There is so much in life that can be broken down into the simple understanding that everything is a form of storytelling - and that communication rests on the ears of the receiver.
It was a lesson I first learned while I was reading Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior by Thomas Erikson. And it was reinforced this week when I spoke with Ben Wiener, Managing Partner at Jumpspeed Ventures.
What is something we have in common? We both get pitched by tech founders!
But one of us is an investor and the other is a journalist - so it’s only normal that we look for different things and expect different messaging. We are the same coin, but on opposite sides.
We both know from experience how wrong a pitch can go if it’s not tailored for the right ears.
So Ben has developed the H.E.A.R.T framework to help founders perfect their pitches. He is also the author of Fever Pitch: A Novel About Selling Your Vision, Raising Venture Capital, and Launching Your Startup. It’s a business-fiction novel that follows founder Mark Edmond and his journey to launch his startup while avoiding the mafia - two high-stress environments!
I read the book over the recent holiday period, and we discussed why he felt he could best teach these insights in the form of a novel. We also discuss storytelling, communication, and the importance of understanding the ‘why’ behind a founder’s story.
Takeaways:
The H.E.A.R.T framework is a five-part structure for pitching startups.
Journalists and Investors both get pitched; the trick is tailoring your message to the right ears.
Storytelling is crucial in both business and personal contexts.
The protagonist’s struggles in ‘Fever Pitch’ reflect real entrepreneurial challenges.
Founders often struggle to communicate their ‘why’ effectively.
Investors are looking for specific elements in pitches that resonate with them.
Effective pitches can be condensed into a one-minute format.
Those interested in learning more about the H.E.A.R.T method can access the playbook here: https://feverpitchbook.com/
You can also buy Fever Pitch on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Fever-Pitch-Selling-Raising-Launching/dp/B0F72ZR4RS
