1) Start with an emotional connection
If there’s anything to take away from the Tribute Baloon’s pitch  or Playmoolah’s Min Suan, it would be what was highlighted from in the book Switch by Chip & Dan Heath. Especially when the audience tires from the sheer amount of talking, the only way to capture attention would be to create a personal connection to the audience. Focusing first on something everyone can relate to, like how you feel when a crisis happens; it gives the audience a personal reason to actually listen. And it helps if you don’t start your pitch like a car salesman.

2) Only put 1 point per slide
Even after adhering to Guy Kawasaki’s Powerpoint rules, try to reduce the number of words in the slide to a bare minimal, focusing on just 1 point and centered. If you had to move my eyes towards all sides of the screen because its looks like an infographic, anyone will definitely give up reading it. Carmen Benitez (Fetchfan) did a great job using animation and with very few words to keep the audience engaged. Unfortunately, there was not enough clarity on the value proposition of their app.

3) Clearly communicate the core concept and don’t defocus from it
Derek Sivers had a point; forget bout the big idea (version infinity) and tell me what is version 0.1. Explain in as few words as possible exactly what you do and keep repeating it so people get it

4) Pick Sides
Be opinionated and be very certain of who your clients are. Don’t try to please everybody but sincerely look out for the best interest of your target market. And maybe read All marketers are liars by Seth Godin

5) Visually lead your audience through a complicated product
Sometimes complicated concepts will need a practical visual walkthrough before understanding your product. Its apparent to you because you spent a year of your life conceptualizing it and building it.

X) Be honest with what you don’t know
Maybe not always applicable, but honesty and humility when confronted on your weaknesses would win you more character points than a BS answer.