The professionals and cons of pitching
If you've just graduated or are just new to the creative industry, the world of freelancing and pitching for jobs or projects can feel quite intimidating. What should a good pitch look like? Should you ask any questions? Should you be making up your mind about something that is outside of your comfort zone so quickly? Then there's the minefield, which is feedback, and it's a tougher cousin, criticism. How should you deal with it? Is all feedback good feedback?
To demystify the process, we spoke to four creatives to get a glimpse of their own pitching experience, what to look for in a pitch when they are on the receiving end, and to find the best options with the dreaded Handle criticism.
THE FIRST PITCH SELLS ITSELF
“Being creative takes a long time, which is why I have so little hair and have a lot to say…. The first brand to promote is yourself. So do your research, ”says Billy Faithfull, CCO of the creative agency Engine. "See what others are doing, what awaits you. Your work is your showcase, but that only brings people into the store, then you have to sell yourself."
Regardless of whether it is a pitch for a single project or a long-term position at an agency, you are not only there for your work, but also for yourself. Faithfull therefore believes that enthusiasm is the key. "I want people who are all-in, fresh, untroubled by industry cynicism and big-eyed optimists," he says. “New creatives in a department define the creative culture just like the agency. So think about how your passions and personality show up in your work, as well as in your interviews and conversations. "