Getting The Most Out Of Your IMPACT Pitch Experience

IMPACT Pitch is best done with passion and excitement- a passion to learn your business backwards and forwards, to look forward to growth, and the excitement for what’s to come. Year after year, we’ve watched dedicated small business owners pitch their business, be it established or just an idea, and we’ve watched them break it down and lay their business out. Entrepreneurs with that excitement, well, tend to come out on top!

So, what are they doing?

1. Understand The Rules Of IMPACT Pitch

From the beginning of the competition, contestants who’ve been successful read the rubrics first to make sure they understand exactly what is being asked. They have been able to explain their business’ value proposition with clarity, and they can even define how they directly impact those in the community around them.

2. Utilize Your Business Coach

They are utilizing their Business Impact NW coach! Did you know that if you make an appointment with your coach before each round’s due date, you can resubmit if needed by the due date?! Yep! For instance, if you didn’t feel too confident in naming your value proposition, your coach can review it and give you pointers on getting it right, and still making the due date.

Rely on your coaches throughout the entire event. In the first two rounds, the focus is on specific narratives- descriptions of how your business does, or plans, to do what it does. In the 3rd round, you get deep into the financials. You’ll be required to meet with a coach for absolute clarity on using the financial workbook. Bottom line? Connect with your business coach anytime you have questions.

 

3. Bring Your Passion and Excitement

Lastly, our small business winners are excited, and they want it! They’ve broken down their business enough to now tell a good story about it. Your individual story needs to be a good one, with a compelling reason for someone to put money behind your business.

With all the information you’ve put together, you’ll build out an introductory video and a slide deck as the frosting on the cake of your great pitch. Your video is an opportunity to show the audiences and the judges the visual representation of your business, and your slide deck will follow that story out, with around 5 minutes to present and pitch your business.

You’ll have to use that passion and excitement to get the audience interested, and of course, the judging panel will have questions. Those who pitch, those who win- they are ready to answer the questions because they know exactly what is at stake. They have thought about the direction their business may go and are ready. The biggest piece: they did all of that with CONFIDENCE. That’s the real sauce.

 

See You At IMPACT Pitch

That’s really it. Passion and excitement. And for us coaches, judges, audience members, family and friends, we’re excited for you! We genuinely want to know what you do (and for it to not go over our heads, so meet with your coach!), and we cannot wait to see who makes it to the final round October 30th in Seattle!

 

Are you ready to pitch your business? For more information, click here!

Interested in getting free business coaching or other business resources, click here!