What’s an elevator pitch? You get in a lift and you notice the other passenger is Peter Jackson. Do you nod (in the polite way your mother taught you) and stare at the lights? Or do you smile, and say, “Hello Peter, I’m the best animator you’ll meet today.” And then launch into your brief, compelling sales message.
And that’s it in a nutshell. An elevator pitch is a short, persuasive speech. You put your best foot forward, introduce yourself, and present your business or ideas. It should be brief enough so you can deliver it in the time it takes to ride an elevator, or about 30 seconds.
Here are some tips for building a strong elevator pitch:
Start with a strong hook. This is the first sentence of your pitch, and it’s important to grab the listener’s attention. For example, you could start with a question, a statistic, or a surprising fact.
Be clear. Get to the point now. Don’t use jargon or technical terms that your listener might not understand. For example, instead of saying “I’m a software engineer,” you could say “I build web sites and apps.”
Be concise. You can squeeze in a surprising number of words in a 30-second radio advertisement. You can speak about 80-90 words in the 30 seconds. Make every word count. Write your pitch and edit it to absolute precision.
Focus on the benefits of what you’re offering. What will your listener gain by working with you or using your product or service? For example, you could say “My web sites are easy to use and they’re designed to increase traffic and sales.”
Be enthusiastic. Your passion for your business or ideas will come through in your pitch. Make sure you’re excited about what you’re talking about. For example, smile and make eye contact with the listener.
Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice your pitch, the more confident you’ll be when you deliver it. You can practice in front of a mirror or with a friend, or record videos on your phone. Your phone has the advantage of having a timer so you can check on your progress. Play back your message and tune up.
Here are some examples of strong elevator pitches:
“I’m a graphic designer who can help you create a brand that your customers will love.”
“I’m a marketing consultant who can help you increase your sales and grow your business.”
“I’m a web developer who can build you a web site that’ll attract new customers and boost your online presence.”
No matter what your business or ideas are, you can build a strong elevator pitch by following these tips. By being clear, concise, and enthusiastic, you can grab the listener’s attention. Always leave them wanting to learn more.
Here are some extra tips for writing a strong elevator pitch
Tailor your pitch to your audience. What are they interested in? What do they need?
Keep it simple. Don’t try to cram too much information into your pitch.
Be memorable. Use a unique hook or story to make your pitch stand out.
Practice your pitch until you can delivery it with smooth confidence.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to write a strong elevator pitch. Of course, you don’t need an elevator. You can use the pitch to help you connect with potential customers and partners.
Photo by Damir Kopezhanov on Unsplash
