Freaking Out, Just a Little Bit
You all may know that I and several other bloggers are going to the ACFW conference in three weeks.
In preparation, I've been working on my pitch.
There's a little problem though.
I can write it fine, but when it comes to talking....my tongue messes up. When I'm nervous, I talk too fast, I talk too quiet, I use the wrong words or I *gasp* stutter over my syllables. Or worse, come off sounding as nervous as I am, maybe even arrogant. *cringe*
Have you ever verbally pitched someone? Does trying your pitch out on friends/family help? My hair feels like it may turn gray (I know the day is coming, blech). Any advice for this pitching newbie?
In preparation, I've been working on my pitch.
There's a little problem though.
I can write it fine, but when it comes to talking....my tongue messes up. When I'm nervous, I talk too fast, I talk too quiet, I use the wrong words or I *gasp* stutter over my syllables. Or worse, come off sounding as nervous as I am, maybe even arrogant. *cringe*
Have you ever verbally pitched someone? Does trying your pitch out on friends/family help? My hair feels like it may turn gray (I know the day is coming, blech). Any advice for this pitching newbie?
Comments
I'm always reminded that they are people just like me. I treat them like they're my good friends and I want to share some exciting news with them.
Breathe! That's important! If you say a sentence. Take a breath. It helps to keep you calm, focused and paced.
Practice helps too. Do it in a mirror, on your kids, your pets, your husband, the checkout girl at the grocery store!!
Praying you great success!
Thank you! You're right, a great premise is a great premise, no matter how long it takes to come out of my mouth! LOL
Hey Donna,
I've actually had public speaking and really liked it. It's the one on one that makes me shudder. LOL Thank you for your advice! I think I will practice out loud to my family, though the thought feels really weird. Heh. Funny about the grocery store! LOL
Remember that if you can hook them to look at your one sheet or proposal, then your writing is what will truely sell you. If your writing shines, then it doesn't matter if you stutter or anything else!
I think I'm going to be a mass of nerves. Wah! My first conference I was too new to know to be nervous. LOL
I hope my writing shines... working on it. LOL
Great advice about trying on your husband though. I hadn't even thought of that.
If you look at it as an opportunity to simply be a blessing to another human being rather than your one big chance to make an impression, you will be your sweet and caring self, not a bundle of nerves.
Lastly, pray for wisdom and give them chocolate after your appointment...
You'll do great. Tell them I said to give you a contract that will clinch it for sure!!! LOL!
If you look at it as an opportunity to simply be a blessing to another human being rather than your one big chance to make an impression, you will be your sweet and caring self, not a bundle of nerves.
Lastly, pray for wisdom and give them chocolate after your appointment...
You'll do great. Tell them I said to give you a contract that will clinch it for sure!!! LOL!
Thanks for the advice. :-)
My thoughts...find a way to say it naturally (even if it's not word for word to pitch).
~ Wendy
Go get 'em!
So been there and know how you feel. I'm puttin' you in my prayer book. That God would just help your last nerve to calm down. :) Good luck!
I always pull out my one-sheet and end up just talking. I never get my pitch presented it seems, but I should this time!
When my friend pitched, she came right out and told the editor, "I have no idea what I'm doing." So, maybe it'd ease your tension and calm you down some if you let them know this was your first time.
Good luck. You'll probably do wonderful.
I've never pitched before, but I would recommend being prepared and trying to be personable (yet still professional). People relax when those they are around are relaxed. Be confident in who you are and what you have written, and I'm sure that will really help!
That being said, when it's my turn, please give me lots of advice from your experience and talk me down from any possible ledges....
Eileen, your way probably works too. I think I'm more nervous about meeting an editor in the hall or at the table and them asking that dreaded question and me unable to answer. Yikes. I wonder if anyone's fainted before? LOL Don't let us make you nervous. If you're comfortable with the way you do it then I think that's excellent! There's certainly no right way, besides politeness and clarity. :-)
Linda, It might make me feel better to say that. Sort of a disclaimer, right? Snort!
Weronika,
That is such a smart, practical point. You're right. It's not the end of the world and unless I'm completely offensive, no one is going to black ball me from their lists. Thank you!
Hey T. Anne,
Yeah, I don't want to memorize it. I can, but I'm afraid it would just sound so unnatural. Great advice about knowing my story inside and out. I hope I do. *crossing fingers*
Cindy, I've SO been there. Ack. I'm going to work on this practicing thing, but honestly, that makes me just as nervous, even with my family. Sigh. Thanks for your story! Nice to know I'm not the only one who's done that! LOL
Kristen, Those ledges are scary places. I most definitely will share anything I learn and hopefully you won't climb out there. :-) Thank you for the advice. IT's true, relaxed, low-key people really can shape the atmosphere. I'll try to remember to breath deep and be calm. :-)
From what I've heard though, people have said that agents expect the nervousness. They won't look down upon you if you slip up on a few words. :)
I have another friend who's going to ACFW too--she finalled in the Mystery/Suspense category for the Genesis contest.
I'm hoping to go to ACFW conference next year--it's going to be in Indianapolis, which is only a 2 hour drive from me. Perhaps I'll actually have my book completed enough to enter into the Genesis contest for next year.
Although she won't forget you, I don't know if its the best 'first impression.'
Yes, I did do that. When she said, "What are you doing?" I said, "Pitching my manuscript at you."
My biggest piece of advice is to remember to have a question for them in the event that your project isn't a fit for them at that time. When it became clear just a minute and a half into a ten-minute session that my story wasn't of interest to an editor to whom I pitched, I was glad I was ready with, "What are you and your house looking for?" I learned a great deal that way.
Congrats to your friend! That's so wonderful!! I hope you can go next year too. I'm not sure I could pass it up if it was that close to me. :-) I've heard editors are pretty nice too. :-) I just don't want to embarass myself. Ah well. LOL I'll just laugh if I do. Can cry later in my room, right? ;-)
Brenda,
That's too funny! Did you really do that or are you joking? I know, I bet you're one of those outgoing, funny people, right? I'll bet you made that editor laugh. :-) Funny thing, I just read Amelia Bedelia goes Camping to the kiddos and yep, she literally pitches the tent for her employer,right into the bushes. Heehee.
I can only echo the above. Practicing may take the edge off. You can do this, Jessica. Remember that fire that sparked the story in the first place. Remember what it felt like to have it done and polished. Remember why you want to share this with the world. :D
If someone else mentioned it, I missed it.
By the time she had to present it, she was a pro. :)
I've pitched - and fallen flat on my face. The art form of pitching still eludes me.
I've tried to get away with shoving a dynamite one-sheet under an editor or agent's nose, but they insist you talk while they're reading it. Sigh.
Blessings,
Susan
I made that mistake at the conference I went to and how embarrassing that was!
smooches,
Larie
I'm not huge into leaving links to my own blog on other's blog... (I feel way too stuck on myself if I do)but I posted a few weeks ago an excerpt out of my first and hopefully worst worst pitch ever.
So anyway, hopefully my flop might make you realize that ANYTHING is better than that! *grin*
-And I say practice! Even if you get stuck, you can fall back onto auto pilot for the pitch!!!
Stephanie, you totally brought back a memory! I used to picture people naked when I did my first play. LOL I'd forgotten about that.
Thanks Danyelle, I remember the fire but I can't quite remember why I want to share this with the world. Oh, wait *grin* something about a paycheck and my name on the shelf. Heehee!
LOL Debra! No, no one else mentioned it but I guess you're right! Wahhhhh. Just kidding. :-) Sheesh. I'm SO excited!!!!
Thanks Elana! Talking about my book...well, it's made me miss a turn, which made my dad miss his flight. LOL I might need to work on the whole talking thing. :-)
Jennifer, What an awesome idea! That would def. make someone need to think on their feet. :)
Did you really fall on your face? You poor thing! Even though it seemed bad to you, I'll bet the person you were pitching didn't think worse of you. Like everyone else said, they know we're a mass of nerves. :-)
Oh Larie, that would be horrible!! Well, at least you go to practice on someone who won't care if you mess up. :-)
Hey Penny, Yeah, I'm going to practice. Maybe even on my toddlers. *grin*
And I think people fret too much about sounding nervous. Even if you are nervous (and I would be), what is wrong with that? Nothing. So, use it for your advantage.
1) Talk a little louder - that helps burn up some energy
2) Use hand gestures and body movement. Thank conveys energy and conviction rather than nervousness.
3) Laugh. If you get tongue-tied, use the wrong syllables, stutter, etc., laugh. That uses energy and calms everybody down.
4) Tell them your nervous. I worked in sales in college and serveral times I was very nervous. I'd tell the person, "Man, I'm nervous. How am I doing." They'd usually smile and tell me I was doing fine. That usually helped me calm down.
5) Have fun. This is a big, exciting moment, kind of like going to Disneyland or a Colorado Rockies Game. Who wouldn't enjoy that?
wb
:-) This will be fun!!!
I need to practice. Just gotta work up the nerve. LOL
You have a one-sheet? Are you going? Did I forget? Eek! LOL
Go for it, girl!
BTW, it was the post about the MC weaknesses that inspired my post today. When I commented about the wonder of a perfect, holy God loving me - well, that thought stuck with me through the day.
Personally, I have found at conferences that agents and editors are very kind people. They understand that you love your baby, and most of them are very encouraging and caring.
You are going to do just fine. Just be yourself, and don't forget to pray before you head to your meeting.
I just said a prayer that the Lord will help you have just the right words to say as you speak to editors and agents. :)
It is pretty amazing, but then he made us, right? LOL I love my kiddos, even when they're screaming and making me want to scream!!! :-)
Thank you for the reminder. :-) I appreciate it.
Also, the interview thing... LOL I've only had one, for my very first job at a bank. It was nerve-wracking, but I got the job. LOL