What’s An Elevator Pitch?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to quickly explain your business idea or professional background to someone, but struggled to find the right words? Maybe you were in an elevator with a potential investor, or at a networking event with a potential client. In situations like these, having a well-crafted elevator pitch can make all the difference. Yet, what’s an elevator pitch?

In this post, we cover the definition, the ways to write one, as well as we give you examples and tools, so you can create yours.

What’s An Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a concise and persuasive summary of a product, service, or idea that can be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator, usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

The goal is to capture the listener’s attention and interest quickly and effectively. And yet to communicate the key benefits or unique selling points of the offering.

If you are wondering why it’s called like that, here’s the reason. The term “elevator pitch” comes from the idea that if you found yourself in an elevator with a potential investor or customer, you would have a brief window of time to pitch your idea or business and convince them to take action.

How Long Should An Elevator Pitch Be

In the definition, we’ve talked about 30 seconds up to 2 minutes, approximately.

The most important thing to consider is that an elevator pitch should be brief and to the point.

The exact length will depend on the context and audience. The goal is to deliver a concise and memorable message that captures the listener’s attention and interest. It’s important to keep in mind that the purpose of an elevator pitch is to generate further conversation or interest, not to provide a comprehensive overview of the product, service, or idea.

Therefore, it’s crucial to focus on the most important and unique aspects of the offering and deliver them in a clear and compelling way.

How To Write An Elevator Pitch For Your Business

Here are some steps to follow when writing an elevator pitch for your business:

Step # 1. Start with a clear understanding of your audience

• Who are you trying to reach with your elevator pitch?
• Are you pitching to potential customers, investors, or partners?
• What are their needs and interests?

Tailor your pitch to their perspective.

Step # 2. Identify the key benefits of your business

• What makes it unique and valuable?
• What problems does it solve?

Focus on the most important and compelling aspects, such as the value proposition, target market, competitive advantage, and revenue model.

Step # 3. Craft a concise and memorable message

Use clear and simple language that is easy to understand. Keep it brief, and aim for a message that can be delivered in 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Consider using a tagline or slogan to make your message more memorable. Go beyond and ask yourself: How can you fascinate your customers?

Step # 4. Use a storytelling approach

Humans are wired to respond to stories, so consider framing your pitch in the form of a narrative. Share how your business was founded, what problem it solves, and how it is making a positive impact in the world.

Related Content: How To Use Storytelling In Your Marketing

Step # 5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you have drafted your elevator pitch, practice delivering it out loud until it feels natural and flows smoothly. This will help you deliver a polished and confident pitch when the time comes.

Remember to focus on the most important and unique aspects of your business, and highlight what makes it stand out from competitors. The goal of an elevator pitch is to spark further conversation and generate interest, so make sure your pitch is compelling and memorable.

Free Template: Create your ELEVATOR PITCH

An interactive template to help you create your elevator pitch, so you can deliver a clear, concise, and compelling message that will capture your audience’s attention and spark their curiosity.

Format: PDF

• Elevator Pitch: A Step by Step, Interactive Template
• Definition and best practices
• An example

Elevator Pitch Examples

If you need some inspiration, here are a few examples of elevator pitches from well-known companies:

1. Airbnb: “Travel like a local with Airbnb. Book unique homes and experiences all over the world, and live like a local wherever you go.”
2. Tesla: “Tesla is revolutionizing the transportation industry with its electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions. Join us in our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
3. Dropbox: “Simplify your life with Dropbox. Store, share, and collaborate on your files from anywhere, on any device.”
4. Uber: “Get a ride with the push of a button. Uber connects you with safe, reliable rides on demand, so you can get where you need to go, anytime.”
5. Slack: “Say goodbye to email overload with Slack. Our messaging and collaboration platform makes it easy to stay connected with your team and get work done, no matter where you are.”

Each of these elevator pitches highlights the core value proposition and unique selling points of the company, while also being concise, memorable, and easy to understand.

What Not To Do In An Elevator Pitch

We’ve seen how to create an elevator pitch for your business. Now, it’s also necessary to know what not to do, so you don’t fail.

When delivering an elevator pitch, try to avoid the following things:

1. Don’t ramble or go off on tangents: Keep your pitch focused and to the point, and avoid including irrelevant or extraneous information.
2. Don’t use jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand: Use clear and simple language that is easy to understand, and avoid using acronyms or technical jargon that may be confusing.
3. Don’t oversell or exaggerate: Be honest and realistic about your product, service, or idea, and avoid making unrealistic claims or exaggerating its benefits.
4. Don’t forget to focus on the needs of your audience: Tailor your pitch to the needs and interests of your audience, and avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach.
5. Don’t neglect to practice: Practice delivering your elevator pitch until it feels natural and flows smoothly, and be prepared to adjust it based on feedback or the needs of your audience.

Best Practices On Delivering An Elevator Pitch

Before elaborating an elevator pitch, check out the following best practices:

1. Keep it short and sweet: Aim for a pitch that can be delivered in 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and focus on the most important and compelling aspects of your product, service, or idea.
2. Know your audience: Tailor your pitch to the needs and interests of your audience, and consider their perspective when crafting your message.
3. Use clear and simple language: Use language that is easy to understand and avoid jargon or technical terms that may be confusing.
4. Highlight your unique selling points: Focus on what makes your product, service, or idea unique and valuable, and highlight the benefits that it offers.
5. Be passionate and confident: Show enthusiasm and conviction when delivering your pitch, and be prepared to answer questions and engage in further conversation.
6. Practice, practice, practice: Practice delivering your pitch until it feels natural and flows smoothly, and be prepared to adjust it based on feedback or the needs of your audience.

Elevator Pitch Tools

Here are some tools that can help you create and deliver a great elevator pitch:

1)Pitcherific

Pitcherific is an online tool that helps you practice and refine your pitch. It provides a platform for you to record and analyze your pitch, and offers feedback on areas for improvement.

2) Canva

Canva is a design tool. It can help you create visually appealing and professional-looking pitch decks and slides to accompany your elevator pitch.

3) Grammarly

Grammarly is a writing assistant that can help you improve the clarity and accuracy of your pitch by identifying and correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

4) Prezi

Prezi is a presentation software that can help you create engaging and dynamic pitch decks that capture your audience’s attention and make your message more memorable.

5) Toggl

A time tracking tool that can help you measure and optimize the length and delivery of your pitch. It ensures that you are staying within the recommended time frame.

Remember that these tools are designed to help you create and deliver an effective elevator pitch. But the most important factor is your own preparation, practice, and confidence.

Conclusion

In sum up, an elevator pitch is a short and concise speech that summarizes your business and its unique value proposition. When delivering an elevator pitch, it’s important to be clear, engaging, and memorable. Download your Free Template here.

Here are some key tips for delivering an effective elevator pitch:

1. Start with a hook: Begin your pitch with a statement that grabs the listener’s attention and piques their interest. This could be a surprising statistic, a provocative question, or a bold claim.
2. Keep it concise: Your elevator pitch should be no longer than 30-60 seconds. Focus on the most important and compelling aspects of your business, and avoid getting bogged down in details.
3. Explain your value proposition: Clearly articulate what makes your business unique and why someone should choose your product or service over competitors.
4. Use plain language: Avoid using technical jargon or industry-specific terminology that may confuse or alienate your audience.
5. Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your pitch until you feel comfortable and confident delivering it. Consider recording yourself and watching the playback to identify areas for improvement.

Remember, the goal of an elevator pitch is to spark interest and open the door for further conversation. With a well-crafted pitch and confident delivery, you can make a lasting impression on potential customers, partners, and investors.