Once and for all, here's all you need to know about pitches because most pitches still suck. This is geared towards for-profit ventures, but the principles apply to almost any fund raising effort.
Hey Guy! Great to see you on Substack. I moved all my writing here this April. It’s been a very welcoming experience. I reviewed your Art of the Start 2.0 book many moons ago and make it mandatory reading for the start-ups in my portfolio. I hope all is well with you. If you have any questions about Substack, feel free to reach out.
And one more thing….i once gave a pitch and had a 20-minute time slot allotted. I finished in 17 minutes and several people thanked me (and they invested)
Guy, always try to follow your principle - but in healthcare it’s difficult to stick to 10 slides I’ve found, since ~100% investors are from non-clinical background, and need a deeper dive in the first few slides esp on problem statement.. what, in such a scenario, do you say should be our stance ?
Yes, we do extremely agree! You presentation talent carries over into both writing and speaking. I am sure you keep executive investors enthralled like students when their favorite writer visits! 🤗
Dear Guy, if we do a 20 minute presentation over 10 slides, that means (for casual and firm speaking as opposed to 1,200 in nervous fast-talk) there is only time to say about 1,000 syllables or less. Active voice (used in much of your article!) means success. Also, 1000 syllables of short and punchy words is a 4 page, double-spaced, 12 point Courier children’s book manuscript complete with “what happens next?” cliffhanger drama every 2-3 sentences. Think “Green Eggs and Ham”, as that book still sits on the shelf with “Cat in the Hat” and newer flavors of the day. — Cat Darensbourg
So we agree? One should be able to give their pitch in 20 minutes, but will usually have more time than that. But if you can do it in 20, you can do it in 60.
Hey Guy! Great to see you on Substack. I moved all my writing here this April. It’s been a very welcoming experience. I reviewed your Art of the Start 2.0 book many moons ago and make it mandatory reading for the start-ups in my portfolio. I hope all is well with you. If you have any questions about Substack, feel free to reach out.
And one more thing….i once gave a pitch and had a 20-minute time slot allotted. I finished in 17 minutes and several people thanked me (and they invested)
Great post Guy. Enduring advice for people of all ages
Guy, always try to follow your principle - but in healthcare it’s difficult to stick to 10 slides I’ve found, since ~100% investors are from non-clinical background, and need a deeper dive in the first few slides esp on problem statement.. what, in such a scenario, do you say should be our stance ?
Because they are from a non-clinical background, they need a less deep dive. "Your spinal cord snapped. We repair it."
I kinda did 12 pages ..
and I’d love to send it over so you can rate the pitch deck .. please
If you buy 25 copies of Think Remarkable, I will comment on your pitch and spend 30 minutes virtually with you. Let me know at guykawasaki@gmail.com
Yes, we do extremely agree! You presentation talent carries over into both writing and speaking. I am sure you keep executive investors enthralled like students when their favorite writer visits! 🤗
Dear Guy, if we do a 20 minute presentation over 10 slides, that means (for casual and firm speaking as opposed to 1,200 in nervous fast-talk) there is only time to say about 1,000 syllables or less. Active voice (used in much of your article!) means success. Also, 1000 syllables of short and punchy words is a 4 page, double-spaced, 12 point Courier children’s book manuscript complete with “what happens next?” cliffhanger drama every 2-3 sentences. Think “Green Eggs and Ham”, as that book still sits on the shelf with “Cat in the Hat” and newer flavors of the day. — Cat Darensbourg
So we agree? One should be able to give their pitch in 20 minutes, but will usually have more time than that. But if you can do it in 20, you can do it in 60.
A remarkable guide Guy! :D
The art of persuasion need not be relegated to the realm of pick-up artists hahaha