How to Create an Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is a short speech of four to five sentences. It is used to describe or promote a service, product or project effectively in a short time--for example, the time it takes to ride from the first to 20th floor in an elevator with a prospective client. Elevator pitches are used by businesspeople, educators and writers. A writer's elevator pitch about his book frequently turns up on the back cover once it is published!
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Instructions
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Write down the important points that you want to make about your product, project or service. Highlight or circle the keywords. Group similar points together.
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Write four or five sentences incorporating your keywords and concepts. Remember not to use any specialized jargon that a person outside of your field would not understand unless you are pitching within your field. Use action verbs (such as create, implement, design) rather than passive verbs.
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Edit your elevator pitch until it is as brief as possible while still conveying your desired message. Practice this speech until you can say it without consulting your notes. Use it whenever you need to describe your project, product or service, but remember to be prepared to alter it depending on the audience. (For example, you might need to add or subtract explanations or insert a timely reference.)
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Use the elevator pitch also in printed or online promotional matter.
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Tips & Warnings
Rehearse your elevator pitch frequently and make sure it is up-to-date.
Use statistics, but make sure you can back up their credibility.
Don't try to pack too much information into your elevator pitch. Make it short, informative and interesting so that a prospective client will want to know more.
