Preface: It starts with silence

INTRODUCTION: Why life's a pitch

1. DISCOVER: Zoom out to the big picture

• Don't be afraid to say no
• Know your audience
• Stand & Deliver: Facts vs Feelings
• Put people in boxes
• Stand & Deliver: Who Am I Talking To?
• Know what you want
• Stand & Deliver: See It. Feel it. Say it.
• Pick the right team
• Celebrate your uniqueness
• There's always competition
• Stand & Deliver: Define. Differentiate. Destroy
• Go big to go small
• Chapter Summary

2. DISTIL: Cut it back to the core

Step 2: Distil

• Pick the format
• Find the essence
• Write the headline
• Harness the power of three
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want them to know?
• Make them feel something
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want your audience to feel?
• Don't be afraid to ask
• Stand & Deliver: What do you want your audience to do?
• Make it ‘towards’ or ‘away from’
• Stand & Deliver: Why now?
• Add some stardust
• Use the blockbuster formula
• Stand & Deliver: 20:70:10
• Chapter Summary

3. DESIGN: Craft a blockbuster narrative

• Step 3: Design
• Always go back to the exam question
• Decide on how to script it
• Brilliant beginnings
• Stand & Deliver: Create a S.T.A.R. Opening
• Mesmerising middles
• Become a master storyteller
• Stand & Deliver: Choose your middle 1.2.3.
• Excellent endings
• Stand & Deliver: Season your ending with S.A.L.T.
• A presentation on a page
• Choose your visual approach
• Don't kill them with boring slides
• Stand & Deliver: Make sure it flows
• Chapter Summary

1. DRILL: Prepare a star performance

Step 4: Drill

• Rehearse like a pro
• Stand & Deliver: Create a rehearsal schedule
• Bring the words to life
• Fine tune your teamwork
• Stand & Deliver: Speed runs
• Don't ignore the camera
• Stand & Deliver: Set the stage for success
• Prepare for Q&A
• Stand & Deliver: Draft a worse case list
• Have a plan B and C
• Stand & Deliver: Pack a parachute
• Chapter Summary

5. DELIVER: Leave them wanting more

• Step 5: Deliver
• Ditch the nerves
• Stop before you start
• Stand & Deliver: Take a deep breath
• Warm up your instrument
• Stand & Deliver: Plan your warm-up
• Check the tech
• Start with a bang
• Don't forget to unmute
• Stand & Deliver: Use a checklist
• Stop the tumbleweed
• Handle any objections
• Chapter Summary

6. DEBRIEF: Enjoy the accolades and learn from the critics

• Step 6: Debrief
• Review your performance
• Ask for feedback
• Build your presentation bank
• Stand & Deliver: Capture your learning
• Chapter Summary

Epilogue: Action! Taking the next step

Acknowledgements

Appendix A: More formulas for a 1.2.3. middle

The Author

Also by Dominic Colenso…

Endnotes

Most pitches and presentations suck. Yours don’t have to.

Whenever you speak you’re not just sharing information, you’re asking your audience to buy into you and your ideas. In a world where attention is at a premium, you have to cut through the noise. Pitches and presentations aren’t something to wing. The best presenters prepare with purpose, crafting what to say and how to say it. Get it right and you will supercharge your influence, your impact and your results.

Cut-Through reveals a proven six-step process for developing your ideas and giving a winning performance. You’ll discover how to crystallise your thinking into ‘sticky’ key messages, shape them into a narrative your audience can’t ignore, then deliver your words with confidence. Packed with easy-to-implement tools and techniques, you’ll also have access to a library of powerful resources including a diagnostic scorecard, bite size videos, downloadable cheat sheets and more.

Dominic Colenso started his career as an actor, most famously playing Virgil Tracy in the Hollywood remake of Thunderbirds alongside Sir Ben Kingsley. He now works with businesses around the world, helping individuals and teams take centre stage and deliver outstanding results.

“In business, you don’t get what you deserve—you get what you pitch for. That’s why I’ve always taught entrepreneurs that the first skill to master is pitching. Cut-Through is a masterclass in doing exactly that. Dominic Colenso has taken years of stage experience, coaching, and neuroscience and distilled it into a powerful, practical playbook. Whether you’re selling an idea, a product, or a vision for the future, this book will sharpen your message and boost your impact. Essential reading for anyone who wants to be heard.”

Daniel Priestley
Award-winning Entrepreneur
Best-selling Author of Key Person of Influence
Founder of Dent Global

"Cut-Through is an indispensable guide for anyone looking to truly master the art of impactful communication. Dominic is always adept at offering a practical and actionable framework to help structure the approach to communicating effectively - and this book is no different. He expertly demystifies the process of creating engaging pitches and presentations, elevating what might seem an innate talent into a learnable skill. This book provides the definitive roadmap to ensure your message not only resonates but leaves a lasting impression with the audience and gets the desired result. It’s a must-read for elevating your influence.”

Chris Wynn
Director of Communications
John Lewis Partnership