I Won $100,000 with My Business Voice — and 3 Simple Strategies That Helped Me Do It

Entrepreneurs have the power to disrupt industries, inspire change and make the world a better place. But what separates the good entrepreneurs from the great ones? The answer is simple: Their ability to set up their business.

So, what does singing mean? Positioning your business means effectively communicating what your company does and how it provides value to your customers and stakeholders.

I first learned how to freeze a few years ago, when I was a graduate student at Babson College. Since then, I have spent countless hours pitching my startup, TicketRev, to prospective investors, customers, employees and mentors. I honed my skills by entering almost every situation imaginable – from formal meetings and informal settings to high-pressure, high-stakes tournaments. I learned a lot from each opportunity.

As I’ve developed my skills and won competitions, many entrepreneurs I meet ask for my incorporation advice. Here are three things I tell them to improve their platforms.

Related: 12 Surefire Tips for the Perfect Investor Pitch

use the KISS method – Keep it Short and Sweet

The first time I pitched TicketRev to an audience was at the Rocket Pitch event at Babson in 2019. The event guidelines were straightforward – each entrepreneur had three minutes and three slides to pitch.

Typically, founders are encouraged to create a slide deck of about 10 slides to effectively convey their business idea. However, a few weeks before the event, I faced the challenge of condensing the most important content into only three slides. Finally I focused on simplifying the important things: the problem, the solution and our sequence.

Entrepreneurs should remember that they are not just making a product or service but using it to solve a real problem for their customers. The fastest way to grab attention is to clearly show that a problem exists and that customers are willing to pay for your solution.

Don’t just showcase your business – showcase your story

One of my most memorable pitches happened in 2022 during a competition called ePitch, which was organized by Babson College. Established in 2019, ePitch is a pitch competition for Babson students and alumni to present their business ideas, with a grand prize of $100,000. I was part of the live audience during the first event, and I knew that one day, I would be on that stage presenting my business to the judges.

In a competition with a live audience and many other platforms, it is important to not only present your company effectively but also give context about your background, what inspired you to start your business and why you and your team are the right people to deliver this. concept to be realized. Entrepreneurs should not shy away from risk. We need to express passion, enthusiasm and creativity. After all, how can someone trust you if they can’t feel your feelings?

Related: Telling Your Startup Story: 4 Pro Tips for Creating the Perfect Investor Pitch for Your New Business

When the second edition of this competition was announced in 2022, I dedicated myself to preparing it as if it was designed for me to win. My ePitch presentation began by reviewing my background and business journey, emphasizing my interest and knowledge of sporting events and concerts, as well as my ideas for solving the persistent problem of others.

When I launched TicketRev, the judges already understood who I am and what fueled my passion to create a unique business in the live events industry. Before including the essentials of a solid slide deck – like the problem, the solution and how it works – I spent about 90 seconds sharing images and details of my background, explaining how I came up with the idea for TicketRev. While I can’t be sure what impressed the judges the most, I believe that sharing my personal story and personality, and making that personal connection, played an important role in winning the $100,000 grand prize.

When I think back to that time, I remember not only the moment of victory on stage, but also the whole journey of creating my pitch deck and sharing my story thoughtfully. It is a lesson that has helped me and my business.

Know your audience

Startup pitches usually aim to convince investors why they should fund the company. Think of “Shark Tank” or ePitch as examples. These facilities are designed to attract investors to provide financial support.

However, pitching to potential customers is more important than pitching to investors. Not all companies will raise money, but all companies need customers to succeed.

The important thing to understand is that customers want to know how your product or service will solve their problems. Investors, on the other hand, want to understand how big your business can be, if it is secure and who is leading it. Providing irrelevant or incorrect information can make your pitch confusing and ineffective.

Related: An Entrepreneur’s Blueprint for Building a Real Estate Deck That Impresses Investors

At TicketRev, our clients are professional sports teams. This gave me the opportunity to travel around the country, visiting world-class stadiums and arenas, and meeting executives who run the business side of sports – ticketing, statistics, fan engagement and more. When I pitch to team managers, they want to understand how TicketRev will impact their business and increase their revenue, as opposed to investors who want to understand how big the business can be. As a huge sports fan, it’s incredibly rewarding to see behind the scenes how a sports team or league operates and make a tangible impact with our company.

Building a startup and launching it successfully is like training to become a professional chef, athlete or musician. There are many resources that offer helpful advice, but nothing compares to the value of real-world experience. As a professional in training, you need to put in your reps because each rep will make you better.

When I first pitched my first draft when I was in college, all I wanted was for someone to listen and acknowledge the need for my idea. Looking back years later, it was those bedroom moments that gave me the practice and confidence I needed to walk into the arenas and pitch TicketRev to my favorite sports teams.