The Power of a Well-Pitched Pitch
Recently, during a pitching workshop I hosted, one of the attendees wanted to practice their pitch for an upcoming publisher meeting. Their slides were solid: the structure was compelling, visuals were well-chosen, and the core elements of their pitch were effectively highlighted. But as they began to present, an issue quickly became apparent: their vocal pitch was off. They started with a high, almost strained level of enthusiasm, and within a minute, it became unsustainable. This vocal choice not only exhausted the speaker but made it hard for the audience to follow along.
Why Vocal Pitch Matters
Vocal pitch, tone, and variation can be transformative in any presentation, and they are especially critical in game pitching. As I’ve seen in both my own pitches and those of the indie developers I mentor, vocal delivery can mean the difference between an engaging pitch and one that falls flat. This concept is detailed in a book I came across recently that discusses vocal delivery techniques for those with Asperger’s Syndrome. Although targeted at a specific audience, its insights are universally valuable, especially for those seeking to improve their public speaking.
The book introduces four common ineffective speech types:
The Robot – Monotone and devoid of variation, this delivery is often perceived as disinterest or lack of passion. This is mostly due to reading from your notes, since we tend to read (internally) in a monotone voice. When that tone comes out, it sounds flat.
The Moored Boat in Stormy Waters – Erratic and constantly going up and down, this speech type is exhausting to follow, with highs and lows that feel uncontrolled. Imagine feeling sea-sick, except it’s like speech-sick when you can’t listen to it anymore and want to leave the presentation.
The Nursery Teacher – Too soft or overly warm, like speaking to toddlers or pets, this tone can make serious points seem trivial and detract from professional credibility. It also has another major effect besides not imparting the crucial points of your presentation. You may look condescending.
The Shock Therapist – Intended ups and downs in your speech are expected, in fact, desired. However, if you are startling your audience with the sudden boom of your voice, similar to how horror movies use sound as a triggering effect, your loud and forceful style will overwhelm listeners, often creating resistance rather than engagement.
The Art of Storytelling in Pitching
A great pitch emulates the flow of a good story, with varying tones and pacing that mirror the emotions and themes being conveyed. Think of a captivating storyteller: they don’t speak in a constant high pitch; instead, they modulate their voice, using pitch and volume to emphasize important points and build anticipation.
For example, if the pivotal moment in a pitch is the game’s unique gameplay mechanic, this should be highlighted with both verbal and vocal emphasis. Begin with a lower, conversational tone, then add volume and intensity as you build toward the reveal. This makes the audience sit up and listen.
Avoiding Pitfalls and Embracing Flexibility
Our attendee’s initial pitch started at a high intensity, which left no room for further emphasis when they reached key points. Here are some strategies I shared with them to improve vocal delivery in their pitch:
- Start with a Conversational Tone – Start your pitch as if you’re having a direct, one-on-one conversation with the publisher even if you are meeting a committee. This approach helps establish rapport, making it easier to modulate your tone to emphasize key points naturally and keep their attention throughout.
- Emphasize Key Points Strategically – Instead of maintaining a high pitch throughout, emphasize critical parts of the pitch by varying your tone, using pauses, or adding slight volume increases.
- Practice Vocal Control – Using breathing techniques and speaking exercises can help maintain an engaging, steady vocal pitch. Practicing with an audience beforehand also provides feedback on which areas are most engaging.
Bringing It All Together
While a pitch meeting isn’t exactly like speaking at a conference, the same public speaking principles apply. A strong pitch not only tells an engaging story about your game but also highlights your professionalism and confidence as a developer. Aligning your vocal delivery with your message helps you forge a meaningful connection with publishers or investors. By avoiding the extremes of overly robotic or unpredictable speech, you can bring the adaptability and poise of a storyteller to your pitch, ensuring your audience stays attentive and engaged throughout.
If you’re interested in refining your pitching skills and gaining more control over your delivery, I encourage you to look into public speaking techniques tailored for pitch environments. And for those looking for a hands-on experience, my interactive workshops are designed to help indie developers build these essential skills.