Sales Pitch Ideas

Everyone’s got an idea they think will sell, but convincing people to part with their money is key to a successful sales pitch. Using a sales pitch may seem difficult if you don’t have much experience convincing people to buy products or services. Fear not -- creating and using successful sales pitches can be learned even if you’re not a born salesman. Start by making your sales pitch succinct so it quickly identifies whether or not the person you’re talking to is a qualified candidate for what you’re selling.

Successful sales pitches include explaining the benefits your prospect will receive once they buy from you. Talking to past customers and gathering testimonials gives you the groundwork from which to build the pitch. The features of your product or service should only be mentioned in your initial sales pitch if they provide a direct benefit to the customer. Otherwise, hold off on explaining features until you know the prospect is interested and wants those details.

Few people feel enthused about talking to a fake sales person, such as the loud-mouthed, used-cars salesmen depicted in Hollywood movies. Instead, use your natural enthusiasm to talk about your product or service during a sales pitch, remembering that you need to grab their attention within the first 30 seconds. As a part of being passionate and enthusiastic, you must also listen to your prospect’s complaints, concerns and questions, and respond with honesty and warmth. Before you start your sales pitch, practice your responses to as many questions as you can think of that might come up during the presentation.

If you’re comfortable telling stories, put that skill to work developing a sales pitch. Use your words to create a visual image in your prospect’s mind, and come up with a hook at the end of the story that makes the prospect want to learn more. The story needs to be very short, preferably 60 seconds or less and hold the listener’s attention the entire time. Use stories that focus on problems and solutions or tell a story about a person who faced a tragedy for which your product or service could have or did help.

Practice your sales skills at networking events. Get ready for the event by creating a 60-second sales pitch that talks about your company’s story or how your product benefits customers. If the person is interested, make plans to continue the discussion after the event ends, allowing you to meet and find even more prospects at the event. To get a better idea of how you come across during a sales presentation, set up a camera and record your spiel. Pretend the camera is a prospect, or invite someone to sit behind the camera so you’re talking to a real person. Keep recording your pitches as you improve them until you feel confident in how you appear and what you’re saying.