How To Pitch Like Elon Musk

Thanks for helping me out this week. Please continue to reply to these emails! Today I'm sharing with you the pitching method Elon Musk used to raise millions and make billions.

Author

Liam Gill
May 21, 2023

The shift to BeeHiiv is complete! Thanks so much, everyone.

The Elon Musk Formula For Storytelling

Elon Musk uses a very simple formula for pitching:

  1. Creates a Villian

  2. Creates Time Pressure

  3. Promises a New Future

  4. Rationalizes the Challenges

  5. Demonstration

Creates A Villian
Musk understands that too many founders focus so much on the solution that they don’t adequately explain the problem. Marvel movies are so effective because the problems they overcome are so large. The bigger the problem (global warming, human survival, traffic), the more people care about the solution.

Creates Time Pressure
To make the problem even bigger, he often uses data to show there needs to be a solution NOW, or there may be no turning back. This makes the villain seem even scarier and further invests you emotionally in his solution.

Promises A New Future
Once the stakes are set and you understand how important this is, he shows you an alternative future where the villain loses. You now see the possibilities and are ready to learn how to get there.

Rationalizes the Challenges
Musk very rationally outlines how to go from Today to his New Future and then outlines each challenge and how he can overcome it. This is something many founders forget to do, actually, explain why your solution will work.

Demonstration
The virality is a benefit, but the demonstration also helps to ground all the storytelling in reality. Even if it’s just a silly prototype (which he often uses), you can still touch/feel/see his future, making it seem like an achievable reality.

Do you want a referral program?

This will allow me to offer you all free rewards for sharing the newsletter.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

If you vote “yes,” reply and let me know what rewards you want!

Please, I know I’ve been asking a lot this week, but if you can spare two seconds:

To help speed up our shift from Sendy to Beehiiv. If you spare 2 seconds just to click reply and say “Hi,” it would be greatly appreciated. Replies are vital to letting servers know you are happy to receive these emails.