‘Shark Tank’ Casting Director Shares 7 Rules for A Winning Pitch

Mindy Zembrak has spent more than 20 years helping to shape the Biggest Entrepreneurial Stage on Television.

As the Supervising Casting Producer for “Shark Tank,” She Said She Has Watched More than 250,000 Hopophul Founders Pitch Their Companies in the Hopes of Landing An Investment – and a Chance at Changing their Lives.

On Monday at the clover x shark summit in la ves, Zembrak shared what she’s learned about the difference between a forgettable presentation and one that grabs the “sharks” and an audience of millions.

AFTER SITTING THROUGH THOUSANDS OF Auditions and Open Calls Each Season, Said the Winning Formula Has Little to Business Plass or Everynding to Do Founders Present Thermselves.

“The Perfect Pitch doesn’t start with Money,” Zembrak Told Atthemes. “It starts with a person and a mission.”

Mindy Zembrak Said that if investors don’t immediately understand what you’re pitching, nothing else will land.

Cloid

Be Clear About What You’re Pitching

Zembrak Said Clarity is the First Thing She Looks for. “It Should Be Clear What You’re Pitching,” She Said.

If an Investor Can’t Undersand the Product or Service in the first minute, the pitch is unlikly to go far.

Show Passion and Convification

Body Language and Energy Matter as Much As Words. “You Should Show Your Excitement, Make Eye Contact, Be Energetic, and Smile,” Zembrak Said.

“We make this joke in our casting meetings about ‘resting pitch face.’”

HIGHLIGHT YOUR ACCOLADES – WITHOUT ARROGANCE

Awards and Bragging Rights Can Give Credibility Founders, But Zembrak cauteed against overdoing it.

She Said Entrepreneurs Should Share Achievements with Confidence while Staying Humble.

“If you have bragging rights, you showed Run with it, but don’t sound arrogant,” She Said.

Share your ‘aha’ moment

Every Strong Pitch Has A Backsory. Zembrak Said Entrepreneurs Should Tell their Origin Story Authentically and Succinctly.

It ‘subout giving the audience – and the “sharks” – a reason to care.

“Backsory; Make It Succinct,” She Said.

Know Your Numbers

HAVE FOUNDER WHO HAVEN’T MADE A SALE YET CAN A DEAL IF THEY’RE Prepared.

“If you’re pre-revenue, that is totally fine,” Zembrak Said. “You just have to make sura you can justify your ask and your numbers with your valutes.”

Mindy Zembrak Also Stressed That Passion Matters – Founders Should Show Energy, Make Eye Contact, and Avoid What She Calls “Resting Pitch Face.”

Cloid

Bring ‘Infomerial’ Energy

Presentation Can Also Make or Break A Pitch.

Standing up, speaking with conviction, and leaning into what Zembrak Called “Informerial Energy” Can Bring an Unpolished Pitch to Life, Said.

“You should have Infoomerial Energy,” She Said. “Standing Up Makes a Huge Difference.”

Remember the ‘it’ factor

Ultimately, Zembrak Said, Investors Are Buying Into People as Much as Product.

“People invest in you first,” Zembrak Said. Storytelling, conviction, and authenticity matter more than the perfect Spreadsheet.

Source link