The Engaging Pitch

On my morning walk, I had a ChatGPT convo about public speaking, sales psychology, cognitive load theory, and interview strategery. We came up with a structured methodology for pitching that’s compelling, persuasive, and memorable. This approach later evolved when I looked at Johnny Harris’s YouTube storytelling style, but this initial framework is focused purely on structuring a great personal pitch.

Check it out:

The Hook (First 30 Seconds)

The brain decides whether to engage or tune out almost instantly.

Start with a story, question, or surprising fact

– A personal anecdote (TED Talk style)

– A provocative question (e.g., “What if I told you the most powerful force in the universe is…?”)

– A counterintuitive statement (“Most people think X, but the truth is…”)

Establish credibility quickly

– In job interviews: “With [X] years in the industry, I’ve helped [company/project] achieve [result].”

– In sales: “I’ve worked with [X] companies, and what I’ve found is that the biggest challenge is…”

Make it personal and engaging

Use you and we to make it about the listener, not just yourself.

Invite Into The Why

You want the hook to feel personal and curiosity-driven, inviting the listener into the why behind the story. Here are a few possible angles based on that approach:

The Personal Curiosity Hook

“I’ve always been fascinated by [mystery/concept], but I never understood why [key question]—until I discovered [insight]. And that’s where this story began…”

Example: “I’ve always been fascinated by UFOs, but I never understood why so many credible people report abduction experiences until I started digging into the hidden patterns behind them. And that’s what led me to this story…”

The Surprising Fact Hook

“Did you know that [shocking statistic or fact]? Most people don’t. But once you do, you start seeing the world differently—and that’s exactly what this show is about.”

Example: “Did you know that 70% of reported alien encounters follow the same bizarre set of details right down to the way people describe the beings? Most people have no idea, but once I learned that, I couldn’t stop asking why. And that’s what this show explores…”

The ‘What If’ Hook

“What if [unexpected scenario]? It sounds unbelievable, but the more I researched, the more I realized…it might not be.”

Example: “What if everything we think we know about alien contact is wrong? What if they’re not just visiting but have always been here, and we’ve just been seeing them through the wrong lens?”

Each of these invites the listener into your personal journey while keeping the focus on audience engagement. 

The Big Idea (Minutes 1-3)

Cognitive load theory: People process 3-4 ideas max. Lead with clarity.

Distill everything into one core idea.

– In TV pitches: “This show is X meets Y, but with Z.”

– In job interviews: “My strength is [X], and here’s how I’ve used it to create impact.”

– In sales: “The problem we solve is [X], and our solution is [Y].”

Use the Rule of Three to introduce key points.

– (“There are three reasons this works…”)

– (“Let me break it down into three parts…”)

Create a mental image.

– Analogies work: “This is like the Uber of…”

– Metaphors help retention: “Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for…”

Maintain Attention (Minutes 3-10)

Attention dips at 10 minutes, reset engagement with contrast.

Shift gears at the 7-10 minute mark

– Add a story, a surprising twist, or audience interaction

– For TV pitches: Introduce a compelling character moment

– In sales: Introduce a pain point that needs solving

– In job interviews: Showcase a challenge overcome

Show, don’t just tell

– Use visual language (“Picture this: You’re in a room full of executives…”)

– For a sales pitch, use a demo or testimonial

– For a job interview, paint the picture of how you worked through a challenge

Reinforce (Minutes 10-15)

People remember peaks and endings (Peak-End Rule).

Circle back to the Big Idea

– Restate the main message in a new way

– Tie the pitch back to the audience’s needs

Frame success with results

– In sales: “Our clients have seen [result] after using this.”

– In job interviews: “This approach helped my team increase [metric] by X%.”

Give a clear Call to Action (CTA)

– In TV pitches: “I’d love to hear your thoughts. What excites you about this?”

– In sales: “Let’s talk about next steps. Would a demo make sense?”

– In job interviews: “I’d love to bring this approach to your team—what are the next steps?”

End with Power (Final 30 Secs)

The last thing you say is what people remember most.

Deliver a final punch

– A bold statement (“This isn’t just a show—it’s a movement.”)

– A compelling takeaway (“The best ideas don’t just entertain; they change how we see the world.”)

– A strong close (“I’d love to work with you to bring this to life.”)

Leave space for conversation

– A great pitch isn’t a monologue. It’s an invitation to engage.

Bonus: The Golden Rules of an Unforgettable Pitch

– Be clear, not clever – Simplicity wins.

– Be conversational, not robotic – People buy from people.

– Be dynamic, not monotone – Vary tone, pace, and emphasis.

– Be memorable, not forgettable – A unique hook makes all the difference.

A great pitch isn’t just about selling an idea. It’s about creating a moment of connection where the listeners feel the same spark of excitement that inspired you.