Good feedback. We'll be going back out for the second round soon, so I'll try it without any subterfuge, and update the post with the results. My previous experience tells me people usually take pretty kindly to an student, but I'm all for mixing it up.
As for the results, I'm not too worried that the pitchee likes/dislikes the idea. It's all warm fuzzies if they do, and of course the more people you can interest with a pitch the btter, but they're not likely your target market. It's more important to simply watch their face for emotional changes (especially boredom) and gauge your ability from that.
Also, bringing your cofounders and critical friends along is where the real negative feedback comes from. People generally aren't going to be familiar with your domain to give much meaningful commentary, but your cofounders are imagining you pitching to investors or (in our case) potential users at a entrepreneur's meetup. With that context in mind, their feedback is golden.
As for the results, I'm not too worried that the pitchee likes/dislikes the idea. It's all warm fuzzies if they do, and of course the more people you can interest with a pitch the btter, but they're not likely your target market. It's more important to simply watch their face for emotional changes (especially boredom) and gauge your ability from that.
Also, bringing your cofounders and critical friends along is where the real negative feedback comes from. People generally aren't going to be familiar with your domain to give much meaningful commentary, but your cofounders are imagining you pitching to investors or (in our case) potential users at a entrepreneur's meetup. With that context in mind, their feedback is golden.