idea is what will help sell it , including all of the nitty-gritty details .
As a productivity expert and a journalist who has sold my ideas for articles to hundreds and hundreds of editors over the last 20 years , I have come to you with life-changing advice . Don ’ t bother creating that presentation . Skip the lengthy pitch session . Delete the spreadsheet .
To sell an idea , it ’ s important to keep it simple and keep it short . The reason ? Attention spans are shrinking and distractions are all around us . You might be ready to pitch an idea to a leadership team and explain all of the details , but I have a much better idea . It is possible to pitch an idea in only seven minutes , and it ’ s far more effective . Here ’ s how .
1 . Touch a nerve right away
I ’ ve consulted and trained with countless business professionals , and my one piece of advice for anyone trying to sell an idea is always the same . Start with a bang . Remember , we ’ re all distracted . INstagram is only a click away ; new shows pop up on Netflix every week .
Imagine trying to sell an idea to someone who knows there are far more interesting alternatives in life than listening to someone explain a new product idea . You lose them before you even get started . That ’ s why you have to touch a nerve . When you sell an idea , whether it ’ s in a pitch session , to an investor , or even your own boss , start with an engaging story to grab attention .
One of my favorite speakers and book authors named Clay Scroggins recently mentioned to me how we are all distracted constantly
Selling an idea doesn ’ t work if you list out the features , it works when you list out the reason and the insights that motivate people to pay attention in the first place .
because distractions work . Those shiny gadgets that surround us all day long are really compelling , and you have to understand that people do not pay attention as much as they used to even a few years ago .
2 . Explain the why
If you succeed in grabbing attention , usually by telling a story , spend the next minute or two explaining why the product should exist . Again , no spreadsheets . No specification and features . Avoid explaining “ the what ” because no one will pay attention to that .
Experts like Simon Sinek have been telling us for years that leaders need to explain why something is innovative , why customers should care , and what ’ s in it for them . The first step in quickly selling an idea is to explain why it ’ s valuable . “ People don ’ t buy what you do , they buy why you do it ,” Sinek writes . That ’ s a lesson for all of us .
When you have something worthwhile to share with someone , make sure you inspire them first . Selling an idea doesn ’ t work if you list out the features , it works when you list out the reason and the insights that motivate people to pay attention in the first place .
3 . Cover the details quickly
I ’ ve been saying this for years : keep it short
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