Coming up with creative ideas is hard; selling them to strangers is even harder.
The word "pitch" might bring to mind a baseball game—a fast throw, hoping for a strike. But in the business world, pitching is more than just hurling ideas at a client, hoping one will hit. It’s about knowing your client, making a connection, telling a story, and offering a solution that feels like it was made just for them. That’s why the best pitches often don’t feel like sales pitches at all.
For a digital agency, winning a pitch is part strategy, part creativity, and part psychology. So, how do you ensure that your pitches aren’t just fastballs but home runs?
As Prepr, we've seen many agencies pitch to their clients in different ways and after watching so many approaches, we've gained valuable insights that we'd like to share with you.
Here are some tips we've learned along the way.
Tip 1: Show, don’t tell
When giving advice, it's natural to draw from personal experience. Jouko Huismans, Prepr CEO, for example, always emphasizes that pitching new ideas requires more than just words—it requires making them tangible and easy to grasp.
"Instead of just explaining a concept, show its impact," Jouko suggests. "Demonstrate how it works in different scenarios, so the client can see the results in action.”
This visual approach not only clarifies the concept but also builds a connection between the client’s needs and the proposed solution. As Jouko puts it, “The client needs to see the value, but also believe they can execute it.”
The key here is to simplify without oversimplifying. You want the client to see the value of your solution in a way that’s directly applicable to their business. If the idea is too abstract, it risks being dismissed. Therefore, keep it practical, relatable, and focused on outcomes.
Tip 2: Ace the pitch
Winning a pitch isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them.
