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Pitching Skills

  • Level(s) of Study: Short course; Professional
  • Course Fee:

    £225

  • Start Date(s): 6 May 2027
  • Duration: Thursday 10 am - 4 pm, one day
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements: More information
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Introduction:

Want to deliver a killer pitch, win that project or job, or simply feel more confident standing up to deliver clear ideas and a compelling case? This one-day course covers the key skills needed to deliver a perfect pitch: confidence, communication, message clarity, cutting through jargon, learning to love your voice, understanding body language, and building authenticity in your storytelling so that you win that project, that funding, that job.

This is an on-your-feet, have-a-go, practical workshop, but you will not be put on the spot (unless you want to be). There will be lots of group work and individual development as you learn from the worlds of theatre and performance, lecturing, coaching and hosting.

  • You’ll be part of a collaborative culture, one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
  • With a limited class size in the cohort, you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills, tricks and easy wins to continue developing your own pitching and presentation style.
  • Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has honed his skills in communication and connection through working as an actor, coach, teacher and creative industries leader.Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has honed his skills in communication and connection through working as an actor, coach, teacher and creative industries leader.
  • On successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge.

What you’ll study

This course is for you (or a member of your team) if you need to present brilliant ideas and make unbeatable pitches; whether that’s in the boardroom, to an investor, funder or to your line manager and team. How will you make a real impact and leave a strong and lasting impression? Why and how will your idea cut through the noise?

Pitching and presenting an idea is about clarity. What’s clear to you may not be clear to your audience. On this course you will learn to use your voice, body and message to deliver a compelling, focused and concise message. Become a storyteller and an authentic presenter and develop the skills to shape your message as you learn what it takes to win the panel over.

Transformation will come through the games we play and the exercises we explore together.  Often, one or two simple changes make the biggest difference. The way we stand and hold ourselves, the way we breathe or the way we connect with the words we’re saying. The order in which we tell the story, the focus of the message, and the flow and energy we use can all make the difference between a pitch that lands and one that flops.

During this course, you will:

  • Work on building confidence and using nervous energy in a positive way.
  • Flip the narrative to focus on problem-solving in your messaging.
  • Learn to find and use your voice through pace, pitch, strength and tone.
  • Consider what story you’re really telling and learn how to tell new ones.
  • Look at the perspectives of your audience; what do they hear, see and feel?
  • Explore silence and storytelling through body language.
  • Discover the real focus of your message and pitch.
  • Find out how to eliminate filler words and use silence effectively.
  • The Pitch: Explore its purpose.  What works and what doesn’t, and more importantly, why? How do you relate to your pitch? How does it make you feel, and how can you learn to love it and make it part of you?
  • The Voice: Learn to love yours. Explore tone, pitch, pace, power and precision.
  • The Words: What are you really saying?  Look at the listener’s perspective and flip the narrative. What words are powerful and why?
  • The Story: What makes a great story? What are the key features that will unlock a successful pitch?
  • The Body: It tells its own story.  Let’s own it and use it.
  • The Focus: Calming Nerves, breathing, connecting and being with your audience.
  • The Energy: Preparing to pitch.  Finding energy and harnessing it in the right way.

How you’re taught

This is a practical session, although some notetaking will be needed. This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus with lots of group activities and some individual work. The more you put in the more you’ll get out.

Contact hours

You will receive 5 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.

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Tutor profile:

Joseph Heap is an actor, life coach, lecturer, event director and public speaker with over three decades of experience in living a connected life, full of great presentations, pitches, meetings and stages. He trained at the world-famous The Guildford School of Acting and, after graduating, worked in London’s West End, toured extensively and worked on camera.

Joseph has 25 years of experience in high-level event management and the creative industries, with a lifetime commitment to fostering passion, growth, and positive communication through the arts.

As a communications Teacher, he helps clients find their voice, confidence, message, story, and presence. Joseph helps clients make sense of their words and connect with their audience in a powerful, effective way while retaining their uniqueness. Joseph works with lovers of Shakespeare and lovers of spreadsheets with equal passion and commitment.

Creative, inspirational, passionate and a true communicator; he believes in the power of people and the power of words to change minds and lives.

Careers and employability

The course is designed to prepare you to succeed in making pitches and giving presentations within any industry.

Certificate of attendance and digital badge

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.

Your digital credential is more than just a certificate. It’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.

They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.

Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.

Entry requirements

No previous experience is required.

You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £225.

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.

You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.

How to apply

You can book your place via the NTU online store:

6 May 2027, Thursday 10 am - 4 pm, one day

Browse all our short courses in journalism, marketing and PR.

Any questions?

Contact the short course team:

Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813