Prepare a pitch in one week: the day-by-day plan

The pitch is in seven days. The temptation is to open the presentation software right away. That is the first mistake. Here is the plan I suggest, in the order the work really gets done.

Day 1: clarify before writing

Answer three questions in writing, one sentence each:

• Who is in front of you? Investors, a competition jury, a client, an internal committee.
• What do you want to get? A second meeting, a prize, a signature.
• If they remember only one thing, what should it be?

Then gather your proof: traction numbers, customers, one concrete case. No slides yet.

Day 2: write for the ear

Write the complete speech, the way you would say it. Short sentences, a concrete example for the problem, your strongest numbers, a clear ask at the end. Read it aloud tonight. Anything that catches in your mouth must be rewritten.

Day 3: cut against the clock

Time it. You will very probably go over the time you are given. Cut the generalities, the lists, the specialist vocabulary. Keep the story, the proof and the ask. Only then build the slides that prove what you say (the guide pitch deck: how many slides helps you keep them down).

Days 4 and 5: rehearse standing up, out loud, on camera

Three to four run-throughs a day, standing, with the stopwatch. Film one each day and watch it: you will see in one minute what nobody dares tell you (the pace that speeds up, the eyes that drift, the "um" at the start of sentences).

On day 5, do at least one run-through in front of someone who does not know your project. If they cannot sum up your pitch in one sentence after hearing it, go back to the text.

Day 6: the tough questions

List the ten questions you dread, and prepare a 30-second answer for each: one sentence of direct answer, one proof, a return to your strength. Have someone ask you the questions out loud, in random order.

Then do a full run-through: pitch plus questions, in real conditions, outfit included.

Day 7: the day before

One calm rehearsal, all the way through. Check the equipment (computer, adapter, a backup file on a USB stick or online). Change nothing more. And sleep: you will arrive clearer and calmer.

On the day, before you go on, use the breathing and grounding techniques from how to handle nerves before a pitch.

If you want to go faster

A week on your own is doable. A week with a coach is mostly fewer back-and-forths: we write together on the first two days and rehearse with an outside eye on the following ones. That is the format of pitch coaching, and we start with a free diagnostic to see what is realistic before your deadline. The programs are in the offers section.

To go further, read how to structure an investor pitch and the questions investors ask after a pitch.