Communication Expert Identifies Key Pitch Mistake
Communication expert Vanessa Van Edwards has analyzed nearly 500 pitches to pinpoint the most common mistake founders make that causes investors to lose attention. The error often occurs before the presentation even begins.
A study analyzing nearly 500 pitches has identified the primary mistake that causes investors to lose interest. Communication expert Vanessa Van Edwards found that many promising founders err even before presenting their first slide.
Van Edwards, who founded Science of People and teaches at Harvard, emphasizes that a pitch or conversation must constantly compete for the listener's attention. She likens the challenge to trying to get people's focus off their phones, even in everyday situations like parent-teacher meetings.
"Better conversation skills are career insurance in the age of AI," Van Edwards stated. She explains that skilled conversationalists are remembered faster, and their names come to mind first when opportunities, ideas, or invitations arise.
In her new book, "Conversation: How to Connect with Anyone and Make Every Interaction Count," Van Edwards delves into how people have become "conversationally flabby" due to increased technology use. She argues that individuals are speaking more to technology than to each other, which diminishes fundamental social skills.
Van Edwards' research aims to provide actionable insights for founders to avoid these common pitfalls and improve their ability to secure investment. The goal is to help business leaders forge stronger connections and maintain audience engagement from the outset.