This document provides advice on how to pitch a startup idea without scaring away potential investors or users. It outlines several rules for an effective pitch, including explaining what the startup does in the first sentence, telling a story to illustrate how the product works, acknowledging alternative options, and stating where the startup is currently at in its development. The overall message is to concisely describe the problem, solution, and value proposition in an engaging narrative format.

1. Terrible Pitching
How to scare away friends, family
and strangers
(or not)
@imranghory

2. The Bad Pitch
It’s a great product, everyone will want it. You know
people love pets and animals, it’s a huge market and
incredibly social. People spend crazy amounts of
money on their animals, so we’re making a game
changing site that will let people who loves pets but
don’t have them to get access to animal for short
periods of time by matching...
@imranghory

3. Rule #1
The first sentence should explain what
the startup does
TEST IT!
@imranghory

4. AirBnb for Cat Rentals
@imranghory

5. Corollary #1
Don’t worry about comparing your
startup to other companies
@imranghory

6. Don’t (just) describe
your users
There are lots of people who
want to rent their cats out
and lots of people who want
to rent them.
@imranghory

7. Rule #2: Tell a Story
So John’s going on holiday for t wo
weeks but doesn’t like the idea of
putting his cat Garfield in a cattery.
Liz loves cats but can’t make the
long-term commitment to ownership.
We pair them up so Liz can rent
John’s cat while he’s on holiday and
everyone’s happy!
@imranghory

8. Rule #3
Talk about the alternatives
Don’t pretend competitors don’t exist
@imranghory

9. Rule #4
Where are you at ?
Idea? Launched? Raising funding ?
@imranghory

10. The Rules
Rule 1: Your first sentence should
describe what your startup does
Rule 2: Tell a story
Rule 3: Talk about the alternatives
Rule 4: Talk about where you are
Rule 5: Keep it short (<2 min)
@imranghory