An elevator pitch is a quick way of introducing yourself with the goal of getting across one of two key points while making a connection with someone. It is called such because it takes the same amount of time as an elevator ride. Imagine being in the same elevator as the recruiter for a job that you really want. You’ll have to sell yourself and make a good impression before the two doors open again and both of you have to step out and part ways—there’s your chance! In this blog, you will get to know 6 Tips To Create a Memorable Elevator Pitch.
Whether you are at an event or just in the airport, you never know where opportunities might come a-knockin’. It might be a chance for a prospective job or an opportunity to build connections.
Elevator pitches are not just helpful in securing a job but also good for business. When you’re making new contacts or getting new customers, sometimes your fate depends on having a great elevator pitch.
Tips to create an elevator pitch
Writing an elevator pitch might be nerve-wracking at first. How can you summarize the complexity and essence of your company or yourself, experiences, and achievements into a few sentences? However, if done right it will help you stand out and create a good first impression, monumental to building and rooting yourself in the career you want.
Much like creating a business plan, generating a great elevator pitch comes with the right strategies to make it memorable. So here are six tips you can use to start formulating your own.
1. Explain what you do
Give a brief summary of what you do, your background. This means including relevant information such as work experience, key specialties, your strengths, or education. Describe what your organization does and focus on how you solve problems and help people. Add any information or statistics that will add value in what you do. It is important that your prospects have a working background about you before you actually dive into what your goals are.
For example, instead of saying what you or your company produces, tell your prospects how your services or products impact the lives of your customers. This way you are exhibiting the value of your work and your pitch becomes a whole lot more interesting.
Your pitch should sound exciting to you first and foremost. If you’re not getting excited by what you’re saying then you have to change your tactics, because more or less, your audience’s reaction would be the same. What you should aim for is to bring about a smile on your face and theirs. Remember, most often than not, people will forget about most of the conversations they had in a day and that includes you, but they will most likely remember your charisma and enthusiasm.
2. Know yourself/brand
Write a short list of words or sentences that describe yourself. Make it tailored to the appropriate audience that you expect to converse with. Focus on items about you that relate to what you aim to become or to the position you want to be in.
If you are targeting professional networking, instead of grating through hobbies and pastimes, try concentrating on your education, extracurricular activities, and work experiences connected to your goal.
Adding in skills, qualifications and accomplishments will also help build your character. It should resemble a resume but in a more conversational tone. You can even brag a little but keep it subtle. Clue them in on your strengths and why they should keep talking to you.
3. Identifying your goals and what you do
People are often impressed by others who know exactly what they want to do and have their lives planned out. Create a well-organized thought on how you organize and prioritize your goals in life. Your prospects want someone whose goals are aligned with their own.
Help them understand your priorities and career goals as you add specific sentences or items to address these goals. It may be skills that have helped you in a job or internship and how you gained them or it could also be your passion and the values you stand for that are related to your career goals. What drives you to work and what drives your interests?
4. Using emotional connections
Learn to communicate your unique selling proposition (USP). USP is the attribute that makes you better than your competition. Determine what makes you, your company, or your products and/or services better than others. Communicating your USP to your prospects quickly and effectively is one of the keys to building relationships and creating emotional connections.
What is it that makes you unique? Highlight your strengths, the ways you solve problems and handle things. How much value do you present in your company and how valuable you could be to your prospects?
You could also lead your elevator pitch with an emotional appeal instead of going for introductions that are already expected. You could think of the needs of your business or branch in the market that needs to be addressed. Think of solutions from common problems to business-related matters. Conjure up memories and emotions that can give you a better footing for the remainder of your pitch.
5. Engage with a query
It is important to end your elevator pitch by asking a question, it is a good way to engage with your prospect. You can close your pitch by asking an open-ended question that does not just require a yes or no answer. You can also ask for a request to keep connected and it is most helpful to include a context as to why you are in this event or why you are pitching yourself. A query or request is tantamount to putting a call-to-action at the end of your elevator pitch. It serves as a reminder for the person to reach out to you in the future.
6. Rehearse your pitch
It takes time to craft your pitch and another time to rehearse it. Practice aloud, time it, and have a feel of it. If it’s good enough for you, is it going to be good enough for your prospects?
Ask your friends for feedback and cut everything that is unnecessary. Remember, your goal is to deliver an engaging and short speech—natural but professional; detailed but not scripted. You don’t need to share all the bullet points from your resume, just enough to get their interest so you can land a follow-up meeting.
Your pitch should not be longer than 20-30 seconds otherwise you’re either losing your audience or monopolizing the conversation. How you communicate is just as important as the content of your pitch. The more you practice, the more it will sound natural and conversational.
And finally, be aware of your body language especially in today’s society. With social gatherings requiring masks, facial cues are dead and gone. So, make sure your intentions are readable through your gestures. Show that you are enthusiastic and professional.
Our Final Tip
To sum up, an elevator pitch is a short speech that you can use to spark interest in your organization and yourself. Remember that an effective elevator pitch should convey all the important information concisely and in a way that catches people’s attention, but not too much as to overwhelm them. It’s also worth noting that one can use this type of message for different purposes like networking events, job interviews, presentations, etc., where it’s likely that you will have less time than normal to get someone interested in who you are and what you do. And finally, before you go, don’t forget to always radiate your best and confident self. You got this!
For more tips, specifically, on how to use stories to stand out, check out our website.
