Pitching your business, products or ideas

You might need to do a pitch, if you or your business are looking for:

• funding
• to attract new customers
• business support or advice

A 'pitch' is presentation that describes your business. Short pitches (known as 'elevator pitches') are often used in business.

Elevator pitches

An elevator pitch can be a speech, presentation or discussion. You should aim for it to be around 60 seconds.

Your elevator pitch should explain:

• your business
• a product or service
• an idea or proposal

It will also explain why your business, product or idea has been successful or will be successful.

Creating an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch can include the following parts.

1. An introduction

This could describe:

• you and your business
• the problem you're solving or the opportunity you've found
• the market – its size, shape and where you fit in

2. A short description of what you're pitching

This should include your 'unique selling point' – why you're different or better than your competitors.

3. A 'hook' line that creates interest

This could describe a success you've had or the size of your market.

4. Your plans for the future

Describe how you plan to grow your business.

5. What you want from your investors or customers

For example, you could tell investors:

• how much money you need
• what you need this money for
• what their money will do for your business
• how their investment could grow

Your audience

You should think about who you are presenting to, including:

• what's important to them
• what they need to know
• what style of pitch is right

You should practice your pitch with someone who doesn't know your business, product or market. This can help you check:

• there's no jargon
• you're not assuming people know what you're talking about
• you're getting your message across

Further help

You can find more advice about creating elevator pitches on the Investor website.