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Leaders Light The Path

PODCAST EPISODE

Pitching in online meetings

Online meetings raise the bar for great pitches. Here’s why … 

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Transcript
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Pitching a great idea was complex before. Nowadays, that many pitches are being held online, it has only become more complex. Transitioning most of our communication to online meetings brings in new sources of distraction. It's hard for people to stay focused when they listen to small rectangular videos of people instead of interacting with them in person while sitting in the same room. What this means for us and for our communication is that it's more important than ever to keep it simple. To make your words easy to understand. Because when it gets confusing, it's easier than ever for them to just tune out, check their phone, or just switch the tabs without you even noticing. Only when people understand what you say, will they be able to relate to that. And only when they can relate, will they even one to stay focused. Yet there's one important distinction. Simplifying your words doesn't mean simplifying your concepts. By all means, make your concept as elaborate as is necessary, but speak about it in words as simple as possible. John F. Kennedy did the same thing when he committed an entire country to flying to the moon. This was one of the most complex projects of all time. Yet, he managed to put all of this complexity in a nutshell using these simple words: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal before this decade is out of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” It is this level of accessibility of your words that allows people to stay glued to your lips when they can really feel what you want them to feel? There's going to be complex parts to your pitch. But if you manage to lift them to the same level of “This feels simple. This is relatable. This is tangible.” Then people can relate, will want to know more and will stay glued to your lips. Keep lighting the path!

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