Last week I pitched a startup concept I have created in an event held by Dice.com at Draper University in San Mateo.  I was honored to be included in the final round of three presenters who were given 10 minutes to pitch directly to none other than Tim Draper in front of a studio audience at Draper University of Heroes.

Sales presentations, marketing pitches, and VC pitches all have this in common: you have a limited amount of time to get your point across. Your presentation has everything to do with your brand and how you want others to experience.

You have one shot with a presentation. How can you use it most effectively?

3 WAYS TO IMMEDIATELY IMPROVE YOUR PRESENTATION

1)  Own your brand through visuals.
Your brand is your brand.  When I present something as Lucky 13, I’d be missing the point if I put it on a standard blue and white corporate powerpoint deck. That’s not what the company is, and that’s not how I should visually present it.   Everything from the Powerpoint designs I choose to the clothes I wear directly reflect the brand I want to embody. Let’s just say there’s a lot of red, and not a lot of boring suits.

Powered by caffeine in the final round of pitches for Dice TV’s contest

In another example, the other night I had the pleasure of hearing expert crisis manager Judy Smith, the real life Olivia Pope (“Scandal”), speak.  She mentioned that while clothes aren’t her main concern, she does have a noted tendency to wear white.  When her brand is about fixing and clearing people’s names, I’m sure you see why white is the perfect choice.

2)  Prioritize interaction, i.e. Don’t read from your slides.
Sure, it’s more comfortable to walk in the door with heavily loaded slides in case you panic and want to read. Don’t do it. Your pitch is a rare opportunity to have in-person interaction with your target, whether it’s a market, a partner, or another key audience.  Use the time to make eye contact, and keep your eye on THEM, not your Powerpoint. (Make eye contact, but not toooooo much eye contact. Draw the line at creepy.)

Presenting to none other than Tim Draper at the Dice TV pitch event. Draper University, San Mateo 2014

3) Relate.
If you’re introducing a new product or concept, which is exactly the point of many pitches, then how are you presenting your concept?  Hit the ground running by positioning your new offering in terms of something the listener is likely to have experienced, recognize, or – ideally – identify with. My pitch had to do with a shortcoming in the existing legal system. I wanted people to immediately relate and feel the frustration – so you can bet my first slide was of a jury summons!

It’s worth noting that many presentations aren’t delivered in person anymore.  These three tips will immediately improve your online presentations and screenshares as well.

As a final note, while people have agreed to hear your presentation, the fact is we all value your time. Be considerate of others’ time – even if they’re being generous with it – so they know you don’t take it for granted. And while you have them, try to make your presentation not only informative but engaging.  Work is work, but it’s not against the rules to have a little fun.  Short of being in a court of law [don’t get me started], presentations have an aim, but they’re also about building relationships and connecting with people.

Good luck with your next presentation – let me know how it goes!