Tips for Self-Recording a Startup Video Pitch
This blog post is one of a three-part series. Be sure to read the other posts in this series:
Why Startups Should Create a Video Pitch and Topics to Cover in a Startup Video Pitch.
Our mission at Pitchtape is to help startups elevate their pitch with video. We do this by making it easy for startups to self-record a video pitch from start to finish with our user-friendly video templates and recording tools. Our recording platform guides you through the important topics to cover in a video pitch. Other than covering the right topics, however, you need to convey presence and passion in your video. Here, we give you some pro tips for creating the best impression in your video pitch.
Be yourself
This means being relaxed enough to let your personality shine through. When that happens, you’re best able to convey the passion you’ve put into your startup. Take several deep breaths to calm your nerves. Practice saying your answers outloud, remember to smile, and have fun with it. When you’re ready, hit record, look at the camera to make eye contact, and begin.
It’s about you
Your video pitch should only contain the founders/team talking (e.g., no product demos, marketing videos, screenshots, animations, or video-editing). It's about you, not your video-production skills.
Set the stage
Pick a clean background and quiet setting. Good lighting is key. Choose either natural light shining from behind the camera, or lamps shining on you from both sides of the camera. Set up the camera at your eye level or higher, and far enough away to capture at least your head and shoulders.
Replicate a live pitch
Make your video more authentic by imagining you’re doing a live pitch. With Pitchtape, you can self-record your video pitch through our platform on your laptop or desktop computer. Imagine that your ideal investor is sitting just behind your computer, listening to your pitch.
Prepare a script
Put your best foot forward by preparing a script ahead of time. With Pitchtape, you can prepare a script in your dashboard, and we'll turn it into an on-screen teleprompter as you record your video pitch, so you can record less takes and look natural on camera.
Take it one topic at a time
Recording a video pitch doesn’t have to be daunting. Just take it one topic at a time. With Pitchtape, you can break down the information you want to share into small segments. At the end, our video-editing technology automatically stitches together all of your segments into one seamless pitch.
Keep it short
On Pitchtape, we suggest answering nine questions covering standard topics relating to the startup pitch. Target around 10-20 seconds for each question, which equates to around 30-60 written words (or 1-3 sentences). Keep in mind that this is meant to be your elevator pitch, so aim for 2-3 minutes total for your entire video pitch.
Replay your video
Replay your video to make sure the recording worked properly. If you can't see or hear yourself clearly, or if you want to make any adjustments, retake your video until you're satisfied.
Ready to give it a try? Click below to get started on your video pitch for free with Pitchtape.