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11d • Business & Strategy 🧠
The 5 Mistakes That Killed My First 10 Pitches
Every failure cost me $2,000. Here's how to skip the pain:
MISTAKE #1: Talking Tech Instead of Transformation
❌ What I said: "I'll build an n8n workflow with PDF parsing API integration..."
✅ What works: "Your invoices will enter themselves while you sleep"
The client doesn't care about your tools.
They care about their Tuesday being easier.
MISTAKE #2: Generic Demos
❌ What I did: Showed same demo to everyone
✅ What works: Use THEIR actual documents
Spent 2 hours building perfect generic demo.
Lost to guy who spent 10 minutes with their real invoice.
MISTAKE #3: Pricing by Time
❌ My math: "2 hours × $50 = $100"
✅ Right math: "Saves 40 hours/month × $25 = $1,000 value"
Charged dentist $200 for form automation.
He told me later: "Would've paid $2,000"
That's $1,800 I'll never get back.
MISTAKE #4: Overcomplicating Solutions
❌ What I built: AI-powered intelligent document processing system
✅ What they needed: PDF → Spreadsheet
My complex solution: 2 weeks, couldn't explain it
Simple solution: 2 hours, closed immediately
MISTAKE #5: Waiting for Perfect
❌ What I thought: Need portfolio, testimonials, certifications
✅ Reality: Just needed to solve one problem
Waited 6 months to be "ready"
Lost $30,000 in potential revenue
My first client didn't ask for any credentials
THE EXPENSIVE LESSONS:
From Law Firm Loss:
Quoted $5,000 for "enterprise solution"
Competitor charged $1,500 for basic automation
Guess who won?
From Restaurant Disaster:
Built before asking budget
Spent 10 hours on features they didn't want
They paid competitor for simpler solution
From Clinic Nightmare:
Promised 100% accuracy
Couldn't deliver
Lost client + reputation
Should've promised 95% + human review
THE TURNAROUND:
Once I fixed these:
- Next 10 pitches: 7 closed
- Average deal: $1,750
- Total time: 30 hours
- Revenue: $12,250
Your mistakes don't have to cost $20,000 like mine.
Which one are you making right now?
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The 5 Mistakes That Killed My First 10 Pitches
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