Mastering Your Elevator Pitch

Do you have an elevator pitch?

No? You need one.

An elevator pitch is a memorable sound bite that briefly describes you, your value, and makes you relatable.

You're selling yourself, so it needs to be short, positive, and clear. We’re going to talk about what a good elevator pitch sounds like and how to deliver it.

Crafting Your Elevator Pitch

Your introduction, often referred to as your elevator pitch, describes your unique value proposition.  It's your chance to succinctly communicate who you are, what you do, and how you help in under 15 seconds (and ideally 10). 

That’s right.  About 15 seconds.  It needs to be easy to digest and memorable.  People have short memories so overloading them with too much information means your message gets lost.

How do you go about writing one?  Here are some questions to help craft your pitch:

• What do you do?
• Who do you typically work with?
• What problem do you solve?
• How are you different?

Begin with a brief greeting and your name, followed by a statement that highlights your expertise or passion.

Example 1 - "Hi, I'm Jason.  I fix hiring headaches. No more worrying about finding the right candidate or the hiring process. I manage everything for a low flat fee. What's your experience with a flat rate recruiter?"

Example 2 – “Hi, I’m Jason. You know those times when you struggle to convert inbound traffic and you’re not sure why? That's my superpower. I help companies convert more traffic to revenue. What interests you the most about what I do?”

Think of this as verbal clickbait. You want to pique curiosity and start a conversation.

Be Authentic and Memorable

Can’t stress this enough.  Be authentic.  Authenticity breeds trust and leaves a lasting impression. Share genuine stories and anecdotes that showcase your personality and values. Avoid using jargon or rehearsed scripts, as they can come across as insincere. Plus you're bore the listener. Instead, let your passion and enthusiasm shine through. 

Use personal stories wherever possible.  Stories engage.  Stories are memorable.  Sharing stories humanizes you and makes you relatable.

Help Me Help You

Your friends, family and colleagues are great ways to help spread the word.  Can’t stress this enough - make it easy for them.

If your pitch connects – it's easy to understand and remember, and provides a clear value - perhaps it goes further than just the people you meet.  Maybe there’s a chance that person tells 2 friends, who tells 2 friends … and so on … and so on. 

If they can’t understand your value, how can you expect them to help you?

Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill, mastering the art of introduction requires practice. Take advantage of every opportunity to introduce yourself, whether it's at networking events, social gatherings, or even in everyday encounters. Experiment with different approaches and refine your pitch based on feedback and experience.

If you're seeing a lot of confused faces or hearing questions about explaining what you do again, that's a sign you need to practice. 

Practice in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend to fine-tune your delivery and body language. Pay attention to your tone, pace, and posture, ensuring that you convey confidence and approachability. The more comfortable you become with introducing yourself, the more natural and authentic your interactions will feel.

Conclusion

Mastering elevator pitches is a skill that can open doors, create opportunities, and propel your professional journey forward.  By crafting a compelling elevator pitch, being authentic and memorable, practicing consistently, and nurturing relationships, you'll not only succeed in introducing yourself effectively but also in building a powerful network that supports and elevates you throughout your career.

Need help crafting your elevator pitch?  Let’s start with a free 15-minute consultation.

Thanks for reading and good luck!