Even though entrepreneurs have thicker skin than most, we know the pitch moment can still be a bit scary – the pressure is on, and even with intense prep, sometimes that one important data slips their minds. Or maybe there’s some difficulty getting the most important points across. Luckily, there are a few tricks to keep in mind that we’d like to share.

1. Go back to basics

Think about the beginning of your journey: why did you choose to do what you do? What were your motivations? If you have your company’s mission and values written, it’s time to revisit them and make sure you have them in the back of your mind. Launching a business is a hard thing to do, and you might sometimes get caught up in the day-to-day stuff and lose your vision along the way. Get inspired again.

2. Have a clear value proposition

You need to be able to describe exactly how your product or service stands out from the rest. Use the research you’ve conducted thus far to show you know your customer. Here, you want to be clear, concise and genuine. Adding a bit of a personal touch also goes a long way, either by sharing a quick story or experience you have that helped you build your perspective on your business. You don’t want to be too stiff and talk only about numbers.

3. Practice, practice and then practice some more

You probably heard about that “practice on the mirror” strategy, right? That’s the oldest trick in the book, but it’s certainly helpful. Another great way of doing so is inviting your friends/family over and pitch your project to them. Challenge them to ask you questions, that way you can further improve your answers.