How to make an effective pitch video

The following points have been taken from here.

1. Make it short

Pitch videos are not quite an advertisement, not quite a viral video, but they do demand brevity. The optimal length is less than 3 minutes. This should allow you enough time make your case, and build an argument, but not enough to bore the viewer.

2. Make it clear

Most elevator pitch videos lack clarity. After the first 60 seconds, if the viewer still doesn’t know what your project is about, or what you’re asking for, go back to the editing room. Sometimes with complex ideas, we feel a tendency of over-explain, but it’s more effective to focus on the most compelling aspect.

3. Make it authentic

Be passionate about what the problem your business is trying to solve. Be creative. The viewer should be able to relate and understand your passion and devotion towards the business. My recommendation: appear in your pitch video. Contributors don’t like funding a faceless organization. They fund people. People they can relate to and find commonality in their stories. Still don’t feel up to the task? Then find someone in your project that can speak with passion about the mission of your campaign.

4. Make it about them

In the story of your fundraising campaign, it’s not about you. It’s about them. They are the hero in your story. You are the one allowing them to participate in a project with an impact in the world.

5. Make it professional

There are a myriad resources online to teach you basic shooting skills. Vimeo Video School is a great place to start. There are also numerous places to find high-quality music at very low cost (and often no cost, or Creative Commons). Again, Vimeo Music Store is an excellent destination. The video need not be pure HD but should have sufficiently good enough quality. Many low-cost editing programs like iMovie are entirely adequate to craft your pitch video. In short, there is absolutely no reason to skimp on the quality of your video, especially if you’re campaigning for significant chunk of cash. FundMyVenture team is working hard to partner with a professional video making firm to save your time and effort in making an effective business pitch video.

6. Make it transparent

Nobody throws their money down a black hole. But that’s potentially what you’re asking of your contributors if you fail to share how the money will be spent. This doesn’t mean sharing your lunch budget, but it should include a general breakdown of the biggest costs: salaries, licensing costs (if any), and more.

7. Make it a call to action

You must be passionate in your crowdfunding video. After all, if you’re not, how can you expect a potential contributor to be? And you must outline a clear result you’d like them to take (also known as a ‘call to action’). Use phrases like “contribute now”, “share on your Facebook wall”, “tweet it to your followers”, “email friends and family who may be interested.” You get the idea. After all, you’ve come this far, you might as well just go for it. Ask for the money. And finance your dream.