How to Not Die Before/During/After Your Pitching Session

*Edit note: I wrote this shortly after going to Realm Makers last year and well before I found out most conferences this year were going virtual. So some of these tips may not be as useful, depending on how they have pitches set up, but I do hope you still find some help for your pitches!*

Pitching. That beast so many authors find themselves facing should they ever go to a writer's conference.

Sure, it's not required. And, if you don't necessarily have a book ready to pitch, it might be better on your nerves if you choose to forgo it when you attend whatever conference it is you decide to go to.

But, if you are going to pitch and feel like vomiting at the mere mention of the word, here are a few tips that helped me not die during my pitches at Realm Makers last year.

~PRACTICE!~

If there is only one piece of advice that you should take away from this post, it's this. 

PRACTICE YOUR PITCH!

You can't rattle off what your story is about while also sounding natural if you've never actually formed the words on your tongue beforehand. Sure, you could easily write it. But, unfortunately, pitching involves speaking, not writing. So practice saying your pitch.

And I don't mean mumbling the words or lip syncing it. I mean say it out loud. The words feel different in your mouth, depending on what volume you're using. 

You don't want to spend all your time only whispering it, only to find you have no idea what the words feel like at full volume. There's enough stress involved with pitching, you don't need to add foreign feeling words into the mix. 

I practice a few different ways, but here are the top two ways:

1. In the bathroom. I didn't feel comfortable saying my pitch with my family around, so I found myself in the bathroom in front of a mirror or in the shower or bathtub, rattling off my pitch. I would make myself say it at least 5-10 times without messing up before I allowed myself to leave. Nothing mirrors the awkwardness of pitching more than seeing yourself *cough* ya know *cough* and still having to say your pitch.

2. With a friend. Jules and I video chatted a week before RM and practice/critiqued our pitches, which really helped me a lot. We also drilled each other during our drive there. This is a great method because it gives you a chance to say it to a person, just like you will at your pitching session. If you can find someone who will practice with you, take advantage. If you can't think of anyone, I'd be willing to help out. 

~Arrive a few minutes before~

Don't sprint to the gathering area a minute or two before your appointment. Get there 10-15 minutes beforehand. 

By getting there early, you eliminate one more element of stress. It will also give you a few moments to get into the mindset of pitching and briefly remind yourself of how your pitch goes so you're less flustered during the actual session. 

~Stand huge~

Years ago, a chemistry lab instructor I took an intensive from told the class how to help improve your confidence. She had us all stand up and stand as huge/widely as possible. From what I remember, your body's cortisol (stress hormone) lowers and your testosterone increases (any science-y people, please correct me if I stated the wrong hormones). Basically, you're choosing whether to fight or flight. 

So, now that you've gotten to the gathering area early, take the time to get what materials you need out, then stand as big as you can. Don't sit down. Don't scrunch yourself up into a ball. And, above all, don't run to the bathroom crying. 

Stand with your shoulders/chest spread wide, your arms at your side, and your legs spread firmly apart. Chin up. Relax your face. Take deep breaths. 

I promise this works. 

Science is our friend, y'all. 

~Find common ground or talking points~

Some agents/editors will be easier to talk to than others, but you can gather little tidbits to create discussion, no matter what. 

The easiest pitch I had last year, I knew the lady had delays in getting to the conference. Other than that, I knew next to nothing about her. But that was enough to create some nice conversation because she was able to find a friendly ear to listen to her difficulties when I asked about her delays.

Remember, the point with pitching isn't just to "sell" your book. It's to create relationships with these people. They have to know that they want to work with you, not just your story. Show that you're someone who cares about them at some level. 

~Take a breather~

After you're done pitching, don't immediately go back to your class or wherever. Maybe go for a quick walk, use the bathroom, or have some prayer time. Or all the above. Or whatever works for you.

Basically, slow down a bit. Remember, you're fighting stress. You can't fight stress with more stress. By not rushing back to wherever it was you were earlier, you're avoiding that stress feeling.

So take a moment or two for yourself. Get your brain back in order. Then go back to your life.

There are my top tips for surviving a pitching session! I hope you find them helpful. For anyone pitching this conference season, I wish you all the best!

Onto y'all! Are you pitching this year? If so, what are some of your fears? If you've pitched before, what are some tips that you've used to help manage your nerves? Share it all in the comments!!

Also, there is still a week left to sign up for the cover reveal for Ships, Secrets, and Survivors. You can check out the post here.