The power of a virtual pitch during a pandemic
Print
EmailLearn how to pivot your current pitch into the best virtual pitch. We discuss techniques for filming, best pitching practices, and highlight an experienced entrepreneur as a guest speaker.
In today’s day virtual world, so much has pivoted - from how we share time and space with others to how we approach our day-to-day responsibilities. Despite the economic challenges for food entrepreneurs, there are many ways to access financial support during these challenging times and one of the best ways to do that is through pitching.
The Michigan State University Product Center Cook, Share & Prosper Summit on Nov. 12 from 9-11 a.m. will include a variety of workshops targeting upcoming and established food entrepreneurs. The workshop, “Creating a Virtual Pitch” will feature the founder and CEO of BRITE bites, Bri Makaric, who is an expert at pitching competitions. This workshop is designed to support entrepreneurs in their business storytelling by equipping them with the tools necessary to pivot their business pitch and have it ready for our new online world!
Pitches usually vary between 30 and 90 seconds – often the amount of time you share an elevator ride with someone and the origin of the “elevator pitch” concept. However, pitches are not just about saying as much information about your business as you can within that time frame. Pitches are strategic forms of storytelling that invite your audience to support your business and/or financially invest in your business. Pitches can be introductory, but they can also summarize business growth, impact, and opportunity. Keep in mind, that it is not just about what you say and how you say it – a huge component of pitching is keeping your audience engaged.
Now, more than ever, the question is: how can you produce a quality video at an affordable rate? Expert in digital media and professor of journalism at Michigan State University, Mike Castellucci, may be able to help. He uses an innovative method he calls “Phoning it in” to show the world that you do not need fancy equipment to produce a high quality, professional product. He has a 10-minute TEDxMSU talk available here where he discusses his journey as a journalist and how he produced a two-time Emmy award-winning half hour episode called Phoning it in using nothing other than his phone, a wireless microphone, a rubber band, and a tripod. If you do not believe it, watch the video, and be amazed! The key take away from his video is that none of the equipment matters if you do not have a story. A pitch is just a shorter, strategically communicated version of your business story, and your friends at the MSU Product Center want to ensure that you are prepared to showcase your business in any setting - especially the virtual one.
If you are not sure of where to start with your pitch, we invite you to register now to attend the Cook, Share & Prosper Summit hosted on Zoom on Nov. 12 from 9-11 a.m. We will embark on an educational opportunity alongside you to help you create your virtual pitch. We are excited to be featuring a live question and answer opportunity with MSU’s Product Center innovation counselors, Jamie Rahig and Parker Jones in addition to BRITE bites founder, Bri Makaric.
Registration is $15 per person. Registration closes Nov. 10, 2020.
