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IdeaSelling: Successfully Pitch Your Creative Ideas to Bosses, Clients & other Decision Makers
Don't let your creative ideas get picked apart and put down!
If you're like most creative people, chances are high that you've had your share of ideas rejected by clients or decision makers. While we sometimes make the mistake of believing ideas should sell themselves, the fact is that the better and bolder the idea, the more it needs selling. This book contains powerful techniques to help you sell your ideas to those with approval power. You'll find tips from designers, writers, marketers and other creative professionals, along with meaty advice from selling and branding gurus. In no time, you'll be able to convince those who hold the purse strings that your ideas are worth pursuing and investing in.
"Designers have a little known Designing something is the easy part, getting others, specifically clients, to embrace that design is the real hard part. Harrison has put together dozens of tips that, if applied correctly, independently or in unison, will help you get those great design ideas approved."
— Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio , authors of Graphic Design, Referenced
If you're like most creative people, chances are high that you've had your share of ideas rejected by clients or decision makers. While we sometimes make the mistake of believing ideas should sell themselves, the fact is that the better and bolder the idea, the more it needs selling. This book contains powerful techniques to help you sell your ideas to those with approval power. You'll find tips from designers, writers, marketers and other creative professionals, along with meaty advice from selling and branding gurus. In no time, you'll be able to convince those who hold the purse strings that your ideas are worth pursuing and investing in.
"Designers have a little known Designing something is the easy part, getting others, specifically clients, to embrace that design is the real hard part. Harrison has put together dozens of tips that, if applied correctly, independently or in unison, will help you get those great design ideas approved."
— Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio , authors of Graphic Design, Referenced
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2010
8 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Sam Harrison
5 books12 followersSam Harrison is an in-demand speaker and popular author whose mission is to help people expand and express their creativity. He writes and speaks on creativity-related topics and on presentation skills.
Sam draws from experience, having been on all sides of creative communications—agency and freelance, client and corporate, and, most recently, academic, speaking and coaching.
During his years in product development, brand communications and creative services, Sam worked with such clients and associates as the NFL, Major League Baseball, Hallmark, American Express, Merrill Lynch and Hasbro.
The author of three previous books, Sam presents to conferences and companies throughout North America and beyond. He has also taught a variety of classes at Portfolio Center’s graduate studies program.
He has been a regular contributor to Fast Company, HOW Design Magazine, IdeaConnections and many other blogs and publications.
Sam can be found at www.zingzone.com
Sam draws from experience, having been on all sides of creative communications—agency and freelance, client and corporate, and, most recently, academic, speaking and coaching.
During his years in product development, brand communications and creative services, Sam worked with such clients and associates as the NFL, Major League Baseball, Hallmark, American Express, Merrill Lynch and Hasbro.
The author of three previous books, Sam presents to conferences and companies throughout North America and beyond. He has also taught a variety of classes at Portfolio Center’s graduate studies program.
He has been a regular contributor to Fast Company, HOW Design Magazine, IdeaConnections and many other blogs and publications.
Sam can be found at www.zingzone.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 22, 2011
FANTASTIC tips for presentation. If you're in an industry where you must sell creative work, or sell anything really, this is a great book to have. Each page is a different tip and so it's bite-sized for a relatively quick read. You'll get a lot from even just five minutes of reading time.
June 7, 2011
Good info. A fast read, and visually set up for the visual person!
August 29, 2017
Very easy read with lots of good tips on selling your ideas to decision makers. Harrison reminds the reader that ideas are not necessarily picked on merit, but more likely on whethere they are 'sold' well. So don't despair if your great ideas aren't being taken up. Read this book.
Tips that I felt were important for me:
- When creating a pitch, focus on the 4 c's: clarity, content, creativity and craft. You need to make sure your idea clearly meets a need or solves a problem, has substance, is original and valuable for your audience, and is crafted in a professional way. Ask yourself: does my pitch clearly explain my idea. Is it well researched and meet needs and objectives? Is it creative and demonstrate my idea's originality and value? Is it well organised and have a beginning, middle and end?
- When presenting, try to consider the risks that might be on the mind of your audience. Then use 'risk-reducing statements' to show how that risk might be mitigated.
- When presenting, consider the personality of those you are presenting to.
- Consider Aristotle's ethos, pathos and logos. Make sure all three elements are present in your pitch
- Use 'as you probably know' or similar phrases to convey truth in a convincing diplomatic manner
- Convey confidence by believing in your ideas, exhibiting energy in your pitch, standing straight, gesturing naturally and using facial expression to show your interest and enthusiasm in your idea.
- Remember that eye contact when making important points is essential. Don't be note bound or blink excessively. Don't stare, but break contact for a few seconds by looking up or to the side. In groups, rotate eye contact among the group. Stay with one person for a few sentences before moving to the next.
- Ensure your pitch has ONE theme or central message
- When choosing between longer or shorter, choose shorter
- Realise that objections are good things as it means your decision makers are paying attention. Therefore when objections come, relax, listen, PAUSE before answering, agree and then clarify the decision maker's objection. Head objections as questions which helps you place yourself in the position of an adviser. Finally prepare yourself for likely objections and defenses for these before you go ahead with your pitch.
Tips that I felt were important for me:
- When creating a pitch, focus on the 4 c's: clarity, content, creativity and craft. You need to make sure your idea clearly meets a need or solves a problem, has substance, is original and valuable for your audience, and is crafted in a professional way. Ask yourself: does my pitch clearly explain my idea. Is it well researched and meet needs and objectives? Is it creative and demonstrate my idea's originality and value? Is it well organised and have a beginning, middle and end?
- When presenting, try to consider the risks that might be on the mind of your audience. Then use 'risk-reducing statements' to show how that risk might be mitigated.
- When presenting, consider the personality of those you are presenting to.
- Consider Aristotle's ethos, pathos and logos. Make sure all three elements are present in your pitch
- Use 'as you probably know' or similar phrases to convey truth in a convincing diplomatic manner
- Convey confidence by believing in your ideas, exhibiting energy in your pitch, standing straight, gesturing naturally and using facial expression to show your interest and enthusiasm in your idea.
- Remember that eye contact when making important points is essential. Don't be note bound or blink excessively. Don't stare, but break contact for a few seconds by looking up or to the side. In groups, rotate eye contact among the group. Stay with one person for a few sentences before moving to the next.
- Ensure your pitch has ONE theme or central message
- When choosing between longer or shorter, choose shorter
- Realise that objections are good things as it means your decision makers are paying attention. Therefore when objections come, relax, listen, PAUSE before answering, agree and then clarify the decision maker's objection. Head objections as questions which helps you place yourself in the position of an adviser. Finally prepare yourself for likely objections and defenses for these before you go ahead with your pitch.
Want to read
July 5, 2020Don't let your creative ideas get picked apart and put down!If you're like most creative people, chances are high that you've had your share of ideas rejected by clients or decision makers. While we sometimes make the mistake of believing ideas should sell themselves, the fact is that the better and bolder the idea, the more it needs selling. This book contains powerful techniques to help you sell your ideas to those with approval power. You'll find tips from designers, writers, marketers and other creative professionals, along with meaty advice from selling and branding gurus. In no time, you'll be able to convince those who hold the purse strings that your ideas are worth pursuing and investing in."Designers have a little known secret: Designing something is the easy part, getting others, specifically clients, to embrace that design is the real hard part. Harrison has put together dozens of tips that, if applied correctly, independently or in unison, will help you get those great design ideas approved."—Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio, authors of Graphic Design, Referenced
Read
September 15, 2014This is a great book to keep handy. If you regularly pitch ideas and creative services, this book will certainly trigger creative thinking and help you engage your audience and sell. It's nicely done!
December 24, 2016
A quick, simple read. Short suggestions on knowing yourself and your subject, crafting your pitch, and anticipating your audience.
January 27, 2012
Very good, easy to read, straight to the point.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews