Pitch(ing) Perfect

By Francesca Barrett

Everyone in the public relations world might know how to pitch a project, but does anyone really understand why we should? Why having the perfect pitch is quintessential for a PR specialist? At the 2016 PRSSA National Convention, Brandon Scott spoke about his experience in the health field with a pitch’s powerful use. Scott is the Digital and Brand Strategist for Ten Adams in the healthcare field focused in Evansville, Indiana. At the PRSSA National Conference, Scott spoke on three topics for how to successfully execute a pitch for the best success.

Scott started off with the point that the structure of the pitch is the “ask” and that begins to set the terms for agreed success. Scott states, “When you make that first pitch, you beginning a relationship and a partnership.” Scott spoke about how a pitch usually fails because they don’t answer the right questions. Scott breaks down his speech in three questions for a perfect pitch:
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1. Where do we need to go? Scott states that if giving a strong pitch, there has to be a goal at the end of the road. He wants a pitch to ask and define what success would look like.
2. When do we need to get there? Scott wants the pitch to give a timeline of the crucial steps to achieve your goals.
3. What do we need to execute? Scott states that answering this question allows the pitch to give the reason and details of how effectively your plan will follow through.

​In all three of his questions, Scott uses the pronoun “we”. He explains that by using that simple word you understand your own skill set and what you can bring to the table. Also, by conveying the use of mutual respect of time, energy and work, you show how you can bring success to the forefront of their company. Scott defines reaching success in a pitch is, “Opportunity to succeed regardless of any hurdles that have come in your way.” Brandon Scott concludes by saying that through a strong pitch and answering those questions, we can be a strong generation of leaders. With this simple breakdown and uplifting session, Brandon Scott defines the perfect pitch and teaches the next generation of leaders to connect, collaborate and contribute to create our own successful future in public relations.

Francesca Barrett is a freshman public relations major at Kent State. Contact her at [email protected].

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