Introduction
Your pitch might be the thing that keeps someone sober today.
After attending over 5,000 AA meetings, I’ve heard roughly 50,000 three-to-five-minute shares. Some land with power and grace, creating genuine connection in the room. Others miss the mark – not because the person sharing is wrong, but because the message gets lost in the delivery.
The fascinating part? You never know who will deliver the message you need to hear on any given day. I’m constantly surprised by which shares connect and why. That unpredictability is part of what keeps AA meetings so alive and interesting.
But there are patterns. After decades of listening, I’ve noticed that the most effective pitches share three consistent qualities.
One Central Idea
Stick to one central idea. The temptation is to tell everything you know about a topic. Don’t. Instead, focus on the one key point you want to make.
Before you share, take a moment to encapsulate that thought or idea in a straightforward sentence.
For example, if the topic is gratitude, you might think: “I learned in AA to find something to be grateful for every day. The result is not only that I don’t drink, but I also find I am a happier person.”
That’s it. One clear idea. Everything else you say should support that single point.
Give a Concrete Example
It’s easy to stay in the philosophical clouds about the AA program and related topics. Don’t. That’s an invitation to speak from the head (and ego) rather than share “the language of the heart.”
When you talk from the head, people may follow your train of thought, but they’ll leave the meeting with nothing practical to help them with their own issues. A tangible example of what works for you and how you do it brings your point to life.
Using our gratitude example, here’s the type of share that connects:
“I used to be angry all the time until I came to AA and learned to be grateful. My sponsor suggested I create a list of things I am grateful for and build on it until I get to one hundred items, then review them with him. I’ve since grown that list to over five hundred items, and I refer to it all the time whenever I feel headed toward resentment or anger.”
See the difference? That’s specific, actionable, and relatable.
Tie It Back to the Program
Remember, this is AA. Meetings are not therapy, nor are they general self-development sessions. AA values continuous sobriety and trusts the Twelve Steps as a means to be sober and free. The Big Book is our guide.
When sharing, tie your example back to the program and the steps. Make the connection clear.
Back to our gratitude example: “The Big Book talks about being happy, joyous, and free. I have found that the simple act of remembering to be grateful helps me be that way.”
That’s the bridge. Your personal experience connected to the program’s promises.
The Balance: Structure and Spontaneity
Here’s the paradox: the best pitches are both structured and spontaneous.
I get it. Shares are primarily for the person giving them. “Letting it fly” when stuff is going on is one of the great gifts of the program. Spontaneous, real shares are what matter most. When that authenticity happens at the right time in the right meeting, AA magic occurs.
But here’s the thing – these three guidelines don’t restrict authenticity. They create a container for it.
When you have clarity about your central point, you’re free to share from the heart without meandering. When you have a concrete example ready, you speak from experience rather than theory. When you tie it back to the program, you remind yourself and others why we’re all here.
Structure supports spontaneity. It doesn’t replace it.
Putting It Into Practice
The next time you share at a meeting, take a moment before you speak. Ask yourself:
- What’s my one point?
- What’s my concrete example?
- How does this tie to the program?
Your clarity might be exactly what someone needs to hear today. These simple ideas will help you connect with more people the next time you share at an AA meeting.
And who knows? Your pitch might be the one that saves someone’s life.
