There are times when you won’t have time to ask questions first, and you need to pitch your idea in 90 seconds or less. Here’s a snappy simple 4-step process to help you.

Instead of beginning with yourself or your company, a sure way to get people reaching for their phones, try this.

4H: a 4 step process to pitch your idea

1. Headline
2. Headache
3. Hangover
4. Here’s the solution

Headline

Begin with an attention grabbing headline that states the benefit of your product or service. That is, what positive outcome your customers experience after buying  your widget.

Headache

Next, explain the problem you’re trying to solve or the pain-point of your target market feels. Use the language they would use to define the problem.

Hangover

This is where you explain what could happen in the future if your target audience fail to take action. So in a year’s time, what might happen if they continue with the status quo? For example, if you’re a plumber, and your prospective client won’t fix their leaking pipe, in a year’s time they might need to change their floor boards.

Here’s the solution

Finally, this is where you talk about how you solve the problem with your product or service, followed by a call to action.