FIRST PITCH FOR KIDS
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How to make a
​great pitch.

When we tell a story we share our ideas, passions, fears, sadness, hardships, and joys. Telling stories helps us find common ground with other people so that we can connect and communicate with them. 
COMMON TERMS
PITCHES are short, persuasive stories (formal or informal) targeted at potential investors, stakeholders or supporters. 
ENTREPRENEURS spot an opportunity and develop a vision for a new product, business or solution and put together all the resources needed to bring their ideas to life.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP isn’t just about starting companies; it is a skillset and a way of thinking. Entrepreneurship is about finding a solution to a problem then taking the steps necessary to make it reality.
INVESTORS are people who might use their own money to fund a new business in exchange for partial ownership of the company. If the business is successful, investors make money (return) on their investment.
When entrepreneurs come up with new ideas, they have to tell short persuasive stories for potential investors or customers.
Do you have an idea for your pitch? If you don't, download our Entrepreneur's Journal to get started.
Entrepreneur's Journal PDF
File Size: 169 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Entrepreneur's Journal (GooglE Doc)
Your pitch should provide specific answers to the following questions:
• What problem are you solving?
• Why should someone buy it?
• Who are you selling to?
• Who are your competitors?
• What is the price?
• What do you need?
• Who are you?
Pitching is not just about persuading others that an idea and business model would be successful. The entrepreneur must also sell themselves. They are part of what a potential partner is investing in. However, many people find it difficult to stand in front of strangers and speak with confidence and poise. Even the most practiced speaker can feel intimidated and nervous in front of an audience. The good news is public speaking and persuasion is a skill that can be practiced and improved.

Watch these two videos to see examples of good public speaking.
Questions:
  • How does body language affect the message of a speaker?
  • How can changing the emphasis of a word affect the tone of a public speaker?
  • Why is tone important when speaking?
  • What do you hope to improve on when it comes to public speaking?
  • How will you use body language, emphasis, tone, and humour in your pitch?
Watch last year's winning pitch. 
​
What did they do well?
Your Pitch
To persuade someone that something is a good idea, they have to see the what’s in it for them, whether that’s because they feel good doing something nice for someone or because they get some other benefit. Make the investor or the customer be the center of your pitch!

You Be The Judge

To understand how something works, sometimes it is helpful to take it apart. Download the Pitch Checklist Handout. This will help you to analyse and compare what makes those pitches so effective.
Pitch Checklist Handout
Now that you've downloaded the Pitch Checklist Handout, watch each of the below videos three times. Yes, that's right, 3 times.
The first time focus on the questions on the handout that should be answered. You do not have to write the answer to the questions –  just place a tick or ‘X’ to show the question was answered.
The second time you watch the video, only focus on the public speaking section of the Pitch Checklist. It can be fun to mute the video and only look for body language such as hand gestures and facial expressions! 
The third time you should listen for persuasive language and complete that section of the handout.
​How did you go? Which pitch did you like the best? Why? Which pitch was most convincing? Which pitch ticked the most boxes on the handout?
Find another video and use the space on the handout to do the exercise again.

An effective pitch can be crafted and delivered by empathising with your audience, using persuasion techniques, and intentionally using body language...followed by lots and lots of practice!

Creating Your Pitch

It is now your turn to create a pitch for your own original idea! It will take some time and practice so don't give up. To help you we've put together a template or framework that you can use. Download the Pitch Template Handout below.
Pitch Template Handout
Use the Pitch Template Handout to create a draft of your pitch. Once you have your first draft use the Pitch Checklist Handout and the column “My Pitch” to track the different elements of your pitch. Feel free to write notes on your script like a movie editor so you know when to use certain body language and which words you want to emphasise.

Next, record your pitch, watch it, and then make changes to the script and record it again. The best way to evaluate and improve your pitch is to watch yourself pitching so you can see how you appear to others (sometimes we perform very differently in our own heads than we do in real life!).

Are you ready to practice for your friends? For your family? Be brave and have a go!

Entrepreneurs show courage by stepping out of their comfort zone to accomplish great things! It can be a bit nerve-wracking sometimes to stand in front of a group and pitch your own idea. But the more you practice doing that, the
easier it will get!
We're excited to see your pitch!
Apply Now!

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  • Home
  • Apply
  • Judges
  • How To Pitch
  • Contact
  • Rules
  • Grand Final Replay
  • FAQ
  • Additional Resources