Ken Tabor provides 10 tips for winning a hackathon pitch: 1. Ensure your code and hardware are properly set up before presenting. 2. Choose clear roles for your team members, with one speaker and one demo driver. 3. The speaker should have 3 key talking points as an outline but not read from a script. 4. The demo driver should stay focused on the demo and recover gracefully from any issues. 5. The other team members should engage with and support the speaker and demo driver.

1. 10
Ken Tabor, @KenTabor
Tips
Winning
for a
Hackathon Pitch

2. Have working code loaded. Disable sleep
mode and screen saver. Get hardware on
Wi-Fi if needed. Swap wallpaper for a
solid color. Sweep away distracting icons.
#1: Setup

3. Choose roles before presenting. 1 demo
driver. 1 speaker. It’s too hard to speak
and demo at the same time. Remaining
team are supportive extras.
#2: Play Your Role

4. Write down 3 key talking points. Serves
as a loose outline. Don’t script - it sounds
mechanical. Deliver your message
authentically. Small paper notes are fine.
#3: Speaker

5. Keep on the happy path. Straying from it
means potential disaster. When
something goes wrong don’t freak out.
Just recover gracefully.
#4: Demo Driver

6. Nod to support the speaker. Engage the
crowd with eye contact (don’t be creepy.)
Show your excitement. Be prepared to
answer judge’s questions.
#5: Supportive Extras

7. #6: Practice
Speaker and demo driver pitch out loud.
Talk like it’s for real. At least 5 times to
become comfortable. Give each other
useful feedback. Reveal annoyances.

8. #7: Relax
After set up and practice take time to
chill out. Hackathons are emotionally and
physically stressful. Meditate. Power nap.
Listen to music. High five each other.

9. Are human beings who respond to
stories. Might not be technical. Want to
be sold. Are curious about the future.
Will ask questions.
#8: Judges

10. Smile. Be confident. Vary your speech.
Delete “um”, “uh” fillers. Pause silently
instead. Stand straight. Keep hands out
of pockets. It’s a skill you can practice.
#9: Speaking

11. Believe that we want to understand your
work. Take us on a journey. Deliver value
into our lives. Inspire and inform us. Show
your passion. Build community.
#10: Audience

12. Remember great success is still yours for
the taking. Define what it will be. Meet
future colleagues. Learn something new.
Finish what you started.
Only 1 Team Wins Today

13. I can’t wait to hear of your
success. Share your story!
Ken Tabor, @KenTabor

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Leadership
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