How to Create a Good Elevator Pitch

Good Elevator Pitch

How to Create a Good Elevator Pitch

When you have a great idea or product, you naturally want to share it with the world to find support and investors. You must make a good impression and do your idea justice when you share it with people, so that you may achieve the support and investment you desire. To do this, you need a good introductory tool that is professional and leaves an impression. This tool is the elevator pitch and in this blog, we are going to tell you how to create a good elevator pitch and common mistakes to avoid.

Why Elevator Pitches are Important

A good elevator pitch is important in presenting yourself and your best attributes to others as well as introducing your idea. The elevator pitch can be used in multiple different scenarios with one such situation being when you are looking for a job. You can use an elevator pitch to explain who you are and what you bring to the table. Of course, a well-known example is the elevator pitch being used to sell an idea, product, or service. Being able to persuade and capture people’s attention so that they listen to you and trust you is invaluable in business, and an elevator pitch helps you achieve this. An elevator pitch is also extremely helpful in networking, it allows you to make connections in just about any scenario and help potential contacts understand why they should remember and consider you when an opportunity shows itself.

When You Should Use an Elevator Pitch

Professional Networking Events
Whether you are looking for investors, trying to find a new job, or simply trying to broaden your connections, you should always use your elevator pitch at professional events. You may find someone at these events with the interest and money to invest in your idea, an exciting opportunity, or even a helpful connection with important insight. These events draw together entrepreneurs and businesses alike, all the kinds of people you will want to talk to if you are looking for employment or investors for a product.
Internal Networking
Internal networking would be connections and exchanges of information with your peers and coworkers within your present workspace. Internal networking can happen suddenly like when you introduce yourself to people in a meeting before the meeting starts. It can also be conducted while working on projects with others or even when taking lunch breaks. You can also plan these interactions though. For example, if you see someone in your workspace that has achieved what you want to achieve or has assets that you desire for your product, plan the time to approach this person and use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself and pique interest.
In Your Online Presence
Add your elevator pitch in written form on your online accounts. If you have a crowdfunding account for your idea, put your elevator pitch in the description to convince others to donate. If you are looking for a job, put your elevator pitch on your LinkedIn so that employers are encouraged to contact you. Adding your elevator pitch to your online profiles also attracts valuable connections that could present you with an opportunity that fits your idea or skills.

How to Create and Present an Elevator Pitch

Introduce Yourself
Whenever you see someone or have the opportunity to meet someone you would like to connect and share your elevator pitch with, you should always give a warm smile, offer a handshake, and say something like, “It’s wonderful to meet you.”
Explain What You Do
Now you can start going into a brief explanation of what you do or what your idea/product is. If you feel unsure which points to talk about, then you can write down everything that comes to mind in regards to your skills or your idea. Go through this list and find the four most important points and stick with those. Make sure you speak about them in a way that makes it seem like a conversation or story, don’t list them off like a list.
Clarify What You Want
This part of the pitch can change depending on the situation the pitch is being used in. If you are asking for something such as a job or investors for your idea, you will want to express what value you bring and what they will gain from this opportunity. This is the time to focus on what you have to offer and how it can benefit your audience.
End With a Call to Action
At the end of your elevator pitch is when you will ask upfront what you want to happen next. It can feel uncomfortable asking for what you want, and since you just met this person you want to make sure you don’t ask too much of them. One way of doing this is asking for a meeting at a later point to further discuss your idea or product. If they agree, make sure to thank them for their time and get their contact information. If they do not agree, still thank them for their time and ask for their email so you may see if there is a better time for a meeting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Speak Naturally
You will want to rehearse your elevator pitch to make sure you have it memorized and that you stress certain points more than others. You will want to do this to make sure you can persuade and communicate as effectively as possible. One common problem with this is that when people rehearse they only memorize their elevator pitch off of what they wrote and as a result tend to deliver it as though they are reading from cards. To help remedy this practice in front of the mirror, don’t be afraid to change up the words you use, and remember that your goal is to connect, not recite.
Slow Down
Often when people are nervous or delivering a speech they tend to speak so fast that it is hard to digest what their message is. This is a common problem and it can often feel like you’re not speaking fast at all. You need to be aware of this and remember to take pauses to collect your thoughts and give the person time to understand. Another problem with speaking too quickly is that you will often trip over your own words, this can make it seem like you do not know what you are talking about. Therefore you must pay attention to how fast you are talking and when you can take pauses in your pitch.
Mainly Use One Pitch, but Customize When Needed
Creating a new pitch for every possible situation is time-consuming and quite frankly not practical, so it is okay to have a basic outline of what you want to say every time. However, you should still try to tailor your pitch according to your audience and the situation you find yourself in. Personalizing your pitch according to who you are talking to will make it feel much more genuine and appropriate. It will give the impression that you are able to adapt and naturally have a silver tongue.
Make it Simple
Like Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” This quote is an important one to remember when it comes to creating an elevator pitch. You will find yourself giving your elevator pitch to a wide variety of people. While six-year-olds may not be a part of that group, you will still encounter valuable connections that do not know the jargon of your field or business. Therefore, it is important to make your elevator pitch understandable to everyone.

Conclusion

A good elevator pitch cannot be understated, how you communicate and sell yourself or your ideas to others is imperative in business. Having a good elevator pitch will help you in making new connections, seeking support for your projects, or even finding a new job! Hopefully by following the steps listed above and by avoiding the mistakes mentioned you will find yourself obtaining many new connections and exciting opportunities.

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About Rebecca Doane

I have 4 years of experience writing on a variety of topics including technology, business, lifestyle, and more. I have a keen understanding of SEO and how to utilize key phrases to increase organic traffic. My extensive knowledge base and attention to detail ensure that my articles are well-researched and accurate.

Good Elevator Pitch