How to Create a 30 Second Elevator Pitch

How to create an elevator pitch

From selling yourself to peddling a product or service, the "elevator pitch" is a corporate zeitgeist used to quickly catch the attention of a potential employer or client. It is 30 seconds used to get the individual(s) interested in whatever you have to offer, and can lead to a more in-depth meeting or conversation down the road. Keep a few guidelines in mind to help you create a killer 30-second spiel.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

1. Get to the heart of the pitch. Tell them who you are, what you offer and why they need it. That's about how much you can accomplish in just 30 seconds and should be enough to entice the individual to learn more about your offerings. For example, you might say "Hi, my name is Joe and I am the owner of Joe's Custom Tailoring. I've noticed you have on a custom suit and I can almost guarantee that if you become a customer of mine, you will pay much less for a better quality suit. I can fit you specifically, so that suit hangs on your physique to perfection. And we reward our customers with frequent coupons, discounts and special shopping events. We also have a larger selection than just about anyone else. Here's my card. Pay me a visit and I'll throw in an extra 10 percent off the price of your first suit."

2. Focus on language. You only have 30 seconds to make your elevator pitch, so you need to use words that are strong and persuasive. Write out a few statements of action that get to the heart of what you are trying to say, and spur the person to do whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. A good example of an elevator pitch statement for a photography business might be something like "Create memories you can hold on to for life by booking a 1-hour photo session for you and your loved ones." This appeals to the emotion, gives specifics (just an hour of the person's time) and shows it benefits more than just the person to whom you are making the pitch.

3. Encourage the customer to visualize your pitch. Make him see what you are saying to entice him to want to know more and take you up on the offer presented in your pitch. Use visually appealing words -- descriptive language about colors, textures and potential results -- to get the reader to see what you are saying as well as hear it.

4. Tailor your pitch to your audience. You don't want to craft a 30-second elevator speech for a corporate individual and then try to pitch it also to someone that works construction or is a tortured artist. These individuals are all different enough to warrant their own speeches, so make what you have to offer specifically appeal to each.

Tips & Warnings

• Write down your elevator pitch on paper

• Practice saying it several times until you have it committed to memory

• Consider recording your elevator pitch so you can hear what it sounds like

References

• Dumb Little Man: How to Craft a Killer Elevator Pitch That Will Land You Big Business
• "The Wall Street Journal": Why You Need an Elevator Pitch; Sarah E. Needleman; May 2011