Across industries, as everyone scrambles to figure out new ways of working, one more quintessential part of business life that’s gone virtual is the proposal and pitch. Without the ability to meet in person, companies are cooking up ways to bring the physical presentation of an company's brand of creativity — to life online.
Due to the new work from home reality across the globe, businesses are adapting to pitching over the virtual space. Instead of shaking hands in office conference rooms, businesses and brand marketers are hopping on video chats, seeing each others’ home offices and learning how to continue the norms of the business together, albeit digitally.
Everyone's gone through a major re-evaluation and expects a different approach when engaging with B2B product and service vendors. So, how should these vendors approach their pitches to win new customers right now?
Pitching by virtual platforms is tricky since we all know so much is based on team chemistry. We can’t say businesses have perfected the art yet, but they're working hard to keep up with the help of effective tools at the forefront of the client meeting. This, therefore, converts the threats to opportunities when pitching online.
Using right technology while pitching online
The nature of online pitching means you simply can’t avoid technology. You’re depending on computers, cameras and microphones, internet connections and software, and they aren’t always reliable.
To lessen the chances of your pitch falling prey to technical gremlins:
- Use easily accessible programs and platforms: You’re aiming to make it as simple as possible for the investor to follow your pitch and take on board all the information you’re presenting.
- Use a hardwired internet connection, if possible: They are generally more stable than Wi‑Fi and less likely to drop out while you’re mid-flow.
Biggest challenge while pitching online
Typically, when pitching a client in a room, companies can showcase their work throughout the space and on the walls of a conference room, almost like a mural. Without being able to do that, companies have to “make the storytelling more like chapters. Beyond the potential awkwardness of the hand off or speaking over each other, adapting to doing everything virtually can be a pain.
How challenges can be turned into opportunities
What's important, in times like these, a brand's actions can influence the sentiment toward it for years to come. In this situation, hard selling, tone-deaf corporate-speak, and a one-size-fits-all approach are highly inappropriate — customers need empathetic human voices and support above all. Therefore, the way you pitch and send proposals online should be very different to the ones you were used to.
These are challenging times; investors will be looking at you and your team and whether you’re resilient, flexible and adaptable. They’ll want to know how you’re going to take advantage of opportunities in these present circumstances. Your ability to show that you’re a strong business with great people around you could make the difference as to whether investors think they should back your business right now.
To know more about creating a modern workplace and creating opportunities from challenges while pitching online, download our FREE eGuide.
