A sales pitch is a planned presentation of a product or service designed to initiate and close a sale of the same product or service. It is essentially designed to be either an introduction of a product or service to an audience who knows nothing about it, or a descriptive expansion of a product or service that an audience has already expressed interest in. Sales professionals prepare and give a sales pitch, which can be either formal or informal, and might be delivered in any number of ways.
Many sales professionals follow a specific format or guideline when developing a sales pitch. The pitch must accomplish several things in a short amount of time. It must present the product or service’s features, accessibility, and benefits. There are often several different people involved in its preparation and presentation.
![](http://images.smartcapitalmind.com/slideshow-mobile-small/woman-handing-keys-to-man-in-car-in-showroom.jpg)
For a sales pitch to be effective, the presenter must know their product well. Though a good one will leave few questions unanswered, the presenter must be able to answer any questions that arise as a result of piqued interest. Even if the pitch is delivered effectively, the presenter must be prepared to overcome any obstacles that might prevent the close of the sale.
![](http://images.smartcapitalmind.com/slideshow-mobile-small/woman-showing-pie-chart-in-office.jpg)
Though the typical sales pitch is most closely associated with consumer sales, there are many corporate examples as well. Advertising firms, movie-makers, architecture firms, and many other corporate businesses make pitches in the corporate world every day. These are generally the best examples of pitching a service rather than a product, even though the end result yields a tangible product.
![](http://images.smartcapitalmind.com/slideshow-mobile-small/man-working-with-asian-colleagues.jpg)
Sales is an extremely cutthroat business but has high earnings potential. A good sales person can not only present a quality sales pitch, but they can overcome all resistance to a poorly prepared pitch as well. It is usually a combined effort of both sales and marketing departments within larger companies, but any successful sales person must have an effective sales pitch to grow their business.
Preparing a sales pitch requires both eloquence and confidence. A entrepreneur developing his or her first pitch should study the audience and put forth the time and effort that the product or service deserves. An effective and well-prepared presentation will help the salesperson deliver it successfully whether by phone or in person, and will help grow the business.