The opportunity of your dreams is in front of you, or it is a client with some pretty steady work that could make your life a bit easier. As you stare at the blank page in front of you, see it for what it’s worth. There’s no doubt that creating pitch after pitch gets tedious and takes up a significant amount of your time. But, putting a bit of extra effort into it right now can help you secure clients more effectively.
Consider the Client’s Point of View
Imagine you are a client for a moment. You need a piece of content for a marketing proposal, but your list of things to get done is long. You don’t have time to do the work yourself, so you turn to a third-party tool to get creative pitch ideas. As the client, you’re investing money in a person who is going to create a piece of content for you. That content needs to communicate a specific message in an effective way to draw in customers. The bottom line – who gets hired matters.
When crafting your pitch, ensure every detail is on point. Most importantly, realize this is an opportunity to meet your prospective client’s needs. When crafting your pitch, always think about what you can do to meet those needs.
How to Pitch – What Every Stellar, Stand-Out Pitch Must Include
Every pitch is an opportunity. Here are the components every pitch needs to win over your prospective client.
#1: State, Immediately, What You Can Do for Them
Here’s your moment, that first statement. It’s what they’ll see in their messages first. It’s what will get them to click or turn their head. In that first statement, tell your client exactly what you will do for them. More specifically, reiterate more of what the client is looking for. What will you deliver?
Now, say it in a straightforward, but interesting manner. And, be sure to express how confident you are in completing this piece of work for them. That confidence can secure the job for you.
#2: Give Them Cold, Hard Facts
Reading between the lines, try to grasp what the client is looking for and pitch to that goal. Some clients may want a fast, inexpensive piece that helps with SEO. Others want a white paper that handles all of the research their too busy to do on their own.
Then, express the details to your client in the pitch. What will you do here? A short outline of what you plan to offer (using whatever details they’ve dribbled to you) helps them see you’re on the right track.
#3: Express Some Vigor and Enthusiasm
You love this topic! Or, you’re passionate about the cause. Even if the topic is the most boring thing in the world, it’s valuable to your client. Show them it’s important to you, too.
#4: Give Them the Why Next
After communicating that you can meet their needs, show them why you’re the right person for the job:
- Include your experience specifically. How long have you written in this industry?
- Detail where your publication history is – magazines, online? Perhaps Fortune 500 company websites?
- Detail what you’ve written about, too. Key topics, industry insight, perhaps even a newsworthy topic drop here can help you to grab their attention.
By showing you’re valuable, you’re taking one of their biggest worries off the table – that they’re hiring a novice.
#5: Tell Them You’re Ready
After really selling yourself to your client, showcasing your abilities, now tell them you have the time it takes to get the work done. When can you get started? Are you ready to go?
A few things to keep in mind:
- Keep it short and to the point. Clients need an easy-to-read pitch. This isn’t what they do all day, after all.
- Be unique. Find a unique selling point only you can offer.
- Learn about the company if you can. Knowing who you are pitching to matters.
- As journalist Ann Friedman says, “Pitch a human being.” In other words, recognize you’re talking to a person. Be personable.
- Don’t beg. Remember, you’re more valuable than that.
Pitching is hard. It takes up your time and never promises a final offer. Yet, it also opens doors. How can you pitch more effectively and delight each of our prospective buyers?
Sandy B is a full-time, professional freelance writer and copywriter with more than 10 years of online experience. She is also a published author of seven, top-reviewed, in-print books on Amazon. These focus on financial topics such as retirement planning, bankruptcy, business finance, estate planning, and personal credit health as well as organic gardening and clean living. She’s ghostwritten content for hundreds of clients on topics ranging from health to finance, business services, online and offline marketing and much more.
