Watch: Sometimes Your Idea Is More Important Than How You Pitch ItOn this week's episode of "Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch," contestants show why you should be genuine, professional and realistic.

ByJohn Boitnott

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

On the new streaming showEntrepreneur Elevator Pitch, founders step into theEntrepreneur Elevatorand have just 60 seconds to present their idea, product or business to a panel of investors. Whether an entrepreneur gets invited into the boardroom or sent back to the ground floor depends on what our experts think in that first minute. Here, we break down the lessons aspiring business owners can take away from each episode's pitches.

In the third episode ofEntrepreneur Elevator Pitch, investors heard about a medical device, a social media solution, a tech gadget for young adults and more. But, most important in each of these episodes are the lessons business leaders can learn as they prepare to present their businesses to investors and potential customers.

Nervousness doesn't matter if your idea is compelling.

Amy Beckley is owner and CEO ofMFB Fertility, a medical device company designed to help women conceive. Although she was noticeably nervous while delivering her elevator pitch, she conveyed her message with passion, which helped the panel see the value in her product. Her pitch specifically connected with investor Kim Green-Kerr, who has friends dealing with fertility issues. This made her feel connected to the product. It didn't matter that the pitch wasn't perfect.

This is a good reminder that despite all the hard work you may put into developing and honing a pitch, making a connection with an investor usually comes down to the product itself. No founder can predict if one person in a pitch meeting will feel a direct connection to her product. All you can do is build products you believe in and let that passion show when you pitch.

Stay professional and take criticism well.

Social media is still just as hot an industry as it has been for years, so entrepreneurs face a great deal of competition when trying to launch a business in the space. Sean Tasdemir, founder of social media discovery appTurnoutt, initially won the panel's curiosity by mentioning his patents. However, once in the boardroom, investors more or less quickly determined that his idea for a real-world social network just hadn't been tested enough yet.

Tasdemir didn't want to give up the fight, and very professionally explained to investors more about his app, staying assertive but not overly aggressive. Unfortunately, they had to turn him down because the app just hadn't seen enough use yet to actually deserve the investment Tasdemir sought. He did, however, maintain an open attitude and was very thankful to the investors for revealing to him that he wasn't quite ready yet for investment. His professionalism let him take a step back and not let ego get in the way too much. Now he's looking to adjust his concept in response. Take this same constructive attitude into any pitch meeting you enter.

Be realistic with your ask.

Unlike an entrepreneur earlier in the episode who never made it out of the elevator, Brittany Evans, founder ofSparkbudz, wowed investors with her realistic ask. If an entrepreneur gets too greedy, investors often won't even entertain that person's pitch. Evans asked for $35,000 for 15 percent equity for her product, ear buds geared to a youthful demographic.

Not only did Evans issue a reasonable investment request, her bubbly personality intrigued the investors, who wanted to hear more. She demonstrated a clear understanding of her target audience and described the market research she'd already conducted. The initial investment she was requesting was to develop the product, with plans to raise more funding once ready to begin manufacturing.

By making a reasonable request and fully understanding her product, Evans was able to secure the investment she was requesting. Investors realized they weren't investing so much in the product, but in the smart, pragmatic, easy-going young person who had shown up in their boardroom. Personality made all the difference for the investors, who saw tons of potential in someone they could mentor.

Pitching to investors can be one of the most daunting aspects of starting a new business. However,Elevator Pitchillustrates that with the right preparation, an entrepreneur can win over a team of investors in a matter of minutes. Even the most nervous entrepreneur can excel if he or she has passion, professionalism , and a thoroughly developed plan.

Wavy Line
John Boitnott

Entrepreneur Leadership Network VIP

Journalist, Digital Media Consultant and Investor

John Boitnott is a longtime digital media consultant and journalist living in San Francisco. He's written for Venturebeat, USA Today and FastCompany.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

一个81岁的佛罗里达州首席执行官25美元的指控0 Million Ponzi Scheme Ran a Sprawling Senior Citizen Crime Ring

Carl Ruderman is the fifth senior citizen in the Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-Palm Beach metropolitan area to face charges in connection with the scam.

Business News

Taco Bell Slammed With Lawsuit Over 'Especially Concerning' Advertisements, Allegedly Deceiving Customers

The class action lawsuit claims the chain is advertising more than they deliver.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Business News

Body of Missing 27-Year-Old Goldman Sachs Banker Found in Nearby Body of Water

John Castic, a 27-year-old Goldman Sachs employee, went missing around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday after attending a concert at the Brooklyn Mirage in East Williamsburg.

Business Culture

The Newest Workplace Trend Has HR Sounding The Alarm

HR departments are still figuring out how to handle "quiet quitting," but a new trend is taking over.

Business News

Steve Jobs's Son Is Diving Into Venture Capital — and His Focus Hits Close to Home

Reed Jobs, 31, launched venture capital firm Yosemite, which already boasts $200 million from investors and institutions.