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It is one thing to have presentation-skills and quite another to be able to sell yourself to a group. Presentation skills involves handling a group with confidence, knowing your topic and understanding your audience... Selling is done during a presentation when you want to influence one or more people that your business is something of great value. You are there to pitch them on your services.

3 Tips for a great sales pitch:

1. Keep your pitch short and sweet:

Discuss three benefits about your product or service. More than three points will bore your audience. Make them think about how doing business with you will enhance them in some way. Use key words such as "results", "fast" or "effective."

2. Ask many questions:

By asking questions during your presentation, you are indirectly influencing others. You are making them think and interact. Getting others involved is key. As the presenter, however, you must also know when to move the presentation along and not get side-tracked.

3. Ask for the next step:

Many sales professionals deliver amazing presentations. They provide demos. They have amazing slide shows. They provide excellent examples throughout their talk. However, these same people forget what they came to do when they were asked to present before company XYZ. They forget to ask for the next step: The next meeting, the next follow up phone appointment or the deal, itself.

When presenting, always end your talk properly. Ask for the sale!

Follow up within 24 hours of your presentation. You must know where you are going before you can get there. Simple, but you would be amazed at how many people just assume Jane or Bob will contact them if they are truly interested... No more leaving your presentations to chance.

Sell and succeed.