This video is part three of a five part series. Watch part four or view the whole series.
In the video settings, you can select subtitles for English, Español, Français, and Português. Video transcripts for all five of the videos are available in English [PDF – 178KB], Español [PDF – 195KB], Français [PDF – 179KB], and Português [PDF – 194KB].
Transcript:
At Starbucks, you don’t order a large coffee, you order a venti. At McDonalds, you don’t order a large hamburger, you order a Big Mac. At a fancy restaurant, you don’t order squid, you order calamari.
In this video, we are going to talk about why language, word choice and confidence are so imperative to delivering a compelling pitch.
As you practice your pitch, think about how the words you say will reflect on the brand of your business.
Word choice is very important because it helps signify the quality, value, and worth of your product. It may also be a way to differentiate your product from your competitors. This is especially true for high-tech products. You want to be able to talk about your business so that a 10-year-old will understand.
Whether you are delivering an elevator pitch or a formal pitch, you want to speak knowledgeably and with confidence. Stand with a straight posture and engage your diaphragm when you speak so every word resonates. A way to practice this is by placing your hand next to your belly button and breathing from your stomach. If you feel your hand hitting your stomach, you’ll know you’re engaging your diaphragm. Doing this will also help you speak at a slower pace and help you project your sound.
Next up – visualizing your pitch.
Visit https://ylai.state.gov/entrepreneurship/ to find your voice and take the next step.
Nick has developed hundreds of entrepreneurs through his work as a Program Manager and Facilitator with 3 Day Startup, a Austin-based nonprofit that runs immersive entrepreneurship programs for students and community members at 150 institutions in 35 countries. His founder experience spans from a medtech venture that graduated from the nationally-ranked The Brandery accelerator–to music video production and digital strategy companies. He holds a BA from Miami University of Ohio.