time you pick up the phone and tell a lead about your product, or meet someone at a business mixer and give them the lowdown about your product or company, that’s a sales pitch.

So, as you see the sales pitch definition isn’t a simple one and you need to find the best sales pitch examples and templates for each channel and prospect.

Key takeaways from this sales pitch article

Craft a compelling sales pitch: Use storytelling to create engaging sales pitches that highlight customer pain points, demonstrate the value of your solution and drive decision-making. Examples and strategies: Discover various sales pitch examples, from cold calling and email outreach to social selling and elevator pitches, and learn how to tailor your approach for different scenarios. Pipedrive provides tools to customize and deliver effective sales pitches, including CRM systems that support activity-based selling and help you achieve better results. Try Pipedrive free for 14 days .

Storytelling: The foundation of your sales pitch

As the old sales saying goes: facts tell, but stories sell. This is especially true when putting together your perfect sales pitch.

Here, we’ll dive into how to frame your sales pitch around a narrative that engages your prospect and gets them invested in what your solution has to offer.

The problem you solve

It may seem counterintuitive, but a product pitch shouldn’t start with the product, it should start with your client’s biggest pain points (something that will surely resonate with decision-makers on their side).

The focus of your solution isn’t product features or service capabilities. It’s about the critical challenges you solve for your customers.

This is why your pitch must begin with a story that highlights a big enough pain you help customers to alleviate – specifically customers in the same industry and market as your prospect.

“I still see so many reps lead a pitch with the features that they love,” observes Sophie Cameron, business development representative at CAKE . “While it’s great to see they have such passion and believe in what they’re selling, this doesn’t match the customer’s needs.

“So, start by figuring out their problems and pain points, and then tailor the pitch to those. Why did they decide to talk with you in the first place? Which features will help them achieve their goals? Getting the answers to these correct is what will really resonate with your prospect.”

A strong opener should focus on a critical change in the prospect’s industry, career or life that they must pay attention to. They should consider what you’re offering as a new, superior way of doing things. This is how you get your prospect’s attention, and it shows that you truly understand them, focusing on their needs rather than yours (making them a lead) is what compels them to keep listening. The role of presenting this change is twofold:

  • It must show that the opportunity is too great for the prospect to ignore
  • It should create a sense of urgency by outlining what will happen if they do not take action

By focusing on a change, rather than just the problem alone, you‘ll create a sense of urgency and encourage prospects to share their thoughts on how this change will affect them. Immediately, you go from persuasion to collaboration. It’s a consultative selling approach that works to build a meaningful relationship with your prospects.

“For me, pitching is all about relationships! Building trust and being honest. Rather than focus on the product, focus on how the product can help the end user,” says Lewis Bruford, Sales Manager at haart .

Let’s say we wanted to do this when pitching Pipedrive :

  • The problem : Salespeople are starved for time and are struggling to meet sales quotas.
  • The change : As more consumers are making purchasing decisions based on their own research, salespeople are having to work harder and engage more leads to make a sale. That means more time spent on admin to track all the leads and engagements in their pipeline, which takes time away from selling. However, there is technology that can streamline this process.

By leading with the second option, we’re more likely to shift perspectives, or attract leads who believe in what we believe.

Highlight the pain

It’s easy to look at change with rose-tinted glasses. But without clearly framing the consequences for not taking action, you’ll struggle to close deals.

Explaining what is likely to happen if your prospect continues down the same road will get their attention and inspire them to take action.

This is where having third-party statistics can go a long way. It allows you to present a data-driven argument behind the pain point your solution alleviates.

Another way to highlight the pain is to create a “villain” and position yourself as the hero who will battle against it.

This "villain" shouldn’t be a real person or a competitor, as that will come across as underhanded. Instead, it should represent old ways of doing things, legacy systems and forces that push against getting the desired result. Your product or service should be positioned as a more optimized, effective solution to whatever “villain” you’re choosing to point out.

Share the upside and a new way of doing things

Once you highlight the pain, it can be tempting to start pitching your product. But there’s an important step to handle before you start talking about your solution and its features.

While highlighting the pain will get your prospect’s attention, it’s not the most effective way to elicit action. They are likely still going to be hesitant to change, especially when it is costing them upfront. You must show them the upside of the challenge, and what they stand to gain if they enter the arena.

The “new way” you presented earlier has to yield results or an outcome that the prospect actually wants. But you must also position it as something that can only be achieved with help from the right people or organization: AKA you.

Remember, you’re pitching your vision here, not your product. The new way of doing things isn’t what your product or service is, but rather what life will look like once potential customers invest in it.

Position features as superpowers

You’ve painted a picture of the core problem you solve, the change in the prospect’s world, why your prospect should pay attention and how they’ll benefit from this change if they take action.

Now, it’s finally time to present your product as the solution to these problems, and the path your prospect must take to reach the desired outcome.

There are two ways to do this, and it can be more effective to do both:

  • Positioning your features against the “old way” of doing things
  • Present them as superpowers for your prospect

Use a features checklist, or even a data quadrant comparing your product with the old way of doing things, or your competition. You also might be able to use examples of how you’ve helped other clients as proof that your product or service is worth the investment.

Top rated CRM quadrant

Your product is the key to succeeding in the new world or defeating the villain. With the groundwork set, your product isn’t just a set of features; they act as superpowers for your prospect to succeed.

Champion your customers

While we will be covering how to implement traditional sales principles into your pitch later, there’s a critical final piece to your story arc to explain first.

That piece is, of course, evidence. How can you back up your claims? How have you generated results in the past?

You could use the power of testimonials and case studies to demonstrate social proof as well as the results you’ve helped clients achieve.

This is your chance to present the other heroes of your story: your existing customers and prospective clients. Showcase how they’ve gained results by using your product or service, and how you helped them navigate the new world.

Four good sales pitch examples (and which you should use)

Having a framework to shape your narrative will allow you to connect with your prospects on a deeper level.

Now it’s time to shape that story into the different scenarios you’ll find yourself in the day-to-day.

You wouldn’t go into a full-scale sales presentation during a cold call, you need a concise, compelling opener that only lasts a minute or two. This is why it’s important to shape your story and value proposition for the different sales activities and environments you’ll find yourself in.

Here, we explore five of the most common formats, with the best sales pitch examples for each situation, sales pitch templates and how to use each opportunity to capitalize on attention.

1. Cold calling

Once you have the attention of a prospect, it’s the perfect opportunity to share your story with them.

But this doesn’t mean you should start your pitch as soon as you get connected! Keep in line with cold calling best practices by introducing yourself first.

Here’s a simple phone call script you can use to gauge your prospect’s interest (courtesy of Jessica Magoch, CEO of JPM Partners):

"Hi, this is Jess from JPM. How are you? We’re working on some solutions to help you recruit and train a new generation of salespeople. Is that something you’d like to hear more about?"

If they say yes, then it’s the perfect time to lead with your narrative. Here’s how to frame your story using a proven cold calling framework :

  • Introduction and opening line : In the sales pitch example above, Jessica introduced herself and then opened by gauging interest in the specific pain point that her firm solves.
  • Reason for calling : Show the prospect why they should pay attention, touching upon the old way of doing things vs. the new way of doing things, as well as the pain point (and be sure to personalize!)
  • Value proposition : Share some of the results you’ve helped clients achieve. Make sure to frame them as customer stories rather than simply presenting cold hard facts.
  • Question : Ask if they’re interested and address any immediate objections.
  • Close : Get some time in their calendar and secure the appointment.

Here’s an example of how you might put these steps together in your own sales pitch template:

Hi [NAME], this is James calling from Pipedrive. I’m calling because I noticed you recently secured a new round of funding and, as expanding the growth of [COMPANY] might be a priority now, you might be interested in how we’re helping salespeople achieve better results through a new way of selling. Would you like to hear more?

If they say yes, continue:

Great! We’ve noticed that when salespeople focus more on the right activities, instead of worrying about hitting quotas, they end up reaching those numbers faster while working in a more efficient manner. This is why, at Pipedrive, we’ve created a CRM that focuses on activity-based sales, a new way of selling that empowers reps to do their best work and become better salespeople. In fact, we’ve recently helped [BRAND] generate [RESULT] through our solution. If this is of interest, I’d love to share more about this new way of selling, and how it would benefit your revenue goals at [COMPANY]. Shall we schedule a call in the calendar sometime over the next week or so?

Here, we’ve touched upon the old way of doing things (measuring salespeople on quota) and presented a new way of doing things (activity-based selling). We also touched upon the superpower we provide and the results we’ve generated.

While it doesn’t give all the details, it’s enough for the prospect to decide whether or not to take the next step, because they have a general idea of what you have to offer their business.

2. Email outreach

Just like cold calling, your email outreach needs to be succinct and get to the point quickly.

According to Boomerang , the sweet spot for email length is between 50-125 words. Furthermore, they discovered that a 25-word email is as effective as one with 2,000 words.

Here’s a simple framework you can use to write your cold email pitches:

  • The opener : As with cold calling, be sure to personalize your opener, and tie the reason for reaching out to something relevant to them.
  • The pitch : Condense everything we talked about earlier into a single paragraph, using no more than one to three sentences.
  • Call-to-action : Ask them if they’d be interested in learning more and suggest a quick call as the next step.

Again, using Pipedrive as an example, here are these elements in play:

First of all, congratulations on your new round of funding with [INVESTOR]! I expect growth is going to be a high priority for you now, so thought you might find this of interest. We help SaaS companies like yours move away from the old quota-driven way of selling and empower salespeople to get better results with activity-based selling. Using our CRM system, we’ve seen [CLIENT] generate [RESULT] using this activity-based selling approach. I’d love to share more about this during a quick call sometime over the next week or so. Is this of interest? Thanks, James

Excluding the greeting and sign-off, this email runs in at 95 words. It lightly touches on the most important aspects and, most importantly, talks about results that greatly benefit the customer.

3. Social selling

From LinkedIn to Twitter, your buyers are now active on and can be reached through social media. They’re the perfect platforms to connect and share your narrative with them.

The two fundamental approaches to social selling are:

  • Outreach : Connecting, following and messaging your prospects
  • Content : Creating content that aligns with your narrative

For the sake of this guide, we’ll focus on the former. Let’s dig deeper into some of the most common social selling outreach methods:

  • LinkedIn invite : A short message when requesting to connect with your prospect
  • LinkedIn message : Using the same principles as cold emailing to pitch your solution to connections
  • Tweets : If a prospect talks about a problem you solve on Twitter, it’s the perfect opportunity to start a conversation

For LinkedIn invites and Tweets, you have a limited number of characters to play with. You’ll need to get creative here when presenting your pitch. In some cases, it’s best to focus on one element of your narrative.

Here’s an example of a LinkedIn connection invite that focuses on results:

Hi NAME, congrats on the latest round of funding! We’ve just helped [COMPANY IN PROSPECT’S INDUSTRY/MARKET] generate [RESULT] and thought you might be interested in learning how we did it. - [YOUR NAME]

Whichever aspect of your sales narrative you choose, use it to pique interest and get the initial response. You can then lead the conversation and nurture the lead from there.

Elevator sales pitch

4. Elevator pitch

The elevator pitch is typically what you use at networking events, or when meeting someone in your industry for the first time. Think about it as something you could easily convey to someone you’re sharing a short elevator ride with.

It’s a simple way of sharing your solution in 30 seconds or less. Use it to differentiate yourself from other people in the room using your narrative-driven sales pitch.

Be sure to practice your elevator pitch before going out into the field. Test it on a colleague and ask them for their feedback, or work as a team to refine one that you all use.

How to create engaging sales pitch content

You may be looking at the list of sales pitch formats above and wondering, “what about the trusty sales presentation?”

This is the most common and, arguably, the most complex type of sales pitch. It’s the sort that requires 30 to 60 minutes’ worth of time, careful consideration, preparation and testing – which is why we’ve dedicated two entire sections of this guide to it.

Here, you’ll learn how to structure your sales pitch into a deck that keeps your prospects engaged. Using the storytelling principles we covered earlier, you’ll be closing more deals in no time.

Customize the content

Just as personalization is key during your prospecting and verbal communications, it’s also well worth applying to your pitch decks.

Even a simple touch, such as applying prospect brand colors, can go a long way. But your sales presentation should never be fully recycled for multiple clients because each client has different pain points and different needs. You can invest the time to customize sales presentations because they’re likely presented deeper into the relationship with a client; they already have heard the elevator pitch at this point, or they came to you and expressed that they want to learn more.

Customization should also be applied to the challenges of your prospect. This is especially effective if you serve different industries, as each will have its own set of problems and goals.

Visualize data and key points

Many salespeople make the mistake of being too “text-heavy” with their sales decks. By applying too much copy to your slides, you risk making information difficult to assimilate and losing your prospect’s attention.

Therefore, use minimal text and visualize as many elements as possible – especially stats and data. If you need to go into more detail, write yourself a script so you can talk around the stats.

You should be able to talk about your product as much as your customer is interested, but everything doesn’t need to be shown physically in your deck, or else it will be too hard to follow.

Share your history

If the story of your brand is relevant to the problem you solve, don’t be afraid to share its history with your prospects.

This is the short version of our story: Pipedrive’s founder, Timo Rein, started out as a salesperson who wanted a better CRM to become more efficient in his job. Instead of waiting for it to come along, he decided to bring his vision to life.

Just make sure that you relate aspects of your story to the challenge your prospect faces and how you can help them tackle it.

While your backstory isn’t hugely persuasive, it can be an important step to adding context and building a connection with your prospect. Here’s our sales training video on how to tell your company story in a sales call .

Inject some humor

While humor can be a tricky thing to execute, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. If it aligns with your brand and is well received by your buyer personas, humor can be an effective way to connect with your prospects. It makes customer relationships feel more natural and friendly, which in turn makes you more trustworthy to your customer.

For example, injecting memes, puns or cultural references can go a long way. To advertise their new shop on Broadway, Casper created theatre-style posters, full of puns and joke reviews, to emphasize how comfortable their mattresses are, which also adds a level of customization to a pitch or marketing strategy:

Casper ad

Be succinct

You will generally have a limited amount of time to make your pitch, so you have to be succinct. After all, there’s a lot to include. You have to:

  • Introduce yourself and quickly build rapport
  • Ask questions about the prospect and their organization
  • Save some time for Q&A and objection handling

Being concise allows you to uncover your prospect’s needs before you share your deck. It also means you’ll have plenty of time to handle any objections that get in the way.

Once you’ve put your deck together, look through the slides and remove anything that isn’t critical at this stage of the relationship (doesn’t mean it won’t be later, but you don’t want to overload your lead with information). At the very least, find slides that can be merged together to make a single point.

If you’ve nailed your 30-minute pitch, but a prospect only gives you 15 minutes, try to book another time – your pitch can only be effective if you give it the time that it deserves.

Add more content for internal sharing

If there are other stakeholders involved in the buying process, it’s likely the prospect who attends your presentation will want a copy of the slides.

This is where having two versions of your deck can help with internal communications. The first version should only include text that guides the conversation. This includes sub-headings, data and short bullet points.

The second version is for your prospect’s internal use. Here, you can expand upon the points raised in each slide and add more information that wouldn’t have otherwise fit into the allotted time, or would have distracted from the key message.

Tips for delivering a bulletproof sales pitch

Putting together the content for your sales pitch is one challenge. But having the ability to deliver it in a clear, confident manner requires practice – especially for new salespeople.

This section provides advice for managers to consider including in their training material.

For the SDRs and sales reps out there, you can use this as a checklist to improve your verbal selling skills and deliver your pitches with confidence.

Get a deeper understanding of your prospect

Before jumping on the call, make sure you conduct as much research on your prospect as possible. This includes:

  • Looking at their company website to learn more about their customers and value proposition
  • Looking at the company LinkedIn profile to get a feel for organizational structure
  • Looking at the prospect’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about their career

Conducting this preparation beforehand will help you build rapport once you jump on a call or meet the prospect in person. It will also help you ask the right questions before jumping into your sales pitch.

“It’s important to understand who it is that you are trying to sell to from a personal level—not just their title and the company they work for,” explains Jack Scarr, Sales Manager at Netmums .

“If you can do some light research and find out that they listen to a certain music artist, support a football team or favor a certain type of cuisine, inclusion of this in your pitch can reduce the time it takes to get their unrivaled attention exponentially.

“They’ll see that you have taken an interest in them as a person, not just their title and access to budgets.”

Use simple, concise language

In other words; get to the point. Avoid using overly technical language unless you know your prospect will understand it – there’s no point if your sales pitch ideas aren’t clear. If you must use technical language, define the meaning and explain why it’s important. Keep in mind, in some cases using technical language is a good thing, because it shows that you understand the industry or field.

Try to avoid stumbling over your words or saying “um” between your words. This is where practicing with a colleague can help, as they’ll point out when you’re meandering away from the purpose of the pitch.

You should also practice talking slowly and talking less. Talk slowly because it shows that you’re more calm and confident, and gives your prospect more of a chance to take in what you say; talk less because reps are proven to have a higher closing rate if their prospect does more of the talking and they do the listening.

When conducting demos, focus on the critical features

If you’re giving a demo for your SaaS product, the first five to ten minutes of the conversation are critical. This will allow you to ask questions around the prospect’s primary goals and challenges.

Once you uncover these challenges, you can tailor the demo to focus on the features that the prospect would benefit the most from. It can be tempting to run through your entire suite of features. But while you may see the value in everything your solution has to offer, your prospect might not agree.

By doing this, you tie the features and solutions of your product directly to what they’re trying to achieve. As you wrap up each feature, use phrases like “by using [FEATURE], you’ll be able to achieve [OUTCOME] and solve [PAIN POINT].”

Practice confident body language

Pitching your solution in person? Be sure to practice strong body language while you rehearse your pitch. This will help you both appear and feel more confident.

Here are some basic ways you can improve your body language:

  • Eye contact : They say the eyes are the portal to the soul. Making and maintaining eye contact shows people you’re interested in them and invested in what they have to say.
  • Stand straight : Fixing your posture is an easy way to convey confidence. Simply pull your shoulders back and straighten your spine.
  • Chin up : Avoid looking down at the floor. Make an effort to stand straight and face straight ahead.
  • Firm handshake : A limp handshake signals a lack of confidence. Make sure you offer a firm handshake to make a strong first impression.

Prepare for objections

Chances are, you’re going to receive several questions and objections during your sales pitch. If you’re not ready for them, you may appear unsure of yourself, and your prospect could lose confidence in your expertise.

This is why collecting a library of common sales objections is invaluable to the process of strategizing your sales pitch. When you know how to handle objections quickly, you’ll appear more credible to the prospect, and they’ll feel like they’re in the hands of a professional.

“Ask yourself the toughest questions,” recommends Jack . “The biggest part of a sales pitch is after you’ve finished talking about yourself as a person or the brand you represent; it’s when the questions start.

“Preparing for those questions can be the difference between a successful pitch and losing business. So, before you get to that stage, read your pitch and prepare answers to questions you might be asked.”

Make objection handling a core part of your sales training. Whenever you hear a new objection, make a note of it (as well as your response) to share with the rest of the team.

For more sales pitch ideas, check out our tool featuring the experts’ responses to common sales objections, and our videos on how to tackle the following objections:

Lead the conversation to the next stage of the relationship

Finally, take the age-old advice of “always be closing” (ABC) to heart (while remembering that the journey to close is where the important work is done). By the end of your sales pitch, your prospect should be ready to take the next step in doing business with you.

This might be for them to trial your software, or for you to send a proposal and schedule a follow-up meeting. Whatever it is, lead your prospect to it. Make them feel like they’re in good hands by taking charge at every step of the conversation.

Curveball questions

How to make a sales pitch: What we’ve learned

So, in summary, what can you learn from this guide about how to make a sales pitch that converts? Here are the key lessons to remember:

Review LinkedIn profiles to understand personal interests

Personalize your pitch by referencing specific details about the prospect’s background, interests and experience

Introduce yourself

State your reason for calling

Present your value proposition

Ask questions

Close by scheduling a follow-up

Keep emails concise: Aim for 50–125 words and make them personalized while focusing on benefits

Engage prospects on social media: Connect with them on LinkedIn or X using personalized messages.

Practice delivering a concise pitch: Ensure it can be shared in 30 seconds or less.

Tailor it for each prospect, focusing on their unique challenges

Use as little text as possible and visualize key points to maintain engagement

Tailor demos to highlight relevant features

Focus on features that address the prospect’s primary challenges and connect features directly to desired outcomes and pain point solutions

Make eye contact, stand straight and use a firm handshake.

Prepare for objections by anticipating questions and practicing responses.

Guide the conversation towards the next step: a trial, proposal or follow-up meeting.

By applying these strategies, you’ll know how to make a sales pitch that resonates with prospects every time.

Sales pitch strategy in review

A good sales narrative not only keeps your ideal prospects engaged, but it persuades them to follow along with the journey. If they believe in what you believe, and you can present a better way of doing things, it’s more likely you’ll secure them as a customer for life.

But this can only work if the entire organization is aligned with this story. Indeed, this story and “reason why” should be present in your marketing, customer service processes and the solution itself.

Communicate a better way of doing things, and show your prospects how they can drive results with the superpowers that you can give them. This is the key to crafting a sales pitch that inspires awe.

sales pitch speech techniques

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  • Product updates

14 Sales Pitch Examples: How to Create a Sales Pitch That Converts

Lindsay Kramer

What makes you want to buy something? Be honest—how many times have you listened to a sales rep, and then bought something you might not have bought otherwise?

You listened to a great sales pitch.

A sales pitch is a short presentation of what you have to offer, followed by a request that the recipient work with you. Every sales pitch is unique, but they all follow the same basic structure.

Knowing how to write a well-crafted sales pitch is a crucial skill for sales reps and critical to any business’ success.

We’ve covered a lot of different kinds of emails here on the blog, specifically sales-related emails like follow-ups . Sales pitches are the most overt kind of sales email—they’re the ones that directly ask for sales.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how to create a great sales pitch and provide you with 14 sales pitch examples you can use to help you craft your own pitch.

What does a good sales pitch look like?

At a glance, a good sales pitch is one that converts the people who receive it. Going deeper than that, a successful sales pitch includes four important components that drive people to convert:

Here’s a closer look at the key traits all effective sales pitches share:

Highly researched

What kind of sales pitches result in the most sales? Those that are personalized for the recipient.

There’s more to it—but ultimately, the deciding factor for your sales pitch email’s success is whether you took the time to research the prospect, their company, their needs, and the solution that would serve them best.

A personalized sales pitch is more than a sales pitch that leads with the recipient’s name. It addresses their specific pain points and offers solutions that are feasible for their budget, type of business, and specific needs.

Highly researched sales pitch

For example, if your offer is enterprise-level software to make bookkeeping easier for large corporations, your target recipient isn’t a small bagel shop with two employees.

So how do you determine who, exactly, is the right fit for your offer? You do your research.

Use all the resources available to learn everything you possibly can about each prospect. That includes their website, social media profiles, any available information about their business, and who is in charge of making buying decisions.

For that last piece of research, we have a great blog post on strategies for finding the email addresses you need to find for specific people in an organization.

An effective sales pitch email is also short. It needs to be just long enough to make a connection with the recipient by explaining the problem you solve and the kinds of customers you serve. This should take, at maximum, a paragraph or two.

This type of sales pitch is sometimes called the elevator pitch.

A concise sales pitch should include three core elements:

The hook is the moment your pitch captures the prospect’s attention. If your pitch doesn’t hook the prospect within the first few seconds of them opening your email, they will be a lot less likely to convert.

We’ve discussed effective hooks on the blog before. The right hook or opening line for your pitch depends on your offer and the recipient—which is why you need to do enough research on them to understand what kind of hook will work best.

The right hook might be a personal note, like mentioning that you spoke with them at an event a few days prior. Or it might be a statistic they just can’t ignore, like the results your product generated for your other clients in the past six months.

Here’s a sales pitch example with a great hook that we received at Hunter:

Sales pitch hook

After hooking your reader, you need to explain why you’re pitching to them. Maybe it’s because you noticed they struggle with a specific pain point, or maybe it’s because you have a new product available, and they had a great experience with the last product you released.

Mention your value proposition — how your offer will help them resolve a pain point.

There are a few different strategies you can use to do this, like mentioning how well it worked for other clients, dropping a few key facts and statistics about your offer’s efficacy, including a testimonial, or simply asking the prospect how you can help them.

Whichever strategy you determine is best, the goal is to get the reader to visualize themselves using your product to resolve the challenges they’re currently facing.

Be sure to keep your pitch clear, concise, and free from jargon. The prospect needs to completely understand your offer, and they can’t do that if it’s loaded with technical terms or bogged down by convoluted sentences.

Keep it short, keep it clear, and keep it in the simplest language you can use to communicate your offer and its benefits.

Sales pitch context

Call to action

This last part is where you actually ask the recipient to make a purchase (or, if your email’s goal is to get them on a sales call, ask them to schedule a call with you).

This part needs to be straightforward, clear on exactly what you want the recipient to do (e.g., watch a demo, schedule a call, subscribe, or buy a product), and give short instructions on how to do it.

Your call to action needs to have a sense of urgency—you just pitched them on why your offer is so great; now drive them to take action while it’s fresh in their mind.

Sales pitch call-to-action

Data is your friend. And when it comes to sales pitches, data is one of your best friends because data convinces people.

Think about it—how many times have you heard a claim, then looked it up and found data that convinced you that the claim was true (or false? Or technically true, but cherry picked?)

Similarly, how many times have you argued a point by citing relevant data to support it?

We’d wager a guess you’ve done that at least a few times.

Just like citing statistics makes your argument more persuasive, citing data makes your sales pitch more effective. And as the company offering the product or service, you should have all the relevant data to back up your claims.

Include data that illustrates the value your offer delivers. This data gives the recipient the information they need to come to their own conclusion about your offer: ideally, that it will solve the challenges they’re facing right now.

Here are some examples of data you could include in your pitch:

  • Sales figures from previous releases or promotions
  • Customer feedback about your product or service
  • Case studies about previous products or releases

This data can be about the customer, too. For example, you might include statistics on the kinds of brands that choose to work with you or the demographics your company serves.

By seeing themselves in your satisfied customer base, your email’s recipient is more likely to connect with your brand.

Creates a sense of urgency

As we mentioned above, an effective sales pitch creates a sense of urgency. Urgency comes from the vocabulary the pitch uses and how the message is structured.

Ask yourself this: do these phrases make me want to buy something?

  • When you get a chance
  • If you’re ready
  • Before the end of this promotion
  • I’d like to connect

How about these?

  • This promotion ends soon

Short, action-oriented words and sentences create a sense of urgency. Whatever you say in your sales pitch, say it in as few words as possible. Make sure you use the active voice, too.

Here’s a quick primer on the active voice versus the passive voice:

  • Active: Smart people buy this product
  • Passive: This product is purchased by smart people

See the difference? Your sales pitch needs to be clear, direct, and urgent.

This is also a great place to address your recipient’s pain point again. For example, if you’re offering IT services, remind them how much a network outage will cost them for every hour it persists.

What NOT to include in a sales pitch

Just like there are certain components that need to be in every sales pitch, there are a few things that shouldn’t be in any sales pitch you send. Always avoid:

Sales cliches

Sales cliches: you’ve heard ‘em all.

“Buy now and save!”

“Don’t miss out on this AMAZING opportunity!”

“Act now before it’s gone”

When you’re writing a sales pitch that not only hooks potential buyers, but also creates the necessary sense of urgency to get them to buy your offer, it can be easy to wander into cliche territory.

After all, there are only so many ways to tell somebody to buy something. So how do you use a tried-and-true sales formula without sounding like every other sales pitch the recipient has heard?

Stay away from cliche expressions like:

  • Bang for your buck
  • Move the needle
  • Addressing the elephant in the room
  • Win-win scenario

If you find yourself wanting to use one of these stock phrases, determine what you’re really trying to say. Then, find a fresher way to communicate your point.

For example, instead of starting your sales pitch with “let’s address the elephant in the room,” you might start it with something like “I know what you’re worried about, and trust me, you aren’t the only one.”

Too many technical details

As we mentioned above, leave the industry-specific jargon out of your sales pitch. There’s one very specific exception to this rule, which we’ll illustrate in one of the example templates later on.

But in most cases, including technical details in your sales pitch will make the prospect less likely to convert, not more.

That’s because people want to feel confident that they’re choosing the right product for their needs. If they come across a term or figure they don’t understand, they won’t be as confident that they’re making the right choice.

Remember, your sales pitch should always affirm that choosing you is the best choice the prospect can make.

There’s another reason why including too many technical details in your pitch will detract from its effectiveness: they take up space.

When people read emails, they skim. That’s why it’s so important to grab their attention with a personalized hook and make them want to read the whole thing. But when someone is skimming an email and seeing nothing but figures and details they can’t immediately understand, their attention wanes.

And when people lose interest, you lose the sale. So make sure that when you do include technical information and other details in your pitch, you include them because they’ll connect with the prospect and make them more excited about your offer.

Promises you can’t keep

This one is critical . Of course, you want to make your sales pitch as appealing to the recipient as possible. You want to make them offers they can’t refuse.

But make sure those are offers you’re actually willing and able to deliver.

There are two ways you can potentially land yourself in hot water by making promises you can’t keep:

  • Making unrealistic claims about your product or service
  • Offering add-ons, discounts, or other upgrades you can’t actually provide

In the first case, making a false claim can result in buyers feeling disappointed in your product and, potentially, in dangerous situations themselves if the product doesn’t work how you claimed it would work.

Depending on where in the world you and the buyer are located, this could lead to legal trouble for you. In the second scenario, you can similarly find yourself in legal trouble for fraud —and your reputation as a business destroyed.

Even if you do make a sale, making a promise you can’t keep will only result in an unsatisfied customer.

14 sales pitch examples to inspire your next pitch

Need inspiration for your next pitch? Check out these 14 great sales pitch examples:

1. Quick win for {{company}}

This kind of pitch is ideal for the customer who wants something right now. In addition to offering a solution that will instantly net them results, it gives them two tactical strategies for free .

If your goal is to net a new client rather than retain an existing one, giving them something for free can be a very effective way to establish your value and trustworthiness as a brand.

After taking advantage of the two suggestions and seeing their results, the recipient will want more—and they’ll book a call with you to get it.

2. Solution for [[challenge]]

Naturally, a sales pitch is all about offering a solution. And that’s exactly what this template equips you to do.

In some cases, the most effective way to hook the prospect is to jump right into their problem and how your solution will resolve it.

Notice how in this template, the sender immediately backs up their solution with relevant data about past clients’ experiences.

If the only information you have about the prospect is the challenges they’re facing, or if that’s really the only information that’s relevant to your pitch, keep it simple and go with a pitch like this.

3. How do you handle [[problem]]?

In contrast to the last template, this one asks the prospect to have a conversation with the sender about the challenges they’re facing.

If you don’t know the exact nature of the prospect’s challenges, a sales pitch like this can help you do your research while offering a solution. It might lead to a call where you determine that the prospect actually isn’t a great fit for your service—or that they’d be served better by one of your other products.

4. Showcase {{company}} to 730K+ potential customers

This is the kind of pitch that can work great if you’re targeting an established or otherwise high-value prospect.

By leading with an acknowledgment that they’re doing amazing things, you’re opening the door to express how your offer can only help them keep growing and enable them to be even better at what they do.

You’re also making your value immediately clear with a quick stat: you’ve got the power to put their brand in front of a large number of potential buyers.

5. {{first_name}} check out your new cancellation flow

Some products are best demonstrated rather than discussed. If that’s your product, opt for a sales pitch that shows, rather than tells , how it will solve the challenges the prospect is facing.

Also, notice how the sender tells the recipient exactly how long the video is. Nobody wants—or has time—to watch a long video on how your product works.

So by telling them before they click that it will only take 40 seconds of their time, you’re assuring them that you respect their time and won’t take a second more than you need.

6. Sales team goals

The purpose of this kind of sales pitch isn’t to embarrass the prospect if they aren’t meeting their goals; it’s to acknowledge that lower-than-expected sales are a pain point that you’re equipped to solve.

This is another example of the kind of pitch that you should only employ if your research has shown that this specific issue is one the prospect is struggling with.

7. Quick question on {{company}} {{first_name}}

If you’re marketing to other marketers, you can “speak their language” in a sales pitch. You can’t do this when you’re pitching to people outside your industry or your role.

But when you know your prospect will understand certain vocabulary words, concepts, and concerns, you can jump right to the jargon and talk to them marketer-to-marketer.

Doing this communicates that you’ve been in the same position they’re in now and that you’re offering them a solution that’s truly designed for somebody in their position.

8. Available for a chat?

Similar to example #3, this pitch invites the prospect to tell you about the pain points they’re experiencing, rather than you assuming them.

The difference here is that this pitch feels more casual and suggests a more person-to-person, rather than company-to-company, connection between you and the prospect. Use this kind of pitch for a smaller or sole proprietor prospect.

9. Let's build your A-team

Certain sales pitches are best suited for products. Others are best suited for services. This template is an example of the latter type of pitch because it does two things:

  • It name-drops top players who’ve used the service, implicitly including the prospect in that list
  • It includes data on the results the service has garnered for those past clients

Use this kind of sales pitch if you’ve got an impressive client list and the data to back up your claims.

10. Help with [[problem]]

This kind of pitch wastes no time introducing the sender. If you’re pitching to a cold prospect, this is the strategy to use.

There’s only one question the prospect should be asking when they reach the end of your email: how soon can we schedule the call?

11. Hi {{first_name}}, quick question

Just like the previous sales pitch template, this one starts by introducing the sender. It’s another great choice for a cold prospect.

This one gets more personal, though, first with an honest compliment about the prospect’s company and then a personal connection. If you have either of these, leverage them. That’s one of the most effective ways to personalize a sales pitch.

12. [[problem]] solution

Another way to leverage your brand’s resources is to have your testimonials sell your offer. That’s what this sales pitch does.

It gets straight to the point, telling the prospect that you know what they do and what they struggle with—this shows that you did your research, which goes a long way in establishing trust.

Then, after the pitch, the testimonial does the talking, followed by a promise that the prospect, too, can have this great experience.

13. {{company} + [[your company]]

This is another sales pitch template that hinges primarily on a question rather than going straight to the offer. The offer is subtle here: just a quick sentence about what you do, no pressure on the recipient to take you up on it at all.

This kind of pitch is ideal for offers that are best explained through a conversation rather than a one-way email.

14. Are you happy with [[competitor]]?

If it’s appropriate for your brand (and this kind of tactic isn’t appropriate for every brand—and that’s perfectly fine!), ask the prospect about their experience with a competitor directly.

This is where your research comes in handy—by taking the time to learn about what your prospect’s company does and the services they’re currently working with, you can get personal in your sales pitch like this.

Remember, you aren’t badmouthing your competitor in this kind of sales pitch. Instead, you’re asking the prospect for their honest feedback about their experience with the competitor, good and bad.

And when they mention the difficulties they’ve faced, that’s your opportunity to offer a solution.

Get the most out of your sales pitch

Writing effective sales pitches is part science, part art. There are the components that need to be there, like an irresistible hook and a direct call to action. But there are also the components that can vary a little, like the statistics you include to support your offer.

As you test and redevelop your sales pitch framework, remember that selling involves more than just an irresistible offer. That offer is only irresistible if it’s personalized for the people receiving it.

And even when it is irresistible, sometimes people still need a little nudge to say yes and move forward with the deal. That’s why you almost always need to send a follow-up email within a few days of sending your initial sales pitch.

Need more help crafting a sales pitch? Check out our database of sales pitch templates here .

Lindsay Kramer

Lindsay Kramer is a copywriter and content writer from the USA. She is a contributing author at Grammarly, 99Designs, and the Leaf Group. When she's not writing, she's out surfing.

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How to Create an Effective Sales Pitch (With Examples)

January 15, 2024

Shara Zareen

Shara Zareen

How to Create an Effective Sales Pitch (With Examples)

A sales pitch is an attempt to get the prospect's interest in your offering so they decide to purchase it, resulting in successful sales. In other words, it's the art of presenting a product or service and captivating the audience to buy. While crafting a successful pitch for sales, it should be kept in mind that it is tailored according to your prospect's specific needs and interests.

What is a Sales Pitch?

As mentioned earlier, a sales pitch can be defined as a communication composed to convince a potential customer to engage with the products or services and take specific favorable actions. This sales technique is often called an ‘elevator pitch’ because of its need to be brief. Businesses can adapt this technique to persuade the audience either in person or through various digital channels.

A sales pitch is a sales presentation wherein the salesperson aims to captivate the audience, highlight unique selling points, and address the needs or desires of a customer. They often use scripts as a structured framework for promoting a unified brand image and its products or services. SquadStack has its own guided calling app that assures 100% script compliance. It helps our agents ensure that every call adheres to the guidelines, preventing fraudulent activities.

Sales Pitch Strategies

How to Pitch in Sales?

Before you present the product or service to potential customers, you must understand their needs and tailor your pitch accordingly. You might have to modify your pitch at the very last moment in certain circumstances. Hence, adaptability is essential. Make sure to address their specific challenges and highlight the unique features of your product. You must engage and invite questions from the customers for effective rapport building. Lastly, close your pitch with a clear call to action.

Components of a Good Sales Pitch

8 Steps to Create an Effective Sales Pitch Script

Sales representatives use sales pitches or written dialogue scripts to guide themselves while interacting with customers. The journey of crafting an effective script can be confusing and overwhelming. It demands a meticulous approach. Let us walk through the guide discussed below that offers valuable insights on crafting a sales pitch and achieving impactful results.

Step 1: Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is a statement that conveys the distinct benefits and features of the offering to the audience. Identify what sets your products or services apart and clearly express the specific benefits you offer that your competitors don’t. Understand the pain points of your potential customers and ensure that your UVP resonates with their desires or challenges. Regularly reassess your UVP based on market trends.

Step 2: Develop a Hook

Start with a thought-provoking question that emphasizes the pain points or the desires your audience can relate to. You can even narrate a story that highlights the urgency of your offering. Position your product or services as the solution they have been looking for. Make sure that your hook is directly connected to the benefits you provide and create immediate interest.

Step 3: Structure Your Sales Pitch Script

Your sales pitch must have maximum impact. Make your offering relatable and introduce your solution as the ideal remedy. Provide evidence of your offering’s uniqueness through case studies, testimonials, or statistics.

Step 4: Craft a Compelling Story in your Sales Pitch Script

Begin with creating an emotional connection with your audience. Share your journey and portray your product as the hero that resolves issues and improves lives. Give real-world examples and testimonials that highlight positive outcomes. You can even use the PIXAR technique, a method developed by the Pixar Animation Studios that involves storytelling to present your product or service. The idea behind this technique is to pitch in a few but interesting sentences focused on phrases like ‘once upon a time…’ and ‘until finally…’.

The PIXAR Technique of Sales Pitching

Step 5: Include Strong CTA

Incorporate a strong CTA (call-to-action). Mention the next step you want the prospect to take, like scheduling a demo, making a purchase, or signing up for a trial. Use action-oriented language to instill a sense of urgency.

Step 6: Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features

Instead of merely listing specifications, explain how each feature translates into a tangible user advantage. Try to shift the focus of the pitch from the features to benefits by showcasing how your offering directly addresses their needs.

Step 7: Anticipate and Address Objections

It is a vital step in overcoming the barriers to a positive response. When you proactively acknowledge concerns and address objections, you demonstrate understanding and build trust. It shows that you have considered the prospect’s perspective, increasing the likelihood of recognition of your offering.

Step 8: Practice, Practice, Practice

Lastly, practice your pitch as much as possible for a confident presentation. Rehearsing refines your timing, tone, and confidence. It familiarizes you with your pitch and enables adaptability to various scenarios and audiences. It boasts genuine and natural delivery of pitches. At SquadStack, each caller receives targeted training to improve their performance. These trainings are based on insights and feedback from the call quality and performance monitoring of the callers.

Sales Pitch Training

Also, check Call Center Script: A Step-by-Step Guide

Types of Sales Pitches [+Template]

Sales pitches come in multiple forms, each customized for different contexts and objectives. Understanding the nuances of each type is the key to mastering the art of effective sales communication and driving desired outcomes. Here are some typical sales pitch examples.

1. Elevator Pitch

The elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary that summarizes crucial information into a short and memorable message capable of sparking further engagement. This pitch is designed to leave a lasting impression, making it an effective tool for any situation where a quick and impactful introduction is crucial.

Example of an elevator script:

“Hi, I’m [Your Name] from [Your Company’s Name]. We specialize in developing cutting-edge mobile apps. Our team of expert developers ensures top-notch quality, timely delivery, and a user-friendly interface. We recently collaborated with [Name of the Company] and helped them increase their customer engagement by 40%. Imagine having a personalized app that boosts your business efficiency and engages your users. If you want to elevate your brand through innovative mobile solutions, I’d love to discuss how [Your Company’s Name] can make that happen for you.”

2. Email Pitch

An email pitch is a persuasive message sent electronically as a part of the sales strategy. It acts as a digital counterpart to traditional sales pitches that leverage the convenience of email communication to drive positive responses.

Email Pitch Example

3. Cold Call Sales Pitch Example

It is a verbal sales presentation conducted over the phone to prospects who haven’t shown prior interest. Despite its challenges, it serves as a direct method for initiating contact and uncovering opportunities in an unplanned interaction.

Prospect: Hello?

Agent: Good morning [Prospect’s Name], I’m [Rep’s Name] from [Your Company’s Name]. I found your information while we were searching for business consultants in [Area’s Name], and I believe our services can benefit your website conversions.

Do you have a moment to discuss?

Prospect: I’m heading somewhere. How much time will it take, by the way?

Agent: If I could have just 10 mins, I can explain how we can elevate your business.

Prospect: Let’s connect some other time.

Agent: No problem.

4. One-on-One Consultative Pitch

Here, the salesperson engages in a conversation with the prospect, actively listens to their needs, and tailors the pitch accordingly. The one-on-one consultative pitch is a personalized sales approach that involves a collaborative exchange. It focuses on problem-solving and providing products or services based on the client's needs.

Consultative Pitch

5. Social Media Pitch

These are visually engaging messages crafted for social media platforms. Social media pitches often incorporate multimedia elements to drive user engagement and encourage actions such as sharing content within their networks, clicking a link, or making a purchase.

Example of Social Media PItch

6. Referral Pitch

This approach taps into the network effect to expand a customer base by sending persuasive messages to the potential customer through the recommendation of an existing client. It leverages the trust and credibility established by the referrer.

Hi [Recipient’s Name],

I am [Your Name], a representative of [Your Company’s Name]. [Referrer’s Name] from [Referrer’s Company Name] is our valued partner who recommended you to us. He/She spoke highly of your company and mentioned how you might be interested in our solution that has benefited their operation.

I would love to elaborate on how our [Product/ Service] can bring similar benefits to [Referred Company’s Name]. Can we schedule a brief call at your earliest to discuss this further? Looking forward to working together.

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

[Signature]

Sales Pitch Template

Hello [Prospect's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I represent [Your Company]. I wanted to reach out to you because I believe we have a solution that aligns perfectly with [Prospect's Company] needs.
Identify the Pain Point:
In our discussions with companies in [Prospect's Industry], we've noticed a common challenge - [Briefly mention a common pain point in their industry or a specific issue your product/service addresses].
Solution Offered:
That's why I'm excited to introduce you to our [Product/Service]. Our [Product/Service] is designed to [Briefly explain how your product/service addresses the pain point and the value it brings].
Key Benefits:
Here are a few key benefits you can expect:
  • [Benefit 1]
  • [Benefit 2]
  • [Benefit 3]

Success Stories:

We've had the privilege of working with companies like [Client 1] and [Client 2], helping them achieve [specific result or improvement].
Next Steps:
I would love to schedule a brief call or meeting to discuss how our [Product/Service] can specifically benefit [Prospect's Company]. Are you available for a [phone call/meeting] sometime next week?
Thank you for considering [Your Company]. I'm confident that our [Product/Service] can make a meaningful impact on [Prospect's Company], and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this further.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Contact Information]

Examples of Sales Pitch Across Different Industries

For inspiration, use these concise sales pitch examples to elevate your sales communication across different industries.

1. Health & Wellness Industry

Pitches in this industry must focus on promoting products or services that contribute to the overall wellness of the audience. Highlighting natural ingredients and scientific evidence can prove to be beneficial in attracting customers and driving positive results.

How SquadStack’s fully vetted and managed telecallers helped Medfin , India’s leading healthcare provider, increase their appointment booking by 25%.

“We wanted a team who could deploy highly trained agents, set up audits, and have quality checks. SquadStack fulfilled all these needs.”
-Arun Kumar, Co-founder of Medfin

Sales Pitch Example for Health & Wellness:

“Hi [Prospect’s Name], I’m [Your Name], calling from [Your Company’s Name]. I was hoping to connect with you as I noticed your engagement with our company’s website. As you already know, we specialize in personalized fitness programs catering to our client’s unique goals. We have helped 500+ clients achieve their weight goals and improve their overall health. We’d love to create a customized plan for you. Can we discuss your fitness aspirations and how [Your Company’s Name] can support you?”

2. EdTech Industry

In an EdTech industry, the sales representatives must focus on highlighting factors such as personalized learning, efficient teachers, advanced technologies, and interactive content. They must showcase the positive outcomes of past students and institutional advancements.

Aakash + BYJU’s collaboration with SquadStack helped them reach 15 Lakh students within a week.

Social Media Sales Pitch Example for EdTech:

“Hello [Prospect’s Name], I recently discovered that we share a mutual connection- [Connection’s Name]. He/ She has been using our educational technologies in his/ her institute and saw a remarkable 20% increase in student engagement. Since you are in the same business as her, I believe our solution could bring similar results to your institution. Are you open to exploring more? -[Your Name]”

3. Brokerage Industry

Sales pitches in this industry must cater to the financial requirements of the audience. The offering should be able to meet the targeted customers’ investment goals. Showcasing market expertise and building trust can help easily convert leads .

Check out Upstox’s success story of becoming India’s leading investment platform with a 40% increase in account activations by leveraging SquadStack’s services.

“Outsourcing gives us a lot of flexibility. To do anything in-house, you will need a lot of time to scale up and execute things at a faster rate. We found a great partner at SquadStack, who helped us achieve our goals, growth, and targets.”

-Satyartha Srivastava, Customer Success Lead at Upstox

Upstox X SquadStack

“Hello, I am [Your Name]. I am a broker from [Your Company’s Name]. Our platform provides real-time market insights and low-cost trades, empowering investors like you to make informed decisions. Last month, our customers saw an average return of 15%. Let us help you maximize your investments and elevate your portfolio. How about a brief call this week?”

Go Forth and Make Your Pitches Resonate

As we wrap up this exploration, remember that adaption and continuous refinement are crucial to driving results. Embrace the insights gained, apply them, and let each pitch be a stepping stone toward a persuasive communicator.

Define sales pitch.

It is a concise and persuasive communication that presents products or services intending to convince a potential client to purchase or take a desired action.

Why is a sales pitch important?

It serves as the first impression and sets the tone for further interactions. It helps communicate the uniqueness of a product or service, addresses the customer's need, and aims to persuade prospects to take specific actions.

How do you make a sales pitch?

To make an effective sales pitch, you must first understand your customers' needs. Then, introduce your product or service and highlight its key features that can solve their problem. Close with a clear call to action, and remember to follow up.

How long should a sales pitch be?

Ideally, it should be concise, lasting up to a few minutes. However, the length may vary depending on the context and other factors like the product’s complexity and the audience’s understanding.

What are the techniques one should follow for a successful sales pitch?

For a successful sales pitch, you will need the following techniques: Create an attractive story. Focus on the benefits and not just the features. Encourage action by creating a sense of urgency. Engage with the audience and ask questions. Highlight client testimonials and market expertise. Follow up.

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15 Best Sales Pitch Examples [+ Tips and Templates]

15 Best Sales Pitch Examples [+ Tips and Templates]

Melissa Williams

What Is a Sales Pitch?

​​types of sales pitches, 15 sales pitch examples, sales pitch tips, sales pitch template.

When it comes to sales pitch examples and persuading anyone about anything, a dichotomy holds true:

You want (or believe) one thing; they want or believe another thing.

The easiest way to get from Point A to B is to connect the dots.

You find your audience’s point of view (POV) and connect to their values or needs.

Below are 15 sales pitch examples that show you tactical strategies and sales techniques to do it the right way.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

A sales pitch is a concise, targeted sales presentation that succinctly explains the following aspects of an offer: 

  • The product’s/service’s features and benefits
  • Unique value proposition/unique selling proposition (USP)
  • Data to back up your claims

Really great sales pitches also sometimes manage to make subtle references to more nuanced company information, like a mission statement, brand values, and more. 

Sales pitches vary in length depending on their format, the specifics of your offer, and the needs of your market. 

That being said, they’re definitely meant to be short — usually only a couple of minutes or less. That’s why a sales pitch is also sometimes referred to as an “ elevator pitch .” The idea is that you should be able to deliver the entire spiel in the time it takes to share an elevator ride with someone. 

Because time isn’t usually on a sales rep’s side when they’re pitching, they need to make sure the content and delivery are extremely compelling. 

To that end, it’s also important that the purpose of a pitch isn’t to sell the product immediately after the pitch. Instead, aim for baby steps; a more appropriate goal of a sales pitch would be to have to prospect book another meeting, sign up for a webinar, or commit to a demo. 

Sales reps have a lot of flexibility when it comes to pitching. There are several formats and delivery options available to suit the needs of any product, rep, or target market. 

Types of sales pitches

Phone Sales Pitch

Though cold calling (and, these days, phone calling in general) gets a bad reputation, it can actually be a surprisingly effective approach for a sales pitch. 

One of the advantages of a phone pitch is that it happens live, in real-time, so sales reps can gauge the prospects’ response and adjust their tactics accordingly. 

Phone sales pitches also make it easy for sales reps to show how much they’ve done their research as they deliver a highly personalized, value-driven offer. 

Pitching over the phone can also provide a natural segue into initiating an email conversation. 

Voicemail Sales Pitch

If you’re going to practice phone sales pitching, you’ll also want to master your voicemail sales pitch. 

With about 80% of all calls going to voicemail , chances are high that phone-based reps will need to rehearse exactly what they’re going to say when they hear that beep. 

And with so little time in the day (and the depressing statistic that only 5% of voicemails ever get returned), your voicemail sales pitch needs to be intriguing enough that it compels the prospect to give you the time of day, listen to the message, and call you back. 

Email Sales Pitch

The email sales pitch is a great tactic for sales teams that need to pitch to a large number of prospects. Reps who use this format get the benefit of being able to pitch to prospects anywhere, at any time. 

Sales pitch examples: A/B testing

Still, for all of its conveniences, email sales pitching comes with its own set of challenges. 

Standing out in a prospect’s inbox, for example, is no easy feat. People receive over 100 business emails per day , so reps need to know how to cut to the chase immediately (bullet points are great for this). Even the subject line can become make-or-break for some messages. 

The best way to use an email sales pitch is to focus on one or two primary points, and stick to them throughout. Remember, your main goal is to initiate further conversation; you can pick up where your email left off the next time you speak. 

Social Media Pitch

Sales pitch examples: Social media pitch

Instead, look for ways to use social media that will hold up as timeless. 

Social media pitching is great for increasing brand awareness and establishing credibility. It allows sales reps and prospects to engage in a casual, easy way that helps build rapport and trust. 

Presentation Sales Pitch

The terms “sales pitch” and “sales presentation” are sometimes conflated. And for casual purposes, that’s mostly fine. 

But in technical terms, a presentation sales pitch is one that includes a sales deck. 

The sales deck is the presentation component — a visual supplement (including images, copy, graphics, charts, etc.) that improves your pitch. Tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote can help sales reps of any experience level create sales decks for presentations. 

Over 90% of the information that’s transmitted to the brain is visual, so having the ability to present with visual aids is a huge advantage. 

Sales pitch examples: Presentation sales pitch

For a really polished presentation, email and/or print a PDF copy of the sales deck for the prospect, so they can review it on their own time and share it with other relevant decision-makers . 

Website Sales Pitch

Some sales teams use their company website to help them make their pitch. 

A website sales pitch includes any strategic messaging and/or content placed on the page that’s designed to capture prospects’ attention and encourage them to take the next action (e.g., fill out a form, call a sales rep, etc.). 

One of the biggest advantages of using the website to assist the sales pitch is that this format can be very effective at showcasing your brand values without coming across as too sales-y.

Follow-Up Sales Pitch

Sales pitch examples: Follow-up sales pitch

Elevator Pitch

“ Elevator pitch ” is the long-standing nickname for a sales pitch, and is named for the way salespeople need to pitch — quickly! Reps can get into the right mindset for an elevator pitch by imagining that they need to get their points across by the time the listener arrives to their floor. 

This is one of the shortest types of sales pitches, usually clocking in at 60 seconds or less. Be quick, be honest, and be friendly. The elevator pitch exists to make connections and is an invitation to learn more — don’t make it more complicated than that.

Sales pitch examples: elevator pitch template

Sales Pitch Example #1: The Elevator Pitch

In today’s day and age where everyone is on the go, the elevator pitch is a necessity. People simply don’t have the bandwidth for a full-length presentation — especially when they’re only just exploring their options. 

>>Example: Check out this example in which a G2 rep pitches his product with authenticity and enthusiasm in under 20 seconds. 

Social proof (i.e. data from case studies, quotes from testimonials, etc.) is one of the most powerful things you can include in a sales pitch. 

Just make sure you find a balance between sharing what other people think versus sharing what you can do specifically for that prospect’s unique challenges. 

Sales Pitch Example #2: The Product Demonstration

Sometimes, there’s really nothing like the real deal to get the prospect hooked. A live product demonstration can be incredibly compelling. 

>>Example: Check out the way the founder of Scrub Daddy scrubbed his way into three different Sharks’ hearts (who ended up arguing for the right to work with him!) and earned his company a lucrative investment. 

Watching this video, there’s no denying that the product works. The interested Sharks have absolutely no skepticism about the product or its claims; in fact, the best-fit Shark is actually excited to give him the money — all because his product demo spoke for itself.

Sales Pitch Example #3: The Pain Point Pitch

Here’s another Shark Tank example, and the entrepreneur in this pitch knows exactly how to dig into his market’s pain points: by talking about their children.

It’s clear by their body language here that every Shark — even those who are too old, at this point, to have kids in daycare — knows exactly the struggle that Mr. Brightwheel describes in his introduction.

The universal frustration faced by teachers and parents alike is so poignant that all he needs to do is describe it for a minute or two, and it brings even empty-nest parents right back to those chaotic early years.

Sales Pitch Example #4: The Two-Sentence Pitch

The Two-Sentence Pitch (also sometimes called the 12-second pitch) has a very specific framework.

First sentence: Complete (but brief!) summary of what your company does. 

Second sentence: What sets your company apart from competitors.

That’s it! This structure is helpful for beginning conversations with investors. It’s also sometimes used as the introduction for a slightly longer elevator pitch. 

>> Example: Here’s the two-sentence pitch in action.

Yesware is a sales engagement platform that helps sales reps increase productivity, improve engagement with prospects, and guide team-wide data-driven decisions. We integrate with Gmail, Outlook, and Salesforce in under 60 seconds, giving reps access to data directly in their inbox. 

This pitch is short enough that the specific language and other components can easily be A/B tested to find the perfect combination of words, gestures, pauses, etc. 

Sales Pitch Example #5: Don’t You Agree?

This presentation pitch example is a bait-and-switch approach that leaves your audience agreeing with you.

Here’s how it works :

  • Start with an undeniable truth.
  • Make a bold claim that contrasts it. One that should stir up some furrowed brows.
  • Why they should agree + Solution.

>> Example:  Here is a set of slides by Drift that does this well. The breakdown of the pitch:

Sales pitch example: Drift

Truth : Tech has taken over our lives.

Bold claim : Forms, emails, and calls are the enemy. (Keep in mind that this is being pitched to marketers and salespeople, who rely on these channels for leads and customer communication.)

Why + Solution : Tech makes us treat humans like faceless leads. We should be focusing on creating real conversation and solving needs. Meet Drift.

The beauty of this approach is it makes us think differently. Deep down, we all want to push our teams ahead. Doing so requires innovation and change. Your pitch introduces a new line of thinking that helps your audience become a change agent for their team.

Want more? Here are 7 of the best sales presentation slides   from companies like Facebook, Uber, and LinkedIn.

Sales Pitch Example #6: Start With a Story, Segue Into Your Pitch

Storytelling captivates us as an adult just as much as it did when we were a child.

Our brains literally react to them. Stories trigger the release of a trust hormone called Oxytocin. When storytelling in a sales pitch , this chemical reaction promotes connection and empathy.

>> Example: See this story by Amy Cuddy . (The pitch here is that we really can fake it until we make it; our body language informs our perception of ourselves and others’ perceptions of us, thereby shaping our outcomes.)

Here are the details to include in your story (with the speaker’s filled out as an example):

What : A car accident threw her from the car, dropped her IQ, and took her out of college.

When : Age nineteen

Why it matters : Amy overcame the odds by faking it until she made it. She realized that adjusting her body language shaped her mind, her behaviors, and her outcomes.

Pro Tip : Keep your story short. You should hit on all of the details above in less than 2 minutes. Here’s an example of what not to do: a seventeen-minute story by LEGO®.

Sales Pitch Example #7: Start With a Stat

Sharing data during a sales pitch is a surefire way to demonstrate your credibility. It shows that you’ve done your research and that you understand how their problem affects them in a very tangible way.

How it works: Start your pitch with a statistic that highlights the problem the prospect faces. 

>>Example: Let’s imagine your sales team sells onboarding software for new hires. Your product is designed to cut down on wasted time training new employees and reduce employee turnover. 

Did you know that disengaged or poorly-trained employees actually cost companies money? Employees with low engagement cost their organizations approximately 18% of their salary. And that’s not to mention the fact that it costs anywhere from $7,500 to $28,000 (or more) to hire and onboard a new employee.

This is an effective intro, or “hook,” because it immediately gets the prospect thinking about their own budget and bottom line, and how to avoid the consequences mentioned in the statistics.

Sales Engagement Data Trends from 3+ Million Sales Activities

Sales Pitch Example #8: The Demo Principle

What do late-night infomercials, Costco samples, and magicians have in common?

They show you what they’re pitching firsthand.

The theory here is that the cost of time and resources it takes to give a demo is worth it, because the net profit from sales outweighs the net profit of sales without a demo.

How to do it : List out a table with two columns: bells and whistles go on the left; the end benefits go on the right. Cross out the bells and whistles; demo and sell the end benefits.

>> Example : Watch this carrot slicer show passersby about an easy peeling experience. Notice how little he talks about features of the peeler, because you can see them for yourself.

Sales Pitch Example #9: Give Perspective Based on Your Audience

When you’re pitching, you know the thing you’re trying to sell like the back of your hand.

But you need to know your audience like that, too.

It’s the key that helps bring their point of view to yours. And it’s one of the most easily overlooked secrets behind a successful sales pitch.

Most pitches make the classic mistake of jumping right into selling.

How to do it right on your own : Ask your customers to pick their brain. Why did they choose you? What benefits were they excited to see? Why do they keep coming back? Lead with that.

>> Example: Watch Mark Cuban explain what he did when he was faced with selling Mavs tickets when they were the worst team in the league. (Start the video at 1:01.) He reframes the game experience as a way for parents to create lasting memories with their children — memories like the ones they still have with their own parents.

Sales Pitch Example #10: Use Emotional Appeal

Another thing that works in Mark Cuban’s pitch is that he uses nostalgia.

Triggering someone’s emotion drives them to act.

Think about it: It’s why panhandling works : it sparks sympathy, which compels us to give.

How to do it on your own : Identify your audience’s business and/or personal values. Show how your pitch relates to their own values. ( Yesware , for instance, relates to its users by being built to save them time and increase their productivity every day.)

>>Example: See this Shark Tank pitch , where a company founder gets two sharks tearing up by getting them to commiserate with the risks of starting a new company.

Using content in your pitch that strikes an emotional chord is one of 7 proven sales techniques to close a deal and get to “yes.”

Sales Pitch Example #11: Educate and Inspire

The way we grow in life, love, and our careers is by learning.

On the flip side of that, one way to help others to grow is to educate. And not in a way where you push your opinions. You need to lay the groundwork with facts they don’t know.

How to do it yourself : Use specificity. It’s a persuasive technique to make your points more believable.

>>Example: Here is a video pitch from CharityWater .

It lays out these important facts:

  • Some people have to walk 4 hours a day to get access to drinking water, and even then it is contaminated with dysentery and cholera.
  • Drinking dirty water each year kills more people than intense violence like war.
  • The water crisis is solvable. There is enough water in the world.

Sales Pitch Example #12: Use the Pique Technique

What was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?

It’s the opening line of the video example above, and it captures viewers.

The thing is, when you’re selling to someone who doesn’t want to be sold to, jumping into a standard pitch is a fast turnoff.

The Pique Technique is where you make an odd request or ask a question that leaves your audience wanting to know more. They wonder why you’re asking, and that keeps them focused.

How to do it yourself : Make a small request of your audience, or ask them a question that’s easy to answer but leaves them wondering why you’re asking in the first place.

>> Example :

Sales pitch example - pique technique

Sales Pitch Example #13: Paint Them a Picture

You think what you’re pitching is great, right? Well, the best way to show your audience this is to give them your POV.

How to do this : Think of the end effect of whatever you’re pitching. What does it feel like? Use a metaphor to explain it to your audience. You’ll need three or more points of similarity between the thing you’re pitching and the thing you’re comparing it to.

Because this can be tricky, here are two examples:

>>Example 1: Joe MacMillan compares the first web browser to driving through the Holland Tunnel:

Points of similarity:

  • Possibility to be able to go anywhere
  • Excitement of what is to come
  • The anticipation of everything being laid out before you

>>Example 2: Don Draper pitches a slide projector wheel by describing it as a time machine:

  • Goes backward and forwards
  • Takes us to a place where we ache to go again
  • Lets us travel to a place where you know you’re loved

As Don Draper says, this technique helps your audience to create a sentimental bond with whatever it is you’re pitching.

Sales Pitch Example #14: Use Flattery

We all have some level of self-doubt.

Which is why flattery is so effective.

It replaces our self-doubt with self-esteem. This subconscious effect holds true even when the offeror has an ulterior motive and the person you’re complimenting sees your ulterior motive .

>> Example:

Sales pitch examples: use flattery

Check out 5 more email examples of personal selling  in action.

Sales Pitch Example #15: Show Them That Their Time > Your Time

This one makes you stand out because 98% of sales pitches make a valiant assumption.

One that ruins their shot — despite the effort put into writing and setting up the nurture.

They assume is that their time is more valuable than their prospects.

The mindset is “I put in 1 minute of research, so I’m warranted to ask for 15-30 of yours.”

Because “I think this is a really good fit.”

Who cares? The trash can.

Instead, show them you spent more time researching than you’re asking for.

>> Example: See the example below. First, Asher runs an audit to pitch. Then, he reaches out through LinkedIn Messaging and email to send me the audit directly.

Within the same hour, I then received this with the audit attached:

Sales pitch examples: LinkedIn

Keep the following tips in mind as you practice and perfect your sales pitch. 

Research…a Lot

As fast-moving as most sales pitches are, they require a tremendous amount of research ahead of time. 

For a sales pitch to be effective, the rep who’s delivering it needs to be on top of everything from product knowledge to customer knowledge, to market trends and predictions. 

Solid sales pitch research means understanding: 

  • The prospect’s pain points , needs, challenges, and preferences
  • The appropriate channel for distributing the pitch 
  • The decision-makers at the prospect’s company, and how to reach them
  • Which questions and/or objections may be presented during the pitch

The more thorough your research, the more personalized your pitch will be. 

Make a Connection

Although it’s hard to measure, a lot of your success with sales pitching will come down to how well you make your first impression. 

Avoid the temptation to launch directly into your pitch content, no matter how limited your time. 

Instead, be the leader in building rapport. Make an effort to make a connection, and (of course) always remember to pitch with honesty and integrity. 

Start With a Strong Opening

You only have a few minutes to pitch, so the first few seconds are key. The opening of your pitch (sometimes called “the hook”) is one of the most important parts to master. 

To add curiosity and engagement to this section, consider starting by asking a question or sharing a relevant statistic. 

Work on Your Messaging

Regardless of the format of your pitch, always ensure that your brand messaging and value proposition are communicated clearly. 

Sales pitch tips: Unique selling point (USP)

Numbers are precise and definitive — sharing statistics and data during a sales pitch can give prospects something tangible to reference as they contemplate more about your offer. 

Nail Your Next Steps

Remember, the point of a sales pitch is to get the prospect to agree to the next step in the process. 

To that end, sales reps need to make sure that they know exactly what they plan to ask for after their pitch. 

Whether you want a meeting, a demo, or simply an email address, make sure that you have your specific ask ready (along with any materials you need to make it easy for them to say yes). 

Although every sales pitch is different, there are a few components that are common to just about everyone. 

Use the following list to help you create a sales pitch template for your team. 

  • Introduction: Make friendly introductions and build rapport. Pay attention to the prospect’s body language, and adjust your approach accordingly. 
  • Problem/Pain Points: Many sales reps find it effective to start their pitch with a question, or with a surprise-factor statement relating to the prospect’s pain point. The idea is to get them feeling a bit unsettled at the beginning so that by the time you finish your pitch, they are relieved to hear about your solution. This is where you get to the heart of the “why” for the prospect. 
  • Value Statement/Value Proposition: As clearly and concisely as you can, explain your company’s value proposition and unique differentiators. The way you describe your USP should be action-driven and results-oriented. Avoid overly technical jargon or complex explanations. 
  • Proof Points/Customer Stories: Social proof is powerful enough that it should always be included in a sales pitch, no matter how limited your talk time is. Snippets from case studies, testimonials, and online reviews are all great resources that prove other customers trust you; internal data and success stories can also be very compelling. 
  • Closing Question/CTA: At the end of your pitch, it’s time to talk next steps. Some reps choose to end their pitch the same way it began: with an open-ended question . This can put the ball in the prospect’s court and help guide them into the next stage. If they don’t get there on their own, though, it’s up to you to be firm and make a direct call-to-action (i.e., Can we set up a demo for Thursday? How’s 2:00pm?). 

Remember, it’s important to always connect the dots and put your prospect first.

These sales pitch examples use tactical strategies that are easily replicable but must be catered to your specific prospects.

This guide was updated on November 22, 2023.

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sales pitch speech techniques

The Perfect Sales Pitch: Examples, Templates, and Best Practices

sales pitch speech techniques

Table of Contents

Buyer’s today do their research. A recent study shows that 96% of prospects research companies and products before engaging with a sales rep. What does this mean for your sales pitch? It’s not enough to regurgitate key points from your website or speak to widely available data.

As a seller, you need to position your offering in a way that truly resonates with the buyer’s pain points. To do that, you need to understand their business, their needs, your competition, and a myriad of other factors. But it’s easier said than done. Forrester highlights a striking gap: 73% of sales reps don’t quite grasp their client’s business needs, and only 27% of buyers believe that sales reps have adequate knowledge of their business.

With so much of the buyer’s journey happening digitally, sellers are in a unique position to make their pitch as meaningful as possible , reducing purchasing regret and increasing customer retention.

Delivering a compelling sales pitch is both an art and a science. In this blog you’ll discover the most important components of an effective sales pitch, best practices, as well as sales pitch examples for different scenarios.

What Is a Sales Pitch?

A sales pitch is a quick, punchy presentation to showcase your product or service’s value, often done in under two minutes. You might pitch over a call, in a cold email, during a meeting, at networking events, or even in an elevator. Hence the term, elevator pitch .

Main Components of a Sales Pitch

What should you say in a sales pitch? A lot of this depends on the audience and your research. Regardless of channel and exact words, every successful sales pitch has six main components.

  • Curious about boosting your revenue?
  • Did you know that 60% of CEOs feel…?
  • I noticed you’re also into [shared interest]—small world!
  • Here’s the scoop—no time wasted.
  • Great seeing you at [event]!
  • Problem: Identify and articulate the key challenges your prospect is facing. Make it relatable. For example, “Are your sales enablement processes inconsistent?”
  • Value proposition : Clarify the unique benefits of your product or service. Say something like, “Our solution gets new employees onboarded in half the time, boosting your team’s productivity.”
  • Solutions: Detail how your product solves the identified problems. “Imagine this—our solution integrates into your existing system, making your workflow a breeze.”
  • Social proof: Back up your claims with evidence. David Hoffeld , in The Science of Selling: Proven Strategies to Make Your Pitch, Influence Decisions, and Close the Deal , explains that using social proof assures prospects that buying your product is safe. For example, consider mentioning something like: “I have a client in your industry that has revolutionized its sales training and onboarding processes. How about I send you their case study?”
  • “Would you be interested in exploring ways to boost your revenue together?”
  • “How about a quick chat to dive deeper into this?”
  • “I’d love to connect and discuss this further. What does your schedule look like next week?”
  • “Got a minute to explore some exciting opportunities?”
  • “Could we grab a quick call next Tuesday to talk about this?”

How to Craft the Best Sales Pitch?

Create a great sales pitch with solid research, focusing on the customer, weave in storytelling, and add value. This will make all the difference in your sales process . With proper preparation, your sales pitch will hit the mark, truly resonate, and set you apart from the competition.

Here’s how to build a compelling pitch that speaks to your prospects:

1. Do Your Homework and Research

Many buyers feel that salespeople don’t understand their needs. Take the time to research their company, and check LinkedIn or other social media platforms for common interests and current challenges. You must find the problems and then solve them. Dig into how they make purchase decisions, who is involved, the obstacles they face, and your role in the entire process.

2. Frame It Around the Customer’s Needs

Center your pitch around what matters most to the customer and demonstrate how your solution addresses these needs. Make it all about them rather than your product.

Consider using a solution selling or consultative selling approach, which focuses on building customer relationships and providing value.

3. Tell a Story

“ Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone ,” Stanford professor Jennifer Aaker said. Use storytelling to capture attention early and make your pitch memorable. Start with a compelling hook, weave in a narrative highlighting the problem and solution, and use visual aids to enhance your story.

4. Personalize Your Sales Pitch

Don’t use a generic sales pitch because 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions , while 76% get frustrated when this doesn’t happen. While most reps use CRM or automation tools or work off a base pitch template, that template should change based on how you are delivering your pitch and who it’s going to, whether it’s a CMO, VP, or head of legal. This will show that you care and have done your homework.

5. Connect Your Pitch to Stats and Data

We did say that buyers like stories but try to weave credibility in using supporting data, stats, customer stories, and testimonials. Use these stats to back up how your company is an expert in an area that provides value. This is a great way to gain credibility and build trust.

6. Switch Up Your Sales Pitch

Keep your pitch dynamic using different styles, such as beginning with a question, using one word, or catchy subject lines. This variation helps maintain the prospect’s interest and can make your message more engaging. You might find one style that works best after testing them out.

7. Appeal to Emotions

Understand your prospects’ motivations and concerns. Craft your pitch to resonate with what you find by using buyer psychology and appeal to buyer personas using psychological triggers like social proof, authority, scarcity, and reciprocity.

8. Keep Pitch Length in Mind

Adapt the length of your pitch to fit the communication method, whether it’s a quick email, a cold call, or a more extended sales presentation. Sales email pitches should be concise, typically under 200 words, while calls should only be a few minutes of engaging dialogue—as short as an elevator ride—to maintain attention without overwhelming prospective clients.

A study by Constant Contact found that emails with around 20 lines of text and three or fewer images achieve the highest click-through rates. Similarly, TED Talks limit presentations to 18 minutes to keep audiences engaged. You can convey your message without compromising time and interest by tailoring your pitch length to the channel and audience.

9. Practice Your Delivery

Regular practice is key to a smooth, confident delivery. Incorporate pitch practice into onboarding and ongoing training to help sales teams refine their approach and stay sharp.

It’s important to organize regular pitch practice sessions where reps can present to their peers or supervisors acting as potential buyers. Try using different scenarios and customer personas to make the experience more realistic. Record these sessions for later analysis and provide structured feedback on language use, persuasion techniques, and handling objections.

10. Anticipate Questions and Objections

Be ready to handle need, urgency, trust, and money objections. In complex sales, this requires building a case to overcome the objections rather than quickly plowing through them without listening and understanding. When it comes to competitive questions or objections, have battle cards or SWOT analyses available as quick reference points.

11. Follow-Up

Keep the momentum going after your pitch. Contact your prospect to address any questions, provide additional information based on new learnings, and reinforce value. Timing is key. Don’t rush it, and don’t wait too long, either.

Digital sales rooms can play a key role in your follow-up strategy. These refer to highly personalized virtual spaces tailored to each prospect. It packages all relevant content—from your sales deck and product pitch to case studies and whitepapers. Prospects can explore the provided content at their own pace, revisit important information, and even share it with other decision-makers within their organization. This makes the sales process more efficient, leading to quicker decision-making.

Sales Pitch Examples That Capture Customer Attention

What does blending all these components into one sales pitch look like? Sales pitches come in various flavors, such as phone calls, emails, follow-up outreach, or full-blown presentations. Regardless of the format, the goal remains: grab your prospect’s attention and guide them through the sales funnel. Here are some sales pitch templates you can use:

Phone Sales Pitch

A phone sales pitch is a quick and direct approach to engage prospects via phone. The goal is to capture interest with a hook, focus on the prospect’s needs, and schedule a follow-up meeting or call. For example, “Hi [Prospect’s Name], this is [Your Name] from [Your Company]. I noticed that [Prospect’s Company] is focusing on [specific area], and we’ve helped companies like yours achieve [specific benefit]. Can we schedule a call next week to discuss how we can help you achieve similar results?”

Email Sales Pitch

Did you know that 80% of buyers prefer email communications ? Use that to your advantage by crafting a great email pitch . Focus on developing a catchy subject, personalizing the opening line, highlighting differentiators, and finishing with a CTA. Below is an example that might get them to respond or set up a meeting.

sales pitch speech techniques

Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a concise summary of your business or product, typically delivered in 30-60 seconds, like an elevator ride. During the pitch, you want to quickly convey the value of your offering to spark interest and create a strong first impression. For example, you might say, “Did you know 75% of businesses struggle with unorganized workflow, wasting a lot of time and resources? Our product eliminates this chaos. It simplifies workflow management, enhances productivity, and reduces overhead costs. Unlike other solutions, ours boosts efficiency by 40%, proven by our customer success stories.”

Sales Presentation Pitch

A sales presentation pitch, which also includes your sales deck, shows the value you bring to the customer. It should answer “why buy,” “why buy from us,” and “why buy now.” Tailor your pitch deck to meet your audience’s needs and avoid sharing unnecessary details to fill time.

  • Introduction (1-2 minutes): Greet and introduce yourself and your company and share a compelling fact or statistic.
  • Problem statement (2-3 minutes): Using data or anecdotes, define the main challenges your prospect faces.
  • Solution overview (3-4 minutes): Present your product/service as the solution, highlighting unique selling points.
  • Unique selling proposition (3-4 minutes): Detail key features and benefits, and explain what differentiates you from competitors.
  • Case studies and social proof (2-3 minutes): Share success stories from similar clients.
  • Demonstration (optional) (3-4 minutes): Provide a brief demo if applicable.
  • Q&A session (2-3 minutes): Address questions and objections.
  • Call to action (1-2 minutes): State the next steps clearly and provide contact information.
  • Conclusion (1 minute): Recap key points and thank the prospect for their time.

Website Sales Pitch

This type of sales pitch involves content on your website designed to attract and convert visitors using a form to request a demo, call, or purchase the product. Use unique and valuable sales collaterals and calls to action. Include a variety of content that aligns with all sales funnel stages, including whitepapers, testimonials and case studies, and product documentation.

Follow-Up Pitch

Use a follow-up pitch after your initial interaction to maintain interest and move the prospect closer to a decision. You will remind the prospect of your offer and encourage them to engage further. Reference an anecdote from the previous interaction to show continuity and personal attention.

For example, “Hi [Prospect’s Name], I hope you’re having a great week. I ran across this case study from [Client], who achieved [result] using our solution. Do you have time this week to discuss the next steps? Best, [Your Name]”

Crafting Better Sales Pitches With Highspot

Sales pitches don’t need to feel uncomfortable. Armed with these creative sales pitch ideas and techniques, you can design a pitch that resonates perfectly with your target audience. This ensures your approach is flawless, captivating your buyers and consistently moving them to the next stage of the sales process.

Highspot’s AI-powered buyer engagement software helps sales reps confidently create sales pitches that build meaningful relationships with potential customers. By understanding the key components of a good sales pitch, reps can effortlessly hook prospects and close deals faster.

Request a Highspot demo today.

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The Ultimate Guide to Delivering an Effective Sales Pitch

What's on this page:.

A sales pitch can make or break a deal - which is why you must ensure yours are as effective as they can be.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to craft irresistible sales pitches that leave jaws dropping, wallets opening, and deals sealed with a smile 🙂

Scroll 👇 to master the art of the effective sales pitch!

What is a sales pitch?

A sales pitch is a persuasive presentation or communication; it aims to convince potential customers to buy a product, service, or idea.

It’s an essential tool for B2B sales professionals and businesses to communicate the value and benefits of their offerings and ultimately drive sales.

Why are sales pitches important?

They capture attention.

A well-crafted sales pitch must capture the attention of your target audience. It should grab their interest and compel them to listen to what you have to say. 

In a competitive marketplace, a strong sales pitch helps you stand out from the crowd and pique your prospects’ curiosity.

They communicate value

A sales pitch allows you to effectively communicate your product or service’s unique value/benefits. It highlights how your offering solves a problem, addresses a need, or fulfils a desire.

By clearly articulating the value proposition, you’ll differentiate yourself from your competitors and make a compelling case for why your audience should choose you.

They build trust and credibility

An effective pitch builds trust and credibility with your audience. It showcases your expertise, knowledge, and understanding of their needs and pain points . 

By presenting a well-researched and tailored pitch, you demonstrate that you’re a reliable and trustworthy source of solutions.

They overcome objections

One of the key purposes of a sales pitch is to address potential objections that your audience may have. By anticipating and addressing these objections, you’ll alleviate concerns and build confidence in your offering. 

This removes barriers that might prevent your prospects from making a purchase decision.

They guide the buying process

A sales pitch serves as a guide throughout the buying process. It educates buyers about your offering, presents compelling reasons to take action, and helps them understand how your product or service can meet their needs. 

A well-structured sales pitch provides the information and motivation to move prospects closer to buying decisions.

They maximise sales opportunities

With an effective sales pitch, you can maximise sales opportunities by delivering a persuasive message that resonates with your audience. 

By clearly communicating the benefits and value of your offering, you increase the likelihood of converting leads into customers and closing deals.

They’re versatile and adaptable

A sales pitch can be adapted to different situations, whether it’s a face-to-face meeting, a phone call, an email, or a presentation. It provides a framework that you can customise based on the audience, context, and medium of communication.

This adaptability allows you to tailor your message to different individuals and address their needs and preferences.

Sales pitch vs presentation: what’s the difference?

Sales pitches and presentations involve conveying information to an audience, but the two have some key differences.

A sales pitch is a focused and persuasive message delivered to prospects, with the goal of selling a product or service. Its objective is to convince the audience to take an action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a service, or entering into a business agreement.

A presentation , on the other hand, is a broader communication tool used to convey information, ideas, or concepts to an audience. Presentations can serve many purposes aside from getting an audience to take action, such as informing, educating, or entertaining.

When creating a presentation, using a slideshow template to ensure a professional and effective delivery can be helpful .

How to create an effective sales pitch

Developing a successful sales pitch requires careful planning. 

Here are some steps to help you create a compelling sales pitch 👇

1. Understand your audience

Take the time to identify and research your ideal customer . Determine their needs, pain points, and preferences. 

You must tailor your pitch to address their concerns and show how your product or service can solve the problems keeping them up at night.

Aaron Ross , sales growth coach, said this about understanding your audience: 

“As humans, we keep going back to ‘I’m an abc, and my company does this, and I do xyz’.”

“But what we should be focusing on as salespeople is how we translate this message into something that is meaningful to someone else.”

In other words, a good sales pitch doesn’t focus on the seller; it focuses on the individual buyer.

2. Define your objective

Clearly define the purpose of your sales pitch. Is it to generate leads , close a sale, or secure a partnership?

Having a goal in mind will help you structure your pitch and focus on the most relevant points.

3. Craft a compelling opening

The best sales pitches grab the audience’s attention from the start!

Begin with a powerful opening statement or a thought-provoking question that either:

  • Addresses a prospect’s pain point.
  • Captures their interest.

Don’t be vague! Make it clear why they should continue listening to your pitch.

4. Clearly communicate your value proposition

Articulate the unique value and benefits your product or service offers. Explain how it solves a problem or will improve your prospects’ lives.

Use real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate the positive outcomes you talk about.

5. Keep it concise and focused

A sales pitch should be succinct and to the point. Never overwhelm your buyers with excessive information or technical jargon!

Instead, focus on the key features, benefits, and results that matter most to your audience.

Aaron Ross shared his advice:

“In a perfect world, a sales pitch sounds simple and human.”

“No one cares if you have the most scalable product or that you’re a software company. Tell them about the stuff that impacts them.”

6. Use storytelling techniques

A winning sales pitch isn’t just a list of benefits and features; it should tell a story about your company, your brand and why a partnership with your prospect’s organisation makes sense.

Bringing storytelling techniques into your pitch will make it more engaging and relatable - here’s how to do it 👇

Share success stories, customer testimonials, or personal experiences that illustrate your product’s value and impact. You want to connect emotionally with your audience - remember in SaaS sales , people still buy from people!

7. Address objections proactively

Anticipate potential objections and address them proactively in your pitch. Show that you understand any concerns raised and provide clear and compelling responses. 

This demonstrates that you’ve thought through your buyers’ hesitations and have solutions at the ready.

8. Use visuals and demonstrations

Whenever possible, use visual aids, such as slides or product demonstrations; these will enhance your pitch. 

Visuals can make complex information easier to understand and help your audience imagine how your product will work for them.

9. Craft a compelling closing

Just as important as having a compelling opening is having a compelling close!

Our advice is to end your pitch with a strong call to action. Clearly communicate the next steps you want your audience to take, whether it’s scheduling a meeting, making a purchase, or signing up for a trial.

10. Practice and refine

Practice your sales pitch to ensure you deliver it confidently and smoothly. Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors and make the necessary refinements.

How long should a sales pitch be?

A sales pitch’s ideal length depends on the context, audience and method of communication.

However, we advise you to keep your sales pitch concise. You want to maintain your audience’s attention and deliver your key messages in a short time frame.

Here are some other guidelines for the length of a sales pitch 👇

Elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a brief overview of your product, service, or idea. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator!

It typically ranges from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length.

In-person presentations

If you have a dedicated time slot for a sales presentation, such as in a meeting or at a conference, it’s best to aim for a length of around 10 to 20 minutes. 

This gives you enough time to engage your audience without overwhelming them with excessive details.

Phone or virtual pitches

When delivering a sales pitch over the phone or in a virtual meeting, you need to be mindful of your audience’s attention span. Zoom brain is a real thing!

Aim for a pitch length of around 5 to 10 minutes. Focus on your product’s most impactful/relevant aspects.

Written pitches

For written sales pitches, such as emails or proposals, we recommend keeping them short and to the point. Aim for a length of one to two pages or a few paragraphs, depending on your product’s complexity. 

What are the stages of a sales pitch?

A well-structured sales pitch follows these nine stages 👇

Having a great opening is crucial for grabbing your prospects’ attention! 

Start with a compelling hook, such as:

  • A thought-provoking question.
  • A startling statistic .
  • An intriguing statement.

Your goal is to engage your audience right from the start and make them want to hear more.

2. Introduction

After capturing their attention, introduce yourself, your company, and your role. 

Establish credibility and expertise by highlighting your relevant experience, achievements, or industry recognition. Make a personal connection by finding common ground or demonstrating your understanding of their needs.

3. Value proposition

In this stage, clearly state your product’s unique value and benefits. Try the following:

  • Explain how your product solves the problems plaguing your audience. 
  • Highlight the key features, advantages, and outcomes that set your offering apart from competitors.
  • Use specific examples or case studies to demonstrate the value in action.

4. Address pain points

Show your understanding of your audience’s pain points and challenges. Discuss the problems they face and explain how your offering alleviates those issues. 

By addressing their pain points directly, you demonstrate empathy and establish yourself as a valuable solution provider.

5. Differentiation

In this stage, you need to show how your product or service differs from the competition.

Highlight what makes your offering unique; this could be something like proprietary technology, superior usability, a unique approach, or exceptional customer service. 

Clearly express the advantages your audience will gain from signing up with you.

6. Social proof

This is an extremely powerful way to build trust. If you’ve got testimonials or case studies from satisfied customers, share them!

Social proof validates your claims and creates confidence in your prospects that your product or service delivers results.

Use real-world examples that are relatable to the prospect’s situation or industry.

7. Call to action

We’re getting close to the end of your sales pitch now!

In this stage, state the next steps you want your audience to take.

Whether it’s booking a meeting, signing up for a trial, making a purchase, or moving forward with a partnership,  you must provide a clear and compelling call to action.

Top tip: 

Creating a sense of urgency or scarcity can motivate people to take prompt action.

It’s time for the grand finale!

End your sales pitch with a strong and memorable conclusion. Follow these steps:

  • Summarise the key points of your pitch and restate the value proposition.
  • Reinforce the benefits your audience will gain by choosing your offering.
  • Express your enthusiasm and confidence in helping them achieve their goals.

These phrases can be particularly effective in closing off a sales pitch 👇

“Based on what we’ve discussed, I believe this solution perfectly aligns with your needs and goals.” “Imagine the positive impact this will have on your business.” “I can offer you a special deal if you commit today.” “Our existing customers have achieved remarkable results with our solution.” “I understand your concerns, and here’s how we can address them.” “Here are some steps we can take to move forward.” “I’m confident this is the right choice for you.” “I’m here to support you every step of the way.”

9. Follow-up

The final stage is about providing reassurance for the future.

Tell your prospect you’re willing to answer any additional questions or handle any urgent objections . Don’t forget to provide them with your contact details or any resources that’ll help them decide.

And that’s it! You reached the end of your sales pitch.

How to close a sales pitch

The closing stage is the most important part of any sales pitch, so here are some more strategies to help you close 👇

Ask for the sale

Seems obvious but many sales reps forget to do this! All you need to do is:

Clearly and confidently ask the prospect if they’re ready to move forward with the purchase.

Offer multiple options

Presenting the prospect with multiple options can increase the likelihood of closing a sale. You can try offering some of the following:

  • Bespoke packages.
  • Unique pricing.
  • Variations of your product or service that cater to different needs and budgets.

This empowers the prospect to choose an option that best suits their requirements.

Address any remaining concerns

If the prospect still has concerns or objections, address them directly and provide additional information or clarification. Reiterate your product’s benefits and especially focus on ROI. 

Addressing concerns head-on removes barriers and creates a more favourable environment to close the sale .

Create a sense of urgency

Instil a sense of urgency in the prospect by highlighting time-limited offers, exclusive deals, or upcoming deadlines. Communicate the potential benefits or consequences of making a timely decision. 

By creating a sense of urgency, you encourage the prospect to take action and make a decision sooner rather than later.

Offer trial periods or guarantees

This is a good sales tactic to win over commitment-phobes!

Tell the prospect that they can try your product or service risk-free, and if they’re unsatisfied, they have the option to cancel or get a refund. 

This reduces the perceived risk and encourages the prospect to move forward with the purchase.

Offer incentives or bonuses

Sweeten the deal by offering additional incentives or bonuses for making a purchase. You could propose:

  • A limited-time discount.
  • A free upgrade.
  • Exclusive access to additional resources or services. 

These incentives can create a sense of added value and provide an extra push for the prospect to sign up.

Secure commitment for the next steps

Even if the prospect isn’t ready to make an immediate purchase, secure commitment for the next steps in the sales process . 

This could involve:

  • Scheduling a follow-up meeting
  • Setting a timeline to provide more information.
  • Arranging a product demonstration.

Keeping the sales process moving forward maintains momentum and increases the likelihood of eventual closure.

How to improve your sales pitching skills

Improving your sales pitching skills is an ongoing process that involves practice, self-reflection, and continuous learning.

Here are some tips to help you enhance your sales pitch efforts 👇

Study successful sales pitches

Analyse and study successful sales pitches from experienced professionals or companies in your industry. Observe their techniques, storytelling methods, use of language, and overall structure. 

Learn from their examples and adopt their ideas to improve your own pitch.

Know your product/service inside out

Develop a deep understanding of your product or service, its features, benefits, and unique selling points.

Be knowledgeable about how it solves customer problems and improves their lives. The more you know about your offering, the more confidently and convincingly you’ll present it to others.

Practice and rehearse

Regularly practice your sales pitch to improve your delivery and refine your message. Try some or all of these:

  • Practice in front of a mirror.
  • Record yourself delivering your pitch.
  • Role-play with a colleague.

Focus on your tone of voice, body language, and the clarity of your message.

Seek feedback

Ask for feedback from mentors, colleagues, or peers. Seek their opinions on your delivery, content and effectiveness in persuading others.

Take on board their suggestions and then implement the necessary improvements.

Aaron Ross follows this process for gathering feedback 👇

“Choose someone (ideally several!) who don’t understand your business or your product. Pitch to them and afterwards ask them these questions…”

  • What stood out to them from your pitch?
  • What do they think your business is/does?
  • Where does it fit in the market/who is it for?
  • What information would they need before purchasing?
  • What parts perked up their ears, and in what parts did you lose their attention?
  • Ultimately, was it compelling?

Learn from rejections

Don’t be discouraged by rejections or unsuccessful pitches. Even elite salespeople occasionally botch a sales pitch! Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and grow.

After the pitch is over, take stock. Reflect on what you could’ve done differently or better. List the objections or concerns your prospects raised. Then, develop messaging to handle them better in future.

Stay updated with industry trends

Modern selling is an ever-changing landscape! Keep yourself informed about industry trends, market changes, and customer needs.

Follow relevant people/news sources on social media or subscribe to industry newsletters. These will keep you updated about your industry’s challenges and competitive landscape. 

Attend sales training or workshops

Participate in virtual sales training  workshops, or seminars that focus on improving sales pitch skills.

These opportunities can provide you with valuable insights, techniques, and tools to enhance your sales abilities. Networking with other sales pros can also offer new perspectives and best practices.

Read books and sales resources

Books, articles, blogs, and podcasts are all great places to discover new sales techniques. Seek out resources from renowned sales experts or recommendations from your network.

Check out Cognism’s list of the best sales podcasts .

What are the common mistakes to avoid in a sales pitch?

When delivering a sales pitch, it’s vital to be aware of common mistakes that can turn your prospects away.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid 👇

  • Focusing too much on features, not benefits - don’t list your product’s features; instead, explain the benefits they provide.
  • Going into too much detail - avoid information overload by not giving your prospects too much! Only focus on the things that matter to your audience.
  • Neglecting to research your audience - failing to investigate your prospects, their pain points and their industry can lead to a generic pitch that falls flat.
  • Lack of clarity - don’t use jargon or technical terms that may confuse your audience. Use simple and concise language that’ll convey your message effectively.
  • Poor storytelling or lack of engagement - provide an overarching narrative to your pitch, but don’t be long-winded or waffly.
  • Failing to address objections - failure to handle sales objections can leave doubts in your prospects’ minds and makes it difficult for them to fully buy into your brand.
  • Lack of personalisation - generic pitches that don’t address your buyers’ needs or challenges can come across as impersonal and less convincing.
  • Lack of enthusiasm or confidence - never deliver your pitch in a monotone or disinterested manner. Show genuine excitement for your product or service!
  • Ignoring non-verbal cues - pay attention to the non-verbal cues your audience displays during your pitch. Lack of eye contact, yawning, or talking among themselves indicates a loss of engagement.
  • Neglecting to follow up - failing to do so can give the impression you’re not committed or interested.

Aaron Ross told us about the common mistake he often sees in sales pitches:

“A lot of people fall into the trap of making their pitches sound too elaborate and complicated in an attempt to make themselves sound smart.”

“But that actually goes against what you’re trying to do, which is to allow understanding. This isn’t about puffing out your chest.”

“A sexy, fancy or grandiose message that doesn’t click with people is useless.”

Examples of successful sales pitches

These three sales pitches were wildly successful in garnering attention 👇

Apple’s iPhone Launch Presentation

Apple is known for its striking product launches, and the unveiling of the original iPhone in 2007 is a prime example.

Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple, introduced the iPhone with a compelling pitch that highlighted its revolutionary features, such as the multi-touch screen, internet capabilities, and integration of music, phone, and internet functions.

Jobs’ presentation emphasised the iPhone’s unique benefits and showcased its user-friendly interface, captivating the audience and generating massive interest and sales.

Dollar Shave Club’s Launch Video

Dollar Shave Club’s launch video in 2012 became a viral sensation, attracting millions of views and propelling the company’s growth. 

The video featured the company’s CEO, Michael Dubin, delivering a humorous and engaging pitch that highlighted the convenience and affordability of their subscription-based razor service.

The video’s witty script, combined with Dubin’s charismatic delivery, effectively conveyed Dollar Shave Club’s value prop and resonated with viewers.

Slack’s Product Launch

Slack, a popular team communication tool, delivered a successful sales pitch during its product launch.

The presentation emphasised the pain points of traditional workplace communication and showcased how Slack streamlines collaboration, boosts productivity, and improves team dynamics. It captured the attention of professionals seeking efficient communication solutions.

Sales pitches: the last word

We’ll leave the last word on sales pitches to Aaron Ross:

“Your sales pitch is never done. It’s a constant evolution.”

“And they do take time to get right. A famous French philosopher once wrote: I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.”

“And that’s because it takes time to craft the perfect concise message. Being clear is hard.”

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5 Best Sales Pitch Examples and Tips And Why They Work

A good sales pitch makes all the difference between a failed deal and a closed deal. That's why it's such a massive part of the selling process.

A sales pitch is your attempt at selling your product or service. It should ideally be a persuasive and engaging speech that communicates the value of your offering and encourages the customer to put down their money.

But what makes an effective,  winning  sales pitch is the million-dollar question.

This Salesman.org article will dive into the fundamentals of a sales pitch and discuss the best sales pitch examples and tips to set up sales reps for selling success.

What Is a Sales Pitch?

A sales pitch is a super brief sales presentation explaining how your business will benefit the prospect. It should be compelling enough to convince the prospect about your product's superiority and persuade them to engage in business with you.

A good sales pitch can be anything—a script you go through on a call, a traditional presentation in front of decision-makers, or a two-minute elevator speech for networking opportunities.

How To Write a Good Sales Pitch

The idea behind delivering a sales pitch is to connect with potential buyers. While every salesperson needs to be unique to make an impact, all the best sales pitch examples has three main components.

Your hook should capture your prospect's attention, whether it's your email subject or the opening line of your cold call . Think strong, impactful, and attention-grabbing.

A strong hook is fundamental for a sales reps pitch because if you don't have the attention of the prospect, how are you going to influence them?

Here are a few ideas for writing the perfect hook for your sales pitch:

  • Cut to the chase (“I want to get straight to the point and share… “)
  • Ask a question (“Does the idea of increasing your revenue by X% sound appealing to you “)
  • Reference a shared connection (“Saw your LinkedIn post talking about how Mr. X's ideas influenced your decision-making”)
  • Share a data point (“Did you know that X% of CEOs)
  • Mention a recent interaction (“I loved hearing your thoughts at the ABC convention”)

The context of your sales pitch gives the prospect an enticing value proposition. After delivering a hook that gets the prospect's attention, tell them why you've contacted them and explain what your product can do for them.

Here are a few essential context tips:

  • Speak about your product or service plainly—leave out any marketing or overly technical jargon
  • Use data, market research, customer stories, or case studies to have the buyer continue engaging with you
  • Tie the benefits from the previous bullet to your prospect's goals and objectives, explaining how they'll personally benefit if they respond to your request

C) Call-to-action (CTA)

Add a clear next step the prospect can take to close your sales pitch. For example, include a strong call to action that pushes the prospect to do what you want them to do, such as calling you back or responding with availability.

Often if you've covered the bases and kept your sales pitch short, focused on the prospect rather than your own sales process and you've generated social proof, then the CTA is seamless.

Below are a few examples you can use:

  • Does it make sense to connect for 15 minutes this week?
  • What's the best way to connect on this?
  • Are you up for a 15-minute chat next week?
  • When is a good time to chat about this more?
  • Would you be open to a call to learn more about our product?
  • Do you have any availability next Wednesday for a brief chat?

5 Good Sales Pitch Examples and Ideas for Inspiration

Securing high-quality leads is hard work, but converting those hard-earned leads into a closed sale is even more challenging. To make your sales job slightly more straightforward, here are the five best sales pitch tips that effectively convey value and get you from successful sales pitch to commission bonus in your pocket. .

Sales Pitch Tip 1: Be Direct and Concise

Concise and direct sales pitches are more effective than a long, draggy ramble for many reasons.

The prospect is more likely to listen to your whole pitch if you highlight and explain 2-3 key product features instead of a summary of everything your product can do. Also, you get your point across faster and more efficiently, allowing you to take the sales conversation forward with the prospect.

Remember, the prospect is only interested in what your product can do for them. So put the spotlight on precisely that.

Example: Adam Goldstein's Two-Line Pitch

“Hey, we can lower your distribution costs. Let me know who to talk to. ” 

That's it. That's what Adam Goldstein, CEO and co-founder of Hipmunk (now  Concur Hipmunk ), pitched to the CEO of United Airlines and got a response within 15 minutes.

This business sales pitch example shows you only need the right words—no matter how few—to make an impact.

Sales Pitch Tip 2: Use Your Brand Story

Facts tell, but stories sell. That's why compelling storytelling is such a vast foundation of your sales pitch.

Use the power of storytelling in your pitches to single out your product from your competitors. Instead of reading out specifications, set a narrative around your product and service and tell your story.

Example: LISNR's Origin Story

sales pitch speech techniques

“In 2012, one single belief brought LISNR's founders together: ultrasonic audio is better. These individuals understood the growing need for a device- and platform-independent solution for sending short communication back and forth at the software level. They believed that companies shouldn't have to spend on costly hardware or processes to drive more friction-less and connected experiences.”

LISNR  uses its origin story to set a narrative and covers two critical aspects:

  • How the organization came into existence
  • What it hopes to accomplish

It provides customers more context to the product. It gets them on board that doing business with LISNR will not only solve their pain points (costly hardware and stunted processes) but also contribute to a greater mission and belief system.

Sales Pitch Tip 3: Describe Product Benefits—and Not Features

Sales professionals often make the common mistake of focusing their sales pitch around the product or service instead of the prospect. Yes, you want to prove your product's superiority, but from the prospect's perspective.

Make your sales pitch relevant to your target audience by highlighting the benefits of your product from their context. Address their pain points and explain how your product or service can solve them.

Example: G2's Elevator Pitch

“ G2  is the user-voice platform for people to be able to say how they actually think about the software, and not be told by the analysts, people who don't use it, or the reference from your best customers. You're actually hearing directly from the user and engaging with people who actually use the product.”

This sales pitch highlights how the platform can benefit the user and solve a significant pain point: the disconnection between what customers need and what they get. Notice how the pitch excellently expands on the most significant benefit it provides customers—information from real, genuine users—and is still super short.

Sales Pitch Tip 4: Incorporate Data—Lots of It

Your prospect has probably heard hundreds of sales pitches filled with bold claims. But, unfortunately, these claims start to sound far-fetched after a while, especially if the prospect has made purchases that didn't pay off.

You don't want your pitch to add to the numbers.

Back your sales pitch up with statistics, case studies, and data to provide credibility to your pitch. Even better if you can visualize as many elements as possible, especially data and stats. When writing your sales script, talk around stats to give more context and details. This will help make the prospect feel they're making the right decision.

Example: Tien Tzuo's Zoura Pitch

Take a look at a slide from Zoura's sales deck.

sales pitch speech techniques

Zoura  provides solutions for businesses to launch and manage their subscription-based services. It's also the leading force behind the subscription economy.

Coming back to the slide, instead of claiming that the subscription economy is the future, Tzuo uses eye-opening data points that allow the prospect to draw their own conclusions: the subscription economy  is  the future.

Using stats and case studies in your pitches tells the prospect you're not making empty claims. In addition, it lends the conversation credibility, improving your chances of closing the deal.

Sales Pitch Tip 5: Build an Emotional Connection

Good sales pitches are all about the customers. But this isn't something that can be achieved through a formal monologue.

Your pitch should start a two-way dialogue between you and your prospect. You want to pique interest, trigger emotions, and make them see your value. Even better if you can spark sympathy and compel the prospect to buy your product or service.

Example: Brian Walter's WOW, HOW, NOW Framework

The WOW, HOW, NOW framework is a very straightforward approach established by  Brian Walter , a renowned speaker coach. It goes something like this:

  • WOW –  Deliver a short, stimulating statement that makes the prospect go “Wow!” Even a “Huh?” works.
  • HOW –  Clarify and expand your previous statement.
  • NOW –  End your sales pitch with a specific example of how your offering can help the prospect.

Master the Art of Effortless Selling

Your sales pitch should help you take the sales conversation forward and build solid relationships with prospects. We hope the over tips and examples help you draft the perfect sales pitch to help you win more deals.

Follow the  Salesman.org podcast  to learn more about how industry leaders pitch their offerings and improve their win rate.

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5 Sales Pitch Examples (and How to Craft Your Own)

Sales rep delivering a sales pitch example to another rep

Learn more about the core elements of a good sales pitch and review sales pitch examples that do things right — and wrong.

sales pitch speech techniques

Elyse Archer

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We’ve all had to put up with pushy salespeople. I used to be one. Early in my career, I worked for a company that encouraged its salespeople to push for an immediate close, and it was soul-sucking. I’m grateful to have found a better way to sell — one that builds mutually beneficial long-term relationships.

As a sales professional, you don’t have to coerce or pressure. Instead, you need to be a curious problem solver who uses your emotional intelligence to be of service. That begins with your sales pitch.

What you’ll learn:

What is a sales pitch, why are sales pitches important, what are the core elements of a sales pitch, what are the types of sales pitches, what are the do’s and don’ts of sales pitches.

  • What are some sales pitch examples based on different scenarios?
  • How do you craft your own sales pitch?

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sales pitch speech techniques

A sales pitch is a script or quick message that lets you share critical information about your product or service with a potential buyer. However, this doesn’t mean it’s all about you or your sale. A sales pitch should focus on your prospect and their needs. In other words, how your product solves their problems.

Think of your sales pitch as an invitation to take the next step, like scheduling a discovery call or setting up a demo. Each time you guide someone to the next step, the invitation will evolve with the course of your sales process . You may make several sales pitches before a final close, and each one will depend on what’s right for the prospect at each stage.

They help you hook the right customers — those who would benefit most from what you have to offer. The right customer will buy what you’re selling, use it, and be better for it. Why? Because you’re not just pitching a product, you’re pitching a solution.

A strong sales pitch also gives you the opportunity to listen, ask questions that showcase your experience helping similar prospects, and share information the prospect can’t find on their own.

Good sales pitches are helpful, specific, and unique. They lead prospects to a clear next step. Your energy and pitch intent are just as important as what you say, so a helpful attitude focused on your prospect’s best interest should guide you.

Successful sales pitches:

  • Use a unique, personalized opening. This will help you stand out from generic pitches and show the customer you’re focused on them.
  • Acknowledge your prospect’s pain points or goals. A sales pitch should always focus on your prospect and their needs first.
  • Include solutions backed by data. This gives your pitch more credibility and helps to build trust with your prospect.
  • Close with next steps. Set the stage for further conversation and a future relationship with your prospect.

There are many types of sales pitches, and they vary based on the steps of your sales process and channels used. You can also tailor your pitch for all types of settings, such as:

  • Trade shows
  • Networking events
  • Sales meetings
  • Over the phone
  • Social media
  • Live or recorded videos and webinars

According to Salesforce’s State of Sales Report , 34% of deals are closed with a combination of both virtual and in-person touchpoints, while 32% are closed using only virtual channels. It’s likely that you’ll have to lean on more than one channel or pitch technique to close a deal, so it’s important to think about what these touchpoints might look like. For example, if you pitch someone in person at a trade show, you might follow up with a phone call, then an email, and so forth until you reach a close.

sales pitch speech techniques

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sales pitch speech techniques

Depending on your product and industry, your full sales cycle may cover several types of pitches before the final close. No matter which stage you’re in or what channel you’re using, here are some proven guidelines for an effective sales pitch.

  • Focus on your prospect’s point of view. Don’t make it all about you. This will help you build a more authentic relationship with the client.
  • Be concise. Don’t ramble. Not only will this help you come off as confident and professional, but it shows that you are knowledgeable about your product/service.
  • Share who your customers are. Don’t keep secrets. Transparency is huge for building trust and credibility. If you’ve helped similar customers, share that with your client.
  • Relax and ask questions. Don’t be aggressive. No one likes a pushy salesperson. Instead, try to understand their point of view and offer ways to help.
  • Support your pitch with examples of success supported by visualizations. Don’t bog down presentations with words. An engaging pitch will hold your prospect’s attention and make it memorable.
  • Tell a story. Don’t speak in bullet points. The more you can draw your prospect in with a story they can relate to, the more impact it will have.
  • Use AI to streamline your sales pitch prep and follow-up. Don’t rely on outdated tools. Better tools will make you more efficient, help you stay organized, and keep you on track.

Sales-pitch examples for different scenarios and channels

Below are three good and two bad sales pitch examples. Many come from my own experience as a sales coach and business owner.

Good: Written note to a cold prospect

The message below could be sent via email, LinkedIn, or any other digital channel. In fact, it’s also the type of language you can use when meeting a potential customer at a networking event.

“I saw [prospect company’s] latest public update on [a project]. Based on the research we’ve compiled about [emerging customer preferences in your industry], I have an idea that could help you [solve your problem or reach a goal]. Would you like to connect to see if this could work for you? Let me know when you’re available for a 10-minute conversation so we can discuss more. In the meantime, I’d be happy to share a case study about how we [helped a similar client with a similar issue.]” 

This pitch works because:

  • It has a unique opening.
  • It’s specific to the prospect.
  • It includes a next step.

Good: Voice message sent via LinkedIn

One day, I logged into LinkedIn to see something novel in my inbox: a voice note that stood out among the written messages. I was intrigued and listened right away. Undeniably, hearing someone’s voice on a digital platform made it feel more personalized. This person used LinkedIn to their advantage intelligently; they connected with me without being pushy or going straight for the close. (You could use the script above to guide the content of your voice message.)

  • It stood out on a popular channel.
  • The message was personalized.
  • The pitch wasn’t all about the offering.

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Good: Pre-recorded personal video

Every day, my team and I receive multiple pitches for the podcast I host. One still stands out to me after more than a year — a person who took the time to record a personal video. In it, he shared why he loved my podcast and pitched his boss as a guest. However, it wasn’t all flattery. What impressed me most was the level of research he did to customize his pitch to my show and its goals.

  • It built an immediate connection.
  • It was customized.
  • It suggested clear next steps.

Bad: Automated, group-blasted LinkedIn message

“Hi. Did the last hire you made have you scrambling to put out fires? If the quality of your talent is lacking, we may have a solution for you. Our virtual assistants are vetted via testing and go through a rigorous assistance rotation with our managers and executives before they’re added to our roster. Take a look at our database and rates: [link].”

This pitch does not work because:

  • It’s not personal.
  • It relies too heavily on technology and not enough human connection.

Bad: In-person elevator pitch

“Hi, Ms. Archer. Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to share some information about the latest [version of your product offering.] We fixed issues that came to us as feedback from customers like you and added [new features.] Can we meet for lunch to discuss?”

This pitch will not work because:

  • It doesn’t focus on the prospect.
  • Its tone is “salesy” and superficial.
  • The next step is too aggressive for an initial in-person meeting.

How to craft your own sales pitch in 5 steps

Now that you know the key components of a great sales pitch, what to avoid, and how to use different channels to your advantage, it’s time to craft your own pitch.

1. Research clients to find opportunities to help

Above all, the best pitches are service-oriented. Personally, I like to read through client testimonials to remind me of how my offering has helped clients realize big improvements. Think of success as helping prospects address pain points and achieve goals.

2. Put yourself in your prospect’s shoes

Think about your prospect (or group of segmented prospects with similar profiles). Consider what’s likely on their mind. The goal here is to think from their point of view, not yours. What would make them pause in their busy day to take notice of your offer and its benefits to them?

3. Customize your message

Your pitch should be specific and, whenever possible, customized to each prospect. You’re more likely to see success with a highly personalized pitch than with a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t consider your prospect’s unique needs or goals.

4. Always provide a next step

At the end of your pitch, explain what the prospect can expect. This includes a next step if they agree your pitch is a great fit for them. Depending on where your prospect is in the sales cycle, each pitch will have a different goal or next step. This might be scheduling a product demo, reference call, or closing the deal .

5. Test and refine

Each time you pitch, you’ll learn more about what works and what doesn’t. Keep track of your results so you can evolve your process and improve the experience for your customers. Pay attention to the types of pitches that bring you the most success, and lean into your unique strengths as a sales rep to pitch more effectively.

Leverage these sales pitch examples & tips to create your own

The most effective sales pitches come down to a few things: they’re service oriented, personalized, transparent, efficient, and focused on building relationships backed by credibility and trust. Whether you’re working to improve your sales pitch or just starting to test the waters, the right tools and coaching will help you automate parts of your sales process, improve your techniques, and be more productive so you can close more deals.

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Elyse Archer is the founder of Superhuman Selling and She Sells. Elyse helps entrepreneurs and sales professionals leverage their natural gifts and build wealth. She is also an international keynote speaker and host of She Sells Radio, where she shares best practices from female sales leaders who ... Read More have accomplished extraordinary goals. Elyse is a 2X Salesforce Top Sales Influencer and has been featured in Forbes and Inc.

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Nutshell

10 Sales Pitch Examples to Boost Your Close Rate

Gustavo Bianco VP of sales and customer experience at Nutshell

How you approach your sales pitch could be the difference between a hard no from your prospect or a high-value deal. As the saying goes, first impressions last, which is why we’ve compiled this list of sales pitch examples to help you get the conversation started on the right foot.

But what does a good sales pitch look like, and how can you design a winning sales pitch of your own? We’ll answer these burning questions and more below—so keep reading.

In this post, we’ll look at 10 sales pitch ideas that will help you create your own. We’ll also outline some good and bad examples for each.

Table of Contents

What is a sales pitch, the different types of sales pitches, how to structure your sales pitch, 1. lead with a question, 2. create a dichotomy, 3. tell a good story.

  • 4. Use Flattery (If It’s Genuine)

5. Follow the Rule of Three

6. create a sense of urgency, 7. let the product speak.

  • 8. Acknowledge the Prospect’s Emotions

9. Show Supporting Data

10. remember the customer, additional tips to dazzle your prospect.

A sales pitch is a concise, persuasive speech that explains what your product is, communicates its value, and encourages the customer to make a purchase. 

It’s your chance to turn a prospect’s interest into action. But it can also make or break a deal. If your buyer isn’t hooked by what you have to say, they likely won’t purchase your product.

You may develop a winning sales pitch structure based on your most common sales scenario. But there are different ways to engage with your prospects, so adapting your pitch to the situation at hand is crucial. 

The primary sales pitch categories you will likely encounter include the following:

  • Elevator pitch: This is a fast-paced pitch , typically used in situations where you have a limited time to grab your prospect’s attention and get your point across as quickly as possible. A no-frills pitch that gets right to the point in the simplest terms is the best approach here.
  • Email pitch: Executing your sales pitch over email can be challenging, especially when you consider that getting your prospect to open the email is half the battle. A punchy subject line stipulating your value proposition and a concise email with a clear CTA can go a long way.
  • Phone pitch: Pitching over the phone is one of the most common sales pitch types and comes with its own challenges. Consider the best time of the day to call your prospect , earn their trust by being honest, and talk and connect with them for the best results.
  • Social media pitch: A modern sales pitch approach, the social media pitch can lead to lucrative deals, but there are a few obstacles to navigate. To ensure you don’t look like a spammer, engage with your prospect on something specific and relevant you found in their profile and build on that while keeping things professional.
  • Video pitch: The video pitch method combines the advantages of in-person, call-based, and text-based pitches, which you can place strategically in messaging.

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Building a solid pitch requires some thought. With careful consideration, you can create a pitch roadmap to guide you through the conversation. When planning your pitch, try to stick to the following proven framework. 

Identify the issue

Step one is to highlight or pose a question related to the problem your product or service will solve. You could open with a real-life example or impactful statistic that illustrates the gravity of the issue and the need to resolve it.

Communicate your value proposition

Let your prospect know what your company offers and what sets you apart from the competition. Focus on the problem identified and what your product or service does to solve the issue. Highlight the benefits they can look forward to when working with you.

Explain the process

Next, you’ll provide the prospect with more details on how you and your team will help their business. What steps will you take, how will you approach them, and what makes your method unique? Provide as much detail as possible, but keep your explanation concise and engaging.

Establish trust

Building a relationship with your prospect begins with trust. And you can establish trust in several ways, including:

  • Case studies: Include an example of a company with a similar problem you’ve successfully helped with your product or service. Break down the nature of the problem and the steps your business took to resolve it.
  • Client testimonials: Incorporate statements from happy clients who have benefited from your product or service. Ask the client for permission to include their full name and company name as part of the pitch, as this will help you establish credibility.
  • Industry accolades: Has your company achieved any awards or reached a significant milestone? If so, mentioning these achievements will go a long way to developing trust.

Initiate a conversation

In closing, ask your prospect an open-ended question to spark a conversation. In other words, ask a question your prospect cannot answer with a simple “yes” or “no.”

Some examples include the following:

  • What risks could your business face if this problem isn’t resolved?
  • What are your company’s top priorities for the coming fiscal year?
  • What are some of the challenges you’ve experienced in delivering your product or service?

10 best sales pitch examples to increase sales

Now that we’ve pinned down the basic structure let’s dig into some of the best sales pitch examples to boost your close rate .

lady shaking a mans hand in a boardroom with text saying 10 sales pitch ideas

Preferably a question that compels them to see their problem from a different perspective. If the question promises valuable information, they’ll want to know the answer and will stay engaged through the next part of the pitch. 

Good Example: A digital marketing sales rep might start a pitch with, “Did you know Instagram is currently working against you?” This question hints at important information that they’re missing and makes them reconsider their current social media strategy. The sales rep can then provide an answer that aligns with the value of buying their social media services.

Bad Example : If your question isn’t compelling enough, your customer might not stick around for more of your pitch. “Are you looking for a way to _____?” is a commonly used (but very ineffective) question that PhoneBurner warns against since it’s worded in a way that’s likely to elicit a “no” response. Your opening question should have your target dying to know more.

This pitch follows a three-step process. Start by stating a truth. Then, introduce another truth that contradicts the first truth. Finally, bring in your product and show how it can resolve the problem. 

sales pitch speech techniques

Good Example : In an episode of Shark Tank, the creators of DARTdrones used the dichotomy technique effectively , one of the most creative sales pitch examples, in their pitch . They started by explaining that drones are a beneficial piece of technology. Then, they contradicted this truth by stating that drones are prone to crashing. Their solution was their training course for drone pilots. 

Bad Example : If your product doesn’t offer a realistic solution for the problem, the dichotomy won’t be effective . Make sure you draw a clear line between your product and the problem introduced in your pitch. 

As Ryan Dohrn says , “People remember stories 75% of the time. People remember facts and stats less than 1% of the time.”

lady at a whiteboard storytelling, which is one of many creative sales pitch examples

Stories are engaging. Once a buyer is emotionally invested in your story, they will be more likely to care about your product. But avoid introducing your product at the beginning of the story. It’s best to weave in your product during the middle or end once the listener is fully engaged in what you have to say.

Good Example:  During his pitches, Backroads CEO Tom Hale likes to tell the origin story of founding his travel company. Hale has always disliked mass tourism, and one night while working in Las Vegas he woke up in a cold sweat with a brilliant idea. He got to work and by 8 AM had a completed plan for Backroads, a slow-tourism outdoor-focused travel company. This story is one of many creative sales pitch examples which work well with prospects because it shows that there is authentic passion behind the product .  

Bad Example : If your story is confusing or boring , your customers won’t be interested. If that happens, they likely won’t feel the emotional attachment you were counting on. Remember, your company’s story doesn’t need to be a verbatim account of everything that happened—keep the good parts and skip over the filler.

16 sales process templates for B2B pipelines

Whether you’re building your first sales process or overhauling an existing one, these Nutshell-approved templates will give you a great head-start.

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4. Use Flattery (If It’s Genuine)

Like they say, flattery will get you everywhere. People like being complimented, so use this to your advantage during your sales pitch. Sure, the customer might realize what you are doing, but deep down, they’ll be pleased and will have a positive impression of your pitch.

“They only made this specific model of laptop in a limited run to test the market.”

Good Example : This suggestion from  Investopedia  is a perfect example of a sales pitch with the  right amount of flattery . As you can see, it doesn’t explicitly complement the prospective client. Instead, the sales rep  subtly  compliments the client. By mentioning this was a “limited run” product, the sales rep shows that the client is important or special enough for this exclusive product.

Bad   Example : If a sales rep over-compliments the potential customer, particularly on personal attributes (“gee, that’s the sharpest tie I’ve ever seen!”), it can feel  inauthentic or creepy . Make sure to present your flattery so that it comes across as genuine and helps build a positive rapport with the customer.

Instead of overwhelming your prospects with endless facts, choose three key elements that you want them to retain in their minds. This will help your buyer remember your product while helping you keep the pitch concise.

Good Example:  Of course, your product has more than three exciting aspects, but you need to  narrow down the key points  to make this pitch effective. If you pitch a food delivery app, the three points could be: 1) ease of using the app, 2) how quickly the food is delivered, and 3) customer satisfaction reviews. If you’re pitching a complex SaaS product with tons of bells and whistles, do as much research as you can upfront to present the prospect with the three benefits most relevant to their specific business.

Bad Example:  While simplicity is usually the best policy, it can also get you in trouble here.  Speaking from experience , we know that almost every CRM tool on the market claims to be easy to use, powerful, and affordable.  In a crowded market, you need to get specific.  So, what are three selling points  you  can make that your competitors can’t?

Have you ever thought you were about to close a deal only to have the customer drag their feet? It’s frustrating to put in the work only for a customer to delay the deal. During your pitch, it helps to create a sense of urgency so the customer will feel compelled to close the deal before they float away.

Good Example :  Play off of FOMO  (fear of missing out) during your sales pitch. Imagine a sales rep for an advertising agency pitching their services to a potential client. During the pitch, the sales rep should mention that they only have the bandwidth to accept a “few additional clients” at the moment. This shows the potential client that they need to decide immediately to avoid missing out on the opportunity to work with the agency. 

Bad Example :  Telling the client to “take their time”  or to “reach out when they are ready” doesn’t create a sense of urgency. Instead, this lets the client off the hook and encourages them to drag their feet. 

Words can only go so far. Instead of overexplaining the product, let the customers try it out for themselves. When a customer has the chance to see the product in action, they’ll understand how it works and why they need it. 

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‍ Good Examples:  In this video, you’ll see the salesman Joe Ades demonstrating his product in New York City’s Union Square. Yes, he’s still talking about the product. But as he speaks, he peels the carrots. With a product like a vegetable peeler, showing how it works is more effective than just talking about it. United Building Maintenance uses an effective tactic to differentiate its commercial cleaning company. When their sales reps arrive at a prospective client’s building, they walk the halls and speak with the cleaning staff. They point out their inefficient cleaning tools and explain how UBM’s commercial products will make the cleaning job easier. This pitch works because UBM describes how its products are more efficient than the competition.

Even if you’re selling a complicated product, a simple demonstration of the tool can be very persuasive in showing a prospect that what you’re selling is easy to use and genuinely helpful.

Bad Example:  The biggest mistake when using a demo in your sales pitch is  not making sure your product works smoothly ahead of time . Run the demo a few times before doing it in front of your customers. Nothing ends a sale faster than a demonstration showing your product  doesn’t  work.

8. Acknowledge the Prospect’s Emotions

Emotions are a powerful tool. Play on these during your pitch. Of course, you should avoid coming across as manipulative , as this will turn off your customer.

Good Example: Your prospective customer might feel stressed about “ breaking up ” with their current supplier. Play off this emotion during your pitch by coaching the client through the “break-up” process. Your potential customer will feel relieved that they have a strategy for ending their current business relationship.

Bad Example: Playing off emotions just to get a reaction won’t be effective. Customers can easily tell when they are being emotionally manipulated, which won’t make them interested in your product. As a salesperson, your presence should relieve the prospect’s tension—because you’re a helpful, trusted advisor—not add to their tension.

While you don’t want your pitch to seem dry, feel free to toss in a few hard facts to back up your pitch. You need your customers to trust you—and for some people, objective data sets their minds at ease. As long as you can provide legitimate sources for any numbers you throw out, a few well-placed stats will make you seem more credible.

sales pitch speech techniques

Good Example : Use  easy-to-interpret charts and graphs  to explain your supporting data. Introduce the statistics in digestible chunks instead of throwing them all out at once.

Bad Example: The phrase, “What if I said …” does not instill confidence in your sales pitch. Avoid this or similar sentiments when you are discussing facts. This phrase makes it seem like you can’t prove your claim .

At the end of the day, your pitch is all about convincing the customer to buy your product. Tailor your pitch to each customer instead of using a one-size-fits-all pitch every time.

Good Example : Imagine you are tasked with selling Chromebooks. When you pitch the product to a school, you would highlight how the Chromebook can boost test scores and help students learn 21st century skills. But if you pitch the Chromebooks to a hospital, you would explain how this product can help streamline the patient check-in process and make it easier to store valuable patient information. The same pitch won’t be effective for both groups. Remember to  adjust your pitch so it relates to each customer . 

Bad Example : Using the exact same pitch every time makes it evident that you  didn’t consider the customer . All you have to do is tweak a few phrases or swap out some data points to keep your pitch relevant for each prospect.

While the above basic pitch framework and examples offer comprehensive sales pitch guidance, you could include a few extras to take your delivery up a notch.

Address common objections

Knowing what your prospect might oppose regarding your offering will help you tackle potential objections. But you’ll need to have done a fair amount of research or have some experience with client engagement to pull this off.

Therefore, try to anticipate common objections that might arise based on past experience, and ensure you cover those with sound solutions before the prospect has the chance to object.

Offer a personalized solution

Is your product or service customizable? Offering a tailored solution is a great way to set your service apart from the competition. It lets your prospect know that you are sensitive to their particular needs and that you’re willing to adapt things to ensure those needs are met.

Demonstrate ROI

If you have the data, run the numbers to show your prospect what they can expect in terms of ROI. 

Perhaps your product or service helps businesses save on expenses, in which case you should provide a basic breakdown to show the average savings percentage.

If your product or service positively influences productivity, offer a quantitative example of how much your solution could impact the business’s revenue and growth.

Craft a compelling sales pitch and close more deals

As you work on your own sales pitch, remember to keep it concise. Regardless of which techniques you use, it should be a short speech that immediately hooks your customer. An effective sales pitch is short, convincing, and leaves the customer wanting more. 

Nutshell is flexible enough to fit every sales model.

Choose the model that best fits your business and see how we help teams like yours close more deals.

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How to perfect your sales pitches & increase sales in 2024, plus 11 sales pitch examples

Learning from Using sales pitch examplestemplates can help you knock the ball out of the park when pitching to prospects.

Sales is one of the toughest roles in any company. Salespeople get rejected from prospects at a notoriously high rate, and if you’re managing SDRs who are responsible for making cold calls and cold emails, the job is even tougher.

But there are ways to succeed. According to LinkedIn , top-performing salespeople do more research—82% of top performers say they “always” perform research before reaching out to prospects (compared to just 49% for other sellers). 

And when it comes to sales pitches, this becomes especially important. Not only do reps typically only get one shot at a pitch, it’s also the company’s only shot—if the prospect says, “No, thanks,” the company can’t just send another sales rep along to make another sales pitch in a week. 

For a sales rep who’s pitching to a high-value prospect with a significant potential CLV (customer lifetime value) potential, making sure that sales pitch is as close to perfect as possible is crucial. That’s why it helps to learn from good (and not so good) sales pitch examples.

In this guide, we’re going to check out 11 of those examples (plus a few extras), and explore how to create a sales pitch that will leave prospects wanting to learn more instead of wanting to run away. We’re going to cover:

  • What a sales pitch is
  • 5 components of a successful sales pitch
  • 11 sales pitch examples
  • 6 tips to improve your pitches

🚀  Start closing more deals with this  free outbound sales playbook .

What is a sales pitch?

A sales pitch is an attempt to persuade a prospective customer to buy a product or service. How does a sales pitch work? Generally, a good sales pitch identifies a problem or challenge the prospect has, acknowledges the issue, offers a solution through the product it’s selling, and supports it with proof. The pitch should make the value clear to the prospect.

Sales pitch vs sales presentation

While a sales pitch is tightly focused on persuading the prospect to take a certain action, sales presentations tend to be longer, more general messages that inform, educate (or even entertain) the prospect. 

Presentations often include a “sales deck”, which is a visual element such as a slideshow in PowerPoint or Google Slides. This can also be used as a type of sales pitch.

What are the components a good sales pitch?

Sales pitches can take on various forms and use different approaches. But when you break them down, they almost always have these five key elements, and it’s important to get each one right so that your overall pitch succeeds.  (It also helps to have good sales apps or cold-calling software and a Bluetooth headset if you’re going to be spending hours on calls.)

So, how to make a good sales pitch? Keep it short and clear, with a quick but friendly introduction, empathy with the prospect, a strong value proposition, supporting facts and social proof, and a strong close. By combining these elements, you can persuade the prospect that your product or service has the answer to their problems.

1. The open

The open is the introduction or opening line. It’s as simple as saying “Hello,” introducing yourself, and asking the prospect how they are. It’s also your first opportunity to start building rapport. If you start your sales pitch in the right way, you’ll capture the prospect’s attention.

Thank you for your interest in RingCentral.

2. Identification of the problem, pain point, and/or goal

By asking a few different probing questions about their work, you’ll start getting a better understanding of what the prospect’s challenges and goals are. 

AI tools can be a huge help here. Some sales communications platforms with built-in AI can not only transcribe your sales calls, but also summarize important points, update your CRM’s notes  automatically, and tell you what topics or questions prospects are bringing up most frequently. For example, RingSense TM for Sales does exactly this:

3. Demonstration of value

Once you’ve established rapport and begun to understand the scope of the potential customer’s needs, you can begin to address each one using your product as the solution. You should be able to speak to one or more of their pain points with how your product can solve the problem.

Include a value statement, which is a clear and concise description of the value your product brings. This has to be outcome-focused, explaining the benefits rather than the features. Point out any unique differentiators that help your product stand out from its competitors.

4. Supporting facts

If you want to build trust, you should be prepared to support your pitch with facts and figures. Consider using social proof, like positive results that show how you beat customer expectations or prove that your other customers got something out of using your product or service.

For example:

  • “Our customers save an average of 37% a year on their annual maintenance bills.”
  • “Similarly sized businesses have seen a full return on their investment in only three months.”

5. The close

By now, you should’ve clearly shown your prospect the value of your product and how it’s going to make their job or life easier. The close is essentially the point where they say, “Yes,” and the transaction occurs. Be clear about the action you want them to take.

How to write a sales pitch to achieve optimal results

Now, let’s look at how to write an effective sales pitch.  We’ve compiled a quick and easy guide to show you how to make a sales pitch that will refine your selling technique.

1. Have the right tools for the job

A phone system can’t pitch for you. But it can make pitching easier. Even better would be an AI-powered contact center platform that includes automation and integrates with your customer relationship management (CRM) tool. For example, this is what RingCentral’s looks like:

This will let you make sales calls from your computer, log scripts, see your past conversations with all your accounts, and keep track of conversations you’re having with both prospects and customers. Bottom line: you need some kind of communications tool.

Shameless plug: RingCentral has a whole range of integrations with different CRMs including Agile CRM and Salesforce:

RingCentral can be integrated with the Salesforce CRM.

🕹️ Get a hands-on look at how top-performing sales teams are using RingCentral by booking a product tour:

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2. Use data to support your claims

Any salesperson can make a big, impressive claim. But the most persuasive salespeople are the ones who can back their claims up with real numbers and customer stories. One of the benefits of a sales pitch is that it gives you a golden opportunity to do this.

Where possible, use data to support the benefits of your product. Proof is the most powerful tool in your sales arsenal. As well as customer success statistics, share industry recognition and awards. This will all help prospects to see you as a company that walks the talk.

3. Do your research

Gone are the days of picking up a phonebook and dialing prospects without knowing anything about them. Today, to even get a chance to pitch, you need to do your research first. 

Use LinkedIn to learn more about your prospect. Know their company. Understand what they do. Look at the kind of content they’re posting. It can provide you with enough information to start a conversation worth having.

4. Plan your pitch

Once you’ve got a list of people you’re going to reach out to and you’ve done the research, it’s time for sales call planning . You’re going to be delivering a similar pitch to each one, but you’ll need to keep it flexible to adapt to their individual needs.

It’s important to plan what you’re going to say—this doesn’t mean literally reading out a script as you’ll sound like a robot, but you should have a template in front of you to act as a guide and make sure you’re never lost for words.

5. Use a conversation starter

How to start a sales pitch? Jumping right into a pitch probably won’t get you very far. Be friendly and build rapport with your prospect first to move from a “hello” efficiently into your pitch—without sounding too sales-y or coming on too strong.

6. Practice

You have to know your pitch to nail it. So put aside some time to really practice it. Try it out on coworkers. Run through it at home with your spouse. Sit in front of a mirror and pitch to yourself. Have a rebuttal for every objection. Knowing your product and your pitch inside and out is the key to being able to sell with confidence.

7. Talk about benefits, not features

This is the first rule in the book for improving your sales pitch. Your product may have the best features in the world. But they don’t amount to much if they don’t solve your prospect’s problem. Focus on how the benefits of those features address prospects’ problems or pain points—and how they can help them reach their goals.

How to pitch a product

You might be wondering how a product pitch is any different to a sales pitch. Well, pitching a product means you’re 100% focused on a single product or service, whereas a sales pitch can have a broader scope in some scenarios. This will depend on the type of company you represent and the prospects you’re talking to.

For example, let’s say you work for RingCentral, which offers a wide range of products. If you’re contacting the prospect for the first time, you might want to keep things a little more general until you figure out whether they’re in the market for unified communications, a contact center solution, or standalone video conferencing.

But if you’re specifically targeting them with one of those products, you can use a more focused product pitch. You can go in-depth on the details, telling the prospect how these particular features would benefit them.

11 Sales pitch examples

There are countless ways you can pitch to a prospect. But you want to use the right kind of pitch at the right time and for the right customer. Below are 11 different ways to pitch, including a sales pitch example for each, why it works, and, for some examples, tips on when you shouldn’t use them. 

Once you see exactly what good sales pitch examples involve, you’ll know exactly what to aim for to have the best chance at success.

1. The phone pitch

Believe it or not, the phone call is still the most popular and effective selling channel and with good reason: it’s fast, easy, happens in real time—and is much harder for your prospect to ignore. 

One of the best sales pitch examples is when billionaire Mark Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks in the early 2000s. He bought the team at a discount because, frankly, they stank. They were rated the worst professional sports franchise of the ‘90s. Naturally, this led to low ticket sales. 

So Mark got on the phone and started calling past season-ticket holders. And guess what? It worked. 

Watch Mark Cuban tell the story about his best phone sales pitch in his own words.

Why did it work?  

  • He was friendly and built rapport with his prospects.
  • He demonstrated value. (A game is less expensive than a meal at McDonald’s. Wowza.)
  • He understood that he wasn’t selling a bad team—he was selling a memorable experience.

If you’re on a call with a prospect and hoping to have the same level of success as Mark Cuban, you may feel your pitch could benefit from showing the prospect some visuals  on your screen. How could you do that?

It’s pretty straightforward. There are tools (like RingCentral) that let you flip between a phone call and video call so that you can do screen sharing if that’s where the conversation takes you:

Wondering how to do a sales pitch on your cell phone? RingCentral’s Call Flip feature lets you easily switch between an ordinary phone call and video calling with screen sharing.

Image Source

2. The email pitch

Done well, a good email sales pitch is probably the best tactic a rep has at their disposal. In fact, C-level executives are 23% more likely to answer cold B2B emails than employees outside the C-suite.

But to be successful at email sales pitches, your sales email subject lines have to be click-worthy. 

Emails are a great way to introduce yourself and your company while demonstrating the value in what you’re selling. But it’s also easy to do poorly. For example, here is the wrong way to pitch via email:

An example of a sales pitch executed poorly via email.

Why this doesn’t work

  • The email starts with a hyper-specific question that feels like it’s providing a solution to a problem no one has.
  • The value proposition is poorly expressed. What is an optimized content-distribution channel? What are end-user experiences?
  • The mention of other customers feels more like name-dropping than a good use of social proof. (There’s a better way to do this—see example below.)
  • There’s no clear value demonstrated, so it’s very unlikely that Chloe will respond.

Here’s a better example from the same person at the same fictional company:

An example of a sales pitch done well.

Why this works:

  • The pitch starts with a shared experience. In this case, a conference—but it can be any commonality. 
  • Value is demonstrated clearly and immediately. There’s no ambiguity about what they’re selling and how it helps. 
  • Social proof is added tactfully. 
  • Benefits are supported by data. 
  • The salesperson doesn’t come on too strong.

3. The voicemail pitch

If you work in sales, you’re going to hit a lot of voicemail inboxes. And that’s okay, because successful deals often start with up to eight attempts to actually speak with your prospect .

So while hitting an inbox can feel like a miss, don’t be discouraged. It’s actually an opportunity to make a great first  impression and plant a seed before your next attempt. 

Hi [Prospect’s name],

This is [your name] calling from XYZ company. Sorry I missed you. 

I was hoping to speak to you about [reason you’re calling]. We’ve helped other companies [insert benefit], and I think we may be able to help you get similar results.

You can reach me at [insert phone number] if you’d like to learn more. But I’ll follow up soon.

Why this works:  

  • It’s personalized and friendly.
  • It doesn’t beat around the bush—the value prop is upfront and center.
  • It supports the value prop with previous results.
  • It’s short, which is important because otherwise there’s a very good chance the prospect won’t listen to the whole thing. 
  • It promises to follow up, which will not only make them expect to be contacted again but it will also mean that they’re more receptive to that.

And if you say you’re going to follow up within a certain time frame, do it!

The vast majority of deals don’t close in one go, and you have to be both persistent and organized in how you plan your follow-ups. If you know you have a lot of prospects to follow up with, create tasks for yourself (and your team).

For example, RingCentral’s desktop and mobile app allows you to not only create team chats for different projects or departments but you can also assign tasks with due dates, relevant files, and even color-coding for easy organization:

RingCentral’s desktop and mobile app lets you create chats and assign tasks.

4. The deck pitch

If you’re invited to make a pitch, congratulations. It means you’ve got a foot in the door, you’re in front of a receptive audience, and half the work is already done. (Although there’s a good chance you did that work. So good job there, too.)

Of all the sales pitches examples, for this type, it’s crucial that you get your face-to-face communication spot on. And we’re not just talking about being able to rattle off the sales pitch script that you learned by heart. Your body language plays a big part in it too. 

A pitch deck is basically a sales pitch in a presentation format—PowerPoint, Google Slides, or whichever presentation platform you use. This type of pitch makes it easy to tell a story and highlight key points using visual aids that can be very persuasive.

For example, check out this successful pitch deck from restaurant technology startup Lunchbox, which it used to raise $50M from investors. (Fundraising is a type of sales too!)

Why it works:

  • It clearly explains how the solution resolves a pain point.
  • It includes a real-world example of a customer helped by the solution.
  • It uses data to back up its claims.
  • The presentation design is clear, simple, and vibrant.

5. The elevator pitch

This type of pitch gets its name from the idea that you should be able to say it in the span of an elevator ride. A good elevator pitch explains what your product does in an extremely concise and effective way.

Take this often-cited example from G2 Crowd .

Why it works:  

  • Instead of repeating the product’s value proposition verbatim, the rep explains what the product does and why it’s useful in words that everyone can understand. 
  • It’s 21 seconds long—about half an elevator ride in New York City.

6. The follow-up pitch

It’s hard to close a customer on first contact. (Remember, it takes up to eight tries just to get a meeting.) So, focus on getting a shot at a second or third meeting where you’ll have a better understanding of each other and a better chance at closing the deal. 

The key to a good follow-up pitch is to make it timely and relevant without being a bother. A good way to do this is to mention a past point of contact or conversation (if you’ve had one).

“Hi [their name,] 

It’s [your name] from [your company]. Last time we spoke, you mentioned [problem that the prospect experienced]. I’ve given it some thought, and I think I know how I might be able to help you [insert the benefit of your product, as it relates to their problem].”  

From there, you can move the conversation forward. Or in the case of an email or voicemail, mention that you’ll follow up again and suggest a time to chat. 

  • The pitch refreshes their memory and provides context for the conversation. 
  • It highlights the problem they experienced and how you can solve it. 
  • It’s appropriate in any scenario—phone call, email, voicemail, or social message.

7. The social media pitch

Social selling is all the rage, but it’s challenging to grab prospects’ attention amid the daily avalanche of posts and tweets. You can do this by creating your own eye-catching content, but you can also use it as a form of outreach to make connections with individual prospects. 

For example, if someone’s talking about a problem on X/Twitter and it’s a problem your product can solve, then take the opportunity to start a conversation. Or, if you notice a LinkedIn post from someone in your industry, send them a mini-pitch via direct message.

Here’s an example:

An example of a social media sales pitch

  • It’s short and to the point.
  • It contains a conversation starter that shows the rep has done some research.
  • It mentions the product, references a pain point, and includes a stat.

8. Video sales letter

This one is basically a sales pitch in the form of a video. Rather than just using words to explain why your product is awesome, you have the opportunity to engage the prospect with a visual explanation.

Throw in some music, graphics, even animation if you want to—it all helps to make you more memorable.

You might send it directly to a prospect to introduce the company or provide extra information after a call. Or you might post it on your website or social media. Either way, people tend to process visual information faster and retain it for longer.

Here’s a B2B example from Semrush:

  • It’s colorful, vibrant, and immediately captures the attention.
  • It shows exactly how the product works and how it solves a problem.
  • It has a compelling CTA at the end.

9. Website sales pitch

A website sales pitch is a message that you display—yes, you guessed it—on your website (or landing page). You’ll position this content strategically to attract maximum attention when prospects visit on a fact-finding mission.

This type of pitch typically involves storytelling, descriptions of your product or service, and sometimes customer testimonials. The aim is to encourage the visitor to take a specific action, so make sure there’s a CTA at the end.

A website sales pitch example by Oatly

  • It stands out with its unusual monochrome design
  • It manages to target two specific customer segments (baristas and non-baristas) but makes the product seem inclusive to both
  • It has an informal style to appeal to a young, trendy audience
  • It uses graphic elements (such as logos) to add nutritional and sustainability info while keeping the word count low.

10. Two-sentence pitch

Sometimes called the 12-second pitch, this is best used when time is short—for example, when a prospect is super-busy, or you need some compelling copy for a social media post or a landing page.

It’s useful as a conversation-starter with investors, or you could use it as the intro for a longer pitch.

Here’s how it goes:

Sentence #1: Brief but comprehensive summary of what you do

Sentence #2: What makes you different from your competitors.

Check out this business pitch example :

A two-sentence sales pitch example from Tesla

  • It totally nails the whole “keep it short and sweet” brief.
  • However, it still sums up the key message that a prospect needs to know—i.e. what the product is, what it does, how it benefits them, and why it’s better than the rest.

11. Live sales pitch

There might be times when you need to deliver your sales pitch in person. For instance, if your company has a stand at an industry or networking event, or if you decide to embrace the world of TV shopping channels. Sounds daunting, but it gives you the chance to interact with a live target audience—and to give a demonstration of your product.

These pitches have to be highly engaging and entertaining, like this classic from Shark Tank when Aaron Krause introduced the world to the Scrub Daddy cleaning tool.

A live sales pitch example from TV show Shark Tank

  • There’s a brief summary, including a unique selling point about the product
  • Then it’s straight into the demo, showing the product in action
  • The presentation style is slick and entertaining—as Daymond John says, it’s like a live infomercial.

Sales pitch presentation examples

As we mentioned earlier, sales presentations are typically longer than traditional sales pitches and often involve slideshows (deck pitches) or videos. 

However, you can absolutely use a concise presentation as your sales pitch if the situation lends itself to this approach. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

Algoplanner explainer video

Algoplanner’s explainer video sales presentation

This video for Algoplanner’s supply chain SaaS product pairs animated graphics with a narrative-style voiceover, telling potential customers what might happen if their system fails to cope with high volume.

  • The look is clean and minimalist, with cute graphics adding a fun touch
  • It uses storytelling to guide viewers to a conclusion (i.e., they need good supply chain software)
  • It clearly positions Algoplanner as the ideal solution and includes a CTA.

Leadnomics deck pitch

Leadnomics’ sales deck pitch

Freelancer Katya Kovalenko designed this presentation for online marketing company Leadnomics, who also include elements of it on their website and use it as a brand template. It’s a classic deck pitch of individual slides providing key information about what the company does for its clients.

  • The very simple design and color scheme lets the info stand out and speak for itself
  • Stats are presented visually, making them easy to understand at a glance
  • It includes social proof, by listing companies that use Leadnomics
  • It ends with a clear call to action and contact details.

RingCentral explainer video

Not to toot our own horn, but we’re proud of this one. It’s kind of a cross between a deck pitch and a video sales letter. It uses graphics instead of spoken dialog to guide viewers through the key benefits of the RingCX platform, with a particular focus on the AI tools and how they can help contact center managers and reps to provide better customer experiences.

  • It has a clear brand identity and very simple messaging
  • It focuses on the benefits rather than the features themselves
  • It neatly encapsulates the tool’s USPs in a short time frame.

Sales pitch templates

We’ve already included a couple of templates in the earlier sales pitch examples section, but here are three more for three different scenarios. You can tailor each one to your own situation.

Phone sales pitch

This template could be used for a cold call, once you’ve done a little research onto the prospect:

Hi [prospect name], it’s [your name] from [company]. Hope you’re having a good week so far! Do you have a few moments to chat about [product/service]?

If they say no: Okay, no problem. Would you prefer me to call again at a better time for you, or can I send you an email instead? [arrange a time/get their email address]

If they say yes: Great! I see that you’re in [industry]. We’re currently working with several companies in [industry] and a lot of them have mentioned [challenge/pain point].

[Add relevant statistic/customer success story and ask them about their own challenges]

Well, that’s definitely something we can help with. [Tell them the key benefits of your solution, in relation to their pain points. Answer any questions]

How about I send you our whitepaper with the full product details? [check their email address]. And let’s set up another call for next week, when you’ve had time to read through it. Is [date/time] good for you?

If they agree: Thanks for your time today. Have a great week/weekend!

Social sales pitch

As we mentioned, you can use a direct message (DM) on social media platforms such as X/Twitter if you see that a potential lead has someone posted something relevant. DMs give you more characters to work with than posting a public reply, but you should still keep it short and sweet:

Hi [prospect name],

Hope you don’t mind the DM. I just saw your tweet about [topic], and I have the solution: [product name] can help you with [problem] by [brief explanation of benefits].

If you want to learn more, DM me back to set up a call, or check out our website: [link]

Many thanks, [name]

Social proof email

It’s always a good idea to provide social proof to your prospects, from dropping the names of big companies you’ve worked with to telling stories about existing customers. 

This template could be used as a follow-up after you’ve had an initial interaction with the prospect, and you want to give them some more food for thought:

Thanks for your time earlier today. It was great to talk to you and find out more about your company and your challenges. As promised, I’m attaching some more case studies that show how [product] has helped other customers.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

Looking forward to chatting again in our scheduled call next Tuesday – but if you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to drop me a message.

Kind regards, [name]

What a great sales pitch comes down to…

Most prospects today are seasoned buyers. They know when they’re being pressured into a sale, and even if you do manage to close the deal, starting a business relationship on a sour note won’t be helpful in retaining that customer down the line.

When doing your sales pitch, keep that long-term customer relationship in mind. 

There are various ways that you can pitch a prospect, but the most important thing you can do is demonstrate value. Learn what the prospect is struggling with, empathize with them, understand their pain points, and find a way to help them overcome the problem that stands in their way. 

By doing that, your prospects will see you as a valued and trusted partner rather than a vendor. And that’s going to make it easier for you to pitch—and close more deals.

Originally published Jun 03, 2024, updated Aug 16, 2024

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7 sales pitch ideas & techniques to get you out of a rut

How long have you been using the same sales pitch? Maybe you spent a lot of time crafting a pitch that suits your audience. You worked to get the right questions , include powerful phrases, and focus on the benefits. But the more you use this sales pitch over time, the more worn out it seems. Maybe the market has changed and your pitch doesn’t appeal to them like it did before. Or maybe, after using the same pitch for so long, you’re getting into a rut. It’s time to dig yourself out with some creative sales pitch ideas. In this chapter, you’re going to see:

7 creative sales pitch ideas that make you stand out from the crowd

How to get out of a rut by avoiding common sales pitch mistakes.

Many times, learning how to pitch better and getting out of a rut means pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. With your sales pitch, the idea is the same: we want to break you out of the box you’ve been living in and build a sales pitch that tests your skills as a sales rep . The bigger the effort, the better the results. Take a serious look at this list of sales pitch techniques. See which ones you can implement in your own process, and be willing to break out of your comfort zone.

1. Create sales pitches for each customer profile

One sales pitch is great: A few sales pitches are better. If you sell one product to one single type of customer, then you probably only need one sales pitch. But if your solution solves a number of different challenges or is used by customers who are vastly different from each other, you should have more than one pitch, and a lot more sales pitch techniques in your arsenal. After all, the way you pitch to an SMB is not the same as the way you pitch to an enterprise company. In Chapter 1 of this guide, we discussed writing a sales pitch. Inside this process, it’s essential for you to use real customer data to craft a pitch that sells. If your company already has ideal customer profiles set up, use that information to craft several different pitches that appeal to different audiences.

Pro tip: If you don’t have ideal customer profiles set up, get this free interactive guide to create your own ideal customer profiles.

Once you have several sales pitch ideas that are based on your customer profiles, you can use the qualification stage to fit new leads into one of these profiles. Then, you’ll be able to choose the pitch that best suits this particular lead based on their profile. As an added bonus, using multiple sales pitches is a great way to break out of a rut. In this case, you’ll be constantly changing up your pitch, adapting dynamically during the day based on who you’re talking to instead of repeating the same pitch to every new lead.

2. Build a dialogue, not a monologue

You may have heard the mantra: listen more than you talk. While this may be true in some parts of the sales process, it’s actually not ideal on a cold call . Research from our friends at Gong.io shows that, when you’re pitching to a lead, you should be talking just a bit more than your lead does.

sales pitch speech techniques

However, this doesn’t mean you need to launch into a five-minute discourse on the benefits of your product. Instead, you want your conversational flow to look something like this:

sales pitch speech techniques

While there are short monologues in this call, there is a regular back-and-forth between the rep and the lead. By keeping your lead engaged throughout your pitch, you’ll make sure they’re really listening when you explain important aspects of your solution. So, keep this sales pitch idea in mind: create a dialogue, not a monologue. Within your written pitch, include questions to ask your prospect and space for them to express their ideas. Then, your pitch will have a better flow, and the prospect will stay engaged.

3. Use open-ended questions to discover pain points and pitch effectively

Ultimately, you can use questions to help prospects see how your solution solves a problem they’re facing. The ideal formula is asking whether the prospect has a certain problem, getting them to say yes, and then presenting your solution. But it’s unlikely you’ll be able to guess at their main pain points without asking the right questions. The best way to do this? Ask open-ended questions . Let’s use an example to demonstrate how this works. Imagine you’re selling a scheduling app to doctors. Use your questions as satellites that map out the prospect's wants and needs. You want to use your satellites to spot the exact coordinates of their sweet spots.

Sales rep: "What's one of the biggest challenges you have in your practice right now, especially when it comes to managing revenue, costs, and your time?"

Dr. Smith: "Figuring out a way to increase revenue is important in today's economy."

Most salespeople at this point in the conversation would think: "Great, I got it! I’ll pitch this doctor our scheduling app as a way to increase revenue!" But you—the real pro sales rep—aren't satisfied with that. You take it a step further.

Sales rep: "If increasing revenue is important to you, what have you done in the past to achieve that? Is it about getting more people in the door, having more people show up on time, or reducing the number of no-shows? What kind of measures do you think could really make a dent?"

Dr. Smith: "We don't really have a problem with no-shows. The main thing would probably be doing more effective advertising."

Now that piece of information changes the whole dynamic of the conversation dramatically, compared to what the first version of the answer was. At this point, it might seem like there's no way to sell to this doctor. After all, how can your scheduling app help Dr. Smith's advertising? But this is the point that differentiates mediocre sales reps from great sales reps. Because now you're really getting into consulting. You're not just trying to get the prospect's money in exchange for what you've got: you're revealing something of value to your prospect . Keep asking these open-ended questions. You want to find out: is advertising really the thing that would benefit this doctor the most? What's their actual no-show rate? Maybe there's potential for significant improvement, and Dr. Smith simply isn't aware of how big an opportunity for increasing revenue this represents.

4. Test before you pitch

As you continue to converse with the prospect, asking good questions, and discovering their true needs, you’re getting closer to the point where you dive into your pitch. But again, don't gamble, don't guess, don't hope for luck. Instead, test! Don't proclaim, "Dr. Smith, I think I have the perfect solution for you! We can save you money on scheduling!" Instead, keep asking, probing, testing:

Sales rep: "Dr. Smith, if there was a way to significantly save on scheduling and staffing, would you be interested in a solution like that? Would saving a lot of money be an option for you, so that you keep your revenue unaffected, but lower costs, and thus end up with more profit, instead of trying all kinds of new advertising methods that have unknown outcomes and aren't predictable?" And then wait to hear what they say!

Dr. Smith: "Na, I'm not really a saving-money guy."

That's valuable feedback! It saves you a wasted bullet. Now you don't have to pitch what you wanted to pitch, and are still good for another round of interaction and questioning until you get a clear sense of what would work. Ultimately, you want to get to a point where Dr. Smith says, "Yes, that would be interesting."

5. Back up your statements with facts and data

How many times have you heard a rookie sales rep say something like: “We offer the BEST solution to your problem.” “It’s the BEST value for the money.” “We’re the PERFECT tool for this task.” And maybe it’s true. Maybe you are the best. But simply stating that fact without any data to back it up makes it very difficult for the prospect to believe you. Anyone can say they’re the best. But only the best can prove it. So, what makes your solution the best? Do you have unique features that other companies are lacking? Is your customer support out of this world? Are your customers seeing better results with your product? It’s not wrong to make bold statements about your solution. But if you can’t back those statements up with facts and data, your prospects will lose confidence in you. And if you lose their trust at this point, you’ll probably lose the deal . Instead, try something like this: “Our solution is the best value for the money, considering the size of your team. Other solutions charge you per user, but we offer one fixed price per month that doesn’t change when you add more users.” With some extra facts, that abstract statement builds a solid foundation in reality.

6. Talk about the cost of NOT purchasing

You never want to talk about the price of your product without first establishing the value . But sometimes during a sales pitch, the prospect insists on the topic of cost. If you feel you’re not quite ready to give them a price, try switching this conversation around. “I understand pricing is very important to you since you’re working with a tight budget. But let me just ask you this question: if you don’t find a solution to [the problem you’ve discussed] in [amount of time], how much will that cost your company?” If your solution isn’t directly related to revenue, adjust the last part of that question to lead the prospect to understand the consequences of not purchasing:

  • “What would be the effect on your team?”
  • “How would productivity be affected?”
  • “How will that affect the morale of your remote employees?”

Then, take those consequences and convert them into dollars:

  • “If team productivity goes down by just 10%, how much money could your company be losing?”
  • “If morale starts to go down, your employee churn rate will go up. How much does it cost you to onboard new employees when others leave?”

By asking these questions, you’ll help prospects understand the real cost of the problem before they hear the cost of the solution.

7. Preempt objections by talking about your weak points

At the end of your sales pitch or in the next meeting with this prospect, you will likely face objections. Let’s be honest: No one knows the weak points and risks of your product better than you do. Don’t try to hide those. Instead, catch the prospect off guard by preempting their objections. In other words, tell them exactly why they shouldn’t buy your product. Honesty is a powerful tool for a salesperson. Use it to your advantage. Think of it like this: when a prospect brings up objections, it puts you on the defensive. When you bring up the weak points of your own product, you can control how they’re seen by the prospect and how a solution can be found. The key is preparing a brief solution to each weak point. Even if you haven’t figured out a complete solution, prepare a quick sentence or two that shows you’re aware of the issue and are working to address it.

Another reason you might get stuck in a rut is by developing routines that are counterproductive to your sales. It’s time to break bad habits within your sales pitch. Here are some routines that some reps fall into, as well as ideas on how to get out:

Aimlessly throwing darts in the dark

If you’re not clear on exactly what parts of your product will appeal to your audience, your sales pitch will lack proper aim.

Using our example above, here’s what NOT to do:

Sales rep: "Hey Dr. Smith, we've built this scheduling app, and it saves doctors like you a lot of time. Would this be interesting to you?"

Dr. Smith: "No, we don't really have that problem, I don't think this is really for us."

Sales rep: "Yeah, but our scheduling app can also help you to reduce staff costs because you don't need to have somebody on the phone all the time, going back and forth with potential patients. Are you interested in reducing your staffing costs?"

Dr. Smith: "No, I don't think this is something we're interested in."

Sales rep: "Yeah, but, how about if we could actually increase your revenue a bit?"

And the sales rep goes on and on like this, without a clear target, without a clear understanding of where to aim at. They’re just throwing features and value propositions around, hoping something will hit the target. That's not selling, that's speculating. It lacks direction. Instead of throwing darts in the dark, make sure you can see the target before you take aim. There are two specific ways to do this:

  • Do proper research before you get on the call
  • Ask questions that reveal needs

Once you have a clear view of the target, you can stop throwing into the dark hoping for a result, and start aiming your pitch effectively.

Building a no-street

Asking yes-or-no questions is a dangerous road to travel on. Because once a prospect starts telling you “no,” you are building a no-street. You're conditioning the prospect’s mind to say "no" to your proposals. The more often the prospect says no to you, the more likely they are going to be to keep saying no, and the bigger the disconnect between you and the prospect. Eventually, they’re so tuned-out of your pitch that they’ll respond with “no” to anything you say. Here’s how to fix this: Instead of asking the prospect, “Do you have this problem?” Ask, “What’s the main challenge you’re facing right now?” Above, we discussed the power of open-ended questions. These questions will lead you to a better understanding of your prospect, meaning you can guide them based on their actual needs.

Assuming what you like about the product is what your prospects will like

A good sales rep really believes in what they’re selling. But what you like about the product may not be what the prospect likes. Remember this scene from Wolf of Wall Street?

Do you know why all their sales pitches suck? Because each of these sales seminar attendees pitches prematurely. They assume that what they like about the pen is what their buyer likes about the pen. They just show up and throw up all over the prospect , rather than gathering information, engaging the prospect, and presenting the solution in response to their fact find.

Over-promising

You know the moment. You’re pitching, it’s going great, they love your product. Then they ask: “But does it have this feature?” The knee-jerk reaction is normally something like this: “Not yet, but it’s on the roadmap!” This is one of those phrases that’s almost certain to kill the deal. Because most of the time, either this feature isn’t really on the roadmap, or the rep has no actual idea of what the product roadmap looks like. Here’s the key: Your sales pitch isn’t about what your product might have down the road. If a feature isn’t part of your product today, or won’t be part of your product in the next few weeks, don’t sell it. When you’re trying to sell the vision instead of the reality , it’s easy to over-promise and under-deliver. That’s never a good way to start a relationship with a new customer. Instead, try to dig into why the prospect is asking about this feature. What do they want to solve? Is there another feature of your product that will solve that problem just as well? Is there a workaround using Zapier or another integration that some of your customers have used to solve this problem? By digging into the root of the problem, you can overcome this question without promising features that may never be part of your solution.

Forgetting to follow up

Never underestimate the power of the follow-up . Maybe you’ve set up some specific next-steps and are now waiting for the prospect to get back to you. That’s fine. Just don’t wait forever. To make sure this prospect doesn’t fall through the cracks, set up a reminder in your CRM to check back with the prospect after a reasonable amount of time. In Close , you can check your inbox to see upcoming tasks, such as follow-ups, or reschedule them for down the road.

Don’t let their excitement cool off: follow up to keep that lead hot .

Use these ideas to create the perfect sales pitch

So, are you ready to deliver a pitch that resonates with your prospects? The creative sales pitch ideas we’ve discussed will help you gain a better understanding of your prospects and use that information to close deals faster. By maintaining a dialogue and asking open-ended questions, you’ll keep the prospect engaged from start to finish. Also, avoiding common sales mistakes , like throwing darts in the dark or overpromising, can help you keep a good rapport with your prospect and move them to the next stage in your sales pipeline . But how does a sales pitch work over the phone? And what can you learn from top examples of cold-call pitches? Jump to the next chapter of this guide for more →

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21 Ultimate Sales Pitch Tips To Close More deals With Examples

21 Ultimate Sales Pitch Tips To Close More deals With Examples

Do you know that 25% of prospects will listen to your sales pitch (source: leadheroes) ? That’s a good enough reason to put in the effort to craft them well. So, if you are looking for the ultimate sales pitch tips to help close more deals, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most effective tips for creating an engaging and persuasive sales pitch. 

We’ll cover various topics to help you make a connection with your prospects. Whether you’re a veteran sales professional or just beginning your career, these tips will give you the foundation to create an unbeatable sales pitch.

So let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What Is A Sales Pitch?

Why is the sales pitch still so important, what makes a great sales pitch, 1. do your research, 2. make it short, 3. make it clear, 4. explain the problem prospects are facing, 5. personalize the sales pitch, 6. include a value proposition, 7. switch up your pitch, 8. practice your pitch, 9. avoid metaphors, 10. consider all decision-makers, 11. paint a picture of the future, 12. share your insights, 13. reveal how your product addresses their needs, 14. show your company’s growth over the years, 15. know how to overcome common sales objections, 16. be enthusiastic and confident in your speech, 17. focus on emotions, 18. back it up with facts, 19. tap into fomo, 20. educate prospects, 21. always follow-up, examples of the best sales pitches.

A sales pitch is a presentation a salesperson gives to a potential customer to convince them to buy a product or service. A sales pitch typically includes information about the product, its features, and its benefits. It should also have the customer’s needs and how the product can meet them. The sales rep should be prepared to answer questions about the product and address any objections the customer may have. The goal of a successful sales pitch is to make the customer feel like they need the product and that it is the right choice for them. For that, the salesperson should be knowledgeable, confident, and enthusiastic and be able to create a positive impression.

Creating an outstanding sales pitch is essential for the success of the business. Here is why:

  • A good sales pitch helps to create a connection between the customer and the product or service offered. 
  • By clearly communicating the benefits of the product or service and speaking directly to the customer’s needs, the sales pitch helps to create a greater understanding of the value of what you are offering.
  • A strong sales pitch can help to differentiate the product or service from its competitors, allowing the customer to make an informed decision.
  • A convincing sales pitch can help to build trust between the customer and the business. By showing that the company is knowledgeable and professional, the customer is more likely to buy the product or service.

Overall, the sales pitch is still an important tool for businesses in today’s competitive marketplace.

A great sales pitch is key when selling a product or service. A successful sales pitch should be clear, concise and convincing. It should capture the prospect’s attention and explain why they need the product or service. It should also draw on facts and data to support any claims made. 

The best sales pitches focus on the customer’s needs and how the product or service can meet them. They also use simple language that is easy to understand and doesn’t sound too gimmicky. The goal should be to create a genuine connection with the customer and show they can trust you. 

Also, effective sales pitches end with a call to action. It would be best if you encouraged the prospect to take the next step in the purchasing process and help them feel confident that what they buy is worth the investment. With the right sales pitch, you can turn potential customers into patrons.

Sales Pitch Tips & Tricks That Work

Here are a few sales pitch tactics that consistently yield the best results if you implement them correctly. 

Creating a successful sales pitch requires careful planning and research. Before you start writing your pitch, it is essential to do your research. You need to understand your target audience and their needs so that you can tailor your pitch to them. You should also research the product or service that you are selling. That will help you speak knowledgeably about it and demonstrate its benefits. 

Additionally, you should be familiar with the competition and be able to explain why your product or service is better. At the same time, you should know the current market trends to position your product or service in the best possible light. Doing your research will help you create a sales pitch that is relevant and convincing with a greater chance of success.

Make your sales pitch short

When making a sales pitch, it is essential to keep it short and to the point. Focus on your product’s or service’s key benefits and provide only the essential information that a customer needs to make an informed decision. Use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms. 

Be respectful of the prospect’s time and try not to talk too much – a short, well-crafted sales pitch is often more effective than a long, drawn-out one. Remember that you want to leave the customer with a positive impression of your product or service, so make sure your sales pitch is engaging, informative, and persuasive.

When it comes to making a successful sales pitch, clarity is key. You want to ensure your potential customer understands exactly what you’re offering and why it’s valuable. A great way to ensure clarity is by focusing on the product or service’s benefits rather than the features. Make sure to give clear examples of how the customer’s life will improve by choosing your product or service. Finally, end your sales pitch with a clear call to action. Let the customer know what they need to do if they want to take advantage of your offer. By following these tips, you can ensure that your sales pitch is clear and effective.

Explain the problem prospects are facing

Explaining the problem prospects face in your sales pitch helps establish a connection between you and your prospect. It shows them that you understand their situation and their needs. By doing this, you can make it easier for prospects to understand the value of your product or service and how it can help them solve their problem. 

Additionally, explaining the problem prospects are facing in your sales pitch helps build trust and credibility, as it shows that you are knowledgeable about their industry and have researched. This will help prospects to feel more confident in your ability to provide the right solution for them. Ultimately, explaining the problem prospects are facing in your sales pitch can effectively persuade them to buy your product or service.

Personalizing a sales pitch is the key to making it more effective and successful. There are a few ways to do this. 

  • Know what prospects are looking for; you can tailor your pitch to meet their unique needs and desires.
  • Use relevant examples and stories relevant to the customer and their situation. This will help them relate to you and make your message more meaningful. 
  • Always be honest and open with the customer. Building trust with them and demonstrating that you truly understand their needs is important. 

By taking the time to personalize your sales pitch, you will be better able to connect with the customer and increase your chances of success.

Include a value proposition

When it comes to sales pitches, one of the most important elements is the value proposition. A value proposition is a statement that clearly outlines the benefits of your product or service and how it solves the potential customer’s problems. It should focus on the customer’s needs rather than your own. Including a value proposition in your sales pitch lets you quickly and effectively explain why the prospect should choose you over other options. It also helps to establish trust and rapport with the prospect, making them more likely to purchase from you.  

When it comes to sales, one size does not fit all. Every customer is different and has their own needs, motivations and concerns. As a sales professional, it’s essential to be able to tailor your pitch to a unique situation. To do this effectively, you need to understand who your potential customer is and what they are looking for. Once you have that information, you can adjust your pitch accordingly. 

For example, if you’re selling a product to a tech-savvy customer, you might focus on the latest features and technology. On the other hand, if you’re selling to a more cost-conscious customer, you might focus on cost savings or value for money.

Practice your sales pitch

To practice your sales pitch, write down the key points you want to make. Next, think about the features and benefits of your product or service and how they can help the customer. Once you have those points down, practice delivering your sales pitch out loud. You can even practice in front of a mirror to ensure you look confident and relaxed. As you practice, focus on making eye contact and using a conversational tone. Finally, ensure you listen to your customer’s feedback and adjust your approach accordingly.

When it comes to sales pitches, it’s important to be direct and to the point. Metaphors, while often appealing, can be confusing and make it harder for potential customers to understand what you’re selling. Instead, focus on clear and concise language that communicates your product’s or service’s key features and benefits. You must remember that there is no point in showing off your English skills here as you won’t get points for that. Make sure you emphasize how your product or service can improve the customer’s life or alleviate their pain points . By avoiding metaphors and keeping your message simple, you can better engage potential customers and increase their interest in your offering.

Consider all decision-makers

When making a sales pitch, it’s important to consider all decision-makers involved. This means doing your research to identify the key players and understanding their individual roles in the decision-making process. Knowing who will be involved in the decision can help you tailor your message to appeal to each of them. 

For example, one decision-maker might be looking for a financial solution, while another may be more concerned with customer service. By taking the time to understand each decision-maker’s different goals and objectives, you can create a sales pitch that speaks to each of them. This will make your pitch more effective and increase your chances of success.

Painting a picture of the future in a sales pitch can be a powerful way to convince prospects of the value of your product or service. To do this successfully, you need to articulate a compelling vision of what life could look like after they buy your product. 

Start by outlining the current state of the customer’s business and how it could get better with your solution. Then, talk about how this improvement will lead to better results in the future. Next, describe the advantages that the customer can expect, such as increased efficiency, cost savings, greater customer satisfaction, etc. Finally, make sure to relate these benefits to the customer’s own goals and objectives. 

By giving them a clear picture of what their future could look like with your product, you can make a strong case for why they should invest in it.

Share your insights

Tapping into your knowledge and insights about the product or service you are selling is essential. Sharing these insights can be a powerful way to make a connection with the prospect and show them that you understand their needs. To do this, start by researching your product or service thoroughly. Learn as much as you can about its features, benefits and applications. Then, when you’re talking to a client, try to tailor your pitch to their needs by sharing relevant insights. 

For example, if you are selling a product with multiple uses, point out which features may benefit the client’s particular situation. If you are selling a service, explain how it works in clear, simple terms and emphasize its advantages over competitors. Sharing your insights can help the customer understand why your product or service is the best choice.

When creating a sales pitch, it’s essential to make sure that you are highlighting the features of your product that best meet the needs of your prospects. One way to do this is by focusing on the benefits of your product and how it can solve their problems. In addition, your sales pitch should explain why your product is the best solution for them. 

For example, if you develop software, you should explain how it streamlines processes and saves time and money. Use concrete examples and speak in terms your prospects can understand. Additionally, you could include customer testimonials to demonstrate how your product has helped others in the past. By clearly outlining how your product addresses your prospects’ needs, you can make an effective sales pitch that will help you close more deals.

Show your company’s growth over the years

When giving a sales pitch, it is critical to demonstrate to potential customers why they should choose your company over others. One of the best ways to do this is to show your company’s growth over the years. 

This can help convince customers that your company is reliable and successful and is the right choice for their needs. It also shows that you are continuously improving your products and services and want to provide the best experience for your customers. 

Furthermore, by showing how much you have grown as a company, you can demonstrate that you understand the market and can respond to its changing needs. Finally, by showing your company’s growth over the years in your sales pitch, you can give potential customers the confidence and trust they need to make a decision.

Overcoming common sales objection is an essential part of any successful sales pitch. Here are some tips to help you do it effectively:

  • Listen carefully to the customer’s objection and try to understand the issue from their perspective.
  • Explain how your product or service can address the customer’s needs clearly and concisely.
  • Offer assurances that the customer can trust you, such as a money-back guarantee.
  • Offer incentives, such as discounts or free trials, to make the deal more attractive.
  • Follow up with the customer after the pitch to ensure that you have satisfactorily addressed the prospect’s concerns. 

By addressing the customer’s objections clearly and confidently, you can increase the chances of making a successful sale .

Be enthusiastic and confident in your speech

Having enthusiasm and confidence when delivering a sales pitch is critical to its success. Of course, a good sales pitch should be well-researched and tailored to the customer’s needs, but it’s just as essential to deliver it with energy and enthusiasm. 

When delivering your sales pitch, speak in an animated, upbeat tone, and make eye contact with the customer whenever possible. Try to keep your body language open and inviting, and stay positive even if you sense that the customer isn’t interested. Finally, feel free to ask questions and show that you’re genuinely interested in helping customers find the best solution for their needs. If you can do all of these things, you will be well on your way to making the sale.

Regarding sales pitches, it is essential to understand that customers are more likely to purchase products if they feel an emotional connection with them. Therefore, it is essential to focus on emotions in a sales pitch, rather than just focusing on the product’s features and benefits. The best way to connect with customers emotionally is to tell stories about how the product has made a difference in other people’s lives. You could also use humor in your sales pitch, which can help to lighten the mood and make your product more memorable. Ultimately, the goal is to make customers feel like they are part of something bigger than just the product itself. If you can do this, you will be more successful in closing deals.

Back your sales pitch up with facts

It’s essential to back your claims up with facts and evidence. This is especially true when pitching to potential customers, as they are more likely to be skeptical of your promises. To ensure your message is convincing, you should research the market and your competition and ensure your claims are accurate and backed up by data. Finally, it’s essential to be honest, and transparent about your product or service. If you can clearly explain how your product or service will benefit the customer, they will be more likely to believe in your pitch and be willing to invest.

If you can tap into the fear of missing out on your sales pitch, it can be a powerful way to engage with potential customers and encourage them to buy. To tap into FOMO, you need to create a sense of urgency and make people feel like they’re missing out on something special. You can do this by emphasizing limited-time offers, talking about how other people are buying the product, or emphasizing the unique features of your product. You can also create social proof by sharing reviews and customer stories that show how others have benefited from your product. 

Educate prospects

When making a sales pitch, don’t forget to educate your prospects about your product or service. This ensures that potential clients understand the value of what you are offering and why it is worth investing in. To do this, start by providing an overview of your product or service and its features. Next, explain how it can solve their problems, improve their lives, or save them money. Finally, provide clear and concise examples of how your product or service can benefit them in the long term. 

Additionally, be sure to answer their questions and address any concerns they may have. By educating your prospects in your sales pitch, you not only increase the possibility of making a sale, but you also build trust and credibility with your potential customers.

When it comes to sales, following up after the pitch is essential. It shows that you are professional and attentive and helps to keep the customer engaged. There are a few key steps you should follow when following up. First, email or call the customer to thank them for their time and reiterate any key points from your sales pitch. Second, remind them of any deadlines or important dates related to the product or service you are selling. Finally, give them time to think about things before making a decision. This helps to create a sense of urgency without being too pushy. If they don’t respond after a few days, follow up again with a friendly reminder. Following up after the initial sales pitch is an important part of the sales process , and it can make the difference between a successful sale and a lost opportunity.

Here are a few sales pitch examples you should consider looking at,

1. Cold email sales pitch

Cold email sales pitch

The opening of the email is personalized; it starts with the mention of the conference the prospect attended. There is a clear mention of the service’s value and a strategically placed social proof that mentions how the service has benefited other companies. Finally, there is a well-placed CTA to get the prospect to perform the desired action.

2. Gap’s sales pitch on their website

Gap’s sales pitch

Gap’s pitch on its website attempts to impress prospects by revealing the company’s position in the market and how it will continue providing great results to its investors. However, the conviction and belief that the brand has in its abilities speak for themselves. 

3. Edward Jones’ Sales Pitch On Their Website

Edward Jones’ Sales Pitch

In the above pitch of the financial advising firm, the main focus is on the prospect. It shows what the prospect can get by using the company’s services. Potential customers can relate well to such a pitch and, at the same time, get all the information about what the company has to offer. 

Hope the above provide you with enough sales pitch ideas.

Get Ready To Become A Pro With Sales Pitches!

No matter what kind of product or service you sell, nailing the perfect sales pitch is essential to success. Following the sales pitch tips we’ve outlined above, you can write one that helps your sales team connect with your potential customers and convince them to take action.

First, emphasize the benefits of your product or service and how it will improve the customer’s life. Next, maintain an engaging and confident tone throughout your pitch. Also, practice makes one perfect, so rehearse your pitch until you feel comfortable with it. With these tips in mind, you can create a winning sales pitch to help close more deals and grow your business. You can thank us later. 

A good sales pitch helps to create a connection between the customer and the product or service offered, create a greater understanding of the value of what you are offering, & differentiate the product or service from its competitors.

A good sales pitch should capture the prospect’s attention and explain why they need the product or service. It should also draw on facts and data to support any claims made. The best sales pitches focus on the customer’s needs and how the product or service can meet them.

Though you should keep your sales pitch as compact as you can. Ideally, it is best if you keep it less than 2 minutes long where you, as a sales rep, mention all the benefits the product or service has to offer to the end user.

Published On: December 18, 2023

Written by: sushant shekhar, categories: sales sales tips, you might also like.

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How to Deliver an Effective Sales Pitch, with Examples

March 5, 2021 - Julian Mayhew

Many people find delivering a sales pitch the most daunting part of becoming an entrepreneur but to generate business you need to effectively sell your products or services.

Delivering a great sales pitch can be the difference between securing a contract and failing to do so, or persuading a business to fund you rather than going it alone.

You’ll have to learn your client’s needs, learn what their problems are, and find a solution that fulfils all of their requirements. Only then can you present the pitch to close the deal. In this article, we discuss how to deliver an effective sales pitch.

Article contents

  • Preparing for the pitch

Pitch introduction

During the pitch, ending the pitch.

  • How to practice

Sales pitch preparation

Pitch to the right person.

Ensure that you’re pitching to the people that approve purchases; those that make the decisions about buying products or using services. Find out who the decision-makers are in the company and request to pitch to them because it’s a waste of everybody’s time if you’re speaking to the wrong people.

Research the company

The fundamentals of forming an effective sales pitch is understanding your prospect, their company and their industry. Without this you cannot tailor messages to target unique concerns. You need to research your prospect and find out:

  • Who are they?
  • How long have they worked in this industry?
  • What background do they have?
  • What does this company do?
  • What problems do they have?
  • Who are their competitors?

Also research the prospect’s industry to find common problems and think about how your product or service can help. Consider asking contacts, that work in this industry, about the problems as this allows you to hear your target audience describe their industry’s problems in their own words which is incredibly valuable.

Remember that you’re trying to find out what this client’s specific business needs are and how this links with what you’re selling, so ask yourself what will they gain by working with you?

Tailor the pitch to the client

Clients will immediately see through a pitch that has been reworked from an old one. To grab their attention you need to show them that you care about their business and have done the research to tailor your pitch to them. There are four simple ways to do this:

1. Find out what you can online – as described above

Also look up their profiles on LinkedIn and study the company’s website and social media sites.

2. Ask them questions before the pitch

Before you begin writing a pitch you should find out what the  client weaknesses  and needs are. No client will begrudge you doing your homework before the pitch and it will add a huge amount of value to it.

3. Use the client’s own words

Every company has their own jargon and set of ‘sayings’ or ‘mottos’. Integrating these into your pitch will resonate with the client and show that you have tailored the pitch to them.

4. Show empathy

Relating to the problems of the client and showing empathy with them will clearly put you on ‘their side’. This will help you to position yourself as a solution and will increase your chance of pitching successfully.

Anticipate objections in sales

Anticipate objections

A common point wherein sales pitches fall down is when the solution is challenged. The client may see a problem or want to know more about an aspect of the proposal and you need to be ready to answer these questions quickly and effectively. Failing to do so will make you seem underprepared and unreliable.

Whilst you do want to focus on the highlights of the pitch, you also need to pick it apart and challenge it so that you can identify the weaknesses. Identify at least ten of the most likely reasons why someone might say they don’t need or want your product/service and prepare clear and succinct answers to these.

The  most common sales objections  are: Budget, Authority, Need and Time (BANT).

Rehearse these answers so you don’t have to think of how to articulate them during the pitch. Instead you can focus on answering in a reassuring way whilst maintaining eye contact and using body language to communicate trust and honesty. You’ll be able to sharpen your responses even more based on the feedback received at pitches.

Give the presentation structure

An effective pitch has a structure that makes it easy to follow. A common structure follows this format:

  • What the client’s problem is
  • The solution
  • Agreeing to the next steps with the client

Whatever structure you decide on ensure that it’s simple as you’re less likely to lose the client this way.

Course promotion image

Dealing with nerves

Remember that you haven’t been invited to pitch for the purpose of being ridiculed – the clients wants to hear how you can help their company. Plan for  managing your nerves  by:

  • Avoiding consuming too much caffeine beforehand as this is a stimulant and can leave you feeling more nervous and shaky.
  • Preparing music or a podcast that you can listen to on the way to the pitch.
  • Find a  mindfulness exercise  you’d feel comfortable doing as you travel to the venue.
  • Master controlled breathing beforehand so you can engage in this right before beginning the pitch.
  • If you have time, engage in exercise beforehand. Exercising releases endorphins which reduce stress levels and make you feel better.
  • Recognise that it’s unlikely that the clients will know that you’re feeling nervous – you do not look as anxious as you feel. If you’re finding it difficult to hide your nerves you can use this energy to emphasise your emotions, such as, the excitement you feel at one of the product’s features. The emotion you display will hide your nerves.

Learn more about using  AI to practice your sales pitches .

Open the pitch with energy and a strong posture

First impressions  have a huge impact on your sales pitch so shuffling in and looking nervously around as you set up will ensure you lose the client’s attention. Instead, practice maintaining eye contact with each audience member for a few seconds and keep your shoulders open so that you seem friendly and approachable.

Open with enthusiasm and ensure that you speak clearly from the outset – if you’re nervous you may automatically speed up your pitch so if you notice you’re doing this pause, take a few breaths and then continue at a slower rate.

Use your posture to show that you feel confident and comfortable. Stand tall and straight without slouching, keep your feet shoulder-width apart and evenly distribute your weight on both feet. This shows you feel confident in your product/services, it also discourages nervous movements and opens up your diaphragm to help you speak loudly and clearly.

Keep it short

Don’t start the pitch with a long monologue about yourself and the company’s history. This information can be found online and it’s likely that the client has already viewed it. You can provide a brief summary but move on quickly as you have limited time to get to the content the client actually care about.

Use an impressive cover slide

People engage much more with information displayed visually as opposed to just text. It’s therefore vital that you show either clear images, diagrams and other visual material, keeping text to a minimum. A vibrant and  appealing cover slide  will capture their attention right away.

Practice Sales Pitching

Improve your sales pitching skills by practicing in interactive exercises with automated feedback on performance. Learn More

Offer a solution to their needs

A  study has shown that  “only 13% of executive buyers believe that a salesperson can clearly show they understand their business issues and articulate a way to solve them.”

The key element in every sales pitch is offering a solution to the client’s needs – this is where you should focus most of your attention. You need to outline the problems and present the solution as a saleable and actionable product.

You might think that your product is great so you want to talk about all of its features but your client isn’t interested in your product – they’re only interested in what it will do for them. How can you make their life easier, how can you help run their business more effectively and help them be more successful? Translate the features into your client’s benefits.

Focus on confidence when presenting

It’s easy to practice the content of your pitch but you need to work on how you deliver the message. Don’t be doubtful in a pitch, for example, avoid saying “I’m hoping that… I’m aiming for…” Absolutes are better, such as, “It will” – you need to reflect certainty as this shows that you believe in the product so everyone else should as well.

Your body language and voice need to project enthusiasm and confidence. Imagine that somebody who doesn’t understand your language is watching your pitch – they should still get the impression that you have confidence in what you’re saying, know what you’re talking about and enjoy talking about it.

Tips for confident body language:

  • Use the power pose (there is some  debate over how effective this is )
  • Maintain eye contact with the buyers
  • Use gestures to emphasise points
  • Match facial expressions with what you’re saying
  • Reduce nervous habits
  • Slowly and steadily breathe
  • Use vocal variety appropriately

For more details read our  8 Elements of Confident Body Language

Example of delivering a confident pitch

MIT’s 100K finale presentation:

MIT’s 100K finale presentation in 2015. The winner was Raptor Maps, a drone-based approach to monitoring crop health and yields. Watch team members Nikhil Vadhavkar and Forrest Meyen deliver the winning sales pitch!

Notice the following:

  • How they open the presentation
  • Confidence when presenting
  • Deal with questions at the end
  • Tell a story
  • Use positive body language

Use simple language

Your aim is to be clear and easy to understand. Don’t use jargon unless it’s standard in their industry. Remove unnecessary buzzwords, such as “synergy”.

Be genuine and listen

Clients should not feel bullied or forced into a choice and being pushy will guarantee a bad relationship. Go into your pitch focusing on how you can help your prospect because you’re already approaching the pitch in a way of putting their needs first.

The most effective sales pitches facilitate a two-way exchange between the seller and client – it’s more of a conversation. This dialogue helps build better relationships. So try to deliver the pitch in a way that prompts them to share information with you. The following tips can help with this:

  • Allow the client to interrupt
  • Ensure that you don’t have an exact script because this will come across as insincere – having talking points is fine but a script is not because each interaction will differ and it needs to be tailored to the client
  • Ask questions
  • Present information in which they can agree or disagree with
  • If you’re not comfortable trying to involve the client throughout your pitch, incorporate Q&A afterwards

When your client speaks really listen to them and don’t just wait for them to stop speaking so you can move on to your next talking point. No amount of preparation can replace thoughtful listening. Only then can you suitably address any apprehensions and decide whether your goods are the right match for them.

Also respond with thoughtful follow-up questions as this is crucial to understanding their needs and closing the deal. If you’re listening and asking the right questions you can adjust your message to attract the buyer.

Tell a success story

Clients  love to hear a story  about how you have helped another client and the more detailed you can be with this the better. Don’t give them an overly detailed account of how you helped, but be sure to provide some concrete numbers. Telling them that a similar company invested X and got Y in return will show them that what you are saying really works and has a proven track record.

Providing actual numbers to highlight improvement sounds significantly more impressive, such as this client saw their userbase grow by 3x, or this client increased their revenue by 10% due to our implementation.

Tell a success story in your sales pitch

Distinguish your product / services from competitors

You should describe how your product or service is different from competitors. It can be useful to ask the client about their experiences with similar products because this has the benefit of leading into why your product/service is unique and it also helps initiate a conversation.

Show value for money

Every client wants to see the value they will get form their investment. Make it clear how what you are offering will benefit the company. Diagrams, headers and testimonials will help you here. Give them impressive figures that they can jot down, remember and come back to when considering the pitch.

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Use visual aids carefully

If your product can be demonstrated then show this in your pitch.

Slides can be useful to structure the presentation and show certain aspects of a product’s benefits. But they can also be a distraction as you or your audience may start reading which can reduce the authenticity of your pitch. Also, static visuals can’t match your voice’s enthusiasm. Top salespeople deliver pitches without slides as this leads into conversation faster.

If you feel that you need slides then display a title that conveys the key points of each slide, include a visual element and include no more than three pieces of information on each slide.

Read our article on  using visual aids during a pitch .

Limit your number of solutions

It can be tempting to offer clients a large range of solutions at varying price points to ensure a sale, but this can actually be detrimental to the pitch. Keeping the list of options  down to a minimum  shows that they are well thought through and makes them stand out as the key solutions. If you have a wide range of solutions this may confuse the client.

Use the words of happy customers

Supporting your claims with the words of other clients can go a  long way . Statistics show that 5 reviews is the magic number for increasing online sales and the same principle applies in a sales pitch. Telling the client about a happy customer is one thing, but showing them how happy a customer is in their own words is another thing entirely.

Integrate your most complimentary testimonials into the pitch and you’ll be more likely to convert. Clients will believe the words of others and trust you more when they see how others have praised you in the industry.

Don’t pressure sell

One key thing to avoid in your pitch is the pressure sell. Using tactics like offering a discount if they sign up now will only put prospective clients off and drive your pitch into the ground. It is important that the client sees the purchase as their own decision based on well thought out business principles.

The best you can do is to lay the arguments for a purchase in front of them clearly and allow them to decide that this is the right step to take. As long as your call to action is strong enough then they will make the right decision in the time frame you have outlined for them.

Read more about this in our article:  Powerful Sales Techniques and Tips

Ask if clarification is needed

Sometimes a sales pitch fails because the client was not clear on some key features of your goods. Avoid this by providing them with a chance to ask questions and ask if they need more information on something.

This can also help: prompt a conversation between you and the client which can build better relationships, make you seem more genuine and it gets you to repeat and emphasise the value of what you’re selling.

End with a clear call to action

The final stage in any pitch is to end on a clear call to action. Tell the client what needs to happen in order for them to realise the results that you have discussed. Set some clear timelines of when they can see results if they meet your call to action. If you can tell a client that they can achieve a goal by a certain date then they will recognise that delaying is only to their detriment.

Don’t wait for your prospect to make the call to action – this is your responsibility and not doing this could lead to the relationship or meeting ending before you have met your reason for coming.

End your sales pitch with a clear call to action

Remember to close and agree to next steps

As it’s a dialogue you might forget to close, in fact a study found that 85% of the meetings between sellers and clients end without the seller ever asking for the sale. But closing is crucial.

You’ve done most of the work already, all you need to do now is  ask for their business . Don’t talk yourself out of the sale- ask for their business and don’t add any more information as you’ve already provided this. Avoid filling the silence and allow them to think before they respond. The close should feel like a natural progression from the rest of your pitch so asking for their business will seem like the next logical step.

You may need to negotiate with the client. You may get a “maybe” or a “yes” even if they’ve initially declined. Consider offering samples or trial periods.

After a client has decided to buy they want to get the best deal. There are rules:

  • Know your price  – know your numbers beforehand and decide when you have to walk away from the deal. If a client can’t afford to pay what your goods are worth then they might not be right for your business.
  • Be quiet  – let them do the talking, by not talking at the right time clients often negotiate on your behalf.

Deal with rejection respectfully and gracefully

You need to be ok with a “no” and go into the next meeting feeling positive and enthusiastic. The number of companies who won’t buy is always larger than the number who will so anticipate rejection, accept it gracefully and thank the buyers for their time.

Ask for referrals

If you have built up a positive relationship with your prospect ask for referrals to other potential clients. Ensure that you ask for a quick email introduction as a name and phone number is unlikely to generate a reply.

If you have been referred your pitch is likely to be well-received as you are already viewed as credible and worth listening to.

Ensure that you have a follow-up in place

80% of all deals are made in the follow-up so when you end the pitch and walk out of the door you want to already have your follow-up or at least a mechanism to follow up in place. If you leave with no means to contact the client then you will effectively be cold calling when you pick up the phone to make contact again.

But if you have a meeting lined up or a call in the diary then you can leave with a clear time frame for them to consider the proposal and reach a conclusion. This will add urgency without pressure and will increase your chances of success.

Send a follow-up email within 24 hours thanking the client for the meeting despite the outcome. If you made plans for next steps, such as setting up another meeting, getting a referral, sending more information etc., then include this in the message.

Continue to follow-up until you get a yes or a definite no. Never interpret a lack of response as a no. You have to be relentless.

Review and amend your pitch

Think about what went well and what didn’t and alter your pitch.

How to practice your sales pitch

Following the steps above will ensure that your sales pitch is clear, direct and effective, but there is still no replacement for practice. Making a sales pitch is much like acting in that you need to convey the message in a certain way to elicit the reaction that you desire. Very few people can make a great sales pitch on the first attempt, so you will need to practice.

Begin with a solid pitch that is ready to present to a client and read it through until you are familiar with each slide. You are then ready to practice.

Practice for a video-based sales pitch

Many people now deliver sales pitches remotely through online video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Teams. We now have to build relationships with prospects online, understand their needs online, and present our solutions over video.

Video conferencing simulations allow you to practice delivering a sales pitch in a virtual setting.

Learn more about practicing for your video-based pitch:

  • Course: Video based sales pitching

Practice in Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality allows you to practice different sales pitching techniques in a safe, realistic environment. You can practice high stakes situations, such as pitching to important clients, as often as you like until you are confident with your approach.

Sales pitch in VR

Practicing in this way also allows you to receive feedback on your performance. Through speech recognition and motion detection software, you can receive feedback on eye contact, number of hesitation words used, pace of your voice and other metrics.

Benefits of training in VR:

  • Load your own presentation slides into the virtual room to practice with
  • Instant feedback on your sales pitch
  • Eye contact feedback to help you engage with the clients
  • Prepare with realistic environments and audience
  • Practice high stakes situations as often as you like
  • Identify keywords you are saying and how often

Learn more about how you can practice in VR:

  • Course: Sales Pitch and Closing with VR
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Why the Arrest of Telegram’s CEO Should Worry Everyone. Yes, Including You.

Pavel durov was arrested by french authorities on saturday—kicking off a firestorm of concerns about government overreach, privacy, and free speech..

If you’re connected to the tech world or even slightly interested in it, you probably noticed and were maybe even alarmed by a major event this past weekend: the sudden arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov by French authorities at Le Bourget Airport, outside Paris, late Saturday night. This action was reportedly taken as part of the French government’s investigation into illegal activity coordinated across Durov’s app, a secretive messaging platform often employed by networks of criminals and scammers (though by no means exclusively so ). It took until Monday for the French government to provide an official release on the charges it was investigating—including “complicity” in the distribution of drugs and child sexual abuse material—with regard to a different suspected criminal. After holding him for 96 hours, French law enforcement transferred Durov from police custody to a Parisian court, where he awaits further questioning and a possible indictment as of Wednesday afternoon. [ Update, Aug. 28, 2024, at 4:22 p.m.: Le Monde reported Wednesday that a French judge has indicted Durov on all 12 charges laid out by the French Court of Justice. Per a judicial press release, Durov is to be “placed under judicial supervision, with the obligation to pay bail of 5 million euros; to report to the police station twice a week; and to be banned from leaving French territory.” ]

There were few other details offered about Durov’s prosecution in the immediate aftermath, and there remain plenty of questions, as well as legitimate concerns , about why all this is happening in the first place. So, naturally, the initial reactions sent out even bigger digital shock waves than the arrest itself had. Right-wingers like Tucker Carlson ( who interviewed Durov on his post–Fox News online show back in April and calls him a “ friend ”) declared that his arrest was an indicator of democratic backsliding among NATO-member nations like France and the United States. This sentiment was echoed by venture capitalist and podcaster David Sacks, who implied that an international deep-state apparatus had worked to crack down on this free-speech platform. (An odd theory, considering that French President Emmanuel Macron himself uses Telegram and had held a private lunch with Durov in 2018.) Elon Musk acolytes such as Ian Miles Cheong and Naomi Seibt catapulted off Sacks’ claim to warn that this was all a pretext for these governments to go after X, another supposed “ free-speech bastion .”

Other reactions were more uncertain, due to the vague nature of the case. The New York Times’ Zeynep Tufekci urged caution before calling Durov’s arrest a “free speech infringement,” as did Stanford Cyber Policy Center expert Daphne Keller . Techdirt’s Mike Masnick noted that the French press release had not “calmed the concerns that this is overreach, but nothing has made it clear that it definitely  is  overreach either.” A legal counselor for the digital-rights watchdog Access Now tweeted that even though Telegram has historically been terrible about protecting its users and abiding by regulations, the French government’s actions could still set a troubling precedent for government overreach.

Because Telegram is popular primarily in other countries, Americans may know little about Pavel Durov, his signature app, and why any of this matters—and it does matter, even if you’re completely in the dark on the exact reasons. Allow me to break it all down below.

So, who is Pavel Durov?

Durov is a Russian tech entrepreneur who rose to success in the mid-2000s, when he was inspired by the emergence of Facebook to create a similar social network for Russian users. With the help of two university classmates and his older brother Nikolai, Durov launched the website VKontakte , better known as VK, to the public in 2007. It quickly became Russia’s most popular social network, a status it maintains today.

However, Durov clashed with the Russian government on multiple occasions: in 2011, after officials demanded that VK scrub accounts belonging to opposition politicians contesting that year’s elections; and in 2014, when Russia requested personal data belonging to various Ukrainian protesters and also asked that Durov obscure famed dissident Alexei Navalny’s page from broader access. After these conflicts, Durov was fired from VK, inspiring him to flee Russia and begin working on a different venture.

I assume that venture was Telegram?

Correct! The year before he left VK (and Russia), Durov worked again with Nikolai to develop and launch Telegram, meant to be a “ secure and fun ” platform that offered various means by which users could protect from undue surveillance the messages they sent one another: encryption options, lack of ability to forward messages from one established chat room to a different one, increased bandwidth for quickly transmitting large files and attachments, and an option to set “self-destruct” timers on particular messages.

Such features (particularly the forwarding and storage terms, as well as the wide number of participants who could join one relatively unregulated chatroom) differentiated Telegram from other secure texting apps, like Signal and WhatsApp—it also became something of a social network. Telegram rode its creator’s fame to garner hundreds of thousands of users within months of its launch, earning quick uptake in regions including the Middle East and East Asia, where communicators looked to duck government overreach and censorship. In subsequent years, Telegram’s base grew to encompass hundreds of millions of users , many of them based in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and even Durov’s home country of Russia.

Seems like a cool app. What’s the issue?

There have been many. One of them deals with the nature of Telegram’s supposed encryption. Unlike WhatsApp and Signal, end-to-end encryption is not the default option for messages on the platform, and it’s difficult for lay users to manually encrypt each conversation they’d wish to protect, as Johns Hopkins University professor and cryptographer Matthew Green has written . This is before you even get into the custom chat rooms and one-way broadcast channels with large numbers of participants—Telegram’s most popular, and least secured, feature. With its lack of default encryption for the vast majority of messages, plus its habit of storing messages in plain text on its servers, Telegram’s contents were clearly not as safeguarded as its marketing would have you believe.

Oh, yeah, and it maybe wasn’t a great free-speech platform either, given that it granted a 2017 request from the Iranian government to shut down a grassroots protest channel that had called for violent action. Though in fairness, the app has stood firm against other censorship orders from autocracies like Myanmar and Russia, the latter of which temporarily banned the app in 2018.

Other issues were reputational. If you’d heard of Telegram at any point over the past few years, it was probably because you’d stumbled across a story of the app being used for crimes: cryptocurrency scams , distribution of unlawfully hacked or stolen data , sales of illegal products like drugs and weapons, and the nonconsensual spread of sexts and pornographic images—including child sexual abuse .

Durov’s principled stance against government-driven privacy violations often ran up against the app’s lack of 1) user protection, 2) anti-crime provisions, and 3) internal moderation, which allowed many hateful actors to transmit horrific rhetoric and video. Its anti-government stance also meant that it refused to even voluntarily report to regulatory authorities instances of distribution of child-sexual-abuse material, which made international law enforcement’s job all the more difficult.

So what landed Durov in trouble this time?

The details remain sketchy, but here’s what we know for sure. On Saturday, Durov flew from Azerbaijan to France on his private jet—along with his bodyguard and a crypto influencer named Juli Vavilova —and was arrested after disembarking at Le Bourget, where the French child-sexual-abuse investigation agency OFMIN served him a warrant . Per the release from the French Court of Justice, the ongoing investigation, which kicked off July 8, was not meant to specifically target Durov; there is allegedly a different, still-unidentified individual in the crosshairs.

According to a Wednesday-morning Politico report , France sent out arrest warrants for Durov and Nikolai back in March , “after the messaging platform gave ‘no answer’ to an earlier judicial request to identify a Telegram user.” This user, according to the French undercover investigation that spurred the warrants, evidently “discussed luring underaged girls into sending ‘self-produced child pornography,’ ” threatened “to release it on social media,” and “told the investigators he had raped a young child.” Following Telegram’s refusal to name the suspect, French law enforcement called the platform out with regard to the other criminal activities that occur there, as well as the Durovs’ consistent avoidance of government authority.

In addition, Durov is the subject of a criminal complaint in Switzerland, per Forbes , which was filed by a former partner of his who claimed he regularly abused one of the children they’d had together. That case has no bearing on France’s, but it signals further legal trouble for Durov.

So Durov is definitely being held liable for … something. There is only one direct charge in the French court’s release (money laundering), and the rest are far more abstract. There are six complaints for which the accused is held to be “complicit”: possessing and spreading child porn, managing an online platform for illegal transactions, committing “organized fraud,” providing access to hacking tools “without legitimate reason,” and selling drugs. One further charge consists of “refusal to communicate” helpful material to appropriate crime-busting authorities, and yet another involves a vague “criminal association with a view to committing a crime or an offense punishable by 5 or more years of imprisonment.”

The most worrying charges for free-speech advocates come at the end. There are two counts around the provision of “cryptology services”—in this case, privatized messaging encoded to be invisible to third parties—that don’t require users to register their real identities or prove that they’re not criminals. There’s one more count of “importing” such a service “without prior declaration”—which would imply that France sees the use of internationally based, unregulated “encryption” service as a crime all its own.

If Telegram is being targeted for simply existing as the secretive platform it purports to be, that could certainly spell trouble for digital privacy globally. Whether or not you like Telegram, the fact is that messaging services with options for end-to-end encryption are an essential, popular, and easily accessible means by which users can avoid undue surveillance from repressive governmental authorities, overly intrusive cops, and bad-faith actors who’d like to disrupt righteous protests and rallies. If France decides that encryption itself is bad because criminals may use it, its fellow European Union members may wish to follow suit—and privacy all over the world will suffer.

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Traveling ,  Rese~~POS=TRUNC

Ska jag gå till kaliningrad i oktober tips.

Travelers väder frågor står ofta i första hand. Detta är förståeligt, eftersom det under resan kommer att ha en hel del tid i det fria, så vill inte förstöra intrycket av dåligt väder. Frågan om hur vädret i Kaliningrad i oktober och om att gå vid denna tid i denna stad, förekommer naturligt i alla turister. Berätta vilka funktioner semester i Kaliningrad i oktober, och bevisa att det är värt att gå alltid, även i oktober.

geografisk position

Kaliningrad - en stad där alla funktioner från dess geografiska läge. Kaliningradregionen - är den västligaste delen av Ryssland, den är skild från resten av landet länderna av andra stater och ansluts endast till sjöss. Därför är regionen polueksklavom. Kaliningrad ligger på stranden av Pregel floden, som rinner ut i Vistulalagunen i Östersjön. Staden är hem för omkring en halv miljon människor och en yta på 224 kvadratmeter. km. Från Moskva stad separerade med 1200 km. Lindring av staden är platt, det är helt enkelt skapas för promenader.

Historien om staden

Kaliningrad - en stad med en fantastisk öde. I 6-12: e-talen på Pregel River var en preussisk fästning Tvangste, historiska beskrivningar och dokument om denna byggnad återstod bara en legend. I 1255, en ointaglig fästning, som motstod ett stort antal attacker, fångades av den kombinerade armé av Tyska orden och kungen av Böhmen Otakar II. På platsen för ruinerna av Grand Master av beställa bestämde han sig för att bygga sin bostad. Så i 1255 den första stenen av staden Königsberg, Kaliningrad i framtiden lades.

Först var det staplade träkonstruktion, och sedan började byggandet och tegel slott. Under flera decennier, gjorde preussiska trupperna inte lämna förhoppningar att fånga slottet, men deras försök misslyckades. Inledningsvis var staden som bebos av de preussiska människor, men så småningom staden mer och mer kommer av det tyska folket, det finns en assimilering och bildandet av en ny bild av en stadsbo.

Först växte uppgörelse i staden, slottets väggar, men med 13-talet antalet invånare ökar kraftigt, börjar utvecklingen av mark och runt slottet befästningar, som blev känd som Altstadt (Gamla stan). I 1333 började byggandet av katedralen i det nya distriktet i staden - på Kneiphof ön. Historiskt den administrativa uppdelningen av Königsberg.

I mitten av 15-talet flyttade staden huvudstad i Tyska orden, som på den tiden erkände polska vasall. Ekonomisk och politisk betydelse uppgörelsen ökat kraftigt. I mitten av 16-talet, öppnade universitetet här, som idag är den äldsta i Ryssland. Under denna period blev staden ett viktigt centrum för litauisk kultur. Under 1758, under de sju år kriger under en längre tid, blev staden en del av det ryska imperiet. I den 19: e århundradet, staden aktivt uppgraderas, byggd vatten och avloppsnätet byggs observatorium lanserade spårvagn.

I början av 20-talet, flygplatsen öppnade här går universell elektrifiering. Under andra världskriget, var staden utsatts för svår bombningar och förstördes av 60%, har hela historiska centrum blivit en fast ruiner. Som ett resultat av den Potsdam överenskommelsen Kenigsberg gick till Sovjetunionen och döptes Kaliningrad.

Efter det är staden mycket snabbt återställas, även om den historiska utseende till stor del bleka och Katedralen i årtionden stod som en påminnelse om kriget. I den postsovjetiska eran har börjat ett svårt livet i staden, fann han sig i isolering. Först fanns svårigheter med livsuppehållande, men i början av 21-talet, staden kunde bygga upp sina liv och anpassa sig till nya förhållanden.

Idag är området inte bara en stor turistattraktion, men också en attraktiv plats att leva. Framme i Kaliningrad i oktober, kan du bekanta dig med sin historia och ta en promenad genom dess gator utan knuffas och publik.

Klimat och väder

Det geografiska läget och närheten till den varma Golfströmmen ger tillräckligt bekväma förhållanden för att leva i staden. Tempererat kontinentala, med funktionerna i havet ger klimatet varma, svala somrar och korta milda vintern. genomsnittliga parameter Den årliga temperaturen hålls i plus 8 grader märket.

Vanlig väder i Kaliningrad i oktober - det är ett plus på 10 grader, och 10 dagar med nederbörd under månaden. Fallet med små nattfrost och vissa år eftermiddagsluften kan värmas upp till 20 grader.

Det viktigaste tecknet på klimatet i Kaliningrad - föränderlighet. Det finns alltid måste vara redo för sol och regn. Oftare än prognosen i oktober (Kaliningrad) säger att en eventuell nederbörd och förväntas delvis molnigt. Och oftast dessa förutsägelser besannas.

Funktioner semester i oktober

Det fina med hans ankomst i Kaliningrad i oktober ligger främst i det faktum att vid denna tid lämnar de främsta turistströmmarna och staden återvänder till sitt vanliga, livets rytm. Vid denna tid på säsongen öppnas i teatrar och konsertsalar, en aktiv klubb livet, det finns gott om olika aktiviteter. Därför uttråkad i Kaliningrad inte behöver. Milda vädret gör att du kan ta långa promenader, sightseeing. Därför har de som tror och om att gå till Kaliningrad i oktober, är svaret enkelt - det är nödvändigt!

sevärdheter

Sightseeing - den viktigaste punkten i programmet för dem som kommer till Kaliningrad i oktober. Recensioner erbjuder bra utflykt för att utforska staden och dess förorter. Det första man måste se - det är Kant ö Cathedral, gångbanor, som gick en stor filosof och hans grav. Ön - en perfekt plats för promenader, är det mycket tyst och atmosfären. Du måste också se den tidigare Rosenau kyrka, orgel Hall - före detta kyrka av den heliga familjen, en dockteater - den tidigare katedralen minnet av drottning Louise, byggnaden för mekanismen för vakten hög bro, Kungsporten.

Att se: Resetips

Resenärer som kommer till Kaliningrad i oktober, bör inte i yttrandet av rutinerade resenärer, hoppa över monument från andra världskriget - Kuriska näset, en ubåt B-431. Det är också klokt att gå till Svetlogorsk, beundra Östersjön och dyka in den mysiga atmosfären i kurorten vakant. Det är också värt att hitta roliga byggnad - "Inverted House" - och leta efter alla portar den tidigare staden befästningar.

Gör så här: Travel Tips

Kaliningrad semester i oktober, som har sin egen charm, med vatten, med fiskare. I alla väder, kan du komma till Complex "fiskebyn" är en modern, stiliserad byggandet av hotell, idrottsanläggningar, spa, restauranger. Det är trevligt för en promenad eller sitta på ett café, beundra alltid vackra Kaliningrad luft och vatten. Staden har en vacker bärnstens museum, där man kan tillbringa några timmar eller till och med köpa souvenirer. Naturälskare kommer att bli mycket intressant att besöka Sjöhistoriska museet eller djurparken. Kvällen kan du spendera på orgelkonsert i domkyrkan. Älskare av ovanliga förnimmelser lokalbefolkningen uppmanas att vandra genom ett stort antal fängelsehålor Kaliningrad, som en guide är bättre att ta en erfaren guide.

praktisk information

Om du tänker Kaliningrad, är det värt att ta hand om hotellet i förväg. Även i oktober fria rum kommer inte att saknas, men du kan be om en rabatt från hotellet ägare när du bokar, eftersom högsäsongen är redan över. Den historiska stadskärnan är liten, men för en snabb rörelse på stadsrundtur rekommenderas att använda kollektivtrafiken, det finns en väl utvecklad busstrafik. I staden en hel del kaféer och restauranger, så mat är inga problem. För dem som vill spara alltid öppna en kantin i den äldsta universitet.

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Naglalakbay ,  Travel Tips

Dapat ko bang pumunta sa kaliningrad sa tips oktubre.

Travelers isyu ng panahon ay madalas na tumayo sa unang lugar. Ito ay naiintindihan, dahil sa panahon ng biyahe ay magkaroon ng isang pulutong ng mga oras sa open air, kaya huwag nais upang palayawin ang impression ng masamang panahon. Ang tanong ng kung ano ang lagay ng panahon sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre at kung upang pumunta sa oras na ito sa bayang ito, natural ay nangyayari sa lahat ng mga turista. Sabihin sa amin kung anong mga tampok holiday sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre, at patunayan na ito ay nagkakahalaga ng upang pumunta lagi, kabilang sa Oktubre.

heograpikal na posisyon

Kaliningrad - isang lungsod kung saan ang lahat ng mga tampok mula sa kanyang mga heograpikal na posisyon. Kaliningrad rehiyon - ay ang pinaka-kanlurang rehiyon ng Russia, ito ay pinaghihiwalay mula sa natitirang bahagi ng bansa ang mga lupain ng iba pang mga estado at nakakonekta lamang sa pamamagitan ng dagat. Samakatuwid, ang rehiyon ay polueksklavom. Kaliningrad ay matatagpuan sa mga bangko ng Pregel River, na daloy sa ang Vistula Lagoon ng Baltic Sea. Ang lungsod ay tahanan sa tungkol sa kalahati ng isang milyong mga tao at isang lugar ng 224 metro kwadrado. km. Mula sa Moscow city separated by 1200 km. Ang lunas ng lungsod ay flat, kailangan lang ng ito ay nilikha para sa paglalakad.

Kasaysayan ng bayan

Kaliningrad - isang lungsod na may isang kahanga-hangang kapalaran. Sa ika 6-12 siglo sa Pregel River ay isang Prussian fortress Tvangste, makasaysayang mga paglalarawan at mga dokumento tungkol sa gusaling ito ay nanatili lamang ng isang alamat. Sa 1255, isang hindi maigugupo muog, na kung saan ay nakipagpunyagi sa maraming mga pag-atake, ay nakunan ng pinagsamang hukbo ng mga Teutonic Knights at ang Hari ng Bohemia Otakar II. Sa site ng mga lugar ng pagkasira ng Grand Master ng Order siya ay nagpasya na bumuo ng kanyang paninirahan. Kaya sa 1255 ang unang bato ng lungsod ng Konigsberg, Kaliningrad sa hinaharap ay nalagay.

Sa una ito ay nakasalansan kahoy na istraktura, at pagkatapos ay nagsimula ang konstruksiyon at brick kastilyo. Para sa ilang mga dekada, ang Pruso hukbo ay hindi mag-iwan ng pag-asa upang makuha ang kastilyo, ngunit ang kanilang mga pagtatangka ay nabigo. Sa una, ang lungsod ay may nakatira sa pamamagitan ng Pruso mga tao, ngunit dahan-dahan sa lungsod ng higit pa at higit pa pagdating ng Aleman mga tao, mayroong isang paglagom at ang pagbuo ng isang bagong imahe ng isang dweller lungsod.

Una, ang pag-areglo ay lumago sa loob ng lungsod, kastilyo pader, ngunit sa pamamagitan ng ika-13 siglo ang bilang ng mga naninirahan nadadagdagan nang husto, magsisimula na pag-unlad ng lupa at sa paligid ng fortifications kastilyo, kung saan naging kilala bilang ang Altstadt (Old Town). Sa 1333 ito ay nagsimula ang konstruksiyon ng katedral sa bagong distrito ng lungsod - sa Kneiphof isla. Ayon sa kasaysayan ng mga administratibong dibisyon ng Königsberg.

Noong kalagitnaan ng ika-15 siglo, ang lungsod ay inilipat ang kabisera ng Teutonic Order, na kung saan sa panahon pleaded Polish kampon. Economic at pampulitikang kabuluhan ng pag-areglo ay lumaking mainam. Noong kalagitnaan ng ika-16 siglo, ang unibersidad binuksan dito, na ngayon ay ang pinakaluma sa Russia. Sa panahong ito, ang lungsod ay naging isang mahalagang sentro ng Lithuanian kultura. Sa 1758, sa panahon ng Digmaang Pitong Taon 'para sa ilang oras, ang lungsod ay naging bahagi ng Russian Empire. Sa ika-19 siglo, ang lungsod ay aktibong ina-upgrade, na binuo ng tubig at alkantarilya network ay binuo observatory, inilunsad tram.

Sa simula ng ika-20 siglo, sa airport binuksan here goes unibersal magpakuryente. Sa panahon ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, ang lungsod ay sumailalim sa matinding pambobomba at ay nawasak sa pamamagitan ng 60%, ang buong makasaysayang sentro ay naging isang matatag na lugar ng pagkasira. Bilang isang resulta ng Potsdam agreement Kenigsberg napunta sa Sobiyet Union at ay pinalitan Kaliningrad.

Pagkatapos nito, ang lungsod ay masyadong mabilis na naibalik, kahit na ang makasaysayang hitsura sa kalakhan kupas, at Cathedral para sa mga dekada nakatayo bilang isang paalala ng digmaan. Sa post-Sobiyet panahon ay nagsimula ang isang mahirap na buhay ng lungsod, natagpuan niya ang kanyang sarili sa paghihiwalay. Sa una ay may problema sa suporta ng buhay, ngunit sa pamamagitan ng sa simula ng ika-21 siglo, ang lungsod ay magagawang muling itayo ang kanilang buhay at iakma sa mga bagong kundisyon.

Ngayon, ang rehiyon ay hindi lamang isang pangunahing turista-akit, ngunit din ng isang kaakit-akit na lugar upang mabuhay. Dadating sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre, maaari kang makakuha ng pamilyar sa kasaysayan nito at kumuha ng isang lakad sa pamamagitan ng mga kalye nito nang walang jostling at madla.

Klima at panahon

Ang heograpikal na posisyon at ang kalapitan ng ang mainit-init Gulf Stream nagbibigay ng sapat na komportable kondisyon para sa buhay sa lungsod. Mapagtimpi kontinental, na may mga tampok ng dagat, ang klima ay nagbibigay sa mainit-init, cool na summers at maikling banayad taglamig. Ang average na taunang parameter temperatura ay itatago sa plus 8 degrees sa marka.

Karaniwang panahon sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre - ito ay isang plus sa 10 degrees, at 10 araw na may pag-ulan sa panahon ng buwan. Ang kaso ng mga maliliit na gabi frosts, at sa ilang taon hapon air maaaring warmed ng hanggang sa 20 degrees.

Ang pangunahing tanda ng klima ng Kaliningrad - changeability. May ay palaging kailangan upang maging handa para sa araw at ulan. Higit pang madalas kaysa sa forecast noong Oktubre (Kaliningrad) sabi na ang mga posibleng pag-ulan at inaasahang bahagyang maulap. At karaniwan ay ang mga paghuhula dumating totoo.

Mga Tampok holiday sa Oktubre

Ang kagandahan ng kanyang pagdating sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre lalo na namamalagi sa ang katunayan na sa pamamagitan ng oras na ito mag-iwan ang mga pangunahing daloy ng mga turista at ang nagbabalik lungsod sa kanyang dati, ang ritmo ng buhay. Sa oras na ito ang panahon magbubukas sa mga sinehan at concert hall, isang aktibong club buhay, diyan ay kasaganaan ng iba't-ibang mga gawain. Samakatuwid nababato sa Kaliningrad ay hindi na. May kaunting panahon ay nagbibigay-daan sa iyo upang kumuha ng mahabang paglalakad, pamamasyal. Samakatuwid, ang mga taong mag-isip at kung upang pumunta sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre, ang sagot ay simple - ito ay kinakailangan!

Pagliliwaliw - ang pangunahing punto ng programa para sa mga taong dumating sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre. Mga Review nag-aalok ng mahusay na excursion para tuklasin ang lungsod at Suburbs nito. Ang unang bagay upang makita - ito ay Kant island Cathedral, walkways, na lumakad ng isang mahusay na pilosopo, at ang kanyang libingan. Ang isla - isang perpektong lugar para sa paglalakad, ito ay lubos na tahimik at atmospheric. Kailangan mo ring upang makita ang dating Rosenau Church, Organ Hall - ang dating Church of the Holy Family, isang manika teatro - ang dating cathedral memorya ng Queen Louise, ang gusali para sa mga mekanismo ng guard mataas na tulay, Hari Gate.

Ano ang dapat makita: Travel tips

Travelers na pumupunta sa Kaliningrad sa Oktubre, dapat hindi, sa opinyon ng napapanahong mga biyahero, laktawan ang monumento mula sa Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig - ang Curonian Spit, isang submarine B-431. Ito rin ay ipinapayo upang pumunta sa Svetlogorsk, humanga sa Baltic Sea at dive sa maginhawang kapaligiran ng spa town vacant. Ito rin ay nagkakahalaga ng paghahanap ng mga nakakatawang building - "Baliktad House" - at hanapin para sa lahat ng mga pintuan ng dating fortifications lungsod.

Ano ang gagawin: Travel Tips

Kaliningrad vacation sa Oktubre, na kung saan ay may sarili nitong kagandahan, na may tubig, na may mga mangingisda. Sa anumang panahon, maaari kang makakuha sa Complex "fishing village", ay isang modernong, inilarawan sa pangkinaugalian konstruksiyon ng mga hotel, sports facilities, spa, restaurant. Ito ay maganda para sa isang lakad o umupo sa isang cafe, hinahangaan ang laging maganda Kaliningrad hangin at tubig. Ang bayan ay may magandang amber museo, kung saan maaari mong gastusin ng ilang oras o kahit na bumili ng souvenirs. Nature lover ay napaka-interesante sa mga bisitahin ang Maritime Museum o ang zoo. Evening maaari mong gastusin sa Organ concert sa Katedral. Lovers ng hindi pangkaraniwang sensations lokal ay pinapayuhan upang malihis sa pamamagitan ng maraming mga dungeons Kaliningrad, bilang isang gabay ay mas mahusay na kumuha ng isang bihasang gabay.

praktikal na impormasyon

Kung ikaw ay pagpunta sa Kaliningrad, ito ay nagkakahalaga upang alagaan nang maaga sa hotel. Kahit na sa Oktubre ng libreng mga kuwarto ay hindi kulang sa panahon, ngunit maaari kang humiling ng isang discount mula sa may-ari ng hotel kapag nagbu-book, bilang ang mataas na panahon ay naka-higit sa. Ang makasaysayang sentro ng lungsod ay maliit, ngunit para sa isang mabilis na kilusan sa paglilibot lungsod ay inirerekumenda na gumamit ng pampublikong sasakyan, mayroong isang mahusay na binuo bus service. Sa lungsod ng maraming cafe at restaurant, kaya ang pagkain ay walang problema. Para sa mga taong gustong i-save ay palaging buksan ang isang kantina sa mga pinakalumang unibersidad.

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Kaliningrad: An imperial gem and a thorn in everyone’s side

A birds-eye view of Kaliningrad, Russia. August 2017.

Story by Sergey Faldin for  The Beet . Edited by Eilish Hart .

Bordering Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic Sea, the Kaliningrad region has no land links to the rest of the Russian Federation. And prior to World War II, it wasn’t part of Russia at all. The territory changed hands as a result of the Allied victory, passing from Adolf Hitler’s defeated Germany to Joseph Stalin’s USSR. The Soviet authorities stripped the region of its German population and heritage, changing the name of its capital from Königsberg to Kaliningrad and turning a centuries-old port city into a restricted military zone. Since 1991, Kaliningrad has become even more isolated, geopolitically speaking, as its neighbors joined NATO and the European Union. But local residents enjoyed the perks of proximity to E.U. countries and, in recent memory, even saw their city open its doors to the world during the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Just a few short years later, however, the fallout from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has left Kaliningrad and its residents cut off from Europe once again. Journalist Sergey Faldin reports for The Beet. 

This story first appeared in  The Beet , a weekly email dispatch from Meduza covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.  Sign up  here  to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.

In August 1944, British air attacks demolished most of the East Prussian city of Königsberg — literally “King’s Hill.” The next year, the German region became the first the Red Army entered on the Eastern Front of World War II, as it secured essential ports along the Baltic coast on its way to victory in Berlin. 

After four years of incessant fighting, starvation, and death, the Red Army saw the territory as a valuable “war trophy”; mass killings and atrocities against German civilians ensued. “The [Red Army] soldiers had all experienced the horrors of the German invasion. Nearly everyone in the Soviet Union had a family member or a friend who had died in the war,” Nicole Eaton , an Associate Professor of History at Boston College, told The Beet. “Everyone had gone hungry and had their lives torn apart by the German invaders. East Prussia, as the first German territory the Soviets entered, became a site of vengeance for them.” 

Soviet troops fighting in the Königsberg suburbs in 1945. The officer in the background is firing a German submachine gun.

Having occupied the region, the Red Army stayed. At the 1945 Potsdam Conference , the Allies carved up East Prussia, leaving Königsberg and much of its surrounding territory under Moscow’s control. In 1946, Königsberg became Kaliningrad, renamed after the Bolshevik revolutionary Mikhail Kalinin . The city would go on to become a Soviet military outpost with access to the Baltic Sea, a strategic point of control in Europe. Thus, as Eaton writes in her book German Blood, Slavic Soil , “Königsberg / Kaliningrad” became “the only city ruled by both Hitler and Stalin as their domain. Not only in wartime occupation but also as an integral part of their empires.”

More than half of Königsberg’s population of about 375,000 was either killed or displaced during the war. In its aftermath, the Soviet authorities initially prevented the region’s remaining Germans from leaving, only to deport them en masse in 1947–1948. “The region is unique in one aspect,” said historian Tomasz Kamusella , a Reader at the University of St Andrews, “which is that the history of its people dates back only to 1945.”

Indeed, by 1946, the Soviet program for “resettling” the Kaliningrad region had already started to gather speed, drawing settlers from across the Russian FSFR and, to a lesser extent, from Belarus and Ukraine. Having suffered through Nazi occupation and the destruction of their hometowns, many were ready to take the leap into new Soviet territory and rebuild their lives. By the early 1950s, roughly 400,000 people from across the Soviet Union had moved to Kaliningrad.  

When the USSR collapsed in 1991, and the neighboring Baltic countries regained independence, the territory and its residents were cut off from the rest of the newly formed Russian Federation, turning the Kaliningrad region into an exclave, which by the early 2000s would find itself wedged between E.U. and NATO members Lithuania and Poland. 

The newfound independence of former Communist states brought about an identity crisis: for the first time in 50 years, people in Kaliningrad could talk openly about what had happened to their city before and after World War II. “Suddenly, a new narrative was formed. Not just, ‘We came to build socialism on the ruins of fascism,’” said Eaton, referring to the Communist Party’s standard credo about Kaliningrad’s postwar construction. “People began thinking and talking about their German heritage in ways they hadn’t been able to before.” 

‘Gdańsk is closer than Moscow’ 

Eaton describes the 1990s and early 2000s as a period of “post-1991 Euro enthusiasm,” when Moscow granted relative freedom to the regions, enabling them to elect their governments without Kremlin interference. But by the mid-2000s, “Putin was re-envisioning Russia’s economic policy and started giving special attention to regions like Vladivostok and Kaliningrad,” Eaton explained. “Moscow poured a lot of money into these regions to make them feel more ‘Russian’ because as cosmopolitan port cities they seemed to be slipping away and forming strong local identities.” 

Pedestrians walk along a wall in Kaliningrad. March 2004.

“After 1991, we suddenly started to question, What is Kaliningrad? Kalinin’s city?  But he was a Bolshevik, and we’re not communists anymore,” said Yury , a crisis psychologist from Kaliningrad who now resides in Tbilisi. “Are we Prussians then? But we have no ties to them except the architecture.”

A local border traffic agreement with Poland (which lasted from 2012 to 2016, allowing Kaliningrad residents visa-free travel to nearby Polish provinces for up to 30 days) fostered ties with Europe and helped shape the identity of the people in the region as “ Russian Europeans .” Slowly, people began to acknowledge their city’s German past. “In 1995, Kaliningrad marked its 50th year as a [Russian] city; but in the early 2000s it was the 750th anniversary [of its founding],” Kamusella pointed out. “Everything that happened here is our history. Even the history of Prussia and the history of fascism,” a tour guide from Kaliningrad told The Beet. 

Kaliningrad’s status as a “special economic zone,” along with its European location and liberal tax policies , turned the region into a lucrative investment opportunity. Some predicted that it would become a “ Baltic Hong Kong .” Foreign investors helped fund urban renewal and reconstruction projects, as well as the creation of local history museums, transforming the birthplace of philosopher Immanuel Kant into an emerging tourist destination. 

“They are surrounded by Europe; it would be stupid not to trade,” says Maxim Mihutsky , an IT entrepreneur from Belarus residing in the Polish city of Gdańsk, some 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Kaliningrad. Indeed, many Kaliningrad residents used their proximity to Europe to start small businesses selling E.U. goods, shaping the region’s reputation as entrepreneurial. “Everyone has a side hustle; that’s just who we are,” said Petya , a tourism student in Kaliningrad (whose name has been changed for safety reasons). Others relished living the cross-border dream: the largest IKEA in the region is in Gdańsk, just two hours away. “There’s this Polish shop on the border; it has some of the best pies, cheese, and sausages,” Petya recalled dreamily. 

As of 2016, a staggering 82 percent of Kaliningraders had passports for foreign travel (by comparison, just 30 percent of Russians hold a passport in 2023). “I’m proud to be European, I’m proud to be the last part of Russia celebrating the New Year, and I’m proud of my Germanic ‘flavor,’” Sasha , a political activist from Kaliningrad (whose name has also been changed), told The Beet. 

‘Not an opposition town’

In 2009–2010, Kaliningrad rattled the Kremlin with massive anti-government protests; Moscow had to dispatch a special envoy to quell the unrest. According to Sasha, who has been an active protester for the past decade, these were the region’s first and last large-scale protests. Some of The Beet’s sources speculated that the heavy military presence in Kaliningrad — the home of Russia’s Baltic Fleet — and an alleged influx of officials who purchased land for cheap could explain the increasingly depoliticized atmosphere in the region. 

A rally against corruption and abuse of power in Kaliningrad’s Yuzhny Park. October 2010.

Kaliningrad saw a surge in political activity during the 2011–2013 Russian protests (also known as the Bolotnaya or Snow Revolution), but the movement was ultimately suppressed. “First, they canceled the special economic zone; then they stopped trying to turn Kaliningrad into anything other than just another Russian town,” said Yury. “After Bolotnaya, Kaliningrad couldn’t be independent anymore.” 

Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 escalated political repressions even further. The ensuing E.U. sanctions, together with the cancellation of the border agreement with Poland in 2016, also made it harder for Russians to travel to Europe. 

“My friends and I tried to go out with posters, but it looked pathetic,” recalled Sasha, speaking of the later demonstrations that shook Russia in 2017, after Alexey Navalny ’s exposé of then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ’s ill-begotten wealth. “Only ten or twenty people would go out on the streets. Kaliningrad is not and never will be an opposition town.” 

After Putin appointed Anton Alikhanov to serve as head of the Kaliningrad region in 2018, the new governor claimed there was no “special Kaliningrad identity,” underscoring that half the population wasn’t even born in the region. “Having a Moscow-appointed governor does mean a greater connection to Moscow,” said Eaton, recalling her own time in Kaliningrad and how locals often spoke of the perceived benefits of a “strong” governor who supposedly had Putin’s ear. “But it’s [about] whose interests are being met – that’s always the question,” she added. When asked about his attitude towards the Moscow-appointed governor, Sasha replied, “He’s a good man, and he’s been doing many things for the region. But I’m sure he steals.”  

Sasha was among the few in Kaliningrad who protested Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He recalled some 300 people taking to the city’s streets but said “nobody paid [them] any special attention.” 

A great asset to an empire

In late 2022, Warsaw announced plans to construct a temporary “wall” along Poland’s border with Kaliningrad, citing concerns about Moscow potentially turning the exclave into an illegal migration route (along the lines of the 2021 E.U. border crisis with Belarus). “It took so long to tear down those walls from a historical perspective,” Kamusella told The Beet. “Of course, we know why it’s being built, but as a historian, I also know that if erected, those walls will stand.” 

“The wall has significant repercussions,” said Eaton. “In many ways, it’s a continuation of a repeating tragedy from the past century. The region, once a polyglot and multiethnic community of German, Polish, and Lithuanian speakers, became Germanized by the Nazis, and then was Russianized by the Soviets. It’s tragic because Kalinigrad’s residents after the Soviet collapse could engage in these great cross-border exchanges and cultural dialogues once again, but now no longer.”

Despite these developments, the consensus appears to be that Kaliningrad remains more of an asset than a liability to the Kremlin. 

In 2018, a Russian official confirmed that Moscow had equipped the region with Iskander missiles — nuclear-capable rockets that could potentially reach not only the Baltic countries but also parts of Poland and, in certain circumstances , even Berlin. Experts debate if Kaliningrad is actually capable of launching nuclear attacks or if it’s just another Kremlin bluff. “I would say with 70-percent certainty there are nuclear missiles over there,” Kamusella said. “We all remember the Warsaw Pact and how that turned out.” (During the Cold War, the Soviet Union denied stockpiling nuclear weapons in Communist Poland, only to have their storage sites discovered after the Warsaw Pact dissolved in 1991.) 

“As long as Russia and NATO exist, Kaliningrad will be a thorn in NATO’s side and vice versa. I find it difficult to imagine Kaliningrad changing hands unless this war catastrophically escalates globally,” Eaton speculated. “From an imperial perspective, Kaliningrad is a great asset,” added Kamusella. “An exclave surrounded by the enemy? It justifies whatever military measures Russia takes in that region.”

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New homes and end to price-gouging: Harris sets economic goals

Kamala Harris has called for millions of new-build homes and first-time buyer help, tax breaks for families and a ban on grocery "price-gouging" in her first speech focused on economic policy.

The Democratic presidential nominee's plans build on ideas from the Biden administration and aim at addressing voter concerns after a surge in prices since 2021.

Many of the proposals would require action from Congress, where similar ideas have stalled in the past.

Donald Trump said the vice-president had already had more than three years with the administration to deliver her promises, which his campaign called "dangerously liberal".

"Where has she been and why hasn't she done it?" he asked.

Ms Harris hit back in a speech on Friday in North Carolina, stating: "I think that if you want to know who someone cares about, look at who they fight for.

"Donald Trump fights for billionaires and large corporations. I will fight to give money back to working and middle class Americans."

The campaign's proposals include a "first-ever" tax credit for builders of homes sold to first-time buyers, as well as up to $25,000 in down-payment assistance for "eligible" first time buyers, a move that her campaign estimated could reach four million households over four years.

She has also called for capping the monthly price of diabetes-drug insulin at $35 for everyone, finding ways to cancel medical debt, and giving families a $6,000 tax credit the year they have a new child.

She is supporting a federal law banning firms from charging excessive prices on groceries and urged action on a bill in Congress that would bar property owners from using services that "coordinate" rents.

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Democrats and their allies are hoping Ms Harris will prove a more forceful and trusted messenger than President Joe Biden on economic pain.

Robert Weissman, the co-president of the consumer watchdog Public Citizen, characterised Ms Harris's plans as a "pro-consumer, anti-corporate abuse agenda".

"The [Biden] administration did talk about it but they did not promote proposed measures anywhere near as aggressive as Harris is doing," he said.

But pollster Micah Roberts, a partner at Public Opinion Strategies, said inflation was likely to remain a challenge for Democrats, noting that voters have a long history of trusting Trump - and Republicans - more on economic issues.

"Trump's been holding the advantage on this stuff for like a year plus," said Mr Roberts, the Republican half of a bipartisan team that recently conducted a survey on economic issues for CNBC, which found that Trump still held a big lead over Ms Harris on the topic.

Without a huge change, he said it would be "hard for me to believe" that the margin had suddenly closed.

Why Trump and Harris both say 'no tax on tips'

Trump touts economic plan in battleground state rally.

Though analysts say some of Harris's proposals, such as the ban on price-gouging, are likely to be popular, they have also sparked criticism from some economists.

Bans on price-gouging already exist in many states, applied during emergencies such as hurricanes.

But economists say the term is difficult to define and widening such rules could end up backfiring, by discouraging firms from making more at times of short supply.

Michael Salinger, a professor of markets, public policy and law at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, said a similar ban was discussed when he served as the lead economist at the Federal Trade Commission during the administration of George W Bush.

"I thought then that it was a bad idea and I think now that it's a bad idea," he said. "To impose controls on competitive markets will lead to shortages - that's always been our experience."

He said the Harris campaign's other plans would also face questions, given their cost.

For example, the proposal to increase the tax credit for children to as much as $3,600, which Congress did temporarily during the pandemic and opted against extending, would cost more than $1tn, according to some estimates .

With populism ascendant in both parties, that cost has not dissuaded Trump's choice for vice president, JD Vance, from backing an even bigger tax credit expansion.

Prof Salinger said Trump's other economic plans would be unlikely to tackle inflation concerns.

Economists predict that increased drilling would have limited impact given the global nature of energy markets and have warned that Trump's pledge to impose a tax of 10% or more on imports would drive up prices.

As it stands, price increases have been subsiding, as the shocks from pandemic-era supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine fade.

Inflation, which tracks the pace of price increases, was 2.9% in July, the smallest annual increase since March 2021, the Labor Department said this week.

That is getting closer to the 2% pace considered normal, though prices are up roughly 20% since January 2021.

"The problem that people object to is that even if inflation is down, the prices are still higher and that's true but they're higher because of the natural working of market forces," Prof Salinger said.

"Trying to stand in the way of the working of market forces is a lot like trying to stop the tides," he added. "You just can't do it."

8 Best AI Video Editing Tools to Use in 2024

Erica Santiago

Updated: August 20, 2024

Published: August 19, 2024

I've been editing videos for almost a decade, both professionally and for my passion projects. So, believe me when I say I know how tedious editing even the shortest videos can be.

A hand reaches out of a computer, symbolizing AI

Fortunately, many AI video editing tools can help speed up the process of editing, whether you're a beginner or an expert videographer.

Here are 8 of the best AI video editing tools I've found and what I like most about them.

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Best AI Video Editing Tools

1. adobe premiere pro.

I've been using Adobe Premiere Pro for work and for my own passion projects for 10 years, so I was intrigued when the video editing software announced that new AI tools are available on its platform and that more are on the way.

These are a few of my favorite AI tools within Adobe Premiere Pro:

  • Text-based editing

This feature allows users to auto-generate their transcripts, highlight text to add clips to their timeline, edit, reorder, and refine their clips like they would a text document.

  • AI audio category tagging

I love this feature because it makes audio editing a breeze by recognizing if a clip is music, sound effects, dialogue, or ambient sound and providing access to relevant tools for editing based on the sound type.

  • Speech to text

To make your videos more accessible, Adobe Premiere Pro‘s speech-to-text feature automatically generates transcripts in up to 18 languages. It can also distinguish between speakers and create captions that match the video’s cadence and speech pattern.

Price: Plans start at $22.99 per month.

Best For: Intermediate to professional video editors. Though beginners can use Adobe Premiere, it does have a bit of a learning curve.

2. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve has many AI tools and has incorporated AI into its platform for years. The one I find the most interesting is its facial recognition. Now, bear in mind I have very minimal experience with DaVinci Resolve, so I don't have much experience with this feature.

That said, its facial recognition allows users to group clips based on the people who appear in them. All I'd have to do is select a group of clips and right-click to select “Analyze Clips for People.” From there, DaVinci Resolve will scan the clips, assess the faces that appear, and group clips with the same faces together.

If you're editing video of an event with a lot of people and you want to narrow down your clips to include a specific group, this feature will save time and effort.

Price: Users can download DaVinci Resolve for free, or buy the studio version for $295.

Best for: Beginner to expert video editors.

I can‘t scroll through TikTok for over a minute without seeing a video edited with CapCut. I’ve never used CapCut, but I'm truly amazed by the quality of the videos people churn out using the app.

CapCut is known for being a user-friendly video editing app that is suitable for anyone, regardless of their level of editing experience. Part of what makes CapCut so easy to use is its AI tools, which can do most of the work for you.

For example, let's say I have a long-form video I want to shorten so I can upload it to a short-form video platform like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. I can take that long-form video, upload it to CapCut, and identify standout moments, and the app will generate a shorter version of the video.

Price: CapCut is free to use but paid options start at $20.84 per month.

Best for: Short-form video editing for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.

Runway is a platform specializing in creating AI tools for video editing and other aspects of visual art. To be honest, I wouldn't recommend Runway for beginner video editors or those with no experience at all.

The platform can do a lot, but its plethora of tools and their uses can be overwhelming. Even I, an experienced video editor, was only able to assess the tip of the iceberg of what Runway can do.

That said, its AI video generator is simple to use. To test it out, I entered a prompt asking for a video of a cat frolicking in a forest and chasing after a butterfly. The images weren't perfect, but I can see them being used to figure out concepts or inspiration for shots or art.

A generated tabby cat chases a red and black butterfly through a forest.

Price: Runway is free with limited features, and paid plans start at $12 per user per month.

Best for: Expert video editors.

I'm pretty familiar with InVideo after using it to create a TikTok video a while back. You can read all about it here if you want to know my experience with InVideo.

In short, I enjoy InVideo because it's very simple to use. Unlike Runway, I definitely recommend it for marketers and creators who want to churn out simple short-form videos with little to no video editing experience.

My favorite feature of InVideo is its AI text-to-video tool. When I used InVideo to create a TikTok, I entered a script into the text box, selected a few images, and the platform generated a video based on the script in just a minute.

Price: InVideo is Free, and price plans start at $15 per month.

Best for: Editing and generating short-form videos on a tight schedule with little to no experience.

6. ClipChamp

Clipchamp is a video editing app by Microsoft that allows users to easily make videos even if they have no video-editing experience. A standout AI tool is its AI text-to-speech, which boasts over 400 voice styles in 170 languages.

Users can choose a mood, pitch, accent, and gender for the voice.

Price: Free for beginners, and prices start at $11.99 for everyday editors.

Best for: Beginners looking to make short-form videos.

Screenshot of ClipChamp's AI text-to-speech

Image Source

7. Descript

I found Descript to be pretty easy to use. It‘s a platform boasting a variety of AI tools, and one I find the most convenient is its AI transcript generator. Uploaded a video of myself talking to my cat (don’t judge me), and the AI transcribed it perfectly.

Transcription of a video of a cat.

I then uploaded a clip from a concert I went to where the singer shouted the name of the next song over a crowd of screaming fans. The AI misheard the singer, so the transcription was incorrect (the song's name is actually “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”).

However, Descript allows me to edit the transcription so it's correct.

Transcription of a rock concert.

Price: Limited features available for free and pricing starts at $12 per person per month.

Best for: Beginners editing quick-hit videos.

8. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a cross-platform video-editing software that is known to be ideal for beginner and intermediate video editors and creators. I was impressed by the number of versatile AI tools available I found while browsing its site.

One tool that sticks out to me is the AI Frame Interpolation. This feature enhances video visuals without losing quality, increases low frame rate automatically, and supports a variety of video formats including GIFs.

If I want to slow down a video without deteriorating its appearance, the AI Frame Interpolation would be most useful.

Wondershare Filmora's AI Vocal Remover is also interesting. User can separate vocal and music from a song and keep high quality audio while removing vocals.

Price: There is free version with limited features, and pricing starts at $49.99 per year.

Best for: Beginners and intermediate editors looking to create long or short-form videos.

Video editing can take anywhere from from several minutes to a few hours, depending on the project. If you're curious about how AI can streamline the process for you and give some of your time back, you now have new tools you can test out for yourself.

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The US election is about style more than substance. It's why Kamala Harris needs to nail her DNC speech in about eight seconds

Leigh Sales

By Leigh Sales

Topic: US Elections

A woman in a tan suit smiles with her arms outstretched

How does a presidential candidate like Kamala Harris turn a good vibe into votes at the ballot box? ( Reuters: Kevin Lamarque )

During the past 50 years, voters have become used to political leaders being marketed to us like new cars. The 2024 US presidential election is a reminder that more than ever in the age of social media, style trumps substance.

The idea of politicians being sold like products blasted into the public consciousness with a book called The Selling of the President 1968, when American journalist Joe McGinniss had phenomenal inside access to the campaign of Richard Nixon. Nixon's team needed to up-end the Republican candidate's image as a cold, dull foreign policy nerd (pub night trivia tip: Nixon's media consultant was Roger Ailes, decades later to become the disgraced boss of Fox News).

Television was in its infancy and Madison Avenue advertising executives were devising revolutionary techniques to sell products to consumers through the new medium. The Republican campaign adapted many of those ideas to politics, with the same goal of prioritising a vibe or an image over substantive detail.

Nixon defeated the Democrat candidate Hubert Humphrey. The winning formula changed political campaigns for good and the McGinniss inside account became a political literature classic. Today, while voters might be aware of how spin doctors and political campaigns manipulate our thoughts and emotions, it doesn't necessarily make us any less susceptible to it.

'This is when we break through'

When the Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris delivers her speech to the Democratic National Convention today, style will be almost everything. That is because many of the people Harris needs to vote for her will never see her full speech, or much of the convention at all. They might catch eight seconds — at best, a minute or two — via social media. That's it.

More and more of us rely on social media as key sources of information. That means Harris needs to do two things: not only look and sound presidential, but land pithy remarks that tell a story on their own without the context of the speech. She needs micro-clips that will go viral on TikTok and Instagram. The success of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in doing that, when he characterised the Trump-Vance joint ticket as "weird", helped him secure the spot as the Democrat running mate.

Other big-name speakers at the convention this week have been running with this tactic too.

President Biden: "America, I gave my best to you."

Hillary Clinton: "This is our time, America. This is when we stand up. This is when we break through."

Michelle Obama: "America, hope is making a comeback."

Barack Obama, grandmaster of the viral speech: "We do not need four more years of bluster and bumble and chaos. We have seen that movie before — and we all know that the sequel is usually worse."

Harris needs to follow suit and deliver short, crisp lines that will land memorably with voters and help influence or even crystallise their thinking.

It's the vibe

In America, the vibe a candidate manufactures is even more important than in Australia. Here, the vibe influences how you vote. In America, it influences whether you bother to vote at all, given voting is not compulsory.

A candidate's ability to mobilise people with their personality and message is everything. It also prompts supporters to dig into their wallets; the money spent by campaigns wins or loses American elections.

In 2008, Obama had a highly-energised army of supporters who helped him raise more than three times his Republican opponent John McCain . Harris has already been hugely successful with donations. In the month or so since she replaced President Biden, she has raised almost US$500m . Over roughly the same period Donald Trump raised around $140m.

Kamala Harris's speech today is far more important for her than Trump's equivalent address to the Republican Convention was for him. That's because he is a known quantity and she is not.

Compared to Harris, everything about Trump is familiar, to the degree he feels almost like an incumbent. Nothing about his style or substance feels new and so his speech last month passed without much fanfare. His four recent years in the White House leave plenty of lingering memories from which to judge him.

Kamala Harris feels fresh because she is dramatically different in age, style, race and gender to both Trump and Biden. Even though she has been vice-president for four years, the role is relatively invisible and so she is not especially familiar to people.

Harris hasn't granted any major interviews since winning the nomination, preferring to capitalise on the buzz of short appearances at highly stage-managed rallies. In any case, for most of the past month, politics has taken a back seat while the Olympic Games have dominated America's attention.

Perhaps most alarmingly for Trump, he has lost his status as a disruptor, by dint of the fact that he has already occupied the White House and since then, has wholly taken over the Republican party. He is now by definition " The Establishment " against which he loves to rail.

A man in a suit sitting and speaking, with his arms raised, gesturing

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump. ( AP: Charles Rex Arbogast )

Harris has snatched the disruptor card from the pack as potentially the first female president, and a black one at that. Being the candidate of change is a powerful advantage and according to a deep dive inside the Republican campaign by The New York Times, Trump is rattled.

Harris has another advantage that's helping with her vibe: her similarities in style to Barack Obama. The common threads — two smart, black, good-looking, warm, positive people — push voters' nostalgia buttons, possibly subconsciously, about Obama's successful 2008 presidential campaign rooted in themes of change, hope and a better future for America.

It was another DNC speech back in 2004 that put Obama's star on the American political map. His brilliant oratory as a young state Senator from Illinois set him on a fast track to the presidency in 2008. Hoping to replicate that success, Harris has hired Obama's widely-respected 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, as one of her senior advisors.

Lessons from 'Yes We Can'

So what lessons can Harris draw from the victorious 2008 Obama "Yes We Can" campaign? How does a candidate turn a good vibe into votes at the ballot box?

The main thing you need is luck. Like Harris, Obama has personal qualities you're fortunate to be born with and can't manufacture — charm, warmth, intelligence, a great smile. Any political campaign needs a front person with enough "rizz", as the youngsters say, to grab voters' attention. They can only hold it if they then match that charisma with the ability to communicate authentically.

Beyond that, you then need a clear message with a point of connection or relatability. In 2008, Obama's campaign was built around his personal story (which played neatly into the American dream, the idea that the US is a country that allows anybody to make something of themselves regardless of background). He also leant into his pitch to improve life in America and level the playing field for all.

John McCain and Barack Obama shake hands on a stage in front of an audience.

In 2008, Barack Obama's supporters helped him raise more than three times his Republican opponent John McCain. ( Reuters: Charles Dharapak )

The final thing you need is a team around you that knows what it's doing — that takes you to the right swing states at the right time, that protects you from chance meetings that go badly, that raises money and finds volunteers, that puts you up for media opportunities that will help not hinder you and that formulates messages that land.

Obama's campaign team — led by Plouffe — was streets ahead of its time in 2008 with its skilful use of new tech. Social media was in its early days but the Obama camp used tools we now take for granted, such as data mining, to personally target political advertising. Like the concepts in The Selling of the President 1968, today it all seems basic and obvious, but it was game-changing in its day.

Setting aside her style advantages, at the substance end of the equation Harris has one very big problem and one smaller one. The big one is that the two issues that traditionally decide American elections may not play in her favour: national security and the economy.

Better the devil you know?

Sticking with the Obama comparison, in 2008 the incumbent Republican President George W. Bush was floundering in both those areas. He was gigantically unpopular due to the disastrous war in Iraq. America was also in the grip of the global financial crisis, one of the worst economic downturns in its history.

Those policy areas were rich picking grounds for Obama in a way that they are not for Harris in 2024. She has no war on terror or GFC on which to capitalise. Plus her side of politics has been running the show for the past four years so she owns the problems.

The US economy has improved significantly under the Biden administration on the key indicators of unemployment, growth and inflation, but many Americans don't feel like their daily lives match the data. They feel that they're doing it tough because of comparatively high interest rates and cost of living. Grocery prices alone are up more than 25 per cent since 2019 .

Kamala Harris, in a beige suite, looks over her shoulders at the top of aircraft stairs

Kamala Harris feels fresh because she is dramatically different in age, style, race and gender to both Trump and Biden. ( Reuters: Stephanie Scarbrough/Pool )

On national security, Harris can argue that Biden's foreign policy has gone some way to restoring America's international reputation. But Trump has always been rewarded for his tough talk on immigration and he will attack Harris as the Biden administration's "failed border czar".

Trump enhanced his "strongman" image with the iconic photograph of him surviving an assassination attempt. That all means on the two likely decisive issues, both candidates have reasonable cases to make for themselves and against the other.

The lesser problem for Harris is that being unknown is only a benefit if (a) it doesn't make people suspicious you're hiding something, or (b) until you're known. It's a risk for her that as she inevitably grants interviews or does press conferences, and more of her policy agenda is revealed, the early gloss may rub off. A single Hillary Clinton-style "deplorables" remark or any other misstep before November could change voter perceptions of her instantly, particularly when those impressions are still being formed.

Name recognition is a critical factor in elections and some voters may end up feeling it's better to go with the devil you know than take a gamble on somebody you don't. Trump being a known entity could end up working for him after all in that scenario.

The biggest risk for the Democrat party as a whole is making the same mistake as 2016 — believing that surely nobody could opt for Trump over a competent, well-presented Democrat alternative.

Along with drawing lessons from Obama's 2008 success, Democrats would be wise to also pay mind to Hillary Clinton's 2016 failure. The Left may imagine that rolling out the Clintons and the Obamas this week will make Americans yearn for better times.

But it could also have the opposite effect, reminding some citizens that they've felt let down and ignored for the past 30 years.

Southampton to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal in deal worth up to £25m

England goalkeeper keen to revive career after being ousted by David Raya at the Emirates

Aaron Ramsdale

Southampton have agreed a deal worth up to £25 million to sign England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal.

‌Ramsdale’s future has been a source of uncertainty since he was ousted by David Raya as Arsenal ’s first-choice goalkeeper last season.

‌Wolves also showed interest in signing Ramsdale this summer but they have since turned their attention to Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

‌Ramsdale, 26, is expected to complete his move to Southampton before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday (Aug 30). The deal agreed by the clubs is believed to be worth an initial £18 million, with a further £7 million in potential add-ons.

‌Arsenal have set their sights on Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia as Ramsdale’s replacement. Garcia, 23, is a Spanish youth international who became a regular starter for Espanyol in the second half of last season.

‌Ramsdale will hope his imminent move to Southampton will put his career back on track after he was picked to play in only 11 games in all competitions last season.

‌He has experience of life on the south coast, having previously played for Bournemouth, and was among Southampton’s fans at Wembley for their play-off final victory over Leeds United last season. Ramsdale was there to support his close friend, David Brooks, who was on loan from Bournemouth.

‌Arsenal paid around £27 million to turn Raya’s loan from Brentford into a permanent move earlier this summer, which all but confirmed that Ramsdale’s time in north London was over.

‌Arsenal are working on his departure at the same time as finalising striker Eddie Nketiah’s roughly £25 million transfer to Crystal Palace.

‌If the Ramsdale and Nketiah moves are completed, as expected, Arsenal will have generated around £90 million in sales this summer. So far, they have invested around £100 million to secure the services of Raya, defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Mikel Merino .

‌Arsenal remain in the market for a winger to add depth to their attack, but any move could depend on selling players, with Reiss Nelson another player likely to be moved on.

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