An elevator pitch is a short monologue, usually thirty to sixty seconds in length that tells the listener who you are and why they should care. The idea is that you should be able to sell yourself to the person next to you in a metaphorical elevator by the time you reach the next floor. It is used to describe you, your experience, your company and/or idea.
Picture This:
Scenario 1- You are in Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport, you climb into the elevator to go from the ticketing floor down to the ground transportation floor. In walks Bill Gates. The door closes and he says, “Good morning.” Your face turns red, your heart starts pounding, and your hands become slightly sweaty. Now is your chance to get his feedback on this brilliant idea you have been working on- a non-profit that helps bring books to underprivileged children. What do you say? “Good morning.” Then pull out your phone to text your friend, “OMG I’M IN AN ELEVATOR WITH BILL GATES!” OR you recite that elevator pitch that you have perfected after reading a blog on a. Millennial Professional.
Scenario 2- You are a local photographer who specializes in family portraits. You’re at the bank, and the teller asks, “What do you do for work?” You have two options. Simply reply, “photographer,” and kill the conversation OR you dive into who you are, what you do, and why they should care. Who knows, maybe she’s looking for a photographer for a Christmas session, or her sister is about to have a baby and would be your ideal client.
In essence, an elevator pitch is how you respond to conversation starters, such as:
● What do you do for a living?
● Tell me a little about yourself.
● Why should I be interested in your company/ idea?
● As in Scenario 1 above, to ask for feedback on an idea from someone’s opinion you greatly value.
● Or as in Scenario 2 above, to market yourself or your business.
Having an elevator pitch previously established and well-rehearsed is a necessity as a professional. You must be able to sell yourself efficiently and effectively. Typically, the goal of your elevator pitch is usually for your listener to become so interested in you that they want more of whoever you are or whatever you have to offer them.
So, let’s get started!
1. Keep Your Audience in Mind
I encourage you to create a few different elevator pitches depending on the various potential audiences. To start, aim to create a pitch specific for a job interview that answers “tell me about yourself,” one to pitch an idea you’ve always had, and one that is used to pitch yourself to a potential hiring manager. Please, if necessary, create other versions that are better aimed for your dreams and ambitions though. Keep in mind your tone of voice, mannerisms, and eye contact as you are speaking.
2. Capture Attention, Establish Connection
As mentioned previously, when writing your elevator speech, it’s vital to grab the listeners’ attention early on. This can be done in numerous ways, but we recommend stating an impressive fact or highlighting a problem they currently face as a business. If you know the listener’s background, try to start with a topic you have in common, such as a common alma mater.
This is likely to engage them into the pitch, they need the answer to this problem, and you could be it.
3. Define Who You Are and Why They Should Care
Next, you want to provide a brief description of what you currently do or are trying to do. It’s essential to keep this short and sweet, it’s not a resume and you’re not here to bore them. However, instead of telling them what you do, sometimes it’s better to use specific examples to convey your message. For example, since you started working at your current job, what changed? What have you physically had an impact on? Do you have clear and concise data that would relay your impressive impact?
If you can show change to your listener, you’re showing that you have an impact in the workplace and are not just another mindless employee who sits at their desk waiting for the clock to strike five every day - this is really important!
Example: I currently work in the health & hygiene industry at (insert company name). In the last six months, I’ve been working on (x project) to reduce waste whilst simultaneously increasing sanitary function - we’ve seen a 30% increase in (x), and this has impacted the business by (y).
Often, this is most important when your listener is a stakeholder in a job you are seeking, whether they know a person who works for the company or they’re an employee or hiring manager themself. Remember your elevator speech needs to be short, so if adding examples does not feel relevant, skip this part.
4. Differentiate Yourself
What makes you different than the five other young professionals that reached out to them requesting an interview or feedback this week? This can be a difficult question to answer; however, if you answer it right, the dividends could go beyond your wildest dreams..
Do you know something about the listener that you could utilize to appeal to them through relatability? Do you speak multiple languages? Are you an avid traveler? Has this person been a role model to you? Do they work for a company that you follow? The options are endless, the goal is simple- make the listener want to actively listen to what you have to say.
5. Close Strong with a Call to Action
Ensure you leave with offering a way to keep the conversation going after your quick dialogue. This is easily achieved by asking them for their business card or email address at the end of your elevator speech. Try not to volunteer your contact information first. We want to keep the ball in your court so you can be the one that reaches out, eliminating the chance they may forget about you. Asking for something as simple as their business card serves as a signal that you’re done taking up their time and that you are interested in keeping in touch. What’s the worst they can say? No. So, no need to fret. You’ve got this.
6. Your Assignment
Download the Perfecting Your Pitch worksheet here. Write your elevator pitch. Share it in the comments below.
What a better way to network and learn more about one another? Also, feel free to ask for feedback from one another! That's what friends are for!
Want to hear my elevator pitch when seeking feedback for this sitel? Here we go: “Hi Hannah, my name is Megan Platt. I recognized you from your recent article in The Cincinnatian. I, too, went to the University of Cincinnati! After I graduated, I sought a quick-paced leadership role, so I accepted a position with Big Fortune 500 Company. While I absolutely love my job, I am also starting a company for other twenty-to-thirty-somethings that will become a go-to resource for all things career, intentional living, and life as a young leader. Would you be willing to take a look at a few of my articles? If so, may I have your business card?”
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