how to write a elevator speech

4. Don't under-emphasize the problem you're solving.

It's possible that you may run into issues when putting reports together for your boss. For instance, things may go awry every once in a while, such as disappearing data or disagreeing sources. With AnswerASAP, you can lay those worries to rest. We have a few features that will help you with those issues if you ever run into them.

• It treats a customer problem as a possibility and not an urgent reality.
• It's vague ("things may go awry") and doesn't emphasize how those issues can hurt the prospect.
• It doesn't specify the product features that will solve the prospect's challenges.
• Because it never goes into detail, it shows little research and care.

Remember, an elevator pitch should only come at someone else's prompting. If you're spontaneously reciting it to random people, you're not doing yourself any favors. But if they ask, you want to be prepared with an interesting, well-crafted pitch.

Elevator Speech Best Practices

1. Keep it brief.

The purpose of an elevator speech is to be as brief as possible while capturing a prospect's attention. Try to stay under sixty seconds — including your introduction. Even if you're delivering your elevator speech during a formal presentation, where you have time to elaborate if needed, keep the bulk of your pitch under sixty seconds.

If you don't, you won't be able to use your pitch when you're chatting with prospects in situations with tighter time constraints — such as a tradeshow or a chance meeting.

2. Practice multiple times beforehand.

You may have written the most incredible elevator speech for your product, but if you hamper the delivery by misremembering or even forgetting parts of your pitch, it won't be an effective tool. Be sure to practice by yourself, with your manager, and with your colleagues.

The goal isn't just to memorize it, but to practice your tone, pace, and overall delivery.

3. Come prepared with additional materials.

When you're delivering your elevator pitch, be prepared to provide your prospect with what they need to continue the conversation. Whether that's a business card, a brochure, or a short demo, carry all that you might need with you.

The elevator speech is your opportunity to begin a deal on the right foot and speed the nurturing process. Typically, you might take weeks emailing a prospect before they're ready to schedule a meeting with you, but an elevator pitch speeds that work. You want to have the materials you need to keep the conversation going.

4. Be positive and enthusiastic.

It's essential to show your personality during your elevator pitch, but whether you're a quiet, calm introvert or a charming, excitable extrovert, you should still convey positivity and enthusiasm.

You can use your body language and expression to keep things positive, even if your tone is quiet and calm. You might highlight the amazing benefits your prospect will enjoy if they sign up, or tell a positive story from one of your previous clients.

Most importantly, you should make it obvious that you want to help your prospect more than anything — which will make you sound positive by default.

5. Vary the tone of your voice.

As you deliver your pitch, vary your tone and modulation to keep your listener engaged. This will help you emphasize the most important parts of your speech — such as the benefits — while keeping your prospect's attention. The pitch may be short, but you'll be surprised at how easily people can tune out based on your tone alone. We don't want to risk it! Especially if it's a prospect you've never spoken with.

Reel in Clients with an Effective Elevator Pitch

While a short speech may seem insignificant, those first conversations can hold some weight. With a well-crafted pitch, you can turn a single conversation with a prospect into a long-lasting customer, or even into a business partner. We hope you found these examples helpful and are inspired to craft your own effective elevator pitch.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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• Business strategy |
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15 creative elevator pitch examples for every scenario

A good elevator pitch can be the difference between landing your next big opportunity or falling short of the competition. But the reality is, people want to have meaningful conversations without the forced sales pitch. So how do you pitch yourself during a job interview or client meeting with authenticity? 

First things first: What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch, also known as an elevator speech, is an opportunity to share a quick summary of yourself and your product offerings. But a pitch can also be your chance at making a real connection that you can use later down the road. It’s not always an immediate benefit, but you should be prepared for any scenario in which you could be giving an elevator pitch. 

In reality, most people have given an elevator pitch whether they realize it or not. That’s because there are many different types of pitches—from interviews to new business opportunities. That makes preparing for your next pitch an important step in marketing both yourself and your company. 

When it comes to figuring out who to deliver your pitch to, you should aim for the best point of contact, not just the highest point of contact. Choosing connections that are related to or interested in what you’re offering will give you a better chance at making your sale. 

How long should an elevator pitch be?

One of the biggest unknowns about creating sample elevator pitches is how long they should be. In most cases, it will depend on what it’s about and who you’re pitching. A good rule of business etiquette is to make it as short as possible by carefully selecting the most important points. 

A study conducted by Microsoft found that the average person has an attention span of around eight seconds, meaning you’ll have to fight for that undivided attention. That’s no small task. So when it comes to a great elevator pitch, aim to keep it around 30 seconds—though the exact length can vary depending on your industry and what you’re pitching. 

When looking at pitch length based on industry, each one differs to some degree. Let’s take marketing for example. Your pitch opportunities will likely be to customers that come across your brand. And in that case, you have very little time to get your message across—whether it’s text, video, or imagery. But when it comes to sales, you may get the opportunity to expand your elevator pitch past 30 seconds. You will likely have plenty of networking opportunities where people are more than willing to listen to what you have to say. It really just depends on your medium and the audience’s eagerness to listen. 

But what if you can’t cut your elevator pitch down to 30 seconds? It may seem like your brand is too complicated to distill down to such a short timeframe, but if you’re pitching to the right audience you shouldn’t have that problem. Make sure you pitch to people related to your industry or a tangential audience that will be able to interpret your offerings. 

How to write an elevator pitch 

When it comes to writing an elevator pitch, it can be hard to decipher important facts from unimportant ones—this is why knowing how to effectively communicate in the workplace is important in the first place. For example, while it’s good to personalize your communication tactics wherever possible, it’s not necessary to give prospects an entire history lesson on your business. Only the most recent and relevant details should be included. To get started creating your own pitch, you first need to understand the basic components that make up any good elevator pitch.

Introduce yourself

All good pitches start with a short introduction. It could be as simple as stating your name and who you work for if those details apply. But the more personal you can make it, the more natural your elevator pitch will seem. Body language is also an important part of a solid introduction, as is eye contact. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when introducing yourself to a new prospect. 

Greet your audience in a way that’s appropriate for the occasion. Go formal for a business pitch or more casual for a fun event. With business meetings and networking events being held virtually, you’ll need to get creative with your introductions over video chat. You could even start with a lighthearted joke to break the ice. But whatever you do, make sure it’s relevant to your audience. 

Present the problem

All solutions start with a problem. Whatever you or your business is trying to solve, it’s important to get the point across early on in your elevator pitch to set the theme for the rest of your speech. An example problem: coordinating work between teams is chaotic.  

If possible, relate the problem back to your audience by using real-world examples. This will help make the problem more relevant and, hopefully, grab your audience’s attention. If your problem isn’t easy to explain, try using more than one example or a visual to really paint a picture for your audience. 

Offer the solution

If the problem is what draws the audience in, then the solution is what hooks them. This is your time to show them why they need your help. Here’s an example solution: Asana gives teams a system to organize and manage work so they know what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.

The solution is arguably the most important part of an elevator pitch, so spend time perfecting it. If you’re pitching for a business, it’s likely the quick solution pitch has already been created. But again, it’s always better to personalize your pitch. So don’t be afraid to tweak it to fit your audience. If pitching for yourself, talk about the unique skills you’ve developed and why they would be beneficial to your prospect. 

Explain your value proposition

Now that you’ve piqued your audience’s attention, it’s time to seal the deal by explaining why your solution is better than anyone else's. An example value proposition is: Asana is the only platform that connects goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

The value proposition differs from the solution by focusing on why your audience should use your solution over a competitor’s. If you don’t have that answer just yet, perform a competitive analysis to compare your offerings or look to your executive summary. 

If your market is extremely niche and you don’t have a clear differentiator or significant competition, look to communication and interface capabilities. Consider why your idea or solution is original enough that someone would want to use it.   

Engage the audience

While most of the hard work is done, it’s important to engage your audience with a compliment or question before you part ways. Always err on the side of being genuine rather than delivering a scripted goodbye. 

There is no right or wrong way to engage your audience. While ending with a question can create a dialogue between you and your audience, a genuine compliment can go a long way. Think about what made you want to pitch them in the first place and use that to end the conversation. Lastly, don’t forget to swap contact information, such as a business card, if you don’t already have it. 

A foolproof elevator pitch template

Now that you know the basic components of a pitch, the next step is creating your very own elevator pitch. This template can work for just about any situation, from a job interview to pitching a small business or startup. That’s because we analyzed some of the most famous templates from industry experts—from Harvard research to Guy Kawasaki’s art of pitching—to create a foolproof template that will work in any situation. 

Plug your information into our elevator pitch template to draft a quick speech. While you won’t necessarily recite it word for word, it’s a great model to keep in mind in case you find yourself in a position where you’re not prepared with a personalized pitch.

Whether you’re looking for a pitch template for a job interview or for pitching your business, this template is a foolproof example for any situation you might find yourself in. 

General elevator pitch template

Use our elevator pitch template to start constructing your speech by adding statistics and personalized greetings where needed. This template incorporates the four parts explained above to hit all of the important details of a good elevator pitch. 

Introduction : “Hi I’m [name], a [position title] at [company name]. It’s great to meet you!”

Problem : “Since you work with [company name or industry] I figured you’d be interested to know that [problem + interesting statistic].”

Solution : “The great part about working at [your company’s name] is that we’ve been able to fix just that problem by [solution].”

Value proposition : “In fact, we’re the only company that offers [value proposition].”

CTA : “I think our solution could really help you. Are you available this week to speak further on this?”

Don’t be afraid to change up your pitch template based on your personality and professional expertise. We’ve also included personalized 30-second elevator pitch examples below to inspire personal facts you can add to create a more engaging speech .

30-second elevator pitch examples

Let’s dive into the best 30-second elevator pitch examples to help you create a pitch that’s both engaging and informative. Our examples take inspiration from the four elements included in the template above, to demonstrate how you'd pitch project management software to  increase productivity . Try a few or try them all to find one that best fits your personality and value proposition. 

Example 1: Short and sweet

This example is one of the most common you’ll come across. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best, but it’s a great example of a quick and easy pitch that fits almost any situation. When working on this type of elevator pitch, be sure to keep it as short and to the point as possible. Try to stick closely to the 30 seconds or less rule since the point is to be brief and transparent.

The problem is that work is chaotic no matter what industry you’re in or how good you are at your job. But a good project management software can help improve productivity and communication. I haven’t missed a deadline in years. If you’re interested in how it can help your team, give me a call and I can take you through some numbers. 

Example 2: Relatable over reliable

Sometimes the best way to grab your audience’s attention is to reel them in with a personal anecdote they’ll relate to. While it’s still important to drive home your solution, this approach puts more weight on making a personal connection rather than an immediate sale. 

It’s so great to finally meet you. How is business going? I heard you’ve been struggling with communication issues. My team and I struggled with that too. It wasn’t until we added project management software into our routine that we really saw an improvement in teamwork and overall communication. I hope you find a solution that works for your team. 

Example 3: Savvy with stats

Start your pitch off with a hook by dropping an attention-grabbing statistic. It’s important to have hard data to back up your statistics to ensure their accuracy before pitching. When it comes to a statistics pitch, it’s a good idea to come full circle at the end and connect how your solution can help solve that statistic.  

Did you know that despite having more ways to connect remotely, 60% of workers’ time is spent on work coordination with just 26% spent on skilled work and 14% on strategy? No wonder teams need help with project management. Implementing project management tools can decrease time spent on work coordination and help increase skilled work.

Example 4: Question everything

This example uses questions to make your pitch easily comprehensible. It also forces the audience to join in on the conversation rather than just presenting them with a speech. Try starting and ending with a question that makes the audience think about your pitch long after you leave the room.

Do you ever feel like you spend too much time on work about work? I’ve talked to so many people who share the same frustrations. I used to work long hours every day just trying to catch up. But do you know what? Ever since we started using project management software, I've been able to get so much more work done. Have you tried anything similar in the past?

Example 5: Comedic twist

If your pitch isn’t about a serious topic, you can add comedic twists to engage the audience. This is especially useful if giving a presentation. Add a GIF or quick funny clip in between slides to lighten the mood. If using this example, be sure it fits the occasion and tone of your company. 

Did you know that the average person can only pay attention for eight seconds? That’s not even long enough to place my coffee order in the morning. Maybe that’s why my barista always gets it wrong. But seriously, I think that’s why so many companies struggle to hit deadlines. 

Example 6: Tell a story

Use customer testimonials or your own personal story to paint a picture for the audience. This can be especially helpful if your topic is hard to explain in 30 seconds or less. Telling a story is a great way to add a relatable twist. 

We have a customer that transitioned to a fully remote workforce this year and needed help making sure deadlines were met. With our help, they were able to get up to 10% of their time back in their day and focus on more important things like strategic planning.  

Example 7: Emotionally driven

While this type of pitch may be more difficult to create, you have a better chance of winning over your audience if you can make your pitch emotionally driven. It’s also more likely they’ll be willing to share the experience with someone else down the road. It’s important to keep the emotions on the lighter side to prevent the conversation from steering too dark. Here is an example to inspire your own speech. 

It may seem like any other tool, but when you look closely it really is helping teams connect. And not just that, but it’s helping cultivate teams that actually enjoy working together on new projects. That’s something that’s hard to come by, but something everyone is looking for.  

Example 8: Write it first

While most speeches start by writing a general outline, you can opt to write the entire pitch from start to finish. This tends to create a thought-provoking and poetic flow once you do present your pitch. You’ll have to memorize this pitch, so practicing is a key element to this strategy. 

Hi, my name is Kelly! It’s great to meet you. You work for Apollo Enterprises, right? I’ve heard a lot about them. I actually heard that you’re looking for project management help. In my experience, any organization—whether sales or suppliers—needs help coordinating work and team communication. Work can be rather chaotic, especially now, without it. That’s why we’ve created a software tool that helps both individuals and teams organize their projects and communications all in one place. Have you ever thought about using something similar?

Example 9: End with a one-liner

Making a grand exit doesn’t come easily, but if you can pull it off your audience is sure to be impressed. Stay away from cliche one-liners and make your closing authentic to you. The point here is to leave them with a thought that they’ll remember after the meeting is over. Consider sharing a surprising statistic or question relevant to their business.

Over one-quarter (26%) of all deadlines are missed each week because of a lack of clarity. But with the right project management tools, that number could be much lower. So the question is, can your business afford not to use project management software? 

Elevator pitch examples by scenario

Now that we’ve covered the types of pitch examples, let’s dive into example elevator pitches for different scenarios. Whether you’re pitching for your business or yourself, you can use an elevator pitch to organize your thoughts and prepare for the real deal. Let’s look at key tips for any situation you may find yourself in. 

Example 10: Networking event

A networking event is probably the most common scenario you’ll run into. And with the new virtual-first culture, it may be even more challenging to make meaningful connections over video chat. That’s why it’s so important to prepare an elevator pitch that’s compelling no matter where you’re pitching it from. While most salespeople pitch casually in this environment, you may get the opportunity to meet an important executive. In which case, you’ll want to be prepared with a versatile pitch template. 

Great to meet you, I’m Kelly with Apollo Enterprises. We’ve been able to improve productivity and collaboration for teams all over the world. If you ever need help with project management, just reach out. I think we could make a huge impact on your company. I’ll make sure to keep your contact information handy as well. 

Example 11: Job interview

Looking for a new job or have career fairs coming up? Most interviews—whether with human resources, a recruiter, or a hiring manager—start with some form of the phrase, “Tell me about yourself.” This is an opportunity for job seekers to briefly explain themselves and their professional experience using industry buzzwords and key skills. Having an elevator pitch ready can ensure that you’re prepared when the opportunity presents itself. 

I’m Kelly, a specialist at Apollo Enterprises. I chose a career in project management because I had a passion for it, and now I can proudly say that I’ve been able to make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s why I’m looking to continue my career with an employer who shares those same values. I know my unique skills can make a big impact at your company because I’ve proven my results with a few key projects. 

Example 12: Formal meeting

You’ve landed the meeting, congratulations! Now is the time to create a formal elevator pitch to really get them interested. When presenting a formal pitch, a presentation can be a great addition to traditional elevator speech examples. But whether or not you choose to create a presentation, this meeting is about selling your product in the most professional way possible. So dress the part and don’t forget your unique selling proposition. 

I took a look at your current productivity figures and noticed an opportunity for improvement. With our project management software, you could get back up to 10% more of your workday. Not only would that mean more work getting done, but it would also have a positive impact on the overall success of your business. Not to mention, our tool is the only one in the industry that has goal capabilities to ensure teams stay on track. 

Example 13: Sales pitch 

Professionals often pitch traditional sales jargon, but the real key is creating a human connection while lightly sprinkling in what you’re selling. Start with a personal story or light-hearted introduction instead of the typical sales presentation. You can also prepare by creating sales team goal templates to ensure your team is on the same page. 

Our team really struggled to transition to a remote workforce. Communication wasn’t organized and people struggled to find the correct information to complete projects. But, thankfully, we found a solution to our problem. Implementing project management tools not only improved productivity but also improved overall teamwork. Every company prefers different tools, but I can say without a doubt that our software was the best at connecting goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

Example 14: Social introduction

Now, more than ever, professionals are choosing to meet virtually rather than face-to-face. Whether you’re chatting over LinkedIn or have a virtual meeting set up, it’s important to make your pitch personal and use clear visuals to help sell your point. Here’s a great example of a social media pitch. 

Thanks for connecting! I noticed that your competitors are outperforming you when it comes to year-over-year growth. I took the liberty of doing a competitive analysis and didn’t find any outlying problems. I’m wondering if it could be an issue with productivity. How has the transition to remote work been? If you’re interested, I could run you through some productivity figures if you were to add project management tools to your current processes. 

Example 15: Entrepreneurs and business owners

Pitching to a business owner is much different than pitching to an executive. They can be harder to sell because they are often hesitant about new investments. The most important tip is to use examples as they pertain to the business when explaining a problem and solution.  

I love your products at Apollo Enterprises. I’m a huge proponent of your mission. I did realize that there may be some opportunities to improve productivity and collaboration internally. Have you ever considered project management software? I think it could have a big impact on business growth now or even down the road. 

4 tips to perfect your elevator pitch

In addition to creating the perfect elevator pitch, you should also work on sprucing up your delivery. There’s nothing worse than sitting through a boring speech, so make sure yours is anything but. From posture to tone, there’s a lot you can practice to make sure you look professional and knowledgeable. Consider these four tips when trying to nail a successful elevator pitch. 

1. Stick to your outline

To prevent getting off-topic, it’s important to stick to your outline at least to some extent. While you don’t need to recite it word for word, it’s best to memorize the majority of your pitch. That way you won’t need to worry about checking your notes. 

2. Speak slowly and clearly

Many professionals tend to talk quickly when they’re nervous—hey, we’re only human. But it’s important to enunciate and speak slowly so the audience can understand you. This is especially important when presenting over video chat. But try not to slow yourself down too much or you’ll go over your allotted time. 

3. Record your pitch

Record yourself reciting the pitch to work on any areas that need improvement. Practice your pitch a handful of times by playing the recording back and working out any pain points. A couple of key areas to focus on are speed and tone. It’s better to sound overly energized rather than monotone. 

4. Practice, practice, practice!

There’s nothing more effective than practicing your pitch until you’re able to recite it in your sleep. If possible, practice in front of friends and family to get constructive feedback on how you can make your pitch even better. Even if you have years of experience, you can never go wrong with being overly prepared. 

Elevate your first impression with an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 15 elevator pitch examples above will help you develop your own method using personal tidbits that tie into your innovative solutions.

While your pitch is an important part of leveling up your business, there are many avenues you can take to achieve growth. One of those ways is by determining whether project management vs. work management tools are right for your team. Not only will they help connect your team members, but the right tools and software can also help your organization set strategic goals. That means more time spent on bigger projects to help your business reach next-level growth. 

Related resources

Beat thrash for good: 4 organizational planning challenges and solutions

How Asana uses Asana to streamline project intake processes

How to use benchmarking to set your standards for success

9 steps to craft a successful go-to-market (GTM) strategy

The Elevator Pitch: How to Master Your Own (+ 7 Real Elevator Pitch Examples to Learn From)

Think back to a time when a salesperson cold-approached you, and you actually kept talking to them (or even bought something). Did they stumble or seem unsure of themselves?

I doubt it. They most likely recited a short speech they’d practiced hundreds of times— their elevator pitch .

Somehow, they piqued your interest, either by demonstrating value or speaking to a pain point that mattered to you. That’s no coincidence. Without a doubt, they’ve refined that short speech to be so effective that you took the time to listen.

Whether you’re in sales, looking for a new job, or trying to get people interested in your latest business venture, refining your elevator pitch can literally change your life. 

In this guide, we’ll teach you what to include in your elevator pitch, how to master the delivery of that short elevator speech, and break down real-life examples of successful elevator pitches you can borrow from. 

What is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short speech that concisely describes an idea that you’re selling. The idea could be a product or service, an investment opportunity, or your own skill set. It should clearly explain your value proposition in 30 seconds, which is about the time you’d have on an elevator ride. 

Elevator pitches need to accomplish three fundamental things:

• Point out a need
• Show how you can uniquely solve it
• Provide a tangible next step

Here’s a basic example of an elevator pitch you could use if you were selling dent repair to people who have dents in their cars at gas stations (this has been used on me before):

When Would You Use an Elevator Speech?

Elevator pitches (sometimes called elevator speeches) can work for many situations, and they’ll change based on who you’re talking to and what you’re selling them. You might have multiple elevator pitches for different aspects of your life or job. You can even have an elevator pitch to get your kids to eat their vegetables (although your success rate might be lower than normal). 

Here, we’ll focus on three situations that most people design elevator pitches for:

• When you’re a sales professional selling products or services: Whether cold calling, emailing, talking to prospects at trade shows, or being introduced to new referrals, first impressions are key for sales pros. A great elevator pitch is adaptable to different buyer personas , so you can pitch your product in a compelling way, no matter who you’re talking to.
• When pitching your business or startup idea to investors: It’s not easy to get financing for a small business or startup. The first time you’re standing in front of potential investors, you need to prove there is a real market need, and that your product or service can uniquely solve that problem. A succinct 30-second pitch can also sell your business to prospective customers or job candidates you want to hire.
• When you’re in a job interview: There aren’t many questions more unnerving than, “Tell me about yourself.” Being prepared with an elevator pitch that distills your work experience and the value you can bring to the company can make all the difference. The best elevator pitch for a job seeker can be used with recruiters, hiring managers, at career fairs, or even as your LinkedIn summary.

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What to Say in a Good Elevator Pitch: 4 Essential Elements

To create the perfect elevator pitch for any situation, you’ll need to iron out each of the four elements below.  

1. Introduction

People need to know two things: Who are you? And why should I care? 

Remember, this isn’t all about you—if possible, try to include the problem you solve right in your introduction.

In a sales call, you might introduce yourself with something like this: “Hi, I’m Tom Callahan, I represent Callahan Auto, the most reliable brake pad manufacturer in the midwest.” 

By throwing in a simple one-liner that demonstrates value, Tommy Boy here has upped his introduction game to the next level. Not only does he say who he is, but why they should care. 

If you’re going into a job search and want to add value to your intro, you could use some compelling past results, “Hi, I’m Tom Callahan, best known for saving my family’s auto parts company from bankruptcy.” 

Here, Tommy Boy doesn’t just introduce himself but lets the recruiter/hiring manager know why he’s valuable. 

2. Mission Statement

An effective elevator pitch requires not just memorizing your mission statement, but feeling it. An effective pitch can convey that feeling to others. For example, one of our mission statements at Close is “Never again should a startup fail because they couldn’t figure out sales.” If you worked for our sales team, you would integrate this into your pitch. Potential customers would know that your goal isn’t just to sell them something, but to help their business succeed. 

If you were pitching yourself for a job interview, you’d want to have a mission statement that clearly states the impact you want to make. For example, your mission statement could be “I want to use my connections and skills to help this company IPO” or “I want to help this company grow because the product and the culture inspire me.” 

3. Unique Selling Point

Now, it’s time to sell your solution. Your elevator pitch should explain why you or your company can not only solve a problem but also why you are uniquely qualified to do so. This is why it’s called a ‘unique’ selling point. 

If you’re a sales rep, think about the competitive advantages you have. What’s something you offer that your competitors can’t touch? 

For example, if you’re selling Coca-Cola to a convenience store chain and are competing with products like Pepsi and RC Cola (remember that?), you could say, “Coca-Cola is the original cola; it’s the flavor that people expect. Without it in your fountain, customers will be left settling for a knock-off.” The uniqueness here is the originality and dominance of Coke over the competition. It conveys satisfying customer demand in a way that the competition can’t.

Whether you’re at a job fair, trying to get investors for your startup, or selling products and services, always remember to sell in a way that makes you unique. This could be your experience, the results you’ve produced in the past, or what drives you to make a positive change. 

4. Call to Action

Now that you’re nearing the end of your 30 seconds, it’s time to wrap things up with a tangible next step, i.e., a call to action. 

This will again vary based on the situation. If you’re pitching yourself to a recruiter for a job, the call to action could be to ask for a formal interview. If you’re selling a product, it could be to offer a more in-depth product demo. 

Don’t ask for too much. Give them a bite-size call to action that’s easy to commit to. A 30-minute product demo, 15-minute needs assessment call, or 20-minute investor presentation are all reasonable call-to-actions that should follow a 30-second pitch. 

If you’re doing an in-person pitch, don’t forget to leave a business card so they have something to remember you by and your contact information.

Our Quick, Simple, and Direct Elevator Pitch Template

Now that we have the four elements nailed down, here’s a simple template you can use to put your pitch together. Note that this is a sales pitch template, but can be easily adjusted for other situations. 

This is truly just a base template for you to start with and get ideas flowing. Feel free to add a compelling stat or fact, a story element, or a leading question that piques interest in your offering. 

The more creative, the more you’ll stand out. 

How to Craft and Execute Your Elevator Pitch: 6 Tips for Success

Knowing what to put in your elevator pitch is just the start. Now, here are six tips to keep your audience’s attention and get them excited about what you’re offering.

1. Have a Conversation Starter Ready to Go

Having a relevant and noteworthy discussion topic in your back pocket can help make your pitch more compelling. Use something that piques their interest, such as a stat or fact that impacts their business. This compelling opener should naturally transition into your elevator pitch. 

2. Focus on One Clear Benefit

You don’t have the time to rattle off all the benefits you provide in 30 seconds. Instead, go all in on the strongest benefit you provide. For us here at Close, it’s helping our customers master the sales process . If you aren’t sure what this is, talk to your customers or look at your product’s online reviews. 

3. Use Numbers to Make It Real

In business, numbers are everything. Use a compelling number in your pitch that calls out an important pain point. For example: “80 percent of small businesses that don’t streamline their sales process fail within five years.” (I have no idea if that’s true, but you get the idea.)

4. Take a Breath and Speak Slowly

Speaking slowly and from your diaphragm rather than your throat conveys confidence. If you speak too quickly and from too high up in your throat, you sound either unsure of yourself or desperate. By calming yourself with a deep breath and speaking confidently, you put your best voice forward . 

Also, speaking slowly can help improve your overall body language, making you seem like a calm and trustworthy person rather than a shaky mess. 

5. Avoid Useless Jargon

The last thing you want is to stop your pitch and explain some obscure industry jargon (there go your 30 seconds). Worse, you don’t want to isolate your audience by speaking in a language they don’t understand. Don’t use jargon unless you’re 100 percent confident that they’ll understand it and that your pitch will be better for it. Otherwise, avoid it. 

6. Practice until You Can Recite This Elevator Pitch in Your Sleep

You should literally be ready to give your elevator pitch to an important person in an elevator, just like the cliche. Practice and practice until you can recite your pitch hanging upside down with your eyes closed while monkeys throw rotten bananas at you. 

When I was in software sales, I recited my pitch so many times I could think about other stuff while saying it, kind of like when you read a page of your book but don’t remember it because you were thinking about something else. I’m not saying think of other stuff while reciting your pitch, but that is the level you should aim for. 

Source: SalesHigher

7 Elevator Pitch Examples From Real Humans You Can Learn From

To give you real-life examples of effective elevator pitches, I surveyed a group of small business owners and entrepreneurs, and the results were fantastic. Below, I’ll break down why these pitches work so you can take away some pointers to use on your own.  

Robert Kaskel, Chief People Officer, Checkr

Robert is an HR veteran for a prominent background check company with a ton of experience and notable clients. This is a pitch he could use at professional networking events or when talking to prospective new clients. 

Why this works:

• Robert’s introduction doesn’t just mention his title but also touts noteworthy clients. This lets you know his company is legit. 
• After the introduction, a pain point is introduced. This identifies a problem that the prospect may have. If they have this issue, they’ll keep listening. 
• His pitch demonstrates why his company is unique (built-in fairness/more human) and the impact it makes (vastly more efficient).

Gillian Dewar, Chief Financial Officer, Crediful  

Gillian’s pitch is for a personal finance site offering objective advice to help consumers pay down debt, learn to invest, and achieve their most important life goals.

• Gillian leads with a strong stat that her audience can relate to—it’s a great and empathetic conversation starter for someone struggling with their finances. 
• She differentiates her company from others by pointing out their mistakes, then makes her company unique and valuable by offering simplicity and trust. 
• It ends with giving her prospect hope for a better future, which is what they need most in their financial life. 

Marshal Davis , President, Ascendly Marketing

Marshal is the President of a digital marketing agency with over a decade of experience running and managing small to medium-sized enterprises.

• When introducing the company, Marshal delivers a strong value statement and clear benefits, which would get his ideal customers to listen. 
• He calls out ‘vanity metrics,’ i.e., meaningless data points that don’t deliver ROI, which is something many companies can relate to. 
• He provides a valuable free offer and mentions that he wants to ‘prove our worth,’ which humbles his company and shows that he is willing to earn their trust. 
• The ending reiterates the pain point that too many companies face and then demonstrates how he will solve that. 

Emma Zerner , Co-Founder & Content Strategist, Icecartel

Emma is the Co-founder and Content Strategist for a prominent e-commerce website specializing in jewelry. She has mastered the art of crafting compelling narratives for her brand. 

• As a whole, this pitch speaks very well to a specific persona that wants elegant, timeless jewelry. 
• It provides a strong mission statement, “We bring artistry and craftsmanship to the digital realm.” In the two sentences of the intro and the mission statement, you can identify what this company is all about. 
• Their unique selling proposition is catering to people who want to invest in an experience and view jewelry differently. In truth, not everyone fits their buyer persona, but for those who do, this hits home. 

Simon Hughes , Founder & Creative Director, Design & Build Co.

Simon’s agency helps eCommerce brands in the fashion, luxury, and beauty sectors enhance their online visibility through social media.

Note that this is the elevator pitch that Simon uses for prospective clients at networking events. 

• He starts with a great conversation starter that may take people aback for a second, and then they realize he’s talking about their brand. Nice! 
• He identifies a problem that his ideal customers may not have solved yet, which is moving beyond advertising to creating a brand identity that identifies with real people.  
• He shows how his company uniquely solves the problem by making clear promises and delivering on them. He also mentions building trust, which his customers need.
• It finishes with a clear and easy call to action. It doesn’t take a whole lot for prospects to say yes. 

Brian Nagele, CEO, Restaurant Clicks

Brian is a former restauranteur who went on to start Restaurant Clicks, an agency that does digital marketing for the food industry. 

• He leads with a strong conversation starter and pain point. Many restaurant owners will be able to relate to this. 
• Brian points out why his agency is unique compared to those other ones who have ‘never laid their hands on a chef’s knife.’ He is someone they can relate to and trust. 
• He finishes by providing value by sharing his expertise and growing his prospect's business. 

Samantha Odo, a Real Estate Representative for Precondo

Samantha showcases her dedication and expertise when pitching potential clients for her Canadian real estate agent business. 

• The intro shows that she’s a local and an expert, both of which convey trust to potentially nervous buyers. 
• Her uniqueness comes from her abundant knowledge and experience, plus her proven track record. Getting real estate clients is all about trust and she continues to build it here. 
• In the end, she states the outcome she will provide (an informed decision) and invites the prospect to achieve their goals with her—an inspirational and non-pushy call to action. 

Our Elevator Pitch to You (I Mean, We Couldn’t Not)

Whether you’re a salesperson, small business owner, or startup founder, you’re going to be delivering a ton of elevator pitches. How you manage, record, and follow up on those pitches is equally important to how you deliver them. If you don’t have a system for tracking your efforts, they are doomed to fail. 

Close is the perfect customer relationship management tool (CRM) for sales teams, small businesses , and startups to track all the information on who they’re delivering elevator pitches to, the opportunity those pitches create, and when you need to follow up. It’s built to help businesses like yours master the game of sales. 

Learn more about how Close can be the fast, modern, and simple CRM that your business needs.

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How to Write and Give an Elevator Pitch

By Joe Weller | October 17, 2022

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Students, professionals, and entrepreneurs should always have a personalized elevator pitch they can deliver at a moment’s notice. With help from experts, we’ve created a guide to developing, writing, and delivering an effective elevator pitch. 

Included on this page, you’ll find expert opinions on elevator pitch length and a step-by-step guide to writing an elevator pitch . Learn from our useful elevator pitch examples , and get tips from professionals on delivering your pitch . Also, download a free elevator pitch brainstorming guide , a basic elevator pitch template , a cheat sheet for reading listener cues , and more.

What Is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch , or elevator speech , is a short summary of a product, person, or company. A good elevator pitch is usually between 30 and 60 seconds long. Elevator pitches should be well-rehearsed, clear, and persuasive. 

Appropriate in any networking scenario, formal or informal, the elevator pitch is the answer to the tricky “tell me about yourself” or “tell me about your company” question. A strong elevator pitch will demonstrate professional aptitude, grab attention, and convey information quickly, clearly, and memorably. 

“A good elevator pitch will align a person emotionally and intellectually with your product and brand,” says Morgan Roth, Chief Communication Strategy Officer at EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases . “People need to feel good, smart, and safe about their investment of time, money, or other resources before they commit to calls to action. Your pitch puts your value-add on the radar and invites conversation with the potential for a relationship.”

Elevator Pitch Example

Here is an example of a basic elevator pitch for a software company:

ATS (applicant tracking software) reduces time people spend on hiring by about 20 percent. But these systems also throw away thousands of qualified resumes daily. Our team at Hiring Help has designed an ATS with the fewest formatting restrictions of any option on the market. Hiring Help software keeps hiring times low but discovers 30 percent more qualified resumes than the leading ATS, providing our users the best access to top talent.

How Long Should an Elevator Pitch Be?

An elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride. Usually this time is between 30 and 60 seconds, or 50 and 200 words. Some experts suggest writing elevator pitches that are as short as 15 seconds. 

Most experts recommend erring on the shorter side. “Keep the pitch short — within seconds, not minutes,” says Roth. “Thirty seconds is the max because of our overworked attention spans. That said, have your next steps ready. What are you prepared to do and say if the prospect asks for a prospectus or a meeting? What if they have questions about you at the ready? Have a plan to follow up in the moment or the following day.”

Shorter elevator pitches are best for casual networking events or chance encounters, where your primary goal is to spark interest and open the possibility of a continued relationship. Elevator pitches might go longer, about 45 to 60 seconds, in scenarios such as job interviews or career fairs. In these situations, you have a platform to speak, and the person listening might want more specific, detailed information. 

Remember that no matter the case, an elevator pitch should never exceed a minute in length. A good elevator pitch should open up the possibility of longer, more substantial conversations and professional relationships down the line.

How to Use an Elevator Pitch

Use an elevator pitch when you want to create a professional connection. Have your pitch ready for interviews, semi-formal chats, or career fairs. Break it out to spark interest, get across key points, and ask to stay connected. 

“I love using the elevator pitch when working a room — say, at an industry conference,” says Justin Kitagawa, Senior Director of Revenue Operations at MixMode . “You’re there meeting new people, and you want to make a strong impression quickly and find out if it makes sense to continue the conversation later.”

Roth suggests having your elevator pitch ready, even if you don’t have a specific networking event in mind. “Certainly, an elevator speech is a great tool to use at networking events, but a well-practiced pitch is also great for those unplanned encounters when you run into someone, say, on an elevator,” she says. “You may not have planned or expected it, but here is that person you’ve been reading about who has some promising connection to your product or cause, and they are a captive audience for some period of time!”

Finally, Roth stresses the importance of following up after you’ve made a connection. “Don’t assume that your pitch will establish or secure a relationship on the spot,” she cautions. “Your elevator pitch is an introduction meant to generate interest and imagination about possibilities. It represents the start of a cultivation process that can take weeks, months, or even years to mature. You still have to steward the relationship and fan the flames of interest strategically and with sensitivity.”

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

When writing an elevator pitch, start with who you are, what you do, how you do it, and why you are unique. Pare down those details. Structure your pitch with an intro, relevant experience, goals, the solution, and your plan. 

Learn how to write an elevator pitch about yourself, your company, or your product with this step-by-step guide.

1. Brainstorm Your Elevator Pitch

The first step to crafting an elevator pitch is to brainstorm some ideas. Think about all the ways you or your product add value. 

Devin Schumacher, Co-Founder of SERP , recommends answering several key questions as you brainstorm your pitch: “Who are you talking to? What are their pain points? What are the results they want? What is your solution? When it’s time to write your pitch, you need to answer those questions clearly and simply.”

Use these questions as a starting point in your brainstorming process to ensure you cover all your bases:

2. Pare Down Your Ideas

Once you’ve finished brainstorming, it’s time to pare down your pitch. Effective elevator pitches are concise. Look through all your points, and select a few key details that you think will have the most impact. 

“Your first order of business is to determine the one takeaway you want your prospect to take in,” explains Roth. “If he or she really hears you on one point only, what do you need that point to be?”

3. Write Your Elevator Pitch

Finally, it’s time to write your pitch. Keep the pitch short, usually between 50-120 words. Longer elevator pitches should never exceed 200 words. 

Begin your pitch with an attention-grabbing detail. This opener might be a surprising statistic, a pain point that your audience can relate to, or a thought-provoking question. From there, be sure to include the following five components in your pitch:

• Introduction: Include basic information, such as name, job title, or company name.
• Experience: State any relevant work experience, or give your listener a little background about your company, brand, or idea. 
• Goals: Clearly state your ultimate goal. This could be a pain point or problem you hope to address or value you can add. 
• Solution: Tell your listener about your unique solution to the problem. 
• Plan: Explain your plan for achieving your goal. Demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge, and be specific about how you are better equipped than your competitors to do it. 

Use this reference guide to make sure you remember all the key components of a successful elevator pitch:

Tip: When writing your pitch, Kitagawa recommends talking through it aloud. “I prefer to talk through my pitch rather than write it out. If you can do this live with another person, even better. Writing them out tends to be a bit more one-sided and can leave you sounding like you’re reading off a marketing campaign,” he adds.

Elevator Pitch Starter Kit

Download Elevator Pitch Starter Kit

Use this free starter kit to help you get started writing your elevator pitch. This kit includes templates for a basic elevator pitch and an elevator pitch deck. In addition, you’ll find an elevator pitch cheat sheet, which includes a guide to reading listener cues, brainstorming ideas, and the key components of an elevator pitch, all in one comprehensive document. Finally, consult the list of correct elevator pitch examples to help guide you as you create your own. 

In this kit, you’ll find:

• An elevator pitch template for Microsoft Word to guide you through the elevator pitch writing process. 
• An elevator pitch deck template for PowerPoint to help you structure your elevator pitch as a presentation.
• An elevator pitch cheat sheet for Adobe PDF to help you read listener cues, brainstorm ideas, and remember the key components of an elevator pitch.
• A list of elevator pitch examples for Microsoft Word to help you create your own elevator pitch.

For more free resources to help you craft an elevator pitch, including templates that have been pre-filled with sample text, see this comprehensive collection of downloadable elevator pitch templates .

How to Write a 30-Second Elevator Pitch

Most experts recommend keeping your elevator pitch under 30 seconds. This translates to between 80 and 120 words. Be sure to include the five key parts: introduction, background, goals, solution, and plan.

Here are some examples of each of the elevator pitch components: 

• My name is Linda, and I work in digital marketing.
• Our company is Hiring Help, a leading ATS software developer.
• I’ve spent the last six years coordinating our social media advertising program. In our last initiative, I increased our Twitter engagement by 60 percent in three months.
• We’ve been producing industry trusted ATS software for more than 10 years. 
• I noticed that your company hasn’t yet developed a robust social media presence, even while your top competitors are launching social media campaigns.
• Most ATS solutions cut down on hiring times by about 20 percent, but they also throw away thousands of qualified resumes for things as simple as formatting issues. 
• As marketing manager, I could develop a social media engagement team to run a program that will make you more competitive.
• We offer software that saves as much time as our leading competitors, while giving our clients more access to top talent.
• In my current role, I’ve created a detailed social media development plan that any company can adapt. 
• Our team of top-tier engineers has created software that discovers 30 percent more qualified resumes than the leading ATS, while keeping hiring times low.

How to Write a 60-Second Elevator Pitch

Opt for longer elevator pitches when you have a captive audience. A 60-second elevator pitch should be around 200 words and use the same components as a shorter pitch. In the extra time, add attention-grabbing details to prompt a dialogue.

“I would typically start with the 30-second pitch, and then be prepared to go into additional detail in the area where the person you are talking to expresses interest or asks a question. It’s all about matching up with their interests and potential needs,” advises Kitagawa.

“If you have the benefit of a full 60 seconds to make a case and an invitation to keep speaking, be prepared to show that you’ve done your research,” suggests Roth. “Connect your organization’s mission or product to your prospect’s specific needs, interests, or passion.”

If you have 60 seconds for your pitch, you can add the following on top of the basic elevator pitch components:

• Did you know that 55 percent of customers first hear about new brands or companies through social media?
• On average, 43 percent of the resumes that ATS products reject are for file compatibility issues, not because candidates aren’t qualified. 
• What has been preventing your team from expanding into social media?
• What initiatives have you been taking to ensure that you are hiring the top talent available in your field?

How to Deliver an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch needs to be engaging and informative. Speak slowly and clearly, and avoid confusing jargon. Practice saying your pitch ahead of time so that you feel confident and prepared during delivery. 

Given the short timespan available, it can be tempting to rush and cram in as much detail as possible. However, this is counterproductive. Speak slowly so that your listener can follow along and ask questions as they arise.

Roth stresses the importance of practicing, and practicing often. “An elevator speech should be articulated fluently and effortlessly and, whenever possible, in the vernacular of your audience,” she stresses.

Here are some simple ways to make the most of practicing your elevator pitch:

• Record Yourself: It can be difficult to judge your pitch as you’re giving it. Try recording your voice or filming yourself as you practice your pitch. When you watch it, you’ll be better able to identify areas for improvement. 
• Use a Mirror: A low-tech option is to deliver the pitch in front of a mirror. Watching yourself as you speak will allow you to practice keeping your body language professional and welcoming. 
• Do a Trial Run: Ask a friend, colleague, or career counselor to watch your elevator pitch and provide feedback. This practice has two benefits. First, it will help you feel more comfortable when you deliver your pitch in a real networking scenario. Second, they will likely pick up on problems that you aren’t aware of. 

Kitagawa also recommends keeping your pitch conversational. If it feels one-sided, it’s possible you aren’t engaging your audience. “I recommend everyone drop the 30 seconds of you talking,” he advises. “Instead, use a question. Why? Because talking doesn’t sell. Listening does. If you’re the one doing all the talking, you’ll often miss the opportunity to learn how you can help that person.”

What Not to Do When Giving Your Elevator Pitch

When giving an elevator pitch, avoid rambling, using jargon, or ignoring your audience. Elevator pitches should be conversational, concise, and friendly. You can avoid most pitfalls by practicing your pitch often.

Here are some elevator pitch don’ts to keep in mind: 

• Don’t Ramble: “Don’t get distracted and start rambling,” says Schumacher. “How do you avoid that? Practice. Practice saying your pitch out loud repeatedly, until you’re sure you can deliver without a hitch.”
• Don’t Ignore Listener Cues: An elevator pitch should be interactive. If you want to keep your audience engaged, listen to their questions and respond to their nonverbal cues. 
• Don’t Be Overly Technical: Focus on pain points that you or your company or idea can address. Roth explains, “You can tweak context and vernacular to accommodate the level of familiarity your audience has with your business or mission. Insiders from your field may be more tolerant of some technical or industry jargon, but don’t go overboard.” 
• Don’t Be Shy: Confidence will generate interest and trust. Combat stage fright by practicing regularly. 
• Don’t Show Desperation: Elevator pitches are about making connections and starting conversations, not demanding or pleading for help. Remember, desperation can be off-putting. 
• Don’t Talk Too Fast: When you speak too quickly, you can make mistakes or trip over your words. Your audience will also be more likely to misunderstand you or lose interest. Practice speaking slowly and clearly.
• Don’t Have Just One Script: “Consider the context in which you are giving the pitch, both the situation and the person. You should adjust the level of detail you go into, formality of the language you use, and key points of your pitch,” says Kitagawa.
• Don’t Monologue: Keep a conversational tone. “Make sure you don’t sound like a robot. You want to be natural,” adds Schumacher.

Listener Cues to Look for During Your Elevator Pitch

Paying attention to your audience can provide vital feedback. Look out for signs such as eye contact and relaxed posture. These signs indicate that your audience is engaging with you. If you notice negative cues such as fidgeting and frowning, have some plans in place to get back on track. 

“Imagine meeting someone who interests you romantically,” Roth suggests. “You want to make a memorable introduction and establish what you have in common. But you’re still steps away from asking for a date, let alone proposing marriage. Just like in the dating world, how someone responds to your elevator pitch will signal whether you should stand down, move forward, or move on.”

Look for positive cues as signs that your audience is receiving your pitch well. These cues include eye contact, commentary, and friendly, open body language. “The best cue your pitch is working is when the person you’re talking to starts asking questions. That’s a good sign they’re interested in learning more,” says Kitagawa. 

If your pitch isn’t going well, your audience is likely to reveal their disinterest in body language and actions. Lack of eye contact, fidgeting, and frowning are signs that your pitch isn’t establishing the connection you want.

The easiest way to save a pitch is to encourage listener engagement with questions. “If you’re picking up on negative cues, the best thing to do is to ask a question, and then really, genuinely listen to what they have to say,” advises Kitagawa. “This gives the person a chance to explain what they’re thinking, and you a chance to course-correct to get back to how you can help them.”

Refer to the following cheat sheet for a quick overview of the positive and negative cues to look for, as well as some strategies for turning around a pitch that isn’t going well.

Elevator Pitch Examples

We’ve compiled a useful list of correct and incorrect elevator pitch examples for three different encounters: an informational interview, a career fair, and a new business pitch. Use these examples to spark ideas for your own pitch.

Here are some example elevator pitch scripts:

Informational Interview

• Correct: I’m studying political science at X University. This summer I worked on Senator A’s reelection campaign, where I focused on social media promotion. I helped launch a TikTok campaign that got over 6 million engagements in the first three weeks. I want to continue doing this after graduation and would love to talk to you about your work. I’m really drawn to the social media campaigns your company has spearheaded, especially the ones for Governor B and Congresswoman C. 
• Why It Works: This speaker provides a quick background, notes quantifiable results from previous experience, and gives their listener clear expectations for the conversation. This speaker also demonstrates that they’ve done their research by citing specific campaigns their listener has worked on.
• Incorrect: I’m in my last year at university, so I’m starting to think about jobs. I’m really good at social media, and I’ve taken some classes in communications and political science. I think I want to work on either political campaigns, but I could also be interested in other kinds of marketing. What kinds of jobs can I get at your company? 
• Why It Doesn’t Work: This speaker is too vague about their background and experience and doesn’t make it clear what they want from the conversation. The final question presumes that their listener wants to hire them, which could come across as rude.

Career Fair

• Correct: My name is Emma Miller. I’m a second-year MBA student studying business operations. I noticed that you’ve been expanding your verticals. Before starting school, I was an assistant operations manager at a multinational clothing manufacturing company, where I assisted with vertical integrations. I’ve been focusing my coursework on process and systems optimization. I’m currently looking for internships and jobs where I can put those skills to use. 
• Why It Works: Emma is clear about who she is, her background and experience, and her goals for the career fair. She also demonstrates that she’s done research on the company and finds a connection to her own experience. 
• Incorrect: My name is Sarah Smith, and I’m a second-year MBA student. I’m interested in business operations, but also management. I also have taken some classes on business strategy, which I think I’m pretty good at. I haven’t taken too many classes on corporate finance, but I’m a fast learner. But probably I have the most experience in operations. What jobs are you hiring for?
• Why It Doesn’t Work: Sarah is vague about her experience and interests. She wavers back and forth so that it is unclear what kind of role she wants or would suit her. The final question is one she could easily look up online and suggests that she hasn’t done her research.

New Business Pitch

• Correct: Have you had any nasty surprises on your utility bills? My name is Jim Johnson, and I’ve created and sold four apps to major developers. For the last eight months, my business partner and I have been creating partnerships with local utility companies to develop an app that would allow users to track utility use in real time. Now we’re looking for sponsors so that we can secure enough funding to make this app a reality. 
• Why It Works: Jim starts with an attention-grabbing question and transitions smoothly into his introduction and background. He also demonstrates that he has already done work toward this business but doesn’t get into too much technical detail. This way, the listener can engage by asking questions.
• Incorrect: I’m Bob Williams. I want to develop an app that would help people keep track of their utilities. We really need funding to get the ball rolling with this app. I’ve been trying to find investors, but they just aren’t seeing how much value this app has. It would really solve a lot of people’s problems. I promise this will be such a good investment.
• Why It Doesn’t Work: Bob doesn’t include any interesting details so that his listener can connect with or understand his concept. He focuses for too long on the need for funding and not enough on what work, if any, he’s already done. His pitch risks coming across as demanding or desperate. 

For a more comprehensive list, including elevator pitch examples by industry, see this collection of elevator pitch examples.

Use Smartsheet to Master Your Elevator Pitch and Get More Business

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The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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      How to write an effective elevator pitch – and use it in your business [with examples]

How to write an effective elevator pitch – and use it in your business [with examples]

Author : Gary Woodward

Posted : 25 / 02 / 21

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When you think about doing this, what you’re essentially doing is working on a version of your elevator pitch .

This article will show you what an elevator pitch is, when you should use one, how to write and structure your elevator pitch, and mistakes to avoid.  

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short statement in writing or speech. It encapsulates the value of what you’ve got to offer, whether it be your skills, a product, service or an idea. It should capture your audience’s attention and interest so that they want to find out more.

The name comes from the idea that you might take the opportunity to present yourself, your business or your plan to someone you find yourself in an elevator with. And you only have the length of the ride to make that winning impression.

You may have come across other names for the same concept, such as ‘pitch’, ‘value proposition’ or ‘back of the taxi test’.

How long should an elevator pitch be?

Think in terms of creating a highly condensed summary. To begin with, I’d recommend making your oral pitch about 30 seconds long. For one in writing, go for between 30 and 50 words.

This may mean taking some time to pare your initial drafts down. That’s OK – you can gradually make them more succinct and focused.

Your audience will want to know more if your pitch does its job. So prepare an expanded version too, should the situation demand it.

When to use your elevator pitch

You can use an elevator pitch in many situations (and not just in an elevator). Here are a few examples:

• during sales phone calls and emails
• at conferences, events and networking situations
• in marketing, especially on landing pages for websites
• when trying to secure investment in an idea, product or service (think Dragons’ Den or Shark Tank )
• at high-level meetings, such as at board or executive-committee level
• for job-hunting, job interviews and career profiles, including your CV, covering letter and LinkedIn profile.

How to write your elevator pitch

The downfall of many elevator pitches is that they’re written (or spoken) without properly considering the audience. As humans, we tend to talk and write from our own point of view. But this isn’t the best way to capture another person’s heart and mind.

Here is a simple three-step process to get your elevator pitch on the right track.   Step 1: Identify your target The first step is to think about the context in which you’ll be using the pitch and what your audience might be interested in. What do they care about? What’s most important to them? You might not be able to answer these questions with 100% certainty. But an educated guess will still help you enormously.

Step 2: Express the value or interest Now that you’ve thought about who might be receiving your pitch, think about how your skills, ideas, product or service could benefit them. Talk or write less about what you do and more about how you help . (In other words, your pitch should not be just another version of your business card.)

So, rather than ‘We specialise in big data and artificial intelligence’, go in the direction of ‘We help organisations unlock the power of their data to boost productivity.’ You can also apply this concept to your marketing documents or your own LinkedIn page.

Step 3: Add some specifics Your pitch can get even stronger if you can add something specific that resonates with your audience. For example, in the example above, you could make it more specific if you were targeting a particular sector: ‘We help top-tier investment banks unlock …’. And if you’ve got data to back up the benefits, add that too.

Social proof is a powerful tool. So if you have solved this problem for someone in the same industry as your audience – or even just a big name – be sure to mention this. It can really help your credibility.

Weaving your elevator pitch naturally into conversation

Elevator pitches are ideal for in-person situations where you want to make connections. But many of us find it difficult to make an elevator pitch in speech. It can feel too ‘salesy’. In our discomfort, we may be tempted to deliver the full spiel in one go, robot-style. The trick is to make it sound more like a natural conversation.

Picture the scene. You’re at a conference or networking event. You’re listening to someone talk about their job and (despite your best efforts) you can feel your eyes glaze over as you slowly (or quickly) lose the will to live.

Why is this such a common experience? It’s generally because people will talk about themselves without connecting what they’re saying to the person they’re talking to. So the message fails to make an impression.

The examples below show the difference between this me-centric approach and a better one:   Typical conversation (not a great pitch) New contact: ‘And what do you do for a living, Gary?’

Me: ‘I’m a business-writing trainer. I help people and organisations to improve the writing they produce.’

New contact: ‘Oh, sounds interesting. Anyway, do excuse me: I’ve got to catch up with an old colleague. Nice to meet you.’ [Makes swift exit]

Me: *Sigh*   Better example New contact: ‘And what do you do for a living, Gary?’

Me: ‘Well, you know we all have to write emails and other documents at work?’

New contact: [nods vigorously]

Me: ‘And do you ever spend longer than you’d like reading or writing them?’

New contact: ‘Oh yes, it’s a nightmare! Takes up so much of my week.’

Me: ‘Well, you’re definitely not alone. I train people so that they can write things that have more impact – and so they can do it more quickly.’

New contact: ‘That’s really interesting. We could do with that kind of help where I work. Do you have a business card?’

Now, things might not always immediately work out so well as in the second conversation. But you increase the odds of making a great impression dramatically if you bring out an interest factor and the meaningful value you can provide for your audience.

The structure of an elevator pitch

You may have also noticed that the second version above tells a mini story. I started with a situation, something that the other person can identify with. I then identified a problem that resonated with them, and then gave a solution.

Telling a story doesn’t mean that you embark on a tortuous ‘Once upon a time…’. But it’s important to take your audience on a journey, even if it lasts for only 30 seconds.

This situation-problem-solution structure is at the heart of many great stories and one which you can borrow for your elevator pitch, whether you’re describing your own job or your company’s products or services. And the great thing is it works in both writing and speech.

Remember that part of presenting the solution is making it clear that you are the one that’s the best choice for delivering it. That’s where the specifics and social proof can come in: make clear the benefits that are possible for your audience, along with some targeted evidence (like who has benefitted before and exactly how ).

Examples of elevator pitches in action

Let’s explore some examples of elevator pitches in the wild and a few of the different ways you can use them.  

Making an elevator pitch to investors

Imagine you’re a contestant on Dragon’s Den or Shark Tank . You’re proposing an idea, service or product to try and secure investment. Here you could use an extended version of the situation-problem-solution model.   Situation Skiing is increasing in popularity across the globe, bringing health benefits to those who practise it and economic benefits to many local economies. Latest figures suggest that there are 135 million skiers in the world, a figure which is growing by three per cent each year.

Problem Sadly, the number of skiing accidents is also increasing, with serious head injuries up by 5% last year alone. Yet approximately 80% of those injuries could have been prevented had the skiers worn more robust headgear.

Solution Here at Ski Futures we have developed a new type of headgear that we estimate will reduce serious head injuries by up to 90%. The new helmet includes state-of-the-art technology software that detects moving or stationary obstacles. It also gives you audio instructions if your speed is too fast for the terrain you’re on. Finally, it’s made from a new tough yet lightweight material, tested to withstand impact speeds of up to 150 km/h.

(From this point on, you’d probably add some details about your experience and how much money you want.)

When you’re pitching an investment idea like this, you might even add a strapline or soundbite at the start to really capture your audience’s imagination, before you begin with the situation. In the case above, it could be:

Introducing SafeSki – the revolutionary product that prevents injury on the piste

Elevator pitches in sales emails (a cautionary tale)

A well-written pitch is the perfect addition to a sales email, including in an introductory – or ‘cold’ – email. Unfortunately, this is one of the key places where a misplaced me-focus too often undermines the pitch-writer’s efforts.

Here’s an example based on one I received from a company wanting to sell me software that can measure the long-term impact of training. Now, that’s potentially very interesting, but sadly the author missed the opportunity to deliver a good sales pitch.   Subject line: Meeting invitation

I wanted to get in contact with you to introduce our company, ABC.

We have developed a web-based learning platform used to increase results from all types of educational activities. We help organisations, such as X and Y, improve the impact of their training programs, through behavioural application. Our platform incorporates the methodologies of Dr X and Professor Y, both world-renowned experts in the field of training evaluation.

Using our platform enables training programs to achieve the highest transfer of learning from the classroom back into the workplace.

If you’re interested to know more on how ABC can benefit your organisation, I suggest we set up a time for a video Skype call.

I look forward to hearing from you.

John Doe Business Developer   There are plenty of things wrong here, not least the uninspiring subject line and lack of a name after ‘Hi’. Both of these tend to result in immediate deletion.

Most striking, though, is that the email – especially his ‘pitch – is all about him, his company and his product. It’s not focused on the recipient and how his product can help them.

Here’s a better alternative that opens with a reader-focused pitch:   Subject line: Proving the long-term value of your training courses

As an experienced training provider, you’ll know how difficult it can be to measure the long-term impact of training. You’ll also know it’s a key factor in securing new clients.

But what if there was a way to convince clients more easily? That’s what our new platform, ABC, can help you with. [Insert the system’s key features/benefits here, including specifics, data and social proof that reinforces any claims.]

So if you’d like to keep your current clients happy and gain new ones more easily, ABC could be the answer.

Interested in a 15-minute video call to look at some of the system’s features? You can book a call in my calendar [here].

Best wishes

John Doe Business developer   Notice here that I’ve combined the situation and problem together in the opening sentence, making it a bit catchier:

‘You’re an experienced trainer’ → the situation, and starts with the reader – plus flattery!

‘Securing new clients can be difficult’ → the problem

The solution here is the product. And having been given a reason to care at the very start, the email’s reader is more likely to take an interest in the details about the platform.

Using an elevator pitch on your website’s homepage

Once you get familiar with the situation-problem-solution structure, you can sometimes combine the elements within one sentence, or even play with the order. This website’s landing page provides a good example:

As you’ve probably gathered, Slack is an app that helps teams work together. Notice the strapline, designed to capture your imagination: ‘Welcome to your new HQ’.

Then we’ve got the situation and problem reversed: ‘Teamwork is still the best way to work’ [situation], ‘but it can be hard, messy and complicated’ [problem]. They end with the solution: ‘That’s why we made Slack – a place where people get work done, together.’

Notice the examples of Slack in action underneath the value proposition – again showing the power of being specific to help your audience form an easy mental picture.

Elevator pitches: a summary of key ideas

Let’s recap what we’ve covered:

• Tie what you’re offering to the concerns or interests of your target audience. Think about how you help rather than simply what you do.
• Use the situation-problem-solution framework to tell a mini (or extended) story.
• Add some specifics and social proof to make your pitch more vivid and persuasive.
• Where appropriate, begin with a strapline to capture your audience’s attention – this is especially useful in pitching for investment and landing pages.
• Be prepared to give more facts or details should your pitch generate interest.

Final thoughts

Do consider the country and culture you’re pitching in. The way of doing business varies a lot across the globe – launching directly into conversation with a stranger won’t work everywhere, for example. So remember to consider this in your audience analysis.

And, crucially, remember to follow up with any potential leads . Ask for people’s contact details – or find them on LinkedIn – and send them a polite and friendly message later, reminding them of the value you can provide. However mesmerising your initial pitch, it’s up to you to keep the momentum going.  

  If your team is focused on prospecting and growing your business and they need to sharpen their writing skills, take a look at our Writing for business development course and get in touch if you’d like us to run a tailored course with you.  

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The Art of Persuasion: 5 Elevator Pitch Examples That Stand Out

Imagine this: 

You’ve had a million-dollar idea sitting in your back pocket just waiting for the right time and resources to realize it. 

Then one day, you’re taking the elevator up to your office when the door dings early. Suddenly, in walk Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O’Leary (or whichever “Shark Tank” sharks are your favorite). After a moment of disbelief, the door closes and you finally have the captive audience of investors you’ve been waiting for, but there’s only one problem: You only have your business card and a 30-second elevator ride to win them over.

So how do you do it? With an elevator pitch, of course.

Overly literal hypothetical aside, an elevator pitch can be invaluable to have on hand because you know when you’ll have the opportunity to promote yourself or your ideas to the right people. Whether you’re giving a sales pitch, introducing yourself in a job interview or proposing a business idea, having a short speech at the ready can save you from stalling in the moment and propel your career forward.

In this blog, we’ll be diving into everything you need to know about developing and delivering the perfect elevator pitch that leaves a lasting impression and helps you get ahead.

What Is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch, or elevator speech as it’s sometimes called, is a short but persuasive sales pitch for whatever it is you’re trying to sell — whether that’s a skill or professional experience you have, an idea you came up with, or an actual service or product. 

The key word here is “short.”

A compelling elevator pitch only needs about 30 seconds to explain the idea or product, why it’s valuable and why the other person needs it. For reference, that’s about 60-90 words — or about the length of this definition.

When To Use an Elevator Pitch

Despite the name, an elevator pitch can take place in almost any location. While you’re likely not going to run into the cast of “Shark Tank” any time soon, there’s always a chance you could find a potential investor in your day-to-day life. However, it’s far more likely you’ll be able to find your target audience at a networking event for other professionals.

If you’re a job seeker searching for a potential employer, try having a personal elevator pitch prepared for the next career fair you attend. By memorizing a short speech on your specific skills and experience, you’ll be ready to deliver a successful pitch that could land you an interview for your dream job.

How To Write an Elevator Pitch

While the specifics of your pitch will depend on whatever it is you’re trying to sell, crafting the perfect elevator pitch isn’t all that complicated. All it takes is 5 simple steps:

1. Introduce Yourself, Your Company and Your Idea

Before you introduce who you are and what you’re doing, it’s essential to set the stage by establishing the problem you’re going to solve. This is your hook — the primary pain point or problem that’s meant to resonate with your audience and get them to pay attention. As always, be succinct and get straight to the point of why they’d want to listen. Once you have their interest, it’s time to show them how you’ll solve their issues.

2. State Your Value Propositions

Explaining the solution is the most fundamental part of an elevator speech, so it’s essential to spend your time crafting this section. More than just communicating why your solution, company or idea is useful, you’ll need to articulate the key value propositions you’re able to deliver. This will differentiate you from the competition and demonstrate what your audience stands to gain.

3. Define Your Goals and Mission

Whether you’re persuading a potential client or leaving a lasting impression on a potential employer, you’ll want to clearly communicate your personal (or organizational) goals and overall mission. For example, my short pitch example might go something like, “I’m a writer at Brafton. We’re a content marketing agency committed to helping clients unlock their brand’s full potential with high-quality, data-driven content.” This clearly describes who I am and what Brafton does without getting too wordy.

4. Close With a Clear Action or Next Steps

As you close out your elevator pitch, it’s important to leave your audience with a call to action, or at least a question that will leave them thinking about you. It could be as simple as, “Sign up with this QR code,” or “Call the number on my business card.” Ideally, you should come out with concrete next steps, so it’s best not to leave things open-ended. For instance, instead of saying, “Let’s chat sometime!” try saying, “When is a good time to talk in more detail?”

5. Practice, Edit and Repeat

Finally, a great elevator pitch requires practice. Once you have your first draft written, read it out loud to make sure it sounds professional without feeling overly formal. As you practice, try to relax yourself into a conversational tone and continue playing around with word choice and order. After all, you don’t want potential clients, employers or investors to feel like you’re just reading a script to them.

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Elevator Pitch Examples to Inspire Yours

To help inspire you to write your own successful elevator pitch, here are a few templates you can use and tweak to make your own:

Example #1: Lead With a Captivating Question

Does your team struggle to manage project workloads? I’m [Your Name], a software expert from [Company]. We specialize in delivering easy-to-use automation solutions tailored to your workflows. With [Product], our all-in-one project management platform, you can boost collaboration, streamline repetitive tasks and revolutionize your productivity. If you’re ready to say goodbye to bottlenecks and missed deadlines, I’d love to talk more about [Product] with you.

Why does this pitch work?

By opening with a question that targets their specific pain points, you immediately pique their interest and get them to pay attention to what you have to say. 

Example #2: Create a Sense of Urgency

Cybersecurity threats are evolving at break-neck speeds with reported attacks increasing year over year. The reality is that your sensitive data could be vulnerable to sophisticated breaches. At [Company], our team is committed to developing a digital fortress to safeguard against these threats. With [Solution], you get proactive, round-the-clock monitoring and support from our leading cybersecurity experts, you can rest easy knowing your data is protected. Don’t wait until it’s too late — let’s talk more about how [Company] can help you.

This pitch employs a bit of fact-based fear factor to instill a sense of urgency around the solution without being too pushy or resorting to scare tactics.

Example #3: Craft a Compelling Story

Hi, I’m [Name], founder of [Company]. We started back in 2010 as a ragtag group of tech enthusiasts with a dream of transforming the way we connect with each other at work. Over the past decade, we’ve grown into a worldwide powerhouse in communication software, empowering greater collaboration with our platform, [Solution]. Join us on this journey as we continue to cultivate connected, more productive teams.

Creating a narrative around your pitch is like a cheat code for boosting engagement. Your story doesn’t have to be long — it just has to communicate the key points about your business.

Example #4: Support Your Story With Data

Did you know that switching to solar power can help reduce your electricity costs by up to 80% within the first three years alone? At [Company], we provide sustainable energy solutions tailored to your business needs. Whether you’re trying to minimize your carbon footprint, follow through on your sustainability goals or just cut down on costs, our solar panels could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Let’s set up some time to discuss your energy needs.

In addition to opening with an intriguing question, this pitch example uses an attention-grabbing statistic that speaks to a specific pain point of the audience.

Example #5: Keep It Short and Simple

Did you know the average data breach costs a company $4.5 million? Don’t let [Audience Company] become a statistic. Since 1998, [Company] has consistently demonstrated our ability to defend our clients against cyberattacks and safeguard their sensitive data. Can we schedule some time to talk more about how [Company] can keep your information protected?

Not only is this elevator pitch short and to the point, coming in at 55 words, but it also combines all the strengths from the other examples. It opens with a question that presents alarming data, creating a sense of urgency before telling the story of the company and how it can help. While you don’t have to follow these templates to the T, they can serve as a launching pad for your own ideas, helping you craft the perfect pitch to win over anyone listening.

By Ben Crosby

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Make Every Second Count by Crafting the Ultimate Elevator Pitch

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You’re at a networking event, hiring a new employee, or in front of potential investors. You’ve got seconds to make them care. Your elevator pitch can mean the difference between success and failure.

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is your business in a nutshell. It's short, sharp, and gets to the point fast. It's not just what you do but why it matters. The goal of your elevator pitch is not to seal the deal but to intrigue enough to start a real conversation. It's about making them lean in, not sign on the dotted line.

Clarity wins.

Over my three decades of navigating the startup scene and mentoring at Techstars and Founder Institute, I’ve heard tens of thousands of elevator pitches and delivered plenty of my own across a spectrum of business ideas. This experience honed my ability to spot the great pitches—a skill I want to share with you.

In this article, we’ll explain why a strong pitch matters, examine different variations for different occasions, and show you how to craft yours. We’ll also provide tips to help people remember your pitch.

Think of your elevator pitch like the opening move in a chess game. It’s not about checkmate; it’s about positioning yourself for a meaningful engagement. Your elevator pitch is a concise introduction to who you are, what your business does, and how you solve problems uniquely.

Timing for your elevator pitch

Deploy your pitch in moments that matter, from casual meetups to industry gatherings and even in line at the coffee shop. Make it purposeful (think, “I enhance community engagement by 25%, fostering connections without added costs.”) and ensure a memorable leave-behind, like a thoughtful follow-up or a creative business card exchange.

But remember, it’s called an elevator pitch for a reason. You have limited time to make the pitch.

Thirty seconds — that’s your window. Your pitch should be crisp, engaging, and to the point, steering clear of the weeds that can lose your audience. You want to spark curiosity and invite dialogue, not overwhelm with information.

Your elevator pitch should be prepped and ready to roll before you “step foot in the elevator.” In that brief encounter, your goal is to captivate, convey your unique value, and open the door to the next conversation.

How to write an elevator pitch

• Start with an outline
• The art of the introduction
• Introduce your mission statement
• Explain the unique value proposition
• Grab attention with a hook to captivate your audience
• Tailor your pitch to your audience
• Include a call to action (CTA)
• Practice your pitch
• Be ready to adapt and overcome objections
• Polish your pitch

16 terrific elevator pitch examples

What to avoid doing when giving an elevator pitch.

Crafting an elevator pitch is like writing a compelling short story. Every great story needs a hook, a clear theme, and a memorable ending. Here’s a step-by-step guide illustrated with many examples:

1. Start with an outline

Imagine you’re creating a custom piece of art. You wouldn’t just start painting without a sketch.

Similarly, beginning with an outline for your elevator pitch provides a clear structure. Consider using a simple yet flexible outline that can adapt whether you’re speaking to investors, clients, or potential partners.

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2. The art of the introduction

Introducing yourself is like the opening scene of a movie. It sets the tone and invites the audience in.

A social media consultant might start with, “I’m Alex, a digital pathfinder at SocialVue, guiding brands through the social media labyrinth.” This approach reveals not just the consultant’s role but also hints at their value proposition: navigating social media’s complexities.

Imagine an eco-friendly packaging consultant making their introduction. They might say, “I’m Jordan, a green warrior at EcoWrap, revolutionizing packaging with sustainability at its core.” This introduces Jordan and their company and immediately highlights their commitment to environmental change, setting the stage for what’s to come.

Here are three more examples:

• Sustainability consultant: “I’m Taylor, a sustainability strategist at GreenInsight, championing eco-friendly business practices that don’t compromise on profitability.”
• Mobile app developer: “I’m Jamie, a digital innovator at AppCraft, turning complex problems into simple, user-friendly app solutions.”
• Personal fitness trainer: “I’m Casey, a health motivator at FitJourney, customizing fitness plans that fit into your life, not take it over.”

3. Introduce your mission statement

Your company’s mission statement is the heart of your pitch. Imagine a startup focused on sustainable fashion. Their pitch could include, “At GreenThread, we’re weaving sustainability into fashion, transforming recycled materials into high-end clothing.” This clearly states their mission and hints at their unique approach to an industry-wide challenge.

• Boutique owner: “At FashionForward, we curate ethical fashion that empowers artisans worldwide, blending style with social responsibility.”
• Educational tech company: “EduTech aims to democratize education, making learning accessible, engaging, and affordable for everyone, everywhere.”
• Eco-friendly cleaning service : “CleanEarth provides non-toxic, sustainable cleaning solutions that ensure a safe environment for families and pets alike.”

4. Explain the unique value proposition

The value proposition helps you differentiate. For example, a tech company specializing in AI for small businesses might say, “We empower small businesses with AI tools previously only accessible to giants, leveling the playing field.” This succinctly states how they add unique value to their customers.

• Local bakery : “We bake with locally sourced ingredients, offering a fresh, homemade taste that supports our community’s economy.”
• Freelance web designer : “I specialize in creating intuitive, visually appealing websites that enhance user experience and drive business growth.”
• Pet grooming service: “Our mobile grooming service brings convenience and professional care right to your doorstep, making pet maintenance stress-free for busy owners.”

5. Grab attention with a hook to captivate your audience

Hooks can be a powerful statistic, a surprising fact, or a compelling story. For a health startup, a hook could be, “With our wellness app, users see a 40% improvement in mental health in just three months.” This surprising and compelling statistic makes the audience want to learn more.

• Craft brewery : “Our beer is not just crafted; it’s designed to tell a story, with each brew celebrating a piece of local history or culture.”
• Virtual reality startup: “We’re transporting users to unexplored worlds, with our VR platform increasing empathy and understanding through immersive experiences.”
• Organic cosmetics brand: “Our products aren’t just makeup; they’re a movement towards beauty that’s kind to your skin and the planet, with 95% of users reporting improved skin health.”

6. Tailor your pitch to your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial. Modify your pitch based on who you’re talking to: an investor, a potential client, or a partner.

An investor might be interested in your business’s scalability, while a client might focus on how your product or service solves a problem for them.

• For investors: “We’re not just selling a product. We’re creating a scalable ecosystem that addresses untapped market needs.”
• For clients: “Our service simplifies your daily tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters to your business.”
• For partners: “Together, we can combine our strengths to create unparalleled value for our customers.”

7. Include a call to action (CTA)

Don’t leave the next steps to chance. End your pitch with a clear call to action that invites further conversation, be it a meeting, a demo, or a simple exchange of contact information.

• Meeting request: “Let’s schedule a brief meeting to explore this synergy further.”
• Product demo: “I’d love to show you how it works. Can we set up a demo?”
• Exchange contacts: “May I have your card? I’ll follow up with some detailed information.”

8. Practice your pitch

An effective pitch is not just about what you say but how you say it. Practice delivering your pitch to make it sound natural and engaging. Work on your timing, tone, and body language to ensure your message is delivered with confidence and authenticity.

• Timing: Keep your pitch within the 30-second limit without rushing.
• Tone: Use a conversational tone that matches your enthusiasm for what you’re discussing.
• Body language: Maintain eye contact and use gestures to emphasize points, making your pitch more dynamic and engaging.

9. Be ready to adapt and overcome objections

Be prepared to answer questions or address concerns that may arise during or after your pitch. This shows that you’re passionate about your business, knowledgeable, and ready to tackle challenges.

• Objections on market fit: “We’ve conducted extensive market research and found that…”
• Questions on business type: “We registered an LLC because…”
• Questions on scalability: “Our business model is designed to easily scale by…”
• Concerns on competition: “What sets us apart from the competition is our unique approach to…”

10. Polish your pitch

Finally, ensure your pitch sounds natural and engaging. It should feel like a conversation, not a presentation. Reading aloud can help you refine the tone and pace, ensuring it resonates with your audience while staying true to your voice.

In each step, the key is to be clear, concise, and compelling, ensuring your audience is eager to hear more.

1. The engaging problem-solver

Start with a relatable problem, demonstrate understanding, introduce your solution, and highlight benefits.

“Ever found yourself scrolling through endless menus, trying to find a healthy meal that fits your dietary needs? It’s frustrating when ‘quick’ food options are anything but healthy. That’s where NutriQuick steps in. Our founders, nutritionists with a tech background, developed an app that filters local restaurant menus to instantly recommend meals tailored to your dietary restrictions, making healthy eating simple and fast.”

Why this elevator pitch is effective:

• It starts with a common, relatable issue.
• Shows empathy towards the struggle of finding healthy food fast.
• Introduces a clear, innovative solution.
• It avoids technical jargon, making it accessible.

2. The trust builder

Highlight expertise, connect over a shared pain point, introduce your solution, and compare ease of use.

“As a cybersecurity consultant with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how small businesses underestimate the threat of cyber attacks, thinking it’s a big corporation problem. That’s a myth. Our solution, SecureStart, is designed specifically for small businesses. It’s as easy to set up as checking your email, providing top-notch security without the complexity or the cost.”

• Establishes the speaker’s credibility.
• Addresses a common misconception, building rapport.
• Offers a solution tailored to a specific audience.
• Employs an everyday task as a metaphor for ease of use.

3. The unexpected revelation

Pose a challenging scenario, engage the audience with a question, reveal your solution, and contrast with the status quo.

“Imagine you’re planning a vacation. You want the best deals, but you also want sustainable and eco-friendly accommodations. How long do you think it would take to find the perfect match? With GreenGetaway, you’d have a list of personalized options in seconds. Our platform uses AI to match your preferences with eco-conscious travel options, saving you time and aligning with your values.”

• Presents a scenario that highlights a specific, emerging need.
• Engages the audience with a direct question, drawing them into the problem space.
• Introduces a novel solution that offers both efficiency and ethical alignment.
• Sets up a vivid contrast to the tedious, conventional way of planning travel.

4. The time-saver

Highlight a time-consuming task, express understanding, reveal your service, and explain its efficiency.

“Frustrated with the endless cycle of grocery shopping and meal planning? You’re not alone. It’s a time sink for busy individuals and families alike. Enter MealWheel, a subscription service that delivers weekly meal kits based on your dietary preferences and cooking habits. Our service transforms meal prep from a chore into a delightful, time-saving experience.”

• Identifies with the universal dread of repetitive, time-consuming meal planning.
• Acknowledges the challenge of balancing nutritious meals with a busy schedule.
• Offers a direct, practical service that addresses the core issue.
• Emphasizes the time saved, making it a compelling option for the target audience.

5. The connection creator

Describe a social challenge, empathize, propose your platform, and highlight the community aspect.

“Ever felt disconnected in a world that’s supposedly more connected than ever? You’re not the only one craving real, meaningful connections. That’s the gap we noticed at CircleUp. Our app facilitates local, interest-based meetups, encouraging face-to-face interactions and fostering genuine community connections.”

• It touches on the irony of feeling isolated in the digital age.
• Shows understanding of the craving for meaningful social interactions.
• It introduces a solution that contrasts with the superficial nature of many social platforms.
• Emphasizes creating real-world connections, appealing to a common desire for community.

6. The stress reliever

Present a common stressor, convey understanding, introduce your solution, and underscore its calming benefits.

“Stressed about finding the perfect gift for every occasion? You’re not alone. The pressure to choose something thoughtful yet unique can be overwhelming. That’s where GiftGenius comes in. Our app uses AI to suggest personalized gift ideas based on the recipient’s interests and your budget, turning gift-giving into a stress-free, enjoyable process.”

• Tackles the universal challenge of gift selection.
• Recognizes the emotional weight of finding the right gift.
•  Offers a tech-driven, personalized approach to a traditional problem.
• Highlights the ease and relief provided, making it an attractive solution.

7. The efficiency expert

Highlight inefficient processes, empathize with the frustration, reveal your software, and emphasize productivity gains.

“Ever drown in paperwork, feeling like it eats into your productive time? You’re not alone in battling inefficiency. PaperTrail was born from experiencing the same frustrations in the corporate world. Our digital documentation software simplifies paperwork, making processes seamless and reclaiming hours for what truly matters in your workday.”

• Addresses a widely shared frustration in the professional world.
• Connects through a shared experience of inefficiency.
• Introduces an easy-to-adopt software that solves a common problem.
• Stresses the value of time saved, appealing directly to the desire for efficiency.

8. The wellness guide

Identify a wellness challenge, show empathy, propose your app, and focus on holistic benefits.

“Struggling to balance work, life, and health? It’s a juggling act many find daunting. This challenge led us to create WholeLife, an app designed to help you find that balance by integrating wellness practices into your daily routine. From meditation prompts to activity reminders, WholeLife supports your journey toward a healthier, more balanced life.”

• Speaks to the modern struggle to maintain wellness in a busy world.
• Acknowledges the difficulty of prioritizing self-care.
• Provides a tool that supports various aspects of wellness.
• Emphasizes the app’s role in promoting a healthier lifestyle, resonating with widespread wellness goals.

9. The environmental advocate

Outline an environmental problem, demonstrate concern, unveil your initiative, and highlight ecological impact.

“Are you Worried about plastic waste polluting our oceans? You’re not the only one alarmed by environmental degradation. That concern inspired EcoStraw, a line of biodegradable straws crafted from natural materials. By choosing EcoStraw, you’re not just selecting an eco-friendly option but actively participating in the movement toward a cleaner planet.”

• It addresses a pressing global issue that resonates with many.
• Shows solidarity with the audience’s environmental anxieties.
• Offers a tangible way to contribute to solving a major problem.
• Underlines the positive change consumers can make, making the product not just a choice but a statement.

10. The financial navigator

Present a financial problem, show empathy, introduce your solution, and emphasize empowerment.

“Navigating personal finances feels like a maze, doesn’t it? Between saving, investing, and budgeting, it’s easy to feel lost. This common struggle inspired us to create FinPath, a personalized financial guidance app. FinPath demystifies financial planning, offering tailored advice and tracking tools to empower you to confidently take control of your finances.”

• Recognizes the complexity and overwhelm many feel about personal finance.
• Shows understanding and sympathy for the financial confusion people face.
• Offers a straightforward tool designed to simplify financial planning.
• It focuses on the user’s ability to gain control and confidence in managing their finances.

11. The eco-conscious shopper

Highlight an environmental issue, convey empathy, reveal your marketplace, and stress sustainability.

“Worried about the environmental impact of your shopping habits? You’re not alone in wanting to make more sustainable choices. That’s why we created GreenMarket, an online marketplace exclusively for eco-friendly products. From clothing to household items, GreenMarket makes it easy to shop with your values in mind, supporting both the planet and ethical producers.”

• Taps into growing consumer awareness and concern about sustainability.
• Recognizes the shopper’s desire to contribute positively to the environment.
• Introduces a platform that aligns with the user’s values, making ethical shopping accessible.
• Emphasizes the benefit of supporting products that are kind to the earth and its inhabitants.

12. The health advocate

Discuss a health challenge, demonstrate understanding, introduce your health app, and underline personal well-being.

“Struggling to keep up with your health goals in a busy world? You’re not alone. Many find it hard to stay on track with diet and exercise amidst life’s demands. That’s where HealthCompanion comes in. Our app tracks your habits and provides personalized guidance and motivation to help you reach your health goals, making wellness achievable for everyone.”

• Addresses the difficulty of maintaining healthy habits in a fast-paced lifestyle.
• Acknowledges the user’s struggles and the complexities of personal health.
• Offers an app that goes beyond tracking to provide personalized health guidance.
• Highlights the app’s role in supporting the user’s overall health journey, making it a partner in wellness.

13. The fitness motivator

Highlight a fitness challenge, show support, introduce your platform, and underline the motivational aspect.

“Struggling to stay motivated with your fitness routine? It’s a common barrier to achieving health goals. FitInspire connects you with a community and personal trainers who provide daily motivation, personalized workouts, and nutritional advice, making fitness a fun and achievable part of your life.”

• Identifies the difficulty of maintaining fitness motivation.
• Offers empathy and understanding toward fitness challenges.
• Proposes a supportive community and expert advice as solutions.
• Emphasizes the enjoyable and attainable aspects of getting fit.

14. The urban gardener

Point out an urban living challenge, empathize with the limitation, introduce your product, and emphasize sustainability and relaxation.

“Do you Wish you could garden but feel limited by city living? Many urban dwellers share your dream of growing their own food. GreenSpace offers compact, hydroponic garden systems designed for apartments, making it possible to grow fresh produce at home, adding a touch of nature and sustainability to your urban lifestyle.”

• Highlights the challenge of pursuing gardening in urban environments.
• Shows understanding of the desire to connect with nature in the city.
• Introduces a solution that overcomes space and soil limitations.
• It focuses on the benefits of sustainability and the relaxation gardening provides.

15. The remote work connector

Address a remote work issue, express solidarity, showcase your solution, and highlight connection and efficiency.

“Feeling isolated and disorganized working from home? You’re part of a growing number of remote workers facing these challenges. ConnectHub is our answer, offering a virtual workspace that fosters team connection and streamlines project management, making remote work feel less distant and more productive.”

• Acknowledges common issues with remote work: isolation and disorganization.
• Offers a sense of camaraderie with remote workers.
• Presents a platform that enhances team cohesion and project clarity.
• Promises a more connected and efficient remote working experience.

16. The personal finance simplifier

Discuss financial management stress, empathize with the audience, introduce your app, and focus on simplification and empowerment.

“Are you Overwhelmed by managing your personal finances? You’re not alone in feeling daunted by budgets and savings goals. FinSimplify turns complex financial management into a straightforward, user-friendly experience, empowering you to confidently and easily control your finances.”

• Addresses the stress and complexity of personal financial management.
• Demonstrates understanding and empathy for financial planning challenges.
• Offers an app that simplifies financial tasks and planning.
• Highlights the empowerment of users through easy financial oversight

1. Don’t ramble

Keep your pitch concise and focused on the listener’s needs, not your history or achievements. Aim for clarity and brevity.

“I’ve been with TechInnovate for over a decade, climbing from intern to CTO. Our cutting-edge AI solutions have revolutionized the tech space, impacting industries from healthcare to finance. Our AI-driven analytics tool, InsightAI, has transformed how businesses interpret data, leading to unprecedented growth and efficiency improvements for our clients.”

Why this elevator pitch is ineffective:

• It’s overwhelming and self-focused, losing the audience’s interest.
• Drowns the listener in a personal journey rather than focusing on what’s in it for them.
• Lacks a clear, concise value proposition.

2. Avoid jargon

Your pitch should be understandable to anyone, regardless of their technical knowledge. Simplify complex concepts and focus on benefits.

“Our platform leverages blockchain technology to create a decentralized network that enhances data security and integrity, employing smart contracts to automate transactions and reduce the need for intermediaries.”

• Loaded with technical jargon that can alienate non-expert listeners.
• Fails to explain the practical benefits or applications of the technology in understandable terms.
• Assumes prior knowledge or interest in blockchain, which may not be the case.

3. Avoid over-personalization

While personalization is key, overly familiar comments can make the listener uncomfortable. Keep the focus on the value you provide.

“I saw on LinkedIn that you’re a big rock climbing fan, just like me! That adrenaline rush, right? Anyway, that got me thinking about how much you’d appreciate our adventure gear subscription service, PeakGear. Each month, we handpick premium gear tailored to your exact outdoor activities. Imagine getting the perfect climbing gear suited just for your next climb.”

• Attempts to create a personal connection in a way that feels invasive and presumptuous.
• The pitch blurs the lines between professional interaction and personal connection too early in the relationship.
• The pitch focuses heavily on trying to create a personal connection, sidelining the service’s core value proposition.

4. Don’t undersell the problem

Clearly articulate the pain points your product or service addresses. Show that you understand and can solve the listener’s specific challenges.

“Sometimes, you might find it a bit tricky to manage your email inbox, right? It gets a bit cluttered. Our app, ClearInbox, helps sort your emails a bit better. It could make things slightly easier for you, I guess, if you ever find the time to check it out.”

• This pitch fails to capture the urgency or frustration of email management, making the problem seem insignificant.
• The speaker sounds unsure and indifferent about the value their solution offers.
• By underselling the problem, the pitch misses the chance to resonate with the listener’s pain points.

5. Be authentic

Ensure your elevator pitch reflects genuine enthusiasm and belief in your offer.

Authenticity can be a differentiator in a sea of sales pitches. Share genuine stories or testimonials that demonstrate your solution’s impact, making your pitch memorable and relatable.

“Let me tell you, everyone is saying our new app, LifeChanger, is the best thing they’ve ever used. It’s transforming lives, improving every aspect of daily routines infinitely. Our users are calling it a miracle worker. Can you believe that? It’s just amazing, and you’re going to love it, I promise.”

• This pitch sounds hyperbolic and unrealistic, promising miraculous results without substantiation.
• By using vague superlatives (“the best thing,” “transforming lives”) without offering concrete examples or user testimonials, the pitch fails to ground its claims in reality.
• The exaggerated enthusiasm and broad promises can be insincere or salesy, eroding trust.

An elevator pitch might be brief, but its impact is mighty. Done right, it turns fleeting chats into lasting connections, prospects into loyal customers, or brief encounters into pivotal partnerships.

Remember, the essence of a memorable pitch lies in clarity, brevity, and authenticity. Keep it straightforward, make it resonate, and let your genuine passion lead the conversation.

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How to Deliver A Strong Elevator Pitch (+5 Examples)

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An elevator pitch can be a powerful tool. It can help you strike up conversations with like-minded professionals, set the tone for a successful interview, and even help make connections that lead to landing your dream job .

But, before any of that, you have to know how to craft an elevator pitch that’s above average. One that captures and holds the attention of complete strangers. One that makes people think, “Hey! I want to know more about this person!” And, trust me, that takes some work.

So, in this post, I want to show you how to prepare and deliver your very own winning elevator pitch! First, I’ll answer some common questions you might have like:

• What is an elevator pitch?
• When do you need an elevator pitch?
• What makes for a poor elevator pitch?

Then, I’ll give you a step-by-step formula to help you know what to write for your elevator pitch. And to finish things off, I’ll show you 5 examples you can use for inspiration and share some tips on how to best deliver your elevator pitch for maximum results.

Let’s get started by jumping into that first question now!

What Is An Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch — sometimes referred to as an elevator speech — is a short, 30-60 second summary about who you are, what you do for work, and (ideally) why the person you’re talking to should be interested in continuing a conversation with you.

As you may know, it’s called an elevator pitch because you should be able to say it in the amount of time you’d ride an elevator from one floor to the next with another person.

When Do You Need An Elevator Pitch?

Your elevator pitch is for whenever and wherever you find yourself introducing yourself to new people in a professional setting.

The most common situations include:

• Career fairs
• Job interviews
• Networking events
• Professional conferences
• When meeting someone who works at your dream company

The Problem With Most Elevator Pitches

So many elevator pitches are just plain bad. You know the kind. They tend to sound like a sleazy attempt to either sell you something or trick you into feeling impressed. Yuck!

And, so, I get it. If you’re used to hearing a bad elevator pitch, you’re bound to doubt whether writing your own can actually help you advance your career. Luckily, the elevator pitch I’m going to teach you how to write won’t sound like the bad ones you may be used to hearing.

But before I share that formula, I want you to know exactly what we’re aiming to avoid. Here are common problems with most elevator pitches:

There’s no objective. Your elevator pitch should have a purpose. Maybe it’s to make new connections. Maybe it’s to find out about job opportunities. It doesn’t matter. Just make sure your goal is clear so it doesn’t sound like you're rambling.

They’re too vague. If your pitch can be said word for word by one of your colleagues, it’s no good. It needs to sound unique to you. And that can’t be accomplished without personal details of your experience.

They’re too “I” focused. Few people will want to hear you talk on and on about yourself. That’s just not how most people are wired. If you talk exclusively about yourself from start to end, you risk losing the other person’s attention.

They leave no room for follow-up conversations. There’s nothing worse than an awkward pause following your pitch. But if you don’t make continuing the conversation easy, it’s almost guaranteed.

Alright, now that you have an idea of what not to do, let’s take a look at what you should do!

How To Craft An Elevator Pitch

You likely already have some kind of elevator pitch. Think about it. It probably sounds something like, “I’m a [job title] at [name of company].” But you and I both know you can do better than that!

So, here’s how you prepare an elevator pitch that grabs attention and effectively makes you the type of person others want to know more about.

Step 1: Establish Your Foundation

Start with a greeting and a basic summary of what you do. This includes your job title, where you work, and a few of your major responsibilities.

Step 2: Decide On An Objective For Your Elevator Pitch

Now, think of what you hope to accomplish with your elevator pitch. You don’t necessarily need to state this explicitly in your pitch. But it’s important to get clear on this because everything else will center around your objective. Are you just trying to make connections? Answer common interview questions ? Or impress someone who could help you get your foot in the door at your dream company?

Step 3: Share Your Work Related Experience Or Interests

With this step the goal is to set yourself apart from the other people who have the same job title as you. What’s something you worked on recently that you’re proud of and supports your objective? If you’re just getting started in your career, get specific about what interests you about your field. Sharing this information will help the other person start thinking of more specific ways to help or relate to you.

Step 4: End With A Question Or Call To Action Related To Your Objective

Your elevator pitch is essentially a conversation starter. But you have to make sure the other person knows that. End your elevator pitch with a call to action or question that’s related to the objective you decided on in step 2.

Step 5: Put It All Together And Edit

What you end up creating the first time might not be perfect. But it doesn’t need to be. Take the time to edit your elevator pitch and view it as a work in progress. Over time and in different contexts, the content of it will change.

5 Elevator Pitch Examples

I know creating a good elevator pitch may be easier said than done. So, here are some examples you can use for inspiration!

Example #1: The “Recent Grad” Pitch

“Hi! Nice to meet you. I recently graduated from college with a degree in computer science with a focus in machine learning. I’m particularly interested in how machine learning can be used in the healthcare industry, which is why I’m looking for a job as a software engineer at a health tech company. Do you know anyone at this career fair I should speak to?”

Example #2: The “Perfect Hire” Pitch

“Hello! I’m a Social Media Manager at XYZ, Inc. where I work directly on using social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to build brand awareness and convert our followers into buyers with engaging content and ads. Our most recent Facebook ad campaign had a conversion rate of 10%, which, as you know, is above average for our industry. I’m now hoping to align my expertise in social media marketing with my passion for environmental activism at a company like yours.”

Example #3 – The “Open to Opportunities” Pitch

“Hey! Nice to meet you. I’m an Outbound Sales Representative for ABC, a B2B SaaS company, out in New York City that specializes in providing software solutions for small businesses. I recently collaborated with a company like yours to help increase their customer retention rate by 6%, resulting in an increase in profits by 65%. Since then, I’ve actually become fascinated with your industry. Would you be open to setting up a quick call for us to discuss any opportunities you have for someone with my skill set?”

Example #4 – The “Just Making Connections” Pitch

“Hey! I’m glad we’re finally able to connect! As you know, I’m an SEO Analyst at XYZ, Inc. I’m really impressed with the work your company has done recently, which is why I’m hoping to see if I can get your perspective on a new idea I have. I’d love to help you out with anything you’ve been working on in exchange. If you’re up for it, let me know some times that work for your schedule next week.”

Example #5 – The “Unexpected Meeting with Someone at Your Dream Job” Pitch

“I’ve been following your company for a few years now and really admire your mission and commitment to the quality of your product! I’ve actually been a Product Manager at XYZ, Inc. for the past 2 years where I’ve had the opportunity to lead 4 cross-functional teams to develop a series of products for FinTech companies. I’d love to learn more about your experience and, if it’s okay with you, stay in touch in case you hear of any open roles in the future!”

General Tips For Delivering Your Elevator Pitch

Preparing a good elevator pitch is only the first part. The real power of it comes from how you deliver it. Here are some general tips to help you deliver your elevator pitch effectively:

Keep it brief. Remember, you should be able to deliver your elevator pitch in about 30-60 seconds. That means there’s no room for rambling on about every detail of a career. Stick to the key points that work towards the objective you established in the step-by-step formula.

Don’t speak too quickly. While your pitch should be brief, by no means should the other person think you’re rushing through it. Practice until you can deliver the pitch at a comfortable pace that’s natural and easy for the other person to follow.

Adapt the tone and content to fit each situation. Make sure to adapt the tone and content of your pitch to the situation. If you have more than one objective, that probably means you’ll need to plan more than one elevator pitch.

Pay attention to your body language. How others perceive your pitch isn’t just based on what you say. Your body language is also important. Stand up straight with confidence. Smile. Use gestures to show your enthusiasm and friendliness.

Have your business card ready. You or the other person may not have time for a full conversation after you deliver your elevator pitch. So, plan ahead and make it easy to continue the conversation later on by having a business card readily available so they can contact you again in the future.

Practice. This is the most important tip I can give you! Practice your elevator pitch over and over again until it feels natural. You can rehearse the pitch by talking to yourself in the mirror or by acting out a scenario where you’d use your elevator pitch with a friend.

Final Thoughts

Your elevator pitch may only last 60 seconds, but it could lead to connections and opportunities that last for years to come. Spend some time making it great by following the advice here, and be sure to use it the next chance you get!

If you'd like to learn more about adding value to relationships and setting yourself apart from the competition, check out how to create a successful Value Validation Project !

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Austin Belcak

Austin is the founder of Cultivated Culture where he helps people land jobs without connections, without traditional experience, and without applying online. His strategies have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, & Fast Company and has helped people just like you land jobs at Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, & more.

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Elevator Speech [Outline + 13 Examples]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Capturing your background, skills, and objectives into a short and clever elevator speech can be difficult. How do you know what to keep and what to leave out? How do you make an impression in such a short time?

Standing out with your elevator speech doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little practice, you’ll gain confidence in introducing yourself at a job interview, career fair, and, of course, on an elevator ride! Here’s a quick guide to help you craft the perfect pitch along with several elevator speech examples.

In this article:

Tips for Creating a Good Elevator Speech

A sample elevator speech outline, checklist for fine-tuning, elevator speech examples.

The elements that make up a great elevator speech outline are pretty straightforward. You need to describe who you are, what you do, and what your goal is. While the elevator speech template stays the same whether you’re speaking with a potential employer or a sales prospect, you might add other elements to match your unique situation.

Here are a few tips for crafting your personal elevator pitch:

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• Keep it 30 to 60 seconds long.
• Use persuasive speech to spark your listener’s interest.
• Showcase your qualifications or skills.
• For a sales pitch, try starting with an open-ended question.
• Describe who you help and what problem you aim to help them solve.
• Be ready to customize your speech to fit your target audience.

Whether you’re a business owner preparing for a networking event or a job seeker attending a job fair, you can benefit from perfecting a succinct and effective elevator pitch. A go-to elevator speech comes in handy when you’re introducing yourself to new people in general. Have a business card on hand and ready to deliver as well.

Your elevator speech can also provide the right content for social media bios or a resume objective statement. This statement represents your personal brand, so keep it consistent across all social media channels.

Be sure to practice your elevator statement over and over so that you’re able to deliver it naturally, even in a moment’s notice. If you’re stumped for ideas, draw from the elevator speech examples listed below.

This model suggestion plan assists you to avoid creating a sales pitch. It must be  from  your mouth and supporting body language gestures, and  about  your skills and abilities. Use each idea to write one short powerful sentence.

The 10 speech topics I will explicate right now in the next paragraphs are primers to write a carefully planned and prepared presentation that grabs attention and says a lot in a few words.

Remember: tweak till it fits your personality and decisive nature.

ABOUT YOU 1. Smile to your counterpart, and open with a statement or question that grabs attention: a  hook  that prompt your listener to ask questions. 2. Tell who you are: describe you and your company. 3. Tell what you do and show enthusiasm.

WHAT DO YOU OFFER 4. Tell what problems have solved or contributions you have made. 5. Offer a vivid example. 6. Tell why you are interested in your listener.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS 7. Tell what very special service, product or solutions you can offer him or her. 8. What are the advantages of working with you? In what do you differ from competative companies?

HOW DO YOU DO IT 9. Give a concrete example or tell a short story, show your uniqueness and provide illustrations on how you work.

CALL FOR ACTION 10. What is the most wanted response? Do you want a business card, a referral or an  corporate appointment for a presentation after your elevator speech ?

OTHER BUSINESS QUESTIONS

These are other points, questions and business subjects you could ask:

• Who is your target?
• How large is your market volume?
• How do you make profits?
• What are the background, major milestones and achievements of your team?
• Who are your competitors, how do they solve a problem? What is your strength and advantage compared to them? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?
• Are there special patents or technology? Do you have a special approach in client management? And so on.

STEP 1: First write down all that comes up in your mind.

STEP 2: Then cut the jargon and details. Make strong short and powerful sentences. Eliminate unnecessary words.

STEP 3: Connect phrases to each other. Your elevator speech address has to flow natural and smoothly. Do not rush, keep eye contact all the time and work steady to the grande finale: the call to action.

STEP 4: Memorize key points and practice out loud – test it with a close relative in the safe environment of your home.

STEP 5: Have you really answered  the  key question of your listener:  What’s In It For Me?

STEP 6: Create different versions for different business situations of your elevator speech. Note them on professional business cards:

Perfect your own elevator presentation by learning from others. Here are a few effective elevator pitch examples to help you craft your own:

1. Job Seeker Elevator Pitch Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH0Thez9gvA

You run into all kinds of people at the elevator, even a hiring manager. This sample elevator speech is a good example for those looking for a job interview. It shows how you can highlight your skills and experience even when you’re caught off guard. Notice how she also has a business card ready?

“I’m excited to hear back because the position helps me to use my brand management and social media skills…”

2. Recent Graduate Great Elevator Pitch

This is an excellent example for those who recently graduated with a bachelor degree in business. Notice that she states exactly what she’s looking for – an internship or job opportunity. In just 41 seconds, she states her experience, skills, and some good details about her personality that make her the perfect job candidate.

“I hope to incorporate my business knowledge into consumer trend analysis and strengthening relationships among consumers…”

3. College Student Personal Elevator Speech

This college freshman opens with her interest in the company. She states her major and reflects on high school experiences, also sharing relevant awards she has won for her skills.

“I’ve gotten awards for my leadership skills and I’m very involved with my college…”

4. Personal Brand Elevator Pitch Template

This college graduate pitches his personal brand through stating the skills he acquired in his education, the type of job he is looking for, and why he wants to work in that type of job. He offers a good mix of talking about his own experience while also focusing on how he’ll help clients. He ends his speech with the call to action of directing his audience to his website.

“I strive to lead a team on various projects one day.”

5. Personal Brand Pitch with a Personal Touch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_paOrg5Zpg

Video pitches are becoming increasingly popular for those looking to connect with brands online. This college student’s personal brand sales pitch stands out because it opens and closes with inspirational music. She explains her personal promise and future plans to receive her master degree.

“I promise to always bring positivity to the table and to remain hard working and dedicated no matter what the task.”

6. Business Plan Effective Elevator Speech

This example is perfect for a small business owner looking to pitch a product. The speaker opens with a compelling situation that appeals to his target market, offers his solution and details the features and benefits, announces his promise, and states his objective – all in 51 seconds.

“Don’t let frost bite your buns. Get the hot seat!”

7. Small Business Elevator Speech Sample

Opening with an interesting fact of how much Americans spend on fishing each year, the speaker follows up with an open-ended question to immediately grab audience attention from her target market. This is a great example of a sales pitch to investors, as the speaker outlines her plan for marketing her product and making their ROI (Return on Investment).

“Our goal is to revolutionize the economics of fishing in favor of the customer.”

8. Financial Advisor Elevator Speech

Ron Coleman explains who he is as a financial advisor, who he works for, and what exactly he helps his clients do. Additionally, he explains the type of people who benefit from his services.

“I’m confident that if given the opportunity I can provide you with the service and the coverage you need in order to protect your business, you, and your family from a variety of different risks.”

9. The Career Fair Elevator Pitch

This funny elevator speech example is the perfect model for a job seeker attending a job fair. The speaker highlights the importance of expressing interest in the company by acknowledging their work and asking a related open-ended question. Of course, lead with your own experience and skills that are relevant to the company representative whom you’re speaking with.

“I read on your website that you are the only company that has increased efficiency by employing mannequins. Can you tell me a bit more about that process?”

10. Good Elevator Speech for Speed Networking

This example from a holistic marketing mentor shows how you can sum up who you are, what you do, and the people you can help in one quick and savvy sentence.

“I help wellness professionals find additional revenue streams so that they can help more people and live a life of ease and grace.”

11. Extreme Sale Pitch Example with Iron Man Jericho Missile Test Scene

Sure, you might not ever get the opportunity to pitch a missile system, but you can take away a lot from Robert Downey Jr.’s confidence as Iron Man. Notice how he opens with a thought-provoking question, offers his guarantee, and humbly ends with a bonus.

“That’s how Dad did it, that’s how America did it, and it’s worked out pretty well so far.”

12. Don Draper’s Funny but Effective Sales Pitch

This funny elevator speech example shows the importance of using a tagline for your personal brand.

“From a basket of kisses she picks one. It makes her unique. It colors her kiss. And her kiss, well, it colors her man. Mark your man.”

13. Real Estate Elevator Speech Example

This is the perfect elevator pitch example for real estate agents. Stacy talks about what she specializes in and highlights her experience in the real estate industry.

“If you know of someone who is looking for a real estate agent in the metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri area that is professional, knowledgeable, and technologically savvy, that’s me!”

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30 Seconds to Impress: How to Write an Elevator Pitch

The ability to introduce yourself professionally and persuasively is the key to successful networking and job searching. One of the best tools for introducing yourself effectively in an interview or at a networking event is by giving a short “elevator pitch” to new contacts or prospective employers.

In this article, we will tell you what an elevator pitch is, how to write an elevator pitch, and share some examples of strong elevator pitches to help you write your own.

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a concise speech used to sell yourself, your product, or your company in 60 seconds or less – or the time it takes to travel to your floor in an elevator. Using this method to deliver a professional summary can be very effective in multiple settings, e.g., when you’re networking, job hunting, or even at a job interview. They need to be quick and compelling, and it’s very important not to rush!

Preparing one in advance, and practicing it in front of a mirror, will help you outline your skills and experience quickly and clearly in professional situations. You should also record it to see how much time it takes to deliver and whether any unnecessary words are taking up valuable seconds of a potential mentor or employer’s time.

Check out more tips on how to write an elevator pitch below.

How to write an elevator pitch

1. Introduce yourself.

Before you start your pitch, you should introduce yourself to your new connection , interviewer, etc. Smile, tell them your name, and in pre-COVID times, we’d always have suggested a handshake, too. It’s a good idea to add in a quick, “Nice to meet you,” or, “Thank you for your time,” as well, but don’t waste too many words on this. Remember: you’ve only got 30-60 seconds to impress them!

2. Explain what you do and what makes you unique.

Condense your background into two very punchy sentences. Of course, the more experience you have, the harder this will be. So, firstly, write down everything you can think of – education, career history, any outstanding achievements, etc. Then ask yourself, “What do I want this person to remember about me?” Those are the details that should make it into your pitch.

Your USP (or “unique selling proposition”) is the one thing that will make you stand out from the crowd in the employment market. Identify what sets you apart and tell people about it in the next section of your pitch.

3. Tell them what you want.

Once you have outlined your skills and your USP, you need to tell your audience why they make you a good fit for this job role or why you’re a useful contact for them. For example, if you can show you’ve had success in a similar, niche field, it will highlight the advantages of forming a professional connection with you.

4. Add in a call to action.

Your pitch needs to have a strong ending. To ensure you succeed in getting what you want , close your pitch by asking for what you went in for . Remember, this is your first contact with a prospective new contact or employer, so don’t overdo it. Anticipate, rather than demand, next steps.

Here are some examples of a call to action for the end of your elevator pitch, depending on what you might be seeking:

• Looking for a mentor: “Are you in a position to offer me mentorship?”
• Looking for a job: “Do you have time for a call next week to discuss upcoming opportunities on your team?”
• At a job interview: “Does that answer your question, or would you like further clarification?”

5. Practice, edit, and practice again.

As we have already mentioned, a great way to practice your pitch is to repeat it to yourself , then record it and play it back. Not only will this give you an idea of timing, which is very important—elevator pitches need to be short, or you won’t have time to get to the end!—it will also help identify any repeated words or weak sentences. You want the tone of your pitch to be confident but conversational, and not too sales-y.

When you are happy with your pitch, try it on a friend or family member and ask for their feedback. Check, do you sound natural, or were you going too fast? Is it representative of who you are? Does it flow well? etc.

Elevator pitch examples

Now that you know the basics of writing one , here are some examples of strong elevator pitches from the world’s most comprehensive search engine for jobs, Indeed . We have included three from different scenarios, so you have a template to follow, no matter what you are looking to achieve from your elevator pitch. 

1. In an interview

“Hi, my name is Mark. Thanks so much for sitting down with me today. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, I’ve spent the last three years building professional experience as an Executive Assistant. I’ve successfully managed end-to-end event coordination and have generated a strong professional network for my colleagues. I was excited to learn about this opportunity in the sports management space—I’ve always been passionate about the way sports bring cultures together and would love the opportunity to bring my project management and leadership abilities to this position.”

2. Seeking a mentor

“Hi, I’m Molly, so nice to meet you! I’m a Graphic Designer at ABC Inc., where I’m passionate about creating beautiful, intuitive designs for a variety of marketing collateral for our top-tier clients. Before that, I got my master’s in graphic design. I’m looking for experiences to learn more about career paths and ways to grow into assuming an Art Director role in the next few years. Your work with XYZ brand has inspired the ways I think about design—I would love to talk more about a potential mentorship with you if that’s something you have time for and would be interested in.”

Find out more about why mentoring matters and how you could benefit with this post from EU Business School .

3. Adding a contact

“Hello! My name is Anwar. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I have a background in Business Analytics with just over ten years of experience creating data-driven solutions for various business problems. Specifically, I love and have had great success in the strategic evaluation of data analysis with our executive staff. It sounds like you do similar work—I would love to keep in touch to learn more about what you and your company do.”

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20 Unique Elevator Speech For Every Situation

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : November 11, 2021

Reading Time :

A speech is a form of communication that conveys information to an audience. It is one of the most important and highly valued forms of communication in human society.

Speech has been used throughout history for various purposes, such as social interaction, education, and entertainment. However, we’ve recently learned how to use it daily.

In this blog, we will discuss the exact details of how to write a great elevator speech . Plus, we will give you ample material on what types of speeches are great for each situation you might be in. If you write your pitch, you’ll find some spectacular elevator speech examples here.

Getting Ready: What is an Elevator Speech?

An elevator speech lets you  provide a fast rundown of who you are and what you do. A pitch might be an opportunity to make a genuine relationship with an audience member that you can use in the future. There may not be an immediate advantage, but you should be ready to make an elevator pitch at any time.

In truth, whether they know it or not, most individuals have done an elevator pitch . As a result, pitches come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from job interviews to brand-new company prospects. Preparing for your next pitch is an important part of marketing yourself and your business. You can do it by scanning through elevator speech examples.

Furthermore, an elevator speech is essential because:

• It doesn’t make your listeners yawn.
• Organize your thoughts briefly.
• It helps to identify your market.

When to use elevator speech depends on the audience you are speaking to. For those who have been out of school for a while, you might want to use it for the introduction. There are also elevator speech examples for students that may vary.

Steps on How to Make an Elevator Speech

Separating key information from less significant information is necessary to make a good elevator speech . Hence, being able to communicate successfully at work is critical.

The solid elevator speech examples have many key components you must grasp before developing your own.

1. Introduce Yourself

The best pitches always begin with a brief introduction . It might be as basic as saying your name and employer if applicable. 

As with eye contact, body language is vital to a strong introduction. Here are a few pointers for your pitch while meeting a new client or customer:

• Make a good first impression by greeting your audience appropriately for the situation.
• Consider dressing formally for an important business meeting or casually for a pleasant get-together.
• You’ll have to think outside the box for the video chat introductions for virtual meetings and networking events.

2. Describe What You Do

If the issue draws the audience in, then the solution will keep them interested. It is your opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the best person to assist them. Spend time honing your solution since it is the most crucial component of your elevator pitch .

3. Provide Your Value Position

Having gotten your audience interested, you need to close the offer. Describe how your answer is superior to everyone else’s.

4. Engage Your Audience With a Question

Before you go, leave your audience engaged by offering praise or asking a question. Always err on the side of sincerity instead of saying goodbye in a prepared manner .

Nail your Elevator Speech , practice with Orai

How to Write an Elevator Speech?

1. identify the needs.

Your elevator speech should have a great beginning, but you must first determine what need your business is trying to fill. Why should your audience, customers, and future consumers choose you above the competition?

2. Determine Your Target Audience

As previously said, recognizing the issue you can address for your readers and clients is the first stage. However, the second step is identifying who those people are.

3. Straight to the Point

It’s okay to be creative while drafting your elevator speech , but don’t be too brilliant that people don’t understand! You should be able to give your elevator pitch when it takes to travel the elevator.

4. Be Memorable

In your elevator speech , you may utilize humor, paint a mental image, and be animated. Be careful not to oversell your abilities or yourself.

5. Dig Deeper

Provide yourself the space and time to further identify your target audience’s problems. Then, identify how you’re going to solve them.

General Elevator Speech Examples

Start building your speech using our elevator speech template, and then add facts and customized greetings as required. This template contains all four components to ensure that your elevator pitch hits all the right notes.

30-Second Elevator Speech Examples

Template 1: sweet and short.

It is a regular occurrence. That is not to say it is the finest, but it is an excellent elevator speech example of a fast and simple pitch that works in virtually every setting. 

When developing this elevator pitch , make it as brief and concise as possible. Consistently adhere to the 30-second or fewer guidelines since the aim is to be brief and honest.

“The issue is that work is chaotic regardless of industry or skill level. However, effective project management software may assist in increasing productivity and communication. In years, I haven’t missed a deadline. If you’re interested in learning how it may benefit your team, call me, and I’ll go over some stats.”

Template 2: Be Relatable

When you want to get your audience’s attention, use a personal narrative they can identify with. If you want to sell anything, you need to make a personal connection with the customer first.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you at long last. What is the current state of the company? Communication has been a problem for you recently. That was a problem for both my team and myself. After using project management software, our cooperation and communication significantly improved. That’s great that you’ve found a solution that works for you and your group.”

Template 3: Knowledgeable With Stats

Start your pitch with a bang by revealing eye-catching facts. You must have concrete data to back up your stats before throwing a pitch to verify their correctness. An effective statistics presentation concludes with a connection between how your solution may help address the problem.

“Despite greater distance connections, 60% of employees’ time is spent on work coordination, 26% on specialized work, and 14% on strategy. Did you? It’s reasonable that organizations need help managing projects. Using project management technologies may save coordination time and boost skilled work.”

Template 4: Savvy With Questions

This example employs the use of questions to help your audience understand your pitch. Because the audience is involved, they are forced to participate rather than merely listen. Start and conclude your speech with a thought-provoking question that will linger in the minds of your listeners.

“Have you ever felt like you’re working too hard? I’ve heard similar complaints from numerous people. I’d work hard days and nights to catch up. But do you know anything? Our project management software has increased my productivity. “When did you last do anything like this?”

Template 5: Humorous Approach

The audience will be more receptive if your elevator speech is lighthearted. Use a GIF or a short amusing video between slides to lighten the atmosphere. Consider the occasion and tone of your organization before utilizing this elevator speech example.

“Most people can only pay attentively for around eight seconds before losing interest. That’s not enough morning time to place my coffee order. That might explain why my barista consistently makes mistakes. But in all seriousness, I believe it is why many businesses have difficulty meeting deadlines.”

Template 6: Storyteller

Use real-life examples from customers or your life experience to engage your audience. This is extremely useful if your subject is difficult to describe in 30 seconds or less.

“One of our customers switched to a remote workforce and needed assistance meeting deadlines. Their productivity increased by up to 10% after working with us so that they could spend more time on higher-value tasks like strategic planning.”

Template 7: Driven With Emotions

If you can make your pitch emotionally charged, you’ll have a higher chance of winning over your audience. To avoid the talk from devolving into anything depressing, maintain your emotions on the positive side.

“While it may seem to be another tool at first glance, closer inspection reveals that it aids team collaboration. Not only that, but it also aids in forming cohesive teams that look forward to working on new projects. That’s difficult to come by, yet everyone wants it.”

Template 8: Ending With Surprise

Good elevator speech examples have surprising conclusions and creatively display how beneficial the products are. You’re compelled to weigh your existing circumstances against a better one.

“You’re curious about the conversion rate of leads generated by your webinar campaign vs. your trade show booth. However, it applies only to consumers who purchased two or more items and were not previously in your database. You’d already be aware if you used our data and reporting tools. It generates reports instantly.”

Template 9: One-Liner

Avoid cliché one-liners and personalize your ending. It’s important to leave them with a lasting impression with a unique concept.

“Every week, more than a quarter (26%) of deadlines are missed due to a lack of clarity . However, using the appropriate project management tools might drastically reduce this figure. Can you afford not to utilize project management software in your company?”

Template 10: Mutual Understanding

“William Koch, I believe, is someone to whom we both have a connection. He’s one of our clients. By using our technology, his organization reduced the time it takes to build new software in half. Since your businesses are of a comparable magnitude, the outcomes will probably be the same. Interested in learning more about what we could do on his behalf?”

Template 11: Written Speech

Once you give your pitch, it produces a thought-provoking and lyrical flow. Because you’ll have to recite this pitch from memory, practice is essential to your game plan.

“Wendy here! Nice to meet you. Do you work for Apollo? I’ve heard good things. I heard you need project management assistance. Anyone in business—sales or suppliers—needs assistance managing tasks and teamwork. Without it, work may be a mess, particularly today. That’s why we built a software application that helps people and teams manage projects and communications. Have you considered utilizing anything similar?”

Template 12: The Advisor

“We’ve discovered that content marketing is a major challenge for fledgling B2B SaaS enterprises. We helped many of your colleagues produce, publish, and promote blog material last year, resulting in a 20% increase in leads. Want to know more?”

Template 13: Attention Grabber

“Have you ever been told to “whip up a short report before the day ends”? You say yes, but your heart sinks because it won’t be fast. As marketing professionals, my company’s founders had to deal with this issue repeatedly. So they built a program that consolidates data and generates reports in under 30 seconds.”

Template 14: Credibility Boost

“Every month, I speak with hundreds of marketers. And they despise writing reports. It’s tiresome, time-consuming, and not your priority. Our tool uses all your data to produce whatever report you want in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee.”

Elevator Speech For Every Situation

Let’s look at some of the best examples of elevator speeches. An elevator pitch may help you arrange your ideas and prepare for the real thing.

1. Formal Meeting

A presentation might be a terrific supplement to typical elevator speech examples. Whether or not you produce a presentation, the goal of this meeting is to sell your product professionally.

“I reviewed your existing productivity metrics and saw room for improvement. Our project management software may help you reclaim up to 10% of your workday. That means more work gets done, and more work means greater success for your company. Not to add, our product is the only one in the business with goal-setting features.”

2. Job Interview

Whether with HR, a recruiter, or a hiring manager, most interviews begin with “Tell me about yourself.” Preparing an elevator pitch may help you be ready when the chance arises.

“The most common instance is a networking gathering. Establishing friendships through video chat maybe even more difficult in the emerging virtual-first society. That’s why creating a great elevator pitch is critical regardless of where you’re presenting.”

3. Networking Event

“Hello, I’m Orai from Apollo Enterprises. Around the globe, we’ve improved team productivity and cooperation. Reach out if you need project management support. Let’s create a big influence on your organization. I’ll also have your contact details available.”

4. Sales Pitch

Professionals frequently use sales jargon, but the trick is to create a personal connection while selling softly.

“Our team struggled to become a remote workforce. People struggled to locate the right information and communicate effectively. But happily, we discovered a solution. Using project management tools enhanced cooperation and production. Every firm has its preferences, but I can vouch for our software’s ability to link objectives to the effort required to attain them.”

5. Virtual Meeting

“Thank you! I saw your competition exceed you year-over-year. I ran a quick competitive analysis and found no major flaws. How’s it doing with remote work? If you’re curious, I can give you some productivity gains from adding project management tools to your present workflow.”

6. Meeting With Business Owners

There are significant differences between pitching a firm owner and an executive. They’re more difficult to market since they’re wary of making additional financial commitments.

“I enjoy your company’s goods. And I fully support your objective. I realized there might be ways to boost internal productivity and cooperation. Do you use project management software? It might significantly influence company growth today or in the future.”

What are some tips for refining your pitch delivery, body language, and voice?

Master your pitch by crafting a clear and concise message, practicing confident delivery, and projecting your voice from your diaphragm. Use VR for realistic practice, mirror checks for body language , and feedback from others to refine your presentation and leave a lasting impression.

What should be the focus of a pitch to set yourself apart and hook people in?

The focus of a pitch should be on highlighting what makes you and your company unique, what is fascinating about your story, and what will captivate the audience’s interest and make them eager to learn more.

What role do eye-opening statistics play in a pitch?

Leverage eye-catching statistics to supercharge your pitch. They grab attention, build trust, and showcase your value. Data appeals to both logic and emotions, making your message persuasive and memorable. Highlight expertise and achievements with impactful numbers to resonate with your audience.

How can you identify your goal for the pitch and your ideal audience?

Before crafting your pitch, solidify your goal (promotion, awareness, sales?) and target audience (who benefits most?). Research their demographics, interests, and needs to tailor your message and maximize engagement.

What should you consider before writing a pitch?

Craft a winning pitch: Know your goal (promotion, awareness, sales?) and target audience (who benefits?). Tailor your message to their needs, highlight your USP , and answer “What’s in it for them?”. End with a question to spark conversation and connection.

When should you use an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is your versatile tool to showcase yourself, your product, or your idea in 60 seconds. Use it for investors, website bios, social media, book blurbs, management pitches, or job interviews. Be prepared to strike anywhere and leave a lasting impression.

What are the advantages of using an elevator pitch?

The advantages of using an elevator pitch include being well-prepared for networking events, reducing nervousness, and building confidence . With a practiced elevator pitch , you have a clear and concise introduction ready, eliminating awkward pauses and ensuring a professional and polished delivery. This preparation allows you to make a positive first impression on new contacts, speak confidently without stumbling over words, and initiate conversations effectively.

Why is having a clear call to action essential in a pitch?

A strong call to action (CTA) is your pitch’s closer. It tells the audience exactly what you want them to do next, whether it’s contacting you, trying your product, or learning more. A clear CTA guides them toward your desired outcome, boosting engagement and conversions. It sets you apart, leaving a lasting impression and making them eager to connect.

Why is asking a question at the end of a pitch important?

End your pitch with a bang : surprise, intrigue, and a thought-provoking question . This sparks curiosity, engages the audience, and opens the door for a deeper conversation. A well-crafted question can build connections and turn your pitch into a valuable dialogue, paving the way for future success.

How do you get your pitch right?

Shine in 60 seconds! Craft your elevator pitch by considering your goals, audience, and USP . Engage with a thought-provoking question , address pain points with solutions , and use statistics, social proof , and your experience to stand out. End with a clear call to action and leave them wanting more.

How and where can you practice delivering an elevator pitch?

Master your elevator pitch with Passage_1’s tips: practice delivery , try the Orai app , or find online simulations for feedback. Explore additional resources and start practicing today!

Key Takeaways

An elevator speech is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 20 elevator speech examples above will help you develop your method.

This tutorial should have helped you learn how to remember a speech quickly. You may also get a free trial of Orai on the App Store. Start your free trial in the app store now.

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