Pitching an idea, creation or innovation can be exciting and fun but how do you ensure you secure the “Buy-in” you are looking for?  Let’s face it, you are often your only champion so before you go and tell someone you need to partner with you about your great idea, remember they are unlikely to view it the same way.  So how do you approach a potential partner, investor or customer?

Provide them data.  I have discussed “pain” before and this is an extension of that same point.  You have to paint a picture of your innovation in the context of facts that apply to your audience.  That could be return on investment, it could be competitive technical data on performance.  Regardless of what it might be, do your homework and arm yourself with data to answer any question that can come your way.  If you can’t quantify why your idea is better, faster, cheaper, more profitable, few people will listen and fewer will join your cause.