Who Should You Ask For Feedback?

Who Should You Ask For Feedback?

Whether you’re working on a pitch, a new product, a new brand, or pretty much anything,  some feedback can be critical to sharpen the material.

Here’s a shortlist of the types of people to ask for insight.

PROXY: Someone Close to Your Audience 

If you have anyone in your network who’s similar to whom you’ll be presenting, ask them first. If it’s a VC, an investor, dealmaker, accelerator head, even a C-suite who does major deals. If it’s a pitch competition, someone who’s mentored or judged. If it’s a retailer, someone in that role or related to the company. You get the idea.

This is obvious but I find often people are afraid to ask these folks. Just request a 15-minute zoom call and send questions ahead of time. Most people will do it. 

MENTOR: Someone Who’s Done Something Similar 

If you’re trying to get into Target, find someone who’s done it, or makes their living helping others to do it. This is worth paying for if there’s a lot on the line. 

CHEERLEADER: Someone Who’s Worked Closely With You 

Someone who knows your work self well can help you dial into your unique strengths and weaknesses. It’s ok if they are on your current team, but you should be doing run-throughs with them regardless.

It’s better if it’s someone you worked well in the past who may have a little more distance from you and the project. 

These conversations are usually big confidence boosters, too. They’ll build you up and you’ll feel good with them. 

OUTSIDER: Smart Person Who Knows NOTHING about your category

Often these folks ask the obvious questions that people too close to the work or the category miss. This beginner’s mind helps find themes, cut weeds, and see holes without realizing it. 

Look for:  what’s too long, what didn’t make sense, what they heard, and what they wish they knew more about. Ask them what stood out and when things “clicked” for them. 

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE: The most critical thinker you know

You want someone tough to help find the rough spots before it really matters. If you know a business lawyer or lawyers in general, start with them.

Be prepared for tough feedback. It’s not easy to hear and you don’t have to do everything they say. However, try to ask a followup question to everything vs. simply trying to “answer” it - you’ll get more from it! 

Pitchwell!

You can book a single session to run your pitch and get notes on content, style,  presentation, design, and the rest. It’s amazing what an hour can do! 

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Go forth & Pitchwell! 

Julie K