(187 words 1 min read)
The pitch: I wait with my mouth open wide as the fire hose goes on. Enthusiastic entrepreneurs bubbling away with punchy why’s and how’s and then WHOOSH! I am drowned in a bucket of cold water.
I was ready for something refreshing but actually end up a little stunned. I shake myself down look for a towel, remembering little of what was actually said.
The problem: too many words delivered too quickly. No time to take it all in, consider, and ask questions.
I don’t enjoy this and it doesn’t work for the pitcher.
The solution: The “drip pitch.” It has two characteristics.
- Short focussed statements (drips); punctuated by,
- Silence.
Drip by drip take me into your story. Let me appreciate each point as we go deeper. Less fire hose, more impact sprinkler. With each click give me more.
The pitch doesn’t have to be a split second subliminal mind soaking. It can be a conversation. It’s true that it be a question of style, but I guarantee that a sprinkler in an elevator is preferable to a fire hose!
Next time: Writing tools