Ever notice how a quiet riff can turn into a bankable hit after the right pitch? I've got a few tricks for making that happen.

First, keep the idea tight—don’t let it spread like a rumor. Second, find the people who’ll say yes before they even know it. Third, always have a backup angle; if the first pitch flops, pivot like a card dealer. And finally, cash in on the hype while it’s still hot.