Bad days…we all have them. So what happens when one coincides with a huge pitch? The lingering devastation of all the wrong words literally spilling out of your mouth during a presentation can have lasting effects on your work and your mood. Take a breath, walk calmly to your car or office. Then take some time to yourself. Maybe a long walk or drive
Assemble a Plan.
Based on your unique circumstances, you will have decide. Do you know these people well enough to broach the subject? I’m not suggesting calling and saying “Hey could I have blown that pitch any worse?” But perhaps an email that says, “I feel like I was a little off in the presentation so if you have time to do a follow up call or perhaps a second meeting to go through the content a little more?” If there is even a remote chance it will make you sound crazy, don’t do it.
Make it Great
Whether you were pitching an ad campaign, a budget, or a new program one thing is now abundantly clear, you must now be vindicated. This is the equivalent of kill ’em with kindness, but you are basically killing them with goodness instead. Which really just boils down to you giving them your very very very best work the next time (if there is one).
Ways to Ensure You Stop that Cycle
Get to the bottom of it. Was their something that happened that threw you off? Unless you were woefully unprepared then chances are the answer is yes. Here are a few things I think about prior to a pitch (besides how nervous I am):
Am I happy with my outfit?
Oh, c’mon…don’t laugh. This is very important. If you are wearing something that has even a remote possibility of a wardrobe malfunction then it is off the list. I once had a contact dry up and literally fall out of my eye during a presentation. I kept talking and put it in my pocket. Luckily, it was disposable. Wardrobe issues can be a huge distraction and cause of self-consciousness. And actually, just go ahead and wear black, because if you spill coffee on the way, you’ll be pissed.
Did I think through the worst-case scenario?
Do I know what they might object to and/ or worse something completely left field. Just basically consider every scenario regarding the work and even odd personal stuff too like for example if they say, wait a second now I remember where I know you. You were in back of me at the Starbucks drive thru this morning beeping your horn and waving your fist in the air while I was trying to buckle my child back in.
Did I eat enough?
Not too much, just enough so I am not an idiot or worse, turn into a mean girl.
Do I have my presentation with me?
This is a big one. I now usually carry a jump drive and also make sure I can access DropBox as well.
Did I remember my adaptors for my computer? Did I remember the computer
Stuff like that.
Did I rehearse?
Even if you think you got this, you need to do it a few more times and perhaps a few different ways based on the idea that you may roll in and they say. Listen, we want to hear this through, but we just got word from HQ that the budget is cut 50% and so just know that if we like what you present we can probably only do half.
What Happens, if it was Really, Really Bad?
Draw a hot bath, pour a glass of wine and go to bed early. Tomorrow probably won’t be so bad. And if it is, these things usually come in threes, so an upswing is around the corner.
Update: I have been vindicated since writing this!
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