30-Second Pitch Replay

A simple but effective way to test if your pitch is clear and compelling, based on advice from Shaan Puri and Sam Parr.

The 30-Second Replay Test

• Have a friend listen to the first 30-60 seconds of your pitch
• Ask them to play back what your company does
• Evaluate two key aspects:
  • Did they understand it? (clarity)
  • Are they interested in it? (compelling)
• If either aspect fails, revise the pitch before moving forward

Key Elements for an Effective Pitch

• Start with a relatable story or example
• Include relevant background/credentials early
  • "When I was leading data at WeWork..."
  • Use past experience to establish credibility
• Focus on clear problem statement
• Demonstrate why now is the right time for solution
• Show clear path to revenue/growth

Common Pitch Mistakes to Avoid

• Using too much industry jargon
• Being too intellectual vs storytelling
• Cramming too much information upfront
• Not clearly stating what the company does
• Assuming audience understands industry context

Format Recommendations

• Use concrete examples over abstract concepts
• Follow format: "X company had Y problem, tried Z solution but failed because..."
• Lead with demo if product is visual
• Focus first 30 seconds on making core offering crystal clear
• Save detailed metrics/traction for after establishing basic understanding

The key insight is that if someone can't understand and get excited about your company in the first 30-60 seconds, the rest of the pitch won't matter.