Avoiding Jargon in Tech and Finance Pitches

Avoiding Jargon in Tech and Finance Pitches

We get it—tech and finance are complex. But complexity doesn’t mean confusion. In 2025, journalists covering these beats aren’t impressed by insider buzzwords or corporate-speak. They’re pressed for time, flooded with pitches, and looking for stories that their audiences will actually understand. That means the first rule of a successful pitch? Drop the jargon.

1. Jargon Doesn’t Make You Sound Smarter

Terms like “synergistic monetization models,” “tokenized liquidity frameworks,” or “AI-powered disruption platforms” might look impressive in a white paper—but in a pitch, they’re dead weight. Editors don’t want to decode your pitch; they want to understand it instantly.

The smartest people explain complex ideas simply. That’s how you earn trust.

2. Think Like a Journalist’s Audience

Would your neighbor understand your pitch? How about your college roommate who works in an entirely different industry? If not, you’re too deep in the weeds. Even trade editors need angles that speak to broader relevance. Pitches should read like article headlines—accessible, surprising, and human-centric.

3. Translate, Don’t Dilute

Simplifying doesn’t mean dumbing down. You can still talk about machine learning, quantum security, or alternative asset classes—but frame them in a way that connects to real-world impact. For example:

• Instead of “blockchain-enabled authentication,” say “a digital stamp proving your product is real.”
• Instead of “cross-channel data orchestration,” say “we help brands see how their customers behave across platforms.”

That’s translation. And it works.

4. Show the Problem You’re Solving

Jargon often obscures the most compelling part of a pitch: the pain point. Before diving into tech specs or financial modeling, state the problem. What’s broken? What’s missing? Why does it matter? Then explain how your client is fixing it—clearly and simply.

5. Avoid Acronym Soup

Unless the acronym is universally understood (like AI or SaaS), spell it out. Too many tech and finance pitches assume familiarity with niche abbreviations, which only alienates the reader. Bonus: spelling it out forces you to think more clearly about what you’re actually saying.

6. Use Metaphors Strategically

Good metaphors make abstract ideas tangible. Compare a complex system to a well-known everyday object or experience. Just don’t get too cute. Aim for clarity, not cleverness. Example: “Our platform works like an air traffic controller for financial data—routing everything where it needs to go in real time.”

7. Read It Out Loud

If your pitch sounds awkward or overly technical when spoken aloud, it won’t land in writing. Speaking reveals clunkiness and complexity. A well-written pitch should roll off the tongue, not trip it up.

8. Remember: Editors Are Not Your Investors

Investors care about TAM, ARR, and churn. Editors care about people, implications, and story arcs. Don’t repurpose your pitch deck verbatim. Tailor your language to the journalist’s goal: engaging their readers. That often means leading with human impact, not market size.

Final Thought

In the noisy world of tech and finance, clarity is a competitive advantage. You don’t need to impress with buzzwords—you need to connect with ideas that stick. Editors want stories they can tell their audiences. If your pitch makes them feel smart, curious, and confident—they’ll run with it.

So scrap the jargon. Say what you mean. And watch your placements multiply.