1. What is the PitchCraft Collective?
A rigorous and comprehensive pitch training program designed for professionals who have transitioned to a portfolio career, to help them to convey their value and expertise effectively so that they can attract the right clients and create powerful and profitable alliances.
2. Who is the program for?
Engineers, scientists, ex-army officers, and any professionals from a corporate background looking to make their mark in a portfolio career.
3. What does the program offer?
Personalised tools to craft compelling pitches, including elevator pitches, extended pitches, and signature talks, through self-paced training, one-on-one coaching, online group sessions, daily peer accountability check-ins, and hands-on sessions with AI tools.
4. How is the program structured and why?
It uses a multimodal approach, combining different learning methods to suit individual needs, supported by experienced coaches. The reason for this approach is to provide hands on knowledge, cultivate new habits, foster confidence.
5. Who created the program and why?
The creator of the PitchCraft Collective is Ilaria Vilkelis. Ilaria is an award-winning international speaker and leadership coach with 20 years of experience coaching executives, scientists, and technical professionals. Known for her rigorous and structured approach, she specialises in simplifying complex messages, crafting impactful presentations, and enhancing communication skills. A tri-lingual global citizen, she utilises a unique approach to connect with audiences and foster clarity, motivation, and effective speech structuring. Her background includes working across different cultures in business schools and organisations alike, bringing a creative and unconventional coaching style to the program. A portfolio professional herself, Ilaria noticed how many talented professionals failed to convey their value in a simple and compelling way. Ilaria is already a successful start-up pitch coach, pioneering this new program to help professionals who are finding it challenging to navigate their transition to being portfolio professionals.
6. How does the program differ from other Communications trainings?
The PitchCraft Collective distinguishes itself through the unique expertise of its trainer, who brings 20 years of experience in coaching technical professionals, from CTOs to CFOs. It adopts a multimodal approach to learning, combining self-paced, one-on-one, and group sessions to cater to various learning styles. A strong accountability component ensures participants remain engaged and progress towards their goals. Additionally, the program focuses on learning how to craft a comprehensive library of communication tools, enabling participants to craft impactful messages across different scenarios.
7. Who can benefit from joining PitchCraft Collective?
Any ambitious portfolio professional who wants to stand out, attract the right clients, and is willing to work hard to develop their pitching skills.
8. Who would NOT benefit from joining PitchCraft Collective?
The PitchCraft Collective demands high commitment, focusing on taking constant action and giving and receiving feedback. It’s tailored for individuals who already have a clear understanding of their value proposition. This specificity means it’s not suited for everyone, especially those not ready for rigorous engagement or who lack a defined offering they want to refine throughout the program.
9. How can I determine if this program is right for me?
Book a free discovery call with the program leader to determine if the program is timely and if the syllabus and methodology suit your learning style.
10. What kind of return on investment can I expect from this program?
The idea is that participants could break-even and recoup the program’s fees with their first few days of their consulting engagements. After that the learnings and the assets created will provide long term returns.
11. How much time will I need to commit to the program each week?
On average, participants should expect to dedicate about 2-5 hours per week on top of online meetings.
12. What will I learn in the program?
Specific program content will be discussed during the discovery call.
13. Are there any success stories from past participants?
This program is new; therefore, it does not yet count past participants who have experienced this specific format. You can read here, a feedback summary written by clients who have worked with her.
14. How many participants are in each course?
The program limits its cohorts to eight to ten participants per course, focusing on non-competitive industries to foster collaboration.
15. Do I need any technical skills or software to participate?
No specific software is required, although familiarity with Zoom, Miro, ChatGPT, and Google Suite can be highly beneficial.
16. What if I decide the program isn’t for me?
A full refund is offered after the first session if you decide the program isn’t the right fit.
17. Will I receive any certification upon completion?
Yes, a formal certificate of participation will be awarded at the end to those participants who showed significant progress and maintained a high level of engagement throughout.
18. Is there any follow-up support?
Extra one-to-one sessions are available at a discounted price for additional support.
