A Quick Review of: "How to Pitch Almost Anything"

Kendra Valentine, story strategist extraordinaire, just released How to Pitch Almost Anything—and it might be the most practical book on communication you can add to your lifekit. 

When I first met Kendra and discussed her new book, I automatically started thinking about all the entrepreneurs, salespeople, consultants, and so on, who could gain value from it. We've all been there: standing in front of a room (or a Zoom screen) trying to convince someone of something important. Maybe it's a business idea that could change your career. Maybe it's convincing your team to try a new approach. These are the images that come to mind when we hear “pitch.” Then as I read the book, my idea of why to buy it and who it is for, shifted. 

Most of my life, I’ve been a pretty good communicator. Lately, not so much. The rage is real—about racism, the environment, human rights violations—and it makes words feel impossible. But the anger, however justified, becomes static. It drowns out the very message that needs hearing. So the work becomes this: finding a way to channel the fury into clarity. Not because the rage isn't warranted, but because change, about anything, requires others to hear us.

There’s this human need to be heard. So the truth is, we're all pitching, all the time. And a good bit of evidence suggests that most of us are doing it badly.

This Book Doesn't Sound Or Feel Like Every Other Book On Pitching

There's no shortage of books about pitching, selling, and persuading. So what makes this one worth your time and money? Most pitching books are laser-focused on startup founders trying to raise capital or salespeople closing deals—which as I’ve confessed, is where my mind went. Kendra's book breaks the box on that narrow definition. Yes, entrepreneurs will find gold here.

But so will:

• Yours truly who needs to turn fury into clear messaging to promote justice and community building 

• Anyone who's ever needed to change someone's mind about anything

• Managers who need to pitch new initiatives to leadership

• NGO Leaders who now find themselves navigating a major paradigm shift in funding

• Educators who want students to actually engage with material

• Activists working to mobilize communities around causes

• Parents trying to get their kids to stop saying “6-7”

• Job seekers who need to pitch themselves in interviews

The "almost anything" in the title isn't hyperbole—it's the point.

Too many communication books give you scripts and formulas that make you sound like a LinkedIn motivational post come to life. This book uses real life examples that reinforce the elements you’re learning—making the concepts tangible. Ultimately, the book will show you how to find your story and tell it in your voice.

Value for Money

50% of the time, I feel ripped off by books in this category because you are forced to buy supplementary materials to practice what you’re meant to learn. How to Pitch Almost Anything not only includes the “workbook” stuff, it doesn’t dump all the practice at the end in appendices. Maybe it’s just me, but I find it annoying to flip back and forth between text and “stuff” at the back of a book. How to Pitch Almost Anything, has a good flow, is organized in a way that resonated with me, and made me feel like I was improving on being able to communicate value.  

It's Actually Gets to the Point

It’s a book about communication that's actually well-communicated. Kendra practices what she preaches. The book is written in her distinctive voice—sharp and engaging. There’s no fluff. You won't have to force yourself through dry theory or corporate speak. It’s a book that respects your intelligence and time. A few more things I love about this book are: her express permission to skip sections, a cheat sheet, and guidance on multiple ways to use the book. 

The Bottom Line

How to Pitch Almost Anything isn't another book to collect dust on your shelf. It's the guide you'll actually use in life to communicate and be heard. Even if you're already good at communicating value, Kendra's frameworks will make you better. Afterall, the best people at anything are lifetime students of their craft.

So here's my question for you: What do you need to pitch in the next month? A project at work? A creative collaboration? A difficult conversation? Whatever it is, imagine walking into that moment as a more confident storyteller.

What would change if you could tell your story better? Let me know in the comments.