What Is the Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch is a short verbal introduction that explains what your business does and how it benefits your customer. This pitch is crafted and delivered to pique curiosity in the customer's mind.
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History
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The term "elevator pitch" stems from the idea of what you would say to the most important potential customer in the world if you were riding up in an elevator and the customer asked, "What do you do?" An elevator pitch is not delivered only in an elevator, however; it can be used anywhere and anytime you interact with a new potential customer.
Features
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An elevator pitch is not a personal advertisement. A great elevator pitch includes brevity, clarity and at least one benefit statement that is important to the customer.
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Considerations
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Review a written draft of your elevator pitch several times to ensure it integrates the strongest customer benefit to create a positive response. Practice your elevator pitch aloud before you deliver it to a potential customer. Revamp your elevator pitch constantly.
Fun Fact
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The elevator pitch originated during a time when taking the elevator in a large office building was very common. The ideal length of an elevator pitch--about 30 seconds--was based on the time it took the average elevator to rise 30 floors.
Expert Insight
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If your line of work deals with different industries, create several individual elevator pitches, each tailored with relevant benefits to that particular industry.
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References
- Photo Credit young businessman with a suitcase and a newspaper image by Ana de Sousa from Fotolia.com
