sales pitch speech techniques

9 Sales Pitch Examples (Plus Tips on How to Write Your Own)

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FREE PITCH TEMPLATES FOR SALES TEAMS

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Published: 07/09/24

Your sales pitch can make or break the deal. Trust me, after 16 years in sales I’ve seen it time and time again. Fumble the pitch and a prospect goes cold.

Sales reps need to have their pitch perfect before meeting with a customer. It’s about perfecting your opening line, your verbal business card, and the first thing your customers hear when you call or meet with them.

In my time in sales, I’ve heard my fair share of both great and less-than-stellar pitches. In this post, I’d like to discuss the anatomy of a good sales pitch and share examples of the best sales pitches I’ve seen.

Table of Contents

What is a sales pitch?

How to start a pitch, how to make a sales pitch, the sales pitch framework, great sales pitch examples, sales pitch presentation examples.

A sales pitch is a condensed sales presentation where a salesperson explains the nature and benefits of their business, ideally in less than one or two minutes. Sales pitches are often referred to as “elevator pitches” because they should be able to be delivered within the time constraints of a single elevator ride.

Salespeople are past the point of giving prospects hour-long presentations to sell products or services. Nobody has that kind of time and, to be honest, if you need an hour to relay your value proposition, you‘re doing it wrong. (Psst: If you need help creating a value proposition , we’ve got you covered.)

Remember: They're called elevator pitches for a reason. Ideally, if you're giving me one, I should be able to understand what you have to offer in the time it takes to get from the lobby to my floor. I need to be hooked by your opening line so I’m reluctant to leave the elevator because I’m so intrigued.

A good salesperson should be able to get their message across compellingly and concisely. If you can nail your sales pitch, odds are you'll have more time to talk down the line.

What is a product pitch?

A product pitch is not much different than a sales pitch, but it’s specifically focused on a product or service. When I pitch a product, I go in-depth and emphasize how the product works, how it will solves customers’ pain points, and the specific benefits it will bring to customers.

A sales pitch can be broadly focused. Let’s say I’m at a consulting firm that offers a wide range of services. I’m selling the business as a whole, rather than a specific product or service, like a CRM platform or accounting tool.

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Starting a sales call is arguably the hardest part of the pitch. You have to grab your prospect’s attention so that they actually want to hear the value of your product and how it can help their business. But before you can share the product’s value, you have to hook the prospect.

When starting a pitch, I make sure to do the following:

Starting with the problem. I always start with the problem my offer solves. Unless customers know what my team can do for them, they won’t be open to hearing how our product is a solution.
Tailoring the start of the pitch to their vertical. No one wants to hear a general pitch that would apply to any business. Instead, I research their vertical and use the information I find to personalize my pitch immediately.
Offering stakes. If they don’t solve the problem using our solution, what do they have to lose? I don’t need to state it in such clear terms. However, alluding to the risks at the start of my pitch helps me secure buy-in straightaway.

Here are a few methods for starting a product pitch, but remember: Try to stick to thirty seconds, or one to two sentences if you’re delivering the pitch via email.

Start off with a personal anecdote.

I always start a pitch with what I know best — myself. While I don’t think you should focus solely on yourself throughout your entire pitch, starting off with a personal anecdote can help you speak with more authenticity and foster empathy.

The key here isn’t to focus on the product’s merits. How many product pitches start off with “This product helped me achieve X results in X amount of time”? A lot. And I’m already yawning. And no one cares about results unless they know the problem first.

Instead, my personal anecdotes focus on a problem that my offering can solve. Make it as excruciating as you’d like — and don’t forget to be genuine and connect your anecdote to their business.

Ask a question that relates to the problem you solve.

Oh, yes, the good old question. While it might verge on overused, it’s not to be dismissed. Asking a question is a highly effective way to start a pitch. The question should, again, focus on the problem.

I stick to yes or no questions and tailor them specifically to the business I’m pitching to. If I’m speaking to a real estate business, I craft questions that articulate a problem specifically experienced by real estate firms. If I’m selling a property management software, it could be as simple as, “Do you spend way too much time tracking individual property sales? That’s time better spent actually showing homes to prospective buyers.”

Start with a stat that resonates and offers stakes.

Starting with a stat can be effective — but it has to resonate with the audience and offer stakes. In other words, what does the stat have to do with the problem? How does it reflect a potential and critical downfall that could harm your prospect?

Let’s say that I’m selling yard maintenance services. Starting off with “50% of homes don’t use yard maintenance services” is a lazy and boring way to begin my pitch. Instead, I say that “50% of homes don’t use yard maintenance services, resulting in thousands paid to HOA every year.”

Now that you know how to start your pitch, it’s time to deliver the rest of it. Use the following tips to secure buy-in in less than three minutes.

Make it short.
Make it clear.
Explain who your customers are.
Explain the problem they're facing.
Explain how your product addresses their needs.
Describe what success will look like as a result of using your product.

1. Make it short.

A sales pitch isn‘t a conventional presentation. You’re not going to have PowerPoint slides. You‘re not going to have complimentary pastries on a boardroom table. And, most of all, you’re not going to have your audience’s time and patience for long — at least not until they’re sold on your product.

2. Make it clear.

This ties in with the previous point. You don’t have the time to go on tangents or talk about anything but the message you’re trying to get across. Your pitch has to be lean and to the point. It has to register with your listener immediately. That means speaking with intention and clarity.

If I’m pitching a product, I want to ensure that I clearly communicate how it will solve the prospects’ pain points. My listeners should leave with a clear picture of how their day-to-day will improve if they decide to make a purchase.

3. Explain who your customers are.

Consider the picture you’re going to paint in your pitch. Give your listeners perspective on who’s buying your product or service. They want to know that you have a lucrative, engaged market in mind. Be specific in identifying who will be interested in your product. Then, try to convey why your listeners should be interested in them.

4. Explain the problem they're facing.

Cover why your customer base needs you. Your target market is only as valuable as the problems you can solve for them. Convey a problem they consistently face. If I’m pitching a spreadsheet software for accountants with functionality Excel doesn’t have, I could discuss how hard it is to bookkeep without my software's unique features.

5. Explain how your product addresses their needs.

Here’s where you start to bring it all home. You’ve established who you’re selling to. You’ve established why you’re selling to them. Now, you have to establish why they’d buy from you. What can you do better than your competition?

As mentioned above, you need to clearly explain how your product addresses their needs. Continuing with the accounting example, you could touch on how your unique data visualization features make busywork more efficient.

6. Describe what success with your product will look like.

Show the benefits of your product on a broader scale. In the example we’ve been using, I can talk about how accountants who use my software have more time to spend with important clients or the flexibility to spend time with their families. I can show how my product makes customers’ lives better as a whole.

Ideally, your pitch should be a one-liner summarizing what your company does, how they do it, and for whom. And this is not just a requirement for sales reps. Anyone in your company, from the CEO to sales consultants, needs to know your one-line sales pitch by heart.

So, how should you structure your sales pitch?

If you have time to properly expand and work on a conversation, touch on points of interest. Here’s a framework you can use for building your pitch:

Problem. Start with a statement or question about the problem you solve. You can present the problem using a personal anecdote, question, or eye-opening statistic. Answer the why.
Value statement. Share a very clear, concise statement of value. Be action-oriented and outcome-focused. Avoid using jargon. Share benefits.
How we do it. Highlight unique differentiators and explain what you do.
Proof points. Provide clear reference examples and list recognizable achievements. Share industry validation and awards.
Customer stories. Share customer examples and successes. Tell emotional and personalized customer stories. Make it real and tangible.
Engaging question. Close the pitch with an open-ended question, creating a space to have a conversation.

Many companies use success stories in their pitches to ensure the sale. Name-dropping really works, so be sure to use that to your advantage. And if my product is small or light enough to keep in my pocket, I should always have one on hand to show prospects.

I always stress the need for a concise sales pitch. So keep it free of professional jargon, don't get into the weeds, and be sure to talk more about your prospect and their problems than yourself.

Nothing’s more off-putting than a bragging salesperson talking about themselves, their company, or their services. That’s what I call the “me monster.” The actor in your story is the customer, not you — period.

Distribution Matters

Lastly, presentation and distribution are everything. You need to deliver your sales pitch to the right person at the right time with the right tools on hand (like a demo, free trial, or presentation).

The sale starts with your list of contacts. Define your list and personas, know their correct contact information, get an introduction, and make sure you contact them at a time of day when they’re likely to respond.

Sales Pitch Ideas

Tell a story.
Include a value proposition.
Personalize the sales pitch.
Switch up your pitch.
Practice your pitch.
Try not to use metaphors.
Create a WOW moment.
Appeal to emotions.
Back it up with facts.
Tap into their fear of missing out.
Educate them.

How can you make your sales pitch the best it can be? Here are some sales pitch presentation examples and ideas.

1. Tell a story.

Keep your listeners engaged by telling a brief story . The story could be either about the company or how a customer found success through your product or service. In this latter example, I can start with the issue the customer was facing, lead into the solution, and end with the key results the customer achieved.

If you think storytelling is difficult, don’t fret. Just think of your favorite movies and TV shows — how did they keep you engaged? Try to emulate the same tricks as you try storytelling during a sales pitch. Use images and interactive elements to enrich the experience for your listeners, keeping in mind who your audience is and what their preferences are.

Your story doesn’t even need to be an anecdote. This sales pitch presentation example from a template deck I found in Canva demonstrates how to communicate a relevant industry statistic at the beginning of your pitch. In my opinion, data is a great way to tell a story.

What I like: The video immediately presents a common problem that ecommerce vendors and marketers deal with and offers a solution. Beyond that, the use of animated visuals and catchy audio make it engaging to watch. Plus, I can actually see how to use the tool.

7. Social Sales Pitch

Social sales pitches are tailored messages delivered to prospective customers through social media platforms, like LinkedIn. This process is often referred to as social selling .

Unlike traditional sales pitches that can be more direct and transactional, a social sales pitch aims to establish relationships and build trust with prospects by delivering valuable and relevant content. The goal is to increase brand awareness and drive conversions by aligning your sales message with the interests and needs of your prospects.

Here’s an example of social sales pitch that works when you have a mutual connection:

In this sales pitch, Algoplanner — a supply chain SaaS company — uses a strong storytelling method. I like how they first set up a clear problem statement, tapping into prospective customers’ emotions (read: overwhelmed, overworked). Then, they position themselves as the solution.

UpSend, a former customer service software, has a great sales pitch presentation here. I like how they focus on setting up the problem they are solving for — and then clearly illustrating how their product adds value.

3. Surfe (Previously leadjet)

The revenue workspace Surfe illustrates another strong sales pitch. They quickly tell the story of their prospective customers’ pain points and communicate a lot of understanding. Then, I like how clearly they illustrate how their product solves those pain points.

Bonus: HubSpot

This isn’t exactly a pitch presentation but instead a podcast episode with CTO Darmesh Shah about how the company has grown over time. However, I included this episode in the list because Shah goes into the anatomy of HubSpot’s early sales pitch.

“What we said was, ‘By the way, everything you’ve done in marketing doesn’t work any more…’ When you’re selling to a VP of marketing, you’re creating an existential crisis in their head when you’re telling them everything they know how to do well is no longer relevant,” Shah says on the episode.

Then, Shah could recommend a change in direction with HubSpot.

Why a Short Sales Pitch is a Good Pitch

An important note to make about these sales pitches is that they are all amazingly optimized for a short conversation. (Notice how short the three pitch examples above are?) I can't stress enough how much brevity matters for a sales pitch. Talking too much, using filler words, and talking about your company for more than two minutes can easily kill a conversation. So, keep your sales pitch short, clean, and simple! Your customers will thank you.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

3 Steps to a Perfect Pitch

This strategic pitching structure is designed to captivate investors, engage customers, and elevate your brand story.

Craft compelling narratives
Identify core challenges
Present impactful resolutions

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Examples of sales pitches and ideas for the perfect pitching strategy

A well-crafted sales pitch can get your prospect excited about the opportunity you’re offering and encourage them to take the next steps with you.

Sales pitches are about crafting a compelling narrative for your client. However, many it can be easy to fall into the trap of treating your sales pitch as a presentation of facts, figures and results, expecting to make a compelling argument based on data alone.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the power of stories to drive decision-making and close more deals after the sales pitch. We’ll also cover the fundamental elements to include in your sales decks, and practical ideas on how to deliver them (combined. Read on for plenty of great sales pitch ideas and suggestions.

First, though, exactly what is a sales pitch?

What is a sales pitch?

When most people hear the term ‘sales pitch’ they imagine a room full of potential clients and a salesperson or sales team going through a slideshow in front of them – like “Shark Tank” or “Dragons’ Den”.

But a sales pitch is more versatile than that.

“Sales pitch” meaning

It can be a script you go through on a call, a two-minute speech you perfect for networking opportunities or the classic presentation in front of decision-makers. In fact, every time you pick up the phone and tell a lead about your product, or meet someone at a business mixer and give them the lowdown about your product or company, that’s a sales pitch.

So, as you see the sales pitch definition isn’t a simple one and you need to find the best sales pitch examples and templates for each channel and prospect.

Key takeaways from this sales pitch article

Craft a compelling sales pitch: Use storytelling to create engaging sales pitches that highlight customer pain points, demonstrate the value of your solution and drive decision-making. Examples and strategies: Discover various sales pitch examples, from cold calling and email outreach to social selling and elevator pitches, and learn how to tailor your approach for different scenarios. Pipedrive provides tools to customize and deliver effective sales pitches, including CRM systems that support activity-based selling and help you achieve better results. Try Pipedrive free for 14 days .

Storytelling: The foundation of your sales pitch

As the old sales saying goes: facts tell, but stories sell. This is especially true when putting together your perfect sales pitch.

Here, we’ll dive into how to frame your sales pitch around a narrative that engages your prospect and gets them invested in what your solution has to offer.

The problem you solve

It may seem counterintuitive, but a product pitch shouldn’t start with the product, it should start with your client’s biggest pain points (something that will surely resonate with decision-makers on their side).

The focus of your solution isn’t product features or service capabilities. It’s about the critical challenges you solve for your customers.

This is why your pitch must begin with a story that highlights a big enough pain you help customers to alleviate – specifically customers in the same industry and market as your prospect.

“I still see so many reps lead a pitch with the features that they love,” observes Sophie Cameron, business development representative at CAKE . “While it’s great to see they have such passion and believe in what they’re selling, this doesn’t match the customer’s needs.

“So, start by figuring out their problems and pain points, and then tailor the pitch to those. Why did they decide to talk with you in the first place? Which features will help them achieve their goals? Getting the answers to these correct is what will really resonate with your prospect.”

A strong opener should focus on a critical change in the prospect’s industry, career or life that they must pay attention to. They should consider what you’re offering as a new, superior way of doing things. This is how you get your prospect’s attention, and it shows that you truly understand them, focusing on their needs rather than yours (making them a lead) is what compels them to keep listening. The role of presenting this change is twofold:

It must show that the opportunity is too great for the prospect to ignore
It should create a sense of urgency by outlining what will happen if they do not take action

By focusing on a change, rather than just the problem alone, you‘ll create a sense of urgency and encourage prospects to share their thoughts on how this change will affect them. Immediately, you go from persuasion to collaboration. It’s a consultative selling approach that works to build a meaningful relationship with your prospects.

“For me, pitching is all about relationships! Building trust and being honest. Rather than focus on the product, focus on how the product can help the end user,” says Lewis Bruford, Sales Manager at haart .

Let’s say we wanted to do this when pitching Pipedrive :

The problem : Salespeople are starved for time and are struggling to meet sales quotas.
The change : As more consumers are making purchasing decisions based on their own research, salespeople are having to work harder and engage more leads to make a sale. That means more time spent on admin to track all the leads and engagements in their pipeline, which takes time away from selling. However, there is technology that can streamline this process.

By leading with the second option, we’re more likely to shift perspectives, or attract leads who believe in what we believe.

Highlight the pain

It’s easy to look at change with rose-tinted glasses. But without clearly framing the consequences for not taking action, you’ll struggle to close deals.

Explaining what is likely to happen if your prospect continues down the same road will get their attention and inspire them to take action.

This is where having third-party statistics can go a long way. It allows you to present a data-driven argument behind the pain point your solution alleviates.

Another way to highlight the pain is to create a “villain” and position yourself as the hero who will battle against it.

This "villain" shouldn’t be a real person or a competitor, as that will come across as underhanded. Instead, it should represent old ways of doing things, legacy systems and forces that push against getting the desired result. Your product or service should be positioned as a more optimized, effective solution to whatever “villain” you’re choosing to point out.

Share the upside and a new way of doing things

Once you highlight the pain, it can be tempting to start pitching your product. But there’s an important step to handle before you start talking about your solution and its features.

While highlighting the pain will get your prospect’s attention, it’s not the most effective way to elicit action. They are likely still going to be hesitant to change, especially when it is costing them upfront. You must show them the upside of the challenge, and what they stand to gain if they enter the arena.

The “new way” you presented earlier has to yield results or an outcome that the prospect actually wants. But you must also position it as something that can only be achieved with help from the right people or organization: AKA you.

Remember, you’re pitching your vision here, not your product. The new way of doing things isn’t what your product or service is, but rather what life will look like once potential customers invest in it.

Position features as superpowers

You’ve painted a picture of the core problem you solve, the change in the prospect’s world, why your prospect should pay attention and how they’ll benefit from this change if they take action.

Now, it’s finally time to present your product as the solution to these problems, and the path your prospect must take to reach the desired outcome.

There are two ways to do this, and it can be more effective to do both:

Positioning your features against the “old way” of doing things
Present them as superpowers for your prospect

Use a features checklist, or even a data quadrant comparing your product with the old way of doing things, or your competition. You also might be able to use examples of how you’ve helped other clients as proof that your product or service is worth the investment.

Your product is the key to succeeding in the new world or defeating the villain. With the groundwork set, your product isn’t just a set of features; they act as superpowers for your prospect to succeed.

Champion your customers

While we will be covering how to implement traditional sales principles into your pitch later, there’s a critical final piece to your story arc to explain first.

That piece is, of course, evidence. How can you back up your claims? How have you generated results in the past?

You could use the power of testimonials and case studies to demonstrate social proof as well as the results you’ve helped clients achieve.

This is your chance to present the other heroes of your story: your existing customers and prospective clients. Showcase how they’ve gained results by using your product or service, and how you helped them navigate the new world.

Four good sales pitch examples (and which you should use)

Having a framework to shape your narrative will allow you to connect with your prospects on a deeper level.

Now it’s time to shape that story into the different scenarios you’ll find yourself in the day-to-day.

You wouldn’t go into a full-scale sales presentation during a cold call, you need a concise, compelling opener that only lasts a minute or two. This is why it’s important to shape your story and value proposition for the different sales activities and environments you’ll find yourself in.

Here, we explore five of the most common formats, with the best sales pitch examples for each situation, sales pitch templates and how to use each opportunity to capitalize on attention.

1. Cold calling

Once you have the attention of a prospect, it’s the perfect opportunity to share your story with them.

But this doesn’t mean you should start your pitch as soon as you get connected! Keep in line with cold calling best practices by introducing yourself first.

Here’s a simple phone call script you can use to gauge your prospect’s interest (courtesy of Jessica Magoch, CEO of JPM Partners):

"Hi, this is Jess from JPM. How are you? We’re working on some solutions to help you recruit and train a new generation of salespeople. Is that something you’d like to hear more about?"

If they say yes, then it’s the perfect time to lead with your narrative. Here’s how to frame your story using a proven cold calling framework :

Introduction and opening line : In the sales pitch example above, Jessica introduced herself and then opened by gauging interest in the specific pain point that her firm solves.
Reason for calling : Show the prospect why they should pay attention, touching upon the old way of doing things vs. the new way of doing things, as well as the pain point (and be sure to personalize!)
Value proposition : Share some of the results you’ve helped clients achieve. Make sure to frame them as customer stories rather than simply presenting cold hard facts.
Question : Ask if they’re interested and address any immediate objections.
Close : Get some time in their calendar and secure the appointment.

Here’s an example of how you might put these steps together in your own sales pitch template:

Hi [NAME], this is James calling from Pipedrive. I’m calling because I noticed you recently secured a new round of funding and, as expanding the growth of [COMPANY] might be a priority now, you might be interested in how we’re helping salespeople achieve better results through a new way of selling. Would you like to hear more?

If they say yes, continue:

Great! We’ve noticed that when salespeople focus more on the right activities, instead of worrying about hitting quotas, they end up reaching those numbers faster while working in a more efficient manner. This is why, at Pipedrive, we’ve created a CRM that focuses on activity-based sales, a new way of selling that empowers reps to do their best work and become better salespeople. In fact, we’ve recently helped [BRAND] generate [RESULT] through our solution. If this is of interest, I’d love to share more about this new way of selling, and how it would benefit your revenue goals at [COMPANY]. Shall we schedule a call in the calendar sometime over the next week or so?

Here, we’ve touched upon the old way of doing things (measuring salespeople on quota) and presented a new way of doing things (activity-based selling). We also touched upon the superpower we provide and the results we’ve generated.

While it doesn’t give all the details, it’s enough for the prospect to decide whether or not to take the next step, because they have a general idea of what you have to offer their business.

2. Email outreach

Just like cold calling, your email outreach needs to be succinct and get to the point quickly.

According to Boomerang , the sweet spot for email length is between 50-125 words. Furthermore, they discovered that a 25-word email is as effective as one with 2,000 words.

Here’s a simple framework you can use to write your cold email pitches:

The opener : As with cold calling, be sure to personalize your opener, and tie the reason for reaching out to something relevant to them.
The pitch : Condense everything we talked about earlier into a single paragraph, using no more than one to three sentences.
Call-to-action : Ask them if they’d be interested in learning more and suggest a quick call as the next step.

Again, using Pipedrive as an example, here are these elements in play:

First of all, congratulations on your new round of funding with [INVESTOR]! I expect growth is going to be a high priority for you now, so thought you might find this of interest. We help SaaS companies like yours move away from the old quota-driven way of selling and empower salespeople to get better results with activity-based selling. Using our CRM system, we’ve seen [CLIENT] generate [RESULT] using this activity-based selling approach. I’d love to share more about this during a quick call sometime over the next week or so. Is this of interest? Thanks, James

Excluding the greeting and sign-off, this email runs in at 95 words. It lightly touches on the most important aspects and, most importantly, talks about results that greatly benefit the customer.

3. Social selling

From LinkedIn to Twitter, your buyers are now active on and can be reached through social media. They’re the perfect platforms to connect and share your narrative with them.

The two fundamental approaches to social selling are:

Outreach : Connecting, following and messaging your prospects
Content : Creating content that aligns with your narrative

For the sake of this guide, we’ll focus on the former. Let’s dig deeper into some of the most common social selling outreach methods:

LinkedIn invite : A short message when requesting to connect with your prospect
LinkedIn message : Using the same principles as cold emailing to pitch your solution to connections
Tweets : If a prospect talks about a problem you solve on Twitter, it’s the perfect opportunity to start a conversation

For LinkedIn invites and Tweets, you have a limited number of characters to play with. You’ll need to get creative here when presenting your pitch. In some cases, it’s best to focus on one element of your narrative.

Here’s an example of a LinkedIn connection invite that focuses on results:

Hi NAME, congrats on the latest round of funding! We’ve just helped [COMPANY IN PROSPECT’S INDUSTRY/MARKET] generate [RESULT] and thought you might be interested in learning how we did it. - [YOUR NAME]

Whichever aspect of your sales narrative you choose, use it to pique interest and get the initial response. You can then lead the conversation and nurture the lead from there.

4. Elevator pitch

The elevator pitch is typically what you use at networking events, or when meeting someone in your industry for the first time. Think about it as something you could easily convey to someone you’re sharing a short elevator ride with.

It’s a simple way of sharing your solution in 30 seconds or less. Use it to differentiate yourself from other people in the room using your narrative-driven sales pitch.

Be sure to practice your elevator pitch before going out into the field. Test it on a colleague and ask them for their feedback, or work as a team to refine one that you all use.

How to create engaging sales pitch content

You may be looking at the list of sales pitch formats above and wondering, “what about the trusty sales presentation?”

This is the most common and, arguably, the most complex type of sales pitch. It’s the sort that requires 30 to 60 minutes’ worth of time, careful consideration, preparation and testing – which is why we’ve dedicated two entire sections of this guide to it.

Here, you’ll learn how to structure your sales pitch into a deck that keeps your prospects engaged. Using the storytelling principles we covered earlier, you’ll be closing more deals in no time.

Customize the content

Just as personalization is key during your prospecting and verbal communications, it’s also well worth applying to your pitch decks.

Even a simple touch, such as applying prospect brand colors, can go a long way. But your sales presentation should never be fully recycled for multiple clients because each client has different pain points and different needs. You can invest the time to customize sales presentations because they’re likely presented deeper into the relationship with a client; they already have heard the elevator pitch at this point, or they came to you and expressed that they want to learn more.

Customization should also be applied to the challenges of your prospect. This is especially effective if you serve different industries, as each will have its own set of problems and goals.

Visualize data and key points

Many salespeople make the mistake of being too “text-heavy” with their sales decks. By applying too much copy to your slides, you risk making information difficult to assimilate and losing your prospect’s attention.

Therefore, use minimal text and visualize as many elements as possible – especially stats and data. If you need to go into more detail, write yourself a script so you can talk around the stats.

You should be able to talk about your product as much as your customer is interested, but everything doesn’t need to be shown physically in your deck, or else it will be too hard to follow.

Share your history

If the story of your brand is relevant to the problem you solve, don’t be afraid to share its history with your prospects.

This is the short version of our story: Pipedrive’s founder, Timo Rein, started out as a salesperson who wanted a better CRM to become more efficient in his job. Instead of waiting for it to come along, he decided to bring his vision to life.

Just make sure that you relate aspects of your story to the challenge your prospect faces and how you can help them tackle it.

While your backstory isn’t hugely persuasive, it can be an important step to adding context and building a connection with your prospect. Here’s our sales training video on how to tell your company story in a sales call .

Inject some humor

While humor can be a tricky thing to execute, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. If it aligns with your brand and is well received by your buyer personas, humor can be an effective way to connect with your prospects. It makes customer relationships feel more natural and friendly, which in turn makes you more trustworthy to your customer.

For example, injecting memes, puns or cultural references can go a long way. To advertise their new shop on Broadway, Casper created theatre-style posters, full of puns and joke reviews, to emphasize how comfortable their mattresses are, which also adds a level of customization to a pitch or marketing strategy:

Be succinct

You will generally have a limited amount of time to make your pitch, so you have to be succinct. After all, there’s a lot to include. You have to:

Introduce yourself and quickly build rapport
Ask questions about the prospect and their organization
Save some time for Q&A and objection handling

Being concise allows you to uncover your prospect’s needs before you share your deck. It also means you’ll have plenty of time to handle any objections that get in the way.

Once you’ve put your deck together, look through the slides and remove anything that isn’t critical at this stage of the relationship (doesn’t mean it won’t be later, but you don’t want to overload your lead with information). At the very least, find slides that can be merged together to make a single point.

If you’ve nailed your 30-minute pitch, but a prospect only gives you 15 minutes, try to book another time – your pitch can only be effective if you give it the time that it deserves.

Add more content for internal sharing

If there are other stakeholders involved in the buying process, it’s likely the prospect who attends your presentation will want a copy of the slides.

This is where having two versions of your deck can help with internal communications. The first version should only include text that guides the conversation. This includes sub-headings, data and short bullet points.

The second version is for your prospect’s internal use. Here, you can expand upon the points raised in each slide and add more information that wouldn’t have otherwise fit into the allotted time, or would have distracted from the key message.

Tips for delivering a bulletproof sales pitch

Putting together the content for your sales pitch is one challenge. But having the ability to deliver it in a clear, confident manner requires practice – especially for new salespeople.

This section provides advice for managers to consider including in their training material.

For the SDRs and sales reps out there, you can use this as a checklist to improve your verbal selling skills and deliver your pitches with confidence.

Get a deeper understanding of your prospect

Before jumping on the call, make sure you conduct as much research on your prospect as possible. This includes:

Looking at their company website to learn more about their customers and value proposition
Looking at the company LinkedIn profile to get a feel for organizational structure
Looking at the prospect’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about their career

Conducting this preparation beforehand will help you build rapport once you jump on a call or meet the prospect in person. It will also help you ask the right questions before jumping into your sales pitch.

“It’s important to understand who it is that you are trying to sell to from a personal level—not just their title and the company they work for,” explains Jack Scarr, Sales Manager at Netmums .

“If you can do some light research and find out that they listen to a certain music artist, support a football team or favor a certain type of cuisine, inclusion of this in your pitch can reduce the time it takes to get their unrivaled attention exponentially.

“They’ll see that you have taken an interest in them as a person, not just their title and access to budgets.”

Use simple, concise language

In other words; get to the point. Avoid using overly technical language unless you know your prospect will understand it – there’s no point if your sales pitch ideas aren’t clear. If you must use technical language, define the meaning and explain why it’s important. Keep in mind, in some cases using technical language is a good thing, because it shows that you understand the industry or field.

Try to avoid stumbling over your words or saying “um” between your words. This is where practicing with a colleague can help, as they’ll point out when you’re meandering away from the purpose of the pitch.

You should also practice talking slowly and talking less. Talk slowly because it shows that you’re more calm and confident, and gives your prospect more of a chance to take in what you say; talk less because reps are proven to have a higher closing rate if their prospect does more of the talking and they do the listening.

When conducting demos, focus on the critical features

If you’re giving a demo for your SaaS product, the first five to ten minutes of the conversation are critical. This will allow you to ask questions around the prospect’s primary goals and challenges.

Once you uncover these challenges, you can tailor the demo to focus on the features that the prospect would benefit the most from. It can be tempting to run through your entire suite of features. But while you may see the value in everything your solution has to offer, your prospect might not agree.

By doing this, you tie the features and solutions of your product directly to what they’re trying to achieve. As you wrap up each feature, use phrases like “by using [FEATURE], you’ll be able to achieve [OUTCOME] and solve [PAIN POINT].”

Practice confident body language

Pitching your solution in person? Be sure to practice strong body language while you rehearse your pitch. This will help you both appear and feel more confident.

Here are some basic ways you can improve your body language:

Eye contact : They say the eyes are the portal to the soul. Making and maintaining eye contact shows people you’re interested in them and invested in what they have to say.
Stand straight : Fixing your posture is an easy way to convey confidence. Simply pull your shoulders back and straighten your spine.
Chin up : Avoid looking down at the floor. Make an effort to stand straight and face straight ahead.
Firm handshake : A limp handshake signals a lack of confidence. Make sure you offer a firm handshake to make a strong first impression.

Prepare for objections

Chances are, you’re going to receive several questions and objections during your sales pitch. If you’re not ready for them, you may appear unsure of yourself, and your prospect could lose confidence in your expertise.

This is why collecting a library of common sales objections is invaluable to the process of strategizing your sales pitch. When you know how to handle objections quickly, you’ll appear more credible to the prospect, and they’ll feel like they’re in the hands of a professional.

“Ask yourself the toughest questions,” recommends Jack . “The biggest part of a sales pitch is after you’ve finished talking about yourself as a person or the brand you represent; it’s when the questions start.

“Preparing for those questions can be the difference between a successful pitch and losing business. So, before you get to that stage, read your pitch and prepare answers to questions you might be asked.”

Make objection handling a core part of your sales training. Whenever you hear a new objection, make a note of it (as well as your response) to share with the rest of the team.

For more sales pitch ideas, check out our tool featuring the experts’ responses to common sales objections, and our videos on how to tackle the following objections:

Lead the conversation to the next stage of the relationship

Finally, take the age-old advice of “always be closing” (ABC) to heart (while remembering that the journey to close is where the important work is done). By the end of your sales pitch, your prospect should be ready to take the next step in doing business with you.

This might be for them to trial your software, or for you to send a proposal and schedule a follow-up meeting. Whatever it is, lead your prospect to it. Make them feel like they’re in good hands by taking charge at every step of the conversation.

How to make a sales pitch: What we’ve learned

So, in summary, what can you learn from this guide about how to make a sales pitch that converts? Here are the key lessons to remember:

Review LinkedIn profiles to understand personal interests

Personalize your pitch by referencing specific details about the prospect’s background, interests and experience

Introduce yourself

State your reason for calling

Present your value proposition

Ask questions

Close by scheduling a follow-up

Keep emails concise: Aim for 50–125 words and make them personalized while focusing on benefits

Engage prospects on social media: Connect with them on LinkedIn or X using personalized messages.

Practice delivering a concise pitch: Ensure it can be shared in 30 seconds or less.

Tailor it for each prospect, focusing on their unique challenges

Use as little text as possible and visualize key points to maintain engagement

Tailor demos to highlight relevant features

Focus on features that address the prospect’s primary challenges and connect features directly to desired outcomes and pain point solutions

Make eye contact, stand straight and use a firm handshake.

Prepare for objections by anticipating questions and practicing responses.

Guide the conversation towards the next step: a trial, proposal or follow-up meeting.

By applying these strategies, you’ll know how to make a sales pitch that resonates with prospects every time.

Sales pitch strategy in review

A good sales narrative not only keeps your ideal prospects engaged, but it persuades them to follow along with the journey. If they believe in what you believe, and you can present a better way of doing things, it’s more likely you’ll secure them as a customer for life.

But this can only work if the entire organization is aligned with this story. Indeed, this story and “reason why” should be present in your marketing, customer service processes and the solution itself.

Communicate a better way of doing things, and show your prospects how they can drive results with the superpowers that you can give them. This is the key to crafting a sales pitch that inspires awe.

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7 steps to putting together a brilliant sales demo

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How To Write A Perfect Sales Pitch: Best Practices, Examples, And Templates

When I hear the phrase ‘sales pitch,’ I have ambivalent feelings about it. On the one hand, it’s just something inevitable, something every sales rep has to deal with. On the other hand, there’s…well…negative shade to it. Pitch? Really? I don’t like people pitching me any sort of thing.

Mulling over this confusion, I dare to infer: a good sales pitch can’t be pitchy.

Otherwise, it will make your prospects experience not the best feelings.

But what makes a sales pitch good? In this post, I’ll answer this question and share sales pitch examples and templates to make your pitch not pitchy but perfect .

What is a sales pitch?

Elements of a good sales pitch.

How to make a sales pitch
Sales pitch templates

A sales pitch is a concise sales presentation in which a salesperson makes a sales offering. They explain their business and non-intrusively show the value of their product/service. Salespeople commonly make their sales pitch at least once a week, so for sales teams, this is a regular part of the sales process .

You might deal with various sales pitch types depending on which channel you use for it:

Cold calling. ‘Call the damn leads’ – the phrase you might have heard hundreds of times, which reflects how you can reach a sales prospect with your offering – by phone.
Email outreach. Alternative to calling a prospect, you can use email to present your offering.
Social selling. You can contact your prospects on various social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
Elevator pitch. You typically use it at business events or when meeting someone in your industry for the first time.

Interestingly, you might come across the term ‘elevator pitch’ as just a synonym for ‘sales pitch.’ It emphasizes the very short time frame within which a sales pitch should be made – within the time of a single elevator ride.

I won’t tell you that your sales pitch must have a strict structure. To be honest, I’d prefer to deal with creative sales reps who afford a sort of freedom, as they sound more personal and emanate credibility.

Anyway, creativity is something that should follow knowledge. So, if you’re planning to get some understanding of how a good sales pitch differs from a bad one, I would say that a good sales pitch is commonly based on 6 essentials and advise that you keep them in your pitch.

When you contact a person for the first time, you can’t expect them to embrace you with both arms wide. Just put yourself in their shoes; what would you think? I bet you’d think, ‘What do you want from me?’

There must be something that will show them you are not a stranger – a good hook. As a salesperson, you should do thorough research and find information about the prospect that will let you catch their attention from the start.

You’ve read a prospect’s post? You’ve heard their company launched a new product? Or maybe you’ve just looked through their LinkedIn bio and think you have much in common? All this information can work well.

Here are some examples of hooks you can use:

“I see you’ve been promoted to the position of ___. Congratulations!”

“I’ve read your post about ____. I find your tips really useful.”

Alternatively, start your pitch with a direct explanation of why you’re contacting a person:

“The reason I’m calling/emailing is that ____.”

Even after impressing the prospect with your hook, you’re still a stranger to them. It’s time you told them a bit of information about your company. Just be careful here: you might be tempted to speak/write a lot. Resist it. Your intro must be short and straightforward, something like this:

“I am a sales manager at ____. Our company specializes in ____.”

3. Pain points

You’re making a sales pitch without pitching, remember? In your sales pitch, you’re not someone who is selling; you’re someone who is helping the prospect solve their problem. Your task is to identify your prospect’s pain points and highlight how your solution can help.

For example:

“I’ve read your company is using multiple services for ____, _____, and _____. It looks like you’re spending a lot of money on monthly subscriptions while your team has no single platform for cooperation.”

4. Benefits

I would say that’s the most crucial element of your pitch, your best moment to convince the prospect to buy your product/service.

Sadly, but very often, salespeople mix benefits with features. Don’t do this. In fact, your prospects don’t want to hear how excellent your solution is. They want to hear what they’ll get; they want a result.

Provide them with your value proposition.

Try to create a vision of success your prospect will experience after trying your solution. Will they become more productive? Will they spare money? Will they grow their revenue? You should know particular benefits your prospect will get and clearly state them, better with facts and figures.

For instance:

“With our tool, you’ll be able to manage all your workflow on one platform. This will help you enhance your productivity, sparing up to 5 hours daily, which your team can spend on most important tasks, and saving 30% of your budget.”

About 72% of customers say positive testimonials increase their trust in a business. That’s because people need proof, so give it to them.

A good way is to reference companies who are your current customers, especially those who are your prospect’s direct competitors. And don’t forget to support it all with facts and numbers.

“We have been able to help companies like _____ grow their productivity by 30% and increase revenue by 15%.”

6. Call to action

The closing element of your sales pitch should hint at further cooperation with the prospective customer. Here I would advise you to ask your prospect an engaging question and call them to action, for instance, get together for a sales interview . But don’t just appoint a meeting; concentrate again on the value it will bring to your potential client.

“What if we arrange a video call next week for me to show you how we have helped companies like yours specifically. Would it be worth your time to see how our solution could save effort and money?”

Now that you understand the basic elements of a sales pitch let’s walk through some working tactics that will help you make your pitch irresistible.

How to make a sales pitch: best practices and examples

Do your research.

Before making a pitch, the first thing to do is to study your prospect from different angles. You should be clear about who you’re pitching to , so don’t neglect to find the basic demographic and firmographic data, like a person’s name, position, and information about the company.

A good option is to rely on LinkedIn , from which you can collect lots of data, such as the company’s news, industry-related posts, and comments, and use it as a compelling hook for your sales presentation.

Use storytelling

Did you know that a great story can lead to the release of oxytocin, which creates a deeper connection between the storyteller and their audience? Not a surprise, storytelling is considered one of the most powerful sales techniques.

I highly recommend that you build your pitch around a narrative. Tell your prospect how other companies started using your product/service and what improvements they got. If you feel your prospect is inclined to object to your offering, you can even tell a brief story of how you have overcome problems by adopting a new technology after several objections.

Focus on the prospect

Even if you provide an example of your company in your sales pitch, make sure you don’t go too far telling your prospect about your best functionality for another long hour.

A good sales pitch is a story where the main hero is a prospect, not you. So concentrate on your prospect’s current challenges and the bright perspectives they’ll get when they buy your offering.

Balance between emotions and reason

In one of my previous posts about B2B sales psychology , I talked about the importance of appealing to emotions during a sales pitch. Here I would add that you should harmonize it with the appeal to the logical side.

You can appeal to emotions while talking about the prospect’s pain points, say, by asking them how they feel about their current problem. Or you can draw a positive picture of future improvements with your solution by asking them how they would feel if your product/service solved their problem.

Create the FOMO effect

FOMO (fear of missing out) is a perception that you’re lagging behind others in experiencing the advantages of your current life. In sales, you can use the FOMO effect as a psychological trick to stimulate your prospect’s motivation to buy.

Try telling them success stories of direct competitors who have been using your product/service for a while. I’ve mentioned it in the previous chapter while talking about proof. This way, your prospects might feel anxious about missing out on something important their rivals already have in their pocket.

Personalize your sales pitch

Make sure your sales pitch is relevant to your prospect. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and focus on specific needs and pain points of a company you’re going to sell to. And let me remind you again: do research before you start your pitch and learn about your prospects, so you can address them personally, win their positive attitude, and build trust.

Another way to build trust with your prospects is to position yourself as an industry expert. Why not add interesting facts to your sales pitch that your prospective customer might not know about?

For example, if your offering concerns a sales CRM , you can add some general information about the CRM market or statistics about how companies are adopting a new CRM. That will show you are well-versed in the subject and only add to the value of your offering.

Be prepared to handle sales objections

It hurts, but your sales pitch won’t always be accepted as something your prospect has been waiting for. Prospects do object, and yes, they do it quite often. Just be prepared to come up with counter-arguments to back you up.

Collecting a list of typical sales objections is important to the process of strategizing your sales pitch. When you know how to handle objections quickly, you’ll appear more credible and professional to the prospect.

It might be strange to imagine yourself talking aloud, but you need to practice your sales pitch beforehand. Make a plan of your presentation, including all the elements mentioned above, and exercise what you’ll be saying, in what order, figuring out possible questions and prospects’ reactions to your sales pitch.

The top 5 sales pitch templates for your business

Wow, it seems you’re now ready to conquer the hearts of your prospects. Just one last bonus – I’ve prepared 5 templates to support your sales pitch email efforts.

Just remember: templates are fine, but your pitch must be highly personalized, so use them as convenient backing for your creativity.

Sales pitch email template #1 – Sales introduction

Use this template in case your prospect hasn’t heard about you before. Your key goal here is to give them a reason to start communicating with you, so prepare a hook and demonstrate you’ve done your homework, researching a company you’re going to pitch to.

Sales pitch email template #2 – Prospect’s website visit

Never miss a chance to make a pitch to a prospect who has visited your website. You don’t need to look for a specific hook in this case, as you’ve got one already. This template will help show you are attentive to your website audience and ready to help immediately.

Sales pitch email template #3 – Responding to content

Most of your prospecting customers are publishing regular content, usually blog articles. This is a wonderful opportunity to use one of their posts as a hook to build links and make a sales pitch.

Sales pitch email template #4 – LinkedIn connection email template

LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for getting new customers, so once your prospect has accepted your connection, you can use it as a hook for making a non-intrusive sales pitch. You can do this through LinkedIn messages, InMails, or email. The latter will be a better solution to deal with LinkedIn limits and restrictions .

Sales pitch email template #5 – Objection handling

This template will help you to stay in the game even after your prospect objects. As you see, a bit of storytelling can save the situation. If you don’t have a similar story to share, you can always use one of your customer’s use cases .

Wrapping up

A sales pitch is an inevitable part of your job as a sales rep. And while there are dozens of prospects who have negative associations with it (yes, just like me), you already know that making a good sales pitch is possible without being pitchy.

I hope all the above tips, examples, and templates will help you come up with a sales pitch that will melt your prospect’s hearts the way none ever did. Meanwhile, Snov.io will take care of your sales process from start to finish.

14 Sales Pitch Examples: How to Create a Sales Pitch That Converts

What makes you want to buy something? Be honest—how many times have you listened to a sales rep, and then bought something you might not have bought otherwise?

You listened to a great sales pitch.

A sales pitch is a short presentation of what you have to offer, followed by a request that the recipient work with you. Every sales pitch is unique, but they all follow the same basic structure.

Knowing how to write a well-crafted sales pitch is a crucial skill for sales reps and critical to any business’ success.

We’ve covered a lot of different kinds of emails here on the blog, specifically sales-related emails like follow-ups . Sales pitches are the most overt kind of sales email—they’re the ones that directly ask for sales.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how to create a great sales pitch and provide you with 14 sales pitch examples you can use to help you craft your own pitch.

What does a good sales pitch look like?

At a glance, a good sales pitch is one that converts the people who receive it. Going deeper than that, a successful sales pitch includes four important components that drive people to convert:

Here’s a closer look at the key traits all effective sales pitches share:

Highly researched

What kind of sales pitches result in the most sales? Those that are personalized for the recipient.

There’s more to it—but ultimately, the deciding factor for your sales pitch email’s success is whether you took the time to research the prospect, their company, their needs, and the solution that would serve them best.

A personalized sales pitch is more than a sales pitch that leads with the recipient’s name. It addresses their specific pain points and offers solutions that are feasible for their budget, type of business, and specific needs.

For example, if your offer is enterprise-level software to make bookkeeping easier for large corporations, your target recipient isn’t a small bagel shop with two employees.

So how do you determine who, exactly, is the right fit for your offer? You do your research.

Use all the resources available to learn everything you possibly can about each prospect. That includes their website, social media profiles, any available information about their business, and who is in charge of making buying decisions.

For that last piece of research, we have a great blog post on strategies for finding the email addresses you need to find for specific people in an organization.

An effective sales pitch email is also short. It needs to be just long enough to make a connection with the recipient by explaining the problem you solve and the kinds of customers you serve. This should take, at maximum, a paragraph or two.

This type of sales pitch is sometimes called the elevator pitch.

A concise sales pitch should include three core elements:

The hook is the moment your pitch captures the prospect’s attention. If your pitch doesn’t hook the prospect within the first few seconds of them opening your email, they will be a lot less likely to convert.

We’ve discussed effective hooks on the blog before. The right hook or opening line for your pitch depends on your offer and the recipient—which is why you need to do enough research on them to understand what kind of hook will work best.

The right hook might be a personal note, like mentioning that you spoke with them at an event a few days prior. Or it might be a statistic they just can’t ignore, like the results your product generated for your other clients in the past six months.

Here’s a sales pitch example with a great hook that we received at Hunter:

After hooking your reader, you need to explain why you’re pitching to them. Maybe it’s because you noticed they struggle with a specific pain point, or maybe it’s because you have a new product available, and they had a great experience with the last product you released.

Mention your value proposition — how your offer will help them resolve a pain point.

There are a few different strategies you can use to do this, like mentioning how well it worked for other clients, dropping a few key facts and statistics about your offer’s efficacy, including a testimonial, or simply asking the prospect how you can help them.

Whichever strategy you determine is best, the goal is to get the reader to visualize themselves using your product to resolve the challenges they’re currently facing.

Be sure to keep your pitch clear, concise, and free from jargon. The prospect needs to completely understand your offer, and they can’t do that if it’s loaded with technical terms or bogged down by convoluted sentences.

Keep it short, keep it clear, and keep it in the simplest language you can use to communicate your offer and its benefits.

Call to action

This last part is where you actually ask the recipient to make a purchase (or, if your email’s goal is to get them on a sales call, ask them to schedule a call with you).

This part needs to be straightforward, clear on exactly what you want the recipient to do (e.g., watch a demo, schedule a call, subscribe, or buy a product), and give short instructions on how to do it.

Your call to action needs to have a sense of urgency—you just pitched them on why your offer is so great; now drive them to take action while it’s fresh in their mind.

Data is your friend. And when it comes to sales pitches, data is one of your best friends because data convinces people.

Think about it—how many times have you heard a claim, then looked it up and found data that convinced you that the claim was true (or false? Or technically true, but cherry picked?)

Similarly, how many times have you argued a point by citing relevant data to support it?

We’d wager a guess you’ve done that at least a few times.

Just like citing statistics makes your argument more persuasive, citing data makes your sales pitch more effective. And as the company offering the product or service, you should have all the relevant data to back up your claims.

Include data that illustrates the value your offer delivers. This data gives the recipient the information they need to come to their own conclusion about your offer: ideally, that it will solve the challenges they’re facing right now.

Here are some examples of data you could include in your pitch:

Sales figures from previous releases or promotions
Customer feedback about your product or service
Case studies about previous products or releases

This data can be about the customer, too. For example, you might include statistics on the kinds of brands that choose to work with you or the demographics your company serves.

By seeing themselves in your satisfied customer base, your email’s recipient is more likely to connect with your brand.

Creates a sense of urgency

As we mentioned above, an effective sales pitch creates a sense of urgency. Urgency comes from the vocabulary the pitch uses and how the message is structured.

Ask yourself this: do these phrases make me want to buy something?

When you get a chance
If you’re ready
Before the end of this promotion
I’d like to connect

How about these?

This promotion ends soon

Short, action-oriented words and sentences create a sense of urgency. Whatever you say in your sales pitch, say it in as few words as possible. Make sure you use the active voice, too.

Here’s a quick primer on the active voice versus the passive voice:

Active: Smart people buy this product
Passive: This product is purchased by smart people

See the difference? Your sales pitch needs to be clear, direct, and urgent.

This is also a great place to address your recipient’s pain point again. For example, if you’re offering IT services, remind them how much a network outage will cost them for every hour it persists.

What NOT to include in a sales pitch

Just like there are certain components that need to be in every sales pitch, there are a few things that shouldn’t be in any sales pitch you send. Always avoid:

Sales cliches

Sales cliches: you’ve heard ‘em all.

“Buy now and save!”

“Don’t miss out on this AMAZING opportunity!”

“Act now before it’s gone”

When you’re writing a sales pitch that not only hooks potential buyers, but also creates the necessary sense of urgency to get them to buy your offer, it can be easy to wander into cliche territory.

After all, there are only so many ways to tell somebody to buy something. So how do you use a tried-and-true sales formula without sounding like every other sales pitch the recipient has heard?

Stay away from cliche expressions like:

Bang for your buck
Move the needle
Addressing the elephant in the room
Win-win scenario

If you find yourself wanting to use one of these stock phrases, determine what you’re really trying to say. Then, find a fresher way to communicate your point.

For example, instead of starting your sales pitch with “let’s address the elephant in the room,” you might start it with something like “I know what you’re worried about, and trust me, you aren’t the only one.”

Too many technical details

As we mentioned above, leave the industry-specific jargon out of your sales pitch. There’s one very specific exception to this rule, which we’ll illustrate in one of the example templates later on.

But in most cases, including technical details in your sales pitch will make the prospect less likely to convert, not more.

That’s because people want to feel confident that they’re choosing the right product for their needs. If they come across a term or figure they don’t understand, they won’t be as confident that they’re making the right choice.

Remember, your sales pitch should always affirm that choosing you is the best choice the prospect can make.

There’s another reason why including too many technical details in your pitch will detract from its effectiveness: they take up space.

When people read emails, they skim. That’s why it’s so important to grab their attention with a personalized hook and make them want to read the whole thing. But when someone is skimming an email and seeing nothing but figures and details they can’t immediately understand, their attention wanes.

And when people lose interest, you lose the sale. So make sure that when you do include technical information and other details in your pitch, you include them because they’ll connect with the prospect and make them more excited about your offer.

Promises you can’t keep

This one is critical . Of course, you want to make your sales pitch as appealing to the recipient as possible. You want to make them offers they can’t refuse.

But make sure those are offers you’re actually willing and able to deliver.

There are two ways you can potentially land yourself in hot water by making promises you can’t keep:

Making unrealistic claims about your product or service
Offering add-ons, discounts, or other upgrades you can’t actually provide

In the first case, making a false claim can result in buyers feeling disappointed in your product and, potentially, in dangerous situations themselves if the product doesn’t work how you claimed it would work.

Depending on where in the world you and the buyer are located, this could lead to legal trouble for you. In the second scenario, you can similarly find yourself in legal trouble for fraud —and your reputation as a business destroyed.

Even if you do make a sale, making a promise you can’t keep will only result in an unsatisfied customer.

14 sales pitch examples to inspire your next pitch

Need inspiration for your next pitch? Check out these 14 great sales pitch examples:

1. Quick win for {{company}}

This kind of pitch is ideal for the customer who wants something right now. In addition to offering a solution that will instantly net them results, it gives them two tactical strategies for free .

If your goal is to net a new client rather than retain an existing one, giving them something for free can be a very effective way to establish your value and trustworthiness as a brand.

After taking advantage of the two suggestions and seeing their results, the recipient will want more—and they’ll book a call with you to get it.

2. Solution for [[challenge]]

Naturally, a sales pitch is all about offering a solution. And that’s exactly what this template equips you to do.

In some cases, the most effective way to hook the prospect is to jump right into their problem and how your solution will resolve it.

Notice how in this template, the sender immediately backs up their solution with relevant data about past clients’ experiences.

If the only information you have about the prospect is the challenges they’re facing, or if that’s really the only information that’s relevant to your pitch, keep it simple and go with a pitch like this.

3. How do you handle [[problem]]?

In contrast to the last template, this one asks the prospect to have a conversation with the sender about the challenges they’re facing.

If you don’t know the exact nature of the prospect’s challenges, a sales pitch like this can help you do your research while offering a solution. It might lead to a call where you determine that the prospect actually isn’t a great fit for your service—or that they’d be served better by one of your other products.

4. Showcase {{company}} to 730K+ potential customers

This is the kind of pitch that can work great if you’re targeting an established or otherwise high-value prospect.

By leading with an acknowledgment that they’re doing amazing things, you’re opening the door to express how your offer can only help them keep growing and enable them to be even better at what they do.

You’re also making your value immediately clear with a quick stat: you’ve got the power to put their brand in front of a large number of potential buyers.

5. {{first_name}} check out your new cancellation flow

Some products are best demonstrated rather than discussed. If that’s your product, opt for a sales pitch that shows, rather than tells , how it will solve the challenges the prospect is facing.

Also, notice how the sender tells the recipient exactly how long the video is. Nobody wants—or has time—to watch a long video on how your product works.

So by telling them before they click that it will only take 40 seconds of their time, you’re assuring them that you respect their time and won’t take a second more than you need.

6. Sales team goals

The purpose of this kind of sales pitch isn’t to embarrass the prospect if they aren’t meeting their goals; it’s to acknowledge that lower-than-expected sales are a pain point that you’re equipped to solve.

This is another example of the kind of pitch that you should only employ if your research has shown that this specific issue is one the prospect is struggling with.

7. Quick question on {{company}} {{first_name}}

If you’re marketing to other marketers, you can “speak their language” in a sales pitch. You can’t do this when you’re pitching to people outside your industry or your role.

But when you know your prospect will understand certain vocabulary words, concepts, and concerns, you can jump right to the jargon and talk to them marketer-to-marketer.

Doing this communicates that you’ve been in the same position they’re in now and that you’re offering them a solution that’s truly designed for somebody in their position.

8. Available for a chat?

Similar to example #3, this pitch invites the prospect to tell you about the pain points they’re experiencing, rather than you assuming them.

The difference here is that this pitch feels more casual and suggests a more person-to-person, rather than company-to-company, connection between you and the prospect. Use this kind of pitch for a smaller or sole proprietor prospect.

9. Let's build your A-team

Certain sales pitches are best suited for products. Others are best suited for services. This template is an example of the latter type of pitch because it does two things:

It name-drops top players who’ve used the service, implicitly including the prospect in that list
It includes data on the results the service has garnered for those past clients

Use this kind of sales pitch if you’ve got an impressive client list and the data to back up your claims.

10. Help with [[problem]]

This kind of pitch wastes no time introducing the sender. If you’re pitching to a cold prospect, this is the strategy to use.

There’s only one question the prospect should be asking when they reach the end of your email: how soon can we schedule the call?

11. Hi {{first_name}}, quick question

Just like the previous sales pitch template, this one starts by introducing the sender. It’s another great choice for a cold prospect.

This one gets more personal, though, first with an honest compliment about the prospect’s company and then a personal connection. If you have either of these, leverage them. That’s one of the most effective ways to personalize a sales pitch.

12. [[problem]] solution

Another way to leverage your brand’s resources is to have your testimonials sell your offer. That’s what this sales pitch does.

It gets straight to the point, telling the prospect that you know what they do and what they struggle with—this shows that you did your research, which goes a long way in establishing trust.

Then, after the pitch, the testimonial does the talking, followed by a promise that the prospect, too, can have this great experience.

13. {{company} + [[your company]]

This is another sales pitch template that hinges primarily on a question rather than going straight to the offer. The offer is subtle here: just a quick sentence about what you do, no pressure on the recipient to take you up on it at all.

This kind of pitch is ideal for offers that are best explained through a conversation rather than a one-way email.

14. Are you happy with [[competitor]]?

If it’s appropriate for your brand (and this kind of tactic isn’t appropriate for every brand—and that’s perfectly fine!), ask the prospect about their experience with a competitor directly.

This is where your research comes in handy—by taking the time to learn about what your prospect’s company does and the services they’re currently working with, you can get personal in your sales pitch like this.

Remember, you aren’t badmouthing your competitor in this kind of sales pitch. Instead, you’re asking the prospect for their honest feedback about their experience with the competitor, good and bad.

And when they mention the difficulties they’ve faced, that’s your opportunity to offer a solution.

Get the most out of your sales pitch

Writing effective sales pitches is part science, part art. There are the components that need to be there, like an irresistible hook and a direct call to action. But there are also the components that can vary a little, like the statistics you include to support your offer.

As you test and redevelop your sales pitch framework, remember that selling involves more than just an irresistible offer. That offer is only irresistible if it’s personalized for the people receiving it.

And even when it is irresistible, sometimes people still need a little nudge to say yes and move forward with the deal. That’s why you almost always need to send a follow-up email within a few days of sending your initial sales pitch.

Need more help crafting a sales pitch? Check out our database of sales pitch templates here .

Lindsay Kramer is a copywriter and content writer from the USA. She is a contributing author at Grammarly, 99Designs, and the Leaf Group. When she's not writing, she's out surfing.

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15 Best Sales Pitch Examples [+ Tips and Templates]

Melissa Williams

What Is a Sales Pitch?

types of sales pitches, 15 sales pitch examples, sales pitch tips, sales pitch template.

When it comes to sales pitch examples and persuading anyone about anything, a dichotomy holds true:

You want (or believe) one thing; they want or believe another thing.

The easiest way to get from Point A to B is to connect the dots.

You find your audience’s point of view (POV) and connect to their values or needs.

Below are 15 sales pitch examples that show you tactical strategies and sales techniques to do it the right way.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

A sales pitch is a concise, targeted sales presentation that succinctly explains the following aspects of an offer:

The product’s/service’s features and benefits
Unique value proposition/unique selling proposition (USP)
Data to back up your claims

Really great sales pitches also sometimes manage to make subtle references to more nuanced company information, like a mission statement, brand values, and more.

Sales pitches vary in length depending on their format, the specifics of your offer, and the needs of your market.

That being said, they’re definitely meant to be short — usually only a couple of minutes or less. That’s why a sales pitch is also sometimes referred to as an “ elevator pitch .” The idea is that you should be able to deliver the entire spiel in the time it takes to share an elevator ride with someone.

Because time isn’t usually on a sales rep’s side when they’re pitching, they need to make sure the content and delivery are extremely compelling.

To that end, it’s also important that the purpose of a pitch isn’t to sell the product immediately after the pitch. Instead, aim for baby steps; a more appropriate goal of a sales pitch would be to have to prospect book another meeting, sign up for a webinar, or commit to a demo.

Sales reps have a lot of flexibility when it comes to pitching. There are several formats and delivery options available to suit the needs of any product, rep, or target market.

Phone Sales Pitch

Though cold calling (and, these days, phone calling in general) gets a bad reputation, it can actually be a surprisingly effective approach for a sales pitch.

One of the advantages of a phone pitch is that it happens live, in real-time, so sales reps can gauge the prospects’ response and adjust their tactics accordingly.

Phone sales pitches also make it easy for sales reps to show how much they’ve done their research as they deliver a highly personalized, value-driven offer.

Pitching over the phone can also provide a natural segue into initiating an email conversation.

Voicemail Sales Pitch

If you’re going to practice phone sales pitching, you’ll also want to master your voicemail sales pitch.

With about 80% of all calls going to voicemail , chances are high that phone-based reps will need to rehearse exactly what they’re going to say when they hear that beep.

And with so little time in the day (and the depressing statistic that only 5% of voicemails ever get returned), your voicemail sales pitch needs to be intriguing enough that it compels the prospect to give you the time of day, listen to the message, and call you back.

Email Sales Pitch

The email sales pitch is a great tactic for sales teams that need to pitch to a large number of prospects. Reps who use this format get the benefit of being able to pitch to prospects anywhere, at any time.

Still, for all of its conveniences, email sales pitching comes with its own set of challenges.

Standing out in a prospect’s inbox, for example, is no easy feat. People receive over 100 business emails per day , so reps need to know how to cut to the chase immediately (bullet points are great for this). Even the subject line can become make-or-break for some messages.

The best way to use an email sales pitch is to focus on one or two primary points, and stick to them throughout. Remember, your main goal is to initiate further conversation; you can pick up where your email left off the next time you speak.

Social Media Pitch

Instead, look for ways to use social media that will hold up as timeless.

Social media pitching is great for increasing brand awareness and establishing credibility. It allows sales reps and prospects to engage in a casual, easy way that helps build rapport and trust.

Presentation Sales Pitch

The terms “sales pitch” and “sales presentation” are sometimes conflated. And for casual purposes, that’s mostly fine.

But in technical terms, a presentation sales pitch is one that includes a sales deck.

The sales deck is the presentation component — a visual supplement (including images, copy, graphics, charts, etc.) that improves your pitch. Tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote can help sales reps of any experience level create sales decks for presentations.

Over 90% of the information that’s transmitted to the brain is visual, so having the ability to present with visual aids is a huge advantage.

Sales pitch examples: Presentation sales pitch

For a really polished presentation, email and/or print a PDF copy of the sales deck for the prospect, so they can review it on their own time and share it with other relevant decision-makers .

Website Sales Pitch

Some sales teams use their company website to help them make their pitch.

A website sales pitch includes any strategic messaging and/or content placed on the page that’s designed to capture prospects’ attention and encourage them to take the next action (e.g., fill out a form, call a sales rep, etc.).

One of the biggest advantages of using the website to assist the sales pitch is that this format can be very effective at showcasing your brand values without coming across as too sales-y.

Follow-Up Sales Pitch

Elevator Pitch

“ Elevator pitch ” is the long-standing nickname for a sales pitch, and is named for the way salespeople need to pitch — quickly! Reps can get into the right mindset for an elevator pitch by imagining that they need to get their points across by the time the listener arrives to their floor.

This is one of the shortest types of sales pitches, usually clocking in at 60 seconds or less. Be quick, be honest, and be friendly. The elevator pitch exists to make connections and is an invitation to learn more — don’t make it more complicated than that.

Sales pitch examples: elevator pitch template

Sales Pitch Example #1: The Elevator Pitch

In today’s day and age where everyone is on the go, the elevator pitch is a necessity. People simply don’t have the bandwidth for a full-length presentation — especially when they’re only just exploring their options.

>>Example: Check out this example in which a G2 rep pitches his product with authenticity and enthusiasm in under 20 seconds.

Social proof (i.e. data from case studies, quotes from testimonials, etc.) is one of the most powerful things you can include in a sales pitch.

Just make sure you find a balance between sharing what other people think versus sharing what you can do specifically for that prospect’s unique challenges.

Sales Pitch Example #2: The Product Demonstration

Sometimes, there’s really nothing like the real deal to get the prospect hooked. A live product demonstration can be incredibly compelling.

>>Example: Check out the way the founder of Scrub Daddy scrubbed his way into three different Sharks’ hearts (who ended up arguing for the right to work with him!) and earned his company a lucrative investment.

Watching this video, there’s no denying that the product works. The interested Sharks have absolutely no skepticism about the product or its claims; in fact, the best-fit Shark is actually excited to give him the money — all because his product demo spoke for itself.

Sales Pitch Example #3: The Pain Point Pitch

Here’s another Shark Tank example, and the entrepreneur in this pitch knows exactly how to dig into his market’s pain points: by talking about their children.

It’s clear by their body language here that every Shark — even those who are too old, at this point, to have kids in daycare — knows exactly the struggle that Mr. Brightwheel describes in his introduction.

The universal frustration faced by teachers and parents alike is so poignant that all he needs to do is describe it for a minute or two, and it brings even empty-nest parents right back to those chaotic early years.

Sales Pitch Example #4: The Two-Sentence Pitch

The Two-Sentence Pitch (also sometimes called the 12-second pitch) has a very specific framework.

First sentence: Complete (but brief!) summary of what your company does.

Second sentence: What sets your company apart from competitors.

That’s it! This structure is helpful for beginning conversations with investors. It’s also sometimes used as the introduction for a slightly longer elevator pitch.

>> Example: Here’s the two-sentence pitch in action.

Yesware is a sales engagement platform that helps sales reps increase productivity, improve engagement with prospects, and guide team-wide data-driven decisions. We integrate with Gmail, Outlook, and Salesforce in under 60 seconds, giving reps access to data directly in their inbox.

This pitch is short enough that the specific language and other components can easily be A/B tested to find the perfect combination of words, gestures, pauses, etc.

Sales Pitch Example #5: Don’t You Agree?

This presentation pitch example is a bait-and-switch approach that leaves your audience agreeing with you.

Here’s how it works :

Start with an undeniable truth.
Make a bold claim that contrasts it. One that should stir up some furrowed brows.
Why they should agree + Solution.

>> Example: Here is a set of slides by Drift that does this well. The breakdown of the pitch:

Truth : Tech has taken over our lives.

Bold claim : Forms, emails, and calls are the enemy. (Keep in mind that this is being pitched to marketers and salespeople, who rely on these channels for leads and customer communication.)

Why + Solution : Tech makes us treat humans like faceless leads. We should be focusing on creating real conversation and solving needs. Meet Drift.

The beauty of this approach is it makes us think differently. Deep down, we all want to push our teams ahead. Doing so requires innovation and change. Your pitch introduces a new line of thinking that helps your audience become a change agent for their team.

Want more? Here are 7 of the best sales presentation slides from companies like Facebook, Uber, and LinkedIn.

Sales Pitch Example #6: Start With a Story, Segue Into Your Pitch

Storytelling captivates us as an adult just as much as it did when we were a child.

Our brains literally react to them. Stories trigger the release of a trust hormone called Oxytocin. When storytelling in a sales pitch , this chemical reaction promotes connection and empathy.

>> Example: See this story by Amy Cuddy . (The pitch here is that we really can fake it until we make it; our body language informs our perception of ourselves and others’ perceptions of us, thereby shaping our outcomes.)

Here are the details to include in your story (with the speaker’s filled out as an example):

What : A car accident threw her from the car, dropped her IQ, and took her out of college.

When : Age nineteen

Why it matters : Amy overcame the odds by faking it until she made it. She realized that adjusting her body language shaped her mind, her behaviors, and her outcomes.

Pro Tip : Keep your story short. You should hit on all of the details above in less than 2 minutes. Here’s an example of what not to do: a seventeen-minute story by LEGO®.

Sales Pitch Example #7: Start With a Stat

Sharing data during a sales pitch is a surefire way to demonstrate your credibility. It shows that you’ve done your research and that you understand how their problem affects them in a very tangible way.

How it works: Start your pitch with a statistic that highlights the problem the prospect faces.

>>Example: Let’s imagine your sales team sells onboarding software for new hires. Your product is designed to cut down on wasted time training new employees and reduce employee turnover.

Did you know that disengaged or poorly-trained employees actually cost companies money? Employees with low engagement cost their organizations approximately 18% of their salary. And that’s not to mention the fact that it costs anywhere from $7,500 to $28,000 (or more) to hire and onboard a new employee.

This is an effective intro, or “hook,” because it immediately gets the prospect thinking about their own budget and bottom line, and how to avoid the consequences mentioned in the statistics.

Sales Engagement Data Trends from 3+ Million Sales Activities

Sales Pitch Example #8: The Demo Principle

What do late-night infomercials, Costco samples, and magicians have in common?

They show you what they’re pitching firsthand.

The theory here is that the cost of time and resources it takes to give a demo is worth it, because the net profit from sales outweighs the net profit of sales without a demo.

How to do it : List out a table with two columns: bells and whistles go on the left; the end benefits go on the right. Cross out the bells and whistles; demo and sell the end benefits.

>> Example : Watch this carrot slicer show passersby about an easy peeling experience. Notice how little he talks about features of the peeler, because you can see them for yourself.

Sales Pitch Example #9: Give Perspective Based on Your Audience

When you’re pitching, you know the thing you’re trying to sell like the back of your hand.

But you need to know your audience like that, too.

It’s the key that helps bring their point of view to yours. And it’s one of the most easily overlooked secrets behind a successful sales pitch.

Most pitches make the classic mistake of jumping right into selling.

How to do it right on your own : Ask your customers to pick their brain. Why did they choose you? What benefits were they excited to see? Why do they keep coming back? Lead with that.

>> Example: Watch Mark Cuban explain what he did when he was faced with selling Mavs tickets when they were the worst team in the league. (Start the video at 1:01.) He reframes the game experience as a way for parents to create lasting memories with their children — memories like the ones they still have with their own parents.

Sales Pitch Example #10: Use Emotional Appeal

Another thing that works in Mark Cuban’s pitch is that he uses nostalgia.

Triggering someone’s emotion drives them to act.

Think about it: It’s why panhandling works : it sparks sympathy, which compels us to give.

How to do it on your own : Identify your audience’s business and/or personal values. Show how your pitch relates to their own values. ( Yesware , for instance, relates to its users by being built to save them time and increase their productivity every day.)

>>Example: See this Shark Tank pitch , where a company founder gets two sharks tearing up by getting them to commiserate with the risks of starting a new company.

Using content in your pitch that strikes an emotional chord is one of 7 proven sales techniques to close a deal and get to “yes.”

Sales Pitch Example #11: Educate and Inspire

The way we grow in life, love, and our careers is by learning.

On the flip side of that, one way to help others to grow is to educate. And not in a way where you push your opinions. You need to lay the groundwork with facts they don’t know.

How to do it yourself : Use specificity. It’s a persuasive technique to make your points more believable.

>>Example: Here is a video pitch from CharityWater .

It lays out these important facts:

Some people have to walk 4 hours a day to get access to drinking water, and even then it is contaminated with dysentery and cholera.
Drinking dirty water each year kills more people than intense violence like war.
The water crisis is solvable. There is enough water in the world.

Sales Pitch Example #12: Use the Pique Technique

What was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?

It’s the opening line of the video example above, and it captures viewers.

The thing is, when you’re selling to someone who doesn’t want to be sold to, jumping into a standard pitch is a fast turnoff.

The Pique Technique is where you make an odd request or ask a question that leaves your audience wanting to know more. They wonder why you’re asking, and that keeps them focused.

How to do it yourself : Make a small request of your audience, or ask them a question that’s easy to answer but leaves them wondering why you’re asking in the first place.

>> Example :

Sales Pitch Example #13: Paint Them a Picture

You think what you’re pitching is great, right? Well, the best way to show your audience this is to give them your POV.

How to do this : Think of the end effect of whatever you’re pitching. What does it feel like? Use a metaphor to explain it to your audience. You’ll need three or more points of similarity between the thing you’re pitching and the thing you’re comparing it to.

Because this can be tricky, here are two examples:

>>Example 1: Joe MacMillan compares the first web browser to driving through the Holland Tunnel:

Points of similarity:

Possibility to be able to go anywhere
Excitement of what is to come
The anticipation of everything being laid out before you

>>Example 2: Don Draper pitches a slide projector wheel by describing it as a time machine:

Goes backward and forwards
Takes us to a place where we ache to go again
Lets us travel to a place where you know you’re loved

As Don Draper says, this technique helps your audience to create a sentimental bond with whatever it is you’re pitching.

Sales Pitch Example #14: Use Flattery

We all have some level of self-doubt.

Which is why flattery is so effective.

It replaces our self-doubt with self-esteem. This subconscious effect holds true even when the offeror has an ulterior motive and the person you’re complimenting sees your ulterior motive .

>> Example:

Check out 5 more email examples of personal selling in action.

Sales Pitch Example #15: Show Them That Their Time > Your Time

This one makes you stand out because 98% of sales pitches make a valiant assumption.

One that ruins their shot — despite the effort put into writing and setting up the nurture.

They assume is that their time is more valuable than their prospects.

The mindset is “I put in 1 minute of research, so I’m warranted to ask for 15-30 of yours.”

Because “I think this is a really good fit.”

Who cares? The trash can.

Instead, show them you spent more time researching than you’re asking for.

>> Example: See the example below. First, Asher runs an audit to pitch. Then, he reaches out through LinkedIn Messaging and email to send me the audit directly.

Within the same hour, I then received this with the audit attached:

Keep the following tips in mind as you practice and perfect your sales pitch.

Research…a Lot

As fast-moving as most sales pitches are, they require a tremendous amount of research ahead of time.

For a sales pitch to be effective, the rep who’s delivering it needs to be on top of everything from product knowledge to customer knowledge, to market trends and predictions.

Solid sales pitch research means understanding:

The prospect’s pain points , needs, challenges, and preferences
The appropriate channel for distributing the pitch
The decision-makers at the prospect’s company, and how to reach them
Which questions and/or objections may be presented during the pitch

The more thorough your research, the more personalized your pitch will be.

Make a Connection

Although it’s hard to measure, a lot of your success with sales pitching will come down to how well you make your first impression.

Avoid the temptation to launch directly into your pitch content, no matter how limited your time.

Instead, be the leader in building rapport. Make an effort to make a connection, and (of course) always remember to pitch with honesty and integrity.

Start With a Strong Opening

You only have a few minutes to pitch, so the first few seconds are key. The opening of your pitch (sometimes called “the hook”) is one of the most important parts to master.

To add curiosity and engagement to this section, consider starting by asking a question or sharing a relevant statistic.

Work on Your Messaging

Regardless of the format of your pitch, always ensure that your brand messaging and value proposition are communicated clearly.

Sales pitch tips: Unique selling point (USP)

Numbers are precise and definitive — sharing statistics and data during a sales pitch can give prospects something tangible to reference as they contemplate more about your offer.

Nail Your Next Steps

Remember, the point of a sales pitch is to get the prospect to agree to the next step in the process.

To that end, sales reps need to make sure that they know exactly what they plan to ask for after their pitch.

Whether you want a meeting, a demo, or simply an email address, make sure that you have your specific ask ready (along with any materials you need to make it easy for them to say yes).

Although every sales pitch is different, there are a few components that are common to just about everyone.

Use the following list to help you create a sales pitch template for your team.

Introduction: Make friendly introductions and build rapport. Pay attention to the prospect’s body language, and adjust your approach accordingly.
Problem/Pain Points: Many sales reps find it effective to start their pitch with a question, or with a surprise-factor statement relating to the prospect’s pain point. The idea is to get them feeling a bit unsettled at the beginning so that by the time you finish your pitch, they are relieved to hear about your solution. This is where you get to the heart of the “why” for the prospect.
Value Statement/Value Proposition: As clearly and concisely as you can, explain your company’s value proposition and unique differentiators. The way you describe your USP should be action-driven and results-oriented. Avoid overly technical jargon or complex explanations.
Proof Points/Customer Stories: Social proof is powerful enough that it should always be included in a sales pitch, no matter how limited your talk time is. Snippets from case studies, testimonials, and online reviews are all great resources that prove other customers trust you; internal data and success stories can also be very compelling.
Closing Question/CTA: At the end of your pitch, it’s time to talk next steps. Some reps choose to end their pitch the same way it began: with an open-ended question . This can put the ball in the prospect’s court and help guide them into the next stage. If they don’t get there on their own, though, it’s up to you to be firm and make a direct call-to-action (i.e., Can we set up a demo for Thursday? How’s 2:00pm?).

Remember, it’s important to always connect the dots and put your prospect first.

These sales pitch examples use tactical strategies that are easily replicable but must be catered to your specific prospects.

This guide was updated on November 22, 2023.

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How to Create an Effective Sales Pitch (With Examples)

January 15, 2024

Shara Zareen

How to Create an Effective Sales Pitch (With Examples)

A sales pitch is an attempt to get the prospect's interest in your offering so they decide to purchase it, resulting in successful sales. In other words, it's the art of presenting a product or service and captivating the audience to buy. While crafting a successful pitch for sales, it should be kept in mind that it is tailored according to your prospect's specific needs and interests.

What is a Sales Pitch?

As mentioned earlier, a sales pitch can be defined as a communication composed to convince a potential customer to engage with the products or services and take specific favorable actions. This sales technique is often called an ‘elevator pitch’ because of its need to be brief. Businesses can adapt this technique to persuade the audience either in person or through various digital channels.

A sales pitch is a sales presentation wherein the salesperson aims to captivate the audience, highlight unique selling points, and address the needs or desires of a customer. They often use scripts as a structured framework for promoting a unified brand image and its products or services. SquadStack has its own guided calling app that assures 100% script compliance. It helps our agents ensure that every call adheres to the guidelines, preventing fraudulent activities.

How to Pitch in Sales?

Before you present the product or service to potential customers, you must understand their needs and tailor your pitch accordingly. You might have to modify your pitch at the very last moment in certain circumstances. Hence, adaptability is essential. Make sure to address their specific challenges and highlight the unique features of your product. You must engage and invite questions from the customers for effective rapport building. Lastly, close your pitch with a clear call to action.

8 Steps to Create an Effective Sales Pitch Script

Sales representatives use sales pitches or written dialogue scripts to guide themselves while interacting with customers. The journey of crafting an effective script can be confusing and overwhelming. It demands a meticulous approach. Let us walk through the guide discussed below that offers valuable insights on crafting a sales pitch and achieving impactful results.

Step 1: Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is a statement that conveys the distinct benefits and features of the offering to the audience. Identify what sets your products or services apart and clearly express the specific benefits you offer that your competitors don’t. Understand the pain points of your potential customers and ensure that your UVP resonates with their desires or challenges. Regularly reassess your UVP based on market trends.

Step 2: Develop a Hook

Start with a thought-provoking question that emphasizes the pain points or the desires your audience can relate to. You can even narrate a story that highlights the urgency of your offering. Position your product or services as the solution they have been looking for. Make sure that your hook is directly connected to the benefits you provide and create immediate interest.

Step 3: Structure Your Sales Pitch Script

Your sales pitch must have maximum impact. Make your offering relatable and introduce your solution as the ideal remedy. Provide evidence of your offering’s uniqueness through case studies, testimonials, or statistics.

Step 4: Craft a Compelling Story in your Sales Pitch Script

Begin with creating an emotional connection with your audience. Share your journey and portray your product as the hero that resolves issues and improves lives. Give real-world examples and testimonials that highlight positive outcomes. You can even use the PIXAR technique, a method developed by the Pixar Animation Studios that involves storytelling to present your product or service. The idea behind this technique is to pitch in a few but interesting sentences focused on phrases like ‘once upon a time…’ and ‘until finally…’.

Step 5: Include Strong CTA

Incorporate a strong CTA (call-to-action). Mention the next step you want the prospect to take, like scheduling a demo, making a purchase, or signing up for a trial. Use action-oriented language to instill a sense of urgency.

Step 6: Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features

Instead of merely listing specifications, explain how each feature translates into a tangible user advantage. Try to shift the focus of the pitch from the features to benefits by showcasing how your offering directly addresses their needs.

Step 7: Anticipate and Address Objections

It is a vital step in overcoming the barriers to a positive response. When you proactively acknowledge concerns and address objections, you demonstrate understanding and build trust. It shows that you have considered the prospect’s perspective, increasing the likelihood of recognition of your offering.

Step 8: Practice, Practice, Practice

Lastly, practice your pitch as much as possible for a confident presentation. Rehearsing refines your timing, tone, and confidence. It familiarizes you with your pitch and enables adaptability to various scenarios and audiences. It boasts genuine and natural delivery of pitches. At SquadStack, each caller receives targeted training to improve their performance. These trainings are based on insights and feedback from the call quality and performance monitoring of the callers.

Also, check Call Center Script: A Step-by-Step Guide

Types of Sales Pitches [+Template]

Sales pitches come in multiple forms, each customized for different contexts and objectives. Understanding the nuances of each type is the key to mastering the art of effective sales communication and driving desired outcomes. Here are some typical sales pitch examples.

1. Elevator Pitch

The elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary that summarizes crucial information into a short and memorable message capable of sparking further engagement. This pitch is designed to leave a lasting impression, making it an effective tool for any situation where a quick and impactful introduction is crucial.

Example of an elevator script:

“Hi, I’m [Your Name] from [Your Company’s Name]. We specialize in developing cutting-edge mobile apps. Our team of expert developers ensures top-notch quality, timely delivery, and a user-friendly interface. We recently collaborated with [Name of the Company] and helped them increase their customer engagement by 40%. Imagine having a personalized app that boosts your business efficiency and engages your users. If you want to elevate your brand through innovative mobile solutions, I’d love to discuss how [Your Company’s Name] can make that happen for you.”

2. Email Pitch

An email pitch is a persuasive message sent electronically as a part of the sales strategy. It acts as a digital counterpart to traditional sales pitches that leverage the convenience of email communication to drive positive responses.

3. Cold Call Sales Pitch Example

It is a verbal sales presentation conducted over the phone to prospects who haven’t shown prior interest. Despite its challenges, it serves as a direct method for initiating contact and uncovering opportunities in an unplanned interaction.

Prospect: Hello?

Agent: Good morning [Prospect’s Name], I’m [Rep’s Name] from [Your Company’s Name]. I found your information while we were searching for business consultants in [Area’s Name], and I believe our services can benefit your website conversions.

Do you have a moment to discuss?

Prospect: I’m heading somewhere. How much time will it take, by the way?

Agent: If I could have just 10 mins, I can explain how we can elevate your business.

Prospect: Let’s connect some other time.

Agent: No problem.

4. One-on-One Consultative Pitch

Here, the salesperson engages in a conversation with the prospect, actively listens to their needs, and tailors the pitch accordingly. The one-on-one consultative pitch is a personalized sales approach that involves a collaborative exchange. It focuses on problem-solving and providing products or services based on the client's needs.

5. Social Media Pitch

These are visually engaging messages crafted for social media platforms. Social media pitches often incorporate multimedia elements to drive user engagement and encourage actions such as sharing content within their networks, clicking a link, or making a purchase.

6. Referral Pitch

This approach taps into the network effect to expand a customer base by sending persuasive messages to the potential customer through the recommendation of an existing client. It leverages the trust and credibility established by the referrer.

Hi [Recipient’s Name],

I am [Your Name], a representative of [Your Company’s Name]. [Referrer’s Name] from [Referrer’s Company Name] is our valued partner who recommended you to us. He/She spoke highly of your company and mentioned how you might be interested in our solution that has benefited their operation.

I would love to elaborate on how our [Product/ Service] can bring similar benefits to [Referred Company’s Name]. Can we schedule a brief call at your earliest to discuss this further? Looking forward to working together.

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

[Signature]

Sales Pitch Template

Hello [Prospect's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I represent [Your Company]. I wanted to reach out to you because I believe we have a solution that aligns perfectly with [Prospect's Company] needs.

Identify the Pain Point:

In our discussions with companies in [Prospect's Industry], we've noticed a common challenge - [Briefly mention a common pain point in their industry or a specific issue your product/service addresses].

Solution Offered:

That's why I'm excited to introduce you to our [Product/Service]. Our [Product/Service] is designed to [Briefly explain how your product/service addresses the pain point and the value it brings].

Key Benefits:

Here are a few key benefits you can expect:

[Benefit 1]
[Benefit 2]
[Benefit 3]

Success Stories:

We've had the privilege of working with companies like [Client 1] and [Client 2], helping them achieve [specific result or improvement].

Next Steps:

I would love to schedule a brief call or meeting to discuss how our [Product/Service] can specifically benefit [Prospect's Company]. Are you available for a [phone call/meeting] sometime next week?

Thank you for considering [Your Company]. I'm confident that our [Product/Service] can make a meaningful impact on [Prospect's Company], and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this further.

[Your Full Name]

[Your Position]

[Your Contact Information]

Examples of Sales Pitch Across Different Industries

For inspiration, use these concise sales pitch examples to elevate your sales communication across different industries.

1. Health & Wellness Industry

Pitches in this industry must focus on promoting products or services that contribute to the overall wellness of the audience. Highlighting natural ingredients and scientific evidence can prove to be beneficial in attracting customers and driving positive results.

How SquadStack’s fully vetted and managed telecallers helped Medfin , India’s leading healthcare provider, increase their appointment booking by 25%.

“We wanted a team who could deploy highly trained agents, set up audits, and have quality checks. SquadStack fulfilled all these needs.”

-Arun Kumar, Co-founder of Medfin

Sales Pitch Example for Health & Wellness:

“Hi [Prospect’s Name], I’m [Your Name], calling from [Your Company’s Name]. I was hoping to connect with you as I noticed your engagement with our company’s website. As you already know, we specialize in personalized fitness programs catering to our client’s unique goals. We have helped 500+ clients achieve their weight goals and improve their overall health. We’d love to create a customized plan for you. Can we discuss your fitness aspirations and how [Your Company’s Name] can support you?”

2. EdTech Industry

In an EdTech industry, the sales representatives must focus on highlighting factors such as personalized learning, efficient teachers, advanced technologies, and interactive content. They must showcase the positive outcomes of past students and institutional advancements.

Aakash + BYJU’s collaboration with SquadStack helped them reach 15 Lakh students within a week.

Social Media Sales Pitch Example for EdTech:

“Hello [Prospect’s Name], I recently discovered that we share a mutual connection- [Connection’s Name]. He/ She has been using our educational technologies in his/ her institute and saw a remarkable 20% increase in student engagement. Since you are in the same business as her, I believe our solution could bring similar results to your institution. Are you open to exploring more? -[Your Name]”

3. Brokerage Industry

Sales pitches in this industry must cater to the financial requirements of the audience. The offering should be able to meet the targeted customers’ investment goals. Showcasing market expertise and building trust can help easily convert leads .

Check out Upstox’s success story of becoming India’s leading investment platform with a 40% increase in account activations by leveraging SquadStack’s services.

“Outsourcing gives us a lot of flexibility. To do anything in-house, you will need a lot of time to scale up and execute things at a faster rate. We found a great partner at SquadStack, who helped us achieve our goals, growth, and targets.”

-Satyartha Srivastava, Customer Success Lead at Upstox

“Hello, I am [Your Name]. I am a broker from [Your Company’s Name]. Our platform provides real-time market insights and low-cost trades, empowering investors like you to make informed decisions. Last month, our customers saw an average return of 15%. Let us help you maximize your investments and elevate your portfolio. How about a brief call this week?”

Go Forth and Make Your Pitches Resonate

As we wrap up this exploration, remember that adaption and continuous refinement are crucial to driving results. Embrace the insights gained, apply them, and let each pitch be a stepping stone toward a persuasive communicator.

Define sales pitch.

It is a concise and persuasive communication that presents products or services intending to convince a potential client to purchase or take a desired action.

Why is a sales pitch important?

It serves as the first impression and sets the tone for further interactions. It helps communicate the uniqueness of a product or service, addresses the customer's need, and aims to persuade prospects to take specific actions.

How do you make a sales pitch?

To make an effective sales pitch, you must first understand your customers' needs. Then, introduce your product or service and highlight its key features that can solve their problem. Close with a clear call to action, and remember to follow up.

How long should a sales pitch be?

Ideally, it should be concise, lasting up to a few minutes. However, the length may vary depending on the context and other factors like the product’s complexity and the audience’s understanding.

What are the techniques one should follow for a successful sales pitch?

For a successful sales pitch, you will need the following techniques: Create an attractive story. Focus on the benefits and not just the features. Encourage action by creating a sense of urgency. Engage with the audience and ask questions. Highlight client testimonials and market expertise. Follow up.

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The Perfect Sales Pitch: Examples, Templates, and Best Practices

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Buyer’s today do their research. A recent study shows that 96% of prospects research companies and products before engaging with a sales rep. What does this mean for your sales pitch? It’s not enough to regurgitate key points from your website or speak to widely available data.

As a seller, you need to position your offering in a way that truly resonates with the buyer’s pain points. To do that, you need to understand their business, their needs, your competition, and a myriad of other factors. But it’s easier said than done. Forrester highlights a striking gap: 73% of sales reps don’t quite grasp their client’s business needs, and only 27% of buyers believe that sales reps have adequate knowledge of their business.

With so much of the buyer’s journey happening digitally, sellers are in a unique position to make their pitch as meaningful as possible , reducing purchasing regret and increasing customer retention.

Delivering a compelling sales pitch is both an art and a science. In this blog you’ll discover the most important components of an effective sales pitch, best practices, as well as sales pitch examples for different scenarios.

What Is a Sales Pitch?

A sales pitch is a quick, punchy presentation to showcase your product or service’s value, often done in under two minutes. You might pitch over a call, in a cold email, during a meeting, at networking events, or even in an elevator. Hence the term, elevator pitch .

Main Components of a Sales Pitch

What should you say in a sales pitch? A lot of this depends on the audience and your research. Regardless of channel and exact words, every successful sales pitch has six main components.

Curious about boosting your revenue?
Did you know that 60% of CEOs feel…?
I noticed you’re also into [shared interest]—small world!
Here’s the scoop—no time wasted.
Great seeing you at [event]!
Problem: Identify and articulate the key challenges your prospect is facing. Make it relatable. For example, “Are your sales enablement processes inconsistent?”
Value proposition : Clarify the unique benefits of your product or service. Say something like, “Our solution gets new employees onboarded in half the time, boosting your team’s productivity.”
Solutions: Detail how your product solves the identified problems. “Imagine this—our solution integrates into your existing system, making your workflow a breeze.”
Social proof: Back up your claims with evidence. David Hoffeld , in The Science of Selling: Proven Strategies to Make Your Pitch, Influence Decisions, and Close the Deal , explains that using social proof assures prospects that buying your product is safe. For example, consider mentioning something like: “I have a client in your industry that has revolutionized its sales training and onboarding processes. How about I send you their case study?”
“Would you be interested in exploring ways to boost your revenue together?”
“How about a quick chat to dive deeper into this?”
“I’d love to connect and discuss this further. What does your schedule look like next week?”
“Got a minute to explore some exciting opportunities?”
“Could we grab a quick call next Tuesday to talk about this?”

How to Craft the Best Sales Pitch?

Create a great sales pitch with solid research, focusing on the customer, weave in storytelling, and add value. This will make all the difference in your sales process . With proper preparation, your sales pitch will hit the mark, truly resonate, and set you apart from the competition.

Here’s how to build a compelling pitch that speaks to your prospects:

1. Do Your Homework and Research

Many buyers feel that salespeople don’t understand their needs. Take the time to research their company, and check LinkedIn or other social media platforms for common interests and current challenges. You must find the problems and then solve them. Dig into how they make purchase decisions, who is involved, the obstacles they face, and your role in the entire process.

2. Frame It Around the Customer’s Needs

Center your pitch around what matters most to the customer and demonstrate how your solution addresses these needs. Make it all about them rather than your product.

Consider using a solution selling or consultative selling approach, which focuses on building customer relationships and providing value.

3. Tell a Story

“ Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone ,” Stanford professor Jennifer Aaker said. Use storytelling to capture attention early and make your pitch memorable. Start with a compelling hook, weave in a narrative highlighting the problem and solution, and use visual aids to enhance your story.

4. Personalize Your Sales Pitch

Don’t use a generic sales pitch because 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions , while 76% get frustrated when this doesn’t happen. While most reps use CRM or automation tools or work off a base pitch template, that template should change based on how you are delivering your pitch and who it’s going to, whether it’s a CMO, VP, or head of legal. This will show that you care and have done your homework.

5. Connect Your Pitch to Stats and Data

We did say that buyers like stories but try to weave credibility in using supporting data, stats, customer stories, and testimonials. Use these stats to back up how your company is an expert in an area that provides value. This is a great way to gain credibility and build trust.

6. Switch Up Your Sales Pitch

Keep your pitch dynamic using different styles, such as beginning with a question, using one word, or catchy subject lines. This variation helps maintain the prospect’s interest and can make your message more engaging. You might find one style that works best after testing them out.

7. Appeal to Emotions

Understand your prospects’ motivations and concerns. Craft your pitch to resonate with what you find by using buyer psychology and appeal to buyer personas using psychological triggers like social proof, authority, scarcity, and reciprocity.

8. Keep Pitch Length in Mind

Adapt the length of your pitch to fit the communication method, whether it’s a quick email, a cold call, or a more extended sales presentation. Sales email pitches should be concise, typically under 200 words, while calls should only be a few minutes of engaging dialogue—as short as an elevator ride—to maintain attention without overwhelming prospective clients.

A study by Constant Contact found that emails with around 20 lines of text and three or fewer images achieve the highest click-through rates. Similarly, TED Talks limit presentations to 18 minutes to keep audiences engaged. You can convey your message without compromising time and interest by tailoring your pitch length to the channel and audience.

9. Practice Your Delivery

Regular practice is key to a smooth, confident delivery. Incorporate pitch practice into onboarding and ongoing training to help sales teams refine their approach and stay sharp.

It’s important to organize regular pitch practice sessions where reps can present to their peers or supervisors acting as potential buyers. Try using different scenarios and customer personas to make the experience more realistic. Record these sessions for later analysis and provide structured feedback on language use, persuasion techniques, and handling objections.

10. Anticipate Questions and Objections

Be ready to handle need, urgency, trust, and money objections. In complex sales, this requires building a case to overcome the objections rather than quickly plowing through them without listening and understanding. When it comes to competitive questions or objections, have battle cards or SWOT analyses available as quick reference points.

11. Follow-Up

Keep the momentum going after your pitch. Contact your prospect to address any questions, provide additional information based on new learnings, and reinforce value. Timing is key. Don’t rush it, and don’t wait too long, either.

Digital sales rooms can play a key role in your follow-up strategy. These refer to highly personalized virtual spaces tailored to each prospect. It packages all relevant content—from your sales deck and product pitch to case studies and whitepapers. Prospects can explore the provided content at their own pace, revisit important information, and even share it with other decision-makers within their organization. This makes the sales process more efficient, leading to quicker decision-making.

Sales Pitch Examples That Capture Customer Attention

What does blending all these components into one sales pitch look like? Sales pitches come in various flavors, such as phone calls, emails, follow-up outreach, or full-blown presentations. Regardless of the format, the goal remains: grab your prospect’s attention and guide them through the sales funnel. Here are some sales pitch templates you can use:

Phone Sales Pitch

A phone sales pitch is a quick and direct approach to engage prospects via phone. The goal is to capture interest with a hook, focus on the prospect’s needs, and schedule a follow-up meeting or call. For example, “Hi [Prospect’s Name], this is [Your Name] from [Your Company]. I noticed that [Prospect’s Company] is focusing on [specific area], and we’ve helped companies like yours achieve [specific benefit]. Can we schedule a call next week to discuss how we can help you achieve similar results?”

Email Sales Pitch

Did you know that 80% of buyers prefer email communications ? Use that to your advantage by crafting a great email pitch . Focus on developing a catchy subject, personalizing the opening line, highlighting differentiators, and finishing with a CTA. Below is an example that might get them to respond or set up a meeting.

Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a concise summary of your business or product, typically delivered in 30-60 seconds, like an elevator ride. During the pitch, you want to quickly convey the value of your offering to spark interest and create a strong first impression. For example, you might say, “Did you know 75% of businesses struggle with unorganized workflow, wasting a lot of time and resources? Our product eliminates this chaos. It simplifies workflow management, enhances productivity, and reduces overhead costs. Unlike other solutions, ours boosts efficiency by 40%, proven by our customer success stories.”

Sales Presentation Pitch

A sales presentation pitch, which also includes your sales deck, shows the value you bring to the customer. It should answer “why buy,” “why buy from us,” and “why buy now.” Tailor your pitch deck to meet your audience’s needs and avoid sharing unnecessary details to fill time.

Introduction (1-2 minutes): Greet and introduce yourself and your company and share a compelling fact or statistic.
Problem statement (2-3 minutes): Using data or anecdotes, define the main challenges your prospect faces.
Solution overview (3-4 minutes): Present your product/service as the solution, highlighting unique selling points.
Unique selling proposition (3-4 minutes): Detail key features and benefits, and explain what differentiates you from competitors.
Case studies and social proof (2-3 minutes): Share success stories from similar clients.
Demonstration (optional) (3-4 minutes): Provide a brief demo if applicable.
Q&A session (2-3 minutes): Address questions and objections.
Call to action (1-2 minutes): State the next steps clearly and provide contact information.
Conclusion (1 minute): Recap key points and thank the prospect for their time.

Website Sales Pitch

This type of sales pitch involves content on your website designed to attract and convert visitors using a form to request a demo, call, or purchase the product. Use unique and valuable sales collaterals and calls to action. Include a variety of content that aligns with all sales funnel stages, including whitepapers, testimonials and case studies, and product documentation.

Follow-Up Pitch

Use a follow-up pitch after your initial interaction to maintain interest and move the prospect closer to a decision. You will remind the prospect of your offer and encourage them to engage further. Reference an anecdote from the previous interaction to show continuity and personal attention.

For example, “Hi [Prospect’s Name], I hope you’re having a great week. I ran across this case study from [Client], who achieved [result] using our solution. Do you have time this week to discuss the next steps? Best, [Your Name]”

Crafting Better Sales Pitches With Highspot

Sales pitches don’t need to feel uncomfortable. Armed with these creative sales pitch ideas and techniques, you can design a pitch that resonates perfectly with your target audience. This ensures your approach is flawless, captivating your buyers and consistently moving them to the next stage of the sales process.

Highspot’s AI-powered buyer engagement software helps sales reps confidently create sales pitches that build meaningful relationships with potential customers. By understanding the key components of a good sales pitch, reps can effortlessly hook prospects and close deals faster.

Request a Highspot demo today.

The Highspot Team works to create and promote the Highspot sales enablement platform, which gives businesses a powerful sales advantage to engage in more relevant buyer conversations and achieve their revenue goals. Through AI-powered search, analytics, in-context training, guided selling, and 50+ integrations, the Highspot platform delivers enterprise-ready sales enablement in a modern design that sales reps and marketers love.

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How to perfect your sales pitches & increase sales in 2024, plus 11 sales pitch examples

Learning from Using sales pitch examplestemplates can help you knock the ball out of the park when pitching to prospects.

Sales is one of the toughest roles in any company. Salespeople get rejected from prospects at a notoriously high rate, and if you’re managing SDRs who are responsible for making cold calls and cold emails, the job is even tougher.

But there are ways to succeed. According to LinkedIn , top-performing salespeople do more research—82% of top performers say they “always” perform research before reaching out to prospects (compared to just 49% for other sellers).

And when it comes to sales pitches, this becomes especially important. Not only do reps typically only get one shot at a pitch, it’s also the company’s only shot—if the prospect says, “No, thanks,” the company can’t just send another sales rep along to make another sales pitch in a week.

For a sales rep who’s pitching to a high-value prospect with a significant potential CLV (customer lifetime value) potential, making sure that sales pitch is as close to perfect as possible is crucial. That’s why it helps to learn from good (and not so good) sales pitch examples.

In this guide, we’re going to check out 11 of those examples (plus a few extras), and explore how to create a sales pitch that will leave prospects wanting to learn more instead of wanting to run away. We’re going to cover:

What a sales pitch is
5 components of a successful sales pitch
11 sales pitch examples
6 tips to improve your pitches

🚀 Start closing more deals with this free outbound sales playbook .

What is a sales pitch?

A sales pitch is an attempt to persuade a prospective customer to buy a product or service. How does a sales pitch work? Generally, a good sales pitch identifies a problem or challenge the prospect has, acknowledges the issue, offers a solution through the product it’s selling, and supports it with proof. The pitch should make the value clear to the prospect.

Sales pitch vs sales presentation

While a sales pitch is tightly focused on persuading the prospect to take a certain action, sales presentations tend to be longer, more general messages that inform, educate (or even entertain) the prospect.

Presentations often include a “sales deck”, which is a visual element such as a slideshow in PowerPoint or Google Slides. This can also be used as a type of sales pitch.

What are the components a good sales pitch?

Sales pitches can take on various forms and use different approaches. But when you break them down, they almost always have these five key elements, and it’s important to get each one right so that your overall pitch succeeds. (It also helps to have good sales apps or cold-calling software and a Bluetooth headset if you’re going to be spending hours on calls.)

So, how to make a good sales pitch? Keep it short and clear, with a quick but friendly introduction, empathy with the prospect, a strong value proposition, supporting facts and social proof, and a strong close. By combining these elements, you can persuade the prospect that your product or service has the answer to their problems.

1. The open

The open is the introduction or opening line. It’s as simple as saying “Hello,” introducing yourself, and asking the prospect how they are. It’s also your first opportunity to start building rapport. If you start your sales pitch in the right way, you’ll capture the prospect’s attention.

Thank you for your interest in RingCentral.

2. Identification of the problem, pain point, and/or goal

By asking a few different probing questions about their work, you’ll start getting a better understanding of what the prospect’s challenges and goals are.

AI tools can be a huge help here. Some sales communications platforms with built-in AI can not only transcribe your sales calls, but also summarize important points, update your CRM’s notes automatically, and tell you what topics or questions prospects are bringing up most frequently. For example, RingSense TM for Sales does exactly this:

3. Demonstration of value

Once you’ve established rapport and begun to understand the scope of the potential customer’s needs, you can begin to address each one using your product as the solution. You should be able to speak to one or more of their pain points with how your product can solve the problem.

Include a value statement, which is a clear and concise description of the value your product brings. This has to be outcome-focused, explaining the benefits rather than the features. Point out any unique differentiators that help your product stand out from its competitors.

4. Supporting facts

If you want to build trust, you should be prepared to support your pitch with facts and figures. Consider using social proof, like positive results that show how you beat customer expectations or prove that your other customers got something out of using your product or service.

For example:

“Our customers save an average of 37% a year on their annual maintenance bills.”
“Similarly sized businesses have seen a full return on their investment in only three months.”

5. The close

By now, you should’ve clearly shown your prospect the value of your product and how it’s going to make their job or life easier. The close is essentially the point where they say, “Yes,” and the transaction occurs. Be clear about the action you want them to take.

How to write a sales pitch to achieve optimal results

Now, let’s look at how to write an effective sales pitch. We’ve compiled a quick and easy guide to show you how to make a sales pitch that will refine your selling technique.

1. Have the right tools for the job

A phone system can’t pitch for you. But it can make pitching easier. Even better would be an AI-powered contact center platform that includes automation and integrates with your customer relationship management (CRM) tool. For example, this is what RingCentral’s looks like:

This will let you make sales calls from your computer, log scripts, see your past conversations with all your accounts, and keep track of conversations you’re having with both prospects and customers. Bottom line: you need some kind of communications tool.

Shameless plug: RingCentral has a whole range of integrations with different CRMs including Agile CRM and Salesforce:

RingCentral can be integrated with the Salesforce CRM.

🕹️ Get a hands-on look at how top-performing sales teams are using RingCentral by booking a product tour:

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2. Use data to support your claims

Any salesperson can make a big, impressive claim. But the most persuasive salespeople are the ones who can back their claims up with real numbers and customer stories. One of the benefits of a sales pitch is that it gives you a golden opportunity to do this.

Where possible, use data to support the benefits of your product. Proof is the most powerful tool in your sales arsenal. As well as customer success statistics, share industry recognition and awards. This will all help prospects to see you as a company that walks the talk.

3. Do your research

Gone are the days of picking up a phonebook and dialing prospects without knowing anything about them. Today, to even get a chance to pitch, you need to do your research first.

Use LinkedIn to learn more about your prospect. Know their company. Understand what they do. Look at the kind of content they’re posting. It can provide you with enough information to start a conversation worth having.

4. Plan your pitch

Once you’ve got a list of people you’re going to reach out to and you’ve done the research, it’s time for sales call planning . You’re going to be delivering a similar pitch to each one, but you’ll need to keep it flexible to adapt to their individual needs.

It’s important to plan what you’re going to say—this doesn’t mean literally reading out a script as you’ll sound like a robot, but you should have a template in front of you to act as a guide and make sure you’re never lost for words.

5. Use a conversation starter

How to start a sales pitch? Jumping right into a pitch probably won’t get you very far. Be friendly and build rapport with your prospect first to move from a “hello” efficiently into your pitch—without sounding too sales-y or coming on too strong.

6. Practice

You have to know your pitch to nail it. So put aside some time to really practice it. Try it out on coworkers. Run through it at home with your spouse. Sit in front of a mirror and pitch to yourself. Have a rebuttal for every objection. Knowing your product and your pitch inside and out is the key to being able to sell with confidence.

7. Talk about benefits, not features

This is the first rule in the book for improving your sales pitch. Your product may have the best features in the world. But they don’t amount to much if they don’t solve your prospect’s problem. Focus on how the benefits of those features address prospects’ problems or pain points—and how they can help them reach their goals.

How to pitch a product

You might be wondering how a product pitch is any different to a sales pitch. Well, pitching a product means you’re 100% focused on a single product or service, whereas a sales pitch can have a broader scope in some scenarios. This will depend on the type of company you represent and the prospects you’re talking to.

For example, let’s say you work for RingCentral, which offers a wide range of products. If you’re contacting the prospect for the first time, you might want to keep things a little more general until you figure out whether they’re in the market for unified communications, a contact center solution, or standalone video conferencing.

But if you’re specifically targeting them with one of those products, you can use a more focused product pitch. You can go in-depth on the details, telling the prospect how these particular features would benefit them.

11 Sales pitch examples

There are countless ways you can pitch to a prospect. But you want to use the right kind of pitch at the right time and for the right customer. Below are 11 different ways to pitch, including a sales pitch example for each, why it works, and, for some examples, tips on when you shouldn’t use them.

Once you see exactly what good sales pitch examples involve, you’ll know exactly what to aim for to have the best chance at success.

1. The phone pitch

Believe it or not, the phone call is still the most popular and effective selling channel and with good reason: it’s fast, easy, happens in real time—and is much harder for your prospect to ignore.

One of the best sales pitch examples is when billionaire Mark Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks in the early 2000s. He bought the team at a discount because, frankly, they stank. They were rated the worst professional sports franchise of the ‘90s. Naturally, this led to low ticket sales.

So Mark got on the phone and started calling past season-ticket holders. And guess what? It worked.

Watch Mark Cuban tell the story about his best phone sales pitch in his own words.

Why did it work?

He was friendly and built rapport with his prospects.
He demonstrated value. (A game is less expensive than a meal at McDonald’s. Wowza.)
He understood that he wasn’t selling a bad team—he was selling a memorable experience.

If you’re on a call with a prospect and hoping to have the same level of success as Mark Cuban, you may feel your pitch could benefit from showing the prospect some visuals on your screen. How could you do that?

It’s pretty straightforward. There are tools (like RingCentral) that let you flip between a phone call and video call so that you can do screen sharing if that’s where the conversation takes you:

Wondering how to do a sales pitch on your cell phone? RingCentral’s Call Flip feature lets you easily switch between an ordinary phone call and video calling with screen sharing.

Image Source

2. The email pitch

Done well, a good email sales pitch is probably the best tactic a rep has at their disposal. In fact, C-level executives are 23% more likely to answer cold B2B emails than employees outside the C-suite.

But to be successful at email sales pitches, your sales email subject lines have to be click-worthy.

Emails are a great way to introduce yourself and your company while demonstrating the value in what you’re selling. But it’s also easy to do poorly. For example, here is the wrong way to pitch via email:

An example of a sales pitch executed poorly via email.

Why this doesn’t work

The email starts with a hyper-specific question that feels like it’s providing a solution to a problem no one has.
The value proposition is poorly expressed. What is an optimized content-distribution channel? What are end-user experiences?
The mention of other customers feels more like name-dropping than a good use of social proof. (There’s a better way to do this—see example below.)
There’s no clear value demonstrated, so it’s very unlikely that Chloe will respond.

Here’s a better example from the same person at the same fictional company:

Why this works:

The pitch starts with a shared experience. In this case, a conference—but it can be any commonality.
Value is demonstrated clearly and immediately. There’s no ambiguity about what they’re selling and how it helps.
Social proof is added tactfully.
Benefits are supported by data.
The salesperson doesn’t come on too strong.

3. The voicemail pitch

If you work in sales, you’re going to hit a lot of voicemail inboxes. And that’s okay, because successful deals often start with up to eight attempts to actually speak with your prospect .

So while hitting an inbox can feel like a miss, don’t be discouraged. It’s actually an opportunity to make a great first impression and plant a seed before your next attempt.

Hi [Prospect’s name],

This is [your name] calling from XYZ company. Sorry I missed you.

I was hoping to speak to you about [reason you’re calling]. We’ve helped other companies [insert benefit], and I think we may be able to help you get similar results.

You can reach me at [insert phone number] if you’d like to learn more. But I’ll follow up soon.

Why this works:

It’s personalized and friendly.
It doesn’t beat around the bush—the value prop is upfront and center.
It supports the value prop with previous results.
It’s short, which is important because otherwise there’s a very good chance the prospect won’t listen to the whole thing.
It promises to follow up, which will not only make them expect to be contacted again but it will also mean that they’re more receptive to that.

And if you say you’re going to follow up within a certain time frame, do it!

The vast majority of deals don’t close in one go, and you have to be both persistent and organized in how you plan your follow-ups. If you know you have a lot of prospects to follow up with, create tasks for yourself (and your team).

For example, RingCentral’s desktop and mobile app allows you to not only create team chats for different projects or departments but you can also assign tasks with due dates, relevant files, and even color-coding for easy organization:

RingCentral’s desktop and mobile app lets you create chats and assign tasks.

4. The deck pitch

If you’re invited to make a pitch, congratulations. It means you’ve got a foot in the door, you’re in front of a receptive audience, and half the work is already done. (Although there’s a good chance you did that work. So good job there, too.)

Of all the sales pitches examples, for this type, it’s crucial that you get your face-to-face communication spot on. And we’re not just talking about being able to rattle off the sales pitch script that you learned by heart. Your body language plays a big part in it too.

A pitch deck is basically a sales pitch in a presentation format—PowerPoint, Google Slides, or whichever presentation platform you use. This type of pitch makes it easy to tell a story and highlight key points using visual aids that can be very persuasive.

For example, check out this successful pitch deck from restaurant technology startup Lunchbox, which it used to raise $50M from investors. (Fundraising is a type of sales too!)

Why it works:

It clearly explains how the solution resolves a pain point.
It includes a real-world example of a customer helped by the solution.
It uses data to back up its claims.
The presentation design is clear, simple, and vibrant.

5. The elevator pitch

This type of pitch gets its name from the idea that you should be able to say it in the span of an elevator ride. A good elevator pitch explains what your product does in an extremely concise and effective way.

Take this often-cited example from G2 Crowd .

Why it works:

Instead of repeating the product’s value proposition verbatim, the rep explains what the product does and why it’s useful in words that everyone can understand.
It’s 21 seconds long—about half an elevator ride in New York City.

6. The follow-up pitch

It’s hard to close a customer on first contact. (Remember, it takes up to eight tries just to get a meeting.) So, focus on getting a shot at a second or third meeting where you’ll have a better understanding of each other and a better chance at closing the deal.

The key to a good follow-up pitch is to make it timely and relevant without being a bother. A good way to do this is to mention a past point of contact or conversation (if you’ve had one).

“Hi [their name,]

It’s [your name] from [your company]. Last time we spoke, you mentioned [problem that the prospect experienced]. I’ve given it some thought, and I think I know how I might be able to help you [insert the benefit of your product, as it relates to their problem].”

From there, you can move the conversation forward. Or in the case of an email or voicemail, mention that you’ll follow up again and suggest a time to chat.

The pitch refreshes their memory and provides context for the conversation.
It highlights the problem they experienced and how you can solve it.
It’s appropriate in any scenario—phone call, email, voicemail, or social message.

7. The social media pitch

Social selling is all the rage, but it’s challenging to grab prospects’ attention amid the daily avalanche of posts and tweets. You can do this by creating your own eye-catching content, but you can also use it as a form of outreach to make connections with individual prospects.

For example, if someone’s talking about a problem on X/Twitter and it’s a problem your product can solve, then take the opportunity to start a conversation. Or, if you notice a LinkedIn post from someone in your industry, send them a mini-pitch via direct message.

Here’s an example:

An example of a social media sales pitch

It’s short and to the point.
It contains a conversation starter that shows the rep has done some research.
It mentions the product, references a pain point, and includes a stat.

8. Video sales letter

This one is basically a sales pitch in the form of a video. Rather than just using words to explain why your product is awesome, you have the opportunity to engage the prospect with a visual explanation.

Throw in some music, graphics, even animation if you want to—it all helps to make you more memorable.

You might send it directly to a prospect to introduce the company or provide extra information after a call. Or you might post it on your website or social media. Either way, people tend to process visual information faster and retain it for longer.

Here’s a B2B example from Semrush:

It’s colorful, vibrant, and immediately captures the attention.
It shows exactly how the product works and how it solves a problem.
It has a compelling CTA at the end.

9. Website sales pitch

A website sales pitch is a message that you display—yes, you guessed it—on your website (or landing page). You’ll position this content strategically to attract maximum attention when prospects visit on a fact-finding mission.

This type of pitch typically involves storytelling, descriptions of your product or service, and sometimes customer testimonials. The aim is to encourage the visitor to take a specific action, so make sure there’s a CTA at the end.

It stands out with its unusual monochrome design
It manages to target two specific customer segments (baristas and non-baristas) but makes the product seem inclusive to both
It has an informal style to appeal to a young, trendy audience
It uses graphic elements (such as logos) to add nutritional and sustainability info while keeping the word count low.

10. Two-sentence pitch

Sometimes called the 12-second pitch, this is best used when time is short—for example, when a prospect is super-busy, or you need some compelling copy for a social media post or a landing page.

It’s useful as a conversation-starter with investors, or you could use it as the intro for a longer pitch.

Here’s how it goes:

Sentence #1: Brief but comprehensive summary of what you do

Sentence #2: What makes you different from your competitors.

Check out this business pitch example :

A two-sentence sales pitch example from Tesla

It totally nails the whole “keep it short and sweet” brief.
However, it still sums up the key message that a prospect needs to know—i.e. what the product is, what it does, how it benefits them, and why it’s better than the rest.

11. Live sales pitch

There might be times when you need to deliver your sales pitch in person. For instance, if your company has a stand at an industry or networking event, or if you decide to embrace the world of TV shopping channels. Sounds daunting, but it gives you the chance to interact with a live target audience—and to give a demonstration of your product.

These pitches have to be highly engaging and entertaining, like this classic from Shark Tank when Aaron Krause introduced the world to the Scrub Daddy cleaning tool.

A live sales pitch example from TV show Shark Tank

There’s a brief summary, including a unique selling point about the product
Then it’s straight into the demo, showing the product in action
The presentation style is slick and entertaining—as Daymond John says, it’s like a live infomercial.

Sales pitch presentation examples

As we mentioned earlier, sales presentations are typically longer than traditional sales pitches and often involve slideshows (deck pitches) or videos.

However, you can absolutely use a concise presentation as your sales pitch if the situation lends itself to this approach. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

Algoplanner explainer video

Algoplanner’s explainer video sales presentation

This video for Algoplanner’s supply chain SaaS product pairs animated graphics with a narrative-style voiceover, telling potential customers what might happen if their system fails to cope with high volume.

The look is clean and minimalist, with cute graphics adding a fun touch
It uses storytelling to guide viewers to a conclusion (i.e., they need good supply chain software)
It clearly positions Algoplanner as the ideal solution and includes a CTA.

Leadnomics deck pitch

Freelancer Katya Kovalenko designed this presentation for online marketing company Leadnomics, who also include elements of it on their website and use it as a brand template. It’s a classic deck pitch of individual slides providing key information about what the company does for its clients.

The very simple design and color scheme lets the info stand out and speak for itself
Stats are presented visually, making them easy to understand at a glance
It includes social proof, by listing companies that use Leadnomics
It ends with a clear call to action and contact details.

RingCentral explainer video

Not to toot our own horn, but we’re proud of this one. It’s kind of a cross between a deck pitch and a video sales letter. It uses graphics instead of spoken dialog to guide viewers through the key benefits of the RingCX platform, with a particular focus on the AI tools and how they can help contact center managers and reps to provide better customer experiences.

It has a clear brand identity and very simple messaging
It focuses on the benefits rather than the features themselves
It neatly encapsulates the tool’s USPs in a short time frame.

Sales pitch templates

We’ve already included a couple of templates in the earlier sales pitch examples section, but here are three more for three different scenarios. You can tailor each one to your own situation.

Phone sales pitch

This template could be used for a cold call, once you’ve done a little research onto the prospect:

Hi [prospect name], it’s [your name] from [company]. Hope you’re having a good week so far! Do you have a few moments to chat about [product/service]?

If they say no: Okay, no problem. Would you prefer me to call again at a better time for you, or can I send you an email instead? [arrange a time/get their email address]

If they say yes: Great! I see that you’re in [industry]. We’re currently working with several companies in [industry] and a lot of them have mentioned [challenge/pain point].

[Add relevant statistic/customer success story and ask them about their own challenges]

Well, that’s definitely something we can help with. [Tell them the key benefits of your solution, in relation to their pain points. Answer any questions]

How about I send you our whitepaper with the full product details? [check their email address]. And let’s set up another call for next week, when you’ve had time to read through it. Is [date/time] good for you?

If they agree: Thanks for your time today. Have a great week/weekend!

Social sales pitch

As we mentioned, you can use a direct message (DM) on social media platforms such as X/Twitter if you see that a potential lead has someone posted something relevant. DMs give you more characters to work with than posting a public reply, but you should still keep it short and sweet:

Hi [prospect name],

Hope you don’t mind the DM. I just saw your tweet about [topic], and I have the solution: [product name] can help you with [problem] by [brief explanation of benefits].

If you want to learn more, DM me back to set up a call, or check out our website: [link]

Many thanks, [name]

Social proof email

It’s always a good idea to provide social proof to your prospects, from dropping the names of big companies you’ve worked with to telling stories about existing customers.

This template could be used as a follow-up after you’ve had an initial interaction with the prospect, and you want to give them some more food for thought:

Thanks for your time earlier today. It was great to talk to you and find out more about your company and your challenges. As promised, I’m attaching some more case studies that show how [product] has helped other customers.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

Looking forward to chatting again in our scheduled call next Tuesday – but if you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to drop me a message.

Kind regards, [name]

What a great sales pitch comes down to…

Most prospects today are seasoned buyers. They know when they’re being pressured into a sale, and even if you do manage to close the deal, starting a business relationship on a sour note won’t be helpful in retaining that customer down the line.

When doing your sales pitch, keep that long-term customer relationship in mind.

There are various ways that you can pitch a prospect, but the most important thing you can do is demonstrate value. Learn what the prospect is struggling with, empathize with them, understand their pain points, and find a way to help them overcome the problem that stands in their way.

By doing that, your prospects will see you as a valued and trusted partner rather than a vendor. And that’s going to make it easier for you to pitch—and close more deals.

Originally published Jun 03, 2024, updated Aug 16, 2024

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5 Sales Pitch Examples (and How to Craft Your Own)

Sales rep delivering a sales pitch example to another rep

Learn more about the core elements of a good sales pitch and review sales pitch examples that do things right — and wrong.

Elyse Archer

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We’ve all had to put up with pushy salespeople. I used to be one. Early in my career, I worked for a company that encouraged its salespeople to push for an immediate close, and it was soul-sucking. I’m grateful to have found a better way to sell — one that builds mutually beneficial long-term relationships.

As a sales professional, you don’t have to coerce or pressure. Instead, you need to be a curious problem solver who uses your emotional intelligence to be of service. That begins with your sales pitch.

What you’ll learn:

What is a sales pitch, why are sales pitches important, what are the core elements of a sales pitch, what are the types of sales pitches, what are the do’s and don’ts of sales pitches.

What are some sales pitch examples based on different scenarios?
How do you craft your own sales pitch?

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A sales pitch is a script or quick message that lets you share critical information about your product or service with a potential buyer. However, this doesn’t mean it’s all about you or your sale. A sales pitch should focus on your prospect and their needs. In other words, how your product solves their problems.

Think of your sales pitch as an invitation to take the next step, like scheduling a discovery call or setting up a demo. Each time you guide someone to the next step, the invitation will evolve with the course of your sales process . You may make several sales pitches before a final close, and each one will depend on what’s right for the prospect at each stage.

They help you hook the right customers — those who would benefit most from what you have to offer. The right customer will buy what you’re selling, use it, and be better for it. Why? Because you’re not just pitching a product, you’re pitching a solution.

A strong sales pitch also gives you the opportunity to listen, ask questions that showcase your experience helping similar prospects, and share information the prospect can’t find on their own.

Good sales pitches are helpful, specific, and unique. They lead prospects to a clear next step. Your energy and pitch intent are just as important as what you say, so a helpful attitude focused on your prospect’s best interest should guide you.

Successful sales pitches:

Use a unique, personalized opening. This will help you stand out from generic pitches and show the customer you’re focused on them.
Acknowledge your prospect’s pain points or goals. A sales pitch should always focus on your prospect and their needs first.
Include solutions backed by data. This gives your pitch more credibility and helps to build trust with your prospect.
Close with next steps. Set the stage for further conversation and a future relationship with your prospect.

There are many types of sales pitches, and they vary based on the steps of your sales process and channels used. You can also tailor your pitch for all types of settings, such as:

Trade shows
Networking events
Sales meetings
Over the phone
Social media
Live or recorded videos and webinars

According to Salesforce’s State of Sales Report , 34% of deals are closed with a combination of both virtual and in-person touchpoints, while 32% are closed using only virtual channels. It’s likely that you’ll have to lean on more than one channel or pitch technique to close a deal, so it’s important to think about what these touchpoints might look like. For example, if you pitch someone in person at a trade show, you might follow up with a phone call, then an email, and so forth until you reach a close.

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Depending on your product and industry, your full sales cycle may cover several types of pitches before the final close. No matter which stage you’re in or what channel you’re using, here are some proven guidelines for an effective sales pitch.

Focus on your prospect’s point of view. Don’t make it all about you. This will help you build a more authentic relationship with the client.
Be concise. Don’t ramble. Not only will this help you come off as confident and professional, but it shows that you are knowledgeable about your product/service.
Share who your customers are. Don’t keep secrets. Transparency is huge for building trust and credibility. If you’ve helped similar customers, share that with your client.
Relax and ask questions. Don’t be aggressive. No one likes a pushy salesperson. Instead, try to understand their point of view and offer ways to help.
Support your pitch with examples of success supported by visualizations. Don’t bog down presentations with words. An engaging pitch will hold your prospect’s attention and make it memorable.
Tell a story. Don’t speak in bullet points. The more you can draw your prospect in with a story they can relate to, the more impact it will have.
Use AI to streamline your sales pitch prep and follow-up. Don’t rely on outdated tools. Better tools will make you more efficient, help you stay organized, and keep you on track.

Sales-pitch examples for different scenarios and channels

Below are three good and two bad sales pitch examples. Many come from my own experience as a sales coach and business owner.

Good: Written note to a cold prospect

The message below could be sent via email, LinkedIn, or any other digital channel. In fact, it’s also the type of language you can use when meeting a potential customer at a networking event.

“I saw [prospect company’s] latest public update on [a project]. Based on the research we’ve compiled about [emerging customer preferences in your industry], I have an idea that could help you [solve your problem or reach a goal]. Would you like to connect to see if this could work for you? Let me know when you’re available for a 10-minute conversation so we can discuss more. In the meantime, I’d be happy to share a case study about how we [helped a similar client with a similar issue.]”

This pitch works because:

It has a unique opening.
It’s specific to the prospect.
It includes a next step.

Good: Voice message sent via LinkedIn

One day, I logged into LinkedIn to see something novel in my inbox: a voice note that stood out among the written messages. I was intrigued and listened right away. Undeniably, hearing someone’s voice on a digital platform made it feel more personalized. This person used LinkedIn to their advantage intelligently; they connected with me without being pushy or going straight for the close. (You could use the script above to guide the content of your voice message.)

It stood out on a popular channel.
The message was personalized.
The pitch wasn’t all about the offering.

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Good: Pre-recorded personal video

Every day, my team and I receive multiple pitches for the podcast I host. One still stands out to me after more than a year — a person who took the time to record a personal video. In it, he shared why he loved my podcast and pitched his boss as a guest. However, it wasn’t all flattery. What impressed me most was the level of research he did to customize his pitch to my show and its goals.

It built an immediate connection.
It was customized.
It suggested clear next steps.

Bad: Automated, group-blasted LinkedIn message

“Hi. Did the last hire you made have you scrambling to put out fires? If the quality of your talent is lacking, we may have a solution for you. Our virtual assistants are vetted via testing and go through a rigorous assistance rotation with our managers and executives before they’re added to our roster. Take a look at our database and rates: [link].”

This pitch does not work because:

It’s not personal.
It relies too heavily on technology and not enough human connection.

Bad: In-person elevator pitch

“Hi, Ms. Archer. Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to share some information about the latest [version of your product offering.] We fixed issues that came to us as feedback from customers like you and added [new features.] Can we meet for lunch to discuss?”

This pitch will not work because:

It doesn’t focus on the prospect.
Its tone is “salesy” and superficial.
The next step is too aggressive for an initial in-person meeting.

How to craft your own sales pitch in 5 steps

Now that you know the key components of a great sales pitch, what to avoid, and how to use different channels to your advantage, it’s time to craft your own pitch.

1. Research clients to find opportunities to help

Above all, the best pitches are service-oriented. Personally, I like to read through client testimonials to remind me of how my offering has helped clients realize big improvements. Think of success as helping prospects address pain points and achieve goals.

2. Put yourself in your prospect’s shoes

Think about your prospect (or group of segmented prospects with similar profiles). Consider what’s likely on their mind. The goal here is to think from their point of view, not yours. What would make them pause in their busy day to take notice of your offer and its benefits to them?

3. Customize your message

Your pitch should be specific and, whenever possible, customized to each prospect. You’re more likely to see success with a highly personalized pitch than with a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t consider your prospect’s unique needs or goals.

4. Always provide a next step

At the end of your pitch, explain what the prospect can expect. This includes a next step if they agree your pitch is a great fit for them. Depending on where your prospect is in the sales cycle, each pitch will have a different goal or next step. This might be scheduling a product demo, reference call, or closing the deal .

5. Test and refine

Each time you pitch, you’ll learn more about what works and what doesn’t. Keep track of your results so you can evolve your process and improve the experience for your customers. Pay attention to the types of pitches that bring you the most success, and lean into your unique strengths as a sales rep to pitch more effectively.

Leverage these sales pitch examples & tips to create your own

The most effective sales pitches come down to a few things: they’re service oriented, personalized, transparent, efficient, and focused on building relationships backed by credibility and trust. Whether you’re working to improve your sales pitch or just starting to test the waters, the right tools and coaching will help you automate parts of your sales process, improve your techniques, and be more productive so you can close more deals.

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Elyse Archer is the founder of Superhuman Selling and She Sells. Elyse helps entrepreneurs and sales professionals leverage their natural gifts and build wealth. She is also an international keynote speaker and host of She Sells Radio, where she shares best practices from female sales leaders who ... Read More have accomplished extraordinary goals. Elyse is a 2X Salesforce Top Sales Influencer and has been featured in Forbes and Inc.

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10 Sales Pitch Examples to Boost Your Close Rate

How you approach your sales pitch could be the difference between a hard no from your prospect or a high-value deal. As the saying goes, first impressions last, which is why we’ve compiled this list of sales pitch examples to help you get the conversation started on the right foot.

But what does a good sales pitch look like, and how can you design a winning sales pitch of your own? We’ll answer these burning questions and more below—so keep reading.

In this post, we’ll look at 10 sales pitch ideas that will help you create your own. We’ll also outline some good and bad examples for each.

What is a sales pitch, the different types of sales pitches, how to structure your sales pitch, 1. lead with a question, 2. create a dichotomy, 3. tell a good story.

4. Use Flattery (If It’s Genuine)

5. Follow the Rule of Three

6. create a sense of urgency, 7. let the product speak.

8. Acknowledge the Prospect’s Emotions

9. Show Supporting Data

10. remember the customer, additional tips to dazzle your prospect.

A sales pitch is a concise, persuasive speech that explains what your product is, communicates its value, and encourages the customer to make a purchase.

It’s your chance to turn a prospect’s interest into action. But it can also make or break a deal. If your buyer isn’t hooked by what you have to say, they likely won’t purchase your product.

You may develop a winning sales pitch structure based on your most common sales scenario. But there are different ways to engage with your prospects, so adapting your pitch to the situation at hand is crucial.

The primary sales pitch categories you will likely encounter include the following:

Elevator pitch: This is a fast-paced pitch , typically used in situations where you have a limited time to grab your prospect’s attention and get your point across as quickly as possible. A no-frills pitch that gets right to the point in the simplest terms is the best approach here.
Email pitch: Executing your sales pitch over email can be challenging, especially when you consider that getting your prospect to open the email is half the battle. A punchy subject line stipulating your value proposition and a concise email with a clear CTA can go a long way.
Phone pitch: Pitching over the phone is one of the most common sales pitch types and comes with its own challenges. Consider the best time of the day to call your prospect , earn their trust by being honest, and talk and connect with them for the best results.
Social media pitch: A modern sales pitch approach, the social media pitch can lead to lucrative deals, but there are a few obstacles to navigate. To ensure you don’t look like a spammer, engage with your prospect on something specific and relevant you found in their profile and build on that while keeping things professional.
Video pitch: The video pitch method combines the advantages of in-person, call-based, and text-based pitches, which you can place strategically in messaging.

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Building a solid pitch requires some thought. With careful consideration, you can create a pitch roadmap to guide you through the conversation. When planning your pitch, try to stick to the following proven framework.

Identify the issue

Step one is to highlight or pose a question related to the problem your product or service will solve. You could open with a real-life example or impactful statistic that illustrates the gravity of the issue and the need to resolve it.

Communicate your value proposition

Let your prospect know what your company offers and what sets you apart from the competition. Focus on the problem identified and what your product or service does to solve the issue. Highlight the benefits they can look forward to when working with you.

Explain the process

Next, you’ll provide the prospect with more details on how you and your team will help their business. What steps will you take, how will you approach them, and what makes your method unique? Provide as much detail as possible, but keep your explanation concise and engaging.

Establish trust

Building a relationship with your prospect begins with trust. And you can establish trust in several ways, including:

Case studies: Include an example of a company with a similar problem you’ve successfully helped with your product or service. Break down the nature of the problem and the steps your business took to resolve it.
Client testimonials: Incorporate statements from happy clients who have benefited from your product or service. Ask the client for permission to include their full name and company name as part of the pitch, as this will help you establish credibility.
Industry accolades: Has your company achieved any awards or reached a significant milestone? If so, mentioning these achievements will go a long way to developing trust.

Initiate a conversation

In closing, ask your prospect an open-ended question to spark a conversation. In other words, ask a question your prospect cannot answer with a simple “yes” or “no.”

Some examples include the following:

What risks could your business face if this problem isn’t resolved?
What are your company’s top priorities for the coming fiscal year?
What are some of the challenges you’ve experienced in delivering your product or service?

10 best sales pitch examples to increase sales

Now that we’ve pinned down the basic structure let’s dig into some of the best sales pitch examples to boost your close rate .

lady shaking a mans hand in a boardroom with text saying 10 sales pitch ideas

Preferably a question that compels them to see their problem from a different perspective. If the question promises valuable information, they’ll want to know the answer and will stay engaged through the next part of the pitch.

Good Example: A digital marketing sales rep might start a pitch with, “Did you know Instagram is currently working against you?” This question hints at important information that they’re missing and makes them reconsider their current social media strategy. The sales rep can then provide an answer that aligns with the value of buying their social media services.

Bad Example : If your question isn’t compelling enough, your customer might not stick around for more of your pitch. “Are you looking for a way to _____?” is a commonly used (but very ineffective) question that PhoneBurner warns against since it’s worded in a way that’s likely to elicit a “no” response. Your opening question should have your target dying to know more.

This pitch follows a three-step process. Start by stating a truth. Then, introduce another truth that contradicts the first truth. Finally, bring in your product and show how it can resolve the problem.

Good Example : In an episode of Shark Tank, the creators of DARTdrones used the dichotomy technique effectively , one of the most creative sales pitch examples, in their pitch . They started by explaining that drones are a beneficial piece of technology. Then, they contradicted this truth by stating that drones are prone to crashing. Their solution was their training course for drone pilots.

Bad Example : If your product doesn’t offer a realistic solution for the problem, the dichotomy won’t be effective . Make sure you draw a clear line between your product and the problem introduced in your pitch.

As Ryan Dohrn says , “People remember stories 75% of the time. People remember facts and stats less than 1% of the time.”

lady at a whiteboard storytelling, which is one of many creative sales pitch examples

Stories are engaging. Once a buyer is emotionally invested in your story, they will be more likely to care about your product. But avoid introducing your product at the beginning of the story. It’s best to weave in your product during the middle or end once the listener is fully engaged in what you have to say.

Good Example: During his pitches, Backroads CEO Tom Hale likes to tell the origin story of founding his travel company. Hale has always disliked mass tourism, and one night while working in Las Vegas he woke up in a cold sweat with a brilliant idea. He got to work and by 8 AM had a completed plan for Backroads, a slow-tourism outdoor-focused travel company. This story is one of many creative sales pitch examples which work well with prospects because it shows that there is authentic passion behind the product .

Bad Example : If your story is confusing or boring , your customers won’t be interested. If that happens, they likely won’t feel the emotional attachment you were counting on. Remember, your company’s story doesn’t need to be a verbatim account of everything that happened—keep the good parts and skip over the filler.

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4. Use Flattery (If It’s Genuine)

Like they say, flattery will get you everywhere. People like being complimented, so use this to your advantage during your sales pitch. Sure, the customer might realize what you are doing, but deep down, they’ll be pleased and will have a positive impression of your pitch.

“They only made this specific model of laptop in a limited run to test the market.”

Good Example : This suggestion from Investopedia is a perfect example of a sales pitch with the right amount of flattery . As you can see, it doesn’t explicitly complement the prospective client. Instead, the sales rep subtly compliments the client. By mentioning this was a “limited run” product, the sales rep shows that the client is important or special enough for this exclusive product.

Bad Example : If a sales rep over-compliments the potential customer, particularly on personal attributes (“gee, that’s the sharpest tie I’ve ever seen!”), it can feel inauthentic or creepy . Make sure to present your flattery so that it comes across as genuine and helps build a positive rapport with the customer.

Instead of overwhelming your prospects with endless facts, choose three key elements that you want them to retain in their minds. This will help your buyer remember your product while helping you keep the pitch concise.

Good Example: Of course, your product has more than three exciting aspects, but you need to narrow down the key points to make this pitch effective. If you pitch a food delivery app, the three points could be: 1) ease of using the app, 2) how quickly the food is delivered, and 3) customer satisfaction reviews. If you’re pitching a complex SaaS product with tons of bells and whistles, do as much research as you can upfront to present the prospect with the three benefits most relevant to their specific business.

Bad Example: While simplicity is usually the best policy, it can also get you in trouble here. Speaking from experience , we know that almost every CRM tool on the market claims to be easy to use, powerful, and affordable. In a crowded market, you need to get specific. So, what are three selling points you can make that your competitors can’t?

Have you ever thought you were about to close a deal only to have the customer drag their feet? It’s frustrating to put in the work only for a customer to delay the deal. During your pitch, it helps to create a sense of urgency so the customer will feel compelled to close the deal before they float away.

Good Example : Play off of FOMO (fear of missing out) during your sales pitch. Imagine a sales rep for an advertising agency pitching their services to a potential client. During the pitch, the sales rep should mention that they only have the bandwidth to accept a “few additional clients” at the moment. This shows the potential client that they need to decide immediately to avoid missing out on the opportunity to work with the agency.

Bad Example : Telling the client to “take their time” or to “reach out when they are ready” doesn’t create a sense of urgency. Instead, this lets the client off the hook and encourages them to drag their feet.

Words can only go so far. Instead of overexplaining the product, let the customers try it out for themselves. When a customer has the chance to see the product in action, they’ll understand how it works and why they need it.

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‍ Good Examples: In this video, you’ll see the salesman Joe Ades demonstrating his product in New York City’s Union Square. Yes, he’s still talking about the product. But as he speaks, he peels the carrots. With a product like a vegetable peeler, showing how it works is more effective than just talking about it. United Building Maintenance uses an effective tactic to differentiate its commercial cleaning company. When their sales reps arrive at a prospective client’s building, they walk the halls and speak with the cleaning staff. They point out their inefficient cleaning tools and explain how UBM’s commercial products will make the cleaning job easier. This pitch works because UBM describes how its products are more efficient than the competition.

Even if you’re selling a complicated product, a simple demonstration of the tool can be very persuasive in showing a prospect that what you’re selling is easy to use and genuinely helpful.

Bad Example: The biggest mistake when using a demo in your sales pitch is not making sure your product works smoothly ahead of time . Run the demo a few times before doing it in front of your customers. Nothing ends a sale faster than a demonstration showing your product doesn’t work.

8. Acknowledge the Prospect’s Emotions

Emotions are a powerful tool. Play on these during your pitch. Of course, you should avoid coming across as manipulative , as this will turn off your customer.

Good Example: Your prospective customer might feel stressed about “ breaking up ” with their current supplier. Play off this emotion during your pitch by coaching the client through the “break-up” process. Your potential customer will feel relieved that they have a strategy for ending their current business relationship.

Bad Example: Playing off emotions just to get a reaction won’t be effective. Customers can easily tell when they are being emotionally manipulated, which won’t make them interested in your product. As a salesperson, your presence should relieve the prospect’s tension—because you’re a helpful, trusted advisor—not add to their tension.

While you don’t want your pitch to seem dry, feel free to toss in a few hard facts to back up your pitch. You need your customers to trust you—and for some people, objective data sets their minds at ease. As long as you can provide legitimate sources for any numbers you throw out, a few well-placed stats will make you seem more credible.

Good Example : Use easy-to-interpret charts and graphs to explain your supporting data. Introduce the statistics in digestible chunks instead of throwing them all out at once.

Bad Example: The phrase, “What if I said …” does not instill confidence in your sales pitch. Avoid this or similar sentiments when you are discussing facts. This phrase makes it seem like you can’t prove your claim .

At the end of the day, your pitch is all about convincing the customer to buy your product. Tailor your pitch to each customer instead of using a one-size-fits-all pitch every time.

Good Example : Imagine you are tasked with selling Chromebooks. When you pitch the product to a school, you would highlight how the Chromebook can boost test scores and help students learn 21st century skills. But if you pitch the Chromebooks to a hospital, you would explain how this product can help streamline the patient check-in process and make it easier to store valuable patient information. The same pitch won’t be effective for both groups. Remember to adjust your pitch so it relates to each customer .

Bad Example : Using the exact same pitch every time makes it evident that you didn’t consider the customer . All you have to do is tweak a few phrases or swap out some data points to keep your pitch relevant for each prospect.

While the above basic pitch framework and examples offer comprehensive sales pitch guidance, you could include a few extras to take your delivery up a notch.

Address common objections

Knowing what your prospect might oppose regarding your offering will help you tackle potential objections. But you’ll need to have done a fair amount of research or have some experience with client engagement to pull this off.

Therefore, try to anticipate common objections that might arise based on past experience, and ensure you cover those with sound solutions before the prospect has the chance to object.

Offer a personalized solution

Is your product or service customizable? Offering a tailored solution is a great way to set your service apart from the competition. It lets your prospect know that you are sensitive to their particular needs and that you’re willing to adapt things to ensure those needs are met.

Demonstrate ROI

If you have the data, run the numbers to show your prospect what they can expect in terms of ROI.

Perhaps your product or service helps businesses save on expenses, in which case you should provide a basic breakdown to show the average savings percentage.

If your product or service positively influences productivity, offer a quantitative example of how much your solution could impact the business’s revenue and growth.

Craft a compelling sales pitch and close more deals

As you work on your own sales pitch, remember to keep it concise. Regardless of which techniques you use, it should be a short speech that immediately hooks your customer. An effective sales pitch is short, convincing, and leaves the customer wanting more.

Nutshell is flexible enough to fit every sales model.

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5 Best Sales Pitch Examples and Tips And Why They Work

A good sales pitch makes all the difference between a failed deal and a closed deal. That's why it's such a massive part of the selling process.

A sales pitch is your attempt at selling your product or service. It should ideally be a persuasive and engaging speech that communicates the value of your offering and encourages the customer to put down their money.

But what makes an effective, winning sales pitch is the million-dollar question.

This Salesman.org article will dive into the fundamentals of a sales pitch and discuss the best sales pitch examples and tips to set up sales reps for selling success.

What Is a Sales Pitch?

A sales pitch is a super brief sales presentation explaining how your business will benefit the prospect. It should be compelling enough to convince the prospect about your product's superiority and persuade them to engage in business with you.

A good sales pitch can be anything—a script you go through on a call, a traditional presentation in front of decision-makers, or a two-minute elevator speech for networking opportunities.

How To Write a Good Sales Pitch

The idea behind delivering a sales pitch is to connect with potential buyers. While every salesperson needs to be unique to make an impact, all the best sales pitch examples has three main components.

Your hook should capture your prospect's attention, whether it's your email subject or the opening line of your cold call . Think strong, impactful, and attention-grabbing.

A strong hook is fundamental for a sales reps pitch because if you don't have the attention of the prospect, how are you going to influence them?

Here are a few ideas for writing the perfect hook for your sales pitch:

Cut to the chase (“I want to get straight to the point and share… “)
Ask a question (“Does the idea of increasing your revenue by X% sound appealing to you “)
Reference a shared connection (“Saw your LinkedIn post talking about how Mr. X's ideas influenced your decision-making”)
Share a data point (“Did you know that X% of CEOs)
Mention a recent interaction (“I loved hearing your thoughts at the ABC convention”)

The context of your sales pitch gives the prospect an enticing value proposition. After delivering a hook that gets the prospect's attention, tell them why you've contacted them and explain what your product can do for them.

Here are a few essential context tips:

Speak about your product or service plainly—leave out any marketing or overly technical jargon
Use data, market research, customer stories, or case studies to have the buyer continue engaging with you
Tie the benefits from the previous bullet to your prospect's goals and objectives, explaining how they'll personally benefit if they respond to your request

C) Call-to-action (CTA)

Add a clear next step the prospect can take to close your sales pitch. For example, include a strong call to action that pushes the prospect to do what you want them to do, such as calling you back or responding with availability.

Often if you've covered the bases and kept your sales pitch short, focused on the prospect rather than your own sales process and you've generated social proof, then the CTA is seamless.

Below are a few examples you can use:

Does it make sense to connect for 15 minutes this week?
What's the best way to connect on this?
Are you up for a 15-minute chat next week?
When is a good time to chat about this more?
Would you be open to a call to learn more about our product?
Do you have any availability next Wednesday for a brief chat?

5 Good Sales Pitch Examples and Ideas for Inspiration

Securing high-quality leads is hard work, but converting those hard-earned leads into a closed sale is even more challenging. To make your sales job slightly more straightforward, here are the five best sales pitch tips that effectively convey value and get you from successful sales pitch to commission bonus in your pocket. .

Sales Pitch Tip 1: Be Direct and Concise

Concise and direct sales pitches are more effective than a long, draggy ramble for many reasons.

The prospect is more likely to listen to your whole pitch if you highlight and explain 2-3 key product features instead of a summary of everything your product can do. Also, you get your point across faster and more efficiently, allowing you to take the sales conversation forward with the prospect.

Remember, the prospect is only interested in what your product can do for them. So put the spotlight on precisely that.

Example: Adam Goldstein's Two-Line Pitch

“Hey, we can lower your distribution costs. Let me know who to talk to. ”

That's it. That's what Adam Goldstein, CEO and co-founder of Hipmunk (now Concur Hipmunk ), pitched to the CEO of United Airlines and got a response within 15 minutes.

This business sales pitch example shows you only need the right words—no matter how few—to make an impact.

Sales Pitch Tip 2: Use Your Brand Story

Facts tell, but stories sell. That's why compelling storytelling is such a vast foundation of your sales pitch.

Use the power of storytelling in your pitches to single out your product from your competitors. Instead of reading out specifications, set a narrative around your product and service and tell your story.

Example: LISNR's Origin Story

“In 2012, one single belief brought LISNR's founders together: ultrasonic audio is better. These individuals understood the growing need for a device- and platform-independent solution for sending short communication back and forth at the software level. They believed that companies shouldn't have to spend on costly hardware or processes to drive more friction-less and connected experiences.”

LISNR uses its origin story to set a narrative and covers two critical aspects:

How the organization came into existence
What it hopes to accomplish

It provides customers more context to the product. It gets them on board that doing business with LISNR will not only solve their pain points (costly hardware and stunted processes) but also contribute to a greater mission and belief system.

Sales Pitch Tip 3: Describe Product Benefits—and Not Features

Sales professionals often make the common mistake of focusing their sales pitch around the product or service instead of the prospect. Yes, you want to prove your product's superiority, but from the prospect's perspective.

Make your sales pitch relevant to your target audience by highlighting the benefits of your product from their context. Address their pain points and explain how your product or service can solve them.

Example: G2's Elevator Pitch

“ G2 is the user-voice platform for people to be able to say how they actually think about the software, and not be told by the analysts, people who don't use it, or the reference from your best customers. You're actually hearing directly from the user and engaging with people who actually use the product.”

This sales pitch highlights how the platform can benefit the user and solve a significant pain point: the disconnection between what customers need and what they get. Notice how the pitch excellently expands on the most significant benefit it provides customers—information from real, genuine users—and is still super short.

Sales Pitch Tip 4: Incorporate Data—Lots of It

Your prospect has probably heard hundreds of sales pitches filled with bold claims. But, unfortunately, these claims start to sound far-fetched after a while, especially if the prospect has made purchases that didn't pay off.

You don't want your pitch to add to the numbers.

Back your sales pitch up with statistics, case studies, and data to provide credibility to your pitch. Even better if you can visualize as many elements as possible, especially data and stats. When writing your sales script, talk around stats to give more context and details. This will help make the prospect feel they're making the right decision.

Example: Tien Tzuo's Zoura Pitch

Take a look at a slide from Zoura's sales deck.

Zoura provides solutions for businesses to launch and manage their subscription-based services. It's also the leading force behind the subscription economy.

Coming back to the slide, instead of claiming that the subscription economy is the future, Tzuo uses eye-opening data points that allow the prospect to draw their own conclusions: the subscription economy is the future.

Using stats and case studies in your pitches tells the prospect you're not making empty claims. In addition, it lends the conversation credibility, improving your chances of closing the deal.

Sales Pitch Tip 5: Build an Emotional Connection

Good sales pitches are all about the customers. But this isn't something that can be achieved through a formal monologue.

Your pitch should start a two-way dialogue between you and your prospect. You want to pique interest, trigger emotions, and make them see your value. Even better if you can spark sympathy and compel the prospect to buy your product or service.

Example: Brian Walter's WOW, HOW, NOW Framework

The WOW, HOW, NOW framework is a very straightforward approach established by Brian Walter , a renowned speaker coach. It goes something like this:

WOW – Deliver a short, stimulating statement that makes the prospect go “Wow!” Even a “Huh?” works.
HOW – Clarify and expand your previous statement.
NOW – End your sales pitch with a specific example of how your offering can help the prospect.

Master the Art of Effortless Selling

Your sales pitch should help you take the sales conversation forward and build solid relationships with prospects. We hope the over tips and examples help you draft the perfect sales pitch to help you win more deals.

Follow the Salesman.org podcast to learn more about how industry leaders pitch their offerings and improve their win rate.

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Business Education

7 sales pitch examples and tips to write your own.

The success of your deal depends significantly on the effectiveness of your sales pitch. Therefore, dedicating time and effort to perfecting your pitch, starting from initial outreach calls to face-to-face meetings, is crucial for creating a powerful impact right from the start.

Whether you're a seasoned sales professional looking to refine your techniques or a beginner in the field seeking inspiration — this collection of sales pitch examples will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways.

How to write a sales pitch in 6 steps

A sales pitch is a persuasive presentation or message designed to influence someone to take a desired action. Your pitch can be delivered in various formats, including verbal presentations, phone calls, outreach emails, or website copy. Its primary goal is to motivate the recipient to respond positively to your presented offer.

Writing a sales pitch requires careful planning and consideration to effectively communicate the value of your product or service and persuade potential customers to take action.

An effective sales pitch should be concise, persuasive, and focused on the customer's needs and desires. To help you start writing your sales pitch, follow the steps below.

Framework for an Effective Sales Pitch in 6 Steps

1. Understand your audience

Before crafting your sales pitch, research and understand your target audience. Your goal should be to identify their needs, pain points, and motivations to effectively present your offering as the answer they've been searching for (or perhaps weren't aware they needed until now).

For B2B leads, this will help you identify key stakeholders and who exactly you should pitch. All of this information will help you tailor your pitch specifically to them.

Pro tip: To help streamline your research, make sure you have a lead qualification process in place.

2. Define your unique selling proposition (USP)

Determine what sets your product or service apart from the competition. Identify the key benefits and advantages that make it valuable to customers. Your USP should be clear, concise, and compelling. It should also be distinct from that of your competition. For example, it could look something like this:

Our [company] helps [audience] with [pain point] in order to help achieve [benefits].

Pro tip: Experiment with different messaging and positioning to test the effectiveness of your USP.

3. Grab attention with a strong opening

Start your sales pitch with a powerful hook to capture your audience's attention and pique their interest. You can use a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, a compelling story, or a bold statement to engage them right from the start.

Regardless of your approach, it’s crucial to effectively convey the problem or challenge your offering can resolve. Describe it in a way your audience can relate and find a meaningful connection.

Pro tip: Doing a prospect a favor, such as sharing their posts on social media, and including that in your pitch is another way to engage them from the start.

4. Highlight key benefits and features

Present the key features that differentiate your product or service and provide value. Be sure to focus on the benefits these features offer to that specific customer.

Explain how your offering can save time, increase efficiency, improve productivity, save money, enhance quality of life, or solve a specific pain point. In short, make sure the focus is on the outcomes rather than what the product or service actually does.

Pro tip: Use concrete examples and specific results whenever possible.

5. Build credibility

Establish credibility and trust in your sales pitch by incorporating social proof. Share testimonials, case studies, or success stories from satisfied customers who have experienced positive results with your product or service. You can even mention any industry awards, certifications, or partnerships that reinforce your expertise and credibility.

Pro tip: Make sure you’re prepared to provide compelling answers or evidence to alleviate any doubts or hesitations so you can build trust with your prospect.

6. Include a clear call to action (CTA)

Clearly state what action you want your audience to take after hearing your pitch. It could be making a purchase, signing up for a trial, scheduling a demo, or requesting more information. Make your CTA specific, concise, and easy to follow.

Pro tip: Send a follow-up email after your sales call to refresh their memory about your discussion and keep you top of mind.

7 sales pitch examples

While the steps above provide a solid framework for what to include in your sales pitch, you’ll need to tailor your pitch to suit the particular context and delivery method.

Whether you're engaging in a phone call, composing an email, sending a social media message, conducting a face-to-face meeting, or creating an About Us page on your website, these sales pitch examples will serve as inspiration to help you create your own winning pitch.

1. The voicemail sales pitch

Often, you'll need to deliver a sales pitch through voicemail . This presents an excellent opportunity to present a complete elevator pitch without the potential for interruptions or objections.

The following example illustrates a concise and effective sales pitch for a software solution, incorporating many of the elements discussed above. It includes a compelling opening, introduces the product and its advantages, and concludes with a clear call to action — inviting the recipient to schedule a brief call for further discussion.

2. The outreach call sales pitch

While speaking with a prospect over the phone requires quick thinking and a personable approach, it can also be a perfect time to practice incorporating all the essential elements of your sales pitch.

In the example below, you'll observe a conversation between a sales development representative (SDR) and a prospect regarding software sales. The SDR initiates the discussion by mentioning their research, highlighting the prospect company's recent growth. This growth serves as a strong buying signal , indicating the prospect may have additional financial resources to invest in supplementary solutions.

Since this is a cold call , the focus is not on selling the product immediately. Instead, the goal is to schedule a demo session to provide a more detailed walkthrough of the product, ensuring it’s the right fit for the prospect's needs.

3. The email sales pitch

Email serves as another effective method for delivering a sales pitch. It's less intrusive than a cold call, but there is a risk of your email getting lost in the inbox abyss if not crafted properly. That's why it’s crucial to create a personable and memorable email pitch.

In the provided example, Ryan Robinson, a content marketing consultant, shares one of his most successful sales emails. Instead of immediately diving into his pitch, he starts by offering something valuable to the recipient: a share on Twitter. He then incorporates what he has done for the recipient into his pitch. This approach is a compelling hook, demonstrating his genuine care and desire to collaborate with them.

4. Social media sales pitch example

Although you can use social media to promote products, it may not be the most effective channel for direct sales pitches. Social media platforms are better suited for fostering business connections and networking . However, if you do employ social media for sales purposes, it’s best to focus on selling a relationship rather than a product.

The example below showcases a LinkedIn message that persuades someone to join a Facebook page. This approach represents a form of lead nurturing that helps establish stronger relationships with your network so they can become more familiar with your offerings and services over time.

5. The About Us page sales pitch

Your website serves as an inherent sales pitch. The About Us page specifically presents an ideal opportunity to delve beyond the mere features and functionality of your product and truly captivate your customers with your brand.

While numerous companies may offer similar products, your About Us page is a way to set yourself apart from the competition. Don’t waste this valuable real estate on boring company history or irrelevant accolades. Instead, use it to connect with your target audience and emphasize what makes your company unique from the competition. Calendly's mission , for instance, serves as a concise yet compelling sales pitch, outlining the company's identity, purpose, and target audience.

“What started as a simple, time-saving scheduling link has grown into an omni-channel scheduling platform for teams and businesses around the world. Our belief is that a scheduling automation platform should provide broad and deep support for various meeting scenarios — especially for teams that schedule meetings with external parties at scale.”

5. The product landing page sales pitch

A landing page represents another opportunity to include a product-specific sales pitch. It’s crucial to help your customers grasp what you do, who your target audience is, and how you do it, all in a small space.

Let's take Smith.ai's outreach campaign product pitch as an example. It effectively conveys a clear message about our identity, our role, and the advantages we offer to businesses through sales outreach. Our primary value proposition lies in being your dedicated outreach team, which ultimately translates to time and cost savings for your business.

6. The outreach marketing pitch

Outreach marketing involves engaging and establishing connections with people or businesses within your target market. Its purpose is to enhance your website's online visibility, generate momentum for campaigns, and effectively promote your products or services.

In some cases, you’re not necessarily selling your product, but the opportunity for a partnership or collaboration. In the example below, Sandra is selling Charlee an opportunity to collaborate with their brand.

7. The chat sales pitch

Not having chat in your sales strategy means missing out on enhancing the customer experience. Surveys show that 79% of businesses recognize live chat's positive impact on sales, revenue, and customer loyalty.

Including live chat on your website, particularly for B2C businesses, offers an excellent opportunity to present a quick sales pitch that can attract customers and motivate them to take specific actions, like making a purchase, enrolling in a loyalty program, or subscribing to a newsletter.

How Smith.ai can improve your sales process

Armed with knowledge and insights from these sales pitch examples, you are now equipped to craft your own compelling pitches.

If you lack time for thorough lead research and crafting the ideal pitch, consider investing in a solution like Smith.ai Outreach Campaigns . You can delegate tasks such as making calls, qualifying leads, and sending follow-ups to our 24/7 live agents, enabling you to focus on other essential aspects of your business while ensuring optimal productivity and efficiency.

Book a free consultation to discover how Smith.ai can support the growth of your business.

Maddy Martin is Smith.ai's SVP of Growth. Over the last 15 years, Maddy has built her expertise and reputation in small-business communications, lead conversion, email marketing, partnerships, and SEO.

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7 sales pitch ideas & techniques to get you out of a rut

How long have you been using the same sales pitch? Maybe you spent a lot of time crafting a pitch that suits your audience. You worked to get the right questions , include powerful phrases, and focus on the benefits. But the more you use this sales pitch over time, the more worn out it seems. Maybe the market has changed and your pitch doesn’t appeal to them like it did before. Or maybe, after using the same pitch for so long, you’re getting into a rut. It’s time to dig yourself out with some creative sales pitch ideas. In this chapter, you’re going to see:

7 creative sales pitch ideas that make you stand out from the crowd

How to get out of a rut by avoiding common sales pitch mistakes.

Many times, learning how to pitch better and getting out of a rut means pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. With your sales pitch, the idea is the same: we want to break you out of the box you’ve been living in and build a sales pitch that tests your skills as a sales rep . The bigger the effort, the better the results. Take a serious look at this list of sales pitch techniques. See which ones you can implement in your own process, and be willing to break out of your comfort zone.

1. Create sales pitches for each customer profile

One sales pitch is great: A few sales pitches are better. If you sell one product to one single type of customer, then you probably only need one sales pitch. But if your solution solves a number of different challenges or is used by customers who are vastly different from each other, you should have more than one pitch, and a lot more sales pitch techniques in your arsenal. After all, the way you pitch to an SMB is not the same as the way you pitch to an enterprise company. In Chapter 1 of this guide, we discussed writing a sales pitch. Inside this process, it’s essential for you to use real customer data to craft a pitch that sells. If your company already has ideal customer profiles set up, use that information to craft several different pitches that appeal to different audiences.

Pro tip: If you don’t have ideal customer profiles set up, get this free interactive guide to create your own ideal customer profiles.

Once you have several sales pitch ideas that are based on your customer profiles, you can use the qualification stage to fit new leads into one of these profiles. Then, you’ll be able to choose the pitch that best suits this particular lead based on their profile. As an added bonus, using multiple sales pitches is a great way to break out of a rut. In this case, you’ll be constantly changing up your pitch, adapting dynamically during the day based on who you’re talking to instead of repeating the same pitch to every new lead.

2. Build a dialogue, not a monologue

You may have heard the mantra: listen more than you talk. While this may be true in some parts of the sales process, it’s actually not ideal on a cold call . Research from our friends at Gong.io shows that, when you’re pitching to a lead, you should be talking just a bit more than your lead does.

However, this doesn’t mean you need to launch into a five-minute discourse on the benefits of your product. Instead, you want your conversational flow to look something like this:

While there are short monologues in this call, there is a regular back-and-forth between the rep and the lead. By keeping your lead engaged throughout your pitch, you’ll make sure they’re really listening when you explain important aspects of your solution. So, keep this sales pitch idea in mind: create a dialogue, not a monologue. Within your written pitch, include questions to ask your prospect and space for them to express their ideas. Then, your pitch will have a better flow, and the prospect will stay engaged.

3. Use open-ended questions to discover pain points and pitch effectively

Ultimately, you can use questions to help prospects see how your solution solves a problem they’re facing. The ideal formula is asking whether the prospect has a certain problem, getting them to say yes, and then presenting your solution. But it’s unlikely you’ll be able to guess at their main pain points without asking the right questions. The best way to do this? Ask open-ended questions . Let’s use an example to demonstrate how this works. Imagine you’re selling a scheduling app to doctors. Use your questions as satellites that map out the prospect's wants and needs. You want to use your satellites to spot the exact coordinates of their sweet spots.

Sales rep: "What's one of the biggest challenges you have in your practice right now, especially when it comes to managing revenue, costs, and your time?"

Dr. Smith: "Figuring out a way to increase revenue is important in today's economy."

Most salespeople at this point in the conversation would think: "Great, I got it! I’ll pitch this doctor our scheduling app as a way to increase revenue!" But you—the real pro sales rep—aren't satisfied with that. You take it a step further.

Sales rep: "If increasing revenue is important to you, what have you done in the past to achieve that? Is it about getting more people in the door, having more people show up on time, or reducing the number of no-shows? What kind of measures do you think could really make a dent?"

Dr. Smith: "We don't really have a problem with no-shows. The main thing would probably be doing more effective advertising."

Now that piece of information changes the whole dynamic of the conversation dramatically, compared to what the first version of the answer was. At this point, it might seem like there's no way to sell to this doctor. After all, how can your scheduling app help Dr. Smith's advertising? But this is the point that differentiates mediocre sales reps from great sales reps. Because now you're really getting into consulting. You're not just trying to get the prospect's money in exchange for what you've got: you're revealing something of value to your prospect . Keep asking these open-ended questions. You want to find out: is advertising really the thing that would benefit this doctor the most? What's their actual no-show rate? Maybe there's potential for significant improvement, and Dr. Smith simply isn't aware of how big an opportunity for increasing revenue this represents.

4. Test before you pitch

As you continue to converse with the prospect, asking good questions, and discovering their true needs, you’re getting closer to the point where you dive into your pitch. But again, don't gamble, don't guess, don't hope for luck. Instead, test! Don't proclaim, "Dr. Smith, I think I have the perfect solution for you! We can save you money on scheduling!" Instead, keep asking, probing, testing:

Sales rep: "Dr. Smith, if there was a way to significantly save on scheduling and staffing, would you be interested in a solution like that? Would saving a lot of money be an option for you, so that you keep your revenue unaffected, but lower costs, and thus end up with more profit, instead of trying all kinds of new advertising methods that have unknown outcomes and aren't predictable?" And then wait to hear what they say!

Dr. Smith: "Na, I'm not really a saving-money guy."

That's valuable feedback! It saves you a wasted bullet. Now you don't have to pitch what you wanted to pitch, and are still good for another round of interaction and questioning until you get a clear sense of what would work. Ultimately, you want to get to a point where Dr. Smith says, "Yes, that would be interesting."

5. Back up your statements with facts and data

How many times have you heard a rookie sales rep say something like: “We offer the BEST solution to your problem.” “It’s the BEST value for the money.” “We’re the PERFECT tool for this task.” And maybe it’s true. Maybe you are the best. But simply stating that fact without any data to back it up makes it very difficult for the prospect to believe you. Anyone can say they’re the best. But only the best can prove it. So, what makes your solution the best? Do you have unique features that other companies are lacking? Is your customer support out of this world? Are your customers seeing better results with your product? It’s not wrong to make bold statements about your solution. But if you can’t back those statements up with facts and data, your prospects will lose confidence in you. And if you lose their trust at this point, you’ll probably lose the deal . Instead, try something like this: “Our solution is the best value for the money, considering the size of your team. Other solutions charge you per user, but we offer one fixed price per month that doesn’t change when you add more users.” With some extra facts, that abstract statement builds a solid foundation in reality.

6. Talk about the cost of NOT purchasing

You never want to talk about the price of your product without first establishing the value . But sometimes during a sales pitch, the prospect insists on the topic of cost. If you feel you’re not quite ready to give them a price, try switching this conversation around. “I understand pricing is very important to you since you’re working with a tight budget. But let me just ask you this question: if you don’t find a solution to [the problem you’ve discussed] in [amount of time], how much will that cost your company?” If your solution isn’t directly related to revenue, adjust the last part of that question to lead the prospect to understand the consequences of not purchasing:

“What would be the effect on your team?”
“How would productivity be affected?”
“How will that affect the morale of your remote employees?”

Then, take those consequences and convert them into dollars:

“If team productivity goes down by just 10%, how much money could your company be losing?”
“If morale starts to go down, your employee churn rate will go up. How much does it cost you to onboard new employees when others leave?”

By asking these questions, you’ll help prospects understand the real cost of the problem before they hear the cost of the solution.

7. Preempt objections by talking about your weak points

At the end of your sales pitch or in the next meeting with this prospect, you will likely face objections. Let’s be honest: No one knows the weak points and risks of your product better than you do. Don’t try to hide those. Instead, catch the prospect off guard by preempting their objections. In other words, tell them exactly why they shouldn’t buy your product. Honesty is a powerful tool for a salesperson. Use it to your advantage. Think of it like this: when a prospect brings up objections, it puts you on the defensive. When you bring up the weak points of your own product, you can control how they’re seen by the prospect and how a solution can be found. The key is preparing a brief solution to each weak point. Even if you haven’t figured out a complete solution, prepare a quick sentence or two that shows you’re aware of the issue and are working to address it.

Another reason you might get stuck in a rut is by developing routines that are counterproductive to your sales. It’s time to break bad habits within your sales pitch. Here are some routines that some reps fall into, as well as ideas on how to get out:

Aimlessly throwing darts in the dark

If you’re not clear on exactly what parts of your product will appeal to your audience, your sales pitch will lack proper aim.

Using our example above, here’s what NOT to do:

Sales rep: "Hey Dr. Smith, we've built this scheduling app, and it saves doctors like you a lot of time. Would this be interesting to you?"

Dr. Smith: "No, we don't really have that problem, I don't think this is really for us."

Sales rep: "Yeah, but our scheduling app can also help you to reduce staff costs because you don't need to have somebody on the phone all the time, going back and forth with potential patients. Are you interested in reducing your staffing costs?"

Dr. Smith: "No, I don't think this is something we're interested in."

Sales rep: "Yeah, but, how about if we could actually increase your revenue a bit?"

And the sales rep goes on and on like this, without a clear target, without a clear understanding of where to aim at. They’re just throwing features and value propositions around, hoping something will hit the target. That's not selling, that's speculating. It lacks direction. Instead of throwing darts in the dark, make sure you can see the target before you take aim. There are two specific ways to do this:

Do proper research before you get on the call
Ask questions that reveal needs

Once you have a clear view of the target, you can stop throwing into the dark hoping for a result, and start aiming your pitch effectively.

Building a no-street

Asking yes-or-no questions is a dangerous road to travel on. Because once a prospect starts telling you “no,” you are building a no-street. You're conditioning the prospect’s mind to say "no" to your proposals. The more often the prospect says no to you, the more likely they are going to be to keep saying no, and the bigger the disconnect between you and the prospect. Eventually, they’re so tuned-out of your pitch that they’ll respond with “no” to anything you say. Here’s how to fix this: Instead of asking the prospect, “Do you have this problem?” Ask, “What’s the main challenge you’re facing right now?” Above, we discussed the power of open-ended questions. These questions will lead you to a better understanding of your prospect, meaning you can guide them based on their actual needs.

Assuming what you like about the product is what your prospects will like

A good sales rep really believes in what they’re selling. But what you like about the product may not be what the prospect likes. Remember this scene from Wolf of Wall Street?

Do you know why all their sales pitches suck? Because each of these sales seminar attendees pitches prematurely. They assume that what they like about the pen is what their buyer likes about the pen. They just show up and throw up all over the prospect , rather than gathering information, engaging the prospect, and presenting the solution in response to their fact find.

Over-promising

You know the moment. You’re pitching, it’s going great, they love your product. Then they ask: “But does it have this feature?” The knee-jerk reaction is normally something like this: “Not yet, but it’s on the roadmap!” This is one of those phrases that’s almost certain to kill the deal. Because most of the time, either this feature isn’t really on the roadmap, or the rep has no actual idea of what the product roadmap looks like. Here’s the key: Your sales pitch isn’t about what your product might have down the road. If a feature isn’t part of your product today, or won’t be part of your product in the next few weeks, don’t sell it. When you’re trying to sell the vision instead of the reality , it’s easy to over-promise and under-deliver. That’s never a good way to start a relationship with a new customer. Instead, try to dig into why the prospect is asking about this feature. What do they want to solve? Is there another feature of your product that will solve that problem just as well? Is there a workaround using Zapier or another integration that some of your customers have used to solve this problem? By digging into the root of the problem, you can overcome this question without promising features that may never be part of your solution.

Forgetting to follow up

Never underestimate the power of the follow-up . Maybe you’ve set up some specific next-steps and are now waiting for the prospect to get back to you. That’s fine. Just don’t wait forever. To make sure this prospect doesn’t fall through the cracks, set up a reminder in your CRM to check back with the prospect after a reasonable amount of time. In Close , you can check your inbox to see upcoming tasks, such as follow-ups, or reschedule them for down the road.

Don’t let their excitement cool off: follow up to keep that lead hot .

Use these ideas to create the perfect sales pitch

So, are you ready to deliver a pitch that resonates with your prospects? The creative sales pitch ideas we’ve discussed will help you gain a better understanding of your prospects and use that information to close deals faster. By maintaining a dialogue and asking open-ended questions, you’ll keep the prospect engaged from start to finish. Also, avoiding common sales mistakes , like throwing darts in the dark or overpromising, can help you keep a good rapport with your prospect and move them to the next stage in your sales pipeline . But how does a sales pitch work over the phone? And what can you learn from top examples of cold-call pitches? Jump to the next chapter of this guide for more →

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The Ultimate Guide to Delivering an Effective Sales Pitch

What's on this page:.

A sales pitch can make or break a deal - which is why you must ensure yours are as effective as they can be.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to craft irresistible sales pitches that leave jaws dropping, wallets opening, and deals sealed with a smile 🙂

Scroll 👇 to master the art of the effective sales pitch!

What is a sales pitch?

A sales pitch is a persuasive presentation or communication; it aims to convince potential customers to buy a product, service, or idea.

It’s an essential tool for B2B sales professionals and businesses to communicate the value and benefits of their offerings and ultimately drive sales.

Why are sales pitches important?

They capture attention.

A well-crafted sales pitch must capture the attention of your target audience. It should grab their interest and compel them to listen to what you have to say.

In a competitive marketplace, a strong sales pitch helps you stand out from the crowd and pique your prospects’ curiosity.

They communicate value

A sales pitch allows you to effectively communicate your product or service’s unique value/benefits. It highlights how your offering solves a problem, addresses a need, or fulfils a desire.

By clearly articulating the value proposition, you’ll differentiate yourself from your competitors and make a compelling case for why your audience should choose you.

They build trust and credibility

An effective pitch builds trust and credibility with your audience. It showcases your expertise, knowledge, and understanding of their needs and pain points .

By presenting a well-researched and tailored pitch, you demonstrate that you’re a reliable and trustworthy source of solutions.

They overcome objections

One of the key purposes of a sales pitch is to address potential objections that your audience may have. By anticipating and addressing these objections, you’ll alleviate concerns and build confidence in your offering.

This removes barriers that might prevent your prospects from making a purchase decision.

They guide the buying process

A sales pitch serves as a guide throughout the buying process. It educates buyers about your offering, presents compelling reasons to take action, and helps them understand how your product or service can meet their needs.

A well-structured sales pitch provides the information and motivation to move prospects closer to buying decisions.

They maximise sales opportunities

With an effective sales pitch, you can maximise sales opportunities by delivering a persuasive message that resonates with your audience.

By clearly communicating the benefits and value of your offering, you increase the likelihood of converting leads into customers and closing deals.

They’re versatile and adaptable

A sales pitch can be adapted to different situations, whether it’s a face-to-face meeting, a phone call, an email, or a presentation. It provides a framework that you can customise based on the audience, context, and medium of communication.

This adaptability allows you to tailor your message to different individuals and address their needs and preferences.

Sales pitch vs presentation: what’s the difference?

Sales pitches and presentations involve conveying information to an audience, but the two have some key differences.

A sales pitch is a focused and persuasive message delivered to prospects, with the goal of selling a product or service. Its objective is to convince the audience to take an action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a service, or entering into a business agreement.

A presentation , on the other hand, is a broader communication tool used to convey information, ideas, or concepts to an audience. Presentations can serve many purposes aside from getting an audience to take action, such as informing, educating, or entertaining.

When creating a presentation, using a slideshow template to ensure a professional and effective delivery can be helpful .

How to create an effective sales pitch

Developing a successful sales pitch requires careful planning.

Here are some steps to help you create a compelling sales pitch 👇

1. Understand your audience

Take the time to identify and research your ideal customer . Determine their needs, pain points, and preferences.

You must tailor your pitch to address their concerns and show how your product or service can solve the problems keeping them up at night.

Aaron Ross , sales growth coach, said this about understanding your audience:

“As humans, we keep going back to ‘I’m an abc, and my company does this, and I do xyz’.”

“But what we should be focusing on as salespeople is how we translate this message into something that is meaningful to someone else.”

In other words, a good sales pitch doesn’t focus on the seller; it focuses on the individual buyer.

2. Define your objective

Clearly define the purpose of your sales pitch. Is it to generate leads , close a sale, or secure a partnership?

Having a goal in mind will help you structure your pitch and focus on the most relevant points.

3. Craft a compelling opening

The best sales pitches grab the audience’s attention from the start!

Begin with a powerful opening statement or a thought-provoking question that either:

Addresses a prospect’s pain point.
Captures their interest.

Don’t be vague! Make it clear why they should continue listening to your pitch.

4. Clearly communicate your value proposition

Articulate the unique value and benefits your product or service offers. Explain how it solves a problem or will improve your prospects’ lives.

Use real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate the positive outcomes you talk about.

5. Keep it concise and focused

A sales pitch should be succinct and to the point. Never overwhelm your buyers with excessive information or technical jargon!

Instead, focus on the key features, benefits, and results that matter most to your audience.

Aaron Ross shared his advice:

“In a perfect world, a sales pitch sounds simple and human.”

“No one cares if you have the most scalable product or that you’re a software company. Tell them about the stuff that impacts them.”

6. Use storytelling techniques

A winning sales pitch isn’t just a list of benefits and features; it should tell a story about your company, your brand and why a partnership with your prospect’s organisation makes sense.

Bringing storytelling techniques into your pitch will make it more engaging and relatable - here’s how to do it 👇

Share success stories, customer testimonials, or personal experiences that illustrate your product’s value and impact. You want to connect emotionally with your audience - remember in SaaS sales , people still buy from people!

7. Address objections proactively

Anticipate potential objections and address them proactively in your pitch. Show that you understand any concerns raised and provide clear and compelling responses.

This demonstrates that you’ve thought through your buyers’ hesitations and have solutions at the ready.

8. Use visuals and demonstrations

Whenever possible, use visual aids, such as slides or product demonstrations; these will enhance your pitch.

Visuals can make complex information easier to understand and help your audience imagine how your product will work for them.

9. Craft a compelling closing

Just as important as having a compelling opening is having a compelling close!

Our advice is to end your pitch with a strong call to action. Clearly communicate the next steps you want your audience to take, whether it’s scheduling a meeting, making a purchase, or signing up for a trial.

10. Practice and refine

Practice your sales pitch to ensure you deliver it confidently and smoothly. Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors and make the necessary refinements.

How long should a sales pitch be?

A sales pitch’s ideal length depends on the context, audience and method of communication.

However, we advise you to keep your sales pitch concise. You want to maintain your audience’s attention and deliver your key messages in a short time frame.

Here are some other guidelines for the length of a sales pitch 👇

Elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a brief overview of your product, service, or idea. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator!

It typically ranges from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length.

In-person presentations

If you have a dedicated time slot for a sales presentation, such as in a meeting or at a conference, it’s best to aim for a length of around 10 to 20 minutes.

This gives you enough time to engage your audience without overwhelming them with excessive details.

Phone or virtual pitches

When delivering a sales pitch over the phone or in a virtual meeting, you need to be mindful of your audience’s attention span. Zoom brain is a real thing!

Aim for a pitch length of around 5 to 10 minutes. Focus on your product’s most impactful/relevant aspects.

Written pitches

For written sales pitches, such as emails or proposals, we recommend keeping them short and to the point. Aim for a length of one to two pages or a few paragraphs, depending on your product’s complexity.

What are the stages of a sales pitch?

A well-structured sales pitch follows these nine stages 👇

Having a great opening is crucial for grabbing your prospects’ attention!

Start with a compelling hook, such as:

A thought-provoking question.
A startling statistic .
An intriguing statement.

Your goal is to engage your audience right from the start and make them want to hear more.

2. Introduction

After capturing their attention, introduce yourself, your company, and your role.

Establish credibility and expertise by highlighting your relevant experience, achievements, or industry recognition. Make a personal connection by finding common ground or demonstrating your understanding of their needs.

3. Value proposition

In this stage, clearly state your product’s unique value and benefits. Try the following:

Explain how your product solves the problems plaguing your audience.
Highlight the key features, advantages, and outcomes that set your offering apart from competitors.
Use specific examples or case studies to demonstrate the value in action.

4. Address pain points

Show your understanding of your audience’s pain points and challenges. Discuss the problems they face and explain how your offering alleviates those issues.

By addressing their pain points directly, you demonstrate empathy and establish yourself as a valuable solution provider.

5. Differentiation

In this stage, you need to show how your product or service differs from the competition.

Highlight what makes your offering unique; this could be something like proprietary technology, superior usability, a unique approach, or exceptional customer service.

Clearly express the advantages your audience will gain from signing up with you.

6. Social proof

This is an extremely powerful way to build trust. If you’ve got testimonials or case studies from satisfied customers, share them!

Social proof validates your claims and creates confidence in your prospects that your product or service delivers results.

Use real-world examples that are relatable to the prospect’s situation or industry.

7. Call to action

We’re getting close to the end of your sales pitch now!

In this stage, state the next steps you want your audience to take.

Whether it’s booking a meeting, signing up for a trial, making a purchase, or moving forward with a partnership, you must provide a clear and compelling call to action.

Top tip:

Creating a sense of urgency or scarcity can motivate people to take prompt action.

It’s time for the grand finale!

End your sales pitch with a strong and memorable conclusion. Follow these steps:

Summarise the key points of your pitch and restate the value proposition.
Reinforce the benefits your audience will gain by choosing your offering.
Express your enthusiasm and confidence in helping them achieve their goals.

These phrases can be particularly effective in closing off a sales pitch 👇

“Based on what we’ve discussed, I believe this solution perfectly aligns with your needs and goals.” “Imagine the positive impact this will have on your business.” “I can offer you a special deal if you commit today.” “Our existing customers have achieved remarkable results with our solution.” “I understand your concerns, and here’s how we can address them.” “Here are some steps we can take to move forward.” “I’m confident this is the right choice for you.” “I’m here to support you every step of the way.”

9. Follow-up

The final stage is about providing reassurance for the future.

Tell your prospect you’re willing to answer any additional questions or handle any urgent objections . Don’t forget to provide them with your contact details or any resources that’ll help them decide.

And that’s it! You reached the end of your sales pitch.

How to close a sales pitch

The closing stage is the most important part of any sales pitch, so here are some more strategies to help you close 👇

Ask for the sale

Seems obvious but many sales reps forget to do this! All you need to do is:

Clearly and confidently ask the prospect if they’re ready to move forward with the purchase.

Offer multiple options

Presenting the prospect with multiple options can increase the likelihood of closing a sale. You can try offering some of the following:

Bespoke packages.
Unique pricing.
Variations of your product or service that cater to different needs and budgets.

This empowers the prospect to choose an option that best suits their requirements.

Address any remaining concerns

If the prospect still has concerns or objections, address them directly and provide additional information or clarification. Reiterate your product’s benefits and especially focus on ROI.

Addressing concerns head-on removes barriers and creates a more favourable environment to close the sale .

Create a sense of urgency

Instil a sense of urgency in the prospect by highlighting time-limited offers, exclusive deals, or upcoming deadlines. Communicate the potential benefits or consequences of making a timely decision.

By creating a sense of urgency, you encourage the prospect to take action and make a decision sooner rather than later.

Offer trial periods or guarantees

This is a good sales tactic to win over commitment-phobes!

Tell the prospect that they can try your product or service risk-free, and if they’re unsatisfied, they have the option to cancel or get a refund.

This reduces the perceived risk and encourages the prospect to move forward with the purchase.

Offer incentives or bonuses

Sweeten the deal by offering additional incentives or bonuses for making a purchase. You could propose:

A limited-time discount.
A free upgrade.
Exclusive access to additional resources or services.

These incentives can create a sense of added value and provide an extra push for the prospect to sign up.

Secure commitment for the next steps

Even if the prospect isn’t ready to make an immediate purchase, secure commitment for the next steps in the sales process .

This could involve:

Scheduling a follow-up meeting
Setting a timeline to provide more information.
Arranging a product demonstration.

Keeping the sales process moving forward maintains momentum and increases the likelihood of eventual closure.

How to improve your sales pitching skills

Improving your sales pitching skills is an ongoing process that involves practice, self-reflection, and continuous learning.

Here are some tips to help you enhance your sales pitch efforts 👇

Study successful sales pitches

Analyse and study successful sales pitches from experienced professionals or companies in your industry. Observe their techniques, storytelling methods, use of language, and overall structure.

Learn from their examples and adopt their ideas to improve your own pitch.

Know your product/service inside out

Develop a deep understanding of your product or service, its features, benefits, and unique selling points.

Be knowledgeable about how it solves customer problems and improves their lives. The more you know about your offering, the more confidently and convincingly you’ll present it to others.

Practice and rehearse

Regularly practice your sales pitch to improve your delivery and refine your message. Try some or all of these:

Practice in front of a mirror.
Record yourself delivering your pitch.
Role-play with a colleague.

Focus on your tone of voice, body language, and the clarity of your message.

Seek feedback

Ask for feedback from mentors, colleagues, or peers. Seek their opinions on your delivery, content and effectiveness in persuading others.

Take on board their suggestions and then implement the necessary improvements.

Aaron Ross follows this process for gathering feedback 👇

“Choose someone (ideally several!) who don’t understand your business or your product. Pitch to them and afterwards ask them these questions…”

What stood out to them from your pitch?
What do they think your business is/does?
Where does it fit in the market/who is it for?
What information would they need before purchasing?
What parts perked up their ears, and in what parts did you lose their attention?
Ultimately, was it compelling?

Learn from rejections

Don’t be discouraged by rejections or unsuccessful pitches. Even elite salespeople occasionally botch a sales pitch! Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and grow.

After the pitch is over, take stock. Reflect on what you could’ve done differently or better. List the objections or concerns your prospects raised. Then, develop messaging to handle them better in future.

Stay updated with industry trends

Modern selling is an ever-changing landscape! Keep yourself informed about industry trends, market changes, and customer needs.

Follow relevant people/news sources on social media or subscribe to industry newsletters. These will keep you updated about your industry’s challenges and competitive landscape.

Attend sales training or workshops

Participate in virtual sales training workshops, or seminars that focus on improving sales pitch skills.

These opportunities can provide you with valuable insights, techniques, and tools to enhance your sales abilities. Networking with other sales pros can also offer new perspectives and best practices.

Read books and sales resources

Books, articles, blogs, and podcasts are all great places to discover new sales techniques. Seek out resources from renowned sales experts or recommendations from your network.

Check out Cognism’s list of the best sales podcasts .

What are the common mistakes to avoid in a sales pitch?

When delivering a sales pitch, it’s vital to be aware of common mistakes that can turn your prospects away.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid 👇

Focusing too much on features, not benefits - don’t list your product’s features; instead, explain the benefits they provide.
Going into too much detail - avoid information overload by not giving your prospects too much! Only focus on the things that matter to your audience.
Neglecting to research your audience - failing to investigate your prospects, their pain points and their industry can lead to a generic pitch that falls flat.
Lack of clarity - don’t use jargon or technical terms that may confuse your audience. Use simple and concise language that’ll convey your message effectively.
Poor storytelling or lack of engagement - provide an overarching narrative to your pitch, but don’t be long-winded or waffly.
Failing to address objections - failure to handle sales objections can leave doubts in your prospects’ minds and makes it difficult for them to fully buy into your brand.
Lack of personalisation - generic pitches that don’t address your buyers’ needs or challenges can come across as impersonal and less convincing.
Lack of enthusiasm or confidence - never deliver your pitch in a monotone or disinterested manner. Show genuine excitement for your product or service!
Ignoring non-verbal cues - pay attention to the non-verbal cues your audience displays during your pitch. Lack of eye contact, yawning, or talking among themselves indicates a loss of engagement.
Neglecting to follow up - failing to do so can give the impression you’re not committed or interested.

Aaron Ross told us about the common mistake he often sees in sales pitches:

“A lot of people fall into the trap of making their pitches sound too elaborate and complicated in an attempt to make themselves sound smart.”

“But that actually goes against what you’re trying to do, which is to allow understanding. This isn’t about puffing out your chest.”

“A sexy, fancy or grandiose message that doesn’t click with people is useless.”

Examples of successful sales pitches

These three sales pitches were wildly successful in garnering attention 👇

Apple’s iPhone Launch Presentation

Apple is known for its striking product launches, and the unveiling of the original iPhone in 2007 is a prime example.

Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple, introduced the iPhone with a compelling pitch that highlighted its revolutionary features, such as the multi-touch screen, internet capabilities, and integration of music, phone, and internet functions.

Jobs’ presentation emphasised the iPhone’s unique benefits and showcased its user-friendly interface, captivating the audience and generating massive interest and sales.

Dollar Shave Club’s Launch Video

Dollar Shave Club’s launch video in 2012 became a viral sensation, attracting millions of views and propelling the company’s growth.

The video featured the company’s CEO, Michael Dubin, delivering a humorous and engaging pitch that highlighted the convenience and affordability of their subscription-based razor service.

The video’s witty script, combined with Dubin’s charismatic delivery, effectively conveyed Dollar Shave Club’s value prop and resonated with viewers.

Slack’s Product Launch

Slack, a popular team communication tool, delivered a successful sales pitch during its product launch.

The presentation emphasised the pain points of traditional workplace communication and showcased how Slack streamlines collaboration, boosts productivity, and improves team dynamics. It captured the attention of professionals seeking efficient communication solutions.

Sales pitches: the last word

We’ll leave the last word on sales pitches to Aaron Ross:

“Your sales pitch is never done. It’s a constant evolution.”

“And they do take time to get right. A famous French philosopher once wrote: I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.”

“And that’s because it takes time to craft the perfect concise message. Being clear is hard.”

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10 Perfect Sales Pitch Examples You Can Use

Table of contents, what is a sales pitch, 10 different types of sales pitches, elements of a successful sales pitch, what not to say in a sales pitch, how to deliver a sales pitch, 10 sales pitch examples you can use, pitching tips & tricks, creating customer-centric pitches built for success.

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A sales pitch is a line of dialogue, monologue, or written speech designed to persuade someone to purchase a product or service, or accept an idea. The primary goal of a sales pitch is to explain the benefits of a product or service in such a compelling way that the listener is convinced to make a purchase or take a desired action.

If you’ve ever felt the sweaty palms and rapid heartbeat of a make-or-break sales pitch, then you know how important it is to be prepared to deliver the perfect pitch in a moment’s notice. In today’s highly competitive business landscape, knowing how to write a sales pitch is an invaluable skill. A well-crafted sales pitch has the potential to captivate an audience, inspire action, and ultimately drive revenue. However, finding the right words and approach to engage potential customers can often be challenging.

Whether you’re a seasoned salesperson looking to refine your technique or a novice eager to learn the ropes, this guide will provide you with a few useful sales pitch examples and ideas, and equip you with the tools to know how to make a pitch that will elevate your sales game to new heights.

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A sales pitch is a line of dialogue, monologue, or written speech designed to persuade someone to purchase a product or service, or accept an idea. Sales presentation examples can include one-on-one conversations, a written document like a sales pitch email or brochure, or a speech before a larger audience. In order to optimize how to pitch your product or service to your clients, ensure you understand the typical buyer’s journey for your particular product or service. Understanding how the sales funnel works in your industry, in addition to the marketing funnel , will help guide your approach in pitching to potential clients.

The primary goal of a sales pitch is to explain the benefits of a product or service in such a compelling way that the listener is convinced to make a purchase or take a desired action. The pitch could be about the product’s superior quality, its unique features, the problem it solves, or the value it offers for its price. It’s just one of many creative ways to get more customers for your small business, but a critical one, whether your business relies on making lots of small sales, or just a few big ones.

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A sales pitch can be customized and structured in a variety of ways, depending on the situation, the customer’s needs, and the nature of the product or service being sold. Types of business pitch examples include the following, the most common being the classic elevator pitch .

Elevator Pitch: The elevator pitch is a concise, compelling introduction that can be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator – about 30 to 60 seconds. The perfect elevator pitch will pique the interest of potential customers, partners, or investors with a succinct summary of what your product or service does and why it's unique.
The 'Question' Pitch: This sales pitch begins with a thought-provoking question designed to engage the customer and encourage dialogue.
Product Demonstration Pitch: This is a visual presentation where the salesperson shows the customer how the product or service works and how it can benefit them.
The 'Value Proposition' Pitch: This sales pitch focuses on the unique value that a product or service can deliver to the customers, emphasizing how the offering is superior to competing solutions.
The 'Problem-Solution' Pitch: This pitch begins by identifying a problem that the customer is facing, then presenting the product or service as the ideal solution.
The 'Storytelling' Pitch: This approach uses a compelling narrative or anecdote to engage the customer emotionally. The story often involves a satisfied customer or describes how the product was developed to meet a particular need.
The 'Comparison' Pitch: This sales pitch involves comparing your product or service to that of a competitor, highlighting where your offering excels.
The 'Consultative' Pitch: This type of pitch involves asking questions, listening to the customer, understanding their needs, and offering solutions tailored to those needs.
The 'Cold Call' Pitch: A cold call pitch involves making unsolicited calls to potential customers with the aim of making a sale.
The 'Social Proof' Pitch: This pitch leverages testimonials or case studies from satisfied customers to persuade prospects.

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Creating a successful sales pitch involves a combination of research, understanding your customer, and clear communication. Here are some of the key elements that make a sales pitch effective:

U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e C u s t o m e r

Understanding your audience – their needs, desires, and pain points – allows you to tailor your pitch to emphasize how your product or service can meet their specific needs or solve their problems.

V a l u e P r o p o s i t i o n

Clearly articulate what makes your product or service unique and why it’s superior to other alternatives, including benefits that the customer will receive.

C r e d i b i l i t y a n d T r u s t

Establish credibility through facts, testimonials, case studies, or endorsements. Customers are more likely to buy from you if you can establish credibility.

S t r u c t u r e a n d C l a r i t y

A good sales pitch is well organized and easy to understand, and should be free of jargon or overly complex language.

E n g a g e m e n t

Engaging the listener could be through telling a compelling story, asking insightful questions, or using humor or other emotional appeals.

S o l u t i o n - o r i e n t e d

Highlight how your product or service solves a problem the customer is facing so the customer is more likely to see its value.

C a l l t o A c t i o n

Ending a sales pitch with a clear CTA tells the customer exactly what you want them to do next, whether that’s to make a purchase, schedule a follow-up call, or sign up for a trial.

C o n c i s e n e s s

Respect your audience’s time and keep their attention by keeping your sales pitch concise and to the point.

P r e p a r a t i o n

Practice your pitch until it becomes natural. The more comfortable you are delivering your pitch, the more confidence you’ll project, which can be persuasive in its own right.

F o l l o w - u p

Having a plan for following up after the pitch keeps the conversation going and allows you to address any questions or concerns that might arise after the pitch.

While some sales buzzwords and jargon can have their place, there are certain phrases and approaches that can quickly derail a sales pitch. Here are a few things you should avoid saying in your sales pitch:

“Trust me.”: Trust is earned, not given. This phrase can come off as insincere and raise suspicion. Instead, prove your trustworthiness through actions and evidence, such as testimonials or case studies.
“This is a one-time offer.”: Unless it's true, avoid using this phrase. It can come off as high pressure or manipulative. Customers are savvy and they don't want to feel like they're being tricked into making a purchase.
“Our product is the best.”: While it's good to show confidence in your product or service, this kind of absolute statement can seem arrogant or naive. Instead, focus on the unique benefits and value your product offers.
“To be honest with you…”: This phrase suggests that you might not have been honest before. Honesty should be a given, not something you switch on and off.

Delivering a sales pitch effectively requires a strategic approach. Begin your pitch with a captivating statement or thought-provoking question to immediately grab their attention. Maintain strong eye contact and use confident, expressive body language to convey enthusiasm and credibility. Use clear and concise language to highlight the unique value proposition of your offering. Support your points with relatable examples or stories that appeal to the emotions and experiences of your audience. Anticipate potential objections or questions and prepare thoughtful responses in advance to address them effectively.

Finally, conclude your sales pitch with a strong call-to-action , guiding your audience towards the desired next step. Remember, practice is key. The more familiar and comfortable you are with your pitch, the more convincing and persuasive you will be when delivering it. When you land that new client, don’t forget to thank them for supporting your small business .

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Being prepared is one of the best ways to execute a successful sales pitch, so we’ve prepared this handy list of a few commonly utilized pitches which you can try out yourself in a variety of situations. When thinking about how to use this list, think about your own product or service, the needs or pain points it addresses, and how your customers use it. That will help you identify the best type of pitch and how to use it. Customize any of the following to your own situation and sales requirements, and use them as a jumping off point for your own sales pitching:

The Problem-Solution Pitch:

Identify a common problem or pain point your audience faces and present your product or service as the ideal solution. Be sure to highlight the benefits and features that address their needs. Example: “Are you tired of spending hours manually organizing your expenses? With our innovative expense management software, you can effortlessly track, categorize, and report your expenses in minutes. Say goodbye to paperwork and hello to efficiency!”

The Competitive Advantage Pitch:

Emphasize the unique qualities or advantages your product/service has over competitors and illustrate how these advantages translate into superior results or value for the customer. Provide evidence or testimonials to support your claims. Example: “Unlike our competitors, our fitness tracker not only monitors your heart rate and steps taken but also provides personalized workout recommendations based on your fitness level and goals. With our advanced algorithm and user-friendly interface, you’ll achieve your fitness milestones faster and smarter.”

The Storytelling Pitch:

Begin with a relatable story or anecdote that captures the audience’s attention, then connect the story to the challenges your product/service addresses. Present your offering as the resolution or transformative element. Example: “Imagine a young professional, always running late due to a disorganized schedule. That was me until I discovered our productivity app. Now, I’m on top of my tasks, meetings, and deadlines, all thanks to a simple solution.”

The Social Proof Pitch:

Share success stories, testimonials, or case studies from satisfied customers. Highlight any industry recognition, awards, or positive reviews your product/service has received and reinforce credibility and reliability through evidence of positive experiences. Use product or service case studies to highlight how your product made the lives of your customers easier. Example: “Hundreds of satisfied customers have experienced significant growth in their online businesses using our SEO optimization tool. Just like Sarah, who saw her website traffic triple within three months of implementing our strategies. Don’t just take our word for it, listen to our customers’ success stories.”

The ROI-focused Pitch:

Quantify the return-on-investment (ROI) your product/service can deliver, highlighting cost savings, revenue growth, or productivity gains that customers can expect. Example: “Investing in our energy-efficient appliances can save you up to 30% on your monthly utility bills. Imagine the impact that could have on your annual expenses. Our customers have reported thousands of dollars in savings each year, making it a smart financial decision.”

The Personalized Pitch:

Tailor your pitch to the specific needs and challenges of each individual customer. Conduct research beforehand to understand their pain points and preferences and highlight how your product/service can address their unique situation. Example: “Based on our research, we noticed that your company is struggling with customer retention. Our customer relationship management (CRM) software is specifically designed to help businesses like yours improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Let us show you how we can address your unique challenges.”

The Fear-of-Missing-Out (FOMO) Pitch:

Create a sense of urgency or exclusivity around your product/service. Offer limited-time promotions, discounts, or bonuses to encourage immediate action and highlight any scarcity or high demand to create a fear of missing out. Example: “Don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime! For a limited time only, we’re offering an exclusive discount on our marketing software. Join the ranks of top-performing businesses who have already experienced remarkable growth and success using our platform.”

The Demonstration Pitch:

Show your product/service in action through live demos or interactive presentations, highlighting key features and benefits while addressing any potential objections. Whenever possible, encourage audience participation and engagement during the demonstration. Example: “Imagine effortlessly brewing a perfect cup of coffee at home, just like a skilled barista. With our state-of-the-art coffee machine, you can precisely control the brewing temperature, grind size, and extraction time. Join us for a live demonstration and experience the art of coffee-making firsthand.”

The Trust-Building Pitch:

Establish credibility and trustworthiness by showcasing relevant certifications or affiliations, or share success stories from well-known clients or partners. This is also a great place to highlight any guarantees, warranties, or after-sales support to reassure customers. Example: “As a trusted provider in the industry for over a decade, we have helped numerous businesses streamline their operations and increase profitability. Our extensive list of certifications and partnerships speaks to our commitment to quality and reliability.”

The Future Vision Pitch:

Paint a compelling vision of how your product/service can transform the customer’s future. Highlight emerging trends or industry shifts that your offering is uniquely positioned to capitalize on. Example: “The world is rapidly moving towards renewable energy sources, and we’re leading the charge with our cutting-edge solar panel technology. Picture a future where homes and businesses can generate their own clean energy, reducing their carbon footprint and saving on electricity bills. Our solar panels, equipped with advanced efficiency and storage capabilities, are paving the way towards a sustainable and energy-independent tomorrow. Join us in shaping a greener future for generations to come.”

Remember to customize these pitches according to your specific product, service, or industry while incorporating compelling language, relevant statistics, and emotional appeal to engage your audience effectively.

Sales pitching is an art that requires a blend of strategy, communication skills, and empathy. Here are some tips and tricks to help you excel at it:

Know Your Product: Understand your product or service thoroughly. Know its features, benefits, and how it compares to the competition.
Understand Your Audience: Know who you're selling to. Understand their needs, wants, pain points, and motivations.
Create a Connection: Build rapport with your audience. Show genuine interest in them and their needs.
Focus on Benefits: Don't just list the features of your product or service. Explain how those features translate into benefits for the customer such as solving their problems or enhancing their life.
Utilize Storytelling: Storytelling can make your pitch more engaging and memorable.
Handle Objections: Be prepared for potential objections and have responses ready.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Whenever possible, demonstrate your product or service in action.
Use Social Proof: Testimonials, case studies, and reviews can add credibility to your pitch.
Keep it Simple and Clear: Keep your language simple and straightforward to ensure your audience understands your pitch.
End with a Strong Call to Action: Make sure it's clear what you want your audience to do next, whether it's to make a purchase, schedule a demo, or another step.

Crafting a compelling sales pitch requires a customer-centric approach that offers genuine value and addresses real problems. By understanding the different types of sales pitches and incorporating key elements of success, such as effective delivery and personalized content, you can create impactful pitches that resonate with your target audience.

Remember that the art of sales pitching is an ongoing process of learning, experimentation, and adaptation to the ever-changing sales landscape. By continuously honing your skills and staying attuned to customer needs, you can maximize your chances of success and achieve your sales objectives. As you hone your sales pitch skills, remember to handle any rejection from potential clients in a calm and professional manner .

If you liked this article, make sure to check out our companion article on making the perfect elevator pitch , and get strategies for selling to potential customers fast when time is limited, say, to the length of an elevator ride…

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The 60-Second Sales Pitch

September 4, 2018

Time is in short supply, and with so many things vying for our attention, it’s important that we learn to communicate quickly and efficiently, especially when it comes to one’s business. If you don’t learn to tell contacts what you do in less time than it takes them to ride to the top floor in an elevator (also called an Elevator Speech), you’re likely to lose their interest and their prospective business.

In a recent article posted to Entrepreneur.com, author and communications coach Carmine Gallo explains “How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds or Less.” She explains, “Unfortunately, many small-business owners don’t think enough about their company’s story and how it comes across.” That’s why she’s developed four questions designed to enable business owners to develop an effective 60-second sales pitch.

What do you do?
What problems do you solve?
How is your product or service different?
Why should I care?

Your answers should be quick and to the point. The following is an industry-specific example:

My name’s Sharon West and I enjoy doing what most people don’t: I file taxes, helping individuals and small business owners maximize their returns. I’m a professional tax preparer [what your business does and what problems it solves] . You see, many paid tax preparers haven’t received any formal training in filing taxes and working with individuals on their tax planning. That’s what I do and I’ve been trained to do it [how it’s different] . And if business owners are concerned that my fees will eat up their profits, I can guarantee that what I charge will come back to them at least 100% in tax savings. Now, how many tax professionals do you know of that come with that kind of guarantee? [why you should care]. Here’s my business card. If you know of individuals or small business owners who could use a trusted tax professional, please refer them to me.

Practice your delivery so that it doesn’t sound canned or monotonous. It should be exciting and engaging, communicating your passion for what you do and how well you do it. And it’s important that you not drone on and on; that’s why it should be no longer than 60 seconds. In fact, you may consider having two versions of your 60-second sales pitch: the 30-second version and the one-minute version.

Ultimately, the 60-second sales pitch is designed for any networking situation where you can introduce yourself and your business to potential clients. This may be at a convention, a conference, the grocery store, or the dentist’s office. Remember that anyone can be a potential client or can refer you to a potential client. And with your 60-second sales pitch on the tip of your tongue, you’re ready to sell yourself in any given situation with comfort and ease.

What’s your 60-second sales pitch?

If you’re interested in learning more about securing and retaining new clients, watch our free video on marketing . It will forever change your business approach!

Gallo, Carmine. “ How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds or Less .” 19 December 2011 Entrepreneur.com

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The Most Popular Prioritization Techniques and Methods: MoSCoW, RICE, KANO model, Walking Skeleton, and others

15 min read
Business , UX Design
Published: 16 May, 2019
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A brief comparison of popular methods of task prioritization

MoSCoW method: the simplest and most widespread approach for small products

MoSCoW is an acronym that stands for “Must, Should, Could, Won’t.” It’s arguably one of the simplest methods to evaluate the relative importance of each task. Being a part of the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) techniques, which helps companies adopt business agility practices , it’s also very popular among waterfall-based enterprises.

The MoSCoW method requires breaking down all story points into four groups. Must: These features are mandatory. Neglect any of them and the current sprint most likely fails. Should: Features here can be described as great to have, but not top priority. Simply put, they don’t have much impact on delivery success now, though eventually, they must be implemented. Could: These are small-scale improvements that don’t take considerable resources, but they aren’t essential. Their absence won’t affect almost anything, or at least wouldn’t do any harm to the release. Won’t: These items are of the lowest importance. They don’t match stakeholders’ current challenges, needs, and requirements. Thus, they may be easily omitted or rescheduled for future releases.

Pros of MoSCoW prioritization

Given such operational friendliness, the benefits of MoSCoW prioritization are quite obvious. Simplicity. The MoSCoW method doesn’t require deep understanding or complicated calculations. So, it’s easy for a team to keep in line with the whole prioritization process using a simple language. This promotes mutual understanding between team and stakeholders. Scheduling with MoSCoW is fast and transparent. Agility for scheduling and implementation. Since this prioritization method has no strict time limits, except for the Must-have category, it allows for changing suitable timeframes per feature. That way, a team can adjust feature deliveries or releases on favorable terms.

Cons of the MoSCoW approach

With such simplicity come some challenges. Lacks a clear consistency of implementation. Though the priorities may be easily set, the MoSCoW method does not introduce any sequencing of tasks and lacks planning. At the end of the day, it might put the entire release at risk. Lack of big picture focus. With MoSCoW suggesting the most-to-least critical requirements or features, the stakeholders still might not see a full picture of priorities. If the focus must be concentrated on key features that are important for a business, MoSCoW may mislead the team. So, the stakeholders have to allocate business goals by themselves. Creates imbalance between the required and slightly desirable. Often, the blurred lines between categories make it hard to decide on features that go into, say, Must and Should lists. That’s why floating tasks between all categories should be approached with great thought and care.

When to use MoSCoW

The MoSCoW method is simple but it’s not always effective. For instance, if you have a complicated backlog with many time-sensitive releases, consider choosing other methods or complementing MoSCoW with 2 or 3 more comprehensive approaches.

On the other hand, it’s quite reasonable to use MoSCoW with small products that don’t have many technical limitations and dependencies.

Kano Model: customer-driven prioritization

The Kano technique was created by the Japanese researcher Noriaki Kano in the 1980s. In a nutshell, it’s based on different levels of users’ satisfaction with a product’s features and behavior.

There’s a large variety of Kano model implementations. The most fundamental and go-to version suggests dividing user backlog points by five criteria: Must-be, Attractive, One-Dimensional, Indifferent, and Reverse. As the method revolves around user satisfaction and is based on user opinion, it requires conducting Kano surveys and user interviews before prioritization practice. Must-be: The customers consider the product functional only if these features are included. One-dimensional: These features have a dual nature. While they aren’t a must for a product to work, they remain extremely desirable to customers. The category is closely related to foreseeing customer needs and expectation. When a product includes what customers would be happy to get, they stay satisfied. But if you fail to deliver them, users are more likely to experience disappointment. Attractive: Features in this section add extra satisfaction, or even enjoyment and gratification. Basically, they are unexpected but nice-to-have features. On the other hand, their absence doesn’t leave customers dissatisfied. Indifferent: The attributes here represent the least possible impact on customers satisfaction. In a nutshell, they have no value. Reverse: The features falling into this category are considered to be the most annoying. Their presence has a rather negative effect on customer satisfaction. Alternatively, when they are not introduced, customers consider it a plus.

Pros of the Kano model

Highlighting the potential strengths and weaknesses of a product. One of the most valuable features of the Kano model is user feedback. The results of the Kano questionnaire help realize the future product’s advantages and disadvantages. It allows product managers to specify the product/market fit early in development. Ranking product features by their value for customers. The Kano model helps rate the product properties from the value proposition standpoint and tailor it to user needs.

Cons of the Kano model

Provides no details on resources required. Although the Kano model gives a more comprehensive picture on how to establish the priorities from the customer vantage point, it doesn’t account for time and costs that are necessary for a given release or a particular feature. Time-consuming practice. Since the Kano model originally involves the Kano survey – which may target a lot of potential customers – the efforts to process and estimate the results might be quite significant. It slows down the time-to-market and, consequently, distracts the team from execution. Restricted by customers’ opinion and knowledge. Given that the Kano model appreciates the level of customer satisfaction, it still has pitfalls from the other side: The backlog may introduce a plain wishlist and be limited to expectations of customers who have no technical background. This caveat can lead to unstable releases. To make Kano efficient, you have to discuss the technical concepts separately.

When to use the Kano Model

If you are a startup striving to generate user feedback for the initial UX design, it will be quite efficient to submit your concept in tandem with the Kano survey. Given that it’s always better to demonstrate than describe, the combination of a prototype and the questionnaire will help distill the value. But if your product entails technical complexity and various hidden blockers, you should balance Kano or completely substitute it with more specific methods.

RICE: balanced, but time-consuming method for mature products

The RICE method is one of those involving calculations. It provides a rate-scoring model for setting priorities.

RICE stands for Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. These are the factors to estimate each feature separately when prioritizing. Reach usually reflects the number of people who will use the feature or be able to use it in a particular time period. It’s assessed with real product metrics such as Daily or Monthly Active Users. E.g. if you’re assessing the improvements to a customer support page, the number of users visiting this page per month will be your reach metric. Impact shows the feature contribution to the overall product promotion. To align them with each other, a multiple-choice scale is recommended: 3 for “massive impact,” 2 for “high,” 1 for “medium,” 0.5 for “low,” and finally 0.25 for “minimal.” Confidence . Based on the knowledge obtained, you estimate how sure you are about the given feature benefit. Here, it is also recommended to use multiple-choice scale: 100 percent for “high confidence,” 80 for “medium,” and 50 for “low.” Anything below will mean a shot in the dark. Effort shows the time taken by product, design, and engineering teams. This can be calculated in “person-months,” and to round it up to whole numbers usually half a month is taken as a minimum. Upon obtaining rates from each of the categories, the following formula is applied: RICE= Reach*Impact*Confidence/Effort The bigger the rate is, the higher the priority.

Pros of RICE

Gives a comprehensive picture. The inclusion of such versatile factors helps formulate a fuller vision on the product and estimate its success and further promotion from different points of view. Actionable metrics and numbers. This prioritization technique is mostly based on numbers and KPIs, which is the true evidence of product progression. The numbers can be later estimated to make improvements in further releases. Appreciating the customer value. The used metrics concentrate on user engagement, and can also take into account the level of their satisfaction. That is to say, the RICE method considers user experience very important.

Cons of RICE

Time-consuming. The approach involves a lot of calculation. To take into account all metrics equally, grade the rates, and do calculations per each backlog item requires a lot of time. Depends on data that you may not have. That said, the RICE method may stretch the release time. When the product or a feature is time-sensitive, but the data hasn’t been calculated yet, you either use another method or move the deadline. Not clear about responsibility. Since the given prioritization method involves grading such factors as impact and confidence, the team faces the challenge of taking responsibility for these decisions. Consequently, it isn’t obvious who is in charge of that. Are these addressed within the whole team, or does a product owner/manager do it alone? The lines here are still blurred.

When to use

The RICE prioritization is a very efficient technique that allows for taking a comprehensive look at the product from multiple sides. However, it is not applicable in every prioritization case. For instance, rating via RICE looks reasonable when the application has been rolled out and started its product lifecycle . As the method is quite metrics-intensive, you must have at least some data at hand. So, RICE wouldn’t work for MVP for the same reason.

Eisenhower matrix: a straightforward way for time-management

The technique originated from Dwight D. Eisenhower’s decision-making matrix, which later transformed into a four-quadrant visualization that some teams use to prioritize tasks in backlog. It’s another uncomplicated take on prioritization that you can use straight away without preparations.

Eisenhower decision matrix

Features of the Eisenhower matrix

The technique suggests allocating tasks across four different sections on the diagram. The matrix considers two prioritization dimensions – importance and urgency.

High Priority: urgent and important.
Medium Priority : important but not urgent. You can additionally divide this quadrant into 2 parts: The requirements on the left side are of a higher priority and must be implemented first.
Urgent but not important . The features included are urgent but without a significant impact on a product’s business aspects, so the team must decide whether they are really needed. Similar to the medium priority part, this quadrant is also divided into 2 parts; the requirements on the left side are of a higher priority than those on the right.
Low Priority: neither urgent, nor important.

Pros of the Eisenhower matrix

Plain. A simple structure doesn’t need multi-layered composition. Open. The matrix doesn’t have decision dependencies and multiple results variation. So, the product team doesn’t have to think about some pitfalls when deciding what priority to put first. Business-targeted. The method is business centric. The higher priority is given to those items that are more relevant and useful from a business point of view.

Cons of the Eisenhower matrix

No evidence base. The Eisenhower decision matrix is completely outside of a data-driven approach. It doesn’t need any calculations, metrics, KPIs, or other actionable insights to concentrate on. As a consequence, some misconceptions or discussions may occur within the product team. May lack the technical aspect. Concentrating on a business aspect of the product, the method may, however, miss the other side – the technical one, which may affect the overall product flow and performance.

You can use the Eisenhower matrix for the whole backlog but its simple nature better fits for individual time planning, given that you have a stronger method for the whole product. Otherwise, a delivery team must agree on all requirements, their urgency, and priority.

Value vs Complexity/Effort matrix: a lightweight approach to balance tech and value

Value vs. Complexity is one of the prioritization principles used by product managers to grade features on the product roadmap . The value vs complexity (or sometimes the effort word is used) method takes a balanced approach to business and tech aspects of development.

Value vs Complexity/Effort

Similar to the Eisenhower matrix, the features are allocated across four quadrants with two dimensions: value and complexity. The approach prioritizes low-hanging fruit, meaning that the most value and least complexity tasks go first. Then the matrix suggests building the highest value and the most complex features; it questions the significance of low-value items, recommending ditching complex, low-value tasks. Value. The product team estimates the value of a feature from a long-term perspective. The value criteria are arbitrarily defined by the team rather than dictated by the method. They may be:

market demand
customer acquisition potential
customer retention
customer engagement
expected revenue etc.

Complexity. The product team estimates a feature total cost to the business and represents it as a proxy for complexity or effort necessary to realize it. On the other hand, the team may divide the effort scoring into certain categories, such as operational costs, developer hours, time on the schedule, customer training, risks, and in-house development skills.

Pros of the Value vs Complexity/Effort matrix

You can use it without detailed calculations. Even though the matrix suggests using specific metrics, it doesn’t dictate any restrictions. If you don’t have time for specifying value and complexity metrics, you still can resort to eyeballing them. Flexibility. As you can arbitrarily define the value, you can do the same with the second dimension. Instead of complexity, you can put risks, costs, time, etc.

Cons of the Value vs Complexity matrix

Has a subjective nature. Since there’s no well-specified scoring formula, the prioritization method is still quite open to debate. Proves no valuable asset for a big comprehensive product. The use of the given method is quite time-consuming for big product teams with extensive product features. Additionally, it may result in high-cost coordination expenses.

It works better within the teams of smaller products and limited timeframes or budgets, especially when you build a product from the ground up. As your application matures, you may run out of low-hanging fruit and the only approach would be to embark on some bigger features. Here’s when this matrix won’t be as effective.

Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF): lean but time-consuming way to introduce minimum marketable features

Weighted Shortest Job First is an element of the SAFe Lean-Agile framework, which tends to be used in medium-to-big companies. It suggests scoring each feature by dividing the cost of delay by job duration. At its core, WSJF is similar to Value vs Complexity, but provides more detailed guidance.

Cost of Delay (CoD). This metric defines how much the company loses if the given feature isn’t implemented. Traditionally, CoD is a sum of three elements:

User-business value – How important is the feature to business and customers?
Time criticality – Will the user-business value reduce over time?
Risk reduction – Does the feature reduce business and technical risks?

The values that you put into these variables must start with 1 as the lowest and the others set relative to that. Job duration. The duration is also measured in relative points and defines the time needed for implementation. So, in the end you get this formula: WSJF = CoD/Job duration The higher the rate is, the higher its priority. When the rate is calculated, features are introduced in the following order:

Non-comprehensive features with high-added value.
Complex features with high-added value.
Non-comprehensive features of lesser-added value.
Complex features with lesser-added value.

Pros of Weighted Shortest Job First

Gives accuracy and consistency. With more detailed calculation, stakeholders can expect higher consistency and predictability of results. Focuses on increasing the ROI with limited human resources. WSJF is quite beneficial for teams with limited human resources.

Cons of Weighted Shortest Job First

Time-consuming calculations. Since the WSJF has many metrics per each backlog item, the product team is supposed to spend significant time to prioritize each task. Limits complex tasks. If the stakeholders have a sustainable business idea, but the WSJF calculations show it’s not so urgent, they will have to postpone it, making the method a bit restrictive in implementing long-term business ideas. Relative scales. Even though we mentioned that WSJF enables accuracy and consistency, it only works if the relative scales are set up right. Since it’s hard to align all metrics and assumptions to achieve balance, the method has room for errors.

WSJF is a great technique to assess and introduce minimum marketable features. However, you should not always rely on WSJF. For example, there are always features in the product that are supposed to be implemented by default and without any discussion.

Walking Skeleton: the best way to prioritize MVP stories

The Walking Skeleton prioritization method appeared in the early 2000s. It was advocated by Dr. Alistair Cockburn, an expert in Agile software development. The Walking Skeleton is used in prioritizing features in MVP and defines which of them are absolutely critical for the product to work.

Walking Skeleton may be smaller than the actual MVP but it puts the necessary features first

The method doesn’t imply requirements falling into certain categories. However, it has distinct features that focus on user stories. Key features first. When using the Walking Skeleton, a delivery team ranks the necessary user stories first. The system must function. Due to the focus on the implementation of the essential points, the key functionality forms a fully operational product, without any additions. Reflects the business concept of a future product. The Walking Skeleton advocates showing business value. That is why the story maps are lined up to display the core system elements within the restricted technical basis. Completed with tests. Since the Walking Skeleton involves the whole production pipeline, including delivery and deployment, the testing is applied as well.

Pros of Walking Skeleton

Fast prioritization. One of the key benefits of Walking Skeleton prioritization for stakeholders is that defining the core features won’t take much time. Key functionality only. When estimating the business value of a future product, it’s often hard to focus on the core element, as there’s always a temptation to make it as comprehensive as possible. The Walking Skeleton helps avoid this situation, putting the operating MVP with the greatest validity first. Fast market validation. Arguably one of the most significant advantages for the Walking Skeleton is that its prioritization results help to quickly get the feedback from users. Therefore, the stakeholders assess the product-market fit and the business idea as a whole. In further releases, they can suit it up.

Cons of Walking Skeleton

Lacks important functionality. While the basic working framework is included, the Walking Skeleton will not involve other additional though still important features. It might play a critical role at some point. Late first release. Although the Walking Skeleton is a rather quick prioritization technique, the first release won't be fast as you still must ship a functioning product. The risk to cut corners. When trying to roll out the basic version of a product as fast as possible, the stakeholders may try to refuse the basic functional features to accelerate the release. That is why when prioritizing the backlog, the team should focus on keeping the basics without omitting them in favor of fast delivery. Otherwise, the very first – and viable – product version is at risk of turning into a prototype that is not ready for the market.

Walking Skeleton is extremely useful when releasing a Minimum Viable Product . Being good in tandem, these two can provide tangible results. However, Walking Skeleton is not the one to rely on when delivering a more sustainable and complex product with numerous extra features or additional business value. For the latter, the stakeholders should consider something more comprehensive and detailed.

As you may have noticed, it’s a bad idea to think that any prioritization approach is suitable for every single product or company. In a nutshell, there are few different sets of methods that fall within the particular categories of products. For instance, if you’re building an MVP, consider combining the Walking Skeleton and Kano model. The Kano model is also a perfect match for building a prototype and gathering feedback on the UX from the target audience. MoSCoW and Eisenhower’s decisions matrix are the best fit for prioritizing backlog requirements when building small products with some preliminary agreements. Equally efficient here is Value vs Complexity/Effort. Working on a ready-made product with already existing lifecycle, consider RICE. Of course, we haven’t covered many prioritization methods. For instance, many teams still rely on the HiPPO method (Highest-Paid Person Opinion). With it being stigmatized, in some cases it works, given that the team lacks expertise and ultimate understanding of a product. Tell us what you use. Are there methods that we missed? Please share.

The US election is about style more than substance. It's why Kamala Harris needs to nail her DNC speech in about eight seconds

By Leigh Sales

Topic: US Elections

A woman in a tan suit smiles with her arms outstretched

How does a presidential candidate like Kamala Harris turn a good vibe into votes at the ballot box? ( Reuters: Kevin Lamarque )

During the past 50 years, voters have become used to political leaders being marketed to us like new cars. The 2024 US presidential election is a reminder that more than ever in the age of social media, style trumps substance.

The idea of politicians being sold like products blasted into the public consciousness with a book called The Selling of the President 1968, when American journalist Joe McGinniss had phenomenal inside access to the campaign of Richard Nixon. Nixon's team needed to up-end the Republican candidate's image as a cold, dull foreign policy nerd (pub night trivia tip: Nixon's media consultant was Roger Ailes, decades later to become the disgraced boss of Fox News).

Television was in its infancy and Madison Avenue advertising executives were devising revolutionary techniques to sell products to consumers through the new medium. The Republican campaign adapted many of those ideas to politics, with the same goal of prioritising a vibe or an image over substantive detail.

Nixon defeated the Democrat candidate Hubert Humphrey. The winning formula changed political campaigns for good and the McGinniss inside account became a political literature classic. Today, while voters might be aware of how spin doctors and political campaigns manipulate our thoughts and emotions, it doesn't necessarily make us any less susceptible to it.

'This is when we break through'

When the Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris delivers her speech to the Democratic National Convention today, style will be almost everything. That is because many of the people Harris needs to vote for her will never see her full speech, or much of the convention at all. They might catch eight seconds — at best, a minute or two — via social media. That's it.

More and more of us rely on social media as key sources of information. That means Harris needs to do two things: not only look and sound presidential, but land pithy remarks that tell a story on their own without the context of the speech. She needs micro-clips that will go viral on TikTok and Instagram. The success of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in doing that, when he characterised the Trump-Vance joint ticket as "weird", helped him secure the spot as the Democrat running mate.

Other big-name speakers at the convention this week have been running with this tactic too.

President Biden: "America, I gave my best to you."

Hillary Clinton: "This is our time, America. This is when we stand up. This is when we break through."

Michelle Obama: "America, hope is making a comeback."

Barack Obama, grandmaster of the viral speech: "We do not need four more years of bluster and bumble and chaos. We have seen that movie before — and we all know that the sequel is usually worse."

Harris needs to follow suit and deliver short, crisp lines that will land memorably with voters and help influence or even crystallise their thinking.

It's the vibe

In America, the vibe a candidate manufactures is even more important than in Australia. Here, the vibe influences how you vote. In America, it influences whether you bother to vote at all, given voting is not compulsory.

A candidate's ability to mobilise people with their personality and message is everything. It also prompts supporters to dig into their wallets; the money spent by campaigns wins or loses American elections.

In 2008, Obama had a highly-energised army of supporters who helped him raise more than three times his Republican opponent John McCain . Harris has already been hugely successful with donations. In the month or so since she replaced President Biden, she has raised almost US$500m . Over roughly the same period Donald Trump raised around $140m.

Kamala Harris's speech today is far more important for her than Trump's equivalent address to the Republican Convention was for him. That's because he is a known quantity and she is not.

Compared to Harris, everything about Trump is familiar, to the degree he feels almost like an incumbent. Nothing about his style or substance feels new and so his speech last month passed without much fanfare. His four recent years in the White House leave plenty of lingering memories from which to judge him.

Kamala Harris feels fresh because she is dramatically different in age, style, race and gender to both Trump and Biden. Even though she has been vice-president for four years, the role is relatively invisible and so she is not especially familiar to people.

Harris hasn't granted any major interviews since winning the nomination, preferring to capitalise on the buzz of short appearances at highly stage-managed rallies. In any case, for most of the past month, politics has taken a back seat while the Olympic Games have dominated America's attention.

Perhaps most alarmingly for Trump, he has lost his status as a disruptor, by dint of the fact that he has already occupied the White House and since then, has wholly taken over the Republican party. He is now by definition " The Establishment " against which he loves to rail.

A man in a suit sitting and speaking, with his arms raised, gesturing

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump. ( AP: Charles Rex Arbogast )

Harris has snatched the disruptor card from the pack as potentially the first female president, and a black one at that. Being the candidate of change is a powerful advantage and according to a deep dive inside the Republican campaign by The New York Times, Trump is rattled.

Harris has another advantage that's helping with her vibe: her similarities in style to Barack Obama. The common threads — two smart, black, good-looking, warm, positive people — push voters' nostalgia buttons, possibly subconsciously, about Obama's successful 2008 presidential campaign rooted in themes of change, hope and a better future for America.

It was another DNC speech back in 2004 that put Obama's star on the American political map. His brilliant oratory as a young state Senator from Illinois set him on a fast track to the presidency in 2008. Hoping to replicate that success, Harris has hired Obama's widely-respected 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, as one of her senior advisors.

Lessons from 'Yes We Can'

So what lessons can Harris draw from the victorious 2008 Obama "Yes We Can" campaign? How does a candidate turn a good vibe into votes at the ballot box?

The main thing you need is luck. Like Harris, Obama has personal qualities you're fortunate to be born with and can't manufacture — charm, warmth, intelligence, a great smile. Any political campaign needs a front person with enough "rizz", as the youngsters say, to grab voters' attention. They can only hold it if they then match that charisma with the ability to communicate authentically.

Beyond that, you then need a clear message with a point of connection or relatability. In 2008, Obama's campaign was built around his personal story (which played neatly into the American dream, the idea that the US is a country that allows anybody to make something of themselves regardless of background). He also leant into his pitch to improve life in America and level the playing field for all.

John McCain and Barack Obama shake hands on a stage in front of an audience.

In 2008, Barack Obama's supporters helped him raise more than three times his Republican opponent John McCain. ( Reuters: Charles Dharapak )

The final thing you need is a team around you that knows what it's doing — that takes you to the right swing states at the right time, that protects you from chance meetings that go badly, that raises money and finds volunteers, that puts you up for media opportunities that will help not hinder you and that formulates messages that land.

Obama's campaign team — led by Plouffe — was streets ahead of its time in 2008 with its skilful use of new tech. Social media was in its early days but the Obama camp used tools we now take for granted, such as data mining, to personally target political advertising. Like the concepts in The Selling of the President 1968, today it all seems basic and obvious, but it was game-changing in its day.

Setting aside her style advantages, at the substance end of the equation Harris has one very big problem and one smaller one. The big one is that the two issues that traditionally decide American elections may not play in her favour: national security and the economy.

Better the devil you know?

Sticking with the Obama comparison, in 2008 the incumbent Republican President George W. Bush was floundering in both those areas. He was gigantically unpopular due to the disastrous war in Iraq. America was also in the grip of the global financial crisis, one of the worst economic downturns in its history.

Those policy areas were rich picking grounds for Obama in a way that they are not for Harris in 2024. She has no war on terror or GFC on which to capitalise. Plus her side of politics has been running the show for the past four years so she owns the problems.

The US economy has improved significantly under the Biden administration on the key indicators of unemployment, growth and inflation, but many Americans don't feel like their daily lives match the data. They feel that they're doing it tough because of comparatively high interest rates and cost of living. Grocery prices alone are up more than 25 per cent since 2019 .

Kamala Harris, in a beige suite, looks over her shoulders at the top of aircraft stairs

Kamala Harris feels fresh because she is dramatically different in age, style, race and gender to both Trump and Biden. ( Reuters: Stephanie Scarbrough/Pool )

On national security, Harris can argue that Biden's foreign policy has gone some way to restoring America's international reputation. But Trump has always been rewarded for his tough talk on immigration and he will attack Harris as the Biden administration's "failed border czar".

Trump enhanced his "strongman" image with the iconic photograph of him surviving an assassination attempt. That all means on the two likely decisive issues, both candidates have reasonable cases to make for themselves and against the other.

The lesser problem for Harris is that being unknown is only a benefit if (a) it doesn't make people suspicious you're hiding something, or (b) until you're known. It's a risk for her that as she inevitably grants interviews or does press conferences, and more of her policy agenda is revealed, the early gloss may rub off. A single Hillary Clinton-style "deplorables" remark or any other misstep before November could change voter perceptions of her instantly, particularly when those impressions are still being formed.

Name recognition is a critical factor in elections and some voters may end up feeling it's better to go with the devil you know than take a gamble on somebody you don't. Trump being a known entity could end up working for him after all in that scenario.

The biggest risk for the Democrat party as a whole is making the same mistake as 2016 — believing that surely nobody could opt for Trump over a competent, well-presented Democrat alternative.

Along with drawing lessons from Obama's 2008 success, Democrats would be wise to also pay mind to Hillary Clinton's 2016 failure. The Left may imagine that rolling out the Clintons and the Obamas this week will make Americans yearn for better times.

But it could also have the opposite effect, reminding some citizens that they've felt let down and ignored for the past 30 years.

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At the Democratic Convention, a Historic Nomination

What story did the democrats tell about kamala harris and will it be enough to win.

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

[BACKGROUND CHATTER]

I’m standing in a sea of people coming out of this vast convention. And people are holding signs, smiling. There’s confetti everywhere. There are balloons, white, red, and blue. And there’s a lot of excitement.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Sabrina Tavernise. And this is “The Daily” from inside the Democratic National Convention Hall, where Kamala Harris has just accepted her party’s nomination, becoming the first woman of color in US history to do so.

Today, the story this convention told about Harris and whether that story could be enough to win.

It’s Friday, August 23.

[SERENE MUSIC]

The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall our our legacy be? What will our children say? Let me in my heart, when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you.

On night one of the Democratic National Convention, the evening was really defined by this very emotional, quite bittersweet goodbye from President Biden.

And there’s nothing we cannot do when we do it together.

God bless you all. And may God protect our troops.

It was the closing of one chapter so that another could begin. It was Kamala Harris’s moment.

[UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC]

So right now, it’s 7:40. We are on the floor at the Democratic National Convention. It is a crazy party atmosphere, which is like a massive understatement.

Day two kicked off with delegates gathering on the convention floor, casting their votes in a kind of symbolic way to make Harris the party’s nominee.

This giant festival of lights, people in cowboy hats, people with blinking bracelets, people with Christmas lights wrapped around their hats, heads, shoulders, people wearing donkey hats. I mean, it’s very, very, very celebratory in here.

We need to see that we’re moving on. We are turning a chapter in America.

How do you feel right now?

Awesome, excitement, energized. Ready to win this election.

I love it. I love it. People are just excited, electrified, and they’re just loving it, and they’re happy.

This has been the most electrifying event I’ve ever attended in my life. It’s my first convention. But what a convention to come for, right? To make history right now, as we charge forward to November 5, to elect the first female Black president. I’m excited.

So with Harris now the nominee, a new campaign slogan appeared everywhere. And that was, “A new way forward.” But in a campaign that’s just four weeks old, it was really an open question what “a new way forward” actually meant.

We’re not going back!

We’re not going back! We’re not going back!

And then over the course of the week, as speaker after speaker took the stage, we started to get an answer. The story of forward would be told through the story of Kamala Harris herself. And the question hanging over the week was really whether that story could appeal to a broad majority of Americans, voters outside of the convention hall who will ultimately decide the election.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Astead, welcome to the show.

Thank you for having me.

Again. The second time in a week. And I’m very excited for it.

So Astead, we had on the show on Monday to answer a question for us, that I think a lot of people have, which is, who is Kamala Harris? And you ended that conversation by saying that the Democratic Party also recognizes this reality, that for a lot of people, she is still this unknown quantity.

And that the party had a big task here at the convention this week, which was to find a way to finally tell her story. It does seem like they’ve tried to do that. Let’s walk through the case that they’re making for her. And what you’ve seen here in your reporting for your show, “The Run-Up.”

Yeah, I mean, I think that the Democrats have definitely laid out a case for her as a candidate, but also a story for her as a person. They have leaned into the different parts of her biography to really follow through on what, I think, is the best version of her campaign, which is a little bit for everybody. There is a story there about more moderate legislation, but pieces of progressive history. There’s different parts of her bio that speak to Black communities, immigrant communities.

Of course, the historic nature of her gender and the roles like that. And I really think it has followed through on what I expected for this week, which is that she seems to function politically as a mirror of some sort, where the party wants to position her as someone who basically, no matter what you’re looking for in terms of a vessel to beat Donald Trump, you can find it in this candidate.

Let’s dig into that more. Where did the convention start, that story?

Hello, Democrats!

Yeah, I think it really starts in her personal biography.

And I’m here tonight to tell you all about the Kamala Harris that I know.

They have told a story that she often tells about her being a first generation American.

Her mother moved here from India at 19.

And being a daughter of an immigrant mother who really raised two daughters in the Bay Area from working class roots. And that’s been a real thing that they’ve tried to own.

Kamala was not born into privilege. She had to work for what she’s got.

When she was young, she worked at McDonald’s.

They talk about her working at McDonald’s in college.

And she greeted every person without thousand watt smile and said, how can I help you?

I think it’s overall about trying to present this as someone who pulled himself up by bootstraps. It represents the American dream. And I think for Democrats, it really returns them back to the place they want to be. Democrats like thinking of themselves as a party who appeals to the diversity of America, both in racial ways, in gender ways, but also in class ways.

In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class.

And I think they used other parts of her identity, specifically thinking about being the first Black woman to accept a major party’s nomination.

We know folks are going to do everything they can to distort her truth.

And I think Michelle Obama’s speech, specifically, spoke to the power and anxiety that sometimes that identity can bring.

My husband and I sadly know a little something about this.

For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.

And I would also say that it was an implicit response to what Republicans and others have been trying to say, talking about Kamala Harris as a DEI hire, someone who was only in their position because of their identity. But the way that Michelle Obama framed it was that those identities have power.

I want to know. I want to know. Who’s going to tell him, who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?

Just because someone the first to be in a position, does not mean that is the only reason in the position. But it also doesn’t make those identities meaningless. The fact that she is a Black woman should be seen as a strength, not as a weakness.

Is there a risk to that, though? I mean, by openly talking about race, is there a risk that goes too far and begins to alienate voters outside the convention out in the world who they need to win in November.

I mean, there’s always a risk. But I don’t really think so. Democrats have had increasing trouble with Black voters. There’s been a downturn in Black vote share all the way dating back to 2012.

In Biden’s now suspended candidacy, that was one of the things driving his polling weaknesses was kind of tepid reception from Black voters. A pitch to them is something that is a upside of the Kamala Harris campaign. And the hope that they could consolidate that community is where any Democratic nominee needs to be as a baseline.

We both got our start as young lawyers, helping children who were abused and neglected.

One thing I noticed that came up a lot during the speeches was her background as a prosecutor. How did the party present that part of her biography?

As a prosecutor, Kamala stood up for children who had been victims of sexual abuse.

She put rapists, child molesters, and murderers behind bars.

They talk about it in the way that I think fuels what they want to say is the reason she can take on Trump, that this is someone who has stood up to bullies before, who’s not going to be intimidated easily —

And Kamala is as tough as it comes.

— who’s tough, and who doesn’t shirk away from a challenge.

And she knows the best way to deal with a coward is to take him head on, because we all know cowards are weak. And Kamala Harris can smell weakness.

I think all of that adds up to say, you can trust this person to go up against Donald Trump. You can trust this person to go up against the Republican Party, because she’s not someone who is scared.

She never runs from a fight.

A woman, a fierce woman for the people.

But then, of course, we heard about another side of Kamala Harris, a more personal side.

Yeah, and I think this is the part of Kamala Harris where I think was kind of most missing in the presidential run. Frankly, it’s the part that she keeps most private. She is a warm family member and friend.

Hello to my big, beautiful blended family up there.

And I think what the speech from her husband did was really show and lay that out.

I got married, became a dad to Cole and Ella. Unfortunately, went through a divorce, but eventually started worrying about how I would make it all work. And that’s when something unexpected happened, I ended up with Kamala Harris’s phone number.

He talks about the kind of awkwardness of their first interaction.

I got Kamala’s voicemail, and I just started rambling. “Hey, it’s Doug.”

And I think you have a real kind of sense of their genuine connection to one another.

By the way, Kamala saved that voicemail. And she makes me listen to it on every anniversary.

Like, yes, this is someone who is tough, who is taking on corporations and cartels and all of that stuff by day. But this is someone who also makes a point to cook Sunday dinner for family every week.

And she makes a mean brisket for Passover.

And makes sure to really go close to his kids and is very close with her family.

That’s Kamala. She’s always been there for our children. And I know she’ll always be there for yours, too.

Going back to the last time the Democratic Party nominated a woman, Hillary Clinton, she had presented herself in a very different way. She kind of ran away from that stuff. She was saying, I don’t bake cookies, that’s not what I do. I’m kind of out there with the men, fighting.

And this convention and this candidate, Harris, is very different. She’s a newer generation. And she can do her career and bake cookies. Those things are not in conflict. This is a different type of woman leader.

This week we talked to Senator Elizabeth Warren on “The Run-Up,” and one of the things that she mentioned was she feels that there’s been a big change from 2016, even 2020 to now. Not just the amount of women in public office, but she said they don’t have to choose between sides of themselves. And I think that’s what diversity means.

Of course, Kamala Harris can be a tough politician and also bake cookies. Hillary Clinton did that, too. It was just that she was told that was not the way that she had to present herself. What Kamala Harris is benefiting from is there’s a greater space and ability to choose multiple things at once. And so particularly if others are going to talk more directly about gender or race or other things, that kind of frees her from having the burden of doing that herself.

And in fact, Hillary Clinton, herself, did speak, of course, on day one. She talked about that glass ceiling in the history that has led to now, including her own experience in 2016.

Yeah, I thought the Hillary Clinton speech was really powerful. I think a lot of the speakers put this moment in historical context, both politically and personally.

My mother, Dorothy, was born right here in Chicago before women had the right to vote. That changed 104 years ago yesterday. And since that day, every generation has carried the torch forward. In 1972, a fearless Black congresswoman named Shirley Chisholm —

— she ran for president. In 1984, I brought my daughter to see Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominated for vice president. And then there was 2016, when it was the honor of my life to accept our party’s nomination for president.

The last time I was here in my hometown was to memorialize my mother, the woman who showed me the power of my own voice. My mother volunteered at the local school.

I’m the proud granddaughter of a housekeeper, Sarah Daisy, who raised her three children in a one-bedroom apartment. It was her dream to work in government, to help people.

My grandmother, the woman who helped raise me as a child, a little old white lady born in a tiny town called Peru, Kansas.

I want to talk now about somebody who’s not with us tonight. Tessie Prevost Williams was born in New Orleans not long after the Supreme Court ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional. That was in 1954, same year I was born. Parents pulled their kids out of the school.

There was a way that I think the candidacy and the person was placed in a long legacy, both about gender identity and racial identity that kind of teed up this Thursday as a culminating moment, both politically and I think, in a broader historical context.

Together, we put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling. And you know what? On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris raising her hand and taking the oath of office as our 47th president of the United States!

I wish my mother and Kamala’s mother could see us. They would say, keep going. Shirley and Jerry would say, keep going!

I think you can do a lot to set up a candidate to be in a good position. All of this stuff adds up to some part of the puzzle, but the biggest piece is the candidate themself. At the end of the day, they have to close the deal. And I think this moment is her chance to tell her own story in a way that sometimes she has not decided to. And that’s still what this whole convention success and failure will ride on.

We’re going to watch tonight. We’re going to watch with our colleague, Reid Epstein. And you are going to have a great episode of “The Run-Up” on Friday. We will all be tuning in.

Thank you. I appreciate you doing this, Sabrina.

Really thanks a lot, Astead.

Are you a delegate?

Sorry, we caught you mid French fry eating. What’s your feeling about Kamala and what her story has been? Are you getting to know her this week? Are there things you’ve learned about her this week?

Yeah, I’m learning more and more as we go along. The more and more I learn about her, the more I’m impressed with her. I mean, she worked at McDonald’s when she was going to college to try to pay her way through.

Her very small beginnings. Not a trust fund baby type of thing. I relate to that. Like, I was on food stamps this year. So it’s like if she can do it with that background, it gives everybody hope.

Hillary was my girl. When Hillary ran, I championed her as well. But I didn’t feel this way as I feel about Harris. I’m like, do I want to run for office? If she can do it, I can. She looks just like me, right? She represents, she works at McDonald’s. She paid for every. It’s relatable. And that’s what everybody needs.

We’re going to break that glass ceiling. I’m getting teary, teary in my eyes. And it just means so much to be inclusive.

[WHIMSICAL MUSIC]

What does it mean to you that Kamala Harris is a woman? What does it mean to you that she’s a Black woman?

To have a Black woman become the president of the United States, and for her to turn the world upside down in 30 days, to know that I’m in the midst of this miraculous history is phenomenal.

One delegate who really stood out to us was Beverly Hatcher, a 76-year-old Black woman from Texas.

I was raised by a wonderful Baptist mama. I just lost her. But I am who I am because of my mother. We were always pushed to do whatever we wanted to do. I’ll never forget. I wanted to be a majorette. I taught myself, because we had no money for, what is it called, lessons

And a majorette is like the baton twirler, right?

Yes. And when I did finally try out in my 11th grade, I won right off. And my classmates, who were predominantly white, as years have gone by, have told me at class reunions and stuff, Beverly, the sleepy town of Wellington woke up.

Oh, my god, we got a Black girl getting ready to be the head majorette. But it happened because I had the drive and the will. My mother and my family stood behind me, and didn’t miss a parade, or a football game, or a basketball game.

And you see that in Harris?

Beverly, what would your mom say if she saw this?

My sisters have been telling me every day how proud my mom is. And I’m just happy. I’m happy to make her happy. Yeah.

We women, who have had mothers like Kamala, like Michelle, I remember Hillary’s mother, we women value their strength and their wisdom. And we’re just glad that they gave us a legacy to pass it on.

Thank you very much.

We’ll be right back.

Reid, hello.

OK. Kamala Harris just wrapped up her acceptance speech. Before we talk about what she said and the case she presented, tell us how her campaign was thinking about the stakes of this moment.

Sabrina, this evening was one of two opportunities, along with the debate next month, for her to speak to tens of millions of people at once. And so for that, the stakes were really high.

Her goal was to present herself as a serious person and a serious candidate, who was not the candidate who flamed out in 2019 or the unsteady vice president from the beginning of her term. She had to show that she had the gravitas to be the commander in chief, the political aptitude to reach out to the middle, and also to progressives in her party all at the same time.

A very tall order. Tell us how she went about doing that.

Good evening, everyone. Good evening.

Well, she started talking around 9:30 Chicago time to a packed United Center with 14,000 or 15,000 people, many, many wearing all white, the color of the suffragettes, a color that makes a statement just by wearing it. And when Harris took the stage —

— they erupted in a cheer that forced her for a couple of minutes to wait before she could start talking.

Thank you. OK, let’s get to business. Let’s get to business. All right.

And what did she finally say once she started talking?

She told the story of her life.

The path that led me here in recent weeks was, no doubt, unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys.

My mother, our mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own. And I miss her every day, and especially right now.

She talked about the influence of her mother, who raised her and her sister.

And she also taught us, “And never do anything half-assed.” And that is a direct quote. [LAUGHS]

She spoke about her family’s humble beginnings in Oakland.

Before she could finally afford to buy a home, she rented a small apartment in the East Bay.

Then she started talking about her career as a prosecutor.

In the courtroom, I stood proudly before a judge and I said five words.

She brought back one of the lines that she used in her 2020 campaign about how when she stood up in a courtroom, she began with the same words.

Kamala Harris for the people.

And she said she would bring that same philosophy to the White House, that she was not working for specific individuals, but for the people at large.

And so on behalf of the people —

Eventually she did a bigger wind up to formally accepting the nomination.

— on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks —

And listed the people on whose behalf she did so.

— on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth —

It was really a kind of a feat of speech writing to build up to this big emotional moment.

— I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America.

And what did you make of that, how she was doing that?

It was building up this speech to be a serious political document and present her as a serious figure in this moment. And so she still has to prove to people that she is capable of being the commander in chief and running the country.

And how does she try to prove that she’s capable of being a commander in chief?

What she did was try to draw the distinction between herself and Donald Trump.

In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.

And she warns that Trump would not have guardrails on him if he were elected to a second term.

Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.

And how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security, but to serve the only client he has ever had, himself.

The speech was very clear-eyed about the stakes of the election.

They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.

There was a whole section in the middle of the speech where she ticked through, one by one, a whole series of warnings about things that Trump would do to the country if he were back in the White House.

Get this, he plans to create a national anti-abortion coordinator and force states to report on women’s miscarriages and abortions.

Simply put, they are out of their minds.

What else stuck out to you?

It was remarkable, the section of the speech where she talked about Gaza.

President Biden and I are working around the clock, because now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done.

She did not veer too far to the left.

I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself.

She managed to say things that would be appealing to both sides.

President Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.

It was a remarkable moment to hear the arena erupt at the end of that section, to hear her support for both the Israelis and the Palestinians reveal that kind of enthusiasm, after the party has been really ripped apart for months about how to handle the situation.

Fellow Americans, I love our country with all my heart.

She ended this speech with a paean to patriotism.

We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in the history of the world.

She dove headlong into the American exceptionalism argument that is native to Republicans and to older generations of politicians, like Joe Biden.

It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done. Guided by optimism and faith to fight for this country we love. To fight —

But is not something you always hear from younger Democrats, who are a little less comfortable with some of the flag waving.

Let’s vote for it. And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told. Thank you. God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you all.

She seemed to really be taking aim at this criticism of her, which is that she’s this radical California liberal and she can’t be trusted with the keys to the country.

I mean, that was one of the tasks that she had tonight, was to make the argument, particularly to voters in the middle, the suburban voters that used to vote for Republicans, but have been repelled by Trump and driven to Democrats in the last several years, that they can vote for her without worrying that she’s some kind of Bernie Sanders acolyte.

And some of that is based on the way she ran her last presidential campaign. Some of it, frankly, is because she’s a Black woman from California. And that the voters who will determine this election are voters in less diverse states, for the most part.

So Reid stepping back here, it feels worth remembering just where we were at the end of the Republican National Convention that was just over a month ago. Things couldn’t have felt more different. The GOP was on top of the world, while the Democrats were in disarray over Biden’s refusal to leave the race.

And now here we are. And it feels like things couldn’t be better for the Democrats. At least that’s the feeling I’m having coming out of this convention.

I mean, the whole race has turned upside down from where it was when we left Milwaukee. And Democrats are upbeat. They are confident. It is a party that is remarkably united behind their candidate.

But you have to remember, this election will be very close. It is, indeed, a game of inches in the key battleground states. And what she was trying to do was to present herself as someone who can be trusted as commander in chief to win over the tiny slices of the electorate that will determine the winner in places like Wisconsin, and Michigan, and Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona.

And those are the states that will determine the election. And they have made a calculated decision that those voters needed to see her as a commander in chief, something they had not seen from her before. And we will see in the coming days and weeks whether she’s accomplished that in a way that brings enough of those people on board for her to win a term as president.

Reid, thank you.

Thank you, Sabrina. [WHIMSICAL MUSIC]

Here’s what else you should know today. On Thursday, the Supreme Court allowed Arizona Republicans, for now, to impose tougher voting requirements, including a new rule that people registering to vote there before the coming election must show proof of citizenship.

As a result, Arizonans newly registering to vote for this year’s presidential election must provide copies of one of several documents, such as a birth certificate or a passport, in order to prove that they are US citizens. Democrats have denounced the new rule as an attempt to prevent legal immigrants from voting.

And US Health officials have approved the latest slate of annual COVID vaccines, clearing the way for Americans six months and older to receive updated shots in the coming days. The approvals come amid a prolonged surge of COVID infections, which have risen all summer.

Remember to catch a new episode of “The Interview” right here tomorrow. This week, Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Jenna Ortega, the star of the Netflix series “Wednesday,” and the new “Bettlejuice” sequel, about her head-spinning success over the past few years.

One day I just I woke up in somebody else’s shoes. I felt like I had entered somebody else’s life. And I didn’t know how to get back to mine.

Today’s episode was produced by Lynsea Garrison, Rob Szypko, Jessica Cheung, Asthaa Chaturvedi, and Shannon Lin. It was edited by Rachel Quester, contains original music by Rowan Niemisto, Dan Powell, Diane Wong, and Marion Lozano, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

[THEME MUSIC]

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Sabrina Tavernise. See you on Monday.

Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Featuring Astead W. Herndon and Reid J. Epstein

Produced by Lynsea Garrison Rob Szypko Jessica Cheung Asthaa Chaturvedi and Shannon Lin

Edited by Rachel Quester

Original music by Rowan Niemisto Marion Lozano Dan Powell and Diane Wong

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow ‘The Daily’ Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Last night, at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination, becoming the first woman of color in U.S. history to do so.

Astead W. Herndon and Reid J. Epstein, who cover politics for The Times, discuss the story this convention told about Ms. Harris — and whether that story could be enough to win the presidential election.

On today’s episode

Astead W. Herndon , a national politics reporter and the host of the politics podcast “ The Run-Up ” for The New York Times.

Reid J. Epstein , who covers politics for The New York Times.

Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug, stand in front of a photo of the American flag, smiling and embracing.

Background reading

Kamala Harris promised to chart a “new way forward” as she accepted the nomination.

“The Run-Up”: It’s her party now. What’s different?

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Michael Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, Nina Lassam and Nick Pitman.

Astead W. Herndon is a national politics reporter and the host of the politics podcast “The Run-Up.” More about Astead W. Herndon

Reid J. Epstein covers campaigns and elections from Washington. Before joining The Times in 2019, he worked at The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Newsday and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More about Reid J. Epstein

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9 Sales Pitch Examples (Plus Tips on How to Write Your Own)

FREE PITCH TEMPLATES FOR SALES TEAMS

What is a sales pitch?

What is a product pitch?

Download Now: Free Elevator Pitch Templates

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You're all set!

Start off with a personal anecdote.

Ask a question that relates to the problem you solve.

Start with a stat that resonates and offers stakes.

1. Make it short.

2. Make it clear.

3. Explain who your customers are.

4. Explain the problem they're facing.

5. Explain how your product addresses their needs.

6. Describe what success with your product will look like.

Distribution Matters

Sales Pitch Ideas

1. Tell a story.

7. Social Sales Pitch

3. Surfe (Previously leadjet)

Bonus: HubSpot

Why a Short Sales Pitch is a Good Pitch

3 Steps to a Perfect Pitch

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Examples of sales pitches and ideas for the perfect pitching strategy

What is a sales pitch?

Storytelling: The foundation of your sales pitch

The problem you solve

Highlight the pain

Share the upside and a new way of doing things

Position features as superpowers

Champion your customers

Four good sales pitch examples (and which you should use)

1. Cold calling

2. Email outreach

3. Social selling

4. Elevator pitch

How to create engaging sales pitch content

Customize the content

Visualize data and key points

Share your history

Inject some humor

Be succinct

Add more content for internal sharing

Tips for delivering a bulletproof sales pitch

Get a deeper understanding of your prospect

Use simple, concise language

When conducting demos, focus on the critical features

Practice confident body language

Prepare for objections

Lead the conversation to the next stage of the relationship

How to make a sales pitch: What we’ve learned

Sales pitch strategy in review

Driving business growth

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What is a sales pitch?

3. Pain points

4. Benefits

6. Call to action

How to make a sales pitch: best practices and examples

Use storytelling

Focus on the prospect

Balance between emotions and reason

Create the FOMO effect

Personalize your sales pitch