How to Prepare a 2 Minute Business Pitch

Unsure of how to prepare for a business pitch? Whether it’s for potential investors or you’re pioneering a new idea, public speaking is your key to success. The business pitch you make will determine the success of what you’re looking for, whether it be money, time, or a whole department. No pressure. So, we made some tips to keep you on track and to help you prepare for a two-minute business pitch.

Keep it Simple

Flowery language is good for an essay–it’s not suitable for your business pitch. You have 120 seconds to sell your idea, and you can’t waste it with figurative language. Another good thing to avoid is sarcasm and humor, as not everyone might not get it or think it is in good taste for a business pitch. Stick to your guns, keep it simple, and cut out the fluff.

Practice Makes Consistency

Be sure to practice! Practice can’t make perfect, but it can make you consistent. Time yourself to make sure you’re hitting the mark, and know that you will probably speak faster during the actual pitch. Nevertheless, practice with your regular speaking rate. If you are over time, find points that you can cut out.

Don’t Read to Them

If you have an accompanying visual aid or slides, don’t spend your whole pitch reading it to your audience. It is assumed that your audience can read for themselves. Don’t waste precious seconds relaying what someone could read on their own. What you have to say matters, so make it count with information that is presented elsewhere.

Be Genuine

Don’t use words you don’t know the meaning to or that aren’t in your regular rotation of language. Be genuine and yourself. You’re selling your idea, not your image. And there is nothing more awkward for an audience member that knows you to think “Who is that speaking?”. And for first impressions, the more yourself that you are, the more your idea will shine. You’ve got two minutes–don’t spend it being someone else.

We have confidence in you that you’ll nail this pitch! Just remember to take a deep breath. Two minutes may not seem like a long time, but once you get talking it will feel like forever. Don’t rush it, and you’re going to do just fine. So put on your lucky socks, and give ‘em the ol’ razzle dazzle!