Pitching can feel like one of the most high pressure moments in your career or in business. You might be full of ideas, committed to your work, and genuinely excited about what you offer, yet the moment someone says “So, tell me about it,” everything tightens. Your heart races, your thoughts speed up, and your words come out in a rush or not at all. It is easy to walk away thinking “I did not explain that well” or “They did not really understand what I meant.”
Pitching is not about being naturally charismatic. It is a skill. Once you know how to shape your message, use your voice, and manage your nerves, you can learn to pitch in a way that feels clear, grounded, and authentic.
What Is A Pitch?
A pitch is simply a focused way of explaining an idea so that the other person understands it and knows what to do next. Pitching is using storytelling to guide how your audience feels and responds. That might be a manager deciding whether to back your project, an investor considering your business, or a potential client working out if you are the right person to help them.
A strong pitch answers three questions.
- What is this about?
- Why should I and they care?
- What happens next?
If you keep those three questions in mind, you are already moving in the right direction.
Start With One Clear Core Message
Before you think about slides, scripts, or clever phrases, you need one clear core message. Ask yourself:
If they only remember one thing from this pitch, what do I want it to be.
You can use a simple sentence structure.
I help [who] to [do what] so that [result].
For example:
I help corporate professionals, who feel nervous about speaking, share their ideas with confidence.
This core message becomes your anchor. If you feel yourself rambling or drifting into too much detail, you can come back to this line and use it to refocus.
Use A Simple Structure
Many people overload their pitch with information. They try to prove everything at once, list every feature, and answer every possible objection. The listener ends up confused and the main point gets lost.
Instead, use a simple three part structure.
- The problem
- The solution
- The outcome and next step
For example:
Many professionals have great ideas but feel too anxious to speak up in meetings or presentations. I offer one to one coaching that focuses on voice, mindset, and practical speaking tools. As a result, they can walk into a room, share their ideas clearly, and be taken seriously. If that sounds relevant, we can book a call and talk about what you need.
Short, clear, and focused.
3 Tips For Pitching
Even the best structure will not land if your voice is working against you. When you are nervous, you might speak too fast, mumble, or let your voice rise at the end of sentences so that everything sounds like a question. All of this can make you sound less confident than you really are.
Focus on three elements.
Pace
Slow down slightly more than feels natural. When you are nervous, your internal sense of time speeds up. A slower pace gives your listener space to follow you and gives you time to think.
Pauses
Pause after key points. A short pause is not a mistake, it is breathing room. It signals that what you have just said matters.
Endings
Let your voice fall gently at the end of sentences rather than rising. A rising ending can make statements sound uncertain. A gentle downward ending sounds more settled and assured.
Recording yourself on your phone and listening back can be uncomfortable, but it is one of the quickest ways to hear what is working and what needs adjusting.
How To Manage Your Nerves When Pitching?
Body
Use your breath. Before you pitch, take a few slow breaths. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, and breathe out for six. This helps calm your nervous system and brings your attention back into your body. Feel your feet on the floor and the contact of the chair or ground beneath you.
Nerves are not a sign that you are bad at pitching. They are a sign that your brain thinks this moment matters. Instead of trying to eliminate nerves, learn to work with them.
Mind
Notice the story you are telling yourself. Thoughts like “I am going to mess this up” or “They will not be interested” create more tension. Try shifting to “I am practising this skill” or “My job is to share this clearly, not to be perfect.” You are not performing a test, you are having a conversation.
Voice
Warm up gently. A few hums, lip trills, or reading a paragraph aloud with clear articulation can help your voice feel more grounded. You do not need a long routine, just a few minutes of focused sound to wake up the voice.
Avoid Common Pitching Mistakes
There are a few common habits that quietly weaken a pitch.
Overloading with information
You do not need to prove your entire value in one go. Choose your strongest points and trust that you can answer questions later.
Apologising language
Phrases like “This might be a silly idea” or “I am not sure if this makes sense” undermine your message. Replace them with “Here is what I am proposing” or “This is what I have in mind.”
No clear ask
If you do not say what you want, people will not guess. Do you want feedback, a decision, a follow up meeting, or a trial project Say it clearly.
Practise Pitching In Low Pressure Situations
You do not need to wait for a big pitch to practise. Use everyday situations.
- When someone asks “What do you do”
- When you introduce yourself in a meeting
- When you send an email explaining a new idea
Each of these is a chance to practise your structure, your voice, and your core message. The more you repeat it, the more natural it will feel.
Next Steps
Pitching is not about becoming louder or more “salesy.” It is about finding a clear, honest way to share the value of what you do. With a simple structure, a grounded voice, and a few tools to manage your nerves, you can pitch in a way that feels like you and still lands with your audience.
If you would like support crafting and practising your pitch so that it feels natural, confident, and clear, you can work with me one to one or book a call with me to talk about what you need.