Activity: Create a pitch

Step 1

Explain: A ‘pitch’ is a message about your project that you share to convince people to support and/or benefit from the project. It is called a “pitch” because, like pitching a ball to a player in baseball, football or cricket, you are throwing an idea to someone, and you hope he or she will connect with your idea.

Step 2

Write ‘Supporters’ and ‘Beneficiaries’ at the top of the marker board, as the headings of two columns.

Facilitator says: “Who are some of the people who might support your project? Who are some of the people who might benefit from your project - if it is a performance or event, who might attend? If it is a product, who might buy it?” List adolescents’ responses.

Step 3

Explain: A pitch can be used to present your idea, and convince different types of people about your project idea. Creating and using a pitch will also help you clarify the key elements of your idea and refine how you talk about it.

The pitch should:

• Include a clear, simple explanation of your project or idea - Try to describe it in two sentences, in less than 30 seconds.
• Convincing reasons why your project or idea is valuable or relevant, and why supporters should support it and/or how beneficiaries can benefit from it.
• Be adjusted for different audiences - When speaking to potential supporters you may use different messages to convince them than you would use with beneficiaries or customers.
• Be interesting or exciting.
• Be presented in a way that is accessible and interesting for the audiences - For example, you might approach people directly and share your pitch verbally, or you might create posters, flyers, or a radio or video advertisement for your project or idea.

Step 4

Ask adolescents to write the following chart (see below) on a piece of paper and fill in their answers. Explain to adolescents that they should be prepared to share their pitch verbally, even if they are also considering presenting it through other kinds of materials such as brochures or advertisements.

Note: If adolescents think of different categories of supporters or beneficiaries, encourage them to consider developing different pitches for those different audiences.

Step 5

Sharing and Take away: Invite participants to take turns sharing their pitch statements verbally with the group. They should practice trying to speak in a convincing and engaging way.

Discuss:

• Which pitches that you just heard were most convincing? What made them convincing?
• Did developing your pitch idea help you to think about your project or idea in a new way?

• How can we use your pitch ideas as you move forward with your projects?

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Chart

Supporter

1. Why should they support your project?
2. Write your pitch (2-3 sentences)
3. Write three more reasons to convince supporters

Beneficiaries/customers

1. How will they benefit from your project?
2. Write your pitch (2-3 sentences)
3. Write three more reasons to convince beneficiaries/customers