What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your business does. It should be simple and to the point, and it should grab the attention of the listener within a very short timeframe – typically the length of an elevator ride.
How long should an elevator pitch be?
An effective elevator pitch should be no longer than 60 seconds, or about 150 words. It needs to be concise, clear, and engaging enough to hold the listener’s attention.
How to write an elevator pitch in 8 steps
1. Grab attention with your intro
Start your elevator pitch with a strong hook to grab the listener’s attention right away. This could be a shocking fact, a thought-provoking question, or a compelling statement.
2. Start with who you are
Introduce yourself and your role in the business. Keep it brief and relevant to the pitch.
3. Write about what you do and how you do it
Explain what your business does and how it solves a problem or fulfills a need. Be specific and avoid jargon.
4. Identify your target market
Describe who your target customers are and why they need your product or service.
5. Mention your goals
Explain what your business aims to achieve and how you plan to do it. This could include growth targets, market expansion, or product development goals.
6. Embrace the competition
Briefly acknowledge your competition and explain what makes your business unique or superior.
7. Include a call to action
End your pitch with a clear call to action, such as asking for a follow-up meeting, a product demo, or a trial of your service.
8. Practice your elevator pitch (and record yourself)
Practice delivering your pitch until it feels natural and conversational. Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Writing an elevator pitch: 3 examples (and free templates)
1. The all-purposes elevator pitch
[Template]
2. The Pixar pitch
[Template]
3. The sales pitch
[Template]
7 tips to write an elevator pitch in 2023
1. Use social proof
Include testimonials, case studies, or statistics that demonstrate the value of your product or service.
2. Include concrete numbers
Use specific numbers and data to quantify the benefits of your offering.
3. Use analogies to explain your product
Compare your product or service to something familiar to help the listener understand its value.
4. Sell with stories
Use storytelling to make your pitch more engaging and memorable.
5. Write for the ears
Use language that is easy to understand and avoid technical jargon.
6. Consider video elevator pitches
Explore the use of video to deliver your elevator pitch in a more engaging and dynamic way.
7. Prepare good conversation-starters
Think about questions or topics that can naturally follow from your elevator pitch to keep the conversation going.
How to write an elevator pitch: Key takeaways
An elevator pitch is a crucial tool for any business, and crafting an effective one can make a significant difference in your success. Keep it concise, tailored to your audience, and practice, practice, practice.
How to write an elevator pitch FAQ
How do you start an elevator pitch?
Start with a strong hook or attention-grabbing statement to engage your listener from the beginning.
What are some examples of elevator pitches?
Examples include the all-purposes elevator pitch, the Pixar pitch, and the sales pitch.
Do’s and don’ts of an elevator pitch?
Do keep it concise, engaging, and tailored to your audience. Don’t use jargon, be too pushy, or forget to include a call to action.
What’s the secret to a good elevator pitch?
The secret lies in being clear, engaging, and compelling, and in practicing until it feels natural and conversational.