How to Pitch Yourself: The Hard Way & The Easy Way
Whether you're trying to land a job, get an investment in your company, close a sale with a new customer, or just make a new connection…
Let me give you: The hard way to pitch yourself and The easy way to pitch yourself
❌ The hard way: See the other person as the one with all the power. They’re the judge that decides whether or not you’re good enough. You’re the one who has to prove yourself and win their approval.
✅ The easy way: See the other person as just another person trying to solve a problem. They have something they’re trying to get done in the world. You have a way for them to get that thing done.
❌ The hard way: Focus on what YOU can get out of the conversation. Be sales-y. Try to get the win.
✅ The easy way: Focus on what THEY can get out of the conversation. Be a helpful expert. Try to understand their problem and give your best analysis of how to solve it.
❌ The hard way: Try to convince them that they should like you and choose you.
✅ The easy way: Explain the simple math equation. Your understanding of their problem. What you believe is necessary to solve it. What you bring to the table that allows you to solve it easily and well.
❌ The hard way: Brag about your past accomplishments. Flex. Be a jerk about it.
✅ The easy way: Explain the connection — how your past accomplishments gave you skills & experiences that directly allow you to solve their problems.
❌ The hard way: See their questions and skepticism as a sign that you’re failing. Get flustered and defensive.
✅ The easy way: See their questions and skepticism as a sign that there’s something they don’t yet understand. Get curious about the disconnect. What did they hear? What are they assuming? What do you need to clear up?
❌ The hard way: If there’s a gap between what they need and what you offer, embellish and obfuscate. Dupe them into liking you no matter what.
✅ The easy way: If there’s a gap between what they need and what you offer, be clear and honest about what you do and don’t do. Make it easy for you both to make a clear decision about fit.
❌ The hard way: Focus on how you LOOK to them. Try to be impressive. Try to be flashy. Try to do it right.
✅ The easy way: Focus on what you can GIVE them. Give them clarity. Give them insight. Give them ease. Give them a simple, doable path to where they want to be.
❌ The hard way: See a No as a sign that you have a bad “product” that nobody wants. Give up. Go home.
✅ The easy way: See a No as a sign that this person simply isn’t in the market for what you’re selling. Go find people who DO want what you’re selling.
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