So, you’ve had a brilliant idea. The kind of idea that wakes you up at 3 a.m. and sends you scrambling for the notes app on your phone. The only problem? Now you have to convince your boss that it’s not just a caffeine-fueled fever dream—it’s a stroke of pure genius.
Pitching your boss is tricky. On the one hand, you want to sound confident and enthusiastic. On the other, you don’t want to come across like that person who insists their cousin’s potato salad recipe is the future of culinary innovation. The goal is simple: present your idea clearly, convincingly, and with just the right amount of polish to make your boss say: “Tell me more.”
Enter video tools like mmhmm. Whether you’re pitching a new project, proposing a process change, or unveiling the next big thing for your company, video gives you the platform to share your vision and deliver it like a pro. Here’s how to make your pitch one they can’t ignore—and might even love.
Show that you’ve done your homework
Before you even think about setting up a meeting, you’ll need to gather your facts and frame your argument. Bosses love numbers. They love outcomes. Above all, they want to know how a new idea solves a problem. That will get you a lot farther than “Wouldn’t this be cool?”
So start with the problem your idea solves. Maybe your team wastes hours sifting through confusing reports. Maybe customer complaints are stacking up like forgotten gym memberships. Whatever it is, lay out the issue clearly and concisely.
- Be specific: Don’t just say, “We’re losing time.” Say, “We spend 15 hours per week fixing errors that automated software could handle in minutes.”
- Back it up: Use data, examples, or small-scale tests to prove you’re onto something. If you’ve already done a mini trial run and it worked, you’ve just scored bonus points.
Since only 1% of pitch decks succeed in acquiring funds, getting this right is crucial. Including concrete numbers not only strengthens your argument but also demonstrates that you’ve thought through the practical implications of your idea.
No matter how good your idea, making people squint at a 10-point bulleted list while you're talking is recipe for losing their attention. Tools like mmhmm can help you present your research simply and visually. Share your screen, show key data over your shoulder, and bring your points to life with clean, focused visuals that draw decision-makers in instead of pushing them away.
Make your idea easy to understand
Complex ideas are great, but your pitch should feel simple. Not simplistic—just clear enough that someone who missed their morning coffee can still follow along. Think of yourself as a storyteller: you’re not just explaining an idea, you’re guiding your boss through a journey. At the end, they should understand what it is, why you believe it works, and what it will take to achieve.
Structure it like this:
- Start strong: Lead with the problem and your solution. Don’t bury the big reveal halfway through.
- Build the case: Show why your solution works. Use examples, visuals, or results from a test run to keep it concrete.
- End with impact: Wrap up with the benefits. Will it save time, cut costs, or make customers happier? Spell it out.
Joshua Davies of Knowmium uses mmhmm to turn virtual workshops into immersive, augmented-reality-like experiences. By staying on-screen while visually enhancing his explanations with live annotations and dynamic visuals, he simplifies complex ideas and keeps his audience fully engaged.
Imagine applying that same approach to your pitch: sharing your screen while annotating key points lets your boss follow along effortlessly and keeps the story crystal clear. With mmhmm, you can deliver a pitch that feels sharp, dynamic, and impossible to ignore—no coffee required.
Rehearse (and then rehearse again)
The difference between a great pitch and a forgettable one often comes down to preparation. Great ideas get lost when the delivery feels shaky. Nervous about stumbling? Don’t be. Record your pitch ahead of time with mmhmm and watch it back. It’s like having a rehearsal space where no one sees you mess up.
- Find your flow: Recording helps you spot where you’re rambling, where you’re rushing, and where you need to slow down and let the message land.
- Tighten it up: Trim the fluff. If you wouldn’t say it in a two-minute elevator pitch, it probably doesn’t belong in your meeting or recording either
- Perfect your visuals: Get your slides, media, or demos dialed in so they support your points instead of distracting from them. Learn how to frame your content around you to keep the focus on your ideas, and explore tips on choosing the perfect slide layout in mmhmm for maximum impact.
Once you’ve got your pitch polished, you can either deliver it live or send your recording ahead of time. (Bonus: sending it first gives your boss time to process the idea before your follow-up meeting.)
Beth Collier is a communication coach who uses mmhmm to refine her delivery and pair her message with just the right visuals. Her rehearsed, polished approach makes her communication clearer and more impactful, turning presentations into stories people actually want to follow. When your message is tight, tested, and to the point, your confidence will follow—no matter how big the pitch.
Be ready for questions
Your boss might love your idea, but they’ll still want to poke at it. Questions aren’t rejections or roadblocks—they’re opportunities to prove you’ve thought this through.
Common questions to prep for:
- How much will this cost?
- How long will it take?
- What’s the return on investment (time, money, or both)?
- What happens if it doesn’t work?
- Who would do the work?
- Why is this idea a better choice for us than other priorities?
Anticipating these questions shows you’re serious, prepared, and not just winging it. It also addresses a crucial reality: everyone on your team likely already has a full plate, so showing you’ve considered capacity and priorities can make all the difference.
If you’re sharing a recording, you can even preempt some of these questions by addressing them in the pitch itself. “You might be wondering about cost—and here’s the good news: we can implement this using existing resources.”
Follow up without nagging
Once you’ve delivered your pitch, don’t leave it hanging. Send a quick, polished follow-up that summarizes the main points and next steps. If you shared a recording, include the link so your boss can revisit it (or share it with others).
The trick here is persistence without pestering. A simple note like “Let me know if you’d like to discuss this further” keeps the door open without feeling pushy.
Pitching like a pro with mmhmm
With the right preparation and tools, you can deliver your pitch with the clarity and confidence it deserves. mmhmm helps you show up looking sharp, sounding polished, and ready to prove your idea isn’t a 3 a.m. fever dream—it’s the solution they didn’t know they needed. With visuals that highlight your key points and recordings that help you rehearse, you’ll be the person in the meeting they can’t stop listening to.
Because when you’re the one presenting ideas that are clear, engaging, and impossible to ignore, you’re not just getting noticed—you’re getting things done.
Share your genius the right way. Visit mmhmm.app to try it for free today.
