How To Pitch Anything

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇
Before we dive in, let's examine a key distinction.

A Pitch is not an Offer.

Pitches get you to buy an idea.

Offers get you to buy a product.
A pitch is a mental movie that *primes* people for a later offer.

If a business has a bad pitch, it won't have a good offer.

Pitches first. Offers second.

Now that we've cleared that up...
What's the secret to a great pitch?

Contrast and dramatic tension between "today" and the "future."

Here's how you generate those things in 4 Steps...
Step 1:

Introduce The Problem

1. Pick ONE super painful problem
2. Don't discuss more than one
3. Twist the knife

Understand your target's pain. Do your research
Step 2:

Reveal The Solution

1. Your solution is the antidote to the problem
2. Solutions are NOT features
3. They are a description of what could be done to kill the pain — or multiply money
4. They are a VISION for how your target's life improves
Step 3:

Go Deeper

This is where people get hung up.

They introduce the problem, then drone on and on about the solution.

Don't do it. You'll lose your audience.
Instead, you need to *toggle* back and forth to maintain dramatic tension.

1. Begin switching between problem and solution
2. Agitate-resolve, agitate-resolve, agitate-resolve...

Put the listener on a rollercoaster.
Step 4:

End With A Future Vision

The end of your pitch needs a crescendo.

1. Conclude your pitch with a brilliant future world where your listener's pain is gone
2. Use words like "Imagine"
3. Follow it up with a clear list of benefits

Everything builds to the end.
Let's look at an example...

This system works for any idea or business.

But here's how I would pitch the payments company Square to a merchant.
"You know you're losing out on business because you don't accept credit cards.

But knowing you're losing money doesn't make a difference because it's so painful and costly to take multiple forms of payment...
...You've tried a few point-of-sale solutions but they seem to cause more headaches than they resolve.

This exact problem is why we developed Square. Imagine if you could accept payments on your phone from every customer — all with a tiny card reader that fits in your pocket."
Why does this formula work so well?

Because it's rooted in one of the most potent weapons of persuasion — contrast.

And because it's rooted in one of the most potent weapons of storytelling — dramatic tension.

Conclusion:

1⃣A strong pitch primes people for a later offer
2⃣The best pitches use contrast and dramatic tension
3⃣Describe pain, give the antidote, then start the rollercoaster
4⃣Conclude with a vision of a brilliant future
That's all friends!

If you found this valuable, please RT the top tweet:
If you've ever wanted to be more influential...

Now's your chance 👇
gumroad.com/l/xUhyJ

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with LIFE BY HORNS💰

LIFE BY HORNS💰 Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @LifeHornsWay

10 Oct
How To Improve Your Writing 10x

5 Lessons in 5 Tweets

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇
1: Omit Extra Words

Bad writing comes from cluttered thinking. Your readers don't have time to wade through needless verbiage to locate your point.

1. Decide what you want to say
2. Say it
3. Cut it in half

You'll become a stronger writer when you stop trying to sound smart.
2: Write Like You Speak

School gives us vocabulary lists to memorize and rewards us for using fancy words in essays.

Many of us have a hard time unlearning this habit. But your writing will improve 10X if you use a more conversational style.
Read 8 tweets
9 Oct
The 10 Immutable Laws of Writing

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇
1: Omit Needless Words

Writing is a struggle against messy thinking.

Your readers don't have time to wade through needless verbiage to locate your point.

1. Decide what you want to say.
2. Write it.
3. Then cut it in half.
2: Use Direct Language

Never conceal your point.

Figure out what you want to say.

Then say it.
Read 17 tweets
7 Oct
How To Persuade Like Lincoln

4 Lessons In 4 Tweets

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇
1: Use Metaphor

The Gettysburg address is one giant metaphor. Lincoln turned a devastating battle into a metaphor for national crucifixion...
First, he analogizes the nation to a child: Our "fathers brought forth" a nation "conceived in liberty."

He then alludes to a temporary death: a "final resting place."

And finally rebirth: "This nation...shall have a new birth of freedom."

Metaphors are Grade A persuasion.
Read 8 tweets
5 Oct
Why Integration Beats Focus

The Unspoken Truth of Business

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇
There's a trope in business: Focus wins.

In one sense, this is true.

Companies that chase every possible opportunity never develop unique advantages or defensible moats.

And focus IS the best way to start a business. Find a niche. Then expand.
But focus is not the ultimate destination.

Integration is.

Let me explain...
Read 17 tweets
3 Oct
How To Persuade Like Steve Jobs

5 Lessons In 5 Tweets

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇
1: Generate Rhythm

Jobs varies his sentence length.

He uses a long sentence. And then a short one.

Long. Short.

He toggles back and forth. This allows him to communicate complex ideas while still holding interest.

Take a look...
2: Use the Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is a principle of communication that says 3 is the most persuasive number.

Things conveyed in threes are both rhythmic and easy to understand — and can easily be stored in working memory.
Read 12 tweets
2 Oct
Business Is Art

[ THREAD ]

Let's go 👇 ImageImage
Most people think business is the OPPOSITE of art.

Business is about profit, cold hard cash, and efficiency.

Art is about soulful exploration, beauty, and creativity.

But...
Art can be defined differently.

What separates the Artist from the Craftsman?

The Craftsman knows what he is creating when he starts.

The Artist is not sure what he is creating until the project is finished. Image
Read 13 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!