Whether you love or dread the elevator pitch, it’s a short window of time in close quarters where a lot of verbal and non-verbal communication happens. Understanding what makes an elevator pitch effective will help you craft one that communicates everything you want in just a few moments. Whether you’re talking to a promising lead on social media or chatting up prospects in person, tailoring your pitch to the situation is key.

What you’ll learn:

• What is an elevator pitch?
• What makes a good elevator pitch?
• How long should your pitch be?
• When to use an elevator pitch
• Elements of an effective pitch
• How to write an elevator pitch
• A basic elevator pitch step-by-step guide
• Do’s and don’ts of elevator pitches
• Elevator pitch examples and why they work

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive summary of what you or your organization has to offer and how this positively impacts your prospect. Can you get your point across in the span of an elevator ride? That’s the goal.

What makes a good elevator pitch?

A good elevator pitch tells a clear, concise, and compelling story about how you can solve the unique problems of your prospect. It should note the specifics of a prospect challenge and offer a way to solve it. The goal is to pique curiosity and leave the listener eager to learn more.

How long should an elevator pitch be?

Ideally, your pitch should be short enough to hold someone’s attention but long enough to cover the essentials. My advice: Make your elevator pitch 30 seconds to two minutes. There’s no “right” length, however. It just needs to be long enough to engage and intrigue your listener.

When to use an elevator pitch

Elevator pitches are versatile and can be used in various settings, including networking events, job interviews, sales pitches, and business meetings. In a casual encounter, like meeting someone on an airplane, a concise one-sentence pitch can often lead to further interest and deeper conversation. In a more formal setting, like a prospective client meeting, your elevator pitch could be just what you need to win business over another firm.

Elements of an effective pitch

Crafting an effective elevator pitch involves more than just summarizing your professional or business proposition. It requires a strategic structure that captivates and persuades. This structure should include a compelling start, a clear explanation of a problem your prospect is facing, and your unique solution. You should also convey your distinct value, evidence of success, and a call to action. This format ensures your pitch is not only informative but also engaging and memorable.

Here’s a quick rundown:

1. A compelling lead: Hook them with a unique opening statement.
2. Problem and solution: Introduce a challenge and highlight your solution.
3. Unique value proposition: Share why your approach is different from the rest.
4. Evidence of success: Briefly cite a success story or achievement.
5. Call to action: Finish with an invitation to continue the conversation.

How to write an elevator pitch

Start by clearly defining your goals and presenting your ideas in a way that’s direct and engaging. Next, identify the main problem your product addresses and clearly describe your unique solution. Close it all with a call to action to keep the conversation going.

Successful pitches combine enthusiasm and passion with expertise to address the needs of your audience, so make sure you deliver all of this with “oomph.” Oh, and if you’ve got a case of writer’s block, generative AI makes it easy to draft a pitch tailored to your audience.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:

1. Define your objective: What do you want to achieve with your pitch?
2. Explain your role and solution: What do you do/offer and what’s the value?
3. Communicate your unique selling position (USP): What sets you apart from others in the market?
4. Engage your audience: What question or interactive element can you include?
5. Learn, refine, and practice: How can you improve your pitch for the next time?

Do’s and don’ts of elevator pitches

Understanding the do’s and don’ts of an elevator pitch will help you create a strong and memorable message. It’s all about striking the right balance between an engaging and impactful pitch and one that goes a little too deep. Follow these guidelines for a more effective delivery that will capture your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.

• Customize for your audience: How will you help solve your prospects’ problems? Focus on their needs, not your offering’s shiny features.
• Keep it simple and jargon-free: Use clear and accessible language.
• Leave them wanting more: Pique their interest with a short and sweet pitch that sparks further conversation.
• Practice regularly: Familiarity with pitch language breeds confidence and smooth delivery.
• Don’t talk too fast: Speak at a comfortable pace to ensure clarity and confidence.
• Don’t sound too rehearsed: Vary your tone and pace to hold attention, while sounding as natural as possible.
• Don’t overload on details: Avoid overwhelming with too much information. Stick to key points.
• Don’t forget to listen: Be ready to engage in conversation following your pitch.

Elevator pitch examples and why they work

To ensure your message resonates and achieves its intended impact, consider different audiences and scenarios and tailor your approach. Here are some elevator pitch examples and why they work.

Phone pitch

What it sounds like: “Hey [Name], hope you’re doing well! I just learned about something and immediately thought of you. It’s this new tool my company developed, ProjectBoost. Honestly, it’s like a breath of fresh air for team projects. We’re talking smoother collaboration and less hassle, and I’ve heard some teams are even getting things done 25% faster. How about we jump on a quick call, maybe do a walk-through? It’s pretty cool, and I think you’ll like what you see.”

When to use: A phone pitch lets you form personal connections and express enthusiasm verbally. It’s perfect for cold calls, lead qualification, and appointment setting, especially when reaching out to busy prospects.

Why it works: This approach works because it can humanize you. You should try to make your prospects feel like they’re chatting with a friend, not a sales rep.

Email pitch

What it sounds like: “Dear [Name], In today’s fast-paced world, efficiency is key. Our software, TimeMaster, streamlines your daily schedule and tasks and can even boost productivity by over 30%. Interested? Let’s schedule a demo to explore its potential for your team.”

When to use: An email pitch is best for clarity and brevity, making it effective for initial introductions or written follow-ups.

Why it works: An email pitch is clear, concise, and direct. It quickly introduces your product and its main benefit and provides a call to action. It gives the prospect time to consider their response and an opportunity to schedule an appointment.

30-second pitch

What it sounds like: “Imagine reducing your home energy costs by 30% annually. EcoSmart Home does just that by optimizing your electricity usage with AI technology. It’s a small change for significant savings.”

When to use: The 30-second pitch is best for brief encounters where time is limited, like chance meetings or short introductions.

Why it works: This pitch is short and impactful, highlighting a significant benefit quickly. It’s ideal for situations when you need to convey your message succinctly.

Relatable pitch

What it sounds like: “As a parent, I know how challenging it is to find quality educational apps for children. That’s why I created KidLearn, an app that combines fun and learning in a safe, engaging environment.”

When to use: Use this type of pitch to connect emotionally to your audience and build trust.

Why it works: People connect through shared experiences, so by coming from a place of relatability, your audience will see you as authentic and trustworthy.

Funny pitch

What it sounds like: “Did you hear about the new restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere. Speaking of no atmosphere, that’s what your office parties feel like without our app, PartyPro. It turns dull gatherings into legendary events. Who knew adding a karaoke leaderboard could be a game-changer?”

When to use: The comedic pitch works well in casual settings to break the ice and make your message stand out.

Why it works: This pitch combines humor with a clear and concise message that highlights value, making it engaging and memorable.

“Prove it to me,” statistics-based pitch

What it sounds like: “Businesses using our software, StatTrack, have seen a 40% increase in productivity. It’s not just a tool, it’s a game-changer for your company’s efficiency and bottom line.”

When to use: Use this pitch for scenarios where proven results and data will significantly boost the credibility of your message.

Why it works: By presenting compelling stats, it’s easy to show off the benefits of your product; This type of pitch works well for more formal, results-driven scenarios.

Narrative pitch

What it sounds like: “Let me tell you about Sarah. She runs her own boutique and was always swamped with her finances. Then she found MoneyWise, and it’s been a game-changer. She’s saving hours on her books every week. And her profits? They’re up by 20%. Think about what MoneyWise could do for your business.”

When to use: The narrative pitch is versatile and can be highly effective in one-on-one sales meetings, client consultations, investor pitches, and any scenario where building a personal connection and conveying real-world results is key.

Why it works: This pitch tells a story, making it more engaging and relatable. It illustrates a real-world application of the product, which is effective in creating a lasting impression.

Perfect the art of the elevator pitch

With the right approach and some practice, you can deliver effective elevator pitches that make a big impact quickly in moments that matter. Done right, a great elevator pitch helps you make a memorable impression, creates excitement for your business, builds relationships, and sets the stage for future success.