The Latinas In Podcasting first ever Pitchfest is coming this month! It is an opportunity to pitch yourself once to a varied pool of potential guests, hosts, clients, journalists, and more! Plus, your pitch will live on the LIP website for a few months, so you can continue to be seen and heard by the people you call in.
We want you to feel prepared. You can choose between a live pitch on the 21st or submitting a video (deadline is January 19th, don’t miss it!). If you want to pitch live, here are some tips.
Why Your Live Pitch Is Different (And Why That’s Actually Easier)
If you’ve done any sort of targeted pitching before, you know the drill: spend an hour researching the show host, their audience, their recent episodes, and trying to figure out exactly what they want.
And that’s what’s necessary for landing a targeted pitch. But for a Pitchfest, with a variety of potential targets, the focus is different.
You’re not customizing for only one person. Instead you’re showing up for a room full of people who are actively looking for what you have to offer. That means your pitch needs to be clear, confident, and focused on what makes YOU uniquely valuable.
In this scenario, you don’t need to know who’s in the room. You lead with what you bring to the table.
And that, you already know.
What Makes a Strong Live Pitch?
A strong live pitch isn’t about being the loudest or the flashiest. It’s about clarity. When you have 2 minutes (or even just 1), every second counts.
Here are your pitch must haves:
1. Your name. Introduce yourself and say your name clearly at the top. Then take a beat. All too often, we’ll start with “hi, mynameisPauletteErato.”
Because we all know our own names, we tend to rattle it off very quickly. And without pausing we’ll dive right into our expertise.
But what does the audience hear? “Hi, a;sdjffasjdf;lasdjf;jsd.” The audience doesn’t necessarily know you yet. So introduce yourself by stating your name clearly, then a small breath before diving into what you’re pitching.
This helps ensure you’re speaking at a steady pace!
2. Your core expertise or story. What do you speak on best? Is it:
- Your immigrant journey?
- A client success story?
- How you built your first six-figure business?
Your pitch should center on the thing you can talk about with confidence and authority.
3. The transformation or value you provide. This is the key that unlocks the gate to people who want to work with you. What do they get out of it?
So don’t just tell people what you do. Tell them what changes when they work with you, book you, or listen to you. What problem do you solve? What insight do you offer?
4. A clear call to action. What do you want people to do after hearing your pitch? Connect with you on LinkedIn? Book you as a guest? Hire you for their project? Make it obvious.
And say it at least twice!
How to Structure Your 2-Minute Pitch
You only have 2 minutes. 120 seconds. That can feel like a long time, but it’s actually not. And there will be a STRICT 2 minutes per pitch at Pitchfest, so you definitely want to aim for about 1:50 seconds to make sure you hit all your points.
If you’re feeling stuck on how to organize your pitch, here’s a simple structure to model:
Introduction (15-20 seconds): Who you are and what you do.
Example: “Hi, I’m [Name] (pause), and I help first-generation entrepreneurs navigate the messy middle of building a business without losing their cultural identity.”
Your Story or Expertise (60-75 seconds): This is where you share your standout story, the thing that makes you different. This could be a client success story, a personal transformation, or the unique perspective you bring to the table.
Example: “I grew up watching my mom work three jobs to keep our family afloat, and I swore I’d never do the same. But when I started my business, I found myself hustling just as hard! Until I realized I was repeating the same cycle. I had to unlearn the ‘work yourself to the bone’ mentality and build a business that actually felt sustainable. Now I teach other first-gen entrepreneurs how to do the same.”
The Ask (20-30 seconds): What do you want? Be specific.
Example: “I’m looking to be a guest on shows that focus on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and breaking generational cycles. If that sounds like a fit for your show, let’s connect.”
What to Have Ready Before You Pitch
Your pitch is only as strong as the follow-up. If someone is interested in what you’re offering, they need to be able to find you easily. Here’s what you should have ready at the bare minimum:
A way to connect. Whether that’s a LinkedIn profile, an email address, or a booking link, make it easy for people to reach you.
If you want to make a bigger impression, here’s some “nice to haves”:
A press kit. This should include your headshot, a short bio, key talking points, and any testimonials or social proof you have. Keep it simple and easy to download. Alternatively, this can also be a single page on your website.
A clear online presence. Make sure your LinkedIn, website, or social media profiles are up to date and easy to find. If someone Googles you, they should immediately see what you’re about.
The Biggest Mistake People Make When Pitching Live
Avoid this one big mistake: trying to be everything to everyone.
You only have 2 minutes, so don’t waste time being vague. Don’t say, “I can talk about a lot of things.” Pick ONE thing you do really well and own it. The more specific you are, the more memorable you’ll be.
Specific = memorable.
If you try to pitch yourself as a marketing expert, a wellness coach, AND a podcast strategist all in one breath, no one’s gonna remember you. And you’ll be perceived as an incompetent amateur.
But if you pitch yourself as “the person who helps burned-out entrepreneurs build businesses that don’t require 60-hour work weeks,” now you’re a professional. And that’s memorable!
Practice Your Pitch!
Once you have this all organized, then it’s time to practice! To make it easier for you, here’s your assignment:
- write out your 2-minute pitch and practice it out loud.
- Time yourself.
- Adjust as needed.
Then practice it again. And again.
The more you say it out loud, the more natural it will feel. And when it’s time to pitch live, you won’t be scrambling. You’ll be confidently ready.
Join us for Pitchfest on January 21, 2026, where you’ll get to pitch yourself to a room full of podcasters, collaborators, and connectors who are actively looking for people like you. Limited to 25 live pitches, so grab your spot now.
Author: Paulette Erato
Cultural narrative disruptor and Latina visibility advocate, Paulette Erato is the founder of Latinas In Podcasting and creator/host/producer of the childfree Latina podcast, La Vida Más Chévere. Book her to speak at your next event from her website https://pauletteerato.com/
